{ "name": "Commencement Archive speeches dataset", "description": "Open catalogue metadata, source links, themes, and original summaries for U.S. commencement addresses.", "generated": "2026-07-06", "license": "CC BY 4.0 for metadata and original catalogue annotations. Transcript and video rights remain with their original publishers.", "licenseUrl": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/", "source": "https://commencementarchive.com/about#open-data", "count": 361, "speeches": [ { "id": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2026-lisa-t-su", "accession": "2026.001", "speaker": "Lisa T. Su", "speakerSlug": "lisa-t-su", "role": "Advanced Micro Devices CEO", "institution": "Massachusetts Institute of Technology", "institutionSlug": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology", "year": 2026, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2026/lisa-t-su", "path": "/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2026/lisa-t-su", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.mit.edu/commencement-archive/speakers", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.mit.edu/2026/commencement-address-lisa-su-0528", "transcriptStatus": "Official speech or official coverage page", "transcriptCompleteness": "Coverage (partial)", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Technology & Science", "slug": "technology", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/technology" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Courage", "slug": "courage", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/courage" }, { "name": "Resilience", "slug": "resilience", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/resilience" }, { "name": "Gratitude & Humility", "slug": "gratitude", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/gratitude" }, { "name": "Global Responsibility", "slug": "global-responsibility", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/global-responsibility" } ], "summary": "AMD chair and CEO Lisa Su, an MIT alumna, reflects on her undergraduate and graduate years at MIT, including her UROP research experiences and the development of what she calls an 'engineer's instinct' to break down hard problems. She discusses her career path through IBM and AMD, the promise of AI to accelerate discovery in fields like medicine, and argues that people, not technology, determine the future. She urges graduates to choose ambitious problems, run toward the hardest ones, and make their own luck.", "keyMoments": [ "Recounting her arrival at MIT and early UROP research in semiconductor clean rooms", "The mentor advice to 'run toward the hardest problems'", "Becoming CEO of AMD and betting on high-performance computing", "Framing AI as a tool that makes people more capable, especially in medicine", "Closing advice to be ambitious, take risks, and make your own luck" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2026-lisa-t-su-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2025-hank-green", "accession": "2025.001", "speaker": "Hank Green", "speakerSlug": "hank-green", "role": "Science communicator, video creator, and entrepreneur", "institution": "Massachusetts Institute of Technology", "institutionSlug": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology", "year": 2025, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2025/hank-green", "path": "/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2025/hank-green", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.mit.edu/commencement-archive/speakers", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.mit.edu/2025/commencement-address-hank-green-0529", "transcriptStatus": "Official speech or official coverage page", "transcriptCompleteness": "Coverage (partial)", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Curiosity & Learning", "slug": "curiosity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/curiosity" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Love & Relationships", "slug": "love", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/love" }, { "name": "Technology & Science", "slug": "technology", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/technology" }, { "name": "Hope & Optimism", "slug": "hope", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/hope" }, { "name": "Failure", "slug": "failure", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/failure" } ], "summary": "Hank Green, science communicator and online video creator, addresses MIT's Class of 2025 with humor about his unconventional background before turning to serious advice for graduates entering an unstable world. Drawing on survey responses he collected from the graduates themselves, he argues that curiosity is the key to success but warns that social media and capitalist incentives can misdirect attention away from the everyday, solvable problems of ordinary people. He encourages graduates to orient their curiosity toward people rather than just tools, to release their ideas into the world, and to find joy and meaning in human life.", "keyMoments": [ "Opening with self-deprecating humor and bone facts to thank the graduating class", "Drawing on graduates' own survey responses for advice and reflections", "Naming current threats to science, speech, higher education, and democracy", "Arguing curiosity must be deliberately oriented toward overlooked, solvable human problems", "Closing advice to build oneself and find meaning in people, not just tools" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2025-hank-green-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2024-noubar-afeyan", "accession": "2024.001", "speaker": "Noubar Afeyan", "speakerSlug": "noubar-afeyan", "role": "Flagship Pioneering CEO and Moderna co-founder", "institution": "Massachusetts Institute of Technology", "institutionSlug": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology", "year": 2024, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2024/noubar-afeyan", "path": "/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2024/noubar-afeyan", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.mit.edu/commencement-archive/speakers", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.mit.edu/2024/commencement-address-noubar-afeyan-0530", "transcriptStatus": "Official speech or official coverage page", "transcriptCompleteness": "Coverage (partial)", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Courage", "slug": "courage", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/courage" }, { "name": "Technology & Science", "slug": "technology", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/technology" }, { "name": "Creativity", "slug": "creativity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/creativity" }, { "name": "Identity & Authenticity", "slug": "identity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/identity" }, { "name": "Global Responsibility", "slug": "global-responsibility", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/global-responsibility" }, { "name": "Leadership & Integrity", "slug": "leadership", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/leadership" } ], "summary": "Noubar Afeyan urges the MIT Class of 2024 to accept seemingly impossible missions, drawing on his childhood in war-torn Beirut, the 'Mission Impossible' theme, and Moderna's rapid development of a COVID-19 vaccine. He outlines three actions for tackling hard challenges—imagine, innovate, and immigrate—while emphasizing moral responsibility, paranoid optimism, and embracing uncertainty. He frames graduates as 'agents for good' uniquely equipped by their MIT education to confront global crises.", "keyMoments": [ "Recounting his Beirut childhood and fascination with 'Mission Impossible'", "Describing Moderna's rapid COVID-19 vaccine development", "Urging graduates to imagine, innovate, and immigrate", "Reflecting on his Armenian heritage, moral responsibility, and embracing uncertainty" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2024-noubar-afeyan-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2023-mark-rober", "accession": "2023.001", "speaker": "Mark Rober", "speakerSlug": "mark-rober", "role": "Engineer, educator, and founder of CrunchLabs", "institution": "Massachusetts Institute of Technology", "institutionSlug": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology", "year": 2023, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2023/mark-rober", "path": "/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2023/mark-rober", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.mit.edu/commencement-archive/speakers", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.mit.edu/2023/mark-rober-commencement-0601", "transcriptStatus": "Official speech or official coverage page", "transcriptCompleteness": "Coverage (partial)", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Hope & Optimism", "slug": "hope", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/hope" }, { "name": "Failure", "slug": "failure", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/failure" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Courage", "slug": "courage", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/courage" }, { "name": "Love & Relationships", "slug": "love", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/love" } ], "summary": "Engineer and YouTuber Mark Rober urged MIT's Class of 2023 to embrace optimism, collaboration, and a willingness to move forward through uncertainty. He offered three pieces of advice—embracing naive optimism, framing failures as learning opportunities, and fostering relationships—and reflected on his late mother's lasting influence. He concluded by attaching his mortarboard to a drone and flying it over the Great Dome.", "keyMoments": [ "Advising graduates to embrace naive optimism and the unknown", "Framing failures like a video game to learn from them", "Encouraging graduates to foster relationships and assume good intentions", "Honoring his late mother's influence and flying his cap via drone" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2023-mark-rober-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2022-ngozi-okonjo-iweala", "accession": "2022.002", "speaker": "Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala", "speakerSlug": "ngozi-okonjo-iweala", "role": "Director-General of the World Trade Organization", "institution": "Massachusetts Institute of Technology", "institutionSlug": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology", "year": 2022, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2022/ngozi-okonjo-iweala", "path": "/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2022/ngozi-okonjo-iweala", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.mit.edu/commencement-archive/speakers", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.mit.edu/2022/commencement-address-ngozi-okonjo-iweala-0601", "transcriptStatus": "Official speech or official coverage page", "transcriptCompleteness": "Coverage (partial)", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Technology & Science", "slug": "technology", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/technology" }, { "name": "Global Responsibility", "slug": "global-responsibility", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/global-responsibility" }, { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Resilience", "slug": "resilience", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/resilience" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Gratitude & Humility", "slug": "gratitude", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/gratitude" } ], "summary": "WTO Director-General and MIT alumna Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala reflects on her time at MIT and the lessons it taught her, framing the present era as a 'polycrisis' requiring the integration of science, social science, and policy. She argues that scientific innovation alone is insufficient without access, diffusion, and international cooperation, drawing on the COVID-19 vaccine response and climate change as examples of where science succeeded but policy failed. She shares examples from her own career bridging science and policy in international development, urging graduates to take risks, connect disconnected approaches, and use their education to serve others.", "keyMoments": [ "Tribute to departing President Rafael Reif and personal recollections of her MIT graduate studies", "Lessons from her education interrupted by the Biafran civil war and the responsibility privilege entails", "COVID-19 as a case of good science but poor policy, citing MIT's role in mRNA vaccine development and global vaccine inequity", "Climate change requiring both innovation and diffusion, and the failure of rich nations to meet financing pledges", "Examples from her career connecting science and policy in development, finance, and vaccines" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2022-ngozi-okonjo-iweala-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2022-kealoha-wong", "accession": "2022.001", "speaker": "Kealoha Wong", "speakerSlug": "kealoha-wong", "role": "Poet Laureate of Hawai‘i; special ceremony for Classes of 2020 and 2021", "institution": "Massachusetts Institute of Technology", "institutionSlug": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology", "year": 2022, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2022/kealoha-wong", "path": "/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2022/kealoha-wong", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.mit.edu/commencement-archive/speakers", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.mit.edu/2022/poet-kealoha-wong-speak-mit-classes-2020-2021-graduation-celebration-0509", "transcriptStatus": "Official speech or official coverage page", "transcriptCompleteness": "Coverage (partial)", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2022-kealoha-wong-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2021-bryan-stevenson", "accession": "2021.001", "speaker": "Bryan Stevenson", "speakerSlug": "bryan-stevenson", "role": "Founder and Executive Director, Equal Justice Initiative", "institution": "Massachusetts Institute of Technology", "institutionSlug": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology", "year": 2021, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2021/bryan-stevenson", "path": "/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2021/bryan-stevenson", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.mit.edu/commencement-archive/speakers", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.mit.edu/2021/bryan-stevenson-mit-2021-commencement-0204", "transcriptStatus": "Official speech or official coverage page", "transcriptCompleteness": "Coverage (partial)", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2021-bryan-stevenson-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2020-william-h-mcraven", "accession": "2020.001", "speaker": "William H. McRaven", "speakerSlug": "william-h-mcraven", "role": "Retired U.S. Navy admiral", "institution": "Massachusetts Institute of Technology", "institutionSlug": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology", "year": 2020, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2020/william-h-mcraven", "path": "/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2020/william-h-mcraven", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.mit.edu/commencement-archive/speakers", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.mit.edu/2020/william-mcraven-commencement-address-0529", "transcriptStatus": "Official speech or official coverage page", "transcriptCompleteness": "Coverage (partial)", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Courage", "slug": "courage", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/courage" }, { "name": "Global Responsibility", "slug": "global-responsibility", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/global-responsibility" }, { "name": "Resilience", "slug": "resilience", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/resilience" }, { "name": "Leadership & Integrity", "slug": "leadership", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/leadership" }, { "name": "Gratitude & Humility", "slug": "gratitude", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/gratitude" }, { "name": "Kindness & Empathy", "slug": "kindness", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/kindness" } ], "summary": "Delivered during MIT's online 2020 Commencement amid the pandemic, McRaven argues that fictional superheroes will not save the world and that the graduates themselves must address challenges like pandemics, war, climate change, poverty, and intolerance. Drawing on his Navy SEAL career and examples from history and science, he outlines the qualities he believes real heroes need. He closes by urging graduates to be the last class to miss a commencement and to go forth as the heroes the world needs.", "keyMoments": [ "Rejecting fictional superheroes and charging graduates to save the world themselves", "Calling for courage, including the moral courage to speak truth to power", "Emphasizing humility, perseverance, and willingness to sacrifice", "Stressing integrity and compassion as essential to heroism" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2020-william-h-mcraven-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2019-michael-bloomberg", "accession": "2019.001", "speaker": "Michael Bloomberg", "speakerSlug": "michael-bloomberg", "role": "Founder, Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies", "institution": "Massachusetts Institute of Technology", "institutionSlug": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology", "year": 2019, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2019/michael-bloomberg", "path": "/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2019/michael-bloomberg", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.mit.edu/commencement-archive/speakers", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.mit.edu/2019/michael-bloomberg-commencement-address-0607", "transcriptStatus": "Official speech or official coverage page", "transcriptCompleteness": "Coverage (partial)", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Global Responsibility", "slug": "global-responsibility", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/global-responsibility" }, { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Technology & Science", "slug": "technology", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/technology" }, { "name": "Courage", "slug": "courage", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/courage" }, { "name": "Hope & Optimism", "slug": "hope", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/hope" } ], "summary": "Michael Bloomberg draws a parallel between the Apollo 11 moon landing, which MIT helped achieve, and the urgent challenge of combating climate change, arguing that the necessary technology already exists and the primary obstacle is now political rather than scientific. He criticizes the federal government's withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and climate skepticism, and announces a $500 million Bloomberg Philanthropies initiative called Beyond Carbon. He calls on graduates to engage in political activism and voting to drive climate action.", "keyMoments": [ "Invokes MIT's role in the Apollo moon landing and Kennedy's 'we choose to go to the moon' speech", "Argues climate change is a political problem, not a scientific or technological one", "Criticizes the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement and climate skeptics in power", "Announces the $500 million Beyond Carbon initiative with its four fronts of action", "Urges graduates to vote, join advocacy groups, and pressure elected officials" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2019-michael-bloomberg-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2018-sheryl-sandberg", "accession": "2018.001", "speaker": "Sheryl Sandberg", "speakerSlug": "sheryl-sandberg", "role": "COO, Facebook", "institution": "Massachusetts Institute of Technology", "institutionSlug": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology", "year": 2018, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2018/sheryl-sandberg", "path": "/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2018/sheryl-sandberg", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.mit.edu/commencement-archive/speakers", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.mit.edu/2018/commencement-day-0608", "transcriptStatus": "Official speech or official coverage page", "transcriptCompleteness": "Coverage (partial)", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Technology & Science", "slug": "technology", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/technology" }, { "name": "Failure", "slug": "failure", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/failure" }, { "name": "Kindness & Empathy", "slug": "kindness", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/kindness" }, { "name": "Social Justice & Equality", "slug": "social-justice", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/social-justice" }, { "name": "Hope & Optimism", "slug": "hope", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/hope" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" } ], "summary": "Sheryl Sandberg told MIT's class of 2018 that the most difficult problems and greatest opportunities are human rather than technical, drawing on her early work at a leprosy treatment center in India where community outreach, not just medicine, made the difference. She urged graduates to be 'clear-eyed optimists' who build technology supporting equality, democracy, and kindness while guarding against harm. She acknowledged Facebook's failures around user data and risks, saying owning mistakes helps prevent future ones, and called for inclusive workplaces free of harassment.", "keyMoments": [ "Asking graduates if they knew their career path and recounting her own uncertain journey", "Lesson from a leprosy treatment center in India that solutions are about people, not just technology", "Three options facing technology's power: retreat, barrel forward, or be clear-eyed optimists", "Acknowledging Facebook didn't foresee or stop all risks and the duty to own mistakes" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2018-sheryl-sandberg-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2017-tim-cook", "accession": "2017.001", "speaker": "Tim Cook", "speakerSlug": "tim-cook", "role": "CEO, Apple", "institution": "Massachusetts Institute of Technology", "institutionSlug": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology", "year": 2017, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2017/tim-cook", "path": "/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2017/tim-cook", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.mit.edu/commencement-archive/speakers", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.mit.edu/2017/commencement-day-0609", "transcriptStatus": "Official speech or official coverage page", "transcriptCompleteness": "Coverage (partial)", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Technology & Science", "slug": "technology", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/technology" }, { "name": "Global Responsibility", "slug": "global-responsibility", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/global-responsibility" }, { "name": "Kindness & Empathy", "slug": "kindness", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/kindness" }, { "name": "Hope & Optimism", "slug": "hope", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/hope" } ], "summary": "Apple CEO Tim Cook urged MIT's Class of 2017 to seek purpose beyond themselves and to ask how they will serve humanity. Drawing on his own search for meaning and his work with Steve Jobs, he argued that technology must be paired with human values and the humanities to do great things, and that solving the world's hardest problems requires placing people at the center of one's work.", "keyMoments": [ "Recounting his search for purpose and joining Apple under Steve Jobs", "Posing the central question: how will you serve humanity?", "Warning that technology alone is not the solution and can be part of the problem", "Citing Pope Francis and calling for technology married with the humanities and human values" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2017-tim-cook-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2016-matt-damon", "accession": "2016.001", "speaker": "Matt Damon", "speakerSlug": "matt-damon", "role": "Actor, filmmaker, and co-founder of Water.org", "institution": "Massachusetts Institute of Technology", "institutionSlug": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology", "year": 2016, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2016/matt-damon", "path": "/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2016/matt-damon", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.mit.edu/commencement-archive/speakers", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.mit.edu/2016/commencement-day-0603", "transcriptStatus": "Official speech or official coverage page", "transcriptCompleteness": "Coverage (partial)", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Global Responsibility", "slug": "global-responsibility", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/global-responsibility" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Curiosity & Learning", "slug": "curiosity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/curiosity" }, { "name": "Failure", "slug": "failure", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/failure" }, { "name": "Kindness & Empathy", "slug": "kindness", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/kindness" } ], "summary": "Matt Damon delivered MIT's 2016 Commencement address, opening with self-deprecating humor about his \"fake graduation\" and his connection to MIT through \"Good Will Hunting.\" He urged graduates to \"turn towards the problems that you see\" and engage with them, drawing on his own work founding Water.org to address clean water and sanitation needs. He encouraged continued learning, listening even to those they disagree with, and using their ideas and persistence to improve the world.", "keyMoments": [ "Self-deprecating opening about his \"fake graduation\" and ties to MIT and Cambridge", "Reference to the simulation hypothesis and advice to do interesting things either way", "Sharing Bill Clinton's advice to \"turn towards the problems that you see\"", "Discussing his Water.org work and the importance of clean water to fighting poverty", "Urging graduates to keep listening and never end their education" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2016-matt-damon-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2015-megan-smith", "accession": "2015.006", "speaker": "Megan Smith", "speakerSlug": "megan-smith", "role": "U.S. Chief Technology Officer", "institution": "Massachusetts Institute of Technology", "institutionSlug": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology", "year": 2015, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2015/megan-smith", "path": "/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2015/megan-smith", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.mit.edu/commencement-archive/speakers", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.mit.edu/2015/commencement-day-0605", "transcriptStatus": "Official speech or official coverage page", "transcriptCompleteness": "Coverage (partial)", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Kindness & Empathy", "slug": "kindness", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/kindness" }, { "name": "Social Justice & Equality", "slug": "social-justice", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/social-justice" }, { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Global Responsibility", "slug": "global-responsibility", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/global-responsibility" }, { "name": "Technology & Science", "slug": "technology", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/technology" }, { "name": "Love & Relationships", "slug": "love", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/love" } ], "summary": "In her 2015 MIT Commencement address, U.S. Chief Technology Officer Megan Smith argued that beyond the school's motto of 'mind and hand' lies a crucial third element: heart. She defined heart as encompassing teamwork, kindness, openness and inclusivity, and service, urging graduates to bring their technical skills to causes they care about and to global challenges. She encouraged them to focus on strengths, team with others, value diverse ideas, and serve where problems are greatest.", "keyMoments": [ "Adding 'heart' to MIT's 'mind and hand' motto", "Focusing on strengths and teaming with others to cover weaknesses", "Kindness and openness as practical, not just moral, values", "Diversity and inclusivity producing better outcomes", "Service and applying technical skills to global challenges" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2015-megan-smith-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2014-ellen-kullman", "accession": "2014.012", "speaker": "Ellen Kullman", "speakerSlug": "ellen-kullman", "role": "Chair and CEO, DuPont", "institution": "Massachusetts Institute of Technology", "institutionSlug": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology", "year": 2014, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2014/ellen-kullman", "path": "/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2014/ellen-kullman", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.mit.edu/commencement-archive/speakers", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.mit.edu/2014/commencement-day-0606", "transcriptStatus": "Official speech or official coverage page", "transcriptCompleteness": "Coverage (partial)", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Technology & Science", "slug": "technology", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/technology" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Social Justice & Equality", "slug": "social-justice", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/social-justice" }, { "name": "Love & Relationships", "slug": "love", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/love" }, { "name": "Gratitude & Humility", "slug": "gratitude", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/gratitude" } ], "summary": "DuPont CEO Ellen Kullman addressed MIT's 2014 graduates, noting DuPont's long historical ties to MIT alumni and comparing both institutions as drivers of innovation. She framed her advice through an engineer's metaphor of heat, light, and water—representing intensity and drive, transparency and openness to diverse ideas, and the resources and personal fulfillment needed to nurture growth. Kullman encouraged graduates to embrace challenges, viewing them as opportunities for better directions, and told them that many of tomorrow's problems would be solved by them.", "keyMoments": [ "DuPont's historical connection to MIT alumni leaders", "Comparing MIT and DuPont as hothouses of innovation", "The engineering metaphor of heat, light, and water", "Encouraging graduates to embrace challenges and solve future problems" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2014-ellen-kullman-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2013-drew-houston", "accession": "2013.007", "speaker": "Drew Houston", "speakerSlug": "drew-houston", "role": "Co-founder and CEO, Dropbox", "institution": "Massachusetts Institute of Technology", "institutionSlug": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology", "year": 2013, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2013/drew-houston", "path": "/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2013/drew-houston", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.mit.edu/commencement-archive/speakers", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.mit.edu/2013/commencement-day-0607", "transcriptStatus": "Official speech or official coverage page", "transcriptCompleteness": "Coverage (partial)", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Failure", "slug": "failure", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/failure" }, { "name": "Courage", "slug": "courage", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/courage" }, { "name": "Work & Ambition", "slug": "work", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/work" } ], "summary": "Dropbox CEO Drew Houston, an MIT alumnus, addresses graduates by encouraging them to embrace risk and failure as part of real-world success. He urges them to find their passion—what he calls their 'tennis ball'—a problem they can't resist pursuing, and reassures them that setbacks don't define their future. The address is part of MIT's 2013 Commencement, which also featured remarks from President L. Rafael Reif and student leaders.", "keyMoments": [ "Encouraging graduates to find a new 'fire hose' after MIT, referencing his Dropbox experience", "Reframing failure: 'No one has a 5.0 in real life' and 'You only have to be right once'", "Comparing passion for work to a dog chasing a tennis ball", "Urging graduates to find the thing that pulls them rather than pushing themselves" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2013-drew-houston-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2012-salman-khan", "accession": "2012.013", "speaker": "Salman Khan", "speakerSlug": "salman-khan", "role": "Founder and Executive Director, Khan Academy", "institution": "Massachusetts Institute of Technology", "institutionSlug": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology", "year": 2012, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2012/salman-khan", "path": "/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2012/salman-khan", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.mit.edu/commencement-archive/speakers", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.mit.edu/2012/sal-khans-commencement-address", "transcriptStatus": "Official speech or official coverage page", "transcriptCompleteness": "Coverage (partial)", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pn24jP0YbTI#t=145", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Love & Relationships", "slug": "love", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/love" }, { "name": "Mortality & Time", "slug": "mortality", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/mortality" }, { "name": "Kindness & Empathy", "slug": "kindness", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/kindness" }, { "name": "Technology & Science", "slug": "technology", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/technology" }, { "name": "Hope & Optimism", "slug": "hope", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/hope" } ], "summary": "Khan Academy founder and MIT alumnus Salman Khan praises MIT for prioritizing principle over profit through initiatives like OpenCourseWare and edX, crediting the Institute as an inspiration for his own work. He celebrates the intensity and bonds of the MIT experience with humor, comparing the school to Hogwarts. He then offers graduates personal advice on happiness, relationships, empathy, and pursuing passions, urging them to use their gifts to better the world.", "keyMoments": [ "Praise for MIT OpenCourseWare and edX as putting principle over profit", "Humorous comparison of MIT to Hogwarts and its intense, bonding experience", "Practical tips for happiness, empathy, and listening", "Advice to pursue passions, not waste inspiration, and value relationships over status", "A 'genie' thought experiment about regrets and a second chance" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2012-salman-khan-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2011-ursula-m-burns", "accession": "2011.017", "speaker": "Ursula M. Burns", "speakerSlug": "ursula-m-burns", "role": "Chairman and CEO, Xerox", "institution": "Massachusetts Institute of Technology", "institutionSlug": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology", "year": 2011, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2011/ursula-m-burns", "path": "/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2011/ursula-m-burns", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.mit.edu/commencement-archive/speakers", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.mit.edu/2011/commencement-0603", "transcriptStatus": "Official speech or official coverage page", "transcriptCompleteness": "Coverage (partial)", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Global Responsibility", "slug": "global-responsibility", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/global-responsibility" }, { "name": "Leadership & Integrity", "slug": "leadership", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/leadership" } ], "summary": "At MIT's 145th Commencement, Xerox chairwoman and CEO Ursula M. Burns urged graduates to set their sights on changing the world and leaving the planet better than they found it. She emphasized that making a difference need not be grandiose, citing examples like working for organizations that create decent jobs, raising a family with good values, or mentoring a child. Burns, who is also a parent of a graduating student, praised the Class of 2011 as among the best and brightest.", "keyMoments": [ "Calling on graduates to leave behind more than they took away", "Defining meaningful impact through everyday acts like mentoring or raising a family", "Urging graduates to believe in something larger than themselves", "Expressing pride as both speaker and parent of a graduate" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2011-ursula-m-burns-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2010-raymond-s-stata", "accession": "2010.012", "speaker": "Raymond S. Stata", "speakerSlug": "raymond-s-stata", "role": "Chairman and co-founder, Analog Devices", "institution": "Massachusetts Institute of Technology", "institutionSlug": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology", "year": 2010, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2010/raymond-s-stata", "path": "/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2010/raymond-s-stata", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.mit.edu/commencement-archive/speakers", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.mit.edu/2010/ray-statas-commencement-address", "transcriptStatus": "Official speech or official coverage page", "transcriptCompleteness": "Coverage (partial)", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Work & Ambition", "slug": "work", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/work" }, { "name": "Courage", "slug": "courage", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/courage" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Failure", "slug": "failure", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/failure" }, { "name": "Gratitude & Humility", "slug": "gratitude", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/gratitude" }, { "name": "Hope & Optimism", "slug": "hope", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/hope" } ], "summary": "Raymond S. Stata, cofounder of Analog Devices, recounts his entrepreneurial journey from MIT graduate to building a multi-billion dollar semiconductor company, sharing the principles and values that guided his success. He emphasizes innovation, calculated risk-taking, empowering talented people, learning from failure, and building trustful relationships. He urges graduates to pursue work they are passionate about, stay involved with MIT, and apply their skills to solve societal problems in a world facing crisis and transition.", "keyMoments": [ "Founding Analog Devices and pursuing 'Market Leadership through Technical Innovation'", "Personally funding an integrated-circuit startup over the board's objections to avoid the S-curve", "Learning from failures like Analog Devices Enterprises by reflecting on mistakes", "Charging graduates not to play it safe and to be part of the solution to global challenges" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2010-raymond-s-stata-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2009-deval-patrick", "accession": "2009.010", "speaker": "Deval Patrick", "speakerSlug": "deval-patrick", "role": "Governor of Massachusetts", "institution": "Massachusetts Institute of Technology", "institutionSlug": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology", "year": 2009, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2009/deval-patrick", "path": "/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2009/deval-patrick", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.mit.edu/commencement-archive/speakers", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.mit.edu/2009/write-next-chapter", "transcriptStatus": "Official speech or official coverage page", "transcriptCompleteness": "Coverage (partial)", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Hope & Optimism", "slug": "hope", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/hope" }, { "name": "Resilience", "slug": "resilience", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/resilience" }, { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Technology & Science", "slug": "technology", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/technology" }, { "name": "Global Responsibility", "slug": "global-responsibility", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/global-responsibility" } ], "summary": "Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick addressed MIT's 143rd Commencement, framing the economic crisis as an opportunity for change and urging graduates to use their MIT skills to \"write the next chapter of the American story.\" He encouraged them not to fear the crisis but to embrace its potential as a platform for change, telling them to be the change they want to see in the world. MIT President Susan Hockfield's accompanying charge echoed his call, urging graduates to apply their talents to global problems.", "keyMoments": [ "Framing the economic crisis as an opportunity in disguise", "Urging graduates to 'be the change you want to see in the world'", "Describing crisis as a platform for change whose outcomes defy prediction", "Calling on graduates to apply MIT skills to shape the future" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2009-deval-patrick-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2008-muhammad-yunus", "accession": "2008.010", "speaker": "Muhammad Yunus", "speakerSlug": "muhammad-yunus", "role": "Grameen Bank founder and Nobel Peace Prize recipient", "institution": "Massachusetts Institute of Technology", "institutionSlug": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology", "year": 2008, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2008/muhammad-yunus", "path": "/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2008/muhammad-yunus", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.mit.edu/commencement-archive/speakers", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.mit.edu/2008/comm-trunk-0606", "transcriptStatus": "Official speech or official coverage page", "transcriptCompleteness": "Coverage (partial)", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Global Responsibility", "slug": "global-responsibility", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/global-responsibility" }, { "name": "Social Justice & Equality", "slug": "social-justice", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/social-justice" }, { "name": "Hope & Optimism", "slug": "hope", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/hope" }, { "name": "Technology & Science", "slug": "technology", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/technology" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Courage", "slug": "courage", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/courage" } ], "summary": "Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus told MIT's 2008 graduates they represent the future of the world and urged them to devote part of their careers to creating 'social businesses' aimed at solving problems rather than maximizing profit. Drawing on his founding of Grameen Bank and other socially conscious ventures in Bangladesh, he argued that large global problems can be tackled through small, replicable enterprises. He told graduates that all people carry untapped potential and that their generation could become the most successful in human history.", "keyMoments": [ "Urging graduates to create profit-alternative social businesses", "Citing Grameen Bank and microlending as a pioneering example", "Listing ventures like Grameen Phone, nutrition yogurt, water, and mosquito nets", "Framing big problems as aggregations of small, solvable ones" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2008-muhammad-yunus-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2007-charles-vest", "accession": "2007.005", "speaker": "Charles Vest", "speakerSlug": "charles-vest", "role": "President emeritus, MIT", "institution": "Massachusetts Institute of Technology", "institutionSlug": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology", "year": 2007, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2007/charles-vest", "path": "/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2007/charles-vest", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.mit.edu/commencement-archive/speakers", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.mit.edu/2007/comm-vestspeech-0608", "transcriptStatus": "Official speech or official coverage page", "transcriptCompleteness": "Coverage (partial)", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Technology & Science", "slug": "technology", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/technology" }, { "name": "Hope & Optimism", "slug": "hope", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/hope" }, { "name": "Global Responsibility", "slug": "global-responsibility", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/global-responsibility" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Social Justice & Equality", "slug": "social-justice", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/social-justice" } ], "summary": "MIT President Emeritus Charles Vest addresses graduates on the themes of opportunity and service, recounting how unexpected opportunities shaped his career, including being rejected for a faculty post and later being asked to serve as MIT's president. He surveys the accelerating pace of technological change and the frontiers of information technology and life science, urging graduates to confront the ethical questions these powers raise. He closes by affirming optimism, arguing that knowledge and skill can make the world well and that embracing service brings fulfillment.", "keyMoments": [ "Two letters from MIT illustrating the unpredictability of opportunity", "Anecdotes of meeting powerful figures and being grounded by an MIT graduate", "The accelerating pace of technology adoption and information growth", "Frontiers and ethical challenges of life sciences and biotechnology", "Dr. Tom Dooley story as a metaphor for making the world well" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2007-charles-vest-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2006-ben-bernanke", "accession": "2006.008", "speaker": "Ben Bernanke", "speakerSlug": "ben-bernanke", "role": "Chairman, Federal Reserve", "institution": "Massachusetts Institute of Technology", "institutionSlug": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology", "year": 2006, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2006/ben-bernanke", "path": "/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2006/ben-bernanke", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.mit.edu/commencement-archive/speakers", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.mit.edu/2006/comm-main", "transcriptStatus": "Official speech or official coverage page", "transcriptCompleteness": "Coverage (partial)", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Technology & Science", "slug": "technology", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/technology" }, { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Hope & Optimism", "slug": "hope", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/hope" }, { "name": "Gratitude & Humility", "slug": "gratitude", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/gratitude" }, { "name": "Kindness & Empathy", "slug": "kindness", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/kindness" } ], "summary": "Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke delivered the principal address at MIT's 140th Commencement, offering a brief history of economics at MIT and praising its faculty, including Nobel laureates Samuelson, Modigliani, and Solow. He described a 'virtuous circle' in which economics, science, and technology mutually reinforce innovation and economic development, and emphasized the benefits of global competition and free trade. He urged graduates to seek new opportunities and to make a difference through service, volunteering, and their choice of work.", "keyMoments": [ "History of economics at MIT and tribute to its faculty and Nobel laureates", "The 'virtuous circle' linking economics, science, and technology", "Benefits of global competition and free, open trade", "Encouragement to seek opportunities and make a difference through service" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2006-ben-bernanke-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2005-irwin-jacobs", "accession": "2005.005", "speaker": "Irwin Jacobs", "speakerSlug": "irwin-jacobs", "role": "Co-founder and CEO, QUALCOMM", "institution": "Massachusetts Institute of Technology", "institutionSlug": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology", "year": 2005, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2005/irwin-jacobs", "path": "/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2005/irwin-jacobs", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.mit.edu/commencement-archive/speakers", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.mit.edu/2005/comm-wrap", "transcriptStatus": "Official speech or official coverage page", "transcriptCompleteness": "Coverage (partial)", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Technology & Science", "slug": "technology", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/technology" }, { "name": "Work & Ambition", "slug": "work", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/work" }, { "name": "Global Responsibility", "slug": "global-responsibility", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/global-responsibility" }, { "name": "Curiosity & Learning", "slug": "curiosity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/curiosity" } ], "summary": "At MIT's 2005 Commencement, Qualcomm co-founder and CEO Irwin Jacobs drew on his own career to encourage graduates to prepare for change, recounting how he switched from hotel management to engineering and later co-founded Linkabit and Qualcomm. He urged graduates to consider teaching, to not be swayed by conventional wisdom, to view their work in a global context, and to pursue philanthropy.", "keyMoments": [ "Describing his own shift from hotel management to engineering", "Recounting founding Linkabit and Qualcomm", "Encouraging graduates to question conventional wisdom, citing cellphone forecasts", "Emphasizing global context and ongoing opportunity for philanthropy" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2005-irwin-jacobs-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2004-elias-zerhouni", "accession": "2004.009", "speaker": "Elias Zerhouni", "speakerSlug": "elias-zerhouni", "role": "Director, National Institutes of Health", "institution": "Massachusetts Institute of Technology", "institutionSlug": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology", "year": 2004, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2004/elias-zerhouni", "path": "/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2004/elias-zerhouni", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.mit.edu/commencement-archive/speakers", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.mit.edu/2004/zerhouni-urges-collaboration-and-5050-rules-life", "transcriptStatus": "Official speech or official coverage page", "transcriptCompleteness": "Coverage (partial)", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Technology & Science", "slug": "technology", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/technology" }, { "name": "Global Responsibility", "slug": "global-responsibility", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/global-responsibility" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Curiosity & Learning", "slug": "curiosity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/curiosity" }, { "name": "Courage", "slug": "courage", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/courage" } ], "summary": "NIH director Elias Zerhouni told MIT's Class of 2004 that the life sciences will be the defining challenge of the 21st century, arguing that humanity changes its environment faster than it can biologically adapt, as illustrated by rising obesity. He emphasized the importance of collaboration and connection across disciplines, drawing on his own immigrant experience, and offered his '50/50 Rules of Life' about questioning knowledge, reading broadly, and dreaming big.", "keyMoments": [ "Framing life sciences as the defining 21st-century challenge through three 'Big Bangs'", "Citing obesity as evidence humans adapt slower than they change their environment", "Stressing connection and cross-disciplinary collaboration, drawing on his arrival from Algeria", "Sharing the '50/50 Rules of Life' about knowledge, reading widely, and ambition" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2004-elias-zerhouni-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2003-george-mitchell", "accession": "2003.004", "speaker": "George Mitchell", "speakerSlug": "george-mitchell", "role": "Former U.S. senator", "institution": "Massachusetts Institute of Technology", "institutionSlug": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology", "year": 2003, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2003/george-mitchell", "path": "/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2003/george-mitchell", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.mit.edu/commencement-archive/speakers", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.mit.edu/2003/comm-mitchell2", "transcriptStatus": "Official speech or official coverage page", "transcriptCompleteness": "Coverage (partial)", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Hope & Optimism", "slug": "hope", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/hope" }, { "name": "Resilience", "slug": "resilience", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/resilience" }, { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Social Justice & Equality", "slug": "social-justice", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/social-justice" }, { "name": "Global Responsibility", "slug": "global-responsibility", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/global-responsibility" } ], "summary": "At MIT's 137th Commencement, former U.S. Senator George Mitchell told graduates that a resolution to the Middle East conflict is possible but requires each side to recognize the other's needs—Palestinians seeking a viable state and Israelis seeking security. Drawing on his peace work, he argued that no conflict is impossible to end and urged Americans not to turn away when setbacks occur. He called on graduates, as a privileged elite, to speak out against discrimination and injustice and to help others achieve education and a clean environment.", "keyMoments": [ "Argues a two-state Middle East solution is achievable only through negotiation", "Notes total mutual mistrust creates a zero-sum conflict harming both sides", "Declares that conflicts made by humans can be ended by humans", "Urges Americans not to despair at setbacks and graduates to fight injustice" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2003-george-mitchell-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2002-james-wolfensohn", "accession": "2002.002", "speaker": "James Wolfensohn", "speakerSlug": "james-wolfensohn", "role": "President of the World Bank", "institution": "Massachusetts Institute of Technology", "institutionSlug": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology", "year": 2002, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2002/james-wolfensohn", "path": "/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2002/james-wolfensohn", "officialUrl": "https://news.mit.edu/2002/rain-protesters-cant-spoil-mits-136th-commencement", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.mit.edu/2002/wolfaddress-0612", "transcriptStatus": "Official transcript", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Global Responsibility", "slug": "global-responsibility", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/global-responsibility" }, { "name": "Social Justice & Equality", "slug": "social-justice", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/social-justice" }, { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Gratitude & Humility", "slug": "gratitude", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/gratitude" }, { "name": "Hope & Optimism", "slug": "hope", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/hope" } ], "summary": "World Bank president James Wolfensohn reflects on his own journey from Australia to MIT decades earlier and argues that the world is no longer a bipolar divide between rich and poor but an interdependent place. He contends that poverty and inequity anywhere—made vivid by the events of September 11th—affect everyone, and challenges graduates to make 'planetary equity' their central concern. He urges them to use their education with humility and to commit to social justice, development, and peace.", "keyMoments": [ "Recalls his first visit to MIT in the 1950s and praises the OpenCourseWare program as a global contribution", "Describes his earlier view of the world as bipolar—rich versus poor—and how that view changed", "Cites September 11th and statistics on global poverty to argue inequity is unstable and shared", "Tells the 'picking up the dog' anecdote to urge graduates to use their education with humility" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2002-james-wolfensohn-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2001-daniel-goldin", "accession": "2001.002", "speaker": "Daniel Goldin", "speakerSlug": "daniel-goldin", "role": "NASA administrator", "institution": "Massachusetts Institute of Technology", "institutionSlug": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology", "year": 2001, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2001/daniel-goldin", "path": "/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2001/daniel-goldin", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.mit.edu/commencement-archive/speakers", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.humanity.org/voices/commencements/daniel-goldin-mit-speech-2001", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2001-daniel-goldin-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2000-carleton-fiorina", "accession": "2000.003", "speaker": "Carleton Fiorina", "speakerSlug": "carleton-fiorina", "role": "President and CEO, Hewlett-Packard", "institution": "Massachusetts Institute of Technology", "institutionSlug": "massachusetts-institute-of-technology", "year": 2000, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2000/carleton-fiorina", "path": "/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/2000/carleton-fiorina", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.mit.edu/commencement-archive/speakers", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.mit.edu/2000/fiorinaspeech", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Identity & Authenticity", "slug": "identity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/identity" }, { "name": "Leadership & Integrity", "slug": "leadership", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/leadership" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Technology & Science", "slug": "technology", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/technology" }, { "name": "Courage", "slug": "courage", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/courage" }, { "name": "Gratitude & Humility", "slug": "gratitude", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/gratitude" } ], "summary": "Carly Fiorina, CEO of Hewlett-Packard and an MIT Sloan alumna, frames life as a journey that rarely follows a logical path, drawing on her own experiences quitting law school and working her way from secretary to CEO. She urges graduates to engage their head, heart, and gut in decisions, to love what they do, and to honor those who supported them. She also describes a redefined model of leadership for the Information Age, emphasizing empowering people over controlling them.", "keyMoments": [ "Crowdsourcing speech topics via email from the graduating class", "Her own winding path from medieval history to law school dropout to HP CEO", "Advice to listen to head, heart, and gut and to 'love what you do, or don't do it'", "Reframing leadership as empowering people, citing HP's 'rules of the garage'" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2000-carleton-fiorina-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "yale-university-2026-min-jin-lee", "accession": "2026.003", "speaker": "Min Jin Lee", "speakerSlug": "min-jin-lee", "role": "Novelist and essayist", "institution": "Yale University", "institutionSlug": "yale-university", "year": 2026, "ceremonyType": "Yale College Class Day address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/yale-university/2026/min-jin-lee", "path": "/yale-university/2026/min-jin-lee", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.yale.edu/yale-college-class-day-speakers-since-1979", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.yale.edu/2026/05/18/time-our-teacher-class-day-yale", "transcriptStatus": "Official speech recap", "transcriptCompleteness": "Excerpts / recap", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Mortality & Time", "slug": "mortality", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/mortality" }, { "name": "Resilience", "slug": "resilience", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/resilience" }, { "name": "Curiosity & Learning", "slug": "curiosity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/curiosity" }, { "name": "Kindness & Empathy", "slug": "kindness", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/kindness" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Work & Ambition", "slug": "work", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/work" } ], "summary": "At Yale's Class Day, author Min Jin Lee '90 advised the Class of 2026 to adopt a nuanced understanding of time, drawing on the Greek concepts of chronos (measurable clock time) and kairos (opportune time or strategic openings). Reflecting on her own uneven years as a student, she argued that moments once seen as painful or insignificant were actually openings for risk and growth. She encouraged graduates to keep learning, do their share of work, and keep showing up, telling them that time is their teacher and nothing was wasted.", "keyMoments": [ "Introducing the Greek concepts of chronos and kairos as 'time bifocals'", "Addressing the 'anxious generation' label and crediting students for being adaptive", "Recounting a junior-year college tea that inspired her novel 'Pachinko'", "Reflecting on being an uneven student and reframing past moments as kairos" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/yale-university-2026-min-jin-lee-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "yale-university-2025-jacinda-ardern", "accession": "2025.003", "speaker": "Jacinda Ardern", "speakerSlug": "jacinda-ardern", "role": "Former prime minister of New Zealand", "institution": "Yale University", "institutionSlug": "yale-university", "year": 2025, "ceremonyType": "Yale College Class Day address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/yale-university/2025/jacinda-ardern", "path": "/yale-university/2025/jacinda-ardern", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.yale.edu/yale-college-class-day-speakers-since-1979", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.yale.edu/2025/05/18/we-are-connected-class-day-yale", "transcriptStatus": "Official speech recap", "transcriptCompleteness": "Excerpts / recap", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Leadership & Integrity", "slug": "leadership", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/leadership" }, { "name": "Identity & Authenticity", "slug": "identity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/identity" }, { "name": "Global Responsibility", "slug": "global-responsibility", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/global-responsibility" }, { "name": "Kindness & Empathy", "slug": "kindness", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/kindness" }, { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Curiosity & Learning", "slug": "curiosity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/curiosity" } ], "summary": "Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, the 2025 Class Day speaker at Yale, urged graduating seniors to embrace self-doubt, sensitivity, and humility as sources of strength rather than weakness. She argued that these traits foster curiosity, empathy, and a willingness to seek expertise, and emphasized that the world's interconnected challenges require cooperation, shared values, and a sense of duty to others.", "keyMoments": [ "Sharing her own experience with imposter syndrome during the COVID-19 pandemic", "Reframing self-doubt and sensitivity as secret strengths of leadership", "Arguing that the world is connected and requires cooperation and shared values", "Telling graduates that 'it's not just about you, it's about us'" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/yale-university-2025-jacinda-ardern-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "yale-university-2024-vivek-murthy", "accession": "2024.003", "speaker": "Vivek Murthy", "speakerSlug": "vivek-murthy", "role": "U.S. Surgeon General", "institution": "Yale University", "institutionSlug": "yale-university", "year": 2024, "ceremonyType": "Yale College Class Day address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/yale-university/2024/vivek-murthy", "path": "/yale-university/2024/vivek-murthy", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.yale.edu/yale-college-class-day-speakers-since-1979", "transcriptUrl": null, "transcriptStatus": "Official video", "transcriptCompleteness": "None (video only)", "sourceAuthority": "Official/host video (YouTube)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D1X236iG44", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/yale-university-2024-vivek-murthy-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "yale-university-2023-elizabeth-alexander", "accession": "2023.003", "speaker": "Elizabeth Alexander", "speakerSlug": "elizabeth-alexander", "role": "Poet, educator, and cultural advocate", "institution": "Yale University", "institutionSlug": "yale-university", "year": 2023, "ceremonyType": "Yale College Class Day address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/yale-university/2023/elizabeth-alexander", "path": "/yale-university/2023/elizabeth-alexander", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.yale.edu/yale-college-class-day-speakers-since-1979", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.yale.edu/2023/05/21/alexander-brings-class-day-message-freedom-education-and-homecoming", "transcriptStatus": "Official speech recap", "transcriptCompleteness": "Excerpts / recap", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Curiosity & Learning", "slug": "curiosity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/curiosity" }, { "name": "Social Justice & Equality", "slug": "social-justice", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/social-justice" }, { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Identity & Authenticity", "slug": "identity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/identity" }, { "name": "Hope & Optimism", "slug": "hope", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/hope" } ], "summary": "In her 2023 Class Day address at Yale, poet Elizabeth Alexander returned to her alma mater to celebrate freedom, lifelong education, and homecoming, drawing on her experiences as a Yale undergraduate, faculty member, and parent. She recounted the 1831 proposal to establish the nation's first college for Black students in New Haven, which was overwhelmingly blocked, using it to question what those who ban education today fear. She urged graduates to keep learning, speak truth to power, bring new voices into rooms they enter, and work to make freedom real for everyone.", "keyMoments": [ "Greeting graduates as a former undergraduate, faculty member, Yale mom, and New Havener", "Recounting the 1831 proposal for a Black college in New Haven that was blocked 700 to 4", "Questioning what those banning education today fear", "Offering parental advice to keep learning, rest, speak truth to power, and take action" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/yale-university-2023-elizabeth-alexander-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "yale-university-2022-reshma-saujani", "accession": "2022.004", "speaker": "Reshma Saujani", "speakerSlug": "reshma-saujani", "role": "Advocate for women and girls", "institution": "Yale University", "institutionSlug": "yale-university", "year": 2022, "ceremonyType": "Yale College Class Day address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/yale-university/2022/reshma-saujani", "path": "/yale-university/2022/reshma-saujani", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.yale.edu/yale-college-class-day-speakers-since-1979", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.yale.edu/2022/05/22/returning-form-class-day-boasts-sun-smiles-and-calls-action", "transcriptStatus": "Official speech recap", "transcriptCompleteness": "Excerpts / recap", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlWs73swjSI", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Social Justice & Equality", "slug": "social-justice", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/social-justice" }, { "name": "Identity & Authenticity", "slug": "identity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/identity" }, { "name": "Work & Ambition", "slug": "work", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/work" } ], "summary": "Reshma Saujani, a Yale Law graduate and founder of Girls Who Code, delivered Yale's 2022 Class Day address, urging graduates to value advocacy and the American tradition of agitating for change. She reframed President Kennedy's famous call to service, arguing that in an era of declining trust in government and rising inequality, graduates should first ask what they can do for themselves and prioritize self-healing. She concluded that the country needs them to take care of one another and reimagine a world that better supports everyone.", "keyMoments": [ "Praise for advocacy and fighting for women and girls", "Reinterpreting JFK's 'ask not' quote for a low-trust era", "Contrasting mid-century American achievements with present inequality and crises", "Warning against 'hustle culture' and urging self-healing before serving others" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/yale-university-2022-reshma-saujani-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "yale-university-2021-robert-lopez", "accession": "2021.004", "speaker": "Robert Lopez", "speakerSlug": "robert-lopez", "role": "Songwriter (EGOT winner); Yale College Class of 1997", "institution": "Yale University", "institutionSlug": "yale-university", "year": 2021, "ceremonyType": "Yale College Class Day address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/yale-university/2021/robert-lopez", "path": "/yale-university/2021/robert-lopez", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.yale.edu/yale-college-class-day-speakers-since-1979", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.yale.edu/2021/03/26/award-winning-songwriter-robert-lopez-97-speak-class-day", "transcriptStatus": "Official Yale video (virtual Class Day message)", "transcriptCompleteness": "None (captioned-video transcription candidate)", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAuyOGHdTkQ", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/yale-university-2021-robert-lopez-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "yale-university-2020-jean-bennett", "accession": "2020.003", "speaker": "Jean Bennett", "speakerSlug": "jean-bennett", "role": "Scientific researcher and gene-therapy pioneer", "institution": "Yale University", "institutionSlug": "yale-university", "year": 2020, "ceremonyType": "Yale College Class Day address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/yale-university/2020/jean-bennett", "path": "/yale-university/2020/jean-bennett", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.yale.edu/yale-college-class-day-speakers-since-1979", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.yale.edu/2020/05/17/dr-jean-bennett-gives-yale-2020-class-day-speech", "transcriptStatus": "Official video landing page", "transcriptCompleteness": "None (video page)", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/yale-university-2020-jean-bennett-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "yale-university-2019-chimamanda-adichie", "accession": "2019.003", "speaker": "Chimamanda Adichie", "speakerSlug": "chimamanda-adichie", "role": "Novelist and nonfiction writer", "institution": "Yale University", "institutionSlug": "yale-university", "year": 2019, "ceremonyType": "Yale College Class Day address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/yale-university/2019/chimamanda-adichie", "path": "/yale-university/2019/chimamanda-adichie", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.yale.edu/yale-college-class-day-speakers-since-1979", "transcriptUrl": null, "transcriptStatus": "Official video", "transcriptCompleteness": "None (video only)", "sourceAuthority": "Official/host video (YouTube)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9JhU2fXet8", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/yale-university-2019-chimamanda-adichie-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "yale-university-2018-hillary-rodham-clinton", "accession": "2018.003", "speaker": "Hillary Rodham Clinton", "speakerSlug": "hillary-rodham-clinton", "role": "Former secretary of state, senator, and first lady", "institution": "Yale University", "institutionSlug": "yale-university", "year": 2018, "ceremonyType": "Yale College Class Day address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/yale-university/2018/hillary-rodham-clinton", "path": "/yale-university/2018/hillary-rodham-clinton", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.yale.edu/yale-college-class-day-speakers-since-1979", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.yale.edu/2018/05/21/class-day-address-clinton-encourages-students-keep-their-fight", "transcriptStatus": "Official speech recap", "transcriptCompleteness": "Excerpts / recap", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJFAByAtC4U", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Resilience", "slug": "resilience", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/resilience" }, { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Social Justice & Equality", "slug": "social-justice", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/social-justice" }, { "name": "Failure", "slug": "failure", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/failure" }, { "name": "Hope & Optimism", "slug": "hope", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/hope" }, { "name": "Kindness & Empathy", "slug": "kindness", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/kindness" } ], "summary": "In her 2018 Yale Class Day address, Hillary Clinton urged graduates to draw on resilience as they enter what she called one of the most tumultuous times in American history. She reflected on her own ties to Yale and her 2016 election loss, argued that the country needs 'radical empathy' and 'democratic resilience' to heal divisions, and called on graduates to defend truth, facts, and a free press while staying civically engaged. She expressed optimism rooted in Americans' toughness, rising numbers of women in politics, and growing willingness to speak out.", "keyMoments": [ "Praising the Class of 2018's activism, including the March of Resilience and renaming of residential colleges", "Joking about wearing a Russian hat as a jab at President Trump", "Quoting Dickens to describe America as both the best and worst of times", "Calling for 'radical empathy' and defense of truth, facts, and democratic institutions", "Citing reasons for hope including more women winning elections and people speaking out against harassment" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/yale-university-2018-hillary-rodham-clinton-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "yale-university-2017-theo-epstein", "accession": "2017.003", "speaker": "Theo Epstein", "speakerSlug": "theo-epstein", "role": "Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations", "institution": "Yale University", "institutionSlug": "yale-university", "year": 2017, "ceremonyType": "Yale College Class Day address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/yale-university/2017/theo-epstein", "path": "/yale-university/2017/theo-epstein", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.yale.edu/yale-college-class-day-speakers-since-1979", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.yale.edu/sites/default/files/d6_files/imce/Yale%20Class%20Day.pdf", "transcriptStatus": "Official transcript", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/yale-university-2017-theo-epstein-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "yale-university-2016-samantha-power", "accession": "2016.003", "speaker": "Samantha Power", "speakerSlug": "samantha-power", "role": "U.S. representative to the United Nations", "institution": "Yale University", "institutionSlug": "yale-university", "year": 2016, "ceremonyType": "Yale College Class Day address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/yale-university/2016/samantha-power", "path": "/yale-university/2016/samantha-power", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.yale.edu/yale-college-class-day-speakers-since-1979", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.yale.edu/2016/05/22/ambassador-samantha-powers-2016-class-day-address", "transcriptStatus": "Official transcript", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Social Justice & Equality", "slug": "social-justice", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/social-justice" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Failure", "slug": "failure", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/failure" }, { "name": "Courage", "slug": "courage", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/courage" }, { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Resilience", "slug": "resilience", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/resilience" } ], "summary": "Samantha Power, U.S. Ambassador to the UN and Yale '92 alumna, opens with self-deprecating humor before reflecting on her own mediocre early years at Yale and the moments—a professor's harsh critique and watching the Tiananmen Square crackdown—that reset her direction. Her central message is that to make meaningful change, graduates must 'get close': engage individuals directly, break out of informational echo chambers, bring others along, and persist with both patience and impatience. She closes by addressing enduring inequalities in race and gender, citing examples from Yale and the UN, and urging graduates to reject claims that the great rights struggles are finished.", "keyMoments": [ "Recounting a professor's eviscerating note and watching the Tiananmen Square crackdown as turning points", "Urging graduates to 'get close' to issues and the people affected by them", "Warning against echo chambers and the comfort of unchallenged opinions", "Citing persistent racial and gender inequality at Yale, the UN, and in society" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/yale-university-2016-samantha-power-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "yale-university-2015-joseph-biden", "accession": "2015.018", "speaker": "Joseph Biden", "speakerSlug": "joseph-biden", "role": "47th vice president of the United States", "institution": "Yale University", "institutionSlug": "yale-university", "year": 2015, "ceremonyType": "Yale College Class Day address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/yale-university/2015/joseph-biden", "path": "/yale-university/2015/joseph-biden", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.yale.edu/yale-college-class-day-speakers-since-1979", "transcriptUrl": null, "transcriptStatus": "Official video", "transcriptCompleteness": "None (video only)", "sourceAuthority": "Official/host video (YouTube)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=excEkQX1_kQ", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/yale-university-2015-joseph-biden-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "yale-university-2014-john-kerry", "accession": "2014.028", "speaker": "John Kerry", "speakerSlug": "john-kerry", "role": "U.S. secretary of state", "institution": "Yale University", "institutionSlug": "yale-university", "year": 2014, "ceremonyType": "Yale College Class Day address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/yale-university/2014/john-kerry", "path": "/yale-university/2014/john-kerry", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.yale.edu/yale-college-class-day-speakers-since-1979", "transcriptUrl": "https://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-WB-45649", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Reputable news", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": "In his remarks at Yale's 2014 commencement, Secretary of State John Kerry reflects on returning to his alma mater 48 years after his own graduation. The provided excerpt opens with humorous acknowledgments before, according to the framing, addressing the unique role of the United States in the world and arguing against isolationism.", "keyMoments": [ "Opening with self-deprecating humor and acknowledgments", "Reflecting on returning to Yale 48 years after his own graduation", "Discussing the unique role of the U.S. in the world", "Arguing against isolationism" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/yale-university-2014-john-kerry-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "yale-university-2013-cory-booker", "accession": "2013.029", "speaker": "Cory Booker", "speakerSlug": "cory-booker", "role": "Mayor of Newark, New Jersey", "institution": "Yale University", "institutionSlug": "yale-university", "year": 2013, "ceremonyType": "Yale College Class Day address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/yale-university/2013/cory-booker", "path": "/yale-university/2013/cory-booker", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.yale.edu/yale-college-class-day-speakers-since-1979", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.yale.edu/2013/05/19/most-all-be-kind-newark-mayor-cory-booker-tells-seniors-class-day", "transcriptStatus": "Official speech recap", "transcriptCompleteness": "Excerpts / recap", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Kindness & Empathy", "slug": "kindness", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/kindness" }, { "name": "Courage", "slug": "courage", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/courage" }, { "name": "Resilience", "slug": "resilience", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/resilience" }, { "name": "Leadership & Integrity", "slug": "leadership", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/leadership" }, { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Failure", "slug": "failure", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/failure" } ], "summary": "Newark Mayor Cory Booker tells Yale's Class of 2013 that their worth will be measured by what they give, and that small acts of kindness matter more than glamorous achievements. He recounts a painful personal failure—being so absorbed in his work as mayor that he overlooked a young man he had mentored, who was murdered—as a lesson in attending to what is right in front of you. Booker urges graduates to persevere through shame and despair, redefines being 'first class' as a matter of character rather than status, and closes by affirming the graduates' strength, hope, and capacity for love.", "keyMoments": [ "Story of a mentored youth's murder and Booker's resulting shame and grief", "Defining real courage as the inner voice that says 'keep going' through despair", "Humorous airplane anecdote redefining 'first class' as character, not status", "Closing 'I see you' address invoking the national anthem's challenge to the graduates" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/yale-university-2013-cory-booker-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "yale-university-2012-barbara-walters", "accession": "2012.036", "speaker": "Barbara Walters", "speakerSlug": "barbara-walters", "role": "Television journalist", "institution": "Yale University", "institutionSlug": "yale-university", "year": 2012, "ceremonyType": "Yale College Class Day address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/yale-university/2012/barbara-walters", "path": "/yale-university/2012/barbara-walters", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.yale.edu/yale-college-class-day-speakers-since-1979", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.yale.edu/2012/05/20/walters-shares-wisdom-her-most-thoughtful-interviewees", "transcriptStatus": "Official speech recap", "transcriptCompleteness": "Excerpts / recap", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Failure", "slug": "failure", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/failure" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Resilience", "slug": "resilience", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/resilience" }, { "name": "Love & Relationships", "slug": "love", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/love" }, { "name": "Kindness & Empathy", "slug": "kindness", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/kindness" } ], "summary": "At Yale's 2012 Class Day, Barbara Walters reassured graduates that most people, including herself, don't discover their passion early in life, and that their \"bliss\" will eventually find them. She shared lessons drawn from interviews with figures including Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, the Dalai Lama, Margaret Thatcher, and Christopher Reeve, emphasizing choices, resilience after failure, and active participation in life. She closed with a personal family anecdote urging graduates to fully participate in their lives.", "keyMoments": [ "Telling graduates not to fear if they haven't found their passion, as most people discover it later", "Sharing Obama's reflection on unexpected career paths and Clinton's account of personal choices", "Recounting the Dalai Lama's view that the purpose of life is happiness through compassion", "Drawing on Thatcher's and her own experiences with failure, urging students to rise back", "Sharing Christopher Reeve's perspective on facing hardship and her grandmother story to 'participate'" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/yale-university-2012-barbara-walters-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "yale-university-2011-tom-hanks", "accession": "2011.037", "speaker": "Tom Hanks", "speakerSlug": "tom-hanks", "role": "Actor", "institution": "Yale University", "institutionSlug": "yale-university", "year": 2011, "ceremonyType": "Yale College Class Day address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/yale-university/2011/tom-hanks", "path": "/yale-university/2011/tom-hanks", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.yale.edu/yale-college-class-day-speakers-since-1979", "transcriptUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2011/2011/tom-hanks", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baIlinqoExQ", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/yale-university-2011-tom-hanks-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "yale-university-2010-william-jefferson-clinton", "accession": "2010.031", "speaker": "William Jefferson Clinton", "speakerSlug": "william-jefferson-clinton", "role": "42nd president of the United States", "institution": "Yale University", "institutionSlug": "yale-university", "year": 2010, "ceremonyType": "Yale College Class Day address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/yale-university/2010/william-jefferson-clinton", "path": "/yale-university/2010/william-jefferson-clinton", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.yale.edu/yale-college-class-day-speakers-since-1979", "transcriptUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2010/yale-university/bill-clinton-2", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBDgCATvf6Y", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/yale-university-2010-william-jefferson-clinton-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "yale-university-2009-christopher-buckley", "accession": "2009.025", "speaker": "Christopher Buckley", "speakerSlug": "christopher-buckley", "role": "Author", "institution": "Yale University", "institutionSlug": "yale-university", "year": 2009, "ceremonyType": "Yale College Class Day address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/yale-university/2009/christopher-buckley", "path": "/yale-university/2009/christopher-buckley", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.yale.edu/yale-college-class-day-speakers-since-1979", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.yale.edu/2009/05/media/pdf/Yale-Class-Day-Buckley-20090524.pdf", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Official transcript", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3osDInKJJIk", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/yale-university-2009-christopher-buckley-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "yale-university-2008-tony-blair", "accession": "2008.020", "speaker": "Tony Blair", "speakerSlug": "tony-blair", "role": "Former prime minister of the United Kingdom", "institution": "Yale University", "institutionSlug": "yale-university", "year": 2008, "ceremonyType": "Yale College Class Day address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/yale-university/2008/tony-blair", "path": "/yale-university/2008/tony-blair", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.yale.edu/yale-college-class-day-speakers-since-1979", "transcriptUrl": "https://tonyblairoffice.org/2008/05/blair-delivers-yale-class-day.html", "transcriptStatus": "Speaker-hosted transcript", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Global Responsibility", "slug": "global-responsibility", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/global-responsibility" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Leadership & Integrity", "slug": "leadership", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/leadership" }, { "name": "Failure", "slug": "failure", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/failure" }, { "name": "Love & Relationships", "slug": "love", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/love" }, { "name": "Curiosity & Learning", "slug": "curiosity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/curiosity" } ], "summary": "Tony Blair addresses Yale's Class of 2008, opening with humor about being the first British Class Day speaker before describing the world he sees as Middle East envoy, including the religious and political conflicts of the region and the eastward shift of global power toward China and India. He frames graduates as a global generation facing interdependent challenges like climate change, terrorism, and population growth, and offers personal advice on lifelong learning, friendship, purpose, and leadership. He closes with reflections on parental love and pride, sharing anecdotes from his own student days.", "keyMoments": [ "Humorous opening on being the first British Class Day speaker", "Observations from Bethlehem and Jericho on Middle East conflict and extremism", "Warning about power shifting East to China and India and the need for partnership", "Personal life advice: keep learning, value friendship, embrace failure, have purpose", "Reflections on parental love and his father at the train station" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/yale-university-2008-tony-blair-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "yale-university-2007-fareed-zakaria", "accession": "2007.021", "speaker": "Fareed Zakaria", "speakerSlug": "fareed-zakaria", "role": "Editor of Newsweek International; author and columnist", "institution": "Yale University", "institutionSlug": "yale-university", "year": 2007, "ceremonyType": "Yale College Class Day address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/yale-university/2007/fareed-zakaria", "path": "/yale-university/2007/fareed-zakaria", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.yale.edu/yale-college-class-day-speakers-since-1979", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.yale.edu/2007/05/18/yale-celebrates-2007-commencement", "transcriptStatus": "Official Yale coverage of 2007 Commencement weekend", "transcriptCompleteness": "Coverage (partial)", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/yale-university-2007-fareed-zakaria-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "yale-university-2006-anderson-cooper", "accession": "2006.014", "speaker": "Anderson Cooper", "speakerSlug": "anderson-cooper", "role": "CNN anchor; Yale College Class of 1989", "institution": "Yale University", "institutionSlug": "yale-university", "year": 2006, "ceremonyType": "Yale College Class Day address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/yale-university/2006/anderson-cooper", "path": "/yale-university/2006/anderson-cooper", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.yale.edu/yale-college-class-day-speakers-since-1979", "transcriptUrl": null, "transcriptStatus": "C-SPAN video of Class Day address", "transcriptCompleteness": "None (captioned-video transcription candidate)", "sourceAuthority": "Reputable video archive (C-SPAN)", "videoUrl": "https://www.c-span.org/program/public-affairs-event/yale-university-class-day-address/159350", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/yale-university-2006-anderson-cooper-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "yale-university-2005-eleanor-holmes-norton", "accession": "2005.011", "speaker": "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "speakerSlug": "eleanor-holmes-norton", "role": "U.S. Delegate for the District of Columbia; Yale M.A. 1963, J.D. 1964", "institution": "Yale University", "institutionSlug": "yale-university", "year": 2005, "ceremonyType": "Yale College Class Day address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/yale-university/2005/eleanor-holmes-norton", "path": "/yale-university/2005/eleanor-holmes-norton", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.yale.edu/yale-college-class-day-speakers-since-1979", "transcriptUrl": "https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/may-20-2005-norton-to-address-yale-grads-sunday", "transcriptStatus": "Government press release (announcement; no transcript)", "transcriptCompleteness": "None located", "sourceAuthority": "Government archive", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/yale-university-2005-eleanor-holmes-norton-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "review-gov" }, { "id": "yale-university-2004-ken-burns", "accession": "2004.018", "speaker": "Ken Burns", "speakerSlug": "ken-burns", "role": "Documentary filmmaker", "institution": "Yale University", "institutionSlug": "yale-university", "year": 2004, "ceremonyType": "Yale College Class Day address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/yale-university/2004/ken-burns", "path": "/yale-university/2004/ken-burns", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.yale.edu/yale-college-class-day-speakers-since-1979", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.yale.edu/2004/05/17/yale-university-hold-303rd-commencement-may-23-24", "transcriptStatus": "Official announcement only (no transcript located)", "transcriptCompleteness": "None located", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/yale-university-2004-ken-burns-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "yale-university-2003-tom-friedman", "accession": "2003.015", "speaker": "Tom Friedman", "speakerSlug": "tom-friedman", "role": "Foreign-affairs columnist, The New York Times; three-time Pulitzer Prize winner", "institution": "Yale University", "institutionSlug": "yale-university", "year": 2003, "ceremonyType": "Yale College Class Day address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/yale-university/2003/tom-friedman", "path": "/yale-university/2003/tom-friedman", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.yale.edu/yale-college-class-day-speakers-since-1979", "transcriptUrl": "http://archives.news.yale.edu/v31.n31/story104.html", "transcriptStatus": "Official Yale Bulletin coverage with excerpts", "transcriptCompleteness": "Excerpts / recap", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Resilience", "slug": "resilience", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/resilience" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Hope & Optimism", "slug": "hope", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/hope" }, { "name": "Kindness & Empathy", "slug": "kindness", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/kindness" }, { "name": "Love & Relationships", "slug": "love", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/love" }, { "name": "Courage", "slug": "courage", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/courage" } ], "summary": "Thomas Friedman tells Yale's Class of 2003 that in the post-9/11 \"Age of Terrorism\" they should choose to be \"thrivers\" rather than \"survivors,\" living fully despite uncertainty rather than retreating in fear. Drawing on his career covering the Middle East, he offers five lessons: thrive, follow your heart and do what you love, listen well to others, remain a naive optimist, and call your parents regularly.", "keyMoments": [ "Distinguishing \"survivors\" from \"thrivers\" using examples from war-torn Lebanon", "Urging graduates to follow their hearts and do what they love rather than rigid planning", "Calling on Americans to be better listeners given their global power", "Advocating naive optimism as a survival strategy, including hope for change in the Arab world", "Reminding students to call their parents, reflecting on his own father's death" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/yale-university-2003-tom-friedman-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "yale-university-2002-george-pataki", "accession": "2002.005", "speaker": "George Pataki", "speakerSlug": "george-pataki", "role": "Governor of New York; Yale College Class of 1967", "institution": "Yale University", "institutionSlug": "yale-university", "year": 2002, "ceremonyType": "Yale College Class Day address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/yale-university/2002/george-pataki", "path": "/yale-university/2002/george-pataki", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.yale.edu/yale-college-class-day-speakers-since-1979", "transcriptUrl": "https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2002/05/26/n-y-gov-george-pataki-to-deliver-class-day-address/", "transcriptStatus": "News preview/announcement (no transcript located)", "transcriptCompleteness": "None located", "sourceAuthority": "Student newspaper", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/yale-university-2002-george-pataki-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "yale-university-2001-hillary-rodham-clinton", "accession": "2001.007", "speaker": "Hillary Rodham Clinton", "speakerSlug": "hillary-rodham-clinton", "role": "U.S. Senator from New York; Yale Law School Class of 1973", "institution": "Yale University", "institutionSlug": "yale-university", "year": 2001, "ceremonyType": "Yale College Class Day