Syracuse University Commencement Speeches

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...

Aaron Sorkin addresses Syracuse graduates with humor and personal reflection, thanking his former teachers and warning graduates that failure and unpredictable setbacks lie ahead. He recounts formative experiences fro...

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 hi...