Top Commencement Speeches of 2025 and All-Time Favorites
Published: May 21, 2025
Each spring is commencement season, which for graduates marks a final sendoff before they enter the professional world. For commencement speakers, it’s a chance to offer up valuable insights and experience to the next generation. Today we’re going to showcase some of 2025’s best commencement speeches, along with some classics from the past. Let’s begin.
2025’s Standout Commencement Speeches
On May 11th, 2025, actress Jennifer Coolidge delivered an inspiring commencement speech at Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. Coolidge shared personal anecdotes from her childhood, and emphasized the importance of self-belief and perseverance, encouraging graduates to “just friggin’ go for it” and embrace their own unique paths.
In a commencement speech to the Temple University College of Liberal Arts class of 2025, renowned tech journalist Steven Levy reassured graduates that despite the rise of AI, their education remains valuable and relevant. Although he acknowledged the rapid advancement in AI, he explained that no matter how advanced it gets, it cannot replicate uniquely human connections, empathy, or consciousness.
At the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s commencement ceremony, four-division boxing champion Terence “Bud” Crawford encouraged graduates to persevere through adversity and remain committed to their goals no matter what. He emphasized the importance of hard work, resilience, and self-belief, while explaining how his mentors helped him to overcome his troubled past and find success.
NBA star Carmelo Anthony delivered a heartfelt and inspirational commencement speech at Syracuse University. Anthony reflected on the unpredictable nature of life and personal growth, while emphasizing the importance of being resilient in the face of unforeseen circumstances.
For his commencement speech at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wall Street Journal writer Jason Gay spoke about the importance of authenticity and commented on the recent triumph of the Wisconsin women’s hockey team, using it as a metaphor for resilience. Gay’s speech was unique in that he included visuals such as a Jumbotron clip of a pivotal moment during the Wisconsin vs. Ohio State game in which Kirsten Simms tied the game with a penalty shot, forcing the game into overtime.
Notable Commencement Speeches of the Past
Steve Jobs’ 2005 commencement address at Stanford University remains one of the most iconic speeches, emphasizing the importance of following one’s passion and intuition.
David Foster Wallace delivered the commencement speech at Kenyon College in 2005. Wallace discussed the value of awareness and the importance of choosing how to think, going on to encourage graduates to be mindful of their perspectives.
Late actor Chadwick Boseman delivered a powerful speech at Howard University in 2018, urging graduates to search for purpose in their lives and to persevere through any challenges they may face along the way.
Engineer and YouTuber Mark Rober addressed the 2023 graduating class at MIT, encouraging graduates to view failures as learning opportunities and to approach life with curiosity and resilience.
Kermit the Frog
Back in 1996, Kermit the Frog threw his (presumably) green hat into the commencement speech ring. Kermit addressed Southampton College, where he was awarded an honorary Doctorate. In his speech he acknowledged the uniqueness of the moment, and went on to say, “May success and a smile always be yours, even when you’re knee deep in the sticky muck of life.” Kermit is also slated to address the University of Maryland graduating class this year.
The best commencement speeches speak to the universal challenges of graduates who are preparing to enter the workforce. Everyone needs a little inspiration sometimes, and as you gear up for your career, consider checking out some of these speeches to help you get excited.
Rob Porter is an editor at Vault.