Commencement/Baccalaureate/Convocation Address / page 7

Alma Adams
categories: Commencement/Baccalaureate/Convocation Address, Speeches
Commencement Address at Clinton College - May 6, 2023
May 6, 2023
Adams’ address begins at 40:27 in the video. Good morning. Thank you to the president of Clinton College, Dr. Lester McCorn, the Reverend Dr. Lester McCorn, to Bishop Monroe and to all of the members of the Board of Trustees, to the faculty and staff, to all of the parents and friends, but most especially, most especially to the phenomenally awesome bold and courageous graduating class of 2023. Congratulations, Golden Bears! [applause] Oh, they tell me I could do a call and response. C C! [audience response unintelligible] All right. […]
Oprah Winfrey
categories: Commencement/Baccalaureate/Convocation Address, Speeches
Tennessee State University Commencement Address - May 6, 2023
May 6, 2023
Good morning! Oh, my my. Friends, faculty.... Have a seat, y’all. This is your day. Friends, faculty, family and the Tennessee State University class of [shouting] 2023. [cheers and applause] Who says you can't go home again? Cause I'm back. [cheers] Dr. Glenda Glover is the reason why I'm here, because she is relentless. [speaking to Glover] You actually…you don't know the meaning of no. She's been here a decade and has been asking me for a decade. I've been to so many graduations since I have 20 daughters from […]
Nikema Williams
categories: Commencement/Baccalaureate/Convocation Address, Speeches
Tennessee State University Commencement Address - Nov. 20, 2021
November 20, 2021
Thank you so much, Sydnee. Good morning y'all. [pauses to wait for response] Good morning! It's graduation day! Everybody should be excited! [cheers and applause] That's a lot better. Y'all, I'm southern, so I expect a little call and response when I say something. President Glenda Glover, Dr. Deborah Cole and the entire Board of Trustees and to the administration, faculty, and staff—thank you. Thank you for having me today. What an honor to share a few encouraging words with the country's newest class of HBCU graduates ready to change […]
Gloria Steinem
categories: Commencement/Baccalaureate/Convocation Address, Speeches
School of Visual Arts Commencement Address - May 9, 2017
May 9, 2017
It's at moments like this that you can't believe your life at all, you know. I grew up in Toledo, hoping, praying to be a Rockette. Because I think girls grow up with their only signs of rebellion in show business, just like boys in poor neighborhoods grow up with athletics, you know, is their dream. And I just want to say to my 10- and 11-year-old self, I'm on the stage at Radio City Music Hall and it's better than being [a Rockette]. [applause] I'm so happy to be […]
Claudia “Lady Bird” Johnson
categories: Commencement/Baccalaureate/Convocation Address, Speeches
University of Virginia Commencement Address (“America - An Uncompleted Work") - June 3, 1973
June 3, 1973
This is a special day — I know — for every family represented in these ceremonies — a day of much pride, many satisfactions, and the utmost happiness. As I am sure you realize, this is an occasion of very special meaning for my family, too. Months ago, in the summer of last year, we circled this date on our calendar. Lyndon had about retired from what he called "the speech-making business," but when your invitation came he was immensely pleased and excited — and we were hoping to be […]
Hillary Rodham Clinton
categories: Commencement/Baccalaureate/Convocation Address, Speeches
University of Maryland Commencement Address - May 23, 1996
May 23, 1996
Thank you thank you very much, President Kirwan, for that introduction. It is a great honor and pleasure for me to be here at this great university. I want to thank the members of the Board of Regents who helped guide this system. I want to congratulate the other honorary degree recipients, and thank the administrators, faculty and all who are gathered here at this celebration. But mostly, I want to recognize two groups. First, the parents and other relatives and friends of all those who are graduating today. [applause] […]
Eleanor Holmes Norton
categories: Commencement/Baccalaureate/Convocation Address, Speeches
Georgetown Law Commencement Address - May 20, 2018
May 20, 2018
Following is a portion of Norton's address. Georgetown’s newly minted lawyers, class of 2018, are entering one of our most traditional, dare I say, conservative, professions. A profession that must always be on the front lines to preserve the oldest and most precious gifts from the founders of our nation — a written constitution to guarantee the rule of law and rights of the people. Many of today’s graduates may use their Georgetown Law degree other than in the traditional practice of law, at least for part of their professional […]
Debra Haaland
categories: Commencement/Baccalaureate/Convocation Address, Speeches
Bard College Commencement Address - May 28, 2022
May 28, 2022
Thank you so much, President Botstein – that was a very kind introduction. And good evening, faculty, staff and the class of 2022 – and the class of 2021, for those of you who are joining us today. I'm so honored to be here with all of you and the people who love you on this beautiful afternoon for this important step in your life's journey. Congratulations! I acknowledge that we are on the ancestral homelands of the Mohican and Muncie tribal nations, who have stewarded these lands for millennia, […]
Jacinda Ardern
categories: Commencement/Baccalaureate/Convocation Address, Speeches
Harvard University Commencement Address - May 26, 2022
May 26, 2022
E oku manukura, nga pou haemata o te ngahere. Te Piko o Te Mahuri, tera te tipu o te rakau. E tipu, e rea, ka puta, ka ora. Tena koutou katoa. President Bacow, Provost Garber, governing boards and deans, and most importantly, graduates. [cheers and applause] In Te Reo Māori, the language of the indigenous people of Aotearoa New Zealand, I pay tribute to all of the esteemed guests who stand here in this great forest of knowledge. I am truly privileged to be here, and I thank you for […]
Ketanji Brown Jackson
categories: Commencement/Baccalaureate/Convocation Address, Speeches
University of Pennsylvania Law School Commencement Address - May 17, 2021
May 17, 2021
Jackson delivered this address for a virtual commencement ceremony. Hello, University of Pennsylvania Law School class of 2021. I am delighted to be able to offer my warmest congratulations to you. As graduates, you've worked really hard to get to this point in your professional journey and I hope that you'll be able to do something fun in celebration of this great achievement. Your graduation from law school is a milestone and it is also a huge accomplishment, especially during this extremely challenging year. I'm sure that when you accepted […]