Watch CBS News

Matt Damon To Deliver MIT Commencement Address

CAMBRIDGE (AP) — Matt Damon shot to fame in the 1997 movie "Good Will Hunting" as a gifted janitor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Now, he has been selected to deliver the university's 2016 commencement address.

MIT announced Thursday that the Academy Award-winning actor, filmmaker, social activist and Cambridge native will address graduates on June 3.

Damon said in a statement that it's an honor to be named commencement speaker "at a school that I couldn't have gotten into."

MIT President L. Rafael Reif says Damon has "made us think about our world in new ways, and through his service, he has made it a better place."

Anish Punjabi, president of MIT's Class of 2016, says Damon is an inspiration to students who teaches that the world needs more well-rounded leaders.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.