address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/yale-university/2001/hillary-rodham-clinton", "path": "/yale-university/2001/hillary-rodham-clinton", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.yale.edu/yale-college-class-day-speakers-since-1979", "transcriptUrl": "https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2001/05/21/hillary-clinton-delivers-class-day-address/", "transcriptStatus": "News recap with excerpts (Yale Daily News)", "transcriptCompleteness": "Excerpts / recap", "sourceAuthority": "Student newspaper", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Resilience", "slug": "resilience", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/resilience" }, { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Global Responsibility", "slug": "global-responsibility", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/global-responsibility" }, { "name": "Kindness & Empathy", "slug": "kindness", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/kindness" } ], "summary": "In her Class Day address at Yale's 300th Commencement, Hillary Rodham Clinton encouraged graduates to pursue their dreams and persevere through setbacks, sharing personal stories about her time at Yale, her Senate campaign, and her work for underprivileged children. She discussed public service, children's issues, and the global AIDS crisis, urging students to care for those in need. She also included lighthearted moments, including advice that 'hair matters,' and delivered good wishes on behalf of her husband Bill Clinton.", "keyMoments": [ "Urging graduates to 'dare to compete, dare to care, dare to dream and dare to love'", "Sharing the story of choosing Yale over Harvard law school", "Calling on students to help combat the global AIDS crisis", "Joking that 'hair matters' and declining to wear a funny hat" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/yale-university-2001-hillary-rodham-clinton-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "yale-university-2000-robert-woodward", "accession": "2000.011", "speaker": "Robert Woodward", "speakerSlug": "robert-woodward", "role": "Associate editor, The Washington Post; Yale College Class of 1965", "institution": "Yale University", "institutionSlug": "yale-university", "year": 2000, "ceremonyType": "Yale College Class Day address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/yale-university/2000/robert-woodward", "path": "/yale-university/2000/robert-woodward", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.yale.edu/yale-college-class-day-speakers-since-1979", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.yale.edu/2000/05/11/yale-universitys-299th-commencement-events-be-held-may-21-and-may-22", "transcriptStatus": "Official announcement only (no transcript located)", "transcriptCompleteness": "None located", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/yale-university-2000-robert-woodward-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "stanford-university-2026-sundar-pichai", "accession": "2026.002", "speaker": "Sundar Pichai", "speakerSlug": "sundar-pichai", "role": "CEO of Google and Alphabet", "institution": "Stanford University", "institutionSlug": "stanford-university", "year": 2026, "ceremonyType": "Commencement keynote", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/stanford-university/2026/sundar-pichai", "path": "/stanford-university/2026/sundar-pichai", "officialUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2026/06/commencement-address-google-ceo-sundar-pichai", "transcriptUrl": "https://blog.google/company-news/inside-google/message-ceo/stanford-commencement-speech-2026/", "transcriptStatus": "Speaker-hosted full transcript (Google official blog)", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Speaker's official website + official Stanford video", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFyJgOAap2c", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Hope & Optimism", "slug": "hope", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/hope" }, { "name": "Work & Ambition", "slug": "work", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/work" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Resilience", "slug": "resilience", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/resilience" }, { "name": "Technology & Science", "slug": "technology", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/technology" }, { "name": "Gratitude & Humility", "slug": "gratitude", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/gratitude" } ], "summary": "Sundar Pichai addresses Stanford's Class of 2026, reflecting on his own journey from Chennai, India to Stanford and Google. He argues that most life moments are less make-or-break than they seem and offers three filters for making decisions: choosing optimism, working on hard things, and doing what excites you. He illustrates each with personal stories, including an impromptu trip to Vegas as a student and the development of the Chrome browser.", "keyMoments": [ "Story of skipping class for a spontaneous road trip to Vegas and realizing few moments are make-or-break", "'Choose optimism' filter illustrated by Mrs. Earl reframing brown hills as golden", "'Work on hard things' filter drawn from building Chrome despite being dismissed as a 'rounding error'", "'Do what excites you' filter rooted in his passion for expanding access to technology" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/stanford-university-2026-sundar-pichai-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "stanford-university-2025-katie-ledecky", "accession": "2025.002", "speaker": "Katie Ledecky", "speakerSlug": "katie-ledecky", "role": "Olympian and Stanford alumna", "institution": "Stanford University", "institutionSlug": "stanford-university", "year": 2025, "ceremonyType": "Commencement keynote", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/stanford-university/2025/katie-ledecky", "path": "/stanford-university/2025/katie-ledecky", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.stanford.edu/past-ceremonies", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2025/06/commencement-address-katie-ledecky", "transcriptStatus": "Official transcript", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t53HghVhSnI", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Courage", "slug": "courage", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/courage" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Resilience", "slug": "resilience", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/resilience" }, { "name": "Love & Relationships", "slug": "love", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/love" }, { "name": "Gratitude & Humility", "slug": "gratitude", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/gratitude" } ], "summary": "Olympic swimmer and Stanford alumna Katie Ledecky tells the Class of 2025 how to \"go the distance\" in life through three elements: pacing, process, and time. She shares stories from her swimming career—winning her first gold at 15, finding joy in goals rather than winning, and drawing strength from her grandparents during the Tokyo Olympics—to encourage graduates to trust themselves, love the process, and lean on the people who support them.", "keyMoments": [ "Recounting her gold-medal win at 15 in London, urging graduates not to be afraid to take the lead", "Advising graduates to fall in love with the process, not the podium, and to chase personal goals over winning", "Describing repeating her grandmothers' names to find strength in the Tokyo 1500-meter race", "Emphasizing the importance of community and lifelong Stanford connections" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/stanford-university-2025-katie-ledecky-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "stanford-university-2024-melinda-french-gates", "accession": "2024.002", "speaker": "Melinda French Gates", "speakerSlug": "melinda-french-gates", "role": "Founder, Pivotal Ventures", "institution": "Stanford University", "institutionSlug": "stanford-university", "year": 2024, "ceremonyType": "Commencement keynote", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/stanford-university/2024/melinda-french-gates", "path": "/stanford-university/2024/melinda-french-gates", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.stanford.edu/past-ceremonies", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2024/06/mfg-commencement-address", "transcriptStatus": "Official transcript", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npfQcvUcQYM", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Resilience", "slug": "resilience", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/resilience" }, { "name": "Identity & Authenticity", "slug": "identity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/identity" }, { "name": "Love & Relationships", "slug": "love", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/love" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Gratitude & Humility", "slug": "gratitude", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/gratitude" } ], "summary": "Melinda French Gates reflects on navigating life's major transitions, using a parable of waves to illustrate maintaining one's core identity through change. She shares personal experiences including her career at Microsoft, the start of her philanthropic work, and the end of her marriage, then offers graduates three lessons: approach transitions with radical openheartedness, find a 'small wave' mentor, and build a web of deserved trust. She encourages the Class of 2024 to leave room for their plans to change and to rebuild a broken world through community.", "keyMoments": [ "Personal connection to Stanford through her father, daughter, and granddaughter", "The Ram Dass parable of the two waves and identity through transition", "Advice to embrace openheartedness and let plans change, drawing on her shift toward contraceptive access work", "Advice to find a 'small wave' mentor and build a 'web of deserved trust'" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/stanford-university-2024-melinda-french-gates-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "stanford-university-2023-john-mcenroe", "accession": "2023.002", "speaker": "John McEnroe", "speakerSlug": "john-mcenroe", "role": "Tennis champion", "institution": "Stanford University", "institutionSlug": "stanford-university", "year": 2023, "ceremonyType": "Commencement keynote", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/stanford-university/2023/john-mcenroe", "path": "/stanford-university/2023/john-mcenroe", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.stanford.edu/past-ceremonies", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2023/06/2023-commencement-address-john-mcenroe", "transcriptStatus": "Official transcript", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzhsT3ojyzo", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Failure", "slug": "failure", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/failure" }, { "name": "Resilience", "slug": "resilience", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/resilience" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Identity & Authenticity", "slug": "identity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/identity" }, { "name": "Courage", "slug": "courage", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/courage" }, { "name": "Kindness & Empathy", "slug": "kindness", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/kindness" } ], "summary": "John McEnroe addresses Stanford's Class of 2023, using tennis analogies and personal stories from his career and time as a Stanford student to reflect on success, failure, and well-being. He encourages graduates to pursue work/life balance, take care of their mental health, stand up for themselves, and not define themselves solely by professional accomplishments. He emphasizes that handling pressure, learning from failure, and measuring success by personal growth matter more than winning.", "keyMoments": [ "Recalls his year at Stanford winning a singles title and the 1978 NCAA team championship under coach Dick Gould", "Urges graduates to value work/life balance and not be defined by their careers", "Discusses mental health, therapy, and the danger of trying to eliminate all stress and pain", "Reflects on his 1980 Wimbledon loss to Björn Borg and Nelson Mandela hearing it from prison", "Closes with the Kipling quote about meeting triumph and disaster as impostors" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/stanford-university-2023-john-mcenroe-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "stanford-university-2022-reed-hastings", "accession": "2022.003", "speaker": "Reed Hastings", "speakerSlug": "reed-hastings", "role": "Co-founder and co-CEO, Netflix", "institution": "Stanford University", "institutionSlug": "stanford-university", "year": 2022, "ceremonyType": "Commencement keynote", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/stanford-university/2022/reed-hastings", "path": "/stanford-university/2022/reed-hastings", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.stanford.edu/past-ceremonies", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu/2022/06/12/commencement-address-class-2022-reed-hastings/", "transcriptStatus": "Official transcript", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhWYcW5Sa_4", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Technology & Science", "slug": "technology", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/technology" }, { "name": "Global Responsibility", "slug": "global-responsibility", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/global-responsibility" }, { "name": "Resilience", "slug": "resilience", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/resilience" }, { "name": "Social Justice & Equality", "slug": "social-justice", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/social-justice" }, { "name": "Failure", "slug": "failure", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/failure" }, { "name": "Hope & Optimism", "slug": "hope", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/hope" } ], "summary": "Reed Hastings tells Stanford's Class of 2022 that human progress is driven by two forces: inventions and stories. He urges graduates to apply inventive energy to climate change and to craft new, more constructive stories around equality and global interdependence to replace ones his generation failed to fully develop. He closes by encouraging graduates to embrace their own pace in life, whether they are 'hares' who succeed early or 'tortoises' who progress slowly.", "keyMoments": [ "Argues inventions and stories are the two main drivers of human progress", "Calls on graduates to invent solutions to climate change rather than only reducing consumption", "Describes how accepted 'stories' like money, rights, and government legitimacy shape society, and warns of destructive stories", "Reflects on his own slow 'tortoise' path and encourages graduates to embrace their unique journeys" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/stanford-university-2022-reed-hastings-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "stanford-university-2021-issa-rae", "accession": "2021.003", "speaker": "Issa Rae", "speakerSlug": "issa-rae", "role": "Writer, actor, and producer", "institution": "Stanford University", "institutionSlug": "stanford-university", "year": 2021, "ceremonyType": "Commencement keynote", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/stanford-university/2021/issa-rae", "path": "/stanford-university/2021/issa-rae", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.stanford.edu/past-ceremonies", "transcriptUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdn-0Leczx8&feature=youtu.be", "transcriptStatus": "Official transcript", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://youtu.be/fdn-0Leczx8", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/stanford-university-2021-issa-rae-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "stanford-university-2021-atul-gawande", "accession": "2021.002", "speaker": "Atul Gawande", "speakerSlug": "atul-gawande", "role": "Surgeon, writer, and public-health leader", "institution": "Stanford University", "institutionSlug": "stanford-university", "year": 2021, "ceremonyType": "Advanced Degree Ceremony", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/stanford-university/2021/atul-gawande", "path": "/stanford-university/2021/atul-gawande", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.stanford.edu/past-ceremonies", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2021/06/2021-commencement-address-dr-atul-gawande", "transcriptStatus": "Official transcript", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7HCEtsEeJA", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Identity & Authenticity", "slug": "identity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/identity" }, { "name": "Work & Ambition", "slug": "work", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/work" }, { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Global Responsibility", "slug": "global-responsibility", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/global-responsibility" }, { "name": "Courage", "slug": "courage", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/courage" } ], "summary": "Speaking to advanced degree candidates during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Atul Gawande reflects on the unpredictability of careers and lives, urging graduates to say yes to new experiences early in life and pay attention to what truly energizes them. He recounts how his own path combined surgery, public health, and journalism despite advice to choose one, and how each ultimately reinforced the others. He closes by drawing lessons from the pandemic about leadership, unity versus division, and finding worth by helping others.", "keyMoments": [ "Reflects on the pandemic's losses and the role of vaccines in allowing graduation to occur", "Advises saying yes to everything before forty and no after forty, paying attention to what energizes you", "Describes combining surgery, public health, and journalism despite pressure to specialize", "Contrasts divisive versus unifying leadership in the pandemic response and affirms confidence in graduates" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/stanford-university-2021-atul-gawande-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "stanford-university-2020-france-a-c-rdova", "accession": "2020.002", "speaker": "France A. Córdova", "speakerSlug": "france-a-cordova", "role": "Astrophysicist and higher-education leader", "institution": "Stanford University", "institutionSlug": "stanford-university", "year": 2020, "ceremonyType": "Commencement keynote", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/stanford-university/2020/france-a-cordova", "path": "/stanford-university/2020/france-a-cordova", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.stanford.edu/past-ceremonies", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu/2022/06/11/commencement-address-class-2020-france-cordova/", "transcriptStatus": "Official transcript; ceremony held in 2022", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpW4nq1CiB4", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Curiosity & Learning", "slug": "curiosity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/curiosity" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Identity & Authenticity", "slug": "identity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/identity" }, { "name": "Resilience", "slug": "resilience", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/resilience" }, { "name": "Technology & Science", "slug": "technology", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/technology" }, { "name": "Social Justice & Equality", "slug": "social-justice", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/social-justice" } ], "summary": "France Córdova, a Stanford alumna and former National Science Foundation director, addresses the Class of 2020 at their delayed 2022 ceremony, reflecting on how the pandemic reshaped their college years and praising their resilience. She recounts her own winding path from English major and wanderer to astrophysicist, explaining how her humanities education informed her scientific career. She encourages graduates to remain open to unexpected paths, embrace their unique backgrounds, and pursue their passions while recognizing that real life develops within them through varied experiences.", "keyMoments": [ "Acknowledging the disrupted college experience of the pandemic-era Class of 2020", "Sharing her own delayed graduation and post-college years of travel and varied jobs", "Describing her discovery of science and decision to become a physicist", "Connecting humanities study with scientific inquiry and advocating diversity and inclusion in science", "Advising graduates to vector into the unknown and bring their whole selves to their work" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/stanford-university-2020-france-a-c-rdova-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "stanford-university-2019-tim-cook", "accession": "2019.002", "speaker": "Tim Cook", "speakerSlug": "tim-cook", "role": "CEO, Apple", "institution": "Stanford University", "institutionSlug": "stanford-university", "year": 2019, "ceremonyType": "Commencement keynote", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/stanford-university/2019/tim-cook", "path": "/stanford-university/2019/tim-cook", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.stanford.edu/past-ceremonies", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2019/06/remarks-tim-cook-2019-stanford-commencement", "transcriptStatus": "Official transcript", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://youtu.be/2C2VJwGBRRw", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Leadership & Integrity", "slug": "leadership", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/leadership" }, { "name": "Technology & Science", "slug": "technology", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/technology" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Courage", "slug": "courage", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/courage" }, { "name": "Social Justice & Equality", "slug": "social-justice", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/social-justice" }, { "name": "Mortality & Time", "slug": "mortality", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/mortality" } ], "summary": "Tim Cook addresses Stanford's 2019 graduating class, reflecting on Silicon Valley's intertwined history with Stanford and the recent turn from optimism to crisis in the tech industry. He argues that technology magnifies human nature and urges graduates to accept responsibility for what they build, defending digital privacy as essential to human freedom. He encourages them to be humble builders who serve something larger than themselves, and shares personal lessons from succeeding Steve Jobs about the difference between preparation and readiness.", "keyMoments": [ "Reflecting on Stanford and Silicon Valley's shared ecosystem and the shift from optimism to crisis", "Calling on tech to take responsibility, not just credit, and defending digital privacy as freedom to be human", "Urging graduates to be humble 'builders' who serve something beyond themselves, citing Stonewall", "Personal reflection on succeeding Steve Jobs and learning the difference between preparation and readiness" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/stanford-university-2019-tim-cook-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "stanford-university-2018-sterling-k-brown", "accession": "2018.002", "speaker": "Sterling K. Brown", "speakerSlug": "sterling-k-brown", "role": "Actor and Stanford alumnus", "institution": "Stanford University", "institutionSlug": "stanford-university", "year": 2018, "ceremonyType": "Commencement keynote", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/stanford-university/2018/sterling-k-brown", "path": "/stanford-university/2018/sterling-k-brown", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.stanford.edu/past-ceremonies", "transcriptUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IW_iM38_BbA&feature=youtu.be", "transcriptStatus": "Official transcript", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://youtu.be/IW_iM38_BbA", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/stanford-university-2018-sterling-k-brown-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "stanford-university-2017-mariano-florentino-cu-llar", "accession": "2017.002", "speaker": "Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar", "speakerSlug": "mariano-florentino-cuellar", "role": "California Supreme Court justice", "institution": "Stanford University", "institutionSlug": "stanford-university", "year": 2017, "ceremonyType": "Commencement keynote", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/stanford-university/2017/mariano-florentino-cuellar", "path": "/stanford-university/2017/mariano-florentino-cuellar", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.stanford.edu/past-ceremonies", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu/2017/06/18/prepared-text-2017-stanford-commencement-address-mariano-florentino-cuellar/", "transcriptStatus": "Official transcript", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://youtu.be/BP2ItX1XxOM", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Social Justice & Equality", "slug": "social-justice", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/social-justice" }, { "name": "Kindness & Empathy", "slug": "kindness", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/kindness" }, { "name": "Technology & Science", "slug": "technology", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/technology" }, { "name": "Hope & Optimism", "slug": "hope", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/hope" }, { "name": "Mortality & Time", "slug": "mortality", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/mortality" } ], "summary": "California Supreme Court Justice Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar offers three reflections organized around the metaphor of the 'edge' and the 'core' of awareness. Drawing on his immigrant family history and personal anecdotes, he highlights the unprecedented global progress graduates have inherited, the value of bridging divides and seeking truth, and the importance of public service in protecting democratic 'civic architecture.' He urges graduates to bring marginalized concerns from the periphery to the center of their attention and to write a letter to their future selves naming their core values.", "keyMoments": [ "Opens with humor, including a Hamilton-style rap about FDR", "Recounts his family's journey from rural Mexico across the U.S. border and reflects on global progress in health, literacy, and longevity", "Tells stories of bus rides and encounters illustrating the challenge of bridging social divides", "Describes public service and protecting democracy's 'civic architecture' as a privilege", "Closes by asking graduates to write a letter to their future selves listing their core values" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/stanford-university-2017-mariano-florentino-cu-llar-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "stanford-university-2016-ken-burns", "accession": "2016.002", "speaker": "Ken Burns", "speakerSlug": "ken-burns", "role": "Documentary filmmaker", "institution": "Stanford University", "institutionSlug": "stanford-university", "year": 2016, "ceremonyType": "Commencement keynote", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/stanford-university/2016/ken-burns", "path": "/stanford-university/2016/ken-burns", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.stanford.edu/past-ceremonies", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2016/06/prepared-text-2016-stanford-commencement-address-ken-burns", "transcriptStatus": "Official transcript", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtnXbL2wwdM", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Curiosity & Learning", "slug": "curiosity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/curiosity" }, { "name": "Mortality & Time", "slug": "mortality", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/mortality" }, { "name": "Courage", "slug": "courage", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/courage" }, { "name": "Social Justice & Equality", "slug": "social-justice", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/social-justice" }, { "name": "Kindness & Empathy", "slug": "kindness", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/kindness" } ], "summary": "Filmmaker and historian Ken Burns reflects on the value of studying history as a way to understand the present and confront human mortality, sharing a personal memory of community generosity during his mother's illness. He invokes Abraham Lincoln's words to argue that the graduating class is charged with preserving the American union, and delivers a pointed warning against an unqualified presidential candidate he characterizes as exhibiting proto-fascist tendencies. He closes with extended life advice, urging graduates toward curiosity, civic engagement, service, the arts, and voting.", "keyMoments": [ "History as a malleable, illuminating lens on the present and a counter to existential fear", "Personal story of neighbors' generosity during his mother's fatal illness as a lesson in community", "Citing Lincoln's 'house divided' and Annual Message to charge graduates with saving the Union", "Explicit warning against an unqualified, dangerous presidential candidate and a call to vote and speak out", "Closing list of life advice: be curious, read, serve country, support the arts, and vote" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/stanford-university-2016-ken-burns-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "stanford-university-2015-richard-engel", "accession": "2015.007", "speaker": "Richard Engel", "speakerSlug": "richard-engel", "role": "NBC News chief foreign correspondent", "institution": "Stanford University", "institutionSlug": "stanford-university", "year": 2015, "ceremonyType": "Commencement keynote", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/stanford-university/2015/richard-engel", "path": "/stanford-university/2015/richard-engel", "officialUrl": "https://commencement.stanford.edu/past-ceremonies", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu", "transcriptStatus": "Official transcript", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=om4-4jixKO0", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Courage", "slug": "courage", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/courage" }, { "name": "Curiosity & Learning", "slug": "curiosity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/curiosity" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Global Responsibility", "slug": "global-responsibility", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/global-responsibility" }, { "name": "Gratitude & Humility", "slug": "gratitude", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/gratitude" }, { "name": "Technology & Science", "slug": "technology", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/technology" } ], "summary": "NBC chief foreign correspondent Richard Engel recounts his decision to move to Cairo after graduation with little money and no job, urging graduates to take risks and gamble on the unknown. He describes his career covering wars in the Middle East, explaining that conflict reveals human nature, and offers predictions that urbanization, climate pressures, and communications technology will shape the graduates' era. He encourages students to identify where history is heading and to seek inspiration rather than chase comfort.", "keyMoments": [ "Recounting his post-graduation move to Cairo with $2,000 and no job", "Describing war as revealing human nature, compared to a car crash", "Posing as a human shield to enter Iraq in 2002", "Predicting urbanization, climate pressures, and technology will reshape the world", "Recalling a rejuvenating swim in ancient ruins during the Libyan war" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/stanford-university-2015-richard-engel-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "stanford-university-2014-bill-and-melinda-gates", "accession": "2014.018", "speaker": "Bill and Melinda Gates", "speakerSlug": "bill-and-melinda-gates", "role": "Philanthropists", "institution": "Stanford University", "institutionSlug": "stanford-university", "year": 2014, "ceremonyType": "Commencement keynote", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/stanford-university/2014/bill-and-melinda-gates", "path": "/stanford-university/2014/bill-and-melinda-gates", "officialUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2017/06/commencement-speakers-through-the-years", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu/2014/06/15/text-2014-commencement-address-bill-melinda-gates/", "transcriptStatus": "Official transcript", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": "Bill and Melinda Gates reflect on how their early optimism about technology evolved through encounters with extreme poverty and disease in places like Soweto, a multi-drug-resistant TB hospital in South Africa, and communities in India. They argue that optimism alone is insufficient and must be paired with empathy to address inequities, sharing personal stories of suffering they witnessed. They urge graduates to combine their genius and optimism with empathy, to see those most in need, and to turn toward suffering as the moment when change begins.", "keyMoments": [ "Bill's 1997 visit to Soweto revealing the limits of donating computers amid extreme poverty", "Visit to a multi-drug-resistant TB hospital and progress on a more affordable, faster TB cure", "Melinda carrying a dying AIDS patient to the roof to watch the sunset in India", "Sex worker support groups in India helping curb HIV and empowering marginalized women", "Argument that optimism needs empathy and recognition of the role of luck and privilege" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/stanford-university-2014-bill-and-melinda-gates-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "stanford-university-2013-michael-bloomberg", "accession": "2013.016", "speaker": "Michael Bloomberg", "speakerSlug": "michael-bloomberg", "role": "Mayor of New York City", "institution": "Stanford University", "institutionSlug": "stanford-university", "year": 2013, "ceremonyType": "Commencement keynote", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/stanford-university/2013/michael-bloomberg", "path": "/stanford-university/2013/michael-bloomberg", "officialUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2017/06/commencement-speakers-through-the-years", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2013/06/prepared-text-nyc-mayor-michael-bloombergs-remarks", "transcriptStatus": "Official transcript", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Social Justice & Equality", "slug": "social-justice", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/social-justice" }, { "name": "Work & Ambition", "slug": "work", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/work" }, { "name": "Failure", "slug": "failure", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/failure" }, { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Technology & Science", "slug": "technology", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/technology" } ], "summary": "Bloomberg congratulates Stanford's Class of 2013 and frames his address around the American Dream as an opportunity, not a guaranteed outcome, urging graduates to take risks and work hard. Drawing on his own experience of being fired and starting his own technology company, he emphasizes innovation, disruption, and following one's passion. He then makes policy arguments for comprehensive immigration reform and marriage equality, casting both as essential to keeping the American Dream alive.", "keyMoments": [ "Defining the American Dream as opportunity through ability and hard work, not entitlement or quick wealth", "Sharing how being fired led him to start his own tech company and embrace risk", "Advocating for immigration reform, including green cards for international STEM graduates", "Calling marriage equality the civil rights issue of our time and invoking Dr. King" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/stanford-university-2013-michael-bloomberg-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "stanford-university-2012-cory-booker", "accession": "2012.019", "speaker": "Cory Booker", "speakerSlug": "cory-booker", "role": "Mayor of Newark, New Jersey", "institution": "Stanford University", "institutionSlug": "stanford-university", "year": 2012, "ceremonyType": "Commencement keynote", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/stanford-university/2012/cory-booker", "path": "/stanford-university/2012/cory-booker", "officialUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2017/06/commencement-speakers-through-the-years", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2012/06/transcript-newark-n-j-mayor-cory-bookers-remarks-stanfords-commencement-2012", "transcriptStatus": "Official transcript", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZ39FswOyFk", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/stanford-university-2012-cory-booker-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "stanford-university-2011-felipe-calder-n", "accession": "2011.027", "speaker": "Felipe Calderón", "speakerSlug": "felipe-calderon", "role": "President of Mexico", "institution": "Stanford University", "institutionSlug": "stanford-university", "year": 2011, "ceremonyType": "Commencement keynote", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/stanford-university/2011/felipe-calderon", "path": "/stanford-university/2011/felipe-calderon", "officialUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2017/06/commencement-speakers-through-the-years", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2011/06/transcript-stanford-commencement-address-mexican-president-felipe-calderon", "transcriptStatus": "Official transcript", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Global Responsibility", "slug": "global-responsibility", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/global-responsibility" }, { "name": "Courage", "slug": "courage", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/courage" }, { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Technology & Science", "slug": "technology", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/technology" }, { "name": "Hope & Optimism", "slug": "hope", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/hope" } ], "summary": "Mexican President Felipe Calderón urges Stanford graduates to graduate as human beings and good citizens, using their privileged education to serve others and become agents of positive change. He recounts his family's struggle against Mexico's autocratic regime and his father's advice to fight for what is right, then frames climate change and poverty as twin global challenges that can be addressed simultaneously through science and pragmatic policy. He closes by encouraging graduates to pursue happiness and meaning, citing the poem 'Ithaka.'", "keyMoments": [ "Defining commencement as a beginning and urging graduates to graduate as human beings", "Personal story of his father organizing democratic opposition in Mexico", "Identifying the gaps between man and nature and rich and poor as central challenges", "Arguing economic growth and environmental preservation are not mutually exclusive, citing Mexico's forest-payment program", "Advising graduates to seek happiness and meaning, quoting Cavafy's 'Ithaka'" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/stanford-university-2011-felipe-calder-n-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "stanford-university-2010-susan-rice", "accession": "2010.020", "speaker": "Susan Rice", "speakerSlug": "susan-rice", "role": "U.S. ambassador to the United Nations", "institution": "Stanford University", "institutionSlug": "stanford-university", "year": 2010, "ceremonyType": "Commencement keynote", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/stanford-university/2010/susan-rice", "path": "/stanford-university/2010/susan-rice", "officialUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2017/06/commencement-speakers-through-the-years", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2010/06/susan-rice-commencement-address", "transcriptStatus": "Official transcript", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o38B5mPbGCI", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Global Responsibility", "slug": "global-responsibility", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/global-responsibility" }, { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Hope & Optimism", "slug": "hope", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/hope" }, { "name": "Identity & Authenticity", "slug": "identity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/identity" }, { "name": "Love & Relationships", "slug": "love", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/love" }, { "name": "Social Justice & Equality", "slug": "social-justice", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/social-justice" } ], "summary": "Susan Rice reflects on how much the world has changed since her own 1986 Stanford graduation and argues that progress comes only from deliberate human effort. She challenges graduates to become agents of change in the fight against global poverty, framing it as both a moral and national security imperative, and illustrates this with the story of a destitute boy she met in Angola. She closes with personal advice about pursuing one's passions, being fearless, prioritizing family, and committing to service.", "keyMoments": [ "Comparison of the world in 1986 versus 2010 to show the pace of change", "Argument that global poverty is both a moral and national security challenge", "Story of an unnamed Angolan boy as a call to serve the most vulnerable", "Specific challenges in education, agriculture, disease, and climate", "Personal career and life advice, including pursuing passion and valuing family" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/stanford-university-2010-susan-rice-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "stanford-university-2009-anthony-kennedy", "accession": "2009.012", "speaker": "Anthony Kennedy", "speakerSlug": "anthony-kennedy", "role": "U.S. Supreme Court justice", "institution": "Stanford University", "institutionSlug": "stanford-university", "year": 2009, "ceremonyType": "Commencement keynote", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/stanford-university/2009/anthony-kennedy", "path": "/stanford-university/2009/anthony-kennedy", "officialUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2017/06/commencement-speakers-through-the-years", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2009/06/text-justice-kennedys-2009-commencement-address", "transcriptStatus": "Official transcript", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Global Responsibility", "slug": "global-responsibility", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/global-responsibility" }, { "name": "Social Justice & Equality", "slug": "social-justice", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/social-justice" }, { "name": "Courage", "slug": "courage", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/courage" }, { "name": "Hope & Optimism", "slug": "hope", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/hope" } ], "summary": "Justice Anthony Kennedy urges Stanford graduates to see themselves as trustees of freedom under law, arguing that American freedom carries a duty to help secure it for others around the world. Drawing on examples from his teaching in China, the absence of the rule of law in struggling nations, and the costs of corruption and lack of property rights, he contends that law is an instrument of progress rather than a threat. He calls on graduates to know and revere their constitutional heritage and to use their interconnected, empowered generation to advance law and freedom globally.", "keyMoments": [ "Freedom carries the duty to secure it for others, and freedom requires law", "Examples from teaching in China and the 'Legally Blonde' anecdote about taking risks", "Illustrations of life without rule of law: fines, human trafficking, business licensing, water crisis", "Contrast with Solzhenitsyn's view of law, and the call to revere and defend the Constitution" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/stanford-university-2009-anthony-kennedy-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "stanford-university-2008-oprah-winfrey", "accession": "2008.018", "speaker": "Oprah Winfrey", "speakerSlug": "oprah-winfrey", "role": "Media executive and philanthropist", "institution": "Stanford University", "institutionSlug": "stanford-university", "year": 2008, "ceremonyType": "Commencement keynote", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/stanford-university/2008/oprah-winfrey", "path": "/stanford-university/2008/oprah-winfrey", "officialUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2017/06/commencement-speakers-through-the-years", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2008/06/oprah-talks-graduates-feelings-failure-finding-happiness", "transcriptStatus": "Official transcript", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Failure", "slug": "failure", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/failure" }, { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Identity & Authenticity", "slug": "identity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/identity" }, { "name": "Resilience", "slug": "resilience", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/resilience" }, { "name": "Kindness & Empathy", "slug": "kindness", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/kindness" } ], "summary": "Oprah Winfrey shares three lessons drawn from her life: following your feelings, learning from failure, and finding happiness through service. She recounts her early television career, including being fired for being 'too emotional,' her finishing her college degree, and a crisis at her South African school, using each to illustrate her points. She closes by urging graduates to use their gifts in service of something larger than themselves.", "keyMoments": [ "Story of her early TV career and being told to change her name to Suzie", "Lesson one: trust your feelings and gut as a 'GPS system for life'", "Lesson two: ask every failure 'what is this here to teach me,' citing her South African school crisis", "Lesson three: finding happiness through service, citing the Stanford founders and Martin Luther King Jr.", "Giving graduates books by Eckhart Tolle and Daniel Pink" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/stanford-university-2008-oprah-winfrey-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "stanford-university-2007-dana-gioia", "accession": "2007.013", "speaker": "Dana Gioia", "speakerSlug": "dana-gioia", "role": "Poet and chairman, National Endowment for the Arts", "institution": "Stanford University", "institutionSlug": "stanford-university", "year": 2007, "ceremonyType": "Commencement keynote", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/stanford-university/2007/dana-gioia", "path": "/stanford-university/2007/dana-gioia", "officialUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2017/06/commencement-speakers-through-the-years", "transcriptUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2007/stanford-university/dana-gioia", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLs8z8uOtn0", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/stanford-university-2007-dana-gioia-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "stanford-university-2006-tom-brokaw", "accession": "2006.012", "speaker": "Tom Brokaw", "speakerSlug": "tom-brokaw", "role": "Journalist and author", "institution": "Stanford University", "institutionSlug": "stanford-university", "year": 2006, "ceremonyType": "Commencement keynote", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/stanford-university/2006/tom-brokaw", "path": "/stanford-university/2006/tom-brokaw", "officialUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2017/06/commencement-speakers-through-the-years", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2006/06/text-tom-brokaws-commencement-address", "transcriptStatus": "Official transcript", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Global Responsibility", "slug": "global-responsibility", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/global-responsibility" }, { "name": "Technology & Science", "slug": "technology", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/technology" }, { "name": "Courage", "slug": "courage", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/courage" }, { "name": "Hope & Optimism", "slug": "hope", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/hope" } ], "summary": "Tom Brokaw addresses Stanford's Class of 2006, opening with humor about being a less-than-unanimous speaker choice before turning to serious reflection on the responsibilities facing the graduates. He urges them to honor those serving in the military, engage in debates over national security, and recognize the limits of technology in solving real-world problems like poverty, war, and the rising hostility between the West and the Muslim world. Drawing on his decades of journalism, he celebrates ordinary people who act on conscience and invites graduates to carry on the legacy of the 'greatest generation' by living their convictions beyond the keyboard.", "keyMoments": [ "Self-deprecating opening about being a lukewarm choice as commencement speaker", "Call to honor military service members and engage in national security debate", "Warning that technology cannot solve war, poverty, or genocide", "Reflection on the contradictions and tragedies of the 20th century", "Tribute to conscience-driven people and the legacy of the 'greatest generation'" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/stanford-university-2006-tom-brokaw-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "stanford-university-2005-steve-jobs", "accession": "2005.008", "speaker": "Steve