Jane Lynch, MFA ’84, to deliver Convocation address May 21

Jane Lynch, MFA '84, a Golden Globe and five-time Emmy Award winner who currently hosts the Fox TV game show "Celebrity Weakest Link," will give the keynote address at Senior Convocation, scheduled for May 21 from 1-2:30 p.m. in Barton Hall.

The student-run 2026 Convocation Committee announced the selection April 27 during a senior class event on Ho Plaza.

Lynch won the 2011 Golden Globe for best supporting actress for her portrayal of McKinley High cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester in the Fox series "Glee." She was also nominated for an Emmy in 2024 for hosting "The Weakest Link."

"We're super excited about Jane Lynch," said Chinaza Politis '26, chair of the Convocation committee. "She was always one of the people we kept top of mind this year. One of the things we as a committee really wanted was an alum, just to embody that Big Red spirit.

"And the other thing that came up a lot in our surveys was, people wanted just a fun, light-hearted, high-energy event," Politis said. "And we feel like she really, really embodies all of those principles."

Convocation is a student-led celebration by and for the undergraduate graduating class. In addition to the guest speaker, the event will include a student speaker, student organization performances and remarks from university leadership.

Class of 2026 undergraduates will have first priority to reserve tickets for Convocation, starting at 6 p.m. on April 27, followed by graduate and professional students (May 13, noon) and the general student body, staff and faculty (May 18, noon).

A pre-Convocation event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Barton will include performances, snacks, giveaways and a senior class photo, scheduled for approximately 12:40 p.m. and facilitated by Alumni Affairs and Development.

"Convocation is a really special opportunity to celebrate the Class of '26 as a collective," said Politis, a student in the ILR School. "It's about recognizing that, 'You got your degree, but you were also a Cornell student for all these years,' and wrapping up that chapter of our lives with a nice little bow."

Lynch, who appeared in all 121 episodes of "Glee" over the show's six-year run, has won five primetime Emmy awards, including for hosting "Hollywood Game Night" (2015) and for "Glee" (2010). She also shared two Screen Actors Guild awards for ensemble cast, for "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" (2020) and "Glee" (2010).

Most recently, Lynch has been nominated for an Emmy for her portrayal of Sazz Pataki in the Hulu series "Only Murders in the Building," and starred as Rosie Brice in the 2022 Broadway revival of "Funny Girl."

Lynch's film credits include the animated "Wreck-It Ralph" (2012), "Julie & Julia" (2009), "Role Models" (2008), "Talladega Nights" (2006), "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" (2005), and the Christopher Guest-directed mockumentaries "For Your Consideration" (2006), "A Mighty Wind" (2003) and "Best In Show" (2000).

She made her Broadway debut as Miss Hannigan in the 2013 revival of "Annie."

Additional television work includes portraying former attorney general Janet Reno in "Manhunt" (2017), and guest roles on "Criminal Minds," "The Good Fight," "Portlandia," "Two and a Half Men" and "The "L Word."

Lynch grew up in Dolton, Illinois, in suburban Chicago. Her memoir, "Happy Accidents" (2011), with a foreword by comedy legend Carol Burnett, was a New York Times and Los Angeles Times bestseller.

Last year's Convocation speaker was ballet star Misty Copeland. Past speakers include actor and comedian Ken Jeong (2023); author Roxane Gay (2021), science educator and entertainer Bill Nye '77 (2019); then-former Vice President Joe Biden (2017); then-mayor of Newark, New Jersey, Cory Booker (2013); and former President Bill Clinton (2004).

Commencement will take place May 23 at Schoellkopf Field and will be split into two ceremonies, at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.; visit the Commencement website for more information.