Harden, a distinguished alumna who has received an Oscar, a Best Actress Tony Award and numerous other honors throughout her career, spoke to a crowd of about 30,000 people attending the ceremony on the university’s Main Mall in front of the Tower. Marcia Gay Harden, keynote speaker for the 127th Spring Commencement, urged graduating students to cherish the joys of life but also to “make a difference and help someone else in their struggle.”