Commencement/Baccalaureate Address

Ayanna Pressley
categories: Commencement/Baccalaureate Address, Speeches
Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology Commencement Address - May 18, 2019
May 18, 2019
Let me take a moment and collect myself a bit here. I found myself, something I've done throughout my life, standing on this stage with my head bowed and I could hear my mother from on high saying, Ayanna, lift your head.” I'm very humbled to receive this honor and to be wearing this cap and gown for reasons I'll share in a moment in my more formal remarks. I never attained a four-year degree and so this is the first time I get to wear a cap and gown […]
Ayanna Pressley
categories: Commencement/Baccalaureate Address, Speeches
University of Massachusetts Boston Commencement Address - May 31, 2019
May 31, 2019
Good morning. [crowd responds, “Good morning.”] Thank you for this very humbling award. I accept it not for the work I've already done but as a renewed commitment to the work that we will do together in the future. Thank you to the University of Massachusetts Boston. Thank you to President Meehan. Thank you to Chancellor Emeritus Keith Motley [applause]. Thank you to Chancellor Newman, the trustees, alumni, faculty, the staff, and every person who previously and currently contributes to this unique institution, from Charlie Titus to Phil Carver, the […]
Ayanna Pressley
categories: Commencement/Baccalaureate Address, Speeches
Commencement Address at Boston University - May 16, 2021
May 16, 2021
Thank you so much President Brown and Chairman Feld for this distinctive honor. I wish to dedicate this honorary degree to my ancestors. I know I am their wildest dreams. To my mother, may she rest in peace and power. She prayed so many prayers into me, poured so much into me. And to my father, who despite his entanglement with the criminal legal system, did attain two advanced degrees and went on to become a professor of journalism and a published author. And I also dedicate this degree to […]
Ketanji Brown Jackson
categories: Commencement/Baccalaureate Address, Speeches
Commencement Address at American University Washington College of Law - May 20, 2023
May 20, 2023
Good afternoon. [audience responds, “Good afternoon.”] Thank you so much, Dean Fairfax, for that wonderful introduction. Thank you, President Burwell, the Board of Trustees, for the tremendous honor of being given an honorary degree. It is a pleasure for me to be here with all of you today and to welcome the class of 2023 into the legal profession. To all of the graduates—congratulations, you did it! [cheers and applause] You should be extremely proud of this huge accomplishment. To all of the friends and family members who have encouraged […]
Maria Ressa
categories: Commencement/Baccalaureate Address, Speeches
Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs Commencement Address - May 14, 2023
May 14, 2023
Thank you, thank you so much. My gosh. Dean Karen Yarhi-Milo, the members of the board, the faculty, staff, family and my God—hello, class of 2023. [cheers and applause] It's so wonderful to see you filing in and to see your faces today, and to see your family and friends. It is impossible to be here, as Karen said, and you know, whatever she said—ditto. But thank you so much for inviting me to speak with you at this existential moment, right, and I use that word very deliberately. I […]
Sanna Marin
categories: Commencement/Baccalaureate Address, Speeches
Commencement Address at New York University - May 17, 2023
May 17, 2023
Thank you and most importantly: My warmest congratulations to the magnificent class of 2023 from New York University! It is truly an honor to be here with you on this prestigious occasion at NYU, which has cultivated so many thinkers, writers, scientists and notable alumni. I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the esteemed members of the faculty and to the proud parents and family members as well as devoted friends in attendance. [applause] I want to say thank you to President Andrew Hamilton, Board of Trustees […]
Elizabeth Warren
categories: Commencement/Baccalaureate Address, Speeches
Commencement Address at Elisabeth Haub School of Law (Pace University) - May 15, 2023
May 15, 2023
Good morning, Pace! What a great way to start the day! This is an amazing, amazing honor. Let me begin by thanking you for this morning. I want to say a very special thank you to the dean, to the president, to the Board of Trustees, to the professors. I am truly grateful and I am humbled to accept this honorary degree from Pace University. Thank you. [applause] I also just want to say I am especially honored to receive this distinguished honor along with my sweetie, Bruce. So thank […]
Mazie K Hirono
categories: Commencement/Baccalaureate Address, Speeches
USC Gould School of Law Commencement Address - May 12, 2023
May 12, 2023
Dean Guzman, Dean Tolson, distinguished faculty members—and by the way, Christina and Chris, good job, yes [applause]—honored guests, parents, friends and most especially the 2023 graduating class of the USC Gould Law School—aloha! Frankly, I am really happy to be here because what started off as a straightforward five-hour plane trip from Washington, D.C., to here last night turned out to be a 20-hour, two-day challenge. I know. But, I am here. I'm honored to be here with you all today because USC was the only law school to which […]
Lauren Underwood
categories: Commencement/Baccalaureate Address, Speeches
Commencement Address at RUSH University - April 29, 2023
April 29, 2023
Hello, RUSH University. I am so excited to be with you today. Thank you, Dr. Kennedy, for your kind introduction and thank you to Jordan Cisneros for his inspiring student address. [applause] I'd also like to thank President Goodman and his leadership team, the Board of Governors, and honorary governors for the invitation to join you for the 51st commencement ceremony at RUSH University. Most of all I want to say thank you to the graduates. It's an honor and a joy to share this special day with you as […]
Nikki Haley
categories: Commencement/Baccalaureate Address, Speeches
Commencement Address at Regent University - May 6, 2023
May 7, 2023
Thank you. What a beautiful day here at Regent University. It's an honor to address the class of 2023. Congratulations on the end of this journey and the start of one that's even better. This is an important day in your life. We are all so proud of you, and you should be proud that you made it this far. It's a great achievement. Take a breath—the classes are done, the tests are over, the grades are in and you cleared the bar. [applause] Now all you have to do […]