5 Rousing Commencement Speeches

They should really offer these type of lectures before your last day of college. Maybe we aren’t ready to hear them until our “education” is complete. Either way, below are a few of my favorite commencement addresses. Please comment below with links to your favorite commencement address.

1.  David Foster Wallace, author of Infinite Jest

A must listen for every grad, and adult. Foster Wallace flexes his intellectual muscle and offers a dose of reality for the grads and families listening on.

2. Neil Gaman, author of The Sandman: Overture

A 20 minute speech on the artistic process, how you find your path, and the advice he wished he’d taken.

3.  Stephen Colbert, late night talk show host

Colbert has given a number of commencement addresses over the years, but his 2011 rendition for the graduating class from Northwestern University is particularly witty. Returning to his alma mater, Colbert laces his 20 minute talk with plenty of jokes and post-grad wisdom. The best insights kick in around 12:30.

4. Ellen Degeneres, daytime talk show host

Ellen never went to college, but she grew up in New Orleans and celebrates with Tulane’s graduating class post-Katrina. She acknowledges that they still really don’t know who they are going to be or what they are going to become, but if they stay true to themselves, they’ll be alright.

5. Steve Jobs, founder of Apple
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More than a decade ago, the legend tells three stories from his life and encourages everyone to make the most of limited time.

​If this piqued your interest, check out a website dedicated to wisdom for graduates.