History of Commencement

Commencement Addresses

On occasion, Commencement speakers provide text copies of their speeches. The following texts were provided in recent years.

• 2009: May Graduate Ceremony: Robert Sternberg
• 2008: December Undergraduate Ceremony: Denis M. McCarthy
• 2008: May CLAS Undergraduate Ceremony: Rebecca Lobo | Graduate Ceremony: Garry Wills
• 2007: May Undergraduate Ceremony: Fay Weldon
• 2006: May Undergraduate Ceremony: Rep. Rosa DeLaura (D-3rd Conn)
• 2005: December Undergraduate Ceremony: Dr. Robert Ballard
• 2005: May Undergraduate Ceremony: Eduardo Aguirre; Graduate Ceremony: Jonathan Fanton
• 2003:Undergraduate Ceremony: Les Payne
• 2000:Undergraduate Ceremony: Christopher Dodd; Graduate Ceremony: Rita R. Colwell
• 1999: Undergraduate Ceremony: David McCullough; Graduate Ceremony: Noam Chomsky
• 1998:Undergraduate Ceremony: George H. W. Bush; Graduate Ceremony: Varro E. Tyler