Jobs", "speakerSlug": "steve-jobs", "role": "CEO, Apple and Pixar", "institution": "Stanford University", "institutionSlug": "stanford-university", "year": 2005, "ceremonyType": "Commencement keynote", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/stanford-university/2005/steve-jobs", "path": "/stanford-university/2005/steve-jobs", "officialUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2017/06/commencement-speakers-through-the-years", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2005/06/steve-jobs-2005-graduates-stay-hungry-stay-foolish", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6Z6KLc", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Mortality & Time", "slug": "mortality", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/mortality" }, { "name": "Failure", "slug": "failure", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/failure" }, { "name": "Identity & Authenticity", "slug": "identity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/identity" }, { "name": "Resilience", "slug": "resilience", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/resilience" } ], "summary": "In coverage of his 2005 Stanford Commencement address, Steve Jobs is described telling three stories from his life to urge graduates to pursue their dreams and find meaning in setbacks. He recounts dropping out of Reed College and later applying lessons from a calligraphy course, being fired from Apple and the creative period that followed, and his recent cancer diagnosis and what it taught him about mortality. He encourages graduates to trust that life's experiences will connect, to do work they love, and not to waste time living someone else's life.", "keyMoments": [ "Dropping out of college and the calligraphy course later inspiring Macintosh fonts", "Being fired from Apple as the best thing that happened to him", "Founding NeXT and returning to Apple after its acquisition", "Cancer diagnosis and reflections on mortality and limited time" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/stanford-university-2005-steve-jobs-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "stanford-university-2004-sandra-day-o-connor", "accession": "2004.011", "speaker": "Sandra Day O’Connor", "speakerSlug": "sandra-day-oconnor", "role": "U.S. Supreme Court justice", "institution": "Stanford University", "institutionSlug": "stanford-university", "year": 2004, "ceremonyType": "Commencement keynote", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/stanford-university/2004/sandra-day-oconnor", "path": "/stanford-university/2004/sandra-day-oconnor", "officialUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2017/06/commencement-speakers-through-the-years", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu/2004/06/13/full-text-justice-sandra-day-oconnors-commencement-address/", "transcriptStatus": "Official transcript", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/stanford-university-2004-sandra-day-o-connor-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "stanford-university-2003-alejandro-toledo", "accession": "2003.008", "speaker": "Alejandro Toledo", "speakerSlug": "alejandro-toledo", "role": "President of Peru", "institution": "Stanford University", "institutionSlug": "stanford-university", "year": 2003, "ceremonyType": "Commencement keynote", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/stanford-university/2003/alejandro-toledo", "path": "/stanford-university/2003/alejandro-toledo", "officialUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2017/06/commencement-speakers-through-the-years", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu/2003/06/18/alejandro-toledo-join-collective-effort-fighting-poverty/", "transcriptStatus": "Official transcript", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/stanford-university-2003-alejandro-toledo-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "stanford-university-2002-condoleezza-rice", "accession": "2002.004", "speaker": "Condoleezza Rice", "speakerSlug": "condoleezza-rice", "role": "U.S. national security adviser", "institution": "Stanford University", "institutionSlug": "stanford-university", "year": 2002, "ceremonyType": "Commencement keynote", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/stanford-university/2002/condoleezza-rice", "path": "/stanford-university/2002/condoleezza-rice", "officialUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2017/06/commencement-speakers-through-the-years", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2002/06/condoleezza-rice-acknowledge-obligation-search-truth", "transcriptStatus": "Official transcript", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": "Returning to Stanford as a faculty member, Condoleezza Rice reminds the Class of 2002 of advice she gave them as freshmen and outlines three responsibilities of educated people: to search for truth, to be optimistic, and to affirm common humanity. She illustrates these with personal stories of heroes including civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer and her own grandfather, who pursued education despite poverty. Speaking after September 11 and reflecting on the Birmingham church bombing of her childhood, she argues that the desire for liberty is universal and that the graduates' diverse experiences equip them to bridge divides.", "keyMoments": [ "Recalling advice to find a passion and seek out people different from oneself", "Three responsibilities: searching for truth, optimism, and affirming common humanity", "Stories of Fannie Lou Hamer and her grandfather's pursuit of education", "Reflections on the Birmingham bombing, September 11, and the universal longing for freedom" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/stanford-university-2002-condoleezza-rice-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "stanford-university-2001-carly-fiorina", "accession": "2001.005", "speaker": "Carly Fiorina", "speakerSlug": "carly-fiorina", "role": "CEO, Hewlett-Packard", "institution": "Stanford University", "institutionSlug": "stanford-university", "year": 2001, "ceremonyType": "Commencement keynote", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/stanford-university/2001/carly-fiorina", "path": "/stanford-university/2001/carly-fiorina", "officialUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2017/06/commencement-speakers-through-the-years", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2001/06/process-distillation-getting-essence-things", "transcriptStatus": "Official transcript", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Courage", "slug": "courage", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/courage" }, { "name": "Identity & Authenticity", "slug": "identity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/identity" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Failure", "slug": "failure", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/failure" }, { "name": "Work & Ambition", "slug": "work", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/work" }, { "name": "Gratitude & Humility", "slug": "gratitude", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/gratitude" } ], "summary": "Carly Fiorina, CEO of Hewlett-Packard and a Stanford alumna, tells graduates that life, like the medieval philosophy seminar she once took, is a process of 'distillation'—boiling thousands of pages of experience down to one's essential truth. She recounts her own path of seeking and stumbling: quitting law school, working as a receptionist, teaching in Italy, attending business school, and eventually becoming CEO of HP. She frames each stage as confronting and overcoming a particular fear, urging graduates to let fear motivate rather than inhibit them and to keep making brave choices true to their essence.", "keyMoments": [ "Introduces the 'distillation' metaphor from her Stanford medieval philosophy seminar", "Recounts confronting the fear of inadequacy among talented peers", "Describes quitting law school to live her own life rather than meet others' expectations", "Traces her winding career from receptionist to teaching in Italy to becoming HP's CEO", "Closes by urging graduates to let fear motivate them and keep writing their 'two pages'" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/stanford-university-2001-carly-fiorina-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "stanford-university-2000-kofi-annan", "accession": "2000.005", "speaker": "Kofi Annan", "speakerSlug": "kofi-annan", "role": "U.N. secretary-general", "institution": "Stanford University", "institutionSlug": "stanford-university", "year": 2000, "ceremonyType": "Commencement keynote", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/stanford-university/2000/kofi-annan", "path": "/stanford-university/2000/kofi-annan", "officialUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2017/06/commencement-speakers-through-the-years", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.stanford.edu/2000/06/14/world-needs-lead-safeguarding-global-environment/", "transcriptStatus": "Official transcript", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/stanford-university-2000-kofi-annan-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "syracuse-university-2012-aaron-sorkin", "accession": "2012.020", "speaker": "Aaron Sorkin", "speakerSlug": "aaron-sorkin", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Syracuse University", "institutionSlug": "syracuse-university", "year": 2012, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/syracuse-university/2012/aaron-sorkin", "path": "/syracuse-university/2012/aaron-sorkin", "officialUrl": "http://graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0104-sorkin-motivational-speech.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.syr.edu/news/articles/2012/sorkin-remarks-05-13.html", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwvilfPWHYI", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/syracuse-university-2012-aaron-sorkin-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "colorado-college-2012-abigail-washburn", "accession": "2012.003", "speaker": "Abigail Washburn", "speakerSlug": "abigail-washburn", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Colorado College", "institutionSlug": "colorado-college", "year": 2012, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/colorado-college/2012/abigail-washburn", "path": "/colorado-college/2012/abigail-washburn", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0143-Abigail-Washburn-Colorado-College-2012.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.coloradocollege.edu/newsevents/commencement/abigail-washburn.dot", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHNqNWQPYCQ", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/colorado-college-2012-abigail-washburn-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "sarah-lawrence-college-2012-adam-savage", "accession": "2012.017", "speaker": "Adam Savage", "speakerSlug": "adam-savage", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Sarah Lawrence College", "institutionSlug": "sarah-lawrence-college", "year": 2012, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/sarah-lawrence-college/2012/adam-savage", "path": "/sarah-lawrence-college/2012/adam-savage", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0107-savage-motivational-commencement-keynote-addresss.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://www.sarahlawrence.edu/news-events/commencement/", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ld5heDbzOC8", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/sarah-lawrence-college-2012-adam-savage-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "caltech-2011-ahmed-zewail", "accession": "2011.005", "speaker": "Ahmed Zewail", "speakerSlug": "ahmed-zewail", "role": null, "institution": "Caltech", "institutionSlug": "caltech", "year": 2011, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/caltech/2011/ahmed-zewail", "path": "/caltech/2011/ahmed-zewail", "officialUrl": "http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/ahmedzewailcaltechcommencement.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/ahmedzewailcaltechcommencement.htm", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Technology & Science", "slug": "technology", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/technology" }, { "name": "Curiosity & Learning", "slug": "curiosity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/curiosity" }, { "name": "Global Responsibility", "slug": "global-responsibility", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/global-responsibility" }, { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Hope & Optimism", "slug": "hope", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/hope" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" } ], "summary": "Nobel laureate Ahmed Zewail addresses Caltech's 2011 graduates, sharing his personal journey from Egypt to America and Caltech in pursuit of knowledge, and crediting passion and optimism for his success. He urges graduates to use their exceptional education to shape the future through science, which he argues drives societal advancement more than politics. Drawing on the recent Egyptian uprising and his role as U.S. Science Envoy, he advocates for science diplomacy and 'soft power' as tools for global progress and democracy.", "keyMoments": [ "Recounts arriving in the U.S. in 1969 and his quest for knowledge leading to the 1999 Nobel Prize", "Asks graduates to give their parents a standing ovation", "Argues science is central to societal progress and democracy, citing the Egyptian revolution's use of social media", "Calls for science diplomacy and global investment in education, quoting Jefferson and Martin Luther King Jr." ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/caltech-2011-ahmed-zewail-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-tennessee-2010-al-gore", "accession": "2010.027", "speaker": "Al Gore", "speakerSlug": "al-gore", "role": "Field: politics", "institution": "University of Tennessee", "institutionSlug": "university-of-tennessee", "year": 2010, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-tennessee/2010/al-gore", "path": "/university-of-tennessee/2010/al-gore", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/al-gore-university-of-tennessee-2010/", "transcriptUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2010/university-of-tennessee/al-gore", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2010/university-of-tennessee/al-gore", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/university-of-tennessee-2010-al-gore-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "carthage-college-2014-alexis-ohanian", "accession": "2014.005", "speaker": "Alexis Ohanian", "speakerSlug": "alexis-ohanian", "role": "Field: business", "institution": "Carthage College", "institutionSlug": "carthage-college", "year": 2014, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/carthage-college/2014/alexis-ohanian", "path": "/carthage-college/2014/alexis-ohanian", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/alexis-ohanian-carthage-college-2014/", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0166-Alexis-Ohanian-Commencement-Speech-Video-2014.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mz537TtoP1s", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/carthage-college-2014-alexis-ohanian-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "harvard-university-2004-ali-g", "accession": "2004.007", "speaker": "Ali G", "speakerSlug": "ali-g", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Harvard University", "institutionSlug": "harvard-university", "year": 2004, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/harvard-university/2004/ali-g", "path": "/harvard-university/2004/ali-g", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/ali-g-harvard-university-2004/", "transcriptUrl": "https://sweetspeeches.com/", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIr6XbkJKpg", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/harvard-university-2004-ali-g-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "sarah-lawrence-college-2007-alice-greenwald", "accession": "2007.012", "speaker": "Alice Greenwald", "speakerSlug": "alice-greenwald", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Sarah Lawrence College", "institutionSlug": "sarah-lawrence-college", "year": 2007, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/sarah-lawrence-college/2007/alice-greenwald", "path": "/sarah-lawrence-college/2007/alice-greenwald", "officialUrl": "http://www.humanity.org/voices/commencements/alice-greenwald-sarah-lawrence-college-speech-2007", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.humanity.org/voices/commencements/alice-greenwald-sarah-lawrence-college-speech-2007", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/sarah-lawrence-college-2007-alice-greenwald-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "harvard-university-2011-amy-poehler", "accession": "2011.013", "speaker": "Amy Poehler", "speakerSlug": "amy-poehler", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Harvard University", "institutionSlug": "harvard-university", "year": 2011, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/harvard-university/2011/amy-poehler", "path": "/harvard-university/2011/amy-poehler", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0095-poehler.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0095-poehler.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7N_L_pu74k", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/harvard-university-2011-amy-poehler-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "tulane-university-2010-anderson-cooper", "accession": "2010.022", "speaker": "Anderson Cooper", "speakerSlug": "anderson-cooper", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Tulane University", "institutionSlug": "tulane-university", "year": 2010, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/tulane-university/2010/anderson-cooper", "path": "/tulane-university/2010/anderson-cooper", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0120-anderson-cooper-tulane-commencement-speech-2010.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://tulane.edu/grads/speakers-anderson-cooper.cfm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/tulane-university-2010-anderson-cooper-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "harvard-university-2012-andy-samberg", "accession": "2012.009", "speaker": "Andy Samberg", "speakerSlug": "andy-samberg", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Harvard University", "institutionSlug": "harvard-university", "year": 2012, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/harvard-university/2012/andy-samberg", "path": "/harvard-university/2012/andy-samberg", "officialUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UN_K-UIREYA", "transcriptUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2012/Harvard University-university/andy-samberg", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UN_K-UIREYA", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/harvard-university-2012-andy-samberg-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "ball-state-university-2008-angela-ahrendts", "accession": "2008.001", "speaker": "Angela Ahrendts", "speakerSlug": "angela-ahrendts", "role": "Field: business", "institution": "Ball State University", "institutionSlug": "ball-state-university", "year": 2008, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/ball-state-university/2008/angela-ahrendts", "path": "/ball-state-university/2008/angela-ahrendts", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0061-ahrendts.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://cms.bsu.edu/news/articles/2010/5/angela-ahrendts-commencement-address-from-the-heart", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhYKGWmBleQ", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Identity & Authenticity", "slug": "identity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/identity" }, { "name": "Courage", "slug": "courage", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/courage" }, { "name": "Kindness & Empathy", "slug": "kindness", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/kindness" }, { "name": "Technology & Science", "slug": "technology", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/technology" }, { "name": "Resilience", "slug": "resilience", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/resilience" } ], "summary": "Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts returns to her alma mater to share life lessons drawn from her career in fashion, framing her speech as a personal gift to graduates. She urges them to identify their core purpose and values, pursue their dreams while managing fear, and trust their hearts and intuition. Drawing on her own journey from small-town Indiana to leading Donna Karan and Burberry, she stresses that character and emotional intelligence matter as much as education and technology.", "keyMoments": [ "Defining core purpose and core values as the foundation of success", "Describing the dream phase and managing fear and insecurity", "Urging graduates to listen to their hearts amid the digital age", "Recounting her path from New Palestine, Indiana to leading Burberry" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/ball-state-university-2008-angela-ahrendts-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "pitzer-college-2012-angela-davis", "accession": "2012.015", "speaker": "Angela Davis", "speakerSlug": "angela-davis", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Pitzer College", "institutionSlug": "pitzer-college", "year": 2012, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/pitzer-college/2012/angela-davis", "path": "/pitzer-college/2012/angela-davis", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/angela-davis-pitzer-college-2012/", "transcriptUrl": "https://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/angela-davis-pitzer-college-2012/", "transcriptStatus": "Video link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "None (landing page)", "sourceAuthority": "Reputable news", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YACQ3pZdjnw", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/pitzer-college-2012-angela-davis-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "connecticut-college-2004-anita-l-defrantz", "accession": "2004.004", "speaker": "Anita L. DeFrantz", "speakerSlug": "anita-l-defrantz", "role": null, "institution": "Connecticut College", "institutionSlug": "connecticut-college", "year": 2004, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/connecticut-college/2004/anita-l-defrantz", "path": "/connecticut-college/2004/anita-l-defrantz", "officialUrl": "https://www.conncoll.edu/events/commencement/past-commencement-speakers/", "transcriptUrl": "https://digitalcommons.conncoll.edu/commence/4/", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/connecticut-college-2004-anita-l-defrantz-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "villanova-university-2000-anna-quindlen", "accession": "2000.009", "speaker": "Anna Quindlen", "speakerSlug": "anna-quindlen", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Villanova University", "institutionSlug": "villanova-university", "year": 2000, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/villanova-university/2000/anna-quindlen", "path": "/villanova-university/2000/anna-quindlen", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0007-quindlen.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://www.cs.oswego.edu/~wender/quindlen.html", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Mortality & Time", "slug": "mortality", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/mortality" }, { "name": "Love & Relationships", "slug": "love", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/love" }, { "name": "Gratitude & Humility", "slug": "gratitude", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/gratitude" }, { "name": "Kindness & Empathy", "slug": "kindness", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/kindness" }, { "name": "Resilience", "slug": "resilience", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/resilience" } ], "summary": "Anna Quindlen, a novelist, urges graduates not to confuse their work with their lives, arguing that a resume is no substitute for relationships, generosity, and presence. Drawing on personal loss and the example of a homeless man she once interviewed, she encourages students to live fully rather than merely exist, to appreciate small details, and to do good as well as do well.", "keyMoments": [ "Warning not to confuse one's life with one's work", "Offering a personal 'resume' of being a good parent, spouse, and friend", "Urging graduates to 'get a life' of love, generosity, and attention", "Citing a lesson from a homeless man to 'look at the view'" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/villanova-university-2000-anna-quindlen-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-california-berkeley-2003-anne-lamott", "accession": "2003.010", "speaker": "Anne Lamott", "speakerSlug": "anne-lamott", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "University of California, Berkeley", "institutionSlug": "university-of-california-berkeley", "year": 2003, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-california-berkeley/2003/anne-lamott", "path": "/university-of-california-berkeley/2003/anne-lamott", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0043-lamott.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://www.salon.com/2003/06/06/commencement/", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Identity & Authenticity", "slug": "identity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/identity" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Mortality & Time", "slug": "mortality", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/mortality" }, { "name": "Kindness & Empathy", "slug": "kindness", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/kindness" }, { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" } ], "summary": "Anne Lamott recounts her own meandering path as a college dropout turned writer, arguing that the success and fame the culture promises do not fulfill the spirit. She urges graduates to ignore parental and societal expectations, slow down, resist the endless chase for money and status, and instead seek the truth of their spiritual identity. She advises caring for the poor, defending civil liberties, and finding joy, rest, and humor in life.", "keyMoments": [ "Shares her story of dropping out of college and taking odd jobs while writing", "Describes achieving literary success but finding it hollow, like a greyhound catching a fake rabbit", "Names three spiritual truths: live in the now, reap what you sow, and care for the poor", "Encourages rest, laughter, and resisting pressure to constantly prove oneself" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/university-of-california-berkeley-2003-anne-lamott-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "tufts-university-2014-anne-marie-slaughter", "accession": "2014.020", "speaker": "Anne-Marie Slaughter", "speakerSlug": "anne-marie-slaughter", "role": "Field: politics", "institution": "Tufts University", "institutionSlug": "tufts-university", "year": 2014, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/tufts-university/2014/anne-marie-slaughter", "path": "/tufts-university/2014/anne-marie-slaughter", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/annemarie-slaughter-tufts-university-2014/", "transcriptUrl": "http://now.tufts.edu/anne-marie-slaughters-commencement-address", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/tufts-university-2014-anne-marie-slaughter-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "binghamton-university-2009-anthony-corvino", "accession": "2009.004", "speaker": "Anthony Corvino", "speakerSlug": "anthony-corvino", "role": null, "institution": "Binghamton University", "institutionSlug": "binghamton-university", "year": 2009, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/binghamton-university/2009/anthony-corvino", "path": "/binghamton-university/2009/anthony-corvino", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0076-corvino.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/anthony-corvino-binghamton-university-2009/", "transcriptStatus": "Video link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "None (landing page)", "sourceAuthority": "Reputable news", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULRosL7AOpk", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/binghamton-university-2009-anthony-corvino-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-michigan-2015-ari-weinzweig-and-paul-saginaw", "accession": "2015.011", "speaker": "Ari Weinzweig and Paul Saginaw", "speakerSlug": "ari-weinzweig-and-paul-saginaw", "role": "Field: business", "institution": "University of Michigan", "institutionSlug": "university-of-michigan", "year": 2015, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-michigan/2015/ari-weinzweig-and-paul-saginaw", "path": "/university-of-michigan/2015/ari-weinzweig-and-paul-saginaw", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/ari-weinzweig-and-paul-saginaw-university-of-michigan-2015/", "transcriptUrl": "https://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/ari-weinzweig-and-paul-saginaw-university-of-michigan-2015/", "transcriptStatus": "Video link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "None (landing page)", "sourceAuthority": "Reputable news", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiWUNucHpB4", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/university-of-michigan-2015-ari-weinzweig-and-paul-saginaw-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "smith-college-2013-arianna-huffington", "accession": "2013.015", "speaker": "Arianna Huffington", "speakerSlug": "arianna-huffington", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Smith College", "institutionSlug": "smith-college", "year": 2013, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/smith-college/2013/arianna-huffington", "path": "/smith-college/2013/arianna-huffington", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0139-Arianna-Huffington%27s-Smith-College-Commencement-Address-On-Redefining-Success-2013.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0139-Arianna-Huffington%27s-Smith-College-Commencement-Address-On-Redefining-Success-2013.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJ25qEHgcM4", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/smith-college-2013-arianna-huffington-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "sarah-lawrence-college-2011-arianna-huffington", "accession": "2011.024", "speaker": "Arianna Huffington", "speakerSlug": "arianna-huffington", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Sarah Lawrence College", "institutionSlug": "sarah-lawrence-college", "year": 2011, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/sarah-lawrence-college/2011/arianna-huffington", "path": "/sarah-lawrence-college/2011/arianna-huffington", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0093-huffington.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://www.sarahlawrence.edu/news-events/commencement/", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggMgAoSQpbI", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/sarah-lawrence-college-2011-arianna-huffington-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "vassar-college-2015-arianna-huffington", "accession": "2015.014", "speaker": "Arianna Huffington", "speakerSlug": "arianna-huffington", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Vassar College", "institutionSlug": "vassar-college", "year": 2015, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/vassar-college/2015/arianna-huffington", "path": "/vassar-college/2015/arianna-huffington", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/arianna-huffington-vassar-college-2015/", "transcriptUrl": "https://www.huffpost.com/entry/my-vassar-college-commencement-speech_b_7478828", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": "https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B60EliVW1S09OU50SGk2MVFfZXM/view", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Technology & Science", "slug": "technology", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/technology" }, { "name": "Identity & Authenticity", "slug": "identity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/identity" }, { "name": "Mortality & Time", "slug": "mortality", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/mortality" }, { "name": "Social Justice & Equality", "slug": "social-justice", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/social-justice" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" } ], "summary": "Arianna Huffington urges Vassar's Class of 2015 to cultivate three relationships: with technology, with themselves, and with the world. She warns against addiction to devices and multitasking, advocating digital detoxes and self-reflection rooted in the ideas of 'Know Thyself' and the examined life. She also calls graduates to address growing inequality and to pursue solutions-oriented journalism and meaningful priorities over external markers of success.", "keyMoments": [ "Calling for digital boundaries and detoxes from constant connectivity", "Stressing the relationship with oneself as the most important relationship", "Citing studies on smartphone addiction and inability to be alone with one's thoughts", "Highlighting growing inequality and the need for wisdom and solutions-focused journalism", "Using the acorn symbol and 'Memento Mori' to put life and success in perspective" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/vassar-college-2015-arianna-huffington-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-southern-california-2009-arnold-schwarzenegger", "accession": "2009.021", "speaker": "Arnold Schwarzenegger", "speakerSlug": "arnold-schwarzenegger", "role": "Field: politics", "institution": "University of Southern California", "institutionSlug": "university-of-southern-california", "year": 2009, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-southern-california/2009/arnold-schwarzenegger", "path": "/university-of-southern-california/2009/arnold-schwarzenegger", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0067-schwarzenegger.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0067-schwarzenegger.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5ZeIVPe5dg", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/university-of-southern-california-2009-arnold-schwarzenegger-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "williams-college-2012-atul-gawande", "accession": "2012.035", "speaker": "Atul Gawande", "speakerSlug": "atul-gawande", "role": null, "institution": "Williams College", "institutionSlug": "williams-college", "year": 2012, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/williams-college/2012/atul-gawande", "path": "/williams-college/2012/atul-gawande", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0118-atul-gawande-2012-inspirational-commencement-address.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://commencement.williams.edu/atul-gawande-commencement-speaker/", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4OpxIlycTc", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Failure", "slug": "failure", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/failure" }, { "name": "Resilience", "slug": "resilience", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/resilience" }, { "name": "Courage", "slug": "courage", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/courage" }, { "name": "Leadership & Integrity", "slug": "leadership", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/leadership" }, { "name": "Work & Ambition", "slug": "work", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/work" } ], "summary": "Surgeon and writer Atul Gawande uses the story of an 87-year-old patient who survived a rare surgical complication to argue that success in any field depends less on avoiding risk than on the ability to recover when things go wrong. He cites research showing the best hospitals don't have fewer complications but are better at rescuing patients, a concept called 'failure to rescue.' Drawing on the BP oil disaster and his own early career missteps, he tells graduates that the difference between triumph and defeat lies in the willingness to acknowledge failure and act to set things right.", "keyMoments": [ "The story of Mrs. C's surgery and unexpected gastric complication", "Research finding that top hospitals rescue more rather than fail less", "Three pitfalls when things go wrong: wrong plan, inadequate plan, or no plan", "BP oil disaster as an example of failing to acknowledge trouble in time", "Gawande's own failures before finding his path in medicine" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/williams-college-2012-atul-gawande-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill-2014-atul-gawande", "accession": "2014.025", "speaker": "Atul Gawande", "speakerSlug": "atul-gawande", "role": "Field: science", "institution": "University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill", "institutionSlug": "university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill", "year": 2014, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill/2014/atul-gawande", "path": "/university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill/2014/atul-gawande", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/atul-gawande-university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill-2014/", "transcriptUrl": "http://uncnews.unc.edu/2014/05/11/atul-gawande-commencement-address/", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLGBbSM2Gmg", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill-2014-atul-gawande-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-michigan-2010-barack-obama", "accession": "2010.026", "speaker": "Barack Obama", "speakerSlug": "barack-obama", "role": "Field: politics", "institution": "University of Michigan", "institutionSlug": "university-of-michigan", "year": 2010, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-michigan/2010/barack-obama", "path": "/university-of-michigan/2010/barack-obama", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/barack-obama-university-of-michigan-2010/", "transcriptUrl": "https://www.huffpost.com/entry/obama-michigan-graduation_n_559688", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcNXFz_QCVU", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Kindness & Empathy", "slug": "kindness", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/kindness" }, { "name": "Hope & Optimism", "slug": "hope", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/hope" }, { "name": "Curiosity & Learning", "slug": "curiosity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/curiosity" } ], "summary": "President Obama addresses the University of Michigan's class of 2010, reflecting on the health of American democracy amid economic crisis and divisive politics. He argues that democracy has thrived through adapting government to changing times, maintaining civility in public debate, and active citizen participation. Drawing on historical examples and Kennedy's Peace Corps speech delivered at Michigan, he urges graduates to seek out opposing views, engage with diverse people, and contribute to public life.", "keyMoments": [ "Reading letters from ordinary Americans, including a kindergartener asking if people are being nice", "Arguing that the debate over government should focus on smarter government rather than big versus small", "Calling for civility and warning that vilifying rhetoric forecloses compromise", "Urging graduates to seek out opposing views and participate in public life, invoking JFK's Peace Corps challenge" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/university-of-michigan-2010-barack-obama-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "arizona-state-university-2009-barack-obama", "accession": "2009.001", "speaker": "Barack Obama", "speakerSlug": "barack-obama", "role": "Field: politics", "institution": "Arizona State University", "institutionSlug": "arizona-state-university", "year": 2009, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/arizona-state-university/2009/barack-obama", "path": "/arizona-state-university/2009/barack-obama", "officialUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qbel5MhtDq4", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/us/politics/13obama.text.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Reputable news", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qbel5MhtDq4", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Failure", "slug": "failure", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/failure" }, { "name": "Kindness & Empathy", "slug": "kindness", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/kindness" }, { "name": "Work & Ambition", "slug": "work", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/work" }, { "name": "Hope & Optimism", "slug": "hope", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/hope" } ], "summary": "President Obama addresses ASU's Class of 2009 amid economic recession and global challenges, urging graduates to reject a 'me-first' definition of success based on titles, wealth, and status. He argues that such a focus distracts from values and breeds complacency, and instead calls on graduates to pursue meaningful work, serve others, and continually build a lifelong 'body of work.' He cites historical and contemporary figures who succeeded without prestige to encourage graduates to change the world.", "keyMoments": [ "Joking about the ASU controversy over not awarding him an honorary degree and noting one's title says little about a well-led life", "Describing the difficult times graduates face, including recession, two wars, and global threats", "Critiquing the 'me-first' approach to success for compromising values and breeding complacency", "Urging graduates to apply their degrees to public service and to 'find somebody to be successful for'", "Offering examples of late or unlikely successes (Paine, Julia Child, Colonel Sanders, Churchill, Kurt Warner)" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/arizona-state-university-2009-barack-obama-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "duke-university-2008-barbara-kingsolver", "accession": "2008.007", "speaker": "Barbara Kingsolver", "speakerSlug": "barbara-kingsolver", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Duke University", "institutionSlug": "duke-university", "year": 2008, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/duke-university/2008/barbara-kingsolver", "path": "/duke-university/2008/barbara-kingsolver", "officialUrl": "http://www.humanity.org/voices/commencements/barbara-kingsolver-duke-university-speech-2008", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.humanity.org/voices/commencements/barbara-kingsolver-duke-university-speech-2008", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/duke-university-2008-barbara-kingsolver-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "harvard-university-2012-barney-frank", "accession": "2012.010", "speaker": "Barney Frank", "speakerSlug": "barney-frank", "role": "Field: politics", "institution": "Harvard University", "institutionSlug": "harvard-university", "year": 2012, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/harvard-university/2012/barney-frank", "path": "/harvard-university/2012/barney-frank", "officialUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiG8nrjWc5g", "transcriptUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2012/Harvard University-university/barney-frank", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/harvard-university-2012-barney-frank-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "princeton-university-2013-ben-bernanke", "accession": "2013.011", "speaker": "Ben Bernanke", "speakerSlug": "ben-bernanke", "role": "Field: politics", "institution": "Princeton University", "institutionSlug": "princeton-university", "year": 2013, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/princeton-university/2013/ben-bernanke", "path": "/princeton-university/2013/ben-bernanke", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0133-Ben-Bernanke-The-Ten-Suggestions-Baccalaureate-Ceremony-Princeton-University-2013.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/speech/bernanke20130602a.htm#f1", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Government archive", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D86yg0EQnzs", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Identity & Authenticity", "slug": "identity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/identity" }, { "name": "Social Justice & Equality", "slug": "social-justice", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/social-justice" }, { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Failure", "slug": "failure", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/failure" }, { "name": "Love & Relationships", "slug": "love", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/love" } ], "summary": "Ben Bernanke delivers a lighthearted commencement address framed as 'Ten Suggestions' rather than commandments, drawing on his experience leaving Princeton for Washington. He reflects on life's unpredictability, the ethical responsibilities that come with luck and meritocracy, the value of public service, and the importance of personal relationships and self-development. He closes with humorous but earnest advice about failure, money as a means rather than an end, and staying connected to family.", "keyMoments": [ "Life is unpredictable; graduates' futures will differ from their plans", "Meritocracy is only fair if the fortunate take greater responsibility to help others", "Defense of public service and the idea that most policymakers act in good faith despite flawed results", "Reflections on money, failure, choosing a life partner, and calling one's parents" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/princeton-university-2013-ben-bernanke-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "review-gov" }, { "id": "niagara-university-2003-benjamin-carson-jr", "accession": "2003.005", "speaker": "Benjamin Carson Jr.", "speakerSlug": "benjamin-carson-jr", "role": null, "institution": "Niagara University", "institutionSlug": "niagara-university", "year": 2003, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/niagara-university/2003/benjamin-carson-jr", "path": "/niagara-university/2003/benjamin-carson-jr", "officialUrl": "http://www.niagara.edu/speeches/", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.niagara.edu/speeches/", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/niagara-university-2003-benjamin-carson-jr-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-missouri-2012-benno-schmidt-sr", "accession": "2012.029", "speaker": "Benno Schmidt Sr.", "speakerSlug": "benno-schmidt-sr", "role": null, "institution": "University of Missouri", "institutionSlug": "university-of-missouri", "year": 2012, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-missouri/2012/benno-schmidt-sr", "path": "/university-of-missouri/2012/benno-schmidt-sr", "officialUrl": "http://graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0103-schmidt-inspirational-speech.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0103-schmidt-inspirational-speech.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/university-of-missouri-2012-benno-schmidt-sr-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "worcester-polytechnic-institute-2015-bernard-harris", "accession": "2015.017", "speaker": "Bernard Harris", "speakerSlug": "bernard-harris", "role": "Field: science", "institution": "Worcester Polytechnic Institute", "institutionSlug": "worcester-polytechnic-institute", "year": 2015, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/worcester-polytechnic-institute/2015/bernard-harris", "path": "/worcester-polytechnic-institute/2015/bernard-harris", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/bernard-harris-worcester-polytechnic-institute-2015/", "transcriptUrl": "http://time.com/3892197/bernard-harris-graduation-speech-wpi/", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Reputable news", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo9L0DnN_uo", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/worcester-polytechnic-institute-2015-bernard-harris-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "new-york-university-2011-bill-clinton", "accession": "2011.019", "speaker": "Bill Clinton", "speakerSlug": "bill-clinton", "role": "Field: politics", "institution": "New York University", "institutionSlug": "new-york-university", "year": 2011, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/new-york-university/2011/bill-clinton", "path": "/new-york-university/2011/bill-clinton", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/bill-clinton-new-york-university-2011/", "transcriptUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2011/2011/bill-clinton", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSfSk92wDog", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/new-york-university-2011-bill-clinton-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "harvard-university-2007-bill-gates", "accession": "2007.003", "speaker": "Bill Gates", "speakerSlug": "bill-gates", "role": "Field: business", "institution": "Harvard University", "institutionSlug": "harvard-university", "year": 2007, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/harvard-university/2007/bill-gates", "path": "/harvard-university/2007/bill-gates", "officialUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPx5N6Lh3sw", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2007/06/remarks-of-bill-gates-Harvard-commencement-2007/", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPx5N6Lh3sw", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Global Responsibility", "slug": "global-responsibility", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/global-responsibility" }, { "name": "Social Justice & Equality", "slug": "social-justice", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/social-justice" }, { "name": "Technology & Science", "slug": "technology", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/technology" }, { "name": "Kindness & Empathy", "slug": "kindness", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/kindness" }, { "name": "Hope & Optimism", "slug": "hope", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/hope" }, { "name": "Gratitude & Humility", "slug": "gratitude", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/gratitude" } ], "summary": "Bill Gates reflects humorously on his time at Harvard before dropping out to found Microsoft, then turns to the global inequities in health, wealth, and opportunity he only learned about after leaving. He argues that the barrier to addressing such problems is not lack of caring but complexity, and outlines a method—see the problem, find a solution, measure the impact—for cutting through it. He calls on Harvard and its graduates to dedicate their talent and the new tools of technology to reducing the world's deepest inequities.", "keyMoments": [ "Joking about being Harvard's most successful dropout and finally getting recognized", "His regret at leaving Harvard unaware of global inequities in health and wealth", "Discovering children dying from preventable diseases like rotavirus and the failure of markets and governments", "Arguing complexity, not lack of caring, blocks action, with a four-step problem-solving framework", "Citing George Marshall's 1947 commencement and the role of technology in connecting minds", "Calling on Harvard and graduates to take on the world's worst inequities, echoing his mother's words" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/harvard-university-2007-bill-gates-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-massachusetts-2000-billie-jean-king", "accession": "2000.006", "speaker": "Billie Jean King", "speakerSlug": "billie-jean-king", "role": null, "institution": "University of Massachusetts", "institutionSlug": "university-of-massachusetts", "year": 2000, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-massachusetts/2000/billie-jean-king", "path": "/university-of-massachusetts/2000/billie-jean-king", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0011-king.