This world can be a challenging, depressing place. People who make graduation speeches give their best to find meaning, hope, and inspiration for the future. And I need more of that - maybe others do too!
Jon Stewart, 2004, College of William and Mary - funny! [08/02/2008]
Will Ferrell, 2003, Harvard [YouTube] - also funny, but more off-the-wall than Jon Stewart's. [08/03/2008] [Unfortunately, the link with the transcript is no longer connecting but there is a video version on YouTube.]
Kurt Vonnegut, 1998, Rice - found it while Googling for an Abraham Lincoln commencement address since I am heading to Springfield IL to see the sites. I couldn't find one, and read Vonnegut's instead. [08/09/2008]
Winston Churchill, 1941, Harrow School "Never give in!" [08/23/2008]
Adam Werbach, May 18, 1998, Colorado College. Sierra Club president at the time. "When you're trying to change something for the better, it's often easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. Act now, apologize later." [09/01/2008]
Patton Oswalt, June 18, 2008 Broad Run High School, Ashburn, Virginia ...advice: 1) Reputation, Posterity and Cool are traps. ... Reputation, Posterity and Cool = Fear. 2) You get to choose how things affect you. 3) There Is No Them. [9/24/2008]
Steve Jobs, June 12, 2005 Stanford. Tag line: Stay hungry. Stay foolish. [8/20/2011]
David McCullough, June 8, 2003 Dartmouth. Since I read the John Adams bio, I've loved reading David McCullough and try to read anything he's written. This particular address he talks about teaching and the value of education, and quotes the Massachusetts consitution written by John Adams: "...it shall be the duty of legislators and magistrates in all future periods of this commonwealth to cherish the interests of literature and the sciences...to countenance and inculcate the principles of humanity...and all social affections and generous sentiments among the people." Timely words - we need learning now more than ever! [8/20/2011]