Dexter Holland, who has a Ph.D. in molecular biology, recently delivered the commencement address at USC’s Keck School of Medicine
By Rachel DeSantis Published on May 25, 2022 02:20PM EDT
Singer Dexter Holland of The Offspring performs onstage during the Above Ground 3 concert benefiting Musicares at The Fonda Theatre on December 20, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.
Dexter Holland. Photo: Scott Dudelson/Getty
Rocker Dexter Holland is used to taking the stage as a member of The Offspring — but when he stood before the crowd at the Keck School of Medicine’s USC graduation on May 14, it was a far cry from his punk-rock shows.
Holland, 56, was on hand to give the school’s commencement address, an honor that, while surprising for those who only know him as a musician, was fitting considering he graduated from the university in 2017 with a Ph.D. in molecular biology.
In a new interview with Vice, the “Self Esteem” singer opened up about his two very different career paths, explaining that being a musician and working in science are actually somewhat similar.
“I can totally see the connection between math and music. I can visualize it…There is kind of a spatial association between music and math,” he said. “In punk, you’re an outsider. You approach music in a different, rebellious way, and it turned out there were some really smart guys [in the punk scene].”
For Holland, using his intelligence to his advantage is nothing new; he was the valedictorian of his graduating class in high school in 1984, and he received a B.S. in biology from USC in 1988, returning later for a Master’s in molec
ular biology.
Leave a Reply