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AN INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SERVING THE GW COMMUNITY SINCE 1904

The GW Hatchet

Serving the GW Community since 1904

The GW Hatchet

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Officials name senior vice president, chief of staff
By Fiona Riley, Assistant News Editor • March 26, 2024

Kerry Washington talks Commencement nerves with David Letterman

Actress and GW Commencement speaker Kerry Washington appeared on the “Late Night with David Letterman” Monday, admitting she was “terrified” about the speech.

Washington, an alumna, has seen her acting career skyrocket this year with the continued success of her television show “Scandal,” her starring role in “Django Unchained” and her recent appearance on the cover of Elle magazine. But her latest challenge comes next week on the National Mall.

The poised and elegant Washington laughed along with Letterman’s jokes and avoided divulging too much information on the contents of her speech.

“I’m going to do jokes about how I pulled a lot of all-nighters and drank a lot in college,” Washington joked.

Washington will join a list of past GW Commencement speakers that include Brian Williams and  first lady Michelle Obama.

 She said she wants to have a “positive impact on these graduates,” and knows there are high expectations.

“You in 20 minutes are going to unravel the world and give them the key to solve the problems?” Letterman joked.

“That’s my plan,” Washington said. “I’m going to do it, and I’m going to send you the recording and you too will be enlightened.”

But Washington said she’s aware that GW may be a tough crowd: “I’m sure some of [the students] are like, ‘Oh an actress at commencement, what does she know?”’

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