Actress Vanessa Williams has finally received her college degree 25 years later than she originally planned on.  She received her bachelor of fine arts degree from Syracuse University on Saturday.

Williams attended Syracuse’s drama department as a musical theater major from 1981-1983. She earned the remaining credits for her degree through industry experience and performances on stage and screen.

She became the first black Miss America in 1983, but surrendered the title in July 1984 after Penthouse magazine published nude, sexually explicit photographs of her taken several years earlier.

Over her career, Williams has sold more than 4 million albums, won critical praise for her performances on Broadway, made dozens of TV appearances and starred in several movies.

Williams was also the commencement speaker.  How often does that happen that you are your own graduation speaker?