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0011-king.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/university-of-massachusetts-2000-billie-jean-king-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "colorado-college-2008-billy-collins", "accession": "2008.005", "speaker": "Billy Collins", "speakerSlug": "billy-collins", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Colorado College", "institutionSlug": "colorado-college", "year": 2008, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/colorado-college/2008/billy-collins", "path": "/colorado-college/2008/billy-collins", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0135-Billy-Collins-Gives-Brilliant-Witty-Commencement-Speech-Address-At-Colorado-College-2008.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www2.coloradocollege.edu/commencement/BillyCollins.asp", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Mortality & Time", "slug": "mortality", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/mortality" }, { "name": "Gratitude & Humility", "slug": "gratitude", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/gratitude" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Love & Relationships", "slug": "love", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/love" }, { "name": "Identity & Authenticity", "slug": "identity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/identity" } ], "summary": "Poet Billy Collins delivers a humorous, self-deprecating commencement address that resists conventional advice and clichés about hard work and the future. He explores how we relate to time—dividing perspectives into the pragmatic and the poetic—and argues that the present can only be accessed by slowing down, as poetry teaches. He champions the theme of carpe diem and gratitude for being alive, closing with his poem 'The Lanyard' about filial gratitude.", "keyMoments": [ "Mocks commencement clichés and his own unlikely qualifications as a speaker", "Argues the future never arrives and contrasts pragmatic versus poetic views of time", "Presents a 'Top Ten' list of thoughts on time and mortality", "Urges seizing the present and gratitude, reciting his poem 'The Lanyard'" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/colorado-college-2008-billy-collins-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "babson-college-2011-biz-stone", "accession": "2011.002", "speaker": "Biz Stone", "speakerSlug": "biz-stone", "role": "Field: tech", "institution": "Babson College", "institutionSlug": "babson-college", "year": 2011, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/babson-college/2011/biz-stone", "path": "/babson-college/2011/biz-stone", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0083-stone.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://www.bizjournals.com/inno", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/babson-college-2011-biz-stone-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "auburn-university-2009-bo-jackson", "accession": "2009.002", "speaker": "Bo Jackson", "speakerSlug": "bo-jackson", "role": null, "institution": "Auburn University", "institutionSlug": "auburn-university", "year": 2009, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/auburn-university/2009/bo-jackson", "path": "/auburn-university/2009/bo-jackson", "officialUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2009/auburn-university/bo-jackson", "transcriptUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2009/auburn-university/bo-jackson", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ5UR_Vqa9I", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/auburn-university-2009-bo-jackson-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "trine-university-2010-bobby-knight", "accession": "2010.021", "speaker": "Bobby Knight", "speakerSlug": "bobby-knight", "role": null, "institution": "Trine University", "institutionSlug": "trine-university", "year": 2010, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/trine-university/2010/bobby-knight", "path": "/trine-university/2010/bobby-knight", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0074-knight.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/bobby-knight-trine-university-2010/", "transcriptStatus": "Video link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "None (landing page)", "sourceAuthority": "Reputable news", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR0OcBbuWC8", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/trine-university-2010-bobby-knight-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-pennsylvania-2004-bono", "accession": "2004.014", "speaker": "Bono", "speakerSlug": "bono", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "University of Pennsylvania", "institutionSlug": "university-of-pennsylvania", "year": 2004, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-pennsylvania/2004/bono", "path": "/university-of-pennsylvania/2004/bono", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0121-bono-commencement-graduation-speech-2004.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://almanac.upenn.edu/archive/between/2004/commence-b.html", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erLem1Zijmo", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Global Responsibility", "slug": "global-responsibility", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/global-responsibility" }, { "name": "Social Justice & Equality", "slug": "social-justice", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/social-justice" }, { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Courage", "slug": "courage", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/courage" }, { "name": "Hope & Optimism", "slug": "hope", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/hope" } ], "summary": "Bono opens with self-deprecating humor about being a rock star receiving an honorary law degree before challenging graduates to identify and pursue a 'big idea' worth their moral and intellectual investment. Drawing on his experiences in Africa, he frames the AIDS crisis and extreme poverty as an emergency demanding justice rather than charity, arguing this generation has the resources to end it. He celebrates America as an idea built on equality and possibility, and urges graduates to take bold action and shape the future.", "keyMoments": [ "Humorous reflection on receiving an honorary doctorate and his lack of formal education", "The poet's line 'if you want to serve the age, betray it' and exposing the blind spots of the era", "Personal story of an Ethiopian father asking Bono to take his son", "Distinction between charity and justice, and the ONE campaign to end AIDS and poverty in Africa", "Praise of America as an idea and call for graduates to take bold measures" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/university-of-pennsylvania-2004-bono-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-wisconsin-2004-bradley-whitford", "accession": "2004.015", "speaker": "Bradley Whitford", "speakerSlug": "bradley-whitford", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "University of Wisconsin", "institutionSlug": "university-of-wisconsin", "year": 2004, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-wisconsin/2004/bradley-whitford", "path": "/university-of-wisconsin/2004/bradley-whitford", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0028-whitford.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.wisc.edu/spring-commencement-transcript-of-address-by-bradley-whitford/", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Courage", "slug": "courage", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/courage" }, { "name": "Gratitude & Humility", "slug": "gratitude", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/gratitude" }, { "name": "Hope & Optimism", "slug": "hope", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/hope" }, { "name": "Failure", "slug": "failure", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/failure" } ], "summary": "Actor Bradley Whitford, a Madison native, addresses graduates with humor about the awkwardness of commencement speeches before sharing six life principles drawn from his acting career, framed as 'Everything I Need to Know in Life I Learned on My Way to a Humiliating Audition.' He urges graduates to fall in love with their work, prepare diligently yet stay open to surprise, listen, and take action rather than remaining passive. He closes with a call to civic participation, democracy, and gratitude for the generations whose efforts made the graduates' achievements possible.", "keyMoments": [ "Joking about being a less prestigious speaker than President Bush at Concordia College", "Presenting six acting-derived life principles, including loving the process and taking action", "Quoting Nelson Mandela on fear of our own power", "Urging civic participation and democracy, citing George McGovern on patriotism", "Closing metaphor of sitting in the shade of trees planted long ago" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/university-of-wisconsin-2004-bradley-whitford-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "ohio-northern-university-2007-brian-kenny", "accession": "2007.009", "speaker": "Brian Kenny", "speakerSlug": "brian-kenny", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Ohio Northern University", "institutionSlug": "ohio-northern-university", "year": 2007, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/ohio-northern-university/2007/brian-kenny", "path": "/ohio-northern-university/2007/brian-kenny", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0027-kenny.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0027-kenny.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/ohio-northern-university-2007-brian-kenny-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "maharishi-university-2012-candy-crowley", "accession": "2012.011", "speaker": "Candy Crowley", "speakerSlug": "candy-crowley", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Maharishi University", "institutionSlug": "maharishi-university", "year": 2012, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/maharishi-university/2012/candy-crowley", "path": "/maharishi-university/2012/candy-crowley", "officialUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2012/maharishi-university-of-management/candy-crowley", "transcriptUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2012/maharishi-university-of-management/candy-crowley", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sUv2kQjyXI", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/maharishi-university-2012-candy-crowley-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "drexel-university-2008-carl-icahn", "accession": "2008.006", "speaker": "Carl Icahn", "speakerSlug": "carl-icahn", "role": "Field: business", "institution": "Drexel University", "institutionSlug": "drexel-university", "year": 2008, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/drexel-university/2008/carl-icahn", "path": "/drexel-university/2008/carl-icahn", "officialUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2008/drexel-university/carl-icahn", "transcriptUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2008/drexel-university/carl-icahn", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcWg4897yIM", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/drexel-university-2008-carl-icahn-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-illinois-at-urbana-champaign-2009-carl-schramm", "accession": "2009.018", "speaker": "Carl Schramm", "speakerSlug": "carl-schramm", "role": "Field: business", "institution": "University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign", "institutionSlug": "university-of-illinois-at-urbana-champaign", "year": 2009, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-illinois-at-urbana-champaign/2009/carl-schramm", "path": "/university-of-illinois-at-urbana-champaign/2009/carl-schramm", "officialUrl": "http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/carlschrammcommencementuil.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/carlschrammcommencementuil.htm", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": "http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/carlschrammcommencementuil.htm", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Work & Ambition", "slug": "work", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/work" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Gratitude & Humility", "slug": "gratitude", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/gratitude" }, { "name": "Resilience", "slug": "resilience", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/resilience" }, { "name": "Hope & Optimism", "slug": "hope", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/hope" } ], "summary": "Carl Schramm urges University of Illinois graduates to consider entrepreneurship as a vocation, telling the story of Ewing Kauffman, who built a pharmaceutical company from nothing and later created a foundation to teach entrepreneurship. He challenges the notion that non-profit and government work is inherently more virtuous than business, arguing that entrepreneurship is itself a form of service that creates wealth, jobs, and innovation. Speaking during the 2009 recession, he places current economic hardship in historical context and calls on graduates to become America's most entrepreneurial generation.", "keyMoments": [ "Story of Ewing Kauffman building Marion Laboratories and founding the Kauffman Foundation", "Placing the 2009 recession in historical context against past depressions and wars", "Rejecting the false dichotomy between business and non-profit or government service", "Arguing entrepreneurs and economic growth are essential to solving national problems and alleviating poverty" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/university-of-illinois-at-urbana-champaign-2009-carl-schramm-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "wellesley-college-2015-chimamanda-ngozi-adichie", "accession": "2015.016", "speaker": "Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie", "speakerSlug": "chimamanda-ngozi-adichie", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Wellesley College", "institutionSlug": "wellesley-college", "year": 2015, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/wellesley-college/2015/chimamanda-ngozi-adichie", "path": "/wellesley-college/2015/chimamanda-ngozi-adichie", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/chimamanda-ngozi-adichie-wellesley-college-2015/", "transcriptUrl": "https://time.com/3921492/chimamanda-ngozi-adichie-graduation-commencement-wellesley/", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Reputable news", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcehZ3CjedU", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Social Justice & Equality", "slug": "social-justice", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/social-justice" }, { "name": "Identity & Authenticity", "slug": "identity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/identity" }, { "name": "Courage", "slug": "courage", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/courage" }, { "name": "Love & Relationships", "slug": "love", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/love" }, { "name": "Mortality & Time", "slug": "mortality", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/mortality" }, { "name": "Gratitude & Humility", "slug": "gratitude", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/gratitude" } ], "summary": "Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie addresses Wellesley's class of 2015, drawing on personal anecdotes about makeup, her mother's career, and her own decision to leave medical school to pursue writing. She urges graduates to recognize their privilege, to try to create the world they want, and to make feminism an inclusive movement. She shares the recent kidnapping of her father to reflect on what truly matters, and closes with advice about authenticity, refusing gendered expectations, and loving by both giving and taking.", "keyMoments": [ "Anecdote about wearing makeup after being dismissed as a 'small girl'", "Her mother insisting on being called 'chairman' to illustrate that ideologies don't always fit life", "Leaving medical school to pursue writing as an act of trying", "Call to make feminism a big, inclusive party", "Disclosing her father's recent kidnapping and reflecting on what matters", "Advice to not twist oneself to please and to love by giving and taking" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/wellesley-college-2015-chimamanda-ngozi-adichie-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-california-berkeley-2009-chris-gardner", "accession": "2009.014", "speaker": "Chris Gardner", "speakerSlug": "chris-gardner", "role": "Field: business", "institution": "University of California, Berkeley", "institutionSlug": "university-of-california-berkeley", "year": 2009, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-california-berkeley/2009/chris-gardner", "path": "/university-of-california-berkeley/2009/chris-gardner", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0060-gardner.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/chris-gardner-university-of-california-berkeley-2009/", "transcriptStatus": "Video link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "None (landing page)", "sourceAuthority": "Reputable news", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7gpo5YhDqM", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/university-of-california-berkeley-2009-chris-gardner-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "fordham-university-2006-chris-matthews", "accession": "2006.004", "speaker": "Chris Matthews", "speakerSlug": "chris-matthews", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Fordham University", "institutionSlug": "fordham-university", "year": 2006, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/fordham-university/2006/chris-matthews", "path": "/fordham-university/2006/chris-matthews", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0019-matthews.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0019-matthews.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/fordham-university-2006-chris-matthews-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-minnesota-2011-chris-sacca", "accession": "2011.030", "speaker": "Chris Sacca", "speakerSlug": "chris-sacca", "role": "Field: tech", "institution": "University of Minnesota", "institutionSlug": "university-of-minnesota", "year": 2011, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-minnesota/2011/chris-sacca", "path": "/university-of-minnesota/2011/chris-sacca", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/chris-sacca-university-of-minnesota-2011/", "transcriptUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2011/university-of-minnesota/chris-sacca", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2011/university-of-minnesota/chris-sacca", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/university-of-minnesota-2011-chris-sacca-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "middlebury-college-2011-chris-waddell", "accession": "2011.018", "speaker": "Chris Waddell", "speakerSlug": "chris-waddell", "role": null, "institution": "Middlebury College", "institutionSlug": "middlebury-college", "year": 2011, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/middlebury-college/2011/chris-waddell", "path": "/middlebury-college/2011/chris-waddell", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0085-waddell.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://www.middlebury.edu/library/special-collections", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/middlebury-college-2011-chris-waddell-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "liberty-university-2008-chuck-norris", "accession": "2008.009", "speaker": "Chuck Norris", "speakerSlug": "chuck-norris", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Liberty University", "institutionSlug": "liberty-university", "year": 2008, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/liberty-university/2008/chuck-norris", "path": "/liberty-university/2008/chuck-norris", "officialUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2008/liberty-university/chuck-norris", "transcriptUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2008/liberty-university/chuck-norris", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4dEWypJn8M", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/liberty-university-2008-chuck-norris-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "niagara-university-2008-clayborne-carson", "accession": "2008.011", "speaker": "Clayborne Carson", "speakerSlug": "clayborne-carson", "role": null, "institution": "Niagara University", "institutionSlug": "niagara-university", "year": 2008, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/niagara-university/2008/clayborne-carson", "path": "/niagara-university/2008/clayborne-carson", "officialUrl": "http://www.niagara.edu/speeches/", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.niagara.edu/speeches/", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/niagara-university-2008-clayborne-carson-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "northeastern-university-2012-colin-powell", "accession": "2012.014", "speaker": "Colin Powell", "speakerSlug": "colin-powell", "role": "Field: politics", "institution": "Northeastern University", "institutionSlug": "northeastern-university", "year": 2012, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/northeastern-university/2012/colin-powell", "path": "/northeastern-university/2012/colin-powell", "officialUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2012/northwestern-university/colin-powell", "transcriptUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2012/northwestern-university/colin-powell", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtf6VQSBJAs&noredirect=1", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/northeastern-university-2012-colin-powell-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "dartmouth-college-2011-conan-o-8217-brien", "accession": "2011.010", "speaker": "Conan O’Brien", "speakerSlug": "conan-o-and-8217-brien", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Dartmouth College", "institutionSlug": "dartmouth-college", "year": 2011, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/dartmouth-college/2011/conan-o-and-8217-brien", "path": "/dartmouth-college/2011/conan-o-and-8217-brien", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0086-obrien.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://teamcoco.com/content/watch-conan-give-dartmouth-college-commencement-address", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELC_e2QBQMk", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/dartmouth-college-2011-conan-o-8217-brien-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "pitzer-college-2010-cory-booker", "accession": "2010.013", "speaker": "Cory Booker", "speakerSlug": "cory-booker", "role": "Field: politics", "institution": "Pitzer College", "institutionSlug": "pitzer-college", "year": 2010, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/pitzer-college/2010/cory-booker", "path": "/pitzer-college/2010/cory-booker", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0080-booker.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0080-booker.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv4c7WqzwHY", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/pitzer-college-2010-cory-booker-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "connecticut-college-2011-cynthia-enloe", "accession": "2011.008", "speaker": "Cynthia Enloe", "speakerSlug": "cynthia-enloe", "role": null, "institution": "Connecticut College", "institutionSlug": "connecticut-college", "year": 2011, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/connecticut-college/2011/cynthia-enloe", "path": "/connecticut-college/2011/cynthia-enloe", "officialUrl": "https://www.conncoll.edu/events/commencement/past-commencement-speakers/", "transcriptUrl": "https://digitalcommons.conncoll.edu/commence/25/", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/connecticut-college-2011-cynthia-enloe-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "tulane-university-2013-dalai-lama", "accession": "2013.018", "speaker": "Dalai Lama", "speakerSlug": "dalai-lama", "role": null, "institution": "Tulane University", "institutionSlug": "tulane-university", "year": 2013, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/tulane-university/2013/dalai-lama", "path": "/tulane-university/2013/dalai-lama", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/dalai-lama-tulane-university-2013/", "transcriptUrl": "http://tulane.edu/grads/dalai-lama-transcript.cfm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/tulane-university-2013-dalai-lama-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "wake-forest-university-2007-david-brooks", "accession": "2007.017", "speaker": "David Brooks", "speakerSlug": "david-brooks", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Wake Forest University", "institutionSlug": "wake-forest-university", "year": 2007, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/wake-forest-university/2007/david-brooks", "path": "/wake-forest-university/2007/david-brooks", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0047-brooks.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.wfu.edu/", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/wake-forest-university-2007-david-brooks-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "rice-university-2011-david-brooks", "accession": "2011.023", "speaker": "David Brooks", "speakerSlug": "david-brooks", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Rice University", "institutionSlug": "rice-university", "year": 2011, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/rice-university/2011/david-brooks", "path": "/rice-university/2011/david-brooks", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0088-brooks.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0088-brooks.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGSYzywOcH8", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/rice-university-2011-david-brooks-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "sewanee-the-university-of-the-south-2013-david-brooks", "accession": "2013.014", "speaker": "David Brooks", "speakerSlug": "david-brooks", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Sewanee: The University of the South", "institutionSlug": "sewanee-the-university-of-the-south", "year": 2013, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/sewanee-the-university-of-the-south/2013/david-brooks", "path": "/sewanee-the-university-of-the-south/2013/david-brooks", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0127-David-Brooks-Baccalaureate-Address-Sewanee-University-of-the-South-2013.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://new.sewanee.edu/news/", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "http://vimeo.com/66088660", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/sewanee-the-university-of-the-south-2013-david-brooks-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "columbia-university-2013-david-byrne", "accession": "2013.002", "speaker": "David Byrne", "speakerSlug": "david-byrne", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Columbia University", "institutionSlug": "columbia-university", "year": 2013, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/columbia-university/2013/david-byrne", "path": "/columbia-university/2013/david-byrne", "officialUrl": "http://www.openculture.com/2013/06/david_byrnes_graduation_speech.html", "transcriptUrl": "https://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/david-byrne-columbia-university-2013/", "transcriptStatus": "Video link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "None (landing page)", "sourceAuthority": "Reputable news", "videoUrl": "http://new.livestream.com/accounts/683406/commencement2013/videos/19473334", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/columbia-university-2013-david-byrne-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-california-berkeley-graduate-school-of-journalism-2014-david-carr", "accession": "2014.021", "speaker": "David Carr", "speakerSlug": "david-carr", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "University of California, Berkeley, Graduate School of Journalism", "institutionSlug": "university-of-california-berkeley-graduate-school-of-journalism", "year": 2014, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-california-berkeley-graduate-school-of-journalism/2014/david-carr", "path": "/university-of-california-berkeley-graduate-school-of-journalism/2014/david-carr", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/david-carr-university-of-california-berkeley-graduate-school-of-journalism-2014/", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0175-David-Carr-Graduation-Speech-2014.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7V3o5ZeSEwE", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/university-of-california-berkeley-graduate-school-of-journalism-2014-david-carr-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-new-hampshire-2011-david-cote", "accession": "2011.031", "speaker": "David Cote", "speakerSlug": "david-cote", "role": "Field: business", "institution": "University of New Hampshire", "institutionSlug": "university-of-new-hampshire", "year": 2011, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-new-hampshire/2011/david-cote", "path": "/university-of-new-hampshire/2011/david-cote", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0096-cote.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.unh.edu/universityevents/commencement/pdf/CoteKeynote2011.pdf", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/university-of-new-hampshire-2011-david-cote-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "kenyon-college-2005-david-foster-wallace", "accession": "2005.004", "speaker": "David Foster Wallace", "speakerSlug": "david-foster-wallace", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Kenyon College", "institutionSlug": "kenyon-college", "year": 2005, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/kenyon-college/2005/david-foster-wallace", "path": "/kenyon-college/2005/david-foster-wallace", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0015-wallace.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB122178211966454607", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Reputable news", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5THXa_H_N8", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Curiosity & Learning", "slug": "curiosity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/curiosity" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" } ], "summary": "Wallace argues that the most obvious realities are the hardest to perceive, and that humans operate from a hard-wired, self-centered default-setting that makes each person experience themselves as the center of the universe. He reframes the liberal-arts cliché of 'learning how to think' as gaining conscious control over what one pays attention to and how one constructs meaning from experience. He warns that failing to exercise this choice leaves people unconscious and trapped in their own minds amid the boredom and routine of adult life.", "keyMoments": [ "The parable of the fish who don't notice the water", "The hard-wired 'default-setting' of human self-centeredness", "Reinterpreting liberal-arts education as learning to control attention and meaning", "The unglamorous realities of adult life: boredom, routine, and frustration" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/kenyon-college-2005-david-foster-wallace-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "virginia-tech-2005-david-l-calhoun", "accession": "2005.009", "speaker": "David L. Calhoun", "speakerSlug": "david-l-calhoun", "role": "Field: business", "institution": "Virginia Tech", "institutionSlug": "virginia-tech", "year": 2005, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/virginia-tech/2005/david-l-calhoun", "path": "/virginia-tech/2005/david-l-calhoun", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0012-calhoun.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0012-calhoun.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/virginia-tech-2005-david-l-calhoun-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "wellesley-high-school-2012-david-mccullough-jr", "accession": "2012.034", "speaker": "David McCullough Jr.", "speakerSlug": "david-mccullough-jr", "role": null, "institution": "Wellesley High School", "institutionSlug": "wellesley-high-school", "year": 2012, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/wellesley-high-school/2012/david-mccullough-jr", "path": "/wellesley-high-school/2012/david-mccullough-jr", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0115-mccullough-most-popular-commencement-speech-of-2012-you-are-not-special.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://theswellesleyreport.com/2012/06/wellesley-high-grads-told-youre-not-special/", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lfxYhtf8o4", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Identity & Authenticity", "slug": "identity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/identity" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Curiosity & Learning", "slug": "curiosity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/curiosity" }, { "name": "Mortality & Time", "slug": "mortality", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/mortality" } ], "summary": "In this commencement address, English teacher David McCullough Jr. repeatedly tells the graduating class that they are \"not special,\" citing statistics about millions of graduates and the vastness of the universe to puncture inflated self-regard. He critiques American culture's preference for accolades over genuine achievement and warns against complacency and materialism. He urges graduates to pursue work they love, read widely, develop moral character, and live selflessly, concluding that recognizing you are not special is what makes everyone special.", "keyMoments": [ "Distinguishing commencement from weddings as life's true forward-looking ceremony", "Declaring repeatedly that the graduates are not special, supported by statistics", "Critiquing the cultural obsession with accolades over real achievement", "Urging students to read, work hard, live selflessly, and make extraordinary lives" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/wellesley-high-school-2012-david-mccullough-jr-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "syracuse-university-2014-david-remnick", "accession": "2014.019", "speaker": "David Remnick", "speakerSlug": "david-remnick", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Syracuse University", "institutionSlug": "syracuse-university", "year": 2014, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/syracuse-university/2014/david-remnick", "path": "/syracuse-university/2014/david-remnick", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/david-remnick-syracuse-university-2014/", "transcriptUrl": "http://news.syr.edu/commencement-speech-by-new-yorker-editor-david-remnick-52411/", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "http://news.syr.edu/video-david-remnicks-commencement-address-15306/", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/syracuse-university-2014-david-remnick-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "penn-state-2001-david-woodle", "accession": "2001.004", "speaker": "David Woodle", "speakerSlug": "david-woodle", "role": "Field: business", "institution": "Penn State", "institutionSlug": "penn-state", "year": 2001, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/penn-state/2001/david-woodle", "path": "/penn-state/2001/david-woodle", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0003-woodle.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0003-woodle.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/penn-state-2001-david-woodle-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "eckerd-college-2004-dennis-lehane", "accession": "2004.006", "speaker": "Dennis Lehane", "speakerSlug": "dennis-lehane", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Eckerd College", "institutionSlug": "eckerd-college", "year": 2004, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/eckerd-college/2004/dennis-lehane", "path": "/eckerd-college/2004/dennis-lehane", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/dennis-lehane-eckerd-college-2004/", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.eckerd.edu/commencement/05/main.php?f=lehaneremarks", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJJ5z78GE5A", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/eckerd-college-2004-dennis-lehane-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-pennsylvania-2011-denzel-washington", "accession": "2011.033", "speaker": "Denzel Washington", "speakerSlug": "denzel-washington", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "University of Pennsylvania", "institutionSlug": "university-of-pennsylvania", "year": 2011, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-pennsylvania/2011/denzel-washington", "path": "/university-of-pennsylvania/2011/denzel-washington", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0091-washington.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2011/university-of-pennsylvania/denzel-washington", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpW2sGlCtaE", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/university-of-pennsylvania-2011-denzel-washington-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "dillard-university-2015-denzel-washington", "accession": "2015.002", "speaker": "Denzel Washington", "speakerSlug": "denzel-washington", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Dillard University", "institutionSlug": "dillard-university", "year": 2015, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/dillard-university/2015/denzel-washington", "path": "/dillard-university/2015/denzel-washington", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/denzel-washington-dillard-university-2015/", "transcriptUrl": "https://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/denzel-washington-dillard-university-2015/", "transcriptStatus": "Video link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "None (landing page)", "sourceAuthority": "Reputable news", "videoUrl": "https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/205007358&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true%22%3E%3C/iframe%3E", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/dillard-university-2015-denzel-washington-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "middlebury-college-2014-diana-nyad", "accession": "2014.013", "speaker": "Diana Nyad", "speakerSlug": "diana-nyad", "role": "Field: sports", "institution": "Middlebury College", "institutionSlug": "middlebury-college", "year": 2014, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/middlebury-college/2014/diana-nyad", "path": "/middlebury-college/2014/diana-nyad", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/diana-nyad-middlebury-college-2014/", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0159-Diana-Nyad-Commencement-Speech-2014.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://vimeo.com/96427981", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/middlebury-college-2014-diana-nyad-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-tennessee-2009-dolly-parton", "accession": "2009.022", "speaker": "Dolly Parton", "speakerSlug": "dolly-parton", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "University of Tennessee", "institutionSlug": "university-of-tennessee", "year": 2009, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-tennessee/2009/dolly-parton", "path": "/university-of-tennessee/2009/dolly-parton", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/dolly-parton-university-of-tennessee-2009/", "transcriptUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuOm2lLIOoU&feature=youtu.be", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "http://youtu.be/EuOm2lLIOoU", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/university-of-tennessee-2009-dolly-parton-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "durham-academy-2005-doug-marlette", "accession": "2005.003", "speaker": "Doug Marlette", "speakerSlug": "doug-marlette", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Durham Academy", "institutionSlug": "durham-academy", "year": 2005, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/durham-academy/2005/doug-marlette", "path": "/durham-academy/2005/doug-marlette", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0006-marlette.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0006-marlette.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/durham-academy-2005-doug-marlette-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "devry-university-2010-douglas-smith", "accession": "2010.007", "speaker": "Douglas Smith", "speakerSlug": "douglas-smith", "role": "Field: politics", "institution": "DeVry University", "institutionSlug": "devry-university", "year": 2010, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/devry-university/2010/douglas-smith", "path": "/devry-university/2010/douglas-smith", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0063-smith.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0063-smith.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/devry-university-2010-douglas-smith-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "loyola-university-2010-drew-brees", "accession": "2010.011", "speaker": "Drew Brees", "speakerSlug": "drew-brees", "role": null, "institution": "Loyola University", "institutionSlug": "loyola-university", "year": 2010, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/loyola-university/2010/drew-brees", "path": "/loyola-university/2010/drew-brees", "officialUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2010/loyola-university/drew-brees", "transcriptUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2010/loyola-university/drew-brees", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTmw37-JmCA", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/loyola-university-2010-drew-brees-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-hawaii-2004-earl-bakken", "accession": "2004.013", "speaker": "Earl Bakken", "speakerSlug": "earl-bakken", "role": "Field: business", "institution": "University of Hawaii", "institutionSlug": "university-of-hawaii", "year": 2004, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-hawaii/2004/earl-bakken", "path": "/university-of-hawaii/2004/earl-bakken", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0004-bakken.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0004-bakken.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/university-of-hawaii-2004-earl-bakken-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "knox-college-2013-ed-helms", "accession": "2013.006", "speaker": "Ed Helms", "speakerSlug": "ed-helms", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Knox College", "institutionSlug": "knox-college", "year": 2013, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/knox-college/2013/ed-helms", "path": "/knox-college/2013/ed-helms", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0131-Ed-Helms-Outstanding-Commencement-Address-at-Knox-College-2013.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://www.knox.edu/news/knox-college-commencement-2013/commencement-speaker-ed-helms", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzfP1AxPx1w", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Courage", "slug": "courage", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/courage" }, { "name": "Failure", "slug": "failure", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/failure" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Resilience", "slug": "resilience", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/resilience" }, { "name": "Curiosity & Learning", "slug": "curiosity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/curiosity" } ], "summary": "Ed Helms, drawing on his own career path from film editor to comedian, argues that fear should be treated not as a command to retreat but as useful information. He recounts how examining his fears revealed his true desire to pursue comedy and how confronting the fear of bombing onstage helped him improve. He urges graduates to orient their lives toward discovery rather than avoiding failure, and to trust their instincts and passions.", "keyMoments": [ "Opening jokes about Knox, its mascot, and liberal arts education", "Reframing fear as information that identifies our ignorance", "Story of leaving an editing career to pursue comedy in New York", "Learning from bombing onstage and using audience reaction as data", "Closing call to live through fear and pursue discovery" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/knox-college-2013-ed-helms-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "cornell-university-2014-ed-helms", "accession": "2014.007", "speaker": "Ed Helms", "speakerSlug": "ed-helms", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Cornell University", "institutionSlug": "cornell-university", "year": 2014, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/cornell-university/2014/ed-helms", "path": "/cornell-university/2014/ed-helms", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/ed-helms-cornell-university-2014/", "transcriptUrl": "https://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/ed-helms-cornell-university-2014/", "transcriptStatus": "Video link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "None (landing page)", "sourceAuthority": "Reputable news", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPnAnRsqia0", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/cornell-university-2014-ed-helms-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-virginia-2015-ed-helms", "accession": "2015.013", "speaker": "Ed Helms", "speakerSlug": "ed-helms", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "University of Virginia", "institutionSlug": "university-of-virginia", "year": 2015, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-virginia/2015/ed-helms", "path": "/university-of-virginia/2015/ed-helms", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/ed-helms-university-of-virginia-2015/", "transcriptUrl": "https://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/ed-helms-university-of-virginia-2015/", "transcriptStatus": "Video link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "None (landing page)", "sourceAuthority": "Reputable news", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AInPI6pRBY", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-north-carolina-chapel-hill-2011-edward-o-wilson", "accession": "2011.032", "speaker": "Edward O. Wilson", "speakerSlug": "edward-o-wilson", "role": null, "institution": "University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill", "institutionSlug": "university-of-north-carolina-chapel-hill", "year": 2011, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-north-carolina-chapel-hill/2011/edward-o-wilson", "path": "/university-of-north-carolina-chapel-hill/2011/edward-o-wilson", "officialUrl": "http://www.humanity.org/voices/commencements/e.o.wilson-unc-speech-2011", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.humanity.org/voices/commencements/e.o.wilson-unc-speech-2011", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1rg0qrEuV4", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "dartmouth-college-2006-elie-wiesel", "accession": "2006.003", "speaker": "Elie Wiesel", "speakerSlug": "elie-wiesel", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Dartmouth College", "institutionSlug": "dartmouth-college", "year": 2006, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/dartmouth-college/2006/elie-wiesel", "path": "/dartmouth-college/2006/elie-wiesel", "officialUrl": "http://www.dartmouth.edu/~news/releases/2006/06/11a.html", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.dartmouth.edu/~news/releases/2006/06/11a.html", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "tulane-university-2009-ellen-degeneres", "accession": "2009.013", "speaker": "Ellen DeGeneres", "speakerSlug": "ellen-degeneres", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Tulane University", "institutionSlug": "tulane-university", "year": 2009, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/tulane-university/2009/ellen-degeneres", "path": "/tulane-university/2009/ellen-degeneres", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0041-ellen.