June 11, 2023
By Ava Gonzalez
Staff Writer
As graduation day approaches, it can be fun to take a look at some outstanding commencement speeches from recent years. After searching YouTube for the very best, I have compiled a list of the top 10 college commencement speeches available to watch online. From the speakers’ humor to their sincerity, relatability and wisdom, these speeches truly stand out:
1. Meryl Streep, Barnard College/Columbia University, 2010: Actress Meryl Streep began in such a light-hearted tone that was pleasant to watch, and I found myself laughing along with the audience. She commented on success, generational differences and her different skill sets, some so eccentric it was hilarious. Streep talked about how even without realizing everyone acts, we all pretend, especially to get what we want. Streep explained she had her first experiences with acting trying to fit in and be accepted as she changed herself. In a sense, it became a survival skill, and eventually, she became the character she created. However, once she found her real friends, she could stop pretending and learned who she was. Because Streep had true friends, she was sincere and accepted. This is great advice for students who are about to go out into the real world and meet new people, get jobs and become who they want to be.
2. Tom Hanks, Yale University, 2011: While this lackluster speech was not one of my favorites, actor and producer Tom Hanks started off strongly joking that his appearance at Yale University is a sign of the end of the world. As he went on, he told the audience to tweet certain lines from his speech that he especially liked and begged the audience to take videos and pictures to share with the world. Hanks spoke about faith being used to overcome fear, as faith is within everyone, and each person has the power to be strengthened by it.
3. Jim Carrey, Maharishi University, 2014: In true Jim Carrey fashion, the actor/comedian’s jokes were plentiful, and from the minute his speech began, the audience was laughing. I found it helpful that Carrey mentioned Maharishi University’s special technique of transcendental meditation but still poked fun at the practice. Furthermore, I like that he used special quotes to reference how loved the students in the room were because it came off as very sincere. He called the world a “wildcat” and inspires people to still try because, despite having fear, one can still get out there and triumph. Carrey went on to explain the nature of fear, why people give in to it and how to defeat it.
4.Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Wellesley College, 2015: Speaking at one of the country’s most prestigious women’s colleges, author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie talked about the strength of women and girls and the importance of fighting not to be overlooked. She focused on speaking out about gender injustice while using jokes about the happiness makeup brings her. She tied it back to how she now uses makeup for herself, not for men. Adichie reflected on privilege and how even education is a privilege, explaining that it is necessary not to become blind to it.
5. Lin-Manuel Miranda, University of Pennsylvania, 2016: Playwright, singer, songwriter and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda approached the podium with sunglasses and rapping. He had an extraordinary attitude and even referenced the students being part of the four “Harry Potter” houses: Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. Miranda went on to share interesting anecdotes about his musical “Hamilton” and the parts that reference and take place in Pennsylvania. He went on to explain the act of choosing and the huge role it will play in the rest of the audience’s lives. Miranda told an interesting story about how in order to succeed as an artist, he needed to survive and cause pain. Therefore. he broke up with his girlfriend. Miranda went on to explain that stories were essential. He also referenced “Hamilton” when explaining that immigrants are so important to the American experiment. He congratulated the graduates and wished them luck in finding out who they are and creating their own stories.
6. Barack Obama, Howard University, 2016: Former U.S. President Barack Obama started his speech off strong with lots of energy and a positive demeanor. He was very well-spoken yet still understanding towards the college students and their excitement about graduating. Obama brought attention to all of Howard University’s accomplishments and history in helping African American students reach their goals and get the education they deserve. Obama went on to touch on America’s achievements throughout the years, using statistics to support his assertions. He discussed the student’s differences in the way they act, where they are brought up, and by whom they are inspired, which ultimately creates a diverse environment. I love that Obama talked about the importance of having confidence and being yourself. Obama’s references to celebrities and his daughters lightened the mood and added to the humor of the speech. Obama stressed that as the audience goes forward with their lives, they must not sleepwalk or be blind by entitlement because it will halt progress in the world.
7.Michelle Obama, City College of New York, 2016: As always, former first lady Michelle Obama spoke elegantly and eloquently. She even referenced a quote made earlier by the valedictorian and credited them as well as including it in her speech, which was quite impressive considering she could not have planned for it beforehand. I love that Obama praised people for their differences, as that is what makes them special. She confronts those who treat diversity as a threat and brings up other nations that are not as advanced and have fallen victim to oppression. It was such an inspiring and moving speech and made me feel as if I could do and conquer anything.
I8.Chadwick Boseman, Howard University, 2018: I have to begin by mentioning how remarkable it was that actor Chadwick Boseman did not read off a paper. Instead, he spoke from the heart and told stories to boast about the magic of Howard University. He spoke about the students’ various talents, backgrounds and the sacrifices they made to get to graduation. Despite it being a long climb, they all made it there, and their minds are now able to soak in all the glory. However, Boseman also said that with this comes responsibility and decisions to make. Therefore, it is important to realize what is happening at each given moment in time, which leads one to have a clearer mind and be more prepared for change.
9. John Krasinski, Brown University, 2019: Actor and filmmaker John Krasinski started off his speech with jokes about his relatable nerves about speaking and living up to past Brown University graduation speeches. In his speech, which is titled “What do I know?”, Krasinski gave advice to the audience about the future being theirs but not to rush because all will work out in the end. The Class of 2021 graduate was not originally accepted to Brown University in the fall season and instead joined his class in January after being accepted to a special program. He even joked about thinking he would play basketball. His message is encouraging and inspiring, as he explains that after making countless mistakes, he found his place.
10. Taylor Swift, New York University, 2022: Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift is one of today’s most iconic celebrities, but her down-to-earth stories make her relatable and help her audience feel connected. As bittersweet as it is, I appreciate that Swift addresses the struggles college students faced during the pandemic. She even included some wordplay that kept the audience engaged. I loved the line that the audience cheered for in which Taylor brings up that today the graduates will be leaving New York University searching for what is next and making the most of it because, at the end of the day, that is all one can do.
SCREENSHOTS BY AVA GONZALEZ
