commencement speech

Stories 1 - 20 |  Next >>

Jersey Sales Climb After Player's Speech

Harrison Butker's graduation address makes his merchandise more popular

(Newser) - Harrison Butker jerseys are in greater demand since the Kansas City Chiefs kicker addressed the role of women, COVID policies, and much more in a commencement speech last weekend—and there's no indication that consumers intend to wear them ironically. In NFL.com sales, Butker was trailing only Chiefs...

College Grads Receive a Big Gift, With a 'Catch'

UMass Dartmouth students get $1K each from billionaire Robert Hale, but they have to donate half

(Newser) - Students threw their graduation caps into the air at UMass Dartmouth this week, and they were on the receiving end of quite a surprise during what the college calls an "unforgettable ceremony." CBS News reports that Boston Celtics co-owner Robert Hale served as commencement speaker on Thursday, and...

University's Commencement Speaker Was AI Robot

Some students at D'Youville felt 'disrespected'

(Newser) - At D'Youville University in Buffalo, graduates were given life advice from a commencement speaker that wasn't alive. Sophia, a humanoid artificial intelligence robot, addressed the crowd in what the New York Times calls "a bold decision that drew mixed reactions." Like human speakers, the robot received...

Chiefs Kicker to Female Grads: 'Diabolical Lies' Told to You

In commencement address, Harrison Butker says their most important job is 'homemaker'

(Newser) - "It is safe to say that over the years, I have gained quite the reputation for speaking my mind," said Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker near the top of his commencement address at Benedictine College last weekend. The three-time Super Bowl champion railed against Pride month, working...

Seinfeld Speaks at Duke Graduation, Leading to Walkout

Comedian has voiced support for Israel

(Newser) - Jerry Seinfeld has made his support for Israel clear, and as such, some of Duke University's recent graduates were unhappy that the comedian was chosen as this year's commencement speaker. Social media videos (see one example at Fox News ) show a group of students carrying Palestinian flags...

At Her Alma Mater, Cheney Stresses Importance of Truth

Some students at Colorado College turn away during commencement speech

(Newser) - Former US Rep. Liz Cheney implored new college graduates to not compromise when it comes to the truth, excoriating her House Republican colleagues for not doing enough to combat former President Donald Trump's lies that the 2020 election was stolen. In a commencement speech at Colorado College, the Wyoming...

Harris Has a First at West Point
Harris Has a First at West Point
May 27, 2023 12:55 PM CDT

Harris Has a First at West Point

Vice president welcomes graduates to 'unsettled world'

(Newser) - Vice President Kamala Harris, the first woman to deliver a commencement speech at West Point, lauded graduating cadets Saturday for their noble sacrifice in serving their country, but cautioned that they were entering an "unsettled world" because of Russian aggression and the rising threats from China. "The world...

Billionaire Offers Surprise Gift to Grads at Commencement

Robert Hale gifts $1K to each UMass Boston student during ceremony, with a heartwarming catch

(Newser) - Students being honored at Thursday's graduation ceremony at UMass Boston not only received their diplomas—there was also an extra-special gift waiting for them, courtesy of commencement speaker Robert Hale, the billionaire CEO of Granite Telecommunications and part owner of the Boston Celtics. CNN reports that as the university'...

Biden to Grads at Alma Mater: 'No Time to Be on the Sidelines'

President gave commencement speech to Class of '22 at University of Delaware on Saturday

(Newser) - President Joe Biden told graduates Saturday at his alma mater, the University of Delaware, that "now it's your hour," as he encouraged young people in the United States to help the country live up to its ideals. Speaking to more than 6,000 graduates, and with the...

Day Before 74th Birthday, Concerns About Trump's Health

President appears to move gingerly, needs 2 hands to lift water glass

(Newser) - The day before his 74th birthday, President Trump walked down a ramp and took a sip of water in ways that raised some eyebrows, reports Newsweek . While at West Point on Saturday to give the commencement speech, Trump walked rather gingerly down a ramp, prompting concerns about his health. The...