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://prezi.com/nd-wy1tvyw_t/ellen-degeneres-commencement-speech-at-tulane-university/", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atvSbmd5ZFs", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-chicago-booth-school-of-business-2014-emir-kamenica", "accession": "2014.022", "speaker": "Emir Kamenica", "speakerSlug": "emir-kamenica", "role": "Field: science", "institution": "University of Chicago, Booth School of Business", "institutionSlug": "university-of-chicago-booth-school-of-business", "year": 2014, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-chicago-booth-school-of-business/2014/emir-kamenica", "path": "/university-of-chicago-booth-school-of-business/2014/emir-kamenica", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/emir-kamenica-university-of-chicago-booth-school-of-business-2014/", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0174-Emir-Kamenica-Commencement-2014.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "tufts-university-2012-eric-greitens", "accession": "2012.022", "speaker": "Eric Greitens", "speakerSlug": "eric-greitens", "role": null, "institution": "Tufts University", "institutionSlug": "tufts-university", "year": 2012, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/tufts-university/2012/eric-greitens", "path": "/tufts-university/2012/eric-greitens", "officialUrl": "http://www.humanity.org/voices/commencements/stronger-ideals", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.humanity.org/voices/commencements/stronger-ideals", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "whitman-college-2013-eric-idle", "accession": "2013.028", "speaker": "Eric Idle", "speakerSlug": "eric-idle", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Whitman College", "institutionSlug": "whitman-college", "year": 2013, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/whitman-college/2013/eric-idle", "path": "/whitman-college/2013/eric-idle", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0130-Eric-Idle-Commencement-Speech-Whitman-College-2013.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/eric-idle-whitman-college-2013/", "transcriptStatus": "Video link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "None (landing page)", "sourceAuthority": "Reputable news", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Cqh0w4-6NM", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "connecticut-college-2005-estelle-parsons", "accession": "2005.002", "speaker": "Estelle Parsons", "speakerSlug": "estelle-parsons", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Connecticut College", "institutionSlug": "connecticut-college", "year": 2005, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/connecticut-college/2005/estelle-parsons", "path": "/connecticut-college/2005/estelle-parsons", "officialUrl": "https://www.conncoll.edu/events/commencement/past-commencement-speakers/", "transcriptUrl": "https://digitalcommons.conncoll.edu/commence/6/", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "lexington-high-school-2009-eugene-mirman", "accession": "2009.009", "speaker": "Eugene Mirman", "speakerSlug": "eugene-mirman", "role": null, "institution": "Lexington High School", "institutionSlug": "lexington-high-school", "year": 2009, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/lexington-high-school/2009/eugene-mirman", "path": "/lexington-high-school/2009/eugene-mirman", "officialUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZlQd2Eg-9w", "transcriptUrl": "http://eugenemirman.com/2009/06/my-lexington-high-school-2009-commencement-speech/", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZlQd2Eg-9w", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "bates-college-2009-fareed-zakaria", "accession": "2009.003", "speaker": "Fareed Zakaria", "speakerSlug": "fareed-zakaria", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Bates College", "institutionSlug": "bates-college", "year": 2009, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/bates-college/2009/fareed-zakaria", "path": "/bates-college/2009/fareed-zakaria", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0049-zakaria.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://www.bates.edu/commencement/annual/y2009/honorands/fareed-zakaria/address-by-fareed-zakaria/", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Hope & Optimism", "slug": "hope", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/hope" }, { "name": "Resilience", "slug": "resilience", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/resilience" }, { "name": "Global Responsibility", "slug": "global-responsibility", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/global-responsibility" }, { "name": "Work & Ambition", "slug": "work", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/work" }, { "name": "Love & Relationships", "slug": "love", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/love" } ], "summary": "Fareed Zakaria acknowledges that the Class of 2009 is graduating into difficult economic and geopolitical times, but argues he remains optimistic because of the graduates themselves. Using examples like the swine flu response and Thomas Malthus's failed predictions, he stresses that it is easy to describe the world's problems but impossible to predict the human response that ultimately changes history. He urges graduates to recognize themselves as agents of change and to pursue enduring qualities such as intelligence, hard work, honesty, character, loyalty, love, and faith.", "keyMoments": [ "Acknowledging the difficult economic and geopolitical moment of 2009", "Using the swine flu response and Malthus to show human response shapes history", "Telling graduates they are the agents of change in the world", "Advising pursuit of timeless qualities like honesty, hard work, and faith" ], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "barnard-college-2006-francine-du-plessix-gray", "accession": "2006.001", "speaker": "Francine du Plessix Gray", "speakerSlug": "francine-du-plessix-gray", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Barnard College", "institutionSlug": "barnard-college", "year": 2006, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/barnard-college/2006/francine-du-plessix-gray", "path": "/barnard-college/2006/francine-du-plessix-gray", "officialUrl": "http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/11/education/11commence.html?pagewanted=all", "transcriptUrl": "https://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/francine-du-plessix-gray-barnard-college-2006/", "transcriptStatus": "NPR speech record", "transcriptCompleteness": "None (landing page)", "sourceAuthority": "Reputable news", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "syracuse-university-2007-frank-mccourt", "accession": "2007.014", "speaker": "Frank McCourt", "speakerSlug": "frank-mccourt", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Syracuse University", "institutionSlug": "syracuse-university", "year": 2007, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/syracuse-university/2007/frank-mccourt", "path": "/syracuse-university/2007/frank-mccourt", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/frank-mccourt-syracuse-university-2007/", "transcriptUrl": "https://www.syracuse.com/newstracker/2007/05/frank_mccourts_address_to_su_s.html", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Identity & Authenticity", "slug": "identity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/identity" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Work & Ambition", "slug": "work", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/work" }, { "name": "Curiosity & Learning", "slug": "curiosity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/curiosity" }, { "name": "Courage", "slug": "courage", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/courage" } ], "summary": "Frank McCourt reflects humorously on his 30-year career teaching high school in New York City, describing how he learned about himself by shedding the 'teacher mask' and admitting his own ignorance. He recounts how his students' constant questions about his life eventually inspired him to write his books after retirement. He closes by urging graduates to free themselves from imposed dogma, to find what they love and do it, rather than chasing security and comfort.", "keyMoments": [ "Mocking the cliché command to 'go forth' at commencements", "Describing learning from his 12,000 high school students and removing the teacher mask", "Recounting how students' questions led him to become a writer", "Advising graduates to find what they love and reject dogma and smugness" ], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "oregon-episcopal-school-2011-fred-armisen", "accession": "2011.021", "speaker": "Fred Armisen", "speakerSlug": "fred-armisen", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Oregon Episcopal School", "institutionSlug": "oregon-episcopal-school", "year": 2011, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/oregon-episcopal-school/2011/fred-armisen", "path": "/oregon-episcopal-school/2011/fred-armisen", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0116-fred-armisen-funny-high-school-graduation-speech.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/fred-armisen-oregon-episcopal-school-2011/", "transcriptStatus": "Video link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "None (landing page)", "sourceAuthority": "Reputable news", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JK73AiPzB7M", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "dartmouth-college-2002-fred-rogers", "accession": "2002.001", "speaker": "Fred Rogers", "speakerSlug": "fred-rogers", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Dartmouth College", "institutionSlug": "dartmouth-college", "year": 2002, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/dartmouth-college/2002/fred-rogers", "path": "/dartmouth-college/2002/fred-rogers", "officialUrl": "http://www.dartmouth.edu/~news/releases/2002/june/060902c.html", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.dartmouth.edu/~news/releases/2002/june/060902c.html", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "scripps-college-2009-gabrielle-giffords", "accession": "2009.011", "speaker": "Gabrielle Giffords", "speakerSlug": "gabrielle-giffords", "role": "Field: politics", "institution": "Scripps College", "institutionSlug": "scripps-college", "year": 2009, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/scripps-college/2009/gabrielle-giffords", "path": "/scripps-college/2009/gabrielle-giffords", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0065-giffords.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0065-giffords.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMUown_UK0c", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "gallaudet-university-2011-gary-malkowski", "accession": "2011.011", "speaker": "Gary Malkowski", "speakerSlug": "gary-malkowski", "role": "Field: politics", "institution": "Gallaudet University", "institutionSlug": "gallaudet-university", "year": 2011, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/gallaudet-university/2011/gary-malkowski", "path": "/gallaudet-university/2011/gary-malkowski", "officialUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2011/gallaudet-university/gary-malkowski", "transcriptUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2011/gallaudet-university/gary-malkowski", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SMAMutQgY4", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "syracuse-university-2013-george-saunders", "accession": "2013.017", "speaker": "George Saunders", "speakerSlug": "george-saunders", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Syracuse University", "institutionSlug": "syracuse-university", "year": 2013, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/syracuse-university/2013/george-saunders", "path": "/syracuse-university/2013/george-saunders", "officialUrl": "http://6thfloor.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/07/31/george-saunderss-advice-to-graduates/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0", "transcriptUrl": "https://archive.nytimes.com/6thfloor.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/07/31/george-saunderss-advice-to-graduates/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Reputable news", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruJWd_m-LgY", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Kindness & Empathy", "slug": "kindness", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/kindness" }, { "name": "Love & Relationships", "slug": "love", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/love" }, { "name": "Work & Ambition", "slug": "work", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/work" }, { "name": "Mortality & Time", "slug": "mortality", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/mortality" }, { "name": "Failure", "slug": "failure", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/failure" } ], "summary": "George Saunders tells graduates that his deepest regret is his failures of kindness, illustrating this with the memory of a shy classmate he never bullied but also never truly helped. He argues that selfishness stems from built-in human confusions and that, while ambition and success have their place, the central goal of life should be becoming kinder and more loving. He urges graduates to accelerate that process rather than wait for it to come naturally with age.", "keyMoments": [ "Recalling regret over not being kinder to a shy classmate named Ellen", "Identifying built-in human confusions that drive selfishness", "Warning that the pursuit of success can crowd out the big questions", "Advising graduates to err in the direction of kindness and start now" ], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "calvin-college-2005-george-w-bush", "accession": "2005.001", "speaker": "George W. Bush", "speakerSlug": "george-w-bush", "role": "Field: politics", "institution": "Calvin College", "institutionSlug": "calvin-college", "year": 2005, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/calvin-college/2005/george-w-bush", "path": "/calvin-college/2005/george-w-bush", "officialUrl": "http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/gwbushcalvincollege.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/gwbushcalvincollege.htm", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Kindness & Empathy", "slug": "kindness", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/kindness" }, { "name": "Leadership & Integrity", "slug": "leadership", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/leadership" }, { "name": "Hope & Optimism", "slug": "hope", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/hope" } ], "summary": "President George W. Bush addresses Calvin College's Class of 2005, urging graduates to contribute to American freedom by serving their communities. Drawing on Alexis de Tocqueville and Dutch figure Abraham Kuyper, he argues that individual freedom is anchored in community institutions like family, faith, and civic organizations. He calls on graduates to choose citizenship over spectatorship and to embrace service through faith-based and community efforts.", "keyMoments": [ "Opens with humor about his own college experience and English skills", "Cites Tocqueville's Democracy in America on Americans banding together for the common good", "Argues private character, local power, and community involvement sustain a free society", "References Abraham Kuyper's call for Dutch immigrants to serve as Christian citizens", "Challenges graduates to choose to be citizens, not spectators, through service" ], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "liberty-university-2010-glenn-beck", "accession": "2010.010", "speaker": "Glenn Beck", "speakerSlug": "glenn-beck", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Liberty University", "institutionSlug": "liberty-university", "year": 2010, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/liberty-university/2010/glenn-beck", "path": "/liberty-university/2010/glenn-beck", "officialUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2010/liberty-university/glenn-beck", "transcriptUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2010/liberty-university/glenn-beck", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeBeCQJM6i0", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "school-of-visual-arts-2013-greil-marcus", "accession": "2013.013", "speaker": "Greil Marcus", "speakerSlug": "greil-marcus", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "School of Visual Arts", "institutionSlug": "school-of-visual-arts", "year": 2013, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/school-of-visual-arts/2013/greil-marcus", "path": "/school-of-visual-arts/2013/greil-marcus", "officialUrl": "http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2013/05/13/greil-marcus-sva-commencement-address/", "transcriptUrl": "https://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/greil-marcus-school-of-visual-arts-2013/", "transcriptStatus": "NPR speech record", "transcriptCompleteness": "None (landing page)", "sourceAuthority": "Reputable news", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "babson-college-2000-guy-kawasaki", "accession": "2000.001", "speaker": "Guy Kawasaki", "speakerSlug": "guy-kawasaki", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Babson College", "institutionSlug": "babson-college", "year": 2000, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/babson-college/2000/guy-kawasaki", "path": "/babson-college/2000/guy-kawasaki", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0021-kawasaki.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2006/01/hindsights.html", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "marquette-university-2012-hank-aaron", "accession": "2012.012", "speaker": "Hank Aaron", "speakerSlug": "hank-aaron", "role": null, "institution": "Marquette University", "institutionSlug": "marquette-university", "year": 2012, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/marquette-university/2012/hank-aaron", "path": "/marquette-university/2012/hank-aaron", "officialUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2012/marquette-university/hank-aaron", "transcriptUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2012/marquette-university/hank-aaron", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMp0hFgfXf8", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "connecticut-college-2013-howard-gordon", "accession": "2013.004", "speaker": "Howard Gordon", "speakerSlug": "howard-gordon", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Connecticut College", "institutionSlug": "connecticut-college", "year": 2013, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/connecticut-college/2013/howard-gordon", "path": "/connecticut-college/2013/howard-gordon", "officialUrl": "https://www.conncoll.edu/events/commencement/past-commencement-speakers/", "transcriptUrl": "https://digitalcommons.conncoll.edu/commence/25/", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "goucher-college-2012-ira-glass", "accession": "2012.007", "speaker": "Ira Glass", "speakerSlug": "ira-glass", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Goucher College", "institutionSlug": "goucher-college", "year": 2012, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/goucher-college/2012/ira-glass", "path": "/goucher-college/2012/ira-glass", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0106-glass-keynote-speech-Goucher-2012.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://www.goucher.edu/commencement/past-commencements/ira-glass", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9HiMoJlpM8", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Resilience", "slug": "resilience", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/resilience" }, { "name": "Failure", "slug": "failure", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/failure" }, { "name": "Work & Ambition", "slug": "work", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/work" }, { "name": "Love & Relationships", "slug": "love", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/love" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Hope & Optimism", "slug": "hope", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/hope" } ], "summary": "Ira Glass opens by declaring his opposition to the very form of the commencement speech, then shares personal connections to Goucher, including his grandmother Frieda Freelander (Class of '31). He reassures graduates that feeling lost, floundering, and questioning their choices in their twenties is normal, recounting his own years of struggling as a writer and performer in public radio and clashing with his parents. He advises that ideas and creative work require deliberate effort, and closes with a story about his grandmother encountering Hitler in 1932, urging graduates to keep building themselves so they will recognize their chance to change the world when it comes.", "keyMoments": [ "Glass critiques the commencement speech as a doomed, cloying form even as he delivers one", "He shares his floundering twenties as a poor writer and stiff performer paying NPR reporters to critique his scripts", "He reflects on conflicts with his worried parents and advises graduates not to be a dick as parents adjust", "He recounts his grandmother Frieda's hardships and her 1932 encounter with Hitler as a lesson about uncertainty" ], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "harvard-university-2008-j-k-rowling", "accession": "2008.008", "speaker": "J.K. Rowling", "speakerSlug": "jk-rowling", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Harvard University", "institutionSlug": "harvard-university", "year": 2008, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/harvard-university/2008/jk-rowling", "path": "/harvard-university/2008/jk-rowling", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0031-rowling.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://Harvard.com/2008/06/the-fringe-benefits-failure-the-importance-imagination", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkREt4ZB-ck", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "niagara-university-2008-jaclyn-rossi", "accession": "2008.012", "speaker": "Jaclyn Rossi", "speakerSlug": "jaclyn-rossi", "role": null, "institution": "Niagara University", "institutionSlug": "niagara-university", "year": 2008, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/niagara-university/2008/jaclyn-rossi", "path": "/niagara-university/2008/jaclyn-rossi", "officialUrl": "http://www.niagara.edu/speeches/", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.niagara.edu/speeches/", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "hobart-and-william-smith-colleges-2013-james-carville", "accession": "2013.005", "speaker": "James Carville", "speakerSlug": "james-carville", "role": "Field: politics", "institution": "Hobart and William Smith Colleges", "institutionSlug": "hobart-and-william-smith-colleges", "year": 2013, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/hobart-and-william-smith-colleges/2013/james-carville", "path": "/hobart-and-william-smith-colleges/2013/james-carville", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0132-James-Carville-Commencement-Speech-at-Hobard-and-William-Smith-Colleges-2013.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://www.hws.edu/news/transcripts/13/carville.aspx", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Failure", "slug": "failure", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/failure" }, { "name": "Resilience", "slug": "resilience", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/resilience" }, { "name": "Gratitude & Humility", "slug": "gratitude", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/gratitude" }, { "name": "Courage", "slug": "courage", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/courage" }, { "name": "Leadership & Integrity", "slug": "leadership", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/leadership" } ], "summary": "James Carville delivers a candid commencement address warning graduates that life after college will be difficult and that failure is an inevitable part of success. He uses the example of Abraham Lincoln's many failures, quotes Thomas Edison and Winnie the Pooh on perseverance, and tells stories about the bond between his city of New Orleans and the Colleges. He closes by urging graduates to thank the mentors who helped them and to mentor others in turn.", "keyMoments": [ "Opening jokes about the college name and his own academic record", "Lincoln's repeated failures as proof that success follows failure", "Winnie the Pooh's 'stronger, braver, smarter' encouragement for facing fear", "Story of President Bush Sr. visiting Holland to thank an early ally, urging graduates to remember and thank their mentors" ], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "villanova-university-2010-jamie-hyneman", "accession": "2010.029", "speaker": "Jamie Hyneman", "speakerSlug": "jamie-hyneman", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Villanova University", "institutionSlug": "villanova-university", "year": 2010, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/villanova-university/2010/jamie-hyneman", "path": "/villanova-university/2010/jamie-hyneman", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0071-hyneman.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/mythbusters/about-this-show/jamie-hyneman-commencement.htm", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Curiosity & Learning", "slug": "curiosity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/curiosity" }, { "name": "Technology & Science", "slug": "technology", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/technology" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Gratitude & Humility", "slug": "gratitude", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/gratitude" } ], "summary": "Jamie Hyneman, known for MythBusters, tells Villanova's class of 2010 that behind the show's explosions lies discipline, creativity, research, and problem-solving, and that his real pride is in inspiring curiosity and new scientists and engineers. He recounts his rural Pennsylvania and Indiana upbringing on apple orchards and his collaborations with Villanova's engineering staff on projects including a flying car, a Mars robot, and protective armor for soldiers. He accepts an honorary Doctorate of Engineering and embraces his new status as a Wildcat.", "keyMoments": [ "Describing the discipline and skills behind MythBusters' destruction", "Recalling his farm upbringing near King of Prussia", "Encouraging new scientists, engineers, and problem solvers", "Accepting an honorary Doctorate of Engineering from Villanova" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/villanova-university-2010-jamie-hyneman-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "smith-college-2012-jane-lynch", "accession": "2012.018", "speaker": "Jane Lynch", "speakerSlug": "jane-lynch", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Smith College", "institutionSlug": "smith-college", "year": 2012, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/smith-college/2012/jane-lynch", "path": "/smith-college/2012/jane-lynch", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0117-jane-lynch- -and-inspiring-commencement-address.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.smith.edu/events/commencement_speech2012.php", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwuNfHSOxZI", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "northeastern-university-2014-janet-napolitano", "accession": "2014.017", "speaker": "Janet Napolitano", "speakerSlug": "janet-napolitano", "role": "Field: politics", "institution": "Northeastern University", "institutionSlug": "northeastern-university", "year": 2014, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/northeastern-university/2014/janet-napolitano", "path": "/northeastern-university/2014/janet-napolitano", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/janet-napolitano-northeastern-university-2014/", "transcriptUrl": "https://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/janet-napolitano-northeastern-university-2014/", "transcriptStatus": "Video link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "None (landing page)", "sourceAuthority": "Reputable news", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yZ3FLVdWDI#t=699", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "new-york-university-2014-janet-yellen", "accession": "2014.015", "speaker": "Janet Yellen", "speakerSlug": "janet-yellen", "role": "Field: politics", "institution": "New York University", "institutionSlug": "new-york-university", "year": 2014, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/new-york-university/2014/janet-yellen", "path": "/new-york-university/2014/janet-yellen", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/janet-yellen-new-york-university-2014/", "transcriptUrl": "https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/speech/yellen20140521a.htm", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Government archive", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Curiosity & Learning", "slug": "curiosity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/curiosity" }, { "name": "Resilience", "slug": "resilience", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/resilience" }, { "name": "Courage", "slug": "courage", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/courage" }, { "name": "Failure", "slug": "failure", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/failure" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" } ], "summary": "Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen offers graduates lessons for life after college, drawing on examples from science, sports, and her own experience at the Fed. She emphasizes persistent curiosity, listening to opposing views, perseverance through setbacks, and the courage to take a stand. She encourages graduates to pursue work they are passionate about and to find joy along the way.", "keyMoments": [ "Eric Kandel's curiosity and persistence leading to a Nobel Prize for sea slug research", "The value of listening to those with whom we disagree", "Embracing failure and 'grit' as defined by Angela Lee Duckworth", "Ben Bernanke's courage during the financial crisis as an example of taking a stand", "Pursuing passion and finding joy in life" ], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "review-gov" }, { "id": "usc-annenberg-school-for-communication-and-journalism-2009-jarl-mohn", "accession": "2009.024", "speaker": "Jarl Mohn", "speakerSlug": "jarl-mohn", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism", "institutionSlug": "usc-annenberg-school-for-communication-and-journalism", "year": 2009, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/usc-annenberg-school-for-communication-and-journalism/2009/jarl-mohn", "path": "/usc-annenberg-school-for-communication-and-journalism/2009/jarl-mohn", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/jarl-mohn-usc-annenberg-school-for-communication-and-journalism-2009/", "transcriptUrl": "https://sweetspeeches.com/", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2JzJs5jOcg", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill-2015-jason-kilar", "accession": "2015.012", "speaker": "Jason Kilar", "speakerSlug": "jason-kilar", "role": "Field: business", "institution": "University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill", "institutionSlug": "university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill", "year": 2015, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill/2015/jason-kilar", "path": "/university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill/2015/jason-kilar", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/jason-kilar-university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill-2015/", "transcriptUrl": "https://uncnewsarchive.unc.edu/", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "emerson-college-2014-jay-leno", "accession": "2014.009", "speaker": "Jay Leno", "speakerSlug": "jay-leno", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Emerson College", "institutionSlug": "emerson-college", "year": 2014, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/emerson-college/2014/jay-leno", "path": "/emerson-college/2014/jay-leno", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/jay-leno-emerson-college-2014/", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0164-Jay-Leno-Commencement-Speech-Video-2014.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_9nbKnrL7E", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-texas-austin-2003-jean-andrews", "accession": "2003.011", "speaker": "Jean Andrews", "speakerSlug": "jean-andrews", "role": null, "institution": "University of Texas, Austin", "institutionSlug": "university-of-texas-austin", "year": 2003, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-texas-austin/2003/jean-andrews", "path": "/university-of-texas-austin/2003/jean-andrews", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0010-andrews.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/jean-andrews-university-of-texas-austin-2003/", "transcriptStatus": "NPR speech record", "transcriptCompleteness": "None (landing page)", "sourceAuthority": "Reputable news", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "princeton-university-2010-jeff-bezos", "accession": "2010.014", "speaker": "Jeff Bezos", "speakerSlug": "jeff-bezos", "role": "Field: business", "institution": "Princeton University", "institutionSlug": "princeton-university", "year": 2010, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/princeton-university/2010/jeff-bezos", "path": "/princeton-university/2010/jeff-bezos", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0050-bezos.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://www.princeton.edu/news/2010/05/30/2010-baccalaureate-remarks", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Identity & Authenticity", "slug": "identity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/identity" }, { "name": "Kindness & Empathy", "slug": "kindness", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/kindness" }, { "name": "Courage", "slug": "courage", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/courage" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Technology & Science", "slug": "technology", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/technology" }, { "name": "Failure", "slug": "failure", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/failure" } ], "summary": "Jeff Bezos draws a distinction between gifts (innate talents like cleverness) and choices (such as kindness), illustrating it with a childhood story in which his grandfather told him it is harder to be kind than clever. He recounts his decision to leave a secure job to start Amazon as an example of choosing passion over safety. He urges graduates to recognize that their lives will ultimately be defined by the choices they make rather than their gifts.", "keyMoments": [ "Childhood story of upsetting his grandmother with cigarette math and his grandfather's lesson", "Distinction between innate gifts and deliberate choices", "Recounting the decision to leave his job to found Amazon", "Series of rhetorical questions urging graduates to follow passion and convictions" ], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-oregon-2012-jefferson-smith", "accession": "2012.031", "speaker": "Jefferson Smith", "speakerSlug": "jefferson-smith", "role": "Field: politics", "institution": "University of Oregon", "institutionSlug": "university-of-oregon", "year": 2012, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-oregon/2012/jefferson-smith", "path": "/university-of-oregon/2012/jefferson-smith", "officialUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2012/university-of-oregon/jefferson-smith", "transcriptUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2012/university-of-oregon/jefferson-smith", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTJeQpPU-bM", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "connecticut-college-2010-jeffrey-sachs", "accession": "2010.005", "speaker": "Jeffrey Sachs", "speakerSlug": "jeffrey-sachs", "role": null, "institution": "Connecticut College", "institutionSlug": "connecticut-college", "year": 2010, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/connecticut-college/2010/jeffrey-sachs", "path": "/connecticut-college/2010/jeffrey-sachs", "officialUrl": "https://www.conncoll.edu/events/commencement/past-commencement-speakers/", "transcriptUrl": "https://digitalcommons.conncoll.edu/commence/20/", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "niagara-university-2007-jennie-cyran", "accession": "2007.006", "speaker": "Jennie Cyran", "speakerSlug": "jennie-cyran", "role": null, "institution": "Niagara University", "institutionSlug": "niagara-university", "year": 2007, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/niagara-university/2007/jennie-cyran", "path": "/niagara-university/2007/jennie-cyran", "officialUrl": "http://www.niagara.edu/speeches/", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.niagara.edu/speeches/", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-new-hampshire-2014-jennifer-lee", "accession": "2014.024", "speaker": "Jennifer Lee", "speakerSlug": "jennifer-lee", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "University of New Hampshire", "institutionSlug": "university-of-new-hampshire", "year": 2014, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-new-hampshire/2014/jennifer-lee", "path": "/university-of-new-hampshire/2014/jennifer-lee", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/jennifer-lee-university-of-new-hampshire-2014/", "transcriptUrl": "https://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/jennifer-lee-university-of-new-hampshire-2014/", "transcriptStatus": "Video link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "None (landing page)", "sourceAuthority": "Reputable news", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLwsrVVgeQs&feature=youtu.be", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-hawaii-2009-jerry-yang", "accession": "2009.017", "speaker": "Jerry Yang", "speakerSlug": "jerry-yang", "role": "Field: tech", "institution": "University of Hawaii", "institutionSlug": "university-of-hawaii", "year": 2009, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-hawaii/2009/jerry-yang", "path": "/university-of-hawaii/2009/jerry-yang", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0122-jerry-yang-yahoo-commencement-graduation-speech-2009.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0122-jerry-yang-yahoo-commencement-graduation-speech-2009.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wL1dQsXhc4g", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-wisconsin-2003-jerry-zucker", "accession": "2003.013", "speaker": "Jerry Zucker", "speakerSlug": "jerry-zucker", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "University of Wisconsin", "institutionSlug": "university-of-wisconsin", "year": 2003, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-wisconsin/2003/jerry-zucker", "path": "/university-of-wisconsin/2003/jerry-zucker", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0002-zucker.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.wisc.edu/address-by-jerry-zucker/", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Failure", "slug": "failure", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/failure" }, { "name": "Love & Relationships", "slug": "love", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/love" }, { "name": "Courage", "slug": "courage", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/courage" }, { "name": "Identity & Authenticity", "slug": "identity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/identity" }, { "name": "Creativity", "slug": "creativity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/creativity" } ], "summary": "Filmmaker Jerry Zucker, a UW alumnus, delivers a humorous commencement address structured around five rules for life drawn from his own career in Hollywood. He urges graduates to live in the present, pursue their dreams before acquiring responsibilities, question authority, embrace failure boldly, and prioritize love over accomplishments. He closes by finally playing a flawed version of 'On Wisconsin' on a keyboard, fulfilling a childhood recital he missed.", "keyMoments": [ "Distinguishing 'getting there' from finding a real 'there there'", "Advice to pursue dreams now, 'before you buy furniture'", "Mrs. Zubatsky's law about not being intimidated by professionals", "Travolta's law: failures matter more to you than to anyone else", "Closing with love over accomplishments and playing his one piano song" ], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "sarah-lawrence-college-2008-jessica-lange", "accession": "2008.017", "speaker": "Jessica Lange", "speakerSlug": "jessica-lange", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Sarah Lawrence College", "institutionSlug": "sarah-lawrence-college", "year": 2008, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/sarah-lawrence-college/2008/jessica-lange", "path": "/sarah-lawrence-college/2008/jessica-lange", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0033-lange.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0033-lange.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "wake-forest-university-2014-jill-abramson", "accession": "2014.027", "speaker": "Jill Abramson", "speakerSlug": "jill-abramson", "role": "Field: Letters", "institution": "Wake Forest University", "institutionSlug": "wake-forest-university", "year": 2014, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/wake-forest-university/2014/jill-abramson", "path": "/wake-forest-university/2014/jill-abramson", "officialUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoqsACsDyb0", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2014/05/19/watch-jill-abramsons-commencement-speech-at-wake-forest/", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Reputable news", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoqsACsDyb0", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "maharishi-university-of-management-2014-jim-carrey", "accession": "2014.011", "speaker": "Jim Carrey", "speakerSlug": "jim-carrey", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Maharishi University of Management", "institutionSlug": "maharishi-university-of-management", "year": 2014, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/maharishi-university-of-management/2014/jim-carrey", "path": "/maharishi-university-of-management/2014/jim-carrey", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/jim-carrey-maharishi-university-of-management-2014/", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0150-Jim-Carrey-Graduation-Speech-2014.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0150-Jim-Carrey-Graduation-Speech-2014.htm", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "kenyon-college-2011-jim-steen", "accession": "2011.016", "speaker": "Jim Steen", "speakerSlug": "jim-steen", "role": null, "institution": "Kenyon College", "institutionSlug": "kenyon-college", "year": 2011, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/kenyon-college/2011/jim-steen", "path": "/kenyon-college/2011/jim-steen", "officialUrl": "http://graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0101-steen_coach_commencement.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.fgdragons.com/NewsShow.jsp?returnPage=/News.jsp&id=198991&team=fgsc", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Work & Ambition", "slug": "work", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/work" }, { "name": "Failure", "slug": "failure", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/failure" }, { "name": "Courage", "slug": "courage", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/courage" }, { "name": "Creativity", "slug": "creativity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/creativity" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Hope & Optimism", "slug": "hope", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/hope" } ], "summary": "Kenyon College swimming coach Jim Steen delivers a baccalaureate address framed as a coaching session about one's capacity to perform. He draws on his experiences coaching, citing ideas from Malcolm Gladwell, Scott Adams, and others, to argue that performance and mastery depend on discipline, risk, imagination, and attitude rather than talent alone. He concludes by urging graduates to reframe threats as challenges as they begin life after college.", "keyMoments": [ "Comparing coaches and teachers as provocateurs who challenge people to do better", "Discussing mastery through discipline and risk, referencing Gladwell's 10,000-hour rule and Scott Adams' lessons on combining skills and failing forward", "Coaching point on attitude as the factor determining one's direction", "Distinguishing living under a threat versus living for a challenge" ], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-southern-california-2013-jimmy-iovine", "accession": "2013.022", "speaker": "Jimmy Iovine", "speakerSlug": "jimmy-iovine", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "University of Southern California", "institutionSlug": "university-of-southern-california", "year": 2013, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-southern-california/2013/jimmy-iovine", "path": "/university-of-southern-california/2013/jimmy-iovine", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0140-Jimmy-Iovine-Commencement-Speech-at-University-of-Southern-California-2013.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0140-Jimmy-Iovine-Commencement-Speech-at-University-of-Southern-California-2013.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSxEGIzq2Lk", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "harvard-university-2010-jimmy-tingle", "accession": "2010.009", "speaker": "Jimmy Tingle", "speakerSlug": "jimmy-tingle", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Harvard University", "institutionSlug": "harvard-university", "year": 2010, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/harvard-university/2010/jimmy-tingle", "path": "/harvard-university/2010/jimmy-tingle", "officialUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2010/Harvard University-university/jimmy-tingle", "transcriptUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2010/Harvard-university/jimmy-tingle", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiUFgEd2MSU", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-pennsylvania-2006-jodie-foster", "accession": "2006.013", "speaker": "Jodie Foster", "speakerSlug": "jodie-foster", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "University of Pennsylvania", "institutionSlug": "university-of-pennsylvania", "year": 2006, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-pennsylvania/2006/jodie-foster", "path": "/university-of-pennsylvania/2006/jodie-foster", "officialUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2006/university-of-pennsylvania/jodie-foster", "transcriptUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2006/university-of-pennsylvania/jodie-foster", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3PzBkkvvMc", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "college-of-william-and-mary-2011-joe-plumeri", "accession": "2011.007", "speaker": "Joe Plumeri", "speakerSlug": "joe-plumeri", "role": "Field: business", "institution": "College of William and Mary", "institutionSlug": "college-of-william-and-mary", "year": 2011, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/college-of-william-and-mary/2011/joe-plumeri", "path": "/college-of-william-and-mary/2011/joe-plumeri", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0090-plumeri.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0090-plumeri.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JP1N_0KdSZU", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "rice-university-2007-john-doerr", "accession": "2007.010", "speaker": "John Doerr", "speakerSlug": "john-doerr", "role": "Field: business", "institution": "Rice University", "institutionSlug": "rice-university", "year": 2007, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/rice-university/2007/john-doerr", "path": "/rice-university/2007/john-doerr", "officialUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2007/rice-university/john-doerr", "transcriptUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2007/rice-university/john-doerr", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Zi-ThMfM4I", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "butler-university-2013-john-green", "accession": "2013.001", "speaker": "John Green", "speakerSlug": "john-green", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Butler University", "institutionSlug": "butler-university", "year": 2013, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/butler-university/2013/john-green", "path": "/butler-university/2013/john-green", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0128-John-Green-Commencement-Address-at-Butler-University-2013.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://fishingboatproceeds.tumblr.com/post/50221383652/the-commencement-address", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLQ4Tswr1Ss", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "roanoke-college-2010-john-jacob-scherer", "accession": "2010.015", "speaker": "John Jacob Scherer", "speakerSlug": "john-jacob-scherer", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Roanoke College", "institutionSlug": "roanoke-college", "year": 2010, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/roanoke-college/2010/john-jacob-scherer", "path": "/roanoke-college/2010/john-jacob-scherer", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0053-scherer.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0053-scherer.