Harvard University Commencement Speeches

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...

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 por...

Tom Hanks contrasts his fame as an actor with the graduates' hard-won education, then uses the metaphor of superheroes to argue that no savior is coming and that ordinary people must do the work of protecting truth, j...

In this comedic Class Day address, Andy Samberg delivers a satirical speech filled with jokes about Harvard, honorary degrees, and the value of college majors. He performs mock impressions of Mark Zuckerberg, Mark Wah...

In a comedic address, Amy Poehler jokes about her acting career, Harvard's prestige, and current events before turning to sincere advice drawn from her background in improvisational comedy. She emphasizes that success...