ECU has announced one of its most famous alumni, Kevin Williamson, will deliver the spring graduation speech.
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Photo credit: Kevin Williamson (IMDB)
East Carolina University alumnus, Kevin Williamson ’87, the creative force behind many influential television series and movies, will deliver the keynote address during the spring commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. May 8 in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
Williamson is an award-winning writer, creator, director and producer whose work has thrilled audiences for decades. Williamson’s rise to stardom began in 1996 with the post-modern classic film “Scream,” which launched a franchise that is still thriving today.
The latest installment, “Scream 7,” which he directed, broke box office records making over $200 million worldwide. In addition to “Scream,” Williamson turned to television with a very personal story of growing up in coastal North Carolina that became the pop culture phenomenon, “Dawson’s Creek.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Kevin back to ECU to share his journey with our graduates,” said ECU Chancellor Philip Rogers. “He is an inspiring example of creativity whose voice continues to influence film and television.”
Originally from Goose Creek in Beaufort County, which recently served as the inspiration for the Netflix hit “The Waterfront,” Williamson studied theatre arts at ECU before moving to New York to pursue his career.
“East Carolina University is more than an alma mater; it was my launching pad. It’s where I found my voice, harnessed my craft, and gained the confidence and determination to dream big and turn those dreams into reality,” said Williamson. “Coming back as the commencement speaker is a huge honor, and I look forward to reconnecting with my Pirate family to celebrate the graduating class of 2026.”
Williamson’s extensive work includes “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” “The Faculty,” “Halloween: H2O,” “The Following,” and the global hit, “The Vampire Diaries” which led to two spin offs — “The Originals” and “Legacies.”
He currently lives in Los Angeles where he is busy working on several television shows for Universal Television.