Nov 10, 2019
Six Inspiring 2018 Commencement Speech's
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Six Inspiring 2018 Commencement Speech's
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CampusLATELY's Top 10 Commencement Speeches
Eric Church's 2026 Commencement Speech
There’s something strangely powerful about a commencement speech when it stops sounding like a corporate HR seminar written by six consultants trapped in a beige meeting room. Most of them blur together eventually. “Dream big.” “Work hard.” “Believe in yourself.” Humanity really does love repackaging the same five phrases with different background music. Yet every now and then, one cuts through the noise and actually feels human.
That’s exactly how I felt watching Eric Church deliver the 2026 commencement speech at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Now, I’ve watched many commencement speeches over the years. Two that always stood out to me were Steve Jobs and his legendary 2005 Stanford commencement speech, alongside Tim Cook with his “Be Fearless” speech at Duke University in 2018. Those speeches carried weight because they came from people who had actually built something, suffered for it, and understood what it meant to stand apart from the crowd. They weren’t polished motivational slogans wrapped in applause. They were reflections from people who had stared failure, uncertainty, and pressure directly in the face.
But after watching Eric Church’s speech, I genuinely have to say it was one of the most impactful commencement speeches I’ve heard to date.
What struck me most was its honesty.
Eric Church didn’t come across as someone trying to impress the audience. He spoke like someone who understood life beyond headlines, fame, and curated perfection. There was grit in it. Reflection. Humanity. The kind of realism people are starving for in an era where everyone online pretends they’ve got life perfectly assembled while, internally, operating like a laptop with 73 browser tabs open and a dying battery.
The speech carried something deeper than career advice. It spoke about identity, purpose, failure, and having the courage to remain authentic in a world constantly trying to sand away individuality. That resonated with me heavily because, truthfully, too many people today are terrified to stand firm in who they are. They bend themselves into whatever shape gains approval the fastest.
Church’s words reminded me that success without authenticity eventually becomes hollow.
That’s also why the Steve Jobs Stanford speech remains timeless. Jobs spoke about connecting the dots, love, loss, and mortality. Tim Cook spoke about fearlessness and moral courage. Eric Church, in his own way, carried that same spirit forward. Different industries. Different personalities. Same underlying truth: life means very little if you spend it trying to become what everybody else expects.
Another thing I appreciated was that the speech felt grounded. It wasn’t obsessed with status. It wasn’t screaming about becoming rich or famous. It focused far more on becoming real. There’s wisdom in that. The modern world encourages people to build brands before character, influence before wisdom, image before substance. Then society acts surprised when everything feels artificial and emotionally bankrupt.
The older I get, the more I value people who speak plainly and sincerely.
That’s why this commencement speech stayed with me enough to write about it.
Not because it was flashy.
Not because it went viral.
Not because it was perfectly polished.
But because it felt true.
And truth, genuine truth, has become increasingly rare in the modern age.
20 Years On...
20 Years On: Reflecting on Steve Jobs’ Stanford Address – A Message That Changed My Life
June 12, 2025.
Twenty years to the day since Steve Jobs gave what many call the greatest commencement speech of all time at Stanford University. And after two decades, his words still echo in my mind, louder than ever. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve rewatched that speech.Â
Every time I do, it hits just as hard. It’s not just a video or a memory it’s a turning point that quietly, profoundly marked my life.
In that speech, Jobs wasn’t trying to sell a product or pitch a service. He was offering his soul openly, honestly, and vulnerably. Three stories. That was all. Yet those three stories carved lessons into the bedrock of my being: connect the dots, love and loss, and death as life’s greatest motivator.
"You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards."
That one line alone shifted my entire worldview. It taught me that not everything needs to make sense right now. Sometimes the chaos, the setbacks, the uncertain paths they all find their meaning later. That line gave me patience and trust. Trust in the process, in myself, and in life’s messy, unpredictable rhythm.
"The only way to do great work is to love what you do."
This part this truth became a daily mantra. I stopped tolerating mediocrity in myself. I stopped chasing stability for stability’s sake. I realised that settling is a quiet death. Jobs lit a fire in me that made me crave excellence, not for ego, but because life is too short to live it half-hearted. From that moment on, I expected nothing but the best from myself not perfection, but my best. And that’s a heavy, yet freeing, responsibility.
"Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish."
Simple. Iconic. Tattoo-worthy. Those four words became a compass. The kind of phrase that feels reckless when you first hear it but grows wiser with age. In those words, Jobs gave us permission to dream wildly, question authority, and embrace the unknown. And in a world obsessed with playing it safe, those words feel almost rebellious.
Apple Then vs Now
It’s almost surreal when you think about where Apple was in 2005 versus where it stands today. Back then, the iPhone didn’t even exist. We were just beginning to see the rebirth of Apple under Jobs’ returned leadership.Â
Now, in 2025, Apple is in every pocket, on every wrist, in every home, and redefining the frontier of computing, health, AI, and design. But beyond the devices, it was the mindset that Jobs instilled think differently, expect excellence, and obsess over the details that truly defined this new era.
But it's not just Apple that changed. The world changed. Jobs spoke before Twitter, before YouTube as we know it, and before the iPhone disrupted our daily lives. And yet despite all that change his message is more relevant than ever. In a time of AI, noise, and digital burnout, his voice remains a lighthouse cutting through the fog.
A Personal Reflection
That speech in 2005 wasn’t meant for me. But it was for me. It was for anyone who needed a push, a reminder, or a reason to stop sleepwalking through life. Steve Jobs may be gone, but his legacy at least for me is not the iPhone, or the MacBook, or even Pixar. It’s that 15-minute speech to a group of Stanford graduates.
It made me brave. It made me focused. It made me believe that doing what you love isn't a luxury it's a duty.
So today, two decades later, I sit back and reflect not just on the man, or the message, but on the impact. It’s still rippling through my choices, my attitude, my expectations of life and self.
Here’s to Steve.
Here’s to never settling.
And here’s to staying hungry and staying foolish.Â
Forever.
Grammy-winning singer Adele is known for her powerful vocals and heartfelt lyrics, but on June 1st, 2024, she displayed another side: a fierce advocate for inclusivity. During her Las Vegas residency show, Adele’s performance was interrupted by a homophobic heckler, sparking a moment that resonated with fans worldwide. A Night of Music Marred by Hate: The Heckler’s Disrespectful Outburst As Adele interacted with the audience between songs on the first day of Pride Month, a jarring voice rang out. Footage captured on social media and confirmed by SkyNews reveals a member of the audience yelling “Pride sucks!” This hateful remark […]
Grammy-winning singer Adele is known for her powerful vocals and heartfelt lyrics, but on June 1st, 2024, she displayed another side: a fierce advocate for inclusivity. During her Las Vegas residency show, Adele's performance was interrupted by a homophobic heckler, sparking a moment that resonated with fans worldwide. Adele Shuts Down Homophobia A Night of Music Marred by Hate: The Heckler's Disrespectful Outburst As Adele interacted with the audience between songs on the first day of Pride Month, a jarring voice rang out. Footage captured on social media and confirmed by SkyNews reveals a member of the audience yelling "Pride sucks!" This hateful remark targeted the LGBTQ+ community and the month-long celebration of their identity and history. Zero Tolerance for Hate: Adele's Powerful Response Adele's reaction was swift and unyielding. She wouldn't let the negativity disrupt the positive energy of the show or disrespect the LGBTQ+ community she embraces. Here's a breakdown of her powerful response: Clarification: Adele paused the show and directly addressed the heckler, asking, "What was that? Did you just say, 'Pride sucks?'" This ensured everyone in the audience understood the nature of the offensive comment. Confrontation: Adele challenged the heckler's presence at her concert if they held such views. "Did you come to my f**king show and just say that Pride sucks?" This bold statement sent a clear message that her platform wouldn't tolerate homophobia. Condemnation: Raising her voice further, Adele used strong language to condemn the heckler's remark. "Are you fking stupid? Don't be so fking ridiculous." This directness left no room for misinterpretation and emphasized the absurdity of the heckler's statement. Promoting Respect: Adele concluded by setting a clear boundary. "If you got nothing nice to say, shut up, all right?" This statement was not just for the heckler but for anyone who might harbor similar thoughts. The crowd's immediate cheers demonstrated their overwhelming support for Adele's stance. This moment solidified her position as an ally for the LGBTQ+ community. A Longstanding Ally: Adele's History of Support This incident wasn't an isolated event. Adele has a history of advocating for LGBTQ+ and women's rights. Here are some examples: Public Statements: Adele has spoken out in support of LGBTQ+ rights on multiple