In the Wild: Commencement Speeches
Graduation season is upon us, which means so are the commencement speeches and awards of honorary degrees. While comedian Jerry Seinfeld and Kansas City kicker Harrison Butker may have nabbed the most headlines, plenty of industry leaders also had their turns on the dais. Here’s a sampling of the wisdom given to the Class of 2024:
Randy Barbato, Executive Producer of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” at Emerson College:
“I do want you to take the time to discover yourself in the world. Trust the timing in your life. Things will not turn out how you planned. But that’s OK… RuPaul says, ‘Good luck and don’t f**k it up…’ I say it’s OK to f**k it up…over and over and over again. It’s experiences that create the opportunities. It’s the experiences that build your endurance and the connections with one another that remind you and reinforce your kindness.”
Barbato told the students that his family celebrates special occasions with lottery tickets and he placed envelopes under their chairs with tickets inside. “Maybe someone will win. Probably most of you will lose. But that’s OK because losing is the new winning. Good luck Class of 2024!”
Gigi Sohn, Public Interest Advocate, AAPB Executive Director, speaking to Berkley School of Information:
“I’m speaking to you today because regardless of what happened during the 16 long and difficult months of my Senate confirmation process, I wouldn’t have changed a thing that I did before or during it… While fighting for what you believe in can be exhausting—and sometimes can cost you friends—it can also be exhilarating.”
Doug Holloway, Homewood Media President & Cable Hall of Fame 2023 honoree, at Emerson College:
“You are the architects of tomorrow. Your fresh minds will shape and create industries. Your words will, and have, ignited change. As you step into the world beyond these walls remember that you carry the spirit of Emerson with you—the spirt that celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion and embraces curiosity and dares to challenge the status quo.”
Ainsley Earhardt, Fox News “Fox & Friends” co-host, at University of South Carolina:
“I remember being where you are—stressed about the future, everyone asking what you are going to do after graduation. All of you were born with so many God-given talents and my advice is use them. There is only one path and that is hard work. Say yes to every opportunity because if you don’t another colleague will.”
