Actor Emily Deschanel Named 2025 CFA Convocation Speaker and BU Commencement Speaker
Best known for her role as Dr. Temperance Brennan on Bones, Deschanel will inspire the CFA Class of 2025 as their Convocation Speaker and will address BU’s graduating class at the 152nd Commencement ceremony
Actor, animal rights activist, and alum Emily Deschanel Named 2025 CFA Convocation Speaker and BU Commencement Speaker
Best known for her twelve-year run as Dr. Temperance Brennan on the Fox crime procedural comedy-drama Bones, Emily Deschanel (CFA’98) will inspire the CFA Class of 2025 as their Convocation Speaker and will address Boston University’s graduating class at the 152nd Commencement ceremony.
Boston University College of Fine Arts welcomes actor and BU alum Emily Deschanel (CFA’98) as the 2025 CFA Convocation Speaker! Deschanel will address the CFA Class of 2025 on Saturday, May 17, at the BU Track & Tennis Center. In addition, Deschanel will deliver the University’s Commencement address on Sunday, May 18, at Nickerson Field.
Emily Deschanel (CFA’98) is an actor with an impressive list of credits. She is perhaps best known for her twelve-year run as Dr. Temperance Brennan on the Fox crime procedural comedy-drama Bones, based on the novels—and career—of forensic anthropologist and author Kathy Reichs. Ms. Deschanel starred in Netflix’s Devil in Ohio, in which she played hospital psychiatrist Dr. Suzanne Mathis, who shelters a mysterious cult escapee. She also stars in the recent independent features ReEntry, with Sam Trammell and Noma Dumezweni, and Big Boys, by writer-director Corey Sherman.
Ms. Deschanel appeared in TNT’s Animal Kingdom, about a Southern California family whose excessive lifestyle is fueled by their criminal activities. She played the role of Angela, a recently released convict in recovery from substance abuse who comes calling on the family.
On the big screen, Ms. Deschanel has starred in Anne Renton’s independent comedy, The Perfect Family, opposite Kathleen Turner; Nick Cassavetes’ My Sister’s Keeper, opposite Cameron Diaz; and Jerry Bruckheimer’s Glory Road, opposite Josh Lucas, Derek Luke, and Jon Voight. Her other film credits include Anthony Minghella’s Cold Mountain, John Lee Hancock’s The Alamo, Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 2, and Jane Weinstock’s Easy.
Ms. Deschanel’s voice can be heard in episodes of the animated series The Simpsons, Bojack Horseman, and American Dad! and in the feature film Beyond Beyond.
In her free time, she has volunteered for various causes related to the welfare of animals. Ms. Deschanel served on the board of directors of the farm animal protection organization Farm Sanctuary, including as the board chair. She was a founding member of the Women’s Climate Alliance for Mercy Corps, helping women and girls affected by climate change within the international aid organization.
Ms. Deschanel was born in Los Angeles and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from Boston University College of Fine Arts.
DELIVERING THE UNIVERSITY’S COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS…
EMILY DESCHANEL
Excerpt
Actor, animal rights activist, and alum, Emily Deschanel, best known for her role as Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan on the long-running, massively popular TV crime hit Bones, will deliver the main address at Boston University’s 152nd Commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 18. The announcement came Friday morning during BU’s annual Senior Breakfast in the George Sherman Union, which was attended by an estimated 2,500 students. University President Melissa Gilliam revealed this year’s honorary degree recipients at the breakfast—her first—which is considered the official kickoff event of the 2025 Commencement season.
Deschanel (CFA’98), who earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from BU’s College of Fine Arts, will receive an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree and will speak at the Commencement ceremony. She will also deliver the address at the College of Fine Arts convocation ceremony on Saturday, May 17.
When interviewed for CFA’s magazine in 2022, Emily Deschanel described loving the intensity of the college’s program. “We were in class from early in the morning through rehearsals late at night. For most of us, this was all we wanted to do…it prepared us for working in television.”
CFA CLASS OF 2025, YOU’RE UP NEXT!
Congratulations to our soon-to-be CFA graduates! The CFA Convocation for the Class of 2025 will be held on Saturday, May 17, at 4 pm in the BU Track & Tennis Center (100 Ashford Street). Visit CFA’s Convocation page for important information regarding the upcoming CFA Convocation, from registration to the event’s live stream!