“I’m grateful for so many beautiful memories and so much joy and fun [in college], but what I’m most grateful for is that there were no camera phones back then,” Regina Hall joked on Saturday, May 17, addressing Fordham’s Class of 2025 at commencement. “I can’t say more than that, as the Jesuits are present.”
Hall, who is known for her roles in the Scary Movie and Best Man franchises, as well as such TV series as Insecure and black-ish, earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Fordham in 1992. During the ceremony, which drew an estimated 25,000 people to Rose Hill, she received an honorary doctorate in fine arts “for her remarkable and inspirational talent; her enduring contributions to film, television, and culture; and her compassionate advocacy.”
Hall’s comedic talent and compassion were on full display during her commencement address.
On the Fordham ‘Ramily’
Hall reminisced about life outside of class, from visiting new hot spots in the city to staying up late to finish papers. All that “social interaction … led to lifelong sisterhood and the bonds of brotherhood—the kind of deep connections that I hold dear and will remember forever.” In fact, Hall was accompanied by two of her “college besties,” demonstrating that deep Fordham connection in action.
Measuring Your True Worth
Hall urged the graduates not to get bogged down in some of the more “temporal” markers of success, like “praise and accolades.”
“As you celebrate this milestone and prepare to enter the next chapter of your lives, consider this: Success is not merely measured by money or things,” she said, telling graduates that their “worth can’t be seen in trophies or awards alone.” What’s truly important, she said, are “the kindness and compassion in your heart, the generosity in your spirit, and how you decide to serve others in this moment and time on the planet—how you decide the world will look in the future.”
On Navigating Uncertain Times
Hall’s faith and reliance on Jesuit principles shone through her speech, particularly “the belief that God is present in every aspect of life in nature, in relationships, and in work; the belief in justice and equality and the call for excellence,” she said. “The Jesuits believe in going above and beyond in service and work.”
And in a follow-up email with this magazine, she shared how a particular Bible verse helps guide her through these complex times. “It’s very easy and common to feel scared, powerless, or uncertain about anything, especially now. But faith in something bigger than me is how I move through it. The Bible verse that I took with me when I went to college, and still lean on now, is Romans 8:28: ‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.’”
It’s very easy and common to feel scared, powerless, or uncertain about anything, especially now. But faith in something bigger than me is how I move through it.”
NYC: ‘There’s Really No Place Like It’
Though Hall is not a Fordham Theatre grad, she draws on her Fordham and NYC experiences as an actor. “There’s no better place for character work than NYC because you come across people from all different walks of life, all financial backgrounds, races, and cultures,” Hall, who turned to acting after the unexpected loss of her father, shared via email. “People-watching alone has been a big part of my character work, and drawing a little bit from multiple people and experiences ends up being how I land on the one that you eventually see. … And that, for me, started with my experience at Fordham. There’s really no place like it!”
On Changing the World
“We will look to you to hold humanity to a higher standard,” she told the graduates, “to remind us of our divine nature. You will exemplify the excellence that resides in us all. You will remind us that there’s always hope, always respect, and always love. So thank you in advance.”
Hall closed with a bit of inspiration. “To change the world, we must be good to those who cannot repay us,” she said, quoting the late Pope Francis. Then, quoting Prince, she reminded them to celebrate: “’Life is just a party, and parties weren’t meant to last,’ she said. “Have a blast today and tonight, Class of 2025!”
