Graduation Speeches
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Jacquelyn Martin, AP
Oprah Winfrey at Howard University
Talk Show Host
From the Speech:
"I regret that [my grandmother] didn't live past 1963 and see that I did grow up and get some really good white folks working for me." Notable:
Oprah's philanthropic work has helped thousands of disadvantaged peopleCollege Prep & Info:
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Cheryl Senter, AP
Barack Obama at Southern New Hampshire U
Illinois senator and presidential hopeful. About College:
"... once, after a particularly long night of partying, we had spilled a little too much beer, broke a few too many bottles, and trashed a little too much of the dorm."
Notable:
Earned a degree in political science at Columbia UniversityMore on RED:
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Kevork Djansezian, AP
Bob Barker at Drury University
Host of 'The Price Is Right'
On Future Plans:
"We both have new and different futures. I've decided what I'm going to do ... I'm going into bodybuilding and become the governor of California."
Notable:
Barker studied karate under Chuck NorrisMore on RED
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George Nikitin, AP
Nancy Pelosi at University of San Francisco
Speaker of the House
Quote:
"We know that America's world leadership will be secured by those who operate on the frontier of knowledge and discovery."
Notable:
Pelosi became the first female Speaker of the House Jan. 4, 2007 -
Chitose Suzuki, AP
Michael Bloomberg at Tufts University
Mayor of New York City
Quote:
"Say what you believe. Give it to them straight. Just don't wuss out."
Notable:
Having declined the standard mayor's salary, Bloomberg makes only $1 a year.More on RED
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Lisa Poole, AP
Gloria Estefan at Berklee College of Music
Pop singer
Quote:
"Music is a healing force, and we have the privilege of sharing it ... go forward with a lot of belief, because it's such an amazing way to live your life."
Notable:
Estefan has recently written two children's booksMore on RED:
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Ann Johansson, AP
Laura Bush at Pepperdine University
First Lady
Quote:
"I was especially impressed by your speaker from 1992: my mother-in- law, Barbara Bush."
Notable:
Mrs. Bush is Honorary Ambassador for the United Nations Literacy Decade -
Damian Dovarganes, AP
Ted Koppel at U of Southern Calif.
News Anchor/Journalist
Quote:
"It takes so little to make life unbearable: a pebble in the shoe, a cockroach in the spaghetti, a woman's laugh."
Notable:
While covering former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Koppel traveled over 250,000 milesMore on RED:
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Getty Images
Madeleine Albright at UNC Chapel Hill
Former Secretary of State Quote: "You are the leaders of tomorrow, and it will be your job to pick up the baton so often mishandled by the leaders of today." Notable: Born in Prague, Albright is fluent in Czech
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