Justin Hartley Named Knox College Commencement Speaker

CBS star and Knoxville native to address Class of 2026 in June

Apr. 2, 2026 at 9:45pm

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A striking black and white illustration featuring abstract, jagged shapes and silhouettes, conceptually representing the idea of a homecoming and graduation ceremony.A Knox College alumnus returns home to deliver an inspiring commencement address to the Class of 2026.Knoxville Today

Knox College has announced that actor and producer Justin Hartley, best known for his roles in hit TV shows like Tracker and This Is Us, will deliver the commencement address and receive an honorary degree at the school's graduation ceremony on June 7, 2026. Hartley, who was born in Knoxville, Illinois, will be joined by two other honorary degree recipients: arts executive Deborah F. Rutter and investigative journalist Dorothy Tucker.

Why it matters

Hartley's selection as commencement speaker is a point of pride for Knox College, as the actor hails from the same small Illinois town as the school. His success in Hollywood and acclaimed work in television serves as an inspiring example for the graduating class. The honorary degrees for Rutter and Tucker also recognize distinguished leaders in the arts and journalism fields.

The details

Hartley, who was born in Knoxville and raised in Orland Park, Illinois, studied history and theatre at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and the University of Illinois at Chicago before moving to Los Angeles to launch his acting career. He is currently the star and executive producer of the hit CBS drama Tracker, which has drawn over 80 million viewers since its debut in 2024. Hartley previously starred in the acclaimed NBC series This Is Us. In addition to his acting work, he has also made his directorial debut and continues to develop projects through his production company, ChangeUp Productions.

  • Knox College's 2026 commencement ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on Sunday, June 7.
  • Hartley will deliver the commencement address and receive an honorary degree at the event.

The players

Justin Hartley

An actor and producer best known for his roles in the hit TV shows Tracker and This Is Us. Hartley was born in Knoxville, Illinois and is returning to his hometown to deliver the commencement address at Knox College.

Deborah F. Rutter

An arts executive with over four decades of experience leading major performing arts institutions, including serving as president of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts from 2014 to 2025. She will receive an honorary degree from Knox College.

Dorothy Tucker

An Emmy Award-winning investigative reporter whose work has exposed discriminatory practices and prompted legislative action. She will also receive an honorary degree from Knox College.

C. Andrew McGadney

The president of Knox College, who noted that Hartley's Illinois roots made him a particularly meaningful choice as commencement speaker.

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What they’re saying

“It's not often that Knox gets to welcome a native of the Illinois prairie as its Commencement speaker, which makes awarding an honorary degree to Justin Hartley this June truly meaningful.”

— C. Andrew McGadney, President, Knox College

What’s next

Knox College's 2026 commencement ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on Sunday, June 7 on the South Lawn of Old Main. The event is free and open to the public.

The takeaway

Hartley's selection as Knox College's commencement speaker highlights the school's pride in its Illinois roots and the success of one of its own in the entertainment industry. The honorary degrees for Rutter and Tucker also recognize distinguished leaders who have made significant contributions in the arts and journalism fields.