Craig Melvin took a day off from Today for his birthday on Wednesday, May 20.
Melvin’s absence comes one day after he delivered the commencement speech at Villanova University’s 2026 graduation ceremony.
Melvin mentioned his late brother, Lawrence Meadows, during his graduation speech.
Craig Melvin skipped the Wednesday, May 20, episode of Today for a special reason.
Sunday Today‘s Willie Geist, who filled in for Melvin, kicked off the show’s 8 a.m. hour by pointing out fans who were celebrating their birthdays out on the 30 Rockefeller Center Plaza. “We’d like to shout [out] one of our own. Craig Melvin! Happy Birthday, Craig.”
Savannah Guthrie pointed out that Melvin shares his birthday with global superstar Cher, adding, “He’s celebrating with his family, took the day off.”
Melvin’s Today absence also comes one day after he traveled to Pennsylvania to deliver the commencement speech at Villanova University’s 2026 graduation ceremony. “He had that inspiring commencement address yesterday at Villanova University, so we’ll catch up with him tomorrow when he returns,” Guthrie stated.
In addition to delivering the commencement speech, Melvin received an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from the school. Villanova University shared a photo of the Today anchor delivering his speech, along with other pics from the graduation ceremony, via Instagram on Tuesday, May 19.
“It’s time to become what you are not yet!” the school captioned the upload. “Congratulations to the Villanova University Class of 2026. You’re ready to ignite change and make a lasting impact, wherever life may take you.”
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Fans praised Melvin’s speech in the comments. One person wrote, “@craigmelvinnbc was outstanding. What a message he delivered with such grace and acumen. Well played Craig! Your message resonated with all 3 generations of my family at one beautiful graduation ceremony!! Thank you for your inspiring words and your authentic joy!”
Another stated, “Incredible speech! You really captured the strength of Veritas, Unitas, Caritas! Thank you!” Someone else shared, “You go Craig!!’ You’re the best!!”
Today‘s website shared the full transcript of Melvin’s speech, during which he broke down the words featured in Villanova University’s motto: Veritas, Unitas, Caritas (a.k.a. Truth, Unity, and Love).
Near the end of his speech, Melvin opened up about his late brother, Lawrence Meadows, who died in December 2020. “My brother Lawrence was a Baptist minister. He died five and a half years ago from colorectal cancer. He was just 43. He left behind a beautiful wife and two young children, and he preached about love often,” Melvin stated. “He could quote scripture the way many of us can quote song lyrics, and I assure you, he is getting quite the kick out of me right now. His little brother up here, about to quote a Catholic saint at a Catholic university. Augustine said, ‘Love, and do what you will.’”
Courtesy of Villanova University/Instagram
Joking that he was “playing the role of Baptist preacher” that afternoon, Melvin added, “How about I leave you with one more line of Augustine’s? He wrote about it himself in his Confessions, but he meant it for all of us. ; Our hearts are restless,’ he said, ‘until they rest.’”
Melvin concluded his speech by telling the graduates, “Class of 2026 — these three words you carry today, Veritas, Unitas, Caritas — they live or die at the mirror. Live them so that the person in the glass is your friend. Congratulations, Class of 2026. V’s Up!”
Today, Weekdays, 7am, NBC
