Award-winning entertainer Sheryl Lee Ralph receives honorary doctorate from Rutgers

Sheryl Lee Ralph, an Emmy Award-winning actress and Broadway star, has received an honorary doctorate from Rutgers University, her Alma mater.

Emmy Award-winner Sheryl Lee Ralph returns to Rutgers

More than 50 years ago, Ralph was one of the first women admitted to Rutgers College. She was also one of the youngest to graduate from that college in 1975 at only 19 years old.

Follow your dreams

The Abbott Elementary star left the Class of 2023 with inspiration, telling them to chase their dreams and find their voice in a impassioned speech that started with her singing and taking a selfie with the crowd.

“Don’t chase money. Money will come,” said Ralph, who made history in 2022 when she won the Emmy for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as kindergarten teacher Barbara Howard in ABC’s hit sitcom Abbott Elementary. “Figure out what makes you happy. If you enjoy what you do, it doesn’t feel like a job.”

Ralph knows a lot about chasing dreams. She told the graduates she skipped her graduation to film a commercial that was the same day. While her mother was upset she wouldn’t see her daughter walk the stage, Ralph said she didn’t regret the decision to skip.

Obviously, it worked out in her favor.

Almost 50 years later, Ralph got a chance to make it up. She was now on stage in a cap and gown getting a degree with her mother rejoicing in heaven.

Rutgers is where Sheryl Lee Ralph’s dreams started began.

When Ralph entered as a student at the age of 16, she said she quickly realized neither medicine nor law would be her future.

“I found my passion on the stage of the Little Theater on the Douglass College campus,” she said.

And that’s what she encouraged the class of 2023 to do: pursue your passion and be the change.

“Bring your best to the world,” she said. “We need it. You see the shape we’re in. Bring your best work, your best ideas.”

Congratulations Dr. Sheryl Lee Ralph, PhD!