Actor Willem Dafoe returns to UW-Milwaukee as graduation ceremony featured speaker

Actor Willem Dafoe is awarded an honorary Doctor of Arts degree as Chancellor Mark Mone, left, looks on during the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee commencement ceremonies at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena in Milwaukee on Sunday. Dafoe, who returned to his alma mater to receive an honorary Doctor of Arts degree, attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1973 and 1974 before leaving to become part of Theatre X, which started as a faculty-student workshop and then became an independent experimental theater company.

Actor Willem Dafoe speaks during the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee commencement ceremonies at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena in Milwaukee on Sunday.

A graduate waves down a friend or family member during the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee commencement ceremonies at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena in Milwaukee on Sunday.

Actor Willem Dafoe fist bumps a graduate after receiving her diploma during the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee commencement ceremonies at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena in Milwaukee on Sunday.

Gabrielle Norton, of Germantown, a graduating architecture student, dons a cap with the Milwaukee Art Museum on it, which she put together the night before, during the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee commencement ceremonies at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena in Milwaukee on Sunday.

A you boy in the stand places his hand over his heart during the National Anthem during the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee commencement ceremonies at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena in Milwaukee on Sunday.

Actor Willem Dafoe is awarded an honorary Doctor of Arts degree by Hartman Hartman, the interim dean of the Peck School of the Arts as Chancellor Mark Mone looks on during the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee commencement ceremonies at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena in Milwaukee on Sunday, May 22, 2022. Dafoe, who returned to his alma mater to receive an honorary Doctor of Arts degree, attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1973 and 1974 before leaving to become part of Theatre X, which started as a faculty-student workshop and then became an independent experimental theater company.

Actor Willem Dafoe fist bumps graduates after receiving their diplomas during the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee commencement ceremonies at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena in Milwaukee on Sunday.

Actor Willem Dafoe is awarded an honorary Doctor of Arts degree by Chancellor Mark Mone, left, during the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee commencement ceremonies at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena in Milwaukee on Sunday, May 22, 2022. Dafoe, who returned to his alma mater to receive an honorary Doctor of Arts degree, attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1973 and 1974 before leaving to become part of Theatre X, which started as a faculty-student workshop and then became an independent experimental theater company.

Actor Willem Dafoe speaks during the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee commencement ceremonies at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena in Milwaukee on Sunday.

Actor Willem Dafoe is awarded an honorary Doctor of Arts degree by Hartman Hartman, the interim dean of the Peck School of the Arts as Chancellor Mark Mone looks on during the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee commencement ceremonies at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena in Milwaukee on Sunday, May 22, 2022. Dafoe, who returned to his alma mater to receive an honorary Doctor of Arts degree, attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1973 and 1974 before leaving to become part of Theatre X, which started as a faculty-student workshop and then became an independent experimental theater company.

A graduate has a decorative cap during the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee commencement ceremonies at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena in Milwaukee on Sunday.