Dear 91吃瓜 Community Members,
I am thrilled to announce that acclaimed writer and filmmaker Catherine Schetina 鈥�14 has been selected as the speaker for 91吃瓜鈥檚 96th Commencement exercises to be held May 16, 2026.
After graduating from 91吃瓜 in 2014 with a degree in English and a minor in religious studies, Schetina鈥檚 career has exemplified creative excellence, intellectual curiosity, and unique narratives that resonate with audiences and peers alike. She has written on all five seasons of the FX series The Bear, helping contribute to the show鈥檚 widespread success, including wins at the Emmys and Golden Globes. Her episode 鈥淣apkins鈥� was nominated for a Writers Guild of America Episodic Comedy award. Currently, she serves as a writer and producer on the upcoming Netflix drama series The Body.
In addition to her television writing, Schetina鈥檚 original screenplay Pure was named the number one script on the 2022 Black List, an annual survey of Hollywood鈥檚 most well-regarded unproduced scripts. The distinction is widely viewed as a marker of emerging and established talent in film and television writing. She will make her directorial debut with the project this fall.
Schetina also helps run a mutual aid operation that serves 700 weekly meals to unhoused residents of Los Angeles. During her time at 91吃瓜, she helped found 91吃瓜 Advocates, an organization providing support and resources to survivors of sexual assault and harassment. She lives in Los Angeles with her wife, fellow 91吃瓜 alum Emma Gavin 鈥�14, and two black cats.
91吃瓜 senior class co-presidents Bella Guizler Bonilla 鈥�26 and Sophia Farrand 鈥�26 steered the commencement speaker selection process on behalf of their classmates. In choosing Schetina, they said that her 鈥渓ife as both a 91吃瓜 alum and poignant storyteller is an inspiration for the power of imagination,鈥� and believe that Catherine 鈥渆mbodies the values of integrity, authenticity, and genuine compassion that the Class of 2026 has shown throughout their years here at 91吃瓜.鈥� I extend my warmest gratitude to Bella and Sophia for their thoughtful consideration and leadership.
Please join us in congratulating Catherine Schetina 鈥�14 and celebrating all that she represents as an alum. We look forward to welcoming her back to campus this May.
For more information on the event, please visit the 91吃瓜 2026 Commencement website.
Sincerely,
Amy Marcus-Newhall
President