<p>University of Rochester-Rep. Louise Slaughter</p>
<p>It’s about time for some of these speeches–perhaps there are additions to the list as well as comments about speech topics, how speakers were received by graduates (ie: Notre Dame/Obama), etc.</p>
<p>Northeastern has Kenneth Cole.</p>
<p>Laura Bush at her alma mater, SMU (Southern Methodist Univ) and the home of the George W Bush library.</p>
<p>D, who graduated from SMU last year was bummed (even though she’s a staunch democrat!). Her commencement speaker was the National Archivist of the US. When we learned of this, we thought that topic could be fairly interesting. Not so. It was perhaps the most excruciatingly boring speech I’ve ever heard. At least Laura Bush can communicate well and wouldn’t put everyone to sleep for an hour.</p>
<p>Laura Linney at Juilliard.</p>
<p>Here’s link from Philadelphia Inquirer about Commencement speakers.
[Commencement</a> speakers struggle to inspire students | Philadelphia Inquirer | 05/01/2009](<a href=“http://www.philly.com/inquirer/home_region/20090501_Commencement_speakers_struggle_to_inspire_students.html]Commencement”>Commencement speakers struggle to inspire students)</p>
<p>Somehow I find Princeton’s choice, Gen. David Petraeus, a bit ironic. Even though he earned his PhD there, I just don’t think of Princeton as a bastion of the United States military. Please understand…no offense intended to the Tigers!</p>
<p>Yale: Christopher Buckley "75, son of William F., author and political commentator in his own right</p>
<p>Panhandlegal- Having attended, a few years ago, a commissioning ceremony for about ten ROTC students into the Marines, Army, and Air Force in Nassau Hall, I will say, though the numbers were small, the support given by President Tilghman was genuine.</p>
<p>As “Service to the nation…” is Princeton’s motto, they at least host a ROTC program. My perspective was that Princeton PARENTS were the ones discouraging their kids from a military life, for reasons of economic security and safety, not the administration.</p>
<p>Brandeis University - Mayor Corey Booker, Newark, NJ</p>
<p>Marquette has sportscaster Dick Enberg as commencement speaker. He was a colleague and good friend of Marquette’s legendary BB coach, Al Maguire (he wrote a one-man play about him), so it should be emotional and definitely NOT dull.</p>
<p>Dartmouth-Louise Erdrich, 1976 Dartmouth grad, member of the 1st class to include women and Native American who has won acclaim as a writer in multiple genres (novelist, poet and author of children’s books) and most recently was a finalist for this year’s Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for her novel The Plague of Doves.</p>
<p>BU has Michael Capuano (US Congressman from Boston). Larry Bird and Steven Spielberg are getting honorary degrees. The speaker was not a popular choice - see comments in article below.</p>
<p>[Word</a> Out! | BU Today](<a href=“http://www.bu.edu/today/campus-life/2009/04/30/word-out]Word”>http://www.bu.edu/today/campus-life/2009/04/30/word-out)</p>
<p>Michigan got Google Co-Founder, Larry Page.
Michigan Med School got Sanjay Gupta to be their commencement speaker.</p>
<p>Fordham - Tom Brokaw</p>
<p>Not a speaker, but related…</p>
<p>[Muhammad</a> Ali, boxing legend, to receive honorary degree at Muhlenberg College - lehighvalleylive.com](<a href=“http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/allentown/index.ssf/2009/05/muhammad_ali_boxing_legend_to.html]Muhammad”>Muhammad Ali, boxing legend, to receive honorary degree at Muhlenberg College - lehighvalleylive.com)</p>
<p>[Just</a> call her ‘Dr. Dolly’: Parton receives Ph.D.](<a href=“http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090508/ap_on_en_mu/us_people_dolly_s_degree]Just”>http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090508/ap_on_en_mu/us_people_dolly_s_degree)</p>
<p>
LOL!</p>
<p>Best Speech I’ve seen so far (on youtube) is
Ellen DeGeneres at Tulane University
It’s the most hilarious and original this year</p>
<p>Political commentator Jeff Johnson will deliver the commencement address at Saint Augustines College’s 143rd Commencement on Saturday, May 8. </p>
<p>Johnson is a commentator on the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show and managing editor and chief correspondent for the BET talk show The Truth with Jeff Johnson. He is also a frequent contributor on race, politics and popular culture for MSNBC, CNN, and FOX News among others.</p>