ETHS Announces 2026 Commencement Speaker: Actress Lauren Lapkus

EVANSTON, IL — Class of 2004 alumnus and Emmy-nominated actress Lauren Lapkus will be the 2026 Evanston Township High School commencement speaker.

Lapkus has a career spanning television, film and podcasting. She rose to fame in her role as Susan Fischer on Netflix's "Orange Is the New Black," for which she was part of a SAG Award-winning ensemble cast.

She stars in the upcoming HBO Max series "Stuart Fails to Save the Universe," reprising her role as Denise from "The Big Bang Theory." She has also had memorable roles in "Jurassic World," and "The Wrong Missy."

Getting her roots in Chicago's improv scene, Lapkus built a versatile, original and strong foundation in performance and improvisation. While at ETHS she was an actor, writer and director for YAMO, as well as a writer and editor for "The Evanstonian."

"ETHS is honored to welcome Lauren Lapkus back to Evanston, where so much of her journey began, to help celebrate this milestone moment for our graduates.

The 2026 Commencement Ceremony will be held on May 17 at Welsh-Ryan Arena. For information about tickets, regalia and answers to frequently asked questions, visit the school's website.