As rain fell, graduating New York University students donned clear ponchos over purple gowns at the school’s 178th commencement last Wednesday at Yankee Stadium, where Alec Baldwin was commencement speaker. The “30 Rock” star, above, got smiles and laughs from N.Y.U. President John Sexton, sporting a Yanks cap, right, and Senior Vice President Lynne Brown, left. Baldwin — who went back to school to get his B.F.A. from N.Y.U.’s Tisch School in 1994 — told the graduating students, “California and Florida have the sunshine, but they don’t have N.Y.U. I’d rather get my degree in the rain in New York any day.” Urging them not to avoid commitment, he said, “The myth of a risk-free life is just that — a myth. Commit to family and friends and marrying and having children. Share the best of who you are with the next generation and the next.” Below left, the Tisch Singers performed “New York, New York.” The Empire State Building was also illuminated in violet and white in honor of N.Y.U.’s commencement.
