Famous People, Wise Words?

Commencement speeches can carry enormous power and value, both for the speaker and the graduates. The best speeches inspire. They soar above political rhetoric, concentrate on lessons the speaker has learned throughout his life, and channel a positive energy that lifts students’ spirits.

“So listen to the wind. The answer may be blowing right past you.”

The worst speeches politicize current events, and reflect the speaker’s narcissism.

The most timeless speeches overflow with wisdom, humor, and humility, espousing noble values such as compassion, passion, commitment, and personal responsibility.

One of the more disheartening elements of commencement speeches is the exorbitant fees charged by some of the speakers. InsideHigherEd.com reports that while 70 percent of speakers deliver inspiration for free, others such as Matthew McConaughey get paid $135,000. (The star picked up that paycheck from the University of Houston last year.) Even as far back as 2006, Katie Couric netted $110,000 from the University of Oklahoma. Jerry Seinfeld gobbled up $200,000. Author Toni Morrison charged $30,000. Bill Nye The Science Guy got $35,000 to speak at Rutgers in 2015.

Alas, sometimes a college gets what it pays for. Even if a speaker like President Obama is free, it comes with a different kind of price.

This year’s round of speeches hit some terrific highs and regrettable lows (and they’re not over yet). Here’s a look at some of the words of wisdom being imparted to the Class of 2016.

[lz_jwplayer video=”lyu9w0CL” ads=”true”]

Tyler Perry at Tuskegee University
Filmmaker Perry hit a grand slam, discussing the importance of learning about business, having faith in Jesus, and positive messaging for the black community. “It was what I didn’t know and that I didn’t get in college that made it difficult for me to run my business in the beginning. It was what I didn’t know, the basics of business, that had I gone to college, which would have helped me so much … It takes a while to build a dream. What’s in the well will come up in the bucket … You have to always go to work … We as black people we have come through so much and we’ve endured so much that a lot of us — not all of us — but a lot of us still bear the scare of our ancestors. We still feel that if one of us is up then that means that no one else can be, too. That is a mentality from another time.”

Oliver Stone at University of Connecticut
The filmmaker told students, “I went to four different colleges in my life … at Yale it was painful. It was so incredibly difficult competitively … I was profoundly disappointed in myself.” He went to Vietnam, where he was wounded twice. At a low point, he discovered NYU film school and the G.I. Bill paid 80 percent of his tuition. “After years of rejection, breaks started coming my way. I started making a living at this film thing. I think the point of this experience is that, no matter how dark it gets early, don’t get down on yourself. You have, you may not know them, hidden skills and passions. You simply cannot recognize them. So listen to the wind. The answer may be blowing right past you.” 

Rita Moreno at Berklee College of Music
Showing plenty of spunk at age 84, the actress rapped through a portion of her speech, thus throwing a nod to the popular Broadway musical “Hamilton.” “My choice, a voice to articulate, to lay it straight on this date, my fate is to relate with rhythm and passion that you have a mission,” she began. “I’m dishin’ that your education is a foundation for more than just strummin’ and drummin.’ Playin’ the reeds, the deeds, they figure into your success. Hard work and discipline, I’ll mention. You must have the audacity, the pluck, the grit, the perspicacity … Your talent may be terrific, your writing prolific, but do you have the motivation to use your creation for this generation?”  

[lz_third_party includes=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVfAWEI-i0A”]

Sheryl Sandberg at the University of California, Berkeley
Facebook COO Sandberg bravely spoke of the loss of her husband to a heart attack, and the strength she found afterward. “I also learned that when life sucks you under, you can kick against the bottom, break the surface, and breathe again. I learned that in the face of the void — or in the face of any challenge — you can choose joy and meaning … Finding gratitude and appreciation is key to resilience. People who take the time to list things they are grateful for are happier and healthier. It turns out that counting your blessings can actually increase your blessings.”

Russell Wilson at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
The Seattle Seahawks quarterback gave an inspiring speech about persevering in the face of rejection. “When life tells you ‘no,’ find a way to keep things in perspective. That doesn’t make the painful moments any less painful. But it does mean you don’t have to live forever in the pain. You don’t have to live forever in that ‘no.’ Because if you know what you’re capable of, if you’re always prepared, and you keep things in perspective, then life has a way of turning no into yes.” 

[lz_related_box id=”141665″]

President Obama at Rutgers University
Obama made his remarks political, taking a swipe at Donald Trump, although not by name, saying, “When developing countries don’t have functioning health systems, epidemics like Zika or Ebola can spread and threaten Americans, too. And a wall won’t stop that … You look at something like … trade deals that sometimes put workers and businesses at a disadvantage. But the answer isn’t to stop trading with other countries … The answer is to do trade the right way, by negotiating with other countries so that they raise their labor standards … Building walls won’t do that. It won’t boost our economy, and it won’t enhance our security either. Isolating or disparaging Muslims, suggesting that they should be treated differently when it comes to entering this country, that is not just a betrayal of our values. It would alienate the very communities at home and abroad who are our most important partners in the fight against violent extremism.”

First Lady Michelle Obama at Jackson State University
Mrs. Obama seems intent on fostering racial discontent, while engaging in hypocrisy of the highest order. “Maybe it’s when you’re driving somewhere and you’re stopped for no particular reason. Maybe it’s when the store you enter into, folks seem to keep an extra close eye on you as you shop … I wish I could say otherwise, graduates, but the question isn’t whether you’re going to come face to face with these issues. The question is how you’re going to respond when you do … Lift up your head and do what Barack Obama has always done. As he says, ‘When they go low, I go high.’ That’s the choice Barack and I have made.”

Susan Rice at Florida International University
“By now, we should all know the dangers of ‘groupthink,’ where folks who are alike often think alike,” said National Security Adviser Rice to students. “By contrast, groups comprised of different people tend to question one another’s assumptions, draw on divergent perspectives and experiences, and yield better outcomes,” she added. “It’s hard to make progress without breaking a little crockery. So, don’t sweat what others think of you. And, don’t be afraid to go down fighting, if you’re fighting a righteous battle.” Alas, Rice’s words must have rung hollow to those who follow the Benghazi scandal. In addition, Rice demonstrated that the lack of self-awareness of liberals who think they don’t engage in “groupthink” would fill half our country’s voter rolls.