Actress and philanthropist Eva Longoria will be the 2017 commencement speaker of Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois. The ceremony will be held on June 4 at the Knox College campus.

Ms. Longoria holds a master's degree in Chicano Studies from the California State University. Her degree covers research, teaching, and public service with the aim at understanding Chicano/Latino communities. However, she has been known better as an actress, director and producer.

Teresa Amott, President of Knox College, noted Ms. Longoria's embodiment of the values taught by liberal arts school such as Knox College. She has shown appreciation of the arts, community service and commitment to justice, according to NBC Chicago.

Ker appreciation of the arts is depicted in her love for acting. Aside from being an actress, she is also a director and producer. Her excellence in the art of acting has won her awards.

As a philanthropist, she founded and co-founded two foundations that both aim to improve the life of disadvantaged people. The Eva Longoria Foundation helps Latinas to improve their lives through education and entrepreneurship. Eva's Heroes, in which she is a cofounder, focuses on helping people with special needs. She also works to improve the lives of children suffering from cancer, according to Quad Cities.

Ms. Longoria is a businesswoman. She is the owner of a restaurant in Hollywood called BESO Restaurant, the UnbeliEVAble Entertainment, and a line of fragrances named after her, the EVA and EVAmour.

She has written a cookbook entitled" Eva's Kitchen", which has been a best-seller. Her accomplishments made Knox College choose her as commencement speaker.

Knox College is a liberal arts school founded in 1837. Ms. Longoria now shares the honor of being it Commencement Speaker with Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Madeleine Albright and Stephen Colbert, among a few. Last year, the commencement speaker was Richard J. Durbin, senior US senator from Illinois.