occasions. Philanthropy: While preferring anonymity for her charitable contributions, Adele has expressed a desire to increase her philanthropic efforts focused on causes close to her heart, hinting at potential LGBTQ+ advocacy initiatives. The Hollywood Reporter Award: In December 2023, Adele received the Sherry Lansing Leadership Award at The Hollywood Reporter's Women in Entertainment event, a recognition that further reinforces her dedication to social justice. Beyond the Controversy: Takeaways and Impact Adele's swift and powerful response to the homophobic heckler sent a clear message: hate and intolerance have no place in her space. This event has garnered significant media attention and online discussions, sparking important conversations about LGBTQ+ rights and the fight for inclusivity. Here are some key takeaways: The Importance of Allyship: Adele's actions encourage other celebrities and public figures to use their platforms to stand up for marginalized communities. Speaking Out Against Hate: Her response inspires individuals to call out bigotry whenever they encounter it, fostering safer spaces for all. Strength in Unity: The audience's overwhelming support for Adele demonstrates the power of collective action against hate. Adele's Las Vegas residency, "Weekends With Adele," is scheduled to continue through November. One can only hope that her powerful stance against hate continues to resonate with fans and encourages further conversations about inclusivity and respect for all.
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Commencement speeches are meant to be moments of inspiration and celebration for graduating students. However, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker’s speech at Benedictine College in May 2024 sparked outrage with its traditionalist and anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments. Enter Katy Perry, pop icon and advocate for equality, who took it upon herself to reimagine Butker’s words into a message of empowerment for women and the LGBTQ+ community. A Speech Gone Wrong: Butker’s Controversial Remarks Butker’s original speech took a turn for the worse when he vocalized his disapproval of abortion, euthanasia, IVF, surrogacy, and LGBTQ+ rights. He also suggested that women should […]
Commencement speeches are meant to be moments of inspiration and celebration for graduating students. However, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker's speech at Benedictine College in May 2024 sparked outrage with its traditionalist and anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments. Enter Katy Perry, pop icon and advocate for equality, who took it upon herself to reimagine Butker's words into a message of empowerment for women and the LGBTQ+ community. Katy Perry Reimagines A Speech Gone Wrong: Butker's Controversial Remarks Butker's original speech took a turn for the worse when he vocalized his disapproval of abortion, euthanasia, IVF, surrogacy, and LGBTQ+ rights. He also suggested that women should prioritize being "homemakers" over careers. These pronouncements went against the grain of Benedictine College's stated commitment to "diversity and inclusion." The backlash on social media was swift and fierce, with many criticizing Butker's outdated and offensive views. Key Points of Butker's Controversial Speech: Condemnation of abortion, euthanasia, IVF, surrogacy Advocating for traditional gender roles, focusing on women becoming homemakers Negative comments on the LGBTQ+ community A Pop Star Steps In: Perry's Edited Speech Takes Center Stage Katy Perry, known for her outspoken support of LGBTQ+ rights and feminist ideals, couldn't stand idly by. Taking matters into her own hands, she used her platform to offer a counterpoint to Butker's message. Perry took snippets from Butker's speech and reassembled them, crafting a new narrative focused on female empowerment, inclusivity, and celebrating diversity. Key Points of Perry's Reimagined Speech: Congratulates women on their achievements and future careers Promotes supporting women and celebrating their success Highlights the changing societal landscape towards diversity and inclusion Wishes graduates a Happy Pride Month The Aftermath: NFL Distancing Itself and Continued Conversation The NFL, acknowledging the controversy surrounding Butker's speech, released a statement distancing itself from his views. The statement emphasized that Butker was speaking in a "personal capacity" and that his opinions did not reflect the values of the league. The NFL is known for its commitment to inclusivity, a stance that stands in stark contrast to Butker's remarks. Key Takeaways from the NFL's Statement: Butler's speech does not represent the views of the NFL as an organization The NFL reiterates its dedication to inclusivity While the NFL distanced itself, the conversation around Butker's speech continues. Perry's response serves as a reminder of the importance of speaking out against intolerance and promoting messages of equality.
