After two quiet years, universities have finally held their first in-person commencements since the pandemic!
This year's graduation ceremonies, from the announcement of speakers to the actual events, saw schools pulling out all the stops to capture the spotlight.
But sometimes, pushing too hard can lead to awkward moments...
Duke Commencement Speech Plagiarized from Harvard
Duke University, often called the "Harvard of the South," recently made headlines when its student speaker was found to have plagiarized parts of the 2014 Harvard graduation speech.
Let's take a look at two strikingly similar passages between Duke's student Parkash and Harvard's Abushaar from eight years ago:
Besides both referring to their schools as "xx nation" and cracking identical jokes about being international students, Parkash's phrasing and tone were highly reminiscent of Abushaar's. It's hard to deny the copying.
After the plagiarism came to light, Parkash admitted her mistake and apologized, and her speech was removed from the Duke Chronicle, the student-run newspaper.
Of course, this small episode reflects a mistake by the student speaker and the faculty reviewer, and it will not tarnish Duke's century-old reputation.
However, for the Duke Class of 2022, receiving a copy-paste graduation message might cast a slight "disappointment" over their ceremony.
Highlights from Top University Commencement Speeches
In fact, most commencement speeches at elite universities are truly remarkable and widely shared.
They not only encapsulate the speakers' heartfelt wisdom but also represent the institutions' hopes and blessings for young people. Looking back, they often stir deep emotions and inspiration among alumni and listeners alike.
We've gathered some memorable moments and remarks from distinguished speakers at various universities in 2021–22!
Columbia University: "Lead with Empathy"
Hillary Clinton, American lawyer, Democratic politician, 67th U.S. Secretary of State, former U.S. Senator from New York, and former First Lady. At Columbia University's 2022 commencement, she received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree and delivered an impromptu speech.
Excerpt from Hillary Clinton's speech:
"Let me ask you – really, beseech you – to take this extraordinary, world-class education and not only put it to work in the service of your own dreams, as important as those are, but also as a citizen – a citizen who believes that everyone is entitled to the same kind of education, that there is work to be done to ensure justice, equality, freedom, and, yes, to preserve and protect democracy."
Translation: "I want to ask you, no, I beg you, as you receive this exceptional, world-class education, not to use it solely in pursuit of your own dreams. Dreams are important, but also remember to be a citizen who believes everyone deserves the same quality of education, a citizen who understands that much work remains to secure justice, equality, freedom, and indeed, to preserve and protect democracy."
New York University: "Learn to Embrace an Imperfect Life"
Taylor Swift, renowned American singer-songwriter, record producer, actress, and 11-time Grammy Award winner. At NYU's 2022 university-wide commencement, she received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree and delivered a heartfelt speech to graduates, family, and faculty.
Excerpt from Taylor Swift's speech:
I leave you with this: We are led by our gut instincts, our intuition, our desires and fears, our scars and our dreams. And you will screw it up sometimes. So will I. And when I do, you will most likely read about on the internet. Anyway…hard things will happen to us. We will recover. We will learn from it. We will grow more resilient because of it.
Translation: "I leave you with these final words: We are guided by our deepest instincts, intuitions, desires, fears, scars, and dreams. Sometimes you will mess up, and so will I. When I do, you'll probably read all about it on the internet. Anyway… hard things will happen. We will recover, learn, and become more resilient."
Harvard University: "The Responsibility of Universities in Chaotic Times"
Ruth Simmons graduated from Harvard University in 1973 and later served as the 18th president of Brown University, becoming the first Black woman president of an Ivy League institution. She has made outstanding contributions to higher education for minorities and actively engages in social causes.
Excerpt from Ruth Simmons's speech:
"Thus, I believe that the task of a great university is not merely to test the mettle and stamina of brilliant minds but to guide them toward enlightenment, enabling thereby the most fruitful and holistic use of their students' intelligence and humanity."
Translation: "Therefore, I believe that the task of a great university is not simply to test whether students possess brilliant intelligence, but to guide them toward enlightenment, so that their intellect and humanity may be utilized in the most fruitful and holistic way."
Princeton University: "Together, Six Feet Apart"
Christopher Ludwig Eisgruber has served as Princeton University's president since 2013 and is a legal scholar and expert on the U.S. Constitution.
Excerpt from Christopher Ludwig Eisgruber's speech:
"We should recognize these disparities while also recognizing that in real and meaningful ways we have shared the anxieties and burdens of this pandemic with people not only throughout this stadium, or this country, but across social divisions, international borders, and, indeed, vast continent...To take another, smaller piece of this phenomenon: you now share with other graduating college students throughout the world this year a parallel experience of disruption, constraint, challenge, persistence, and achievement in response to this pandemic."
Translation: "We should acknowledge the disparities brought by the pandemic, while also realizing that in real and meaningful ways we have shared these anxieties not only with people in this stadium or this country, but with those across social divides, international borders, and even vast continents. From another perspective, you are joining graduates worldwide in collectively confronting the disruption, constraints, challenges, persistence, and achievements shaped by this pandemic."
Yale University: "The World Needs Light and Truth"
Peter Salovey is the 23rd president of Yale University and a renowned psychologist. He has received honorary degrees from the University of Pretoria (2009), Shanghai Jiao Tong University (2014), Tsinghua University (2014), and Harvard University.
Excerpt from Peter Salovey's speech:
"Over the past year, we have learned so much about ourselves and about what we are capable of. And we have been reminded, again and again, that we must keep learning. There will always be new challenges to tackle, unexpected problems to solve. We will have to pivot and adapt. And if we love learning, if we are curious about the world and the people in it, then that task will be so much easier and more fulfilling."
Translation: "The past year has taught us much about ourselves and our capacity. It has repeatedly reminded us that we must never stop learning. There will always be new challenges and unforeseen problems to solve. We must learn to turn and adapt. If we enjoy learning and remain curious about the world and its people, the task of making a difference becomes easier and more fulfilling."
University of Pennsylvania: "Incomparable"
Laurene Powell Jobs earned dual bachelor's degrees from the University of Pennsylvania in Literature and from the Wharton School, and a master's from Stanford University. She is the wife of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. She worked as a fixed-income investment strategist at Goldman Sachs and founded the organic food company Terra Vera.
Excerpt from Laurene Powell Jobs's speech:
"In times like these, times of hardship and uncertainty, it can feel like the world is conspiring to shrink our sense of possibility. To sour us to the daring adventure of life. I'm here to say, don't let it."
Translation: "In times like these, times of hardship and uncertainty, it can seem as if the world is conspiring to narrow our sense of possibility and to sour us on the bold adventure of life. I'm here to say: don't let it."
The 2022 commencement season marks the first in-person ceremonies since the pandemic, with more universities still to come.
While speeches are just one part, every graduate is the true centerpiece. These grand and solemn events will surely leave unforgettable memories and offer a powerful send-off as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.
Here, we sincerely wish all graduates a bright future and a soaring journey ahead!