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "kean-university-2011-john-legend", "accession": "2011.015", "speaker": "John Legend", "speakerSlug": "john-legend", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Kean University", "institutionSlug": "kean-university", "year": 2011, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/kean-university/2011/john-legend", "path": "/kean-university/2011/john-legend", "officialUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2011/kean-university/john-legend", "transcriptUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2011/kean-university/john-legend", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_ccOf8L2e4", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-pennsylvania-2014-john-legend", "accession": "2014.026", "speaker": "John Legend", "speakerSlug": "john-legend", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "University of Pennsylvania", "institutionSlug": "university-of-pennsylvania", "year": 2014, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-pennsylvania/2014/john-legend", "path": "/university-of-pennsylvania/2014/john-legend", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/john-legend-university-of-pennsylvania-2014/", "transcriptUrl": "https://www.huffpost.com/entry/penn-commencement-speech-2014_b_5358334", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnkuxsulOC4", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Love & Relationships", "slug": "love", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/love" }, { "name": "Social Justice & Equality", "slug": "social-justice", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/social-justice" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Courage", "slug": "courage", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/courage" }, { "name": "Resilience", "slug": "resilience", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/resilience" }, { "name": "Global Responsibility", "slug": "global-responsibility", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/global-responsibility" } ], "summary": "John Legend tells Penn's Class of 2014 that true success comes from opening your heart to love rather than chasing money or status. He recounts his journey from his Ohio childhood, his family's collapse after his grandmother's death, his early rejection by record labels, and his eventual breakthrough with Kanye West, framing each chapter around the role of love and passion. He extends the idea beyond personal relationships to 'love in public'—justice, philanthropy, and compassion for strangers—and urges graduates to overcome fear and go 'all in' on love.", "keyMoments": [ "Recalls his difficult childhood, his grandmother's death, and his parents' divorce", "Describes leaving a consulting job to pursue music and facing repeated label rejections before meeting Kanye West", "Argues that loving humanity publicly means justice and compassion, citing examples like Trayvon Martin and the kidnapped Nigerian girls", "Identifies fear, not hate, as the opposite of love and urges graduates to risk vulnerability" ], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "bentley-college-2008-john-mackey", "accession": "2008.002", "speaker": "John Mackey", "speakerSlug": "john-mackey", "role": "Field: business", "institution": "Bentley College", "institutionSlug": "bentley-college", "year": 2008, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/bentley-college/2008/john-mackey", "path": "/bentley-college/2008/john-mackey", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0030-mackey.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/blog/john-mackeys-blog/bentley-college-commencement%C2%A0speech", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "liberty-university-2006-john-mccain", "accession": "2006.007", "speaker": "John McCain", "speakerSlug": "john-mccain", "role": "Field: politics", "institution": "Liberty University", "institutionSlug": "liberty-university", "year": 2006, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/liberty-university/2006/john-mccain", "path": "/liberty-university/2006/john-mccain", "officialUrl": "http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/johnmccainlibertycommencement.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/johnmccainlibertycommencement.htm", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Social Justice & Equality", "slug": "social-justice", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/social-justice" }, { "name": "Identity & Authenticity", "slug": "identity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/identity" }, { "name": "Leadership & Integrity", "slug": "leadership", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/leadership" }, { "name": "Gratitude & Humility", "slug": "gratitude", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/gratitude" }, { "name": "Love & Relationships", "slug": "love", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/love" } ], "summary": "McCain congratulates graduates and their parents, then reflects on his own youthful arrogance and the value of debate in a free society. He defends his support for the Iraq War while affirming the right and duty of Americans to argue over such issues, and argues that human rights are God-given and universal, citing genocide in Darfur and Rwanda. He closes by recounting his friendship with David Ifshin, a former Vietnam War critic, to illustrate that political opponents are countrymen, not enemies.", "keyMoments": [ "Reflection on his youthful self-assurance and the humility gained with age", "Defense of his support for the Iraq War alongside respect for dissent", "Argument that human rights are universal and God-given, citing Darfur and Rwanda", "Story of reconciliation with antiwar activist David Ifshin" ], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "niagara-university-2005-john-roberts", "accession": "2005.006", "speaker": "John Roberts", "speakerSlug": "john-roberts", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Niagara University", "institutionSlug": "niagara-university", "year": 2005, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/niagara-university/2005/john-roberts", "path": "/niagara-university/2005/john-roberts", "officialUrl": "http://www.niagara.edu/speeches/", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.niagara.edu/speeches/", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "arizona-state-university-2015-john-seely-brown", "accession": "2015.001", "speaker": "John Seely Brown", "speakerSlug": "john-seely-brown", "role": "Field: science", "institution": "Arizona State University", "institutionSlug": "arizona-state-university", "year": 2015, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/arizona-state-university/2015/john-seely-brown", "path": "/arizona-state-university/2015/john-seely-brown", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/john-seely-brown-arizona-state-university-2015/", "transcriptUrl": "https://www.johnseelybrown.com/ASU2015.html", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": "http://www.johnseelybrown.com/ASU2015.html", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Technology & Science", "slug": "technology", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/technology" }, { "name": "Curiosity & Learning", "slug": "curiosity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/curiosity" }, { "name": "Creativity", "slug": "creativity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/creativity" }, { "name": "Resilience", "slug": "resilience", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/resilience" }, { "name": "Hope & Optimism", "slug": "hope", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/hope" } ], "summary": "John Seely Brown tells ASU graduates they are entering an exciting networked, digital age and encourages them to become entrepreneurial learners who learn through interaction with the world. He recounts his own career at Xerox PARC and the inventions developed there, framing the present moment as a new technical and social 'Cambrian Explosion.' He contrasts past career trajectories with the unpredictable 'white water world' graduates now face, urging them to use imagination, skill, and clear seeing to navigate it.", "keyMoments": [ "Defines graduates as entrepreneurial learners in a networked age", "Recalls inventions and culture of Xerox PARC during the digital revolution", "Describes the current era as a new technical and social Cambrian Explosion", "Uses the white water kayaker metaphor for navigating an unpredictable world", "Closes with quotes from Schopenhauer, Weiser, Turing, and Ruskin" ], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "wheaton-college-2000-john-walsh", "accession": "2000.010", "speaker": "John Walsh", "speakerSlug": "john-walsh", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Wheaton College", "institutionSlug": "wheaton-college", "year": 2000, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/wheaton-college/2000/john-walsh", "path": "/wheaton-college/2000/john-walsh", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0008-walsh.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://wheatoncollege.edu/about-wheaton-college/history-and-traditions/", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "pitzer-college-2013-jon-lovett", "accession": "2013.010", "speaker": "Jon Lovett", "speakerSlug": "jon-lovett", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Pitzer College", "institutionSlug": "pitzer-college", "year": 2013, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/pitzer-college/2013/jon-lovett", "path": "/pitzer-college/2013/jon-lovett", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/jon-lovett-pitzer-college-2013/", "transcriptUrl": "https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/05/life-lessons-in-fighting-the-culture-of-bullshit/276030/", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHl80Wmpj40", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Identity & Authenticity", "slug": "identity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/identity" }, { "name": "Leadership & Integrity", "slug": "leadership", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/leadership" }, { "name": "Failure", "slug": "failure", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/failure" }, { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Hope & Optimism", "slug": "hope", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/hope" } ], "summary": "Jon Lovett, a former presidential and Hillary Clinton speechwriter, warns graduates about the pervasive 'culture of bullshit' in public and private life and urges them to commit to honesty. He offers three practical lessons: don't cover for your inexperience, speak up when you believe something is wrong, and recognize that authenticity can be rewarded. He argues society may have reached 'peak bullshit' and that earnest, sincere graduates are well positioned to lead a turn toward greater authenticity.", "keyMoments": [ "Diagnosing the pervasive 'culture of bullshit' in politics, media, and personal life", "Lesson one: balance confidence with awareness of your inexperience", "Lesson two: speak up when you're inexperienced but right, illustrated by the Clinton campaign's slogans", "Lesson three: honesty pays off and society may have reached 'peak bullshit'" ], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "college-of-william-and-mary-2004-jon-stewart", "accession": "2004.003", "speaker": "Jon Stewart", "speakerSlug": "jon-stewart", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "College of William and Mary", "institutionSlug": "college-of-william-and-mary", "year": 2004, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/college-of-william-and-mary/2004/jon-stewart", "path": "/college-of-william-and-mary/2004/jon-stewart", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0042-stewart.html", "transcriptUrl": "http://web.wm.edu/news/archive/index.php?id=3650", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajPvjKFFIAo", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "middlebury-college-2013-jonathan-safran-foer", "accession": "2013.008", "speaker": "Jonathan Safran Foer", "speakerSlug": "jonathan-safran-foer", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Middlebury College", "institutionSlug": "middlebury-college", "year": 2013, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/middlebury-college/2013/jonathan-safran-foer", "path": "/middlebury-college/2013/jonathan-safran-foer", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0137-Jonathan-Safran-Foer-Commencement-Address-at-Middlebury-College-2013.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/09/opinion/sunday/how-not-to-be-alone.html?pagewanted=all", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Reputable news", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgGzz3fKINA", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Technology & Science", "slug": "technology", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/technology" }, { "name": "Kindness & Empathy", "slug": "kindness", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/kindness" }, { "name": "Love & Relationships", "slug": "love", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/love" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Mortality & Time", "slug": "mortality", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/mortality" } ], "summary": "Foer recounts seeing a teenage girl crying on her phone in public and his hesitation over whether to intervene, using the moment to explore how communication technologies make it easier to retreat from genuine human connection. He argues that we have come to prefer diminished substitutes for face-to-face interaction, and that this habit gradually erodes our capacity for attention and empathy. He concludes that attending to the needs of others, though difficult, is the essential work of a finite life.", "keyMoments": [ "Witnessing a crying stranger and weighing whether to intervene", "Argument that technology celebrates connectedness but encourages retreat", "Communication tools as diminished substitutes we come to prefer", "Attentiveness and empathy as the essential work of a mortal life" ], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "deerfield-high-school-2009-jonathon-youshaei", "accession": "2009.006", "speaker": "Jonathon Youshaei", "speakerSlug": "jonathon-youshaei", "role": null, "institution": "Deerfield High School", "institutionSlug": "deerfield-high-school", "year": 2009, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/deerfield-high-school/2009/jonathon-youshaei", "path": "/deerfield-high-school/2009/jonathon-youshaei", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0045-youshaei.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.schoolsdo.org", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7qw32WtN6c", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "wesleyan-university-2013-joss-whedon", "accession": "2013.027", "speaker": "Joss Whedon", "speakerSlug": "joss-whedon", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Wesleyan University", "institutionSlug": "wesleyan-university", "year": 2013, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/wesleyan-university/2013/joss-whedon", "path": "/wesleyan-university/2013/joss-whedon", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0126-Joss-Whedon-Inspirational-Commencement-Address-Wesleyan-2013.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://newsletter.blogs.wesleyan.edu/2013/05/26/whedoncommencement/", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn866ryQ5RY", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Identity & Authenticity", "slug": "identity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/identity" }, { "name": "Mortality & Time", "slug": "mortality", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/mortality" }, { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Hope & Optimism", "slug": "hope", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/hope" }, { "name": "Love & Relationships", "slug": "love", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/love" } ], "summary": "Joss Whedon opens by joking about a past Wesleyan address by Bill Cosby before declaring that the graduates are going to die, using mortality and the body's biological drive as a starting point. He argues that the central gift of human existence is the contradiction and tension between body and mind, and within the mind itself, urging graduates to listen to internal dissent in order to earn their identity. He contends that peace comes from accepting the part of oneself that can never be at peace, that understanding opposing views strengthens one's own, and that everyone is unavoidably connected to others and thus already changing the world.", "keyMoments": [ "References Bill Cosby's brief, dismissive address at his own graduation", "Frames mortality and the body's biological urge as the opening provocation", "Argues that accepting internal contradiction is how one earns identity", "Claims understanding and even losing a debate fosters real growth", "Asserts everyone is connected and inevitably changes the world simply by living" ], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "dominican-university-2010-julia-keller", "accession": "2010.008", "speaker": "Julia Keller", "speakerSlug": "julia-keller", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Dominican University", "institutionSlug": "dominican-university", "year": 2010, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/dominican-university/2010/julia-keller", "path": "/dominican-university/2010/julia-keller", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0084-kellert.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0084-kellert.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "sarah-lawrence-college-2010-julianna-margulies", "accession": "2010.017", "speaker": "Julianna Margulies", "speakerSlug": "julianna-margulies", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Sarah Lawrence College", "institutionSlug": "sarah-lawrence-college", "year": 2010, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/sarah-lawrence-college/2010/julianna-margulies", "path": "/sarah-lawrence-college/2010/julianna-margulies", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0070-margulies.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://www.sarahlawrence.edu/news-events/commencement/", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puPWM64gg2w", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "los-angeles-trade-technical-college-2015-kanye-west", "accession": "2015.005", "speaker": "Kanye West", "speakerSlug": "kanye-west", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Los Angeles Trade Technical College", "institutionSlug": "los-angeles-trade-technical-college", "year": 2015, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/los-angeles-trade-technical-college/2015/kanye-west", "path": "/los-angeles-trade-technical-college/2015/kanye-west", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/kanye-west-los-angeles-trade-technical-college-2015/", "transcriptUrl": "https://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/kanye-west-los-angeles-trade-technical-college-2015/", "transcriptStatus": "Video link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "None (landing page)", "sourceAuthority": "Reputable news", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMqlXJNNQ5o", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "central-european-university-2011-kati-marton", "accession": "2011.006", "speaker": "Kati Marton", "speakerSlug": "kati-marton", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Central European University", "institutionSlug": "central-european-university", "year": 2011, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/central-european-university/2011/kati-marton", "path": "/central-european-university/2011/kati-marton", "officialUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2011/central-european-university/kati-marton", "transcriptUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2011/central-european-university/kati-marton", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9Mt_EV_JpM", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "williams-college-2007-katie-couric", "accession": "2007.020", "speaker": "Katie Couric", "speakerSlug": "katie-couric", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Williams College", "institutionSlug": "williams-college", "year": 2007, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/williams-college/2007/katie-couric", "path": "/williams-college/2007/katie-couric", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0029-couric.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0029-couric.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "american-university-2014-katie-couric", "accession": "2014.001", "speaker": "Katie Couric", "speakerSlug": "katie-couric", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "American University", "institutionSlug": "american-university", "year": 2014, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/american-university/2014/katie-couric", "path": "/american-university/2014/katie-couric", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/katie-couric-american-university-2014/", "transcriptUrl": "https://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/katie-couric-american-university-2014/", "transcriptStatus": "Video link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "None (landing page)", "sourceAuthority": "Reputable news", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3wgqedSbYg", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "georgetown-university-2006-ken-burns", "accession": "2006.005", "speaker": "Ken Burns", "speakerSlug": "ken-burns", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Georgetown University", "institutionSlug": "georgetown-university", "year": 2006, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/georgetown-university/2006/ken-burns", "path": "/georgetown-university/2006/ken-burns", "officialUrl": "http://www.humanity.org/voices/commencements/ken-burns-georgetown-university-speech-2006", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.humanity.org/voices/commencements/ken-burns-georgetown-university-speech-2006", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "san-francisco-state-university-2010-kirk-schneider", "accession": "2010.016", "speaker": "Kirk Schneider", "speakerSlug": "kirk-schneider", "role": null, "institution": "San Francisco State University", "institutionSlug": "san-francisco-state-university", "year": 2010, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/san-francisco-state-university/2010/kirk-schneider", "path": "/san-francisco-state-university/2010/kirk-schneider", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0092-schneider.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/awakening-to-awe/201103/thoughts-on-an-awe-inspiring-career-in-counseling", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Curiosity & Learning", "slug": "curiosity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/curiosity" }, { "name": "Resilience", "slug": "resilience", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/resilience" }, { "name": "Mortality & Time", "slug": "mortality", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/mortality" }, { "name": "Kindness & Empathy", "slug": "kindness", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/kindness" }, { "name": "Identity & Authenticity", "slug": "identity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/identity" } ], "summary": "Psychologist Kirk Schneider addresses the 2010 Master's in Counseling class at San Francisco State University, drawing on personal experiences—including discouragement from an early adviser and the death of his brother—to argue for an awe-centered, present approach to counseling. He encourages graduates to be 'awe-advocacy' agents who relate to clients as whole human beings, citing research on contextual factors such as empathy, alliance, and presence as central to effective therapy. He closes by reciting Oriah Mountain Dreamer's poem 'The Invitation' and urging graduates to live and embody the work personally.", "keyMoments": [ "Recounts being discouraged from psychology by an adviser and later returning as a lecturer", "Tells the Taoist tale of the Chinese farmer to illustrate openness to mystery", "Distinguishes 'social adjustment agents' from 'awe-advocacy' agents and cites research on contextual factors", "Shares his brother's death and the analyst's 'presence' that helped him as a child", "Recites Oriah Mountain Dreamer's poem 'The Invitation'" ], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "penn-state-2005-kofi-annan", "accession": "2005.007", "speaker": "Kofi Annan", "speakerSlug": "kofi-annan", "role": "Field: politics", "institution": "Penn State", "institutionSlug": "penn-state", "year": 2005, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/penn-state/2005/kofi-annan", "path": "/penn-state/2005/kofi-annan", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/kofi-annan-penn-state-2005/", "transcriptUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2005/2005/kofi-annan", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2005/2005/kofi-annan", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-california-berkeley-2007-larry-bock", "accession": "2007.016", "speaker": "Larry Bock", "speakerSlug": "larry-bock", "role": "Field: business", "institution": "University of California, Berkeley", "institutionSlug": "university-of-california-berkeley", "year": 2007, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-california-berkeley/2007/larry-bock", "path": "/university-of-california-berkeley/2007/larry-bock", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0034-bock.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://chemistry.berkeley.edu/commencement/address/2007_address.php", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "boston-university-2008-larry-lucchino", "accession": "2008.003", "speaker": "Larry Lucchino", "speakerSlug": "larry-lucchino", "role": "Field: business", "institution": "Boston University", "institutionSlug": "boston-university", "year": 2008, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/boston-university/2008/larry-lucchino", "path": "/boston-university/2008/larry-lucchino", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0032-lucchino.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://www.bu.edu/prsocial/", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-michigan-2009-larry-page", "accession": "2009.019", "speaker": "Larry Page", "speakerSlug": "larry-page", "role": "Field: tech", "institution": "University of Michigan", "institutionSlug": "university-of-michigan", "year": 2009, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-michigan/2009/larry-page", "path": "/university-of-michigan/2009/larry-page", "officialUrl": "http://googlepress.blogspot.com/2009/05/larry-pages-university-of-michigan.html", "transcriptUrl": "http://googlepress.blogspot.com/2009/05/larry-pages-university-of-michigan.html", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFb2rvmrahc", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Courage", "slug": "courage", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/courage" }, { "name": "Love & Relationships", "slug": "love", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/love" }, { "name": "Mortality & Time", "slug": "mortality", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/mortality" }, { "name": "Global Responsibility", "slug": "global-responsibility", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/global-responsibility" }, { "name": "Hope & Optimism", "slug": "hope", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/hope" } ], "summary": "Larry Page recounts his deep family ties to the University of Michigan, where his parents met and where multiple family members earned degrees, framing the address as a personal homecoming. He shares the origin of the idea behind Google, born from a late-night dream, and encourages graduates to pursue ambitious goals with a 'healthy disregard for the impossible.' He closes by reflecting on his father's death and battle with polio, urging graduates to value family and pursue work that could make a difference in the world.", "keyMoments": [ "Personal story of his parents meeting in a Michigan co-op and his family's degrees there", "The late-night dream at age 23 that led to downloading the web and founding Google", "Encouragement to pursue mega-ambitious goals and 'work hard on something uncomfortably exciting'", "Tribute to his father, who had polio, and a call to help eradicate the disease" ], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "florida-state-university-2012-lee-corso", "accession": "2012.006", "speaker": "Lee Corso", "speakerSlug": "lee-corso", "role": null, "institution": "Florida State University", "institutionSlug": "florida-state-university", "year": 2012, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/florida-state-university/2012/lee-corso", "path": "/florida-state-university/2012/lee-corso", "officialUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2012/florida-state-university/lee-corso", "transcriptUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2012/florida-state-university/lee-corso", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0qJl9wJEwA", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-california-san-diego-2013-lewis-black", "accession": "2013.019", "speaker": "Lewis Black", "speakerSlug": "lewis-black", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "University of California, San Diego", "institutionSlug": "university-of-california-san-diego", "year": 2013, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-california-san-diego/2013/lewis-black", "path": "/university-of-california-san-diego/2013/lewis-black", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0134-Comedian-Lewis-Black-Advises-Graduates-to-Keep-A-Sense-Of-Humor-In-Commencement-Speech-2013.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0134-Comedian-Lewis-Black-Advises-Graduates-to-Keep-A-Sense-Of-Humor-In-Commencement-Speech-2013.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCP8OHq7w4Q", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "st-john-8217-s-college-2003-lewis-lapham", "accession": "2003.007", "speaker": "Lewis Lapham", "speakerSlug": "lewis-lapham", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "St. John’s College", "institutionSlug": "st-john-and-8217-s-college", "year": 2003, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/st-john-and-8217-s-college/2003/lewis-lapham", "path": "/st-john-and-8217-s-college/2003/lewis-lapham", "officialUrl": "http://www.humanity.org/voices/commencements/lewis-lapham-st.johns-college-speech-2003", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.humanity.org/voices/commencements/lewis-lapham-st.johns-college-speech-2003", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "vassar-college-2010-lisa-kudrow", "accession": "2010.028", "speaker": "Lisa Kudrow", "speakerSlug": "lisa-kudrow", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Vassar College", "institutionSlug": "vassar-college", "year": 2010, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/vassar-college/2010/lisa-kudrow", "path": "/vassar-college/2010/lisa-kudrow", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/lisa-kudrow-vassar-college-2010/", "transcriptUrl": "https://www.vassar.edu/commencement", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLkUoeMNeeY", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "connecticut-college-2012-louis-b-susman", "accession": "2012.004", "speaker": "Louis B. Susman", "speakerSlug": "louis-b-susman", "role": "Field: politics", "institution": "Connecticut College", "institutionSlug": "connecticut-college", "year": 2012, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/connecticut-college/2012/louis-b-susman", "path": "/connecticut-college/2012/louis-b-susman", "officialUrl": "https://www.conncoll.edu/events/commencement/past-commencement-speakers/", "transcriptUrl": "https://digitalcommons.conncoll.edu/commence/28/", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "wellesley-college-2010-lynn-sherr", "accession": "2010.030", "speaker": "Lynn Sherr", "speakerSlug": "lynn-sherr", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Wellesley College", "institutionSlug": "wellesley-college", "year": 2010, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/wellesley-college/2010/lynn-sherr", "path": "/wellesley-college/2010/lynn-sherr", "officialUrl": "http://www.humanity.org/voices/commencements/lynn-sherr-wellesley-college-speech-2010", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.humanity.org/voices/commencements/lynn-sherr-wellesley-college-speech-2010", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "wellesley-college-2007-madeleine-albright", "accession": "2007.018", "speaker": "Madeleine Albright", "speakerSlug": "madeleine-albright", "role": "Field: politics", "institution": "Wellesley College", "institutionSlug": "wellesley-college", "year": 2007, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/wellesley-college/2007/madeleine-albright", "path": "/wellesley-college/2007/madeleine-albright", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0114-albright-commencement-address-inspirational-words.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0114-albright-commencement-address-inspirational-words.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeOEfiMQQC4", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "belhaven-university-2011-makoto-fujimura", "accession": "2011.004", "speaker": "Makoto Fujimura", "speakerSlug": "makoto-fujimura", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Belhaven University", "institutionSlug": "belhaven-university", "year": 2011, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/belhaven-university/2011/makoto-fujimura", "path": "/belhaven-university/2011/makoto-fujimura", "officialUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2011/belhaven-university/makoto-fujimura", "transcriptUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2011/belhaven-university/makoto-fujimura", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eU0xhfTQZI", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "montgomery-college-2006-margaret-spellings", "accession": "2006.010", "speaker": "Margaret Spellings", "speakerSlug": "margaret-spellings", "role": "Field: politics", "institution": "Montgomery College", "institutionSlug": "montgomery-college", "year": 2006, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/montgomery-college/2006/margaret-spellings", "path": "/montgomery-college/2006/margaret-spellings", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0016-spellings.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0016-spellings.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "usc-annenberg-school-for-communication-and-journalism-2012-maria-shriver", "accession": "2012.032", "speaker": "Maria Shriver", "speakerSlug": "maria-shriver", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism", "institutionSlug": "usc-annenberg-school-for-communication-and-journalism", "year": 2012, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/usc-annenberg-school-for-communication-and-journalism/2012/maria-shriver", "path": "/usc-annenberg-school-for-communication-and-journalism/2012/maria-shriver", "officialUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2012/usc-annenberg/maria-shriver", "transcriptUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2012/usc-annenberg/maria-shriver", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5xLcLIlXqU", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "massachusetts-school-of-law-2006-marian-fontana", "accession": "2006.009", "speaker": "Marian Fontana", "speakerSlug": "marian-fontana", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Massachusetts School of Law", "institutionSlug": "massachusetts-school-of-law", "year": 2006, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/massachusetts-school-of-law/2006/marian-fontana", "path": "/massachusetts-school-of-law/2006/marian-fontana", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0097-fontana.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0097-fontana.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "illinois-institute-of-technology-2009-marissa-mayer", "accession": "2009.008", "speaker": "Marissa Mayer", "speakerSlug": "marissa-mayer", "role": "Field: business", "institution": "Illinois Institute of Technology", "institutionSlug": "illinois-institute-of-technology", "year": 2009, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/illinois-institute-of-technology/2009/marissa-mayer", "path": "/illinois-institute-of-technology/2009/marissa-mayer", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0038-mayers.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://oceantogames.com/", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaKoMCujc2k", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-texas-austin-2000-mark-s-lewis", "accession": "2000.008", "speaker": "Mark S. Lewis", "speakerSlug": "mark-s-lewis", "role": null, "institution": "University of Texas, Austin", "institutionSlug": "university-of-texas-austin", "year": 2000, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-texas-austin/2000/mark-s-lewis", "path": "/university-of-texas-austin/2000/mark-s-lewis", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/archive/archive000.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/archive/archive000.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "wilkes-university-2007-marlee-matlin", "accession": "2007.019", "speaker": "Marlee Matlin", "speakerSlug": "marlee-matlin", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Wilkes University", "institutionSlug": "wilkes-university", "year": 2007, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/wilkes-university/2007/marlee-matlin", "path": "/wilkes-university/2007/marlee-matlin", "officialUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2007/wilkes-university/marlee-matlin", "transcriptUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2007/wilkes-university/marlee-matlin", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8B_MoOcAHTM", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "connecticut-college-2009-martha-nussbaum", "accession": "2009.005", "speaker": "Martha Nussbaum", "speakerSlug": "martha-nussbaum", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Connecticut College", "institutionSlug": "connecticut-college", "year": 2009, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/connecticut-college/2009/martha-nussbaum", "path": "/connecticut-college/2009/martha-nussbaum", "officialUrl": "https://www.conncoll.edu/events/commencement/past-commencement-speakers/", "transcriptUrl": "https://digitalcommons.conncoll.edu/commence/18/", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "eastern-mennonite-university-2004-martin-marty", "accession": "2004.005", "speaker": "Martin Marty", "speakerSlug": "martin-marty", "role": null, "institution": "Eastern Mennonite University", "institutionSlug": "eastern-mennonite-university", "year": 2004, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/eastern-mennonite-university/2004/martin-marty", "path": "/eastern-mennonite-university/2004/martin-marty", "officialUrl": "http://books.google.com/books?id=4f0xBB8sBusC&lpg=PA15&dq=graduation%20speeches&pg=PA5#v=onepage&q=graduation%20speeches&f=false", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.onbeing.org/program/america039s-changing-religious-landscape-conversation-martin-marty/feature/disponsibilit%26eacute%3B", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "new-york-university-tisch-school-of-the-arts-2014-martin-scorsese", "accession": "2014.016", "speaker": "Martin Scorsese", "speakerSlug": "martin-scorsese", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "New York University Tisch School of the Arts", "institutionSlug": "new-york-university-tisch-school-of-the-arts", "year": 2014, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/new-york-university-tisch-school-of-the-arts/2014/martin-scorsese", "path": "/new-york-university-tisch-school-of-the-arts/2014/martin-scorsese", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/martin-scorsese-new-york-university-tisch-school-of-the-arts-2014/", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0163-Martin-Scorsese-Graduation-Speech-Video-2014.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://vimeo.com/106196480", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "northwest-institute-of-literary-arts-2008-marvin-bell", "accession": "2008.015", "speaker": "Marvin Bell", "speakerSlug": "marvin-bell", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Northwest Institute of Literary Arts", "institutionSlug": "northwest-institute-of-literary-arts", "year": 2008, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/northwest-institute-of-literary-arts/2008/marvin-bell", "path": "/northwest-institute-of-literary-arts/2008/marvin-bell", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/marvin-bell-northwest-institute-of-literary-arts-2008/", "transcriptUrl": "http://whidbeystudents.com/about/2008-commencement-address/", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-michigan-2014-mary-barra", "accession": "2014.023", "speaker": "Mary Barra", "speakerSlug": "mary-barra", "role": "Field: business", "institution": "University of Michigan", "institutionSlug": "university-of-michigan", "year": 2014, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-michigan/2014/mary-barra", "path": "/university-of-michigan/2014/mary-barra", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/mary-barra-university-of-michigan-2014/", "transcriptUrl": "http://gmauthority.com/blog/2014/05/read-gm-ceo-mary-barras-commencement-speech-here/", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FCZWPzmnNc", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Work & Ambition", "slug": "work", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/work" }, { "name": "Leadership & Integrity", "slug": "leadership", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/leadership" }, { "name": "Love & Relationships", "slug": "love", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/love" }, { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Resilience", "slug": "resilience", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/resilience" } ], "summary": "GM CEO Mary Barra addresses the University of Michigan Class of 2014, opening with humor about Millennial-generation stereotypes and noting that core skills learned at school remain essential but insufficient alone. She offers six life lessons drawn from her own career: pursue work with passion and hard work, act with integrity, build relationships, address challenges head on, give back to others, and stay close to friends, family, and faith. She encourages graduates to remain open to unexpected opportunities throughout their lives.", "keyMoments": [ "Humorous reflections on the Millennial Generation and its stereotypes", "Six lessons including passion, integrity, and building relationships", "The bathtub anecdote illustrating addressing challenges head on", "Closing emphasis on family, friends, faith, and embracing opportunities" ], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "syracuse-university-2015-mary-karr", "accession": "2015.008", "speaker": "Mary Karr", "speakerSlug": "mary-karr", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Syracuse University", "institutionSlug": "syracuse-university", "year": 2015, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/syracuse-university/2015/mary-karr", "path": "/syracuse-university/2015/mary-karr", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/mary-karr-syracuse-university-2015/", "transcriptUrl": "https://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/mary-karr-syracuse-university-2015/", "transcriptStatus": "Video link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "None (landing page)", "sourceAuthority": "Reputable news", "videoUrl": "https://vimeo.com/127421353", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "tulane-university-2015-maya-rudolph", "accession": "2015.009", "speaker": "Maya Rudolph", "speakerSlug": "maya-rudolph", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Tulane University", "institutionSlug": "tulane-university", "year": 2015, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/tulane-university/2015/maya-rudolph", "path": "/tulane-university/2015/maya-rudolph", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/maya-rudolph-tulane-university-2015/", "transcriptUrl": "http://time.com/3883091/maya-rudolph-tulane-university-graduation-speech/", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Reputable news", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPzL42x0LAg", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "west-chester-university-of-pennsylvania-2011-mehmet-oz", "accession": "2011.036", "speaker": "Mehmet Oz", "speakerSlug": "mehmet-oz", "role": null, "institution": "West Chester University of Pennsylvania", "institutionSlug": "west-chester-university-of-pennsylvania", "year": 2011, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/west-chester-university-of-pennsylvania/2011/mehmet-oz", "path": "/west-chester-university-of-pennsylvania/2011/mehmet-oz", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0087-oz.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0087-oz.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MS2QuJ8ZBEY", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "wellesley-college-2012-melissa-harris-perry", "accession": "2012.033", "speaker": "Melissa Harris-Perry", "speakerSlug": "melissa-harris-perry", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Wellesley College", "institutionSlug": "wellesley-college", "year": 2012, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/wellesley-college/2012/melissa-harris-perry", "path": "/wellesley-college/2012/melissa-harris-perry", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0113-harris-perry-best-pieces-of-commencement-advice.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0113-harris-perry-best-pieces-of-commencement-advice.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JO4mepx-7vU", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "tufts-university-2008-meredith-vieira", "accession": "2008.019", "speaker": "Meredith Vieira", "speakerSlug": "meredith-vieira", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Tufts University", "institutionSlug": "tufts-university", "year": 2008, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/tufts-university/2008/meredith-vieira", "path": "/tufts-university/2008/meredith-vieira", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0046-vieira.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0046-vieira.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hVsUWXqWY8", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "barnard-college-2010-meryl-streep", "accession": "2010.002", "speaker": "Meryl Streep", "speakerSlug": "meryl-streep", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Barnard College", "institutionSlug": "barnard-college", "year": 2010, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/barnard-college/2010/meryl-streep", "path": "/barnard-college/2010/meryl-streep", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/meryl-streep-barnard-college-2010/", "transcriptUrl": "https://www.huffpost.com/entry/meryl-streep-barnard-grad_n_580335", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-a8QXUAe2g", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Identity & Authenticity", "slug": "identity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/identity" }, { "name": "Social Justice & Equality", "slug": "social-justice", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/social-justice" }, { "name": "Kindness & Empathy", "slug": "kindness", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/kindness" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Global Responsibility", "slug": "global-responsibility", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/global-responsibility" }, { "name": "Gratitude & Humility", "slug": "gratitude", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/gratitude" } ], "summary": "Meryl Streep addresses Barnard's class of 2010, using her acting career to reflect on pretending, empathy, and authenticity. She recounts how she once adjusted her personality in high school to appeal to boys before rediscovering herself at women's college, and argues that empathy lies at the heart of acting and of social change. She observes that men are increasingly able to identify with strong female characters, sees this as cultural progress, and urges the graduates to address gender inequality and other global issues, concluding that fame matters less than making one's family proud.", "keyMoments": [ "Childhood and high school memories of first acting and 'pretending' to be appealing", "Rediscovering her real self at a single-sex college among supportive friends", "Contrast between male audiences relating to Linda in 'The Deer Hunter' versus Miranda Priestly", "Argument that empathy drives both acting and broader cultural and gender change", "Reflection that fame separates you from reality while purpose comes from empathy and loved ones" ], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-north-carolina-2012-michael-bloomberg", "accession": "2012.030", "speaker": "Michael Bloomberg", "speakerSlug": "michael-bloomberg", "role": "Field: politics", "institution": "University of North Carolina", "institutionSlug": "university-of-north-carolina", "year": 2012, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-north-carolina/2012/michael-bloomberg", "path": "/university-of-north-carolina/2012/michael-bloomberg", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/michael-bloomberg-university-of-north-carolina-2012/", "transcriptUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2012/university-of-north-carolina/michael-bloomberg", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2012/university-of-north-carolina/michael-bloomberg", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-texas-austin-2003-michael-dell", "accession": "2003.012", "speaker": "Michael Dell", "speakerSlug": "michael-dell", "role": "Field: business", "institution": "University of Texas, Austin", "institutionSlug": "university-of-texas-austin", "year": 2003, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-texas-austin/2003/michael-dell", "path": "/university-of-texas-austin/2003/michael-dell", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0048-dell.