on National Colleges, College Admissions, and College Life
Overheard at Commencement...
by Robyn Tellefsen
In the sea of forgettable commencement speeches, some speakers actually make their mark on the graduating class with words of wisdom or a healthy dose of humor. If your commencement speech was more garden-variety than out of the ordinary, enjoy these memorable quotes by celebrity speakers from commencement 2010.
"I was also going to give a graduation speech in Arizona this weekend. But with my accent, I was afraid they would try to deport me." Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Emory University Quick take: Nice job defusing Arizona's controversial new immigration law with a pithy one-liner, Ahnold.
"Many of you will become parents, and God has a way of paying you back." Bill Cosby at Temple University Quick take: We love you, Bill. You're 72 years old, and you've still got it.
"Labels are meaningless, but Louis Vuitton shoes are really the best." Glenn Beck, Liberty University Quick take: Umm... strange and random advice from a conservative political commentator.
"It may make your blood boil; your mind may not be changed. But the practice of listening to opposing views is essential for effective citizenship. It is essential for our democracy." President Obama at the University of Michigan Quick take: Broad intellectual exposure and bipartisan civility? Yes, we can.
"If you are touched by the success fairy, you are duty-bound to spread what you know around like fertilizer." Meryl Streep, Barnard College Quick take: LOVE the analogies here. Maybe it's time to start writing your own movie lines.
"Of course, the future is yours. Who else would want it? Take it. You can have it." John Grisham, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Quick take: We're giving you the benefit of the doubt by assuming you're passing the torch, not the buck, sir.
"By the way, it's always a good move to listen to that inner voice - if it doesn't lead to a crime." Lisa Kudrow, Vassar College Quick take: Oh Lisa, you always make us laugh.
"As those of you who have already participated in study abroad know, the most lasting lessons ... don't always come from books." Michelle Obama at George Washington University Quick take: Three cheers for the First Lady urging students to develop a global perspective.
"So it is with a heavy heart that I ask you to forgive me for mistakenly naming graduates of the other Wheaton College in my address." Ann Curry at Wheaton College (MA) Quick take: We forgive you, Ann, but we're not sure you'll live it down - it was just too darn funny to forget.
"I'm not a subscriber to the helicopter-parent refrain of 'Honey, you can do whatever you want to do.' I really don't think you can." Katie Couric, Case Western Reserve University Quick take: Thumbs up for the dose of unpopular realism, Katie.
"I'm grateful because if I hadn't come here I would have never met Hillary.... And we've had a remarkable life together." Bill Clinton, Yale University Quick take: Define "remarkable," Bill.
"The myth of a risk-free life is just that: a myth." Alec Baldwin at New York University Quick take: True, true, true.
"You're not going to remember a damn thing I say. You're going to wake up tomorrow ... in your own bed, or someone else's ... if you're lucky. Hey, you're not going to see most of these people ever again, so why not go for it?" Anderson Cooper at Tulane University Quick take: This is the mark you want to make on the next generation? Really?
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