Experience Commencement
This year, Otis College of Art and Design returned to in-person Commencement with an exciting ceremony held on Sunday, May 15 at the Westin Los Angeles Airport hotel near the Goldsmith campus. The in-person event was for ticketed family and friends of the graduating Class of 2022, but was also live-streamed on YouTube.
There were remarks by President Charles Hirschhorn, Provost Jiseon Lee Isbara, Board of Trustees Chair Mei-Lee Ney, and Valedictorian Haruka Yamamoto. This year’s Honorary Doctorate recipients were Miranda Kerr, CEO of KORA Organics; Evan Spiegel, CEO of Snap Inc.; and Emmy-nominated design expert Bobby Berk, all of whom addressed the graduating Class of 2022.
Evan Spiegel Honorary Doctorate Speech
Evan Spiegel studied at Otis College as a high school student prior to enrolling at Stanford University and co-founding Snap Inc. in 2011.
Otis College of Art and Design is honored to receive a significant donation from KORA Organics CEO Miranda Kerr and Snap Inc. CEO Evan Spiegel through the Spiegel Family Fund. The donation will allow for the repayment of the outstanding student debt of students in the graduating Class of 2022. This is the largest single gift in the history of Otis College and will reduce student debt for emerging artists and designers and their families.
Haruka Yamamoto 2022 Valedictorian Speech
This year’s valedictorian, Haruka Yamamoto, who hails from Osaka, Japan, has gone on to create spectacular clothing and excel academically to earn her the valedictorian honor. Listen to her exciting speech and words of encouragement for the Class of 2022.
Bobby Berk Honorary Doctorate Speech
Bobby Berk has transformed lives and living spaces not only as part of Queer Eye’s “Fab Five,” but also with his eponymous, multi-faceted brand, which includes the comprehensive lifestyle destination BobbyBerk.com. Listen to his story and inspiring address to the Class of 2022.
Miranda Kerr Honorary Doctorate Speech
Miranda Kerr rose to fame as a supermodel and has expanded her career by launching successful new ventures such as KORA Organics, a line of skincare products. We are honored to have her as one of our 2022 honorary recipients.