Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer is set to give the commencement speech at Dartmouth College in June, as announced by the Ivy League school on Thursday.
Federer will speak to the graduating students and also be awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree during the ceremony on June 9 in Hanover.
Dartmouth President Sian Leah Beilock, who is a big fan of Federer, expressed her excitement about his visit to the campus.
“Roger Federer is without a doubt one of the greatest athletes ever, but what stands out to me the most is the joy he always brought to the court. I believe this will resonate deeply with the Class of 2024,” she said in a statement.
Federer retired from professional tennis in 2022 at the age of 41 after an outstanding career spanning almost 25 years, during which he won 20 Grand Slam titles and played a significant role as a statesman.
In 2003, he established a foundation that has since invested over $96 million in early education programs benefiting millions of children in need in Switzerland and six African countries.
An announcement video featuring Beilock and Federer, recorded earlier this month, highlights Federer’s fondness for playing on grass.
In the video, after Beilock expresses concern about snow and mud on the Dartmouth Green, Federer responds, “I am so excited and honored to be your Commencement speaker this year, and, of course, I hope I see you on the Big Green in June.”
