Commencement 2009

Hillary Rodham Clinton<br>Yale University — AP Photo/Douglas Healey

Photo: Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton receives an honorary Doctor of Laws degree at the Yale University commencement in New Haven, Conn. Monday, May 25, 2009. Clinton is a Yale Law School graduate and met Bill Clinton there in 1970.

Rahm Emanual Sarah Lawrence College

Excerpt: "Don't be reckless with what you've been given. Take what you do and how you live your life seriously."

Photo: White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, a 1981 graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, addresses the class of 2009 during the school's commencement ceremony on the Bronxville, N.Y. campus Friday, May 22, 2009.

President Obama U.S. Naval Academy

Excerpt: "I will only send you into harm's way when it is absolutely necessary, and with the strategy, the well-defined goals, the equipment and the support that you need to get the job done."

Photo: President Barack Obama is pictured with graduate Brian Ross Warren, Friday, May 22, 2009, during the United States Naval Academy graduation ceremony in Annapolis, Md.

Janet Napolitano U.S. Coast Guard Academy

Excerpt: "You will face a dynamic, ever-changing threat environment...There has never been a greater demand for the Coast Guard's services than right now."

Photo: Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano delivers the keynote speech at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy's 128th commencement in New London, Conn, Wednesday, May 20, 2009.

Ellen DeGeneres Tulane University

Excerpt: "Be true to yourself and everything will be fine...As I said before, some of the most devastating things that happen to you will teach you the most."

Photo: Comedienne and television talk show host Ellen DeGeneres addresses the Tulane University graduation class at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Saturday, May 16, 2009.

Hillary Rodham Clinton Barnard College

Excerpt: "The subjugation of women -- the denial of their rights as human beings -- is not an expression of religion or of God's will. It is a betrayal of both."

Photo: Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks during Barnard College's 117th commencement ceremony in New York, Monday May 18, 2009.

President Obama University Of Notre Dame

Excerpt: "Your class has come of age at a moment of great consequence for our nation and for the world - a rare inflection point in history."

Photo: President Barack Obama delivers his commencement address during commencement ceremonies at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., Sunday, May 17, 2009.

Larry Bird And Steven Spielberg

Former Boston Celtics player Larry Bird, left, and director Steven Spielberg are both seen receiving honorary degrees from Boston University during graduation proceedings, Sunday, May 17, 2009, in Boston.

Michelle Obama University Of California, Merced

Excerpt: "Remember that you are blessed. Remember that in exchange for those blessings, you must give something back."

Photo: First lady Michelle Obama gestures as she gives the keynote speech at the graduation ceremonies at the University of California, Merced, Saturday, May 16, 2009.

Colin Powell Franklin & Marshall College

Excerpt: "Don't sell the world short and never sell America short. We are counting on you to make this an even more perfect union."

Photo: Retired Gen. and former Secretary of State Colin Powell gives the keynote address during the Franklin & Marshall College commencement in Lancaster, Pa., Saturday, May 16, 2009.

Bud Selig University Of Wisconsin-Madison

Excerpt: "In baseball, as in life...hope and faith are critical to success"

Photo: Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig speaks at the University of Wisconsin-Madison commencement on Saturday, May 16, 2009, in Madison, Wis.

Hillary Rodham Clinton New York University

Excerpt: "I implore you to care - and care passionately - about something bigger than yourself."

Photo: Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton waves to graduates while leaving the stage after the New York University commencement ceremony at Yankee Stadium in New York, Wednesday, May 13, 2009.

President Obama Arizona State University

Excerpt: "It is moments like these that force us to try harder, to dig deeper, to discover gifts we never knew we had - to find the greatness that lies within each of us."

Photo: President Barack Obama speaks at the Arizona State University commencement ceremony at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Wednesday, May 13, 2009.

Oprah Winfrey Duke University

Excerpt: "How can I help somebody else move to higher ground? That is success. That's it. That's why we're all alive."

Photo: Oprah Winfrey smiles at Duke president Richard Brodhead after receiving her honorary degree during graduation exercises at Duke University on Sunday, May 10, 2009 in Durham, N.C.

Vice President Joe Biden Syracuse University

Excerpt: "There is a much greater risk in accepting a situation we know we cannot sustain than in steeling our spine and embracing the challenge of change."

Photo: Vice President Joe Biden smiles during his commencement address at Syracuse University in Syracuse, N.Y., Sunday, May 10, 2009.

Jimmy Fallon College Of Saint Rose

Photo: "Late Night" host Jimmy Fallon reacts after taking a look at his bachelor's degree in communications during the College of Saint Rose's 86th Annual Commencement at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Saturday, May 9, 2009.

Smokey Robinson Berklee College Of Music

Excerpt: "Never, ever get full of yourself. Never, ever think you are 'it.' If anything, you're blessed."

Photo: Motown songwriter Smokey Robinson delivers his keynote address to graduates at the Berklee College of Music commencement in Boston on Saturday, May 9, 2009.

Dolly Parton University Of Tennessee

Photo: Dolly Parton receives an honorary doctorate of humane and musical letters from the University of Tennessee on Friday, May 8, 2009, at commencement exercises in Knoxville, Tenn.

Kenneth Cole Northeastern University

Photo: Fashion designer Kenneth Cole is hooded as he receives an honorary degree of Doctor of Public Service during Northeastern University's commencement ceremony in Boston, Friday, May 1, 2009. Cole was one of the first fashion-industry leaders to publicly commit to the fight against AIDS.

Commencement 2009

Rahm Emanual<br>Sarah Lawrence College

President Obama<br>U.S. Naval Academy

Janet Napolitano<br>U.S. Coast Guard Academy

Ellen DeGeneres<br>Tulane University

Hillary Rodham Clinton<br>Barnard College

President Obama<br>University Of Notre Dame

Larry Bird And Steven Spielberg

Michelle Obama<br>University Of California, Merced

Colin Powell<br>Franklin & Marshall College

Bud Selig<br>University Of Wisconsin-Madison

Hillary Rodham Clinton<br>New York University

President Obama<br>Arizona State University

Oprah Winfrey<br>Duke University

Vice President Joe Biden<br>Syracuse University

Jimmy Fallon<br>College Of Saint Rose

Smokey Robinson<br>Berklee College Of Music

Dolly Parton<br>University Of Tennessee

Kenneth Cole<br>Northeastern University