№ 2000.009 — Villanova University — Commencement address

Anna Quindlen

Field: letters

Transcript

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.

Key moments

01 Warning not to confuse one's life with one's work
02 Offering a personal 'resume' of being a good parent, spouse, and friend
03 Urging graduates to 'get a life' of love, generosity, and attention
04 Citing a lesson from a homeless man to 'look at the view'

Transcript

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Provenance

Imported from NPR commencement archive; cross-referenced with Open Commencement DB

NPR archive last updated in 2015; destination availability has not been exhaustively rechecked | Open Commencement DB transcript; not independently verified against the original recording