The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination
The right commencement speaker can make all the difference come graduation.
Sometimes a speaker says something so on key that it sticks with you for years to come. All of the speakers below did just that, making them amongst the best speeches of the internet age.
YouTube has posted a list of their 10 most viewed commencement speeches in the history of the video sharing site, including both famous and lesser known speakers who just seemed to say all the right things. Inspiring or just laugh-out-loud funny these speeches have just seemed to hit the right tone with viewers, boosting them into internet fame.
From Steve Jobs to Oprah, millions have viewed these videos, and while we're hesitant to call them the best speeches, it seems the viewers have spoken.
10. Average is the New Exceptional - Binghamton University Commencement remarks (185k Views)
The Binghamton University Events Center was filled with laughter provided by undergraduate Anthony Corvino, a bachelors degree candidate in political science, chosen to deliver the undergraduate student commencement remarks. Corvino championed the "average" individuals out there, who aren't often in the limelight, unlike their genius fellow students. The political science major thanked his "average" mom for always sending him a package of Swedish Fish and Sour Patch Kids on Halloween, and he proclaimed his opinion that Wikipedia is the greatest innovation ever. He then urged fellow graduates to thank those who helped them get to this point in their life. He also told his compatriots that while they may be "average," that doesn't mean they can't have an effect on the world and others. "You aren't given opportunity," Corvino said. "You fight for it." Corvino will remain at Binghamton to pursue his masters degree in elementary education. He has performed with the Dickinson Community Players and in Bard in the Yard and is currently the president of the Roller Hockey Club. Become a fan of this video on Facebook: www.facebook.com
9. Dolly Parton Delivers Commencement Address at the University of Tennessee 2009 (294k Views)
Entertainer and philanthropist Dolly Parton delivered the commencement address for the University of Tennessee College of Arts and Sciences class of 2009. Parton was also awarded an honorary doctorate of humane and musical letters for her
8. Bill Cosby's Keynote Speech (319k Views)
Popular entertainer Bill Cosby delivered the keynote address at Carnegie Mellon University's 2007 commencement ceremony. The experience inspired Mr. Cosby to give Carnegie Mellon its first live mascot, a Scottish terrier named Scotty who arrived in Pittsburgh in May 2008.
7. Ellen at Tulane Commencement 2009 (321k Views)
Top-rated television show host and New Orleans native Ellen DeGeneres was the keynote speaker at Tulane University's 2009 Commencement. This was the graduation of the "Katrina Class" that entered in Fall 2005. Ellen was introduced by Tulane president Scott Cowen.
6. Meryl Streep, Barnard Commencement Speaker 2010, Columbia University (384k Views)
5. President Obama at Michigan Commencement (409k Views)
President Obama speaks at the 2010 University of Michigan commencement ceremony in Ann Arbor, MI
4. Lisa Kudrow Commencement Address 2010 (476k Views)
Lisa Kudrow '85 delivers an address to the graduating class of 2010 at Vassar's 146th commencement on May 23rd.
3. Oprah Winfrey's 2008 Stanford Commencement Address (638k Views)
Oprah Winfrey, global media leader and philanthropist, spoke to the Class of 2008 at Stanford's 117th Commencement on June 15, 2008. Winfrey drew on experiences from a career that began in 1976 when she co-anchored a television newscast, and she shared three lessons about feelings, failure and finding happiness. Transcript of Oprah Winfrey's commencement address: news-service.stanford.edu Stanford University channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com
2. Randy Pausch Inspires Graduates (1.3M Views)
Professor Randy Pausch made a surprise return to Carnegie Mellon University to deliver an inspirational speech to the Class of 2008 at the Commencement ceremony on May 18, 2008. Pausch was included in TIME Magazine's 2008 list of the world's 100 most influential people. His book, "The Last Lecture," co-written by Jeff Zaslow of the Wall Street Journal and based on Pausch's now-famous talk "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams," is a New York Times #1 bestseller. For more on Randy, visit: www.cmu.edu Learn how to support the Randy Pausch Memorial Bridge, visit: www.cmu.edu
1. Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford Commencement Address (4.2M Views)
Drawing from some of the most pivotal points in his life, Steve Jobs, chief executive officer and co-founder of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios, urged graduates to pursue their dreams and see the opportunities in life's setbacks -- including death itself -- at the university's 114th Commencement on June 12, 2005. Transcript of Steve Jobs' address: news-service.stanford.edu Stanford University channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com
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