Commencement Address

Hillary Rodham Clinton
categories: Commencement 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 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 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 andMuncie tribal nations, who have stewarded these lands for millennia, and […]
Jacinda Ardern
categories: Commencement 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 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 […]
Nannie Helen Burroughs
categories: Commencement Address, Speeches
The Challenge of the New Day: Commencement Address at Tuskegee University - May 24, 1934
May 24, 1934
Burroughs was the first woman to give a spring commencement address at Tuskegee University. We are on the most sacred spot in America and in the world. We are on the grounds dedicated to the future hopes and dreams, aspirations and prophesies of the founders of our democracy. You and I today are surrounded by the most marvelous achievement that has taken place in American history during the past seventy years. The class that returns here today after ten years on the firing line witnesses a new Tuskegee, its magnificent […]
Linda Thomas-Greenfield
categories: Commencement Address, Speeches
University of Wisconsin-Madison Commencement Address – May 14, 2022
May 14, 2022
Thomas-Greenfield’s remarks begin at 49:05 in the video. To Chancellor Blank, Provost Scholz, members of the Board of Regents, distinguished faculty and staff, friends, family, and alumni, and most importantly, to the University of Wisconsin-Madison Class of 2022. [Applause and cheering] I cannot tell you how pleased and honored I am to be here with you in Madison. Class of 2022, congratulations! [Applause and cheering] You made it. This is it. This is what you all have been waiting and working for. You're at commencement. You came from all across […]
Stephanie Murphy
categories: Commencement Address, Speeches
Gettysburg College Commencement Address – May 14, 2022
May 14, 2022
Murphy’s remarks begin at 4:50 in the video. Good morning, Gettysburg College. I hope you’ll indulge me for just one moment. [takes out her cell phone and turns for a selfie with the audience] Can everybody give me a big smile? [takes photo] You guys are wet, but still looking great. I really appreciate that. In politics, we say it didn’t happen unless it’s on Instagram, so we’ve got it covered. I want everyone to know this happened, Class of 2022, your graduation. I’m so excited to be here. President […]
Lauren Underwood
categories: Commencement Address, Speeches
University of Michigan School of Nursing Commencement Address – April 30, 2022
April 30, 2022
Underwood’s remarks begin at 22:42 in the video. Thank you. Thank you so much. Hello, Michigan School of Nursing. I am feeling so joyful to be with you today. It is very special to be back in Ann Arbor. Thank you, Dr. Zielinski, for your kind introduction. And I want to acknowledge Dean Hurn and the faculty, some of whom who taught me when I was working towards my BSN and the staff here today. I want to specifically recognize two women who supported me and so many others with […]
Stacey Abrams
categories: Commencement Address, Speeches
Spelman College Commencement Address - May 15, 2022
May 15, 2022
Abram's remarks begin at 36:09 in the video. Thank you so much. Thank you Dr. Campbell. Thank you, board chair Roz Brewer. Thank you to the faculty and staff, to the family and friends, but most importantly, thank you to the class of 2022. [Applause] Now, it was 27 years ago -- that I sat where you sat. I graduated in 1995 and while my years at Spelman were not marked by a pandemic, racial upheaval, and…well…the Kardashians ending their show, I began my time at Spelman immersed in some […]