Commencement speeches are a great tradition at US colleges. Each year, universities arrange for a well-known speaker – singers, athletes, actors, news anchors, leaders from business and institutions, politicians and artists — to deliver remarks that leave the graduating class inspired and ready to step out into a tough world. These days, everybody can watch or read about these talks on YouTube, on social media, and often in the major traditional media and feel inspired. I look forward to them annually and never fail to find value for my own work helping companies communicate.
Over the years, a few of these talks have been celebrated by a global audience. These include Steve Jobs’s commencement address at Stanford in 2005, Admiral William McRaven’s famous ‘Make your Bed’ speech to the University of Texas at Austin in 2014 and Michelle Obama’s 2020 address to City College of New York where I taught in the master’s degree program for a decade, about the importance of perseverance and resilience during the pandemic.
The 2025 speakers did not disappoint. Here are a few highlights:
The first one I’ll mention is not a ‘celebrity’ according to most definitions. Dr. Adekunle Odunsi is the Head of the UChicago cancer center and gave the convocation address at the University of Chicago. He contextualised his talk this way: (graduates) are entering “a world marked by profound uncertainty”— applicable to everyone living and working today in any space. For those of us in healthcare communications, these next words struck home: “There are new cures for cancer that need to be uncovered, new discoveries waiting to be made, more lives to be saved that previously were unsavable. This will happen when truth is prioritized, when science is protected, and when people come first.” You can read about his talk here.
Continuing the ‘truth’ theme, Al Roker, the long-standing co-host of the award-winning morning show, “The Today Show”, spoke at Sienna College and said, “No matter how pretty you package it, if there’s no substance, it does not matter. Truth matters, and that’s never been more relevant than right now.” More here.
Grant Hill, seven-time NBA All Star, two-time NCAA Champion, 2018 Basketball Hall of Fame inductee and owner (or co-owner) of various teams spoke at his alma mater, Duke University. He shared his top 10 list of how to achieve success. Not fearing failure was a strong message, a directive that cannot be underemphasized to communications professionals (really any professional) at all stages of one’s career. He also implored how ‘courage will lift your voice against a chorus of cynics.” How many times have communications professionals needed to find their voice during meetings, and encourage companies to take the path (sometimes contrary to the consensus in the room) that makes the most sense, has reputation top-of-mind, and will deliver value not only in the short- but also the long-term? That takes strength of conviction, evidence-based support, and courage. You can watch Hill’s talk here.
In our business, we talk a lot about finding the emotional connection to stakeholders. No matter what the message, ‘corporate speak’ is never the answer, though it is still often used in business communications, both written and spoken. I counsel our clients about words, tone and body language all the time (see May 28 Shifting Sands column) and was, therefore, gratified to see it this commencement season.
Usher, the singer/songwriter/entertainer, spoke at Emory University. He emphasised individuality (‘the world has enough followers’) and figuring out what you ‘choose to make people feel’ in communications. “In the same way I’ve figured out how tone and algorithm and cadence work in music, it does the same in speech.” Watch his talk here.
Actress Emily Deschanel, talked at Boston University about empathy, and how it is not a weakness. In some business arenas, empathy can be undervalued and considered a ‘soft skill.’ In these cases, it is often up to communications teams to ensure empathy comes through executive communications and internal and external programs and campaigns. We know empathy is critical to trust and building strong teams, all of which drive lasting performance. You can watch Emily’s talk here.
These are just a few of my favorites this year. There are others you might want to check out. Even Sesame Street’s Kermit the Frog was in the spotlight – he addressed the University of Maryland. You can watch him here.
I often encourage myself and my teams to be a little restless – that it’s a part of curiosity to keep learning, reading, listening to podcasts, going to talks, networking, and being alert to that fantastic idea that’s hidden in plain sight. So, it was fun to see Usher’s version of this when he spoke about the importance of “being a little unrealistic” and “a little delusional” in pursuit of happiness – in service of a mindset of optimism and aspiration. Yes, to all.
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Sandra Stahl has created and led communications solutions for many of the world’s leading pharma, biotech, diagnostic, device and consumer healthcare brands over a 30+ year career. Her skills as a strategist and developer of compelling narratives have enabled organizational-and market- readiness, powered investment, enhanced profiles, amplified landmark data, built reputations and influenced opinion. She is a recognized thought leader regularly published in industry, national and international media, and author of the award-winning book, The Art & Craft of PR (LID 2018). Additionally, Sandra is founding faculty in the PR track in the Branding + Integrated Communications master’s degree program at The City College of New York, now in its 10th year, has delivered lectures at university communications programs around the world including Columbia University in New York and Xavier Institute of Communications in Mumbai, India.
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