Hugh Jackman, Award-Winning Actor, to Address Ball State University’s Class of 2026

Topics: Arts and Culture, College of Fine Arts, Commencement, Muncie, President, Speakers, Alumni

April 6, 2026

(Photo courtesy of Guy Aroch)

Actor, producer, and philanthropist Hugh Jackman will address Ball State University's Class of 2026 at the University's Spring Commencement ceremony.

Ball State will confer approximately 2,800 doctoral, specialist, master's, and baccalaureate degrees during the University-wide gathering. The event will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 2, in the Quad, followed by individual college celebrations throughout the day at Worthen Arena and Emens Auditorium.

During the main ceremony, Mr. Jackman will receive an honorary doctor of arts degree. He has starred in many films, most notably as Wolverine in several Marvel movies and as the lead in The Greatest Showman. He has also appeared in Broadway musicals, including The Boy from Oz and the revival of The Music Man.

"Hugh is a talented and versatile artist and an enthusiastic advocate for the arts and humanities. For these reasons and many more, I am grateful that he accepted my invitation to be our Commencement speaker," said Ball State President Geoffrey S. Mearns. "I appreciate that Hugh continues to be gracious in sharing his time and talent with our University community, and I look forward to hearing his address to our Class of 2026."

Mr. Jackman first visited Ball State last September, joining Sutton Foster, an instructor in the theatre department, during one of her teaching visits to campus. Mr. Jackman again visited Ball State and Muncie in November to host a screening of his latest film, Song Sung Blue, which premiered in theaters on Dec. 25.

For more information about Ball State's Spring Commencement, including ceremony times and locations, as well as travel and parking information, visit https://www.bsu.edu/commencement.