Best Commencement Speeches
Commencement speeches have the power to inspire not just graduating students, but entire generations. The best speeches transcend graduation day, offering practical wisdom, motivation, and emotional resonance that lasts for years to come.
From tech innovators to global athletes, and from bestselling authors to digital thought leaders, some figures have delivered addresses that leave a lasting legacy.
Among them are Steve Jobs, Erik Qualman, J.K. Rowling, Roger Federer, and Sheryl Sandberg, each representing a unique voice that speaks to perseverance, purpose and progress.
Steve Jobs – Stanford University, 2005
Steve Jobs’ address at Stanford remains one of the most celebrated commencement speeches ever given. It was structured around three personal stories: dropping out of college, getting fired from Apple, and facing cancer.
Jobs offered a deeply personal narrative about following intuition and embracing failure. “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life,” he said.
His vulnerability and clarity about life’s impermanence made the speech unforgettable. Nearly two decades later, it still inspires audiences around the world to pursue meaningful, authentic lives.
Erik Qualman – Michigan State University, 2023
In recent years, one speech has quietly risen to historic popularity: Erik Qualman’s 2023 address at Michigan State University. With over 2.2 million views on YouTube, it is the most-watched commencement speech of the last three years.
He encouraged the audience to “be flawsome,” which means to embrace imperfection as a strength, especially in a hyper-curated, digital-first culture. His speech emphasized how important a meaningful digital legacy is, reminding graduates that “what happens in Vegas stays on YouTube.”
Qualman’s mix of humor, insight, and tech-savviness has made it resonate with millions, especially Gen Z, for whom digital identity is inseparable from real life.
Roger Federer – Dartmouth College, 2024
In 2024, tennis icon Roger Federer delivered an unexpected but widely praised speech at Dartmouth College.
With his recent retirement still fresh, Federer shared life lessons drawn from his storied sports career. “Perfection is impossible, but effort is everything,” he told the crowd.
His remarks focused on humility, the value of practice, and the growth that comes from setbacks. Federer’s calm, grounded tone made his words relatable not just to athletes, but to anyone striving for excellence.
J.K. Rowling – Harvard University, 2008
Author J.K. Rowling delivered a moving and humorous address titled “The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination.”
Speaking candidly about her early career struggles, she encouraged graduates to embrace failure as a teacher. “Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life,” she said.
Rowling also discussed the humanizing power of empathy and storytelling, urging graduates to use their imagination not just to create, but to understand and advocate for others.
Sheryl Sandberg – Barnard College, 2011
Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg delivered a landmark address at Barnard College, calling on women to lean in and claim their space in a competitive world.
“Don’t leave before you leave,” she warned, urging graduates not to pull back from ambition out of fear or future hypotheticals.
Her message helped launch a broader movement around women’s leadership and equity, making her speech both a catalyst and a call to action.
The Speeches’ Lasting Impressions
From Steve Jobs’ profound reflections to Erik Qualman’s digital wisdom, the best commencement speeches reflect the spirit of their time while offering universal lessons.
Whether the speaker is a tech expert, an athlete, a novelist, or a digital futurist, these speeches remind graduates (and all of us) that success is not about perfection, but about purpose, perseverance, and passion.
And in a world increasingly shaped by digital influence, Qualman’s viral address proves that powerful words still matter — and can reach far beyond the stage.