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker ignited a firestorm of controversy with his recent commencement speech at Benedictine College, a private Catholic institution. His remarks, which condemned abortion, and same-sex relationships, and encouraged women to embrace being homemakers, sparked outrage online and ignited debate on The View. A Speech Sparks Discontent Butker’s speech focused heavily on his conservative Catholic beliefs. He criticized a range of topics, including: These stances drew swift condemnation on social media, with many users calling them outdated and offensive. The View Weighs In A Spectrum of Opinions The View, a popular talk show known for its […]
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker ignited a firestorm of controversy with his recent commencement speech at Benedictine College, a private Catholic institution. His remarks, which condemned abortion, and same-sex relationships, and encouraged women to embrace being homemakers, sparked outrage online and ignited debate on The View. Harrison Butker's A Speech Sparks Discontent Butker's speech focused heavily on his conservative Catholic beliefs. He criticized a range of topics, including: Social Issues: Abortion, euthanasia, IVF, and surrogacy were all condemned by Butker. The LGBTQ+ Community: Butker labeled same-sex relationships as "sinful behavior." Gender Roles: The speech advocated for women to embrace traditional homemaker roles. These stances drew swift condemnation on social media, with many users calling them outdated and offensive. The View Weighs In A Spectrum of Opinions The View, a popular talk show known for its diverse panel, tackled the Butker controversy head-on. The co-hosts presented a range of perspectives, highlighting the complexities of free speech and the potential harm of offensive rhetoric. Whoopi Goldberg Defends Free Speech: Whoopi Goldberg, a co-host of The View, took a strong stance in favor of free speech. She acknowledged that she disagrees with Butker's views but believes he has a right to express them. Goldberg emphasized the importance of respecting diverse viewpoints, drawing a parallel to the controversy surrounding Colin Kaepernick's kneeling protests. Nuance and Disagreement: While Sara Haines, another co-host, agreed on the importance of free speech, she diverged from Goldberg's comparison to Kaepernick. Haines saw Kaepernick's protest as advocating for social justice, while Butker's remarks targeted marginalized groups. Other panelists expressed specific concerns with Butker's speech. Alyssa Farah Griffin took issue with his remarks regarding the LGBTQ+ community and the "tradwife homemaker" ideal. Sunny Hostin highlighted the dissonance between Butker's condemnation of same-sex relationships and Pope Francis' recent efforts towards LGBTQ+ inclusion. Goldberg Reiterates Her Position: Despite disagreements with Butker's views, Goldberg remained firm in her defense of his right to speak his mind. She expressed concern about the growing trend of attempting to silence those with opposing viewpoints. The NFL, responding to the controversy, released a statement clarifying that Butker's speech did not represent the organization's views. This further underscores the separation between personal beliefs and professional conduct. Freedom of Speech vs. Respectful Discourse: The Ongoing Debate The controversy surrounding Butker's speech highlights the ongoing tension between free speech and the need for respectful discourse. Key Points to Consider: Right to Free Speech: The First Amendment guarantees the right to express one's opinions, even if they are unpopular. However, this right is not absolute and does not protect individuals from the consequences of their speech. Respect for Others: Free speech should not come at the expense of the dignity and respect of others. Hateful rhetoric and targeted attacks can have a real-world impact on marginalized groups. Balancing Act: Finding the balance between free speech and respectful dialogue is a constant challenge. Open conversation and education can help bridge the gap between differing viewpoints. The Road Ahead: Navigating a Complex Issue The Butker controversy serves as a reminder of the need for thoughtful discussion and understanding in an increasingly polarized society. Finding common ground and respecting diverse viewpoints will be crucial in fostering a more inclusive and productive environment for all.
Join Douglas Vandergraph on his inspiring journey to help you achieve your dreams and goals. In this video, Douglas asks you to remember your graduation day, and emphasizes the importance of embracing each day with the same energy and enthusiasm we felt on that day. Drawing from his own experiences, including giving commencement addresses, Douglas shares insights on how to seize opportunities, improve daily, and make a meaningful impact on others' lives. Discover how you can take chances, grow, and pursue what truly matters to you. Follow along as Douglas shares valuable lessons aimed at empowering you to make a positive difference. Don't miss out on this transformative series designed to inspire and guide you toward your aspirations.
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