YouTuber, Science Communicator, and Entrepreneur Hank Green to deliver Class of 2025 Commencement address
Kornbluth: “Hank and his endless curiosity more than fit the bill”
Hank Green, a science communicator and entrepreneur, will speak at the 2025 OneMIT Commencement Ceremony May 29. Green is best known for his several Youtube channels, notably CrashCourse and his educational media company Complexly, which he leads with his brother and author John Green.
Green has amassed a YouTube totaling over thirty million subscribers across several channels with billions of total views. Some of the most watched videos made by Green range from full playlists in academic areas in Psychology and Biology in CrashCourse to explorations of the planet’s deepest hole and its most dangerous chemicals on SciShow.
“I was just so honored to be invited,” Green told MIT News. “MIT has always represented the best of what happens when creativity meets rigorous inquiry, and I can’t wait to be part of this moment.”
“Many of our students grew up captivated by the way Hank Green makes learning about complex science subjects accessible and fun — whether he’s describing climate change, electromagnetism, or the anatomy of a pelican,” MIT President Sally Kornbluth said to MIT News. “Our students told us they wanted a Commencement speaker whose knowledge and insight are complemented by creativity, humor, and a sense of hope for the future. Hank and his endless curiosity more than fit the bill, and we’re thrilled to welcome him to join us in celebrating the Class of 2025.”
On the speaker
Prior to starting his career as a content creator, Green studied biochemistry at Eckerd College (BS) and earned an M.S from the University of Montana in environmental studies. During this time, Green began blogging about environmental issues: in addition to blogging on his own site Ecogeek (which became Complexly), his work has been published in The New York Times, NPR, and Scientific American, among others.
In 2007, Green started a YouTube channel with his brother John titled Vlogbrothers. It was in Vlogbrothers, where the Greens began using their signature, “Don’t forget to be awesome.” CrashCourse began in January of 2012 and has ballooned ever since.
Outside of content creation, Green and his brother run an annual charity called Project for Awesome. Additionally, the duo founded DFTBA Records (“Don’t Forget to Be Awesome”) which is a merchandise platform for YouTubers. In June of this year, Green ventured into comedy with a special titled Pissing Out Cancer, which chronicles his experience with Hodgkin lymphoma. Green is currently in complete remission.
Students and faculty praise the choice
Senior Class President Megha Vemuri ’25, Graduate Student Council President Teddy Warner G, and Professor Les Norford from the Department of Architecture and chair of the Commencement Committee, underscored Green’s commitment to engaging a global audience and his impact on society through education.
Vemuri said that “Hank Green is an inspiration for those of us who want to make science and education accessible, and I’m eager to hear what words of wisdom he has for the graduating class.”
Warner stated that “As someone that has worked tirelessly to make science accessible to the public, Hank Green is an excellent choice for commencement speaker. He has commendably used his many skills to help improve the world.”
Norford shared that “CrashCourse’s lucid, engaging videos have bolstered the efforts of millions of high-school students to master AP physical and social science curricula and have invited learners of all ages to better understand our universe, our planet and humanity.”
Vemuri stated that “He embodies a pure and hopeful form of curiosity just like what I’ve observed across the MIT community,” while Norford added “Hank Green shares our students’ boundless curiosity about how things work, and we’re excited to welcome such an enthusiastic educator to MIT.”
Commencement Exercises
Recent Commencement speakers include the entrepreneur Noubar Afeyan (2024), YouTuber Mark Rober (2023), director-general of the World Trade Organization Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala MCP ’78 PhD ’81 (2022), and civil rights lawyer and activist Bryan Stevenson (2021).
MIT’s Commencement celebrations will take place over three days from May 28 to May 30. The undergraduate Class of 2025 will receive diplomas on Killian Court May 30. Recognition ceremonies for advanced degree recipients will be held on all three days of Commencement exercises.
All degree candidates are invited to attend the OneMIT Commencement Ceremony on May 29. Events will include speeches, the turning of the Brass Rat, and a rendition of the School Song.