6 Columbia University Graduation Speeches to Inspire You

It’s that time of year — banners are being hung, regalia is being donned, and bleachers are getting dusted off — Columbia Commencement, class days, and graduation season as a whole is upon us. As we prepare to celebrate the Class of 2023, we thought we’d look back at some of the most powerful speeches given in recent memory during graduation ceremonies.

School graduation ceremonies, also known as class days, celebrate individual graduates by having their names read aloud and include an address by a keynote speaker. University Commencement, on the other hand, confers degrees upon graduates and features an address given, traditionally, by the University president.

Watch the video above to hear some of the highlights from school graduation ceremonies, but if you’re looking for more, you can view the full speeches here:

Ira Glass, Public Radio Host, 2018 Columbia Journalism Graduation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVc1kZf8hRY

Meryl Streep, Actress, 2010 Barnard Commencement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-a8QXUAe2g

Barack Obama, CC’83, 44th President of the United States, 2012 Barnard Commencement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKBzMKYD384

Judy Joo, SEAS'97, Restaurateur, 2018 Columbia Engineering Class Day:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aGvuI9KlNk

Brandon Victor Dixon, CC’03, Actor, 2019 Columbia College Class Day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWfAm8QesrM&t=2725s

Joe Biden, 46th President of the United States, 2020 Columbia Law Class Day:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbxW5z6Y2AI

Видео 6 Columbia University Graduation Speeches to Inspire You канала Columbia University