Stevie Wonder performs at the piano as dozens of university leaders in graduation regalia look on

Credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University

Commencement 2024

Stevie Wonder delights Johns Hopkins Commencement crowd with surprise performance

The legendary singer-songwriter, who received an honorary doctorate from the university, played a medley of his hits for graduates and guests at Homewood Field

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Published May 24, 2024
Name
Doug Donovan
Email
dougdonovan@jhu.edu
Office phone
443-997-9909
Cell phone
443-462-2947

Stevie Wonder surprised Johns Hopkins University graduates and guests with a live performance Thursday morning during the universitywide Commencement ceremony.

The award-winning singer-songwriter was at Commencement to receive an honorary degree along with five others. Shortly after the honorary degrees were presented, JHU President Ron Daniels invited Wonder to perform for the crowd of at least 10,000, saying, "We have a piano. We have a microphone. Do you think there's any chance? Because we would love to hear from you today."

Wonder took to the piano on stage and played a medley of his hits, including "The Secret Life of Plants," "You Are the Sunshine of My Life," "I Just Called to Say I Love You," and a brief but familiar chord from "Superstition."

Wonder also spoke and performed Wednesday at the Johns Hopkins Peabody Institute's commencement ceremony for graduate students.