Reflections on Commencement Speeches: A Personal Perspective
Whether at high school, college, or university graduations, commencement speeches can often leave lasting impressions. However, not all of these speeches live up to the expectations set for them. In this article, we'll explore some memorable commencement speeches and reflect on the key points and lessons they imparted.
High School Graduation: A Disappointing Speech
My older step-daughter's high school graduation featured a guest speaker described as a 'local hot shot.' Unfortunately, the speaker's message was underwhelming. His gist was that the best life held for graduates was to drive a UPS truck. I found this view to be disappointing, especially considering the high expectations often placed on commencement speakers. In contrast, when I graduated from high school, the speaker was a politician who, despite being inebriated, managed to inspire us. This incident brought to mind another awkward scenario—when my mother and wife were both sentenced to prison for drug trafficking during the fourth offense. My step-daughter's graduation speaker's lackluster performance paled in comparison to these experiences.
College Graduation: A Speech Worth Celebrating
One of the most memorable commencement speeches I attended was at my son's college graduation. The speaker was David Eisenhower, grandson of Dwight D. Eisenhower and son-in-law of Richard Nixon. Interestingly, his speech was so long that the audience erupted in cheers when he finally said, "in conclusion." This reminded me of Bill Clinton's speech at the 1988 Democratic convention, where a similar cheering occurred.
Reflecting on my own college graduation in 1970, a particularly tumultuous time marked by the Kent State and Jackson State shootings, the atmosphere was tense. An arsonist set a fire in the ROTC building on the University of Kentucky campus, leading to a cancellation of the graduation ceremony. This unanticipated event forced the rescheduling of the ceremony to September, a time when I had already moved away to start a new chapter. Despite the circumstances, the prospect of an inspirational speech resonated with me, particularly from notable figures like Barack or Michelle Obama, or even Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
President Bush's Graduation Speech
Years ago, I attended my daughter's college graduation where the speaker was then-President George W. Bush. His speech was one of the most inspiring I've ever heard. Bush spoke about core values of citizenship such as staying married, serving one's community, respecting others, teaching children, obeying the law, and the kind of life that ultimately makes this nation work. He spoke with self-deprecating humor while wearing his Master of Arts robe, making his message both relatable and impactful.
The contrast between the internal captivation of the audience and the external protests is a poignant reflection on the power of words. While the outside world may be full of dissent and disagreement, a well-delivered commencement speech can bridge that gap and leave a lasting impression on the graduates.