Who was your Commencement Speaker?
And how was it?
There was some mention of this in the Obama threads, and I found it interesting, and here we can get more in depth, and not wade through (as much) of the political nonsense.
Having said that...
My speaker was Hillary Clinton. I can't say it was particularly memorable, and I can't remember what she said. But I was glad at the time to have someone famous and a big name (and not someone who wrote a comic strip...I felt for my friends). It would have been cooler if they hadn't trumped it with Presidents over the next decade or so. I more remember how my cousin scheduled his wedding the same day, and I had to fly to St. Louis right after the ceremony.
The only other one I've seen was my brother's, with Lee Bollinger. And I remember the POURING rain. And Lee going on...and on...and on....as we're all soaking.
How about you?
February 12th, 2010 at 1:43 PM ^
I graduated in Winter '07 and Francis Collins, the leader of the Human Genome Project, was our speaker. I have little interest in the medical field and didn't know who this guy was beforehand but he rocked. Apparently Obama is pretty high on him too: http://www.ur.umich.edu/0809/Jul13_09/01.php.
My girlfriend graduated last spring and had Google co-founder Larry Page as a speaker. Being an introverted engineer, he was not a particularly good public speaker. However, his speech was motivational and I loved hearing his Michigan story.
February 12th, 2010 at 2:50 PM ^
Definitely pearls before swine. He was a good instructor and a really nice guy.
February 12th, 2010 at 1:43 PM ^
I don't remember the substance of it, but I do remember being mildly impressed at how the speech was largely apolitical. I'd be pretty interested to see what she'd say at a commencement today.
February 12th, 2010 at 1:48 PM ^
"If any of you end up in HR, let me know"
February 12th, 2010 at 2:08 PM ^
some dude I never heard of David Halberstam. I had to look it up!
February 12th, 2010 at 2:09 PM ^
Winter 06...Dave Bing, pre mayor of the D. I remember being mildly excited as I'm a big sports fan, but came away mildy disapointed. It was too long and boring.
Let's just say that I think he's the opposite of kwame. If Kwame was a charismatic guy, then we can say that Bing is the opposite. Hopefully he does the opposite in office from Kwame.
My cousin at the commencement goes "I wish he wouldve just dunked the basketball and called it a day"
February 12th, 2010 at 2:23 PM ^
"I just got hear off the Nine-Fo, and damn! Ladies are hot up IINN HEERREEE! Who wants to go get some pitchers and dance it up at S'Keepers? I can expense this shit! I just got two things to say to you- 1) Keep Judge Greg Mathis on speed dial, and 2) Don't use a public phone for your booty call texts!"
February 12th, 2010 at 2:40 PM ^
a co-founder of google. he gave a strange speech. he told everyone about his dad looking up his moms skirt and how he was conceived. at least it was nice weather.
February 12th, 2010 at 2:55 PM ^
But to be fair, is was BEFORE he was a sex-tape making, bastard child having, ill wife divorcing, Democratic nomination losing d-bag.
February 12th, 2010 at 3:11 PM ^
I can't recall a word of it which isn't surprising because it was in 1984 but I also think there was a sound problem. I think they used the same amplification system that they currently use for the band.
February 12th, 2010 at 9:52 PM ^
My commencement as well. Cronkite was not well, but I remember part of his address and his words of wisdom (paraphrasing): Go back. Don't leave college, it's the best time of your life and the real world sucks. He was 100% correct.
The other noteworthy thing about Spring 1984 commencement was that it was sunny and temperature was in the high 70s, the first time in many years that weather permitted the ceremony to be held in the stadium instead of Crisler Arena.
February 12th, 2010 at 4:29 PM ^
Peter King from Sports Illustrated. His speech was awesome I loved it. Speaking of Sports Illustrated, just got the swimsuit edition and all I have to say about Brooklyn Decker is DAMN!
February 12th, 2010 at 5:56 PM ^
Lee Bollinger. It was pretty weak both in selecting him (he started as president of the university in September) and his speech was mostly forgettable. Though he did have some statement about as we move forward, remember the humble means and places we lived in during our college years - something about we don't need big cars and houses and all that crap. Sure - and you bolted the first chance you got. Jerk.
February 12th, 2010 at 8:20 PM ^
...go blue.
That is all.
February 12th, 2010 at 6:11 PM ^
I graduated the year Hillary Rodham Clinton delivered the commencement address. I didn't go to the general commencement though, I went to the College of Engineering commencement at Crisler, but I can't remember who delivered the address at that. I'm pretty sure he was an astronaut.
Any other Class of '93 engineering grads out there who remember?
February 12th, 2010 at 11:33 PM ^
Undergrad: Lawrence Kasdan Director of the Big Chill. I was drunk the entire last week of school. Do not recall speech, but I have read the speech, emailed via friends after graduation, I thought it was pretty good in print.
Law School: Janet Reno. (This could compromise my identity) My parents could not attend. The Wings were playing the Blues in 2nd Round of Stanley Cup Playoffs on the way to their 1998 Cup, with a Russian forward leading the way. I wrote on the back of my card the name of the forward and a phonetic spelling. In front of my entire law school, about 3500 family and friends, I was announced and introduced to the Attorney General of the USA as "Sergei Fedorov" Reno stated, "Congratulations Sergei." I said simply "Da"
February 14th, 2010 at 12:30 PM ^
School of Music Class of '03. We had Jennifer Granholm at the Big House commencement, but we had a former UCLA basketball player under John Wooden speak at our music school ceremony. I can't remember what his first name was, but his son, Aaron Hill, was an oboe major in our class. The entire speech was filled with Wooden quotes and stories.
February 14th, 2010 at 3:12 PM ^
Simone De Quayar? or Boutros Boutros Galli? Something like that. A UN Sec General who spoke little or no english and had a translator. I remember it as a nice sunny day in the big house and hoping there was still beer in the keg back at the party house when it ended.
February 15th, 2010 at 1:09 PM ^
Slick Willy was the speaker when I was SUPPOSED to graduate. I didn't attend the commencement when I finally graduated so I really have no idea.
February 16th, 2010 at 2:16 PM ^
Jeff Daniels. Pretty sweet.
February 16th, 2010 at 4:17 PM ^
I graduated in 2005. We had that boring guy from Xerox. Honestly, one of the most uninspiring speeches ever.
But they did give an honorary degree to Bo, and he spoke a few words. Very memorable, especially given that he died the next year. I still remember him saying to our generation to "keep our heads up, and these cynical times will pass." It was also great to hear the crowd booing the Woody Hayes/OSU references in Bo's bio, but giving him a standing ovation when they read the part about all the success he had with us.
February 16th, 2010 at 4:34 PM ^
December '97. I remember enjoying his speech a lot. Then I was off to the Rose Bowl. Those were good times.