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0048-dell.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "niagara-university-2006-michael-ignatieff", "accession": "2006.011", "speaker": "Michael Ignatieff", "speakerSlug": "michael-ignatieff", "role": null, "institution": "Niagara University", "institutionSlug": "niagara-university", "year": 2006, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/niagara-university/2006/michael-ignatieff", "path": "/niagara-university/2006/michael-ignatieff", "officialUrl": "http://www.niagara.edu/speeches/", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.niagara.edu/speeches/", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-california-los-angeles-2012-michael-j-burry", "accession": "2012.023", "speaker": "Michael J. Burry", "speakerSlug": "michael-j-burry", "role": null, "institution": "University of California, Los Angeles", "institutionSlug": "university-of-california-los-angeles", "year": 2012, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-california-los-angeles/2012/michael-j-burry", "path": "/university-of-california-los-angeles/2012/michael-j-burry", "officialUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CLhqjOzoyE", "transcriptUrl": "https://www.gurufocus.com/news/215514/text-of-dr-michael-burrys-2012-ucla-commencement-speech", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CLhqjOzoyE", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "princeton-university-2012-michael-lewis", "accession": "2012.016", "speaker": "Michael Lewis", "speakerSlug": "michael-lewis", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Princeton University", "institutionSlug": "princeton-university", "year": 2012, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/princeton-university/2012/michael-lewis", "path": "/princeton-university/2012/michael-lewis", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0109-lewis-michael-great-commencement-addresss-2012-Princeton.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://www.princeton.edu/news/2012/06/03/princeton-universitys-2012-baccalaureate-remarks", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiQ_T5C3hIM", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Gratitude & Humility", "slug": "gratitude", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/gratitude" }, { "name": "Purpose & Meaning", "slug": "purpose", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/purpose" }, { "name": "Public Service & Civic Life", "slug": "public-service", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/public-service" }, { "name": "Work & Ambition", "slug": "work", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/work" }, { "name": "Social Justice & Equality", "slug": "social-justice", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/social-justice" } ], "summary": "Michael Lewis recounts his unlikely path from Princeton art-history major to Wall Street employee to best-selling author, arguing that luck, more than merit, shaped his success. Drawing on his book 'Moneyball' and a cookie experiment from Berkeley, he contends that successful people rationalize away the role of accident in their lives. He urges graduates to recognize their good fortune and the obligation it creates toward the less lucky.", "keyMoments": [ "Describes his thesis adviser warning him never to make a living from writing", "Explains how a chance dinner seating led to his job at Salomon Brothers and 'Liar's Poker'", "Uses 'Moneyball' to show how luck is undervalued even in meritocratic sports", "Recounts the cookie experiment where arbitrarily chosen leaders took the extra cookie", "Tells graduates they are the lucky few and owe a debt to the unlucky" ], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "brandeis-university-2010-michael-oren", "accession": "2010.003", "speaker": "Michael Oren", "speakerSlug": "michael-oren", "role": "Field: politics", "institution": "Brandeis University", "institutionSlug": "brandeis-university", "year": 2010, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/brandeis-university/2010/michael-oren", "path": "/brandeis-university/2010/michael-oren", "officialUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2010/brandeis-university/michael-oren", "transcriptUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2010/brandeis-university/michael-oren", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhr0gdHTOo4", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "indiana-university-2006-michael-uslan", "accession": "2006.006", "speaker": "Michael Uslan", "speakerSlug": "michael-uslan", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Indiana University", "institutionSlug": "indiana-university", "year": 2006, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/indiana-university/2006/michael-uslan", "path": "/indiana-university/2006/michael-uslan", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0018-uslan.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0018-uslan.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "spelman-college-2011-michelle-obama", "accession": "2011.026", "speaker": "Michelle Obama", "speakerSlug": "michelle-obama", "role": "Field: politics", "institution": "Spelman College", "institutionSlug": "spelman-college", "year": 2011, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/spelman-college/2011/michelle-obama", "path": "/spelman-college/2011/michelle-obama", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/michelle-obama-spelman-college-2011/", "transcriptUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2011/spelman-college/michelle-obama", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2011/spelman-college/michelle-obama", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "dillard-university-2014-michelle-obama", "accession": "2014.008", "speaker": "Michelle Obama", "speakerSlug": "michelle-obama", "role": "Field: politics", "institution": "Dillard University", "institutionSlug": "dillard-university", "year": 2014, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/dillard-university/2014/michelle-obama", "path": "/dillard-university/2014/michelle-obama", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/michelle-obama-dillard-university-2014/", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/05/10/remarks-first-lady-commencement-address-dillard-university", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Government archive", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABdv_hrZKmA", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "review-gov" }, { "id": "university-of-california-san-diego-2009-mike-judge", "accession": "2009.015", "speaker": "Mike Judge", "speakerSlug": "mike-judge", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "University of California, San Diego", "institutionSlug": "university-of-california-san-diego", "year": 2009, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-california-san-diego/2009/mike-judge", "path": "/university-of-california-san-diego/2009/mike-judge", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0119-actor-mike-judge-2009-funny-commencement-address.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://today.ucsd.edu:443/", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylnMb6niDJ0", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "saint-vincent-college-2008-mike-tomlin", "accession": "2008.016", "speaker": "Mike Tomlin", "speakerSlug": "mike-tomlin", "role": null, "institution": "Saint Vincent College", "institutionSlug": "saint-vincent-college", "year": 2008, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/saint-vincent-college/2008/mike-tomlin", "path": "/saint-vincent-college/2008/mike-tomlin", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0056-tomlin.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.wm.edu/news/announcements/archive/2008/keynote-2008-commencement-remarks-by-mike-tomlin.php", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAp5eVHI_IY", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "harvard-law-school-2014-mindy-kaling", "accession": "2014.010", "speaker": "Mindy Kaling", "speakerSlug": "mindy-kaling", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Harvard Law School", "institutionSlug": "harvard-law-school", "year": 2014, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/harvard-law-school/2014/mindy-kaling", "path": "/harvard-law-school/2014/mindy-kaling", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/mindy-kaling-harvard-law-school-2014/", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0165-Mindy-Kaling-Commencement-Speech-Video-2014.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "harvard-university-2015-natalie-portman", "accession": "2015.003", "speaker": "Natalie Portman", "speakerSlug": "natalie-portman", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Harvard University", "institutionSlug": "harvard-university", "year": 2015, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/harvard-university/2015/natalie-portman", "path": "/harvard-university/2015/natalie-portman", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/natalie-portman-harvard-university-2015/", "transcriptUrl": "https://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/natalie-portman-harvard-university-2015/", "transcriptStatus": "Video link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "None (landing page)", "sourceAuthority": "Reputable news", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDaZu_KEMCY", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "the-university-of-the-arts-2012-neil-gaiman", "accession": "2012.021", "speaker": "Neil Gaiman", "speakerSlug": "neil-gaiman", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "The University of the Arts", "institutionSlug": "the-university-of-the-arts", "year": 2012, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/the-university-of-the-arts/2012/neil-gaiman", "path": "/the-university-of-the-arts/2012/neil-gaiman", "officialUrl": "http://uarts.edu/neil-gaiman-keynote-address-2012", "transcriptUrl": "https://vimeo.com/42372767", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "http://vimeo.com/42372767", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-mary-washington-2012-neil-howe", "accession": "2012.027", "speaker": "Neil Howe", "speakerSlug": "neil-howe", "role": null, "institution": "University of Mary Washington", "institutionSlug": "university-of-mary-washington", "year": 2012, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-mary-washington/2012/neil-howe", "path": "/university-of-mary-washington/2012/neil-howe", "officialUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2012/university-of-mary-washington/neil-howe", "transcriptUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2012/university-of-mary-washington/neil-howe", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "rice-university-2013-neil-degrasse-tyson", "accession": "2013.012", "speaker": "Neil deGrasse Tyson", "speakerSlug": "neil-degrasse-tyson", "role": null, "institution": "Rice University", "institutionSlug": "rice-university", "year": 2013, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/rice-university/2013/neil-degrasse-tyson", "path": "/rice-university/2013/neil-degrasse-tyson", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/neil-degrasse-tyson-rice-university-2013/", "transcriptUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2012/2012/dr-neil-degrasse-tyson", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x6ymwJHYSk", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-massachusetts-amherst-2015-neil-degrasse-tyson", "accession": "2015.010", "speaker": "Neil deGrasse Tyson", "speakerSlug": "neil-degrasse-tyson", "role": "Field: science", "institution": "University of Massachusetts, Amherst", "institutionSlug": "university-of-massachusetts-amherst", "year": 2015, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-massachusetts-amherst/2015/neil-degrasse-tyson", "path": "/university-of-massachusetts-amherst/2015/neil-degrasse-tyson", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/neil-degrasse-tyson-university-of-massachusetts-amherst-2015/", "transcriptUrl": "https://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/neil-degrasse-tyson-university-of-massachusetts-amherst-2015/", "transcriptStatus": "Video link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "None (landing page)", "sourceAuthority": "Reputable news", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yq8r2gtSp5c", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "wesleyan-university-2004-njabulo-s-ndebele", "accession": "2004.017", "speaker": "Njabulo S. Ndebele", "speakerSlug": "njabulo-s-ndebele", "role": null, "institution": "Wesleyan University", "institutionSlug": "wesleyan-university", "year": 2004, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/wesleyan-university/2004/njabulo-s-ndebele", "path": "/wesleyan-university/2004/njabulo-s-ndebele", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/njabulo-s-ndebele-wesleyan-university-2004/", "transcriptUrl": "https://www.njabulondebele.co.za/publications_and_speeches/speeches/", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "san-jose-state-university-2007-omid-kordestani", "accession": "2007.011", "speaker": "Omid Kordestani", "speakerSlug": "omid-kordestani", "role": "Field: tech", "institution": "San Jose State University", "institutionSlug": "san-jose-state-university", "year": 2007, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/san-jose-state-university/2007/omid-kordestani", "path": "/san-jose-state-university/2007/omid-kordestani", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0077-kordestani.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2007/2007/omid-kordestan", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJer30-Lj2s", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "howard-university-2007-oprah-winfrey", "accession": "2007.004", "speaker": "Oprah Winfrey", "speakerSlug": "oprah-winfrey", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Howard University", "institutionSlug": "howard-university", "year": 2007, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/howard-university/2007/oprah-winfrey", "path": "/howard-university/2007/oprah-winfrey", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0024-winfrey.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0024-winfrey.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcd6i5U4tEY", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "stanford-university-2004-paul-glaser", "accession": "2004.010", "speaker": "Paul Glaser", "speakerSlug": "paul-glaser", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Stanford University", "institutionSlug": "stanford-university", "year": 2004, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/stanford-university/2004/paul-glaser", "path": "/stanford-university/2004/paul-glaser", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0023-glaser.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://paulmichaelglaser.org/stanford_commencement.html", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [ { "name": "Courage", "slug": "courage", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/courage" }, { "name": "Mortality & Time", "slug": "mortality", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/mortality" }, { "name": "Love & Relationships", "slug": "love", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/love" }, { "name": "Creativity", "slug": "creativity", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/creativity" }, { "name": "Resilience", "slug": "resilience", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/resilience" }, { "name": "Global Responsibility", "slug": "global-responsibility", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/theme/global-responsibility" } ], "summary": "Paul Michael Glaser, honorary chair of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, addresses Stanford medical graduates by reflecting on his own lack of medical training, his career in acting and directing, and his experience losing his wife and daughter to AIDS. He argues that acknowledging fear and vulnerability is the path to compassion, creativity, and connection, urging the graduates to surrender the illusion of control. He frames good medicine and research as acts of listening, collaboration, and recognizing common humanity, while critiquing global inequality and what he sees as fear-driven control in society and politics.", "keyMoments": [ "Recalls his own academic struggles and playing a doctor on a soap opera", "Describes creativity as requiring a loss of control and faith", "Reflects on losing his wife and daughter to AIDS and the choice between victimhood and growth", "Argues that experiencing fear is necessary to find love and compassion", "Calls on doctors and researchers to listen, collaborate, and recognize shared humanity" ], "infographicUrl": "https://commencementarchive.com/infographics/stanford-university-2004-paul-glaser-complete.png", "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-portland-2009-paul-hawken", "accession": "2009.020", "speaker": "Paul Hawken", "speakerSlug": "paul-hawken", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "University of Portland", "institutionSlug": "university-of-portland", "year": 2009, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-portland/2009/paul-hawken", "path": "/university-of-portland/2009/paul-hawken", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0036-hawken.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://culturechange.org/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=426&Itemid=1", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": "Paul Hawken tells the University of Portland's Class of 2009 that they are entering a world where every living system is in decline, and challenges them to help build a new way of living on earth. He argues that a vast, largely invisible global movement of ordinary people and organizations is working to restore the planet and aid the poor, tracing its roots to the abolitionists who first organized on behalf of strangers. He contrasts an economy that 'steals' the future through exploitation with one that 'heals' it through restoration, and urges graduates to be hopeful and act despite seemingly impossible odds.", "keyMoments": [ "Declaration that 'you are brilliant, and the earth is hiring'", "Both pessimism (from the science) and optimism (from the people restoring the earth) are justified", "Abolitionists as the first movement to defend the rights of strangers", "Distinction between an economy that heals the future versus one that steals it", "Reflection on the body's cellular complexity and humanity's interconnectedness" ], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "bennington-college-2012-peter-dinklage", "accession": "2012.002", "speaker": "Peter Dinklage", "speakerSlug": "peter-dinklage", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Bennington College", "institutionSlug": "bennington-college", "year": 2012, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/bennington-college/2012/peter-dinklage", "path": "/bennington-college/2012/peter-dinklage", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0112-dinklage-inspirational-and- -commencement-graduation-speech.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/peter-dinklage-bennington-college-2012/", "transcriptStatus": "Video link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "None (landing page)", "sourceAuthority": "Reputable news", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuEfEv0OlsY", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "hofstra-university-2011-phil-rosenthal", "accession": "2011.014", "speaker": "Phil Rosenthal", "speakerSlug": "phil-rosenthal", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Hofstra University", "institutionSlug": "hofstra-university", "year": 2011, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/hofstra-university/2011/phil-rosenthal", "path": "/hofstra-university/2011/phil-rosenthal", "officialUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2011/hofstra-university/phil-rosenthal", "transcriptUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2011/hofstra-university/phil-rosenthal", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFQBgt4MegM", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "desert-academy-2010-porochista-khakpour", "accession": "2010.006", "speaker": "Porochista Khakpour", "speakerSlug": "porochista-khakpour", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Desert Academy", "institutionSlug": "desert-academy", "year": 2010, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/desert-academy/2010/porochista-khakpour", "path": "/desert-academy/2010/porochista-khakpour", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0059-khakpour.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://colecoatingsworkshop.com/", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "smith-college-2010-rachel-maddow", "accession": "2010.019", "speaker": "Rachel Maddow", "speakerSlug": "rachel-maddow", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Smith College", "institutionSlug": "smith-college", "year": 2010, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/smith-college/2010/rachel-maddow", "path": "/smith-college/2010/rachel-maddow", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0068-maddow.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0068-maddow.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgQ_WQdTYb0", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "george-washington-university-2009-rahm-emanuel", "accession": "2009.007", "speaker": "Rahm Emanuel", "speakerSlug": "rahm-emanuel", "role": "Field: politics", "institution": "George Washington University", "institutionSlug": "george-washington-university", "year": 2009, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/george-washington-university/2009/rahm-emanuel", "path": "/george-washington-university/2009/rahm-emanuel", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0062-emanuel.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://blogs.gwhatchet.com/newsroom/2009/05/17/transcript-of-rahm-emanuels-commencement-address/", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXFfeLhr9VU", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": "Rahm Emanuel, then White House Chief of Staff, addresses the George Washington University Class of 2009 by sharing three personal lessons drawn from his own life: take life seriously, learn humility from failure, and serve a cause greater than oneself. He frames graduation amid economic crisis as both a responsibility and an opportunity, urging graduates to engage in public service. He cites rising applications to programs like Teach for America, the Peace Corps, and AmeriCorps, and references a newly signed national service bill.", "keyMoments": [ "Recounting a near-fatal infection as a teenager that taught him not to be reckless with life", "Describing his demotion in the Clinton White House as a lesson in humility and recovery from failure", "Invoking Abraham Lincoln as an example of overcoming setbacks", "Urging graduates to serve a cause bigger than themselves and enlist in national service" ], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "carnegie-mellon-university-2008-randy-pausch", "accession": "2008.004", "speaker": "Randy Pausch", "speakerSlug": "randy-pausch", "role": null, "institution": "Carnegie Mellon University", "institutionSlug": "carnegie-mellon-university", "year": 2008, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/carnegie-mellon-university/2008/randy-pausch", "path": "/carnegie-mellon-university/2008/randy-pausch", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0039-pausch.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2008/carnegie-mellon-university/professor-randy", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcYv5x6gZTA", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "caltech-2000-ray-bradbury", "accession": "2000.002", "speaker": "Ray Bradbury", "speakerSlug": "ray-bradbury", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Caltech", "institutionSlug": "caltech", "year": 2000, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/caltech/2000/ray-bradbury", "path": "/caltech/2000/ray-bradbury", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0111-bradbury-the-great-years-ahead-commencement-speech.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://radioactivehands.blogspot.com/2008/05/author-ray-bradburys-commencement.html", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": "Ray Bradbury recounts his early life of poverty, his decision to become a writer despite never attending college, and the formative moments that shaped his career, including resuming his Buck Rogers comic collection after critics discouraged him. He urges graduates to reject doubters, follow their passion, use the library, and embrace life with celebration. He emphasizes space travel as essential to humanity's immortality, encourages students to express love to their families, and frames their purpose as witnessing and celebrating the universe.", "keyMoments": [ "Childhood roller-skating encounter with W.C. Fields and growing up poor in the Depression", "Tearing up and reclaiming his Buck Rogers comics, learning not to listen to critics", "Selling The Martian Chronicles and writing Fahrenheit 451 on rented library typewriters", "Urging graduates to follow their passion and ignore people who don't believe in them", "Calling on young men to embrace their fathers and express love", "Arguing space travel matters for the immortality of the human race" ], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "edwin-o-smith-high-school-2007-ray-sidney", "accession": "2007.002", "speaker": "Ray Sidney", "speakerSlug": "ray-sidney", "role": "Field: business", "institution": "Edwin O. 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David O’Connell", "speakerSlug": "rev-david-o-and-8217-connell", "role": null, "institution": "Niagara University", "institutionSlug": "niagara-university", "year": 2008, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/niagara-university/2008/rev-david-o-and-8217-connell", "path": "/niagara-university/2008/rev-david-o-and-8217-connell", "officialUrl": "http://www.niagara.edu/speeches/", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.niagara.edu/speeches/", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "niagara-university-2007-rev-dennis-h-holtschneider", "accession": "2007.007", "speaker": "Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider", "speakerSlug": "rev-dennis-h-holtschneider", "role": null, "institution": "Niagara University", "institutionSlug": "niagara-university", "year": 2007, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/niagara-university/2007/rev-dennis-h-holtschneider", "path": "/niagara-university/2007/rev-dennis-h-holtschneider", "officialUrl": "http://www.niagara.edu/speeches/", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.niagara.edu/speeches/", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "niagara-university-2007-rev-joseph-l-levesque", "accession": "2007.008", "speaker": "Rev. 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"richard-costolo", "role": "Field: tech", "institution": "University of Michigan", "institutionSlug": "university-of-michigan", "year": 2013, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-michigan/2013/richard-costolo", "path": "/university-of-michigan/2013/richard-costolo", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0124-richard-costolo-Twitter-ceo-commencement-speech-2013-Michigan.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0124-richard-costolo-Twitter-ceo-commencement-speech-2013-Michigan.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqRPesTumlA", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "colby-college-2004-richard-russo", "accession": "2004.002", "speaker": "Richard Russo", "speakerSlug": "richard-russo", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Colby College", "institutionSlug": "colby-college", "year": 2004, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/colby-college/2004/richard-russo", "path": "/colby-college/2004/richard-russo", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0079-russo.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0079-russo.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "connecticut-college-2007-robert-ballard", "accession": "2007.001", "speaker": "Robert Ballard", "speakerSlug": "robert-ballard", "role": null, "institution": "Connecticut College", "institutionSlug": "connecticut-college", "year": 2007, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/connecticut-college/2007/robert-ballard", "path": "/connecticut-college/2007/robert-ballard", "officialUrl": "https://www.conncoll.edu/events/commencement/past-commencement-speakers/", "transcriptUrl": "https://digitalcommons.conncoll.edu/commence/9/", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": 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true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": "Robert Krulwich addresses Berkeley Journalism School's Class of 2011 amid a difficult job market and a changing media industry. He argues that the era of secure, protective jobs at large media institutions—exemplified by Charles Kuralt's CBS career—has vanished, and that graduates cannot rely on companies to keep them safe. He encourages young journalists not to wait to be hired but to act on their own hunger and initiative, illustrating with stories from his own early, self-started forays into journalism.", "keyMoments": [ "Acknowledging the tough job market and likening established media to a walled fortress", "The story of Charles Kuralt's rise at CBS when journalism felt like a calling that protected its own", "The realization that companies no longer offer loyalty or job security", "Urging graduates to be people who 'don't wait' and create their own opportunities", "Krulwich's anecdotes of forging press credentials and recording an impeachment series at home" ], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-georgia-2009-robert-m-gates", "accession": "2009.016", "speaker": "Robert M. Gates", "speakerSlug": "robert-m-gates", "role": "Field: politics", "institution": "University of Georgia", "institutionSlug": "university-of-georgia", "year": 2009, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-georgia/2009/robert-m-gates", "path": "/university-of-georgia/2009/robert-m-gates", "officialUrl": "http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/robertgatesunivgeorgiacommencement.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/robertgatesunivgeorgiacommencement.htm", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": "Defense Secretary Robert Gates congratulates the University of Georgia's Class of 2009 and devotes his address to the obligation of service and citizenship. He honors graduates entering military service, cites examples of UGA alumni who served their country and communities, and argues that public service remains an honorable calling despite its burdens. He urges able and idealistic graduates to step forward and serve the American people.", "keyMoments": [ "Honoring eight classmates being commissioned as military officers and fallen UGA alumni", "Citing UGA examples of service like Charlie Beckwith and agronomist D.W. 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link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSacP17da8M", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "lewis-clark-college-2015-ron-suskind", "accession": "2015.004", "speaker": "Ron Suskind", "speakerSlug": "ron-suskind", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Lewis & Clark College", "institutionSlug": "lewis-and-clark-college", "year": 2015, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/lewis-and-clark-college/2015/ron-suskind", "path": "/lewis-and-clark-college/2015/ron-suskind", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/ron-suskind-lewis-clark-college-2015/", "transcriptUrl": "https://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/ron-suskind-lewis-clark-college-2015/", "transcriptStatus": "Video link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "None (landing page)", "sourceAuthority": "Reputable news", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU4MOi-7pwA", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "dominican-university-of-california-2012-ronan-farrow", "accession": "2012.005", "speaker": "Ronan Farrow", "speakerSlug": "ronan-farrow", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "Dominican University of California", "institutionSlug": "dominican-university-of-california", "year": 2012, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/dominican-university-of-california/2012/ronan-farrow", "path": "/dominican-university-of-california/2012/ronan-farrow", "officialUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2012/dominican-university-of-california/ronan-farrow", "transcriptUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2012/dominican-university-of-california/ronan-farrow", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTeWCHi0ZX0", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "trinity-college-2004-ruth-westheimer", "accession": "2004.012", "speaker": "Ruth Westheimer", "speakerSlug": "ruth-westheimer", "role": null, "institution": "Trinity College", "institutionSlug": "trinity-college", "year": 2004, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/trinity-college/2004/ruth-westheimer", "path": 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He recounts discovering his passion for electronics, volunteering during military service in Thailand, experiencing a public startup failure followed by recovery, and ultimately developing his Customer Development methodology by questioning conventional wisdom. 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"videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-california-san-diego-2012-wesley-chan", "accession": "2012.024", "speaker": "Wesley Chan", "speakerSlug": "wesley-chan", "role": "Field: business", "institution": "University of California, San Diego", "institutionSlug": "university-of-california-san-diego", "year": 2012, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-california-san-diego/2012/wesley-chan", "path": "/university-of-california-san-diego/2012/wesley-chan", "officialUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haWp_SCATvs", "transcriptUrl": "http://dysfunctionalpilgrim.blogspot.com/2012/08/2012-ucsd-sixth-college-wesley-chan.html", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haWp_SCATvs", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": "Wesley Chan of Wong Fu Productions, a Sixth College alumnus, addresses the UCSD class of 2012 as a peer rather than an authority. He encourages graduates not to stress about having a fixed plan, emphasizing adaptability, continued learning, and resourcefulness, drawing on his own unplanned path building Wong Fu Productions. He closes by urging graduates to live to make something and assures them their proudest moments are still ahead.", "keyMoments": [ "Opening jokes about not being Conan and being a proud UCSD Triton", "Advising graduates that it's okay to feel lost and not have everything planned", "Sharing his own story of building Wong Fu Productions through adaptation and resourcefulness", "Encouraging graduates to 'live to make something' rather than just make a living" ], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "savannah-college-of-art-and-design-2011-whoopi-goldberg", "accession": "2011.025", "speaker": "Whoopi Goldberg", "speakerSlug": "whoopi-goldberg", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Savannah College of Art and Design", "institutionSlug": "savannah-college-of-art-and-design", "year": 2011, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/savannah-college-of-art-and-design/2011/whoopi-goldberg", "path": "/savannah-college-of-art-and-design/2011/whoopi-goldberg", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/whoopi-goldberg-savannah-college-of-art-and-design-2011/", "transcriptUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2011/scad-savannah/whoopi-goldberg", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "http://gradspeeches.com/2011/scad-savannah/whoopi-goldberg", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "harvard-university-2003-will-ferrell", "accession": "2003.002", "speaker": "Will Ferrell", "speakerSlug": "will-ferrell", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Harvard University", "institutionSlug": "harvard-university", "year": 2003, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/harvard-university/2003/will-ferrell", "path": "/harvard-university/2003/will-ferrell", "officialUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVu8jfhcO9k", "transcriptUrl": "https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2003/06/class-day-speech-june-4-2003-will-ferrell/", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVu8jfhcO9k", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": "In a satirical Class Day address, comedian Will Ferrell jokes that he was mistakenly invited and never attended Harvard, claiming instead to have graduated from the 'University of Life.' He delivers a mock-serious portrait of the 'real world' filled with absurd celebrity complaints, reads a fake congratulatory message attributed to President George W. Bush, makes recurring jokes about classmates' futures, and closes by humorously rewriting the lyrics of 'Dust in the Wind.'", "keyMoments": [ "Pretends he is at the wrong event and got the speech wrong on his Palm Pilot", "Claims he never attended Harvard and graduated from the 'School of Hard Knocks'", "Gives an exaggerated, comedic depiction of the difficulties of the 'real world'", "Reads a satirical message purportedly from President George W. Bush", "Ends by performing and humorously altering the lyrics of 'Dust in the Wind'" ], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "halsey-junior-high-school-2012-william-chiu", "accession": "2012.008", "speaker": "William Chiu", "speakerSlug": "william-chiu", "role": null, "institution": "Halsey Junior High School", "institutionSlug": "halsey-junior-high-school", "year": 2012, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/halsey-junior-high-school/2012/william-chiu", "path": "/halsey-junior-high-school/2012/william-chiu", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0110-chiu-junior-high-school-graduation-speech.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0110-chiu-junior-high-school-graduation-speech.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJyVv4RUCgE", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "connecticut-college-2001-wynton-marsalis", "accession": "2001.001", "speaker": "Wynton Marsalis", "speakerSlug": "wynton-marsalis", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Connecticut College", "institutionSlug": "connecticut-college", "year": 2001, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/connecticut-college/2001/wynton-marsalis", "path": "/connecticut-college/2001/wynton-marsalis", "officialUrl": "https://www.conncoll.edu/events/commencement/past-commencement-speakers/", "transcriptUrl": "https://digitalcommons.conncoll.edu/commence/11/", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Official university", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": "Jazz and classical musician Wynton Marsalis advises graduates to reconsider common admonitions about time, contrasting the pressure to be 'on time' with a trumpet player's counsel to be 'in time.' He suggests that being 'in time' allows one to experience more of life as it unfolds and to focus on including others rather than imposing one's will.", "keyMoments": [ "Listing familiar warnings about time and punctuality", "Quoting jazz trumpet man Enute Johnson on being 'in time' rather than 'on time'", "Explaining how being 'in time' opens a larger experience of life", "Urging an attitude shift toward including others" ], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-vermont-2013-wynton-marsalis", "accession": "2013.023", "speaker": "Wynton Marsalis", "speakerSlug": "wynton-marsalis", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "University of Vermont", "institutionSlug": "university-of-vermont", "year": 2013, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-vermont/2013/wynton-marsalis", "path": "/university-of-vermont/2013/wynton-marsalis", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0129-Wynton-Marsalis-Commencement-Address-at-University-of-Vermont-2013.htm", "transcriptUrl": "https://wyntonmarsalis.org/pdf/Commencement_Speech_UVM2013.pdf", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIYKfyDVzxg", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "maine-college-of-art-2003-yoko-ono", "accession": "2003.003", "speaker": "Yoko Ono", "speakerSlug": "yoko-ono", "role": "Field: arts", "institution": "Maine College of Art", "institutionSlug": "maine-college-of-art", "year": 2003, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/maine-college-of-art/2003/yoko-ono", "path": "/maine-college-of-art/2003/yoko-ono", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/yoko-ono-maine-college-of-art-2003/", "transcriptUrl": "http://209.157.64.201/focus/f-news/917529/posts", "transcriptStatus": "Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": "Yoko Ono's commencement address to 84 graduates of the Maine College of Art began with a brief stylized shriek and centered on the idea that art is love and that love is what society most needs. She congratulated the graduates, encouraged them to practice their passion, and quoted Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa to underscore her message.", "keyMoments": [ "Opens the address with a roughly 10-second stylized scream", "Declares that art is love and that artists give society love", "Quotes Nelson Mandela that light, not darkness, is to be feared", "Quotes Mother Teresa about giving the world your best" ], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "tuskegee-university-2003-yvonne-thornton", "accession": "2003.009", "speaker": "Yvonne Thornton", "speakerSlug": "yvonne-thornton", "role": "Field: science", "institution": "Tuskegee University", "institutionSlug": "tuskegee-university", "year": 2003, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/tuskegee-university/2003/yvonne-thornton", "path": "/tuskegee-university/2003/yvonne-thornton", "officialUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0001-thorton.htm", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0001-thorton.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "new-school-2014-zadie-smith", "accession": "2014.014", "speaker": "Zadie Smith", "speakerSlug": "zadie-smith", "role": "Field: letters", "institution": "New School", "institutionSlug": "new-school", "year": 2014, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/new-school/2014/zadie-smith", "path": "/new-school/2014/zadie-smith", "officialUrl": "http://apps.npr.org/commencement/speech/zadie-smith-new-school-2014/", "transcriptUrl": "http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0156-Zadie-Smith-Graduation-Speech-2014.htm", "transcriptStatus": "LINK DEAD (2026-06-26) — was: Speech/full-text link from NPR index", "transcriptCompleteness": "Unavailable — transcript link dead", "sourceAuthority": "Aggregator (dead)", "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjdmo6EKn8I", "hasVideo": true, "hasWorkingTranscript": false, "deadTranscript": true, "themes": [], "summary": null, "keyMoments": [], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "st-john-s-college-2003-lewis-lapham", "accession": "2003.006", "speaker": "Lewis Lapham", "speakerSlug": "lewis-lapham", "role": null, "institution": "St. John’s College", "institutionSlug": "st-johns-college", "year": 2003, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/st-johns-college/2003/lewis-lapham", "path": "/st-johns-college/2003/lewis-lapham", "officialUrl": "https://github.com/whatrocks/commencement-db", "transcriptUrl": "https://whatrocks.github.io/commencement-db/2003-lewis-lapham-st-john%E2%80%99s-college/", "transcriptStatus": "Community-hosted transcript", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text (community)", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": "Lapham argues that the humanities are necessities rather than luxuries, essential for guiding a technological society and for sustaining democracy. He devotes much of the address to a tribute to his late editor and mentor Otto Friedrich, holding him up as the embodiment of true humanism—curiosity, learning, and intellectual courage in the face of hardship. He urges graduates to distrust the guardians of the status quo and to make the future through independent thought.", "keyMoments": [ "Defense of the humanities as necessities, not ornaments", "Extended tribute to mentor Otto Friedrich as a model humanist", "Critique of the media and authorities who exaggerate fear of the future", "Call to join the 'party of things-as-they-might-become' and think for oneself" ], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "niagara-university-2008-rev-david-o-connell", "accession": "2008.013", "speaker": "Rev. David O’Connell", "speakerSlug": "rev-david-oconnell", "role": null, "institution": "Niagara University", "institutionSlug": "niagara-university", "year": 2008, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/niagara-university/2008/rev-david-oconnell", "path": "/niagara-university/2008/rev-david-oconnell", "officialUrl": "https://github.com/whatrocks/commencement-db", "transcriptUrl": "https://whatrocks.github.io/commencement-db/2008-rev-david-o%E2%80%99connell-niagara-university/", "transcriptStatus": "Community-hosted transcript", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text (community)", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": "Rev. David O'Connell, a Niagara University alumnus, offers graduates a set of \"rules to live by\" for their lives after college. He encourages them to believe in themselves, respect others, put others first, live their faith, and make a difference, framing these within the university's Catholic and Vincentian identity. He emphasizes gratitude and grounds his advice in faith, scripture, and the example of St. Vincent de Paul.", "keyMoments": [ "Recalling his own 1978 graduation and a lengthy commencement speech by Marshall McLuhan", "Urging graduates to believe in themselves as loved by God", "Calling for civility and respect rooted in human dignity", "Encouraging graduates to put others first and live their faith without compromise", "Defining commencement as a beginning and a call to make a difference" ], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "dartmouth-college-2011-conan-o-brien", "accession": "2011.009", "speaker": "Conan O’Brien", "speakerSlug": "conan-obrien", "role": null, "institution": "Dartmouth College", "institutionSlug": "dartmouth-college", "year": 2011, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/dartmouth-college/2011/conan-obrien", "path": "/dartmouth-college/2011/conan-obrien", "officialUrl": "https://github.com/whatrocks/commencement-db", "transcriptUrl": "https://whatrocks.github.io/commencement-db/2011-conan-o%E2%80%99brien-dartmouth-college/", "transcriptStatus": "Community-hosted transcript", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text (community)", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": "Conan O'Brien delivers a largely comedic commencement address filled with jokes about Dartmouth's traditions, rival Ivy League schools, and his own career, before transitioning to a sincere message. He reflects on his public professional disappointment in 2010 after leaving The Tonight Show, arguing that failure and disappointment can lead to clarity, reinvention, and originality. He advises graduates that their dreams will inevitably change and closes with his own maxim about working hard and being kind.", "keyMoments": [ "Extended comedic riffs on Dartmouth, its motto, and rival Ivy League schools", "The mock 'Conan Doctrine' of absurd policy proposals", "Reflection on his 2010 career disappointment and leaving The Tonight Show", "Argument that failure to become one's ideal defines and reinvents a person, ending with 'work hard, be kind'" ], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" }, { "id": "university-of-delaware-2012-soledad-o-brien", "accession": "2012.025", "speaker": "Soledad O’Brien", "speakerSlug": "soledad-obrien", "role": null, "institution": "University of Delaware", "institutionSlug": "university-of-delaware", "year": 2012, "ceremonyType": "Commencement address", "url": "https://commencementarchive.com/university-of-delaware/2012/soledad-obrien", "path": "/university-of-delaware/2012/soledad-obrien", "officialUrl": "https://github.com/whatrocks/commencement-db", "transcriptUrl": "https://whatrocks.github.io/commencement-db/2012-soledad-o%E2%80%99brien-university-of-delaware/", "transcriptStatus": "Community-hosted transcript", "transcriptCompleteness": "Full text (community)", "sourceAuthority": "Other / third-party", "videoUrl": null, "hasVideo": false, "hasWorkingTranscript": true, "deadTranscript": false, "themes": [], "summary": "Soledad O'Brien addresses University of Delaware's class of 2012 with humor about graduates returning home and persistent alumni associations before turning to her family history. She recounts how her interracial parents married when such unions were illegal and ignored advice that they couldn't succeed, framing her career as a reporter who tells the stories of ordinary people to reveal a shared humanity. She urges graduates to listen to others, reject discouraging advice, and refuse neutrality in times of moral crisis.", "keyMoments": [ "Joking about the boomerang generation and the relentless Alumni Association", "Telling the story of her interracial parents marrying when it was illegal", "Describing her documentary work giving voice to overlooked communities", "Sharing the starfish story from a missionary in Haiti and urging graduates not to remain neutral" ], "infographicUrl": null, "lastChecked": "2026-06-26", "rightsTier": "link-only" } ] }