MIT Lands Apple CEO Tim Cook for 2017 Spring Commencement Speaker

CAMBRIDGE, MA — MIT has landed itself the biggest of the big names in business for this spring's Commencement address, announcing Thursday that Apple CEO Tim Cook will do the honors.

As Cook notes in comments relayed by the school, Apple no doubt employs more than its fair share of MIT grads.

“Apple stands at the intersection of liberal arts and technology, and we’re proud to have many outstanding MIT graduates on our team,” Cook said. “We believe deeply that technology can be a powerful force for good, and I’m looking forward to speaking to the Class of 2017 as they look ahead to making their own mark on the world.”

Before Apple, Cook's curriculum vitae included Compaq, Intelligent Electronics and IBM, with a Bachelor of Science from Auburn University and an MBA from Duke under his belt.

Of course, he's not the only big name to walk the campus during the springtime.

Other notable recent Commencement speakers, include actor and filmmaker Matt Damon (2016); U.S. Chief Technology Officer Megan Smith ’86 SM ’88 (2015); DuPont CEO Ellen Kullman (2014); Dropbox co-founder and CEO Drew Houston ’05 (2013); and Khan Academy founder Sal Khan ’98, MEng ’98 (2012).

Image via Mike Deerkoski, Flickr/Creative Commons