It’s that special time of the year again—graduation season! After years of hard work, students across the globe are being awarded their degrees, marking a significant milestone in their lives.
A year ago, I graduated from Dhaka University, but missed out on a convocation ceremony that was not scheduled any time soon. To make up for it, I decided to go through Harvard commencement speeches, delivered by some of the biggest names on planet earth. The insights, wisdom, and inspiration they offer make listening to them a rewarding experience.
Here are the top five Harvard commencement speeches you should listen to right away:
1. J.K. Rowling (2008)
The acclaimed author of Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling, was so nervous before her commencement speech that she felt nauseous and lost weight.
However, she delivered an inspiring address encouraging young people not to fear failure but to embrace it and emerge victorious. She shared her personal story of battling poverty in her early 20s, only to become a successful writer through resilience and a love for writing.
In her own words, “Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.”
She ended her speech with a quote from Seneca, “As is a tale, so is life: not how long it is, but how good it is, is what matters.”
2. Bill Gates (2007)
Bill Gates opened his speech by expressing joy at finally returning to Harvard to “get his degree” after 30 years, much to the delight of the audience.
He recounted his journey at Harvard, the pivotal phone call to a company in Albuquerque with the intention of selling them his software, and his decision to drop out to create Microsoft.
Despite his immense wealth and fame, Bill spoke passionately about the deep inequalities between the rich and the poor, motivating him and his wife Melinda to start their philanthropic work.
He encouraged the audience to engage in solving the world’s bigger problems like poverty and hunger and make the world a better place.
3. Angela Merkel (2019)
The then German chancellor delivered her address in German at Harvard’s 368th commencement which was being translated into English by an interpreter.
She recounted the historical divide of East and West Germany and the struggles leading to the fall of the Berlin Wall. Merkel emphasised the importance of democracy and expressed her belief in the new generation’s potential to lead their nations towards prosperity.
She concluded with, “Above all, nothing can be taken for granted, everything is possible.”
4. Oprah Winfrey (2013)
Oprah Winfrey, one of the most influential people in the world, shared her journey of highs and lows with the class of 2013.
She started her own TV show when she was 19 and her show stayed at the top position for 25 years. This kind of success requires dedication and lots of hard work. She highlighted the importance of developing an internal moral and emotional GPS to navigate life.
She concluded her speech saying these wonderful words, “From time to time you may stumble, fall, you will for sure… But if you’re willing to listen to that still small voice within, to find out what makes you come alive, you will be more than okay. You will be happy, successful, and make a difference in the world.”
5. Mark Zuckerberg (2017)
Mark Zuckerberg, another Harvard dropout, recalled his creation of Facebook and the importance of having a purpose.
He stressed that finding or creating a purpose is a constant venture. Zuckerberg reflected on how Facebook has connected the world more than ever and humorously mentioned inaccuracies in the film about his life, stating, “Nobody does math on glass!”
These speeches are sure to enlighten you, helping to unleash your inner strength and propelling you toward your goals. And remember, never stop dreaming big! You might end up at Harvard for receiving your degree or, even better- as a commencement speaker!