Trump at West Point: 'We Will Only Fight to Win'

The president also vows to 'vanquish the virus'

(Newser) - President Trump dismissed "the passions and prejudices of the moment" and promised to "vanquish the virus" in his Saturday commencement speech at West Point—where roughly 1,100 graduates were socially distanced 6 feet apart at Plain Parade Field in New York, CNN reports. "This premier military...

Obama Makes Waves in His Speech to Black Colleges

The former president says officials 'aren't even pretending to be in charge'

(Newser) - The media was waiting for this one—and Barack Obama didn't disappoint. The former president, who's been making headlines with his jabs at the Trump administration, rolled out new quotes Saturday in an online commencement speech to historically black colleges and universities, the New York Times reports. So...

Facebook Has Something for the Class of 2020

A commencement address from Oprah Winfrey on May 15

(Newser) - This year, a commencement speaker will address all high school and college graduates across the country, and that speaker is Oprah Winfrey. Facebook has recruited the 66-year-old talk show host to give a virtual commencement address to be streamed on the social network at 2pm EST on May 15, reports...

West Point Says Graduation Ceremony Is Going Ahead

Trump will be the commencement speaker

(Newser) - The US Military Academy at West Point has confirmed that this year's graduation will go ahead, with graduates present and President Trump as the commencement speaker—but it's not sure how big the ceremony will be. The academy in New York state said the event, which has been...

Obama 'Flattered' by Student Request That's Going Viral

High school senior asks former president to give a national commencement speech

(Newser) - A high school senior thinks he has a way to take some of the sting out of missing graduation ceremonies this spring. "Hi @BarackObama!" he tweeted Tuesday. Saying "it would give us great comfort to hear your voice," Lincoln Debenham of Eagle Rock High School in...

Valedictorian's Speech Started With Thanks, Ended With Barbs

Nataly Buhr 'thanked' office staff for 'negligence'

(Newser) - A California high school valedictorian threw a curveball in her commencement speech last week, and school officials aren't thrilled. Nataly Buhr's address last Thursday to the crowd at San Diego's San Ysidro High School started off typical, with Nataly thanking teachers and her parents, per Fox News...

Principal Whose Words Echoed Kutcher's: 'I Made a Mistake'

West Virginia's Kenny DeMoss has been suspended for 5 days, without pay

(Newser) - A West Virginia principal accused of plagiarizing Ashton Kutcher in an address to his school's graduating class has been suspended without pay for five days, the AP reports. The News and Sentinel reports Parkersburg High School's Kenny DeMoss was suspended Tuesday at a Wood County Board of Education...

Michael Keaton Has Best 2 Words to End Commencement Speech
Michael Keaton Has
Best 2 Words to End
Commencement Speech
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
May 20, 2018 10:17 AM CDT

Michael Keaton Has Best 2 Words to End Commencement Speech

'I'm Batman,' he tells Kent State graduates

(Newser) - Michael Keaton gave the commencement speech Saturday at Ohio's Kent State University, and his ending is being called " perfect ." "I’ve got two words that I want you all to remember," the actor said. "They’re very important, and if I leave you with...

Chief Justice Wins Praise for Wishing 'Pain' on Students

Unconventional commencement speech notes lessons come with hardships

(Newser) - Commencement addresses are typically filled with well wishes. Chief Justice John Roberts went the opposite route in a June 3 speech getting attention this week after the Washington Post published excerpts. Roberts told students at an elite boarding school for boys in New Hampshire that he hoped their future would...

Class Prez's Diploma Withheld Over Graduation Speech

Marvin Wright read his own speech instead of one written by school

(Newser) - A senior class president in North Carolina was "hurt and embarrassed" when the principal withheld his diploma because he refused to read a graduation speech written by administrators, the Washington Post reports. Marvin Wright, 18, spent weeks working on his commencement address. But when the big day came, Principal...

Stories 1 - 20 |  Next >>