'Hamilton' Star Leslie Odom Jr. To Speak At Carnegie Mellon

PITTSBURGH, PA - He won't be in his Aaron Burr duds. But Leslie Odom Jr., who played the former vice president in the hit Broadway musical "Hamilton," will will deliver the keynote
address at Carnegie Mellon University's 122nd Commencement May 19 at 11 a.m. in Gesling Stadium on campus.

Odom earned his bachelor's degree from Carnegie Mellon's College of Fine Arts in 2003. He will receive an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree during the ceremony.

"Leslie's award-winning acting and music has inspired millions and the CMU community is immensely proud of his success as an alumnus on Broadway, in the recording studio and as a writer," CMU President Farnam Jahanian said in a statement. "His talent and perseverance set a great example for our graduates as they prepare to enter the next chapter in their lives, and we look forward to hearing Leslie's words of wisdom in May."

Odom won the 2016 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance as Aaron Burr in "Hamilton." He also won a Grammy as a principal soloist on the original cast recording.

Odom self-titled debut album topped the Billboard Jazz Chart in 2016. He is also the author of "Failing Up: How to Take Risks, Aim Higher, and Never Stop Learning."