Duke University
Tim Cook
Cook earned his MBA from Duke in 1988. As a Duke alumnus, trustee, and “chef,” he finally returned to his alma mater for the commencement address this year. The promotional video made with Emoji animations this year is absolutely unparalleled!
At MIT last year, Cook taught students not to let discordant voices disrupt their rhythm, not to get lost in trivial daily life, and not to be driven by desire. When you believe what you’re doing is right, have the courage to defend it.
On May 13, at Duke University’s 2018 commencement, Cook centered his speech around “Be Fearless,” encouraging the new graduates to bravely make changes. He touched on social issues such as climate change, gun violence, and sexual assault, quoting Martin Luther King Jr.:
“The Time is always right to do right.”
“The time is always right to do what is right.”
United States Naval Academy
Donald John Trump
Founded in 1845, this undergraduate institution for future officers of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps invited Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, a Republican politician, entrepreneur, and businessman!
Last year, Trump spoke at Liberty University in Virginia, telling graduates “never give up.” He addressed the future of religious freedom in America, “As long as I’m your president, no one is going to stop you from practicing your faith.”
Yale University
Hillary Clinton
Although Hillary Clinton lost the 2016 election, she is no less sought-after for commencement speeches than Trump. After speaking at her undergraduate alma mater Wellesley last year, she returned to Yale, her law school alma mater, to address graduates.
She is an American lawyer, Democratic politician, the 67th U.S. Secretary of State, former U.S. Senator from New York, and former First Lady. Last year, Hillary Clinton delivered the commencement address at Wellesley College, encouraging women to pursue their dreams, participate in politics, and drive change. She said, “Don’t let anyone tell you your voice doesn’t matter.”
Harvard University
John Lewis
This year, Harvard invited the renowned American political figure and civil rights leader, Congressman and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient John Lewis.
John Lewis is a U.S. Representative, who fought alongside Martin Luther King Jr. for civil rights and was once the youngest black leader. His civil rights struggle was always intertwined with students, and he stood as an exemplary figure among them. He gained prominence through the Freedom Rides and steadfastly championed nonviolent marches, always leading the student charge.
In 2016, John Lewis led Democratic lawmakers in a sit-in to push for gun control reform, an act that earned him a spot on Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People” list in 2017.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Sheryl Sandberg
Sheryl Sandberg, the current Chief Operating Officer of Facebook, is often called “the First Lady of Facebook.” In 2012, she was named one of Time’s 100 most influential people.
In 2016, having just lost her husband, she delivered an emotionally raw speech at UC Berkeley, filled with self-blame and pain that left a lasting impression. She told the audience not to be too hard on themselves and not to shoulder the blame for everything. It’s important to take responsibility, but when grieving, avoid excessive emotional self-flagellation and recognize that not all bad things are your fault.
The loss of her husband changed many of her life rules, teaching her to better console and care for those in need. Mutual support helps people discover resilience and the meaning of life.
New York University
Justin Trudeau
NYU also invited a president this year—though it’s Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. NYU fangirls are truly blessed! Those of you there can feast your eyes on his good looks, while the rest of us non-NYU students can only drool over photos on social media.
University of Pennsylvania
Andrea Mitchell
Andrea Mitchell is a 1967 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and one of the most recognizable figures in television news. She is NBC News’ chief foreign affairs correspondent and host of “Andrea Mitchell Reports.” She began working at NBC in 1978 and has since covered seven presidential administrations, reporting from around the globe.
Ms. Mitchell frequently appears on “Meet the Press” and other NBC programs. Known for her sharp insight and excellent interviewing and reporting skills, she has covered the Reagan-Gorbachev talks, the Iran nuclear negotiations, an exclusive interview with Fidel Castro, and reported live from conflict zones including Iraq, Afghanistan, and North Korea.
Northwestern University
Renée Fleming
Flotow Martha Tis The Last Rose Of SummerRenée Fleming - The Beautiful Voice
This year, Northwestern uniquely invited the renowned American soprano Renée Fleming. In addition to opera, she also performs jazz and is widely regarded as the foremost lyric soprano of our time. Her beautiful voice and striking appearance make her a sought-after artist by opera houses and concert halls worldwide.
The award-winning film “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” features Fleming’s rendition of “The Last Rose of Summer” in its soundtrack. The film opens with the three billboards standing in the misty wilderness, accompanied by the first verse of “The Last Rose of Summer,” evoking an epic sense of desolation and setting the stage for the Shakespearean tragedy that unfolds.
Williams College
Bob Schieffer
Bob Lloyd Schieffer is an American television journalist. He is one of the few reporters to have covered the main beats in Washington: the White House, the Pentagon, the State Department, and Capitol Hill. He has interviewed every President since Richard Nixon and most of those who sought the office.
He often makes incisive remarks; for example, when discussing the soaring cost of campaigns, he said, “When that much money is the overwhelming force in our politics, dirty campaigning goes unpunished.” About his own profession, he noted, “Though the industry is changing and jobs are scarce, journalists are more important than ever. My advice to you is, the harder you work, the luckier you get.”
Schieffer has won virtually every award in broadcast journalism, including eight Emmys, the Overseas Press Club Award, the Paul White Award from the Radio Television Digital News Association, and the Edward R. Murrow Award from Washington State University, Murrow’s alma mater.
University of Southern California
Siddhartha Mukherjee
Siddhartha Mukherjee is the author of “The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer,” an oncologist, cancer researcher, and Pulitzer Prize winner.
Columbia University President Lee C. Bollinger (left) presents Siddhartha Mukherjee with the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction
Siddhartha Mukherjee studied at Stanford University, the University of Oxford, and Harvard Medical School. He earned his doctorate in oncovirus research at Oxford and was a Rhodes Scholar. His lab focuses on developing novel biological therapies for cancer. He has published articles and commentary in journals such as Nature, The New England Journal of Medicine, Neuron, and The Journal of Clinical Investigation, as well as in newspapers including The New York Times and The New Republic.
UCLA
Mayim Bialik
Eleven years on, even Sheldon Cooper has gotten married—the same Sheldon who reproduces via mitosis—staging a cosmic-scale face-slapping scene. At his wedding, the usually calm and collected Sheldon choked up several times, nervously yet affectionately telling Amy, “I was overwhelmed by you. Although I can't tell you how I feel right now, I will spend the rest of my life showing you how much I love you.”
Mayim Bialik, who plays Amy on “The Big Bang Theory,” has received four Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series and won the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. She is an actress and a neuroscientist. She pursued a Ph.D. in neuroscience at UCLA. This year, she returns to her alma mater to address the graduates. Let’s look forward to it!
With all these inspiring words coming our way, which one will speak to you the most?
