Words of Wisdom for the Class of 2023: Insights from Commencement Speakers
As graduation season unfolds, college seniors across the nation don their caps and gowns, embarking on a new chapter filled with both promise and uncertainty. This year’s commencement ceremonies featured notable speeches from a variety of influential figures, including the beloved Kermit the Frog.
The iconic Muppet character, Kermit the Frog, addressed graduates at the University of Maryland with a speech that emphasized the importance of collaboration. “Rather than jumping over someone to get what you want, consider reaching out your hand and taking the leap side by side. Because life is better when we leap together,” he advised, urging the new graduates to work together to achieve their goals.
At Emerson College, actress Jennifer Coolidge delivered a message encouraging students to embrace bold aspirations. Drawing inspiration from a magazine article about Grace Kelly, Coolidge shared her own dream of becoming a queen. Her advice was straightforward: “When you find the thing that you want to do, I really want to highly recommend, just frigging go for it.”
Some speakers approached their messages with a political lens. Jane Fonda, an actor and activist, spoke at the USC Annenberg School of Communication, urging students to actively engage in the democratic process. “Vote all the way down the ballot. That means don’t forget the sheriff, the school board, public utilities, the city council,” Fonda emphasized, highlighting the significant impact of local elections on democracy and climate issues.
LeVar Burton, known for his role in “Reading Rainbow,” addressed students at Howard University, reflecting on the complex realities of America. He noted, “Only in America could a descendant of slaves, for whom simply knowing how to read just a few generations ago, a crime punishable by whipping or death, could grow up and become a celebrated champion for literacy and the written word.” Burton encouraged graduates to harness their talents to create a promising future, invoking the words of rapper Kendrick Lamar, “We gon’ be alright.”
