The life lessons commencement speakers have given this year’s graduates

Read the Full Transcript

• Geoff Bennett:

  It is graduation season, and that means politicians, actors, and even someone from the "NewsHour" you might recognize are imparting sage advice and encouragement to college graduates around the country.

  Here are some of the life lessons this year's commencement speakers passed on to 2023 graduates

  Joe Biden, President of the United States: A few classes once in every several generations enters at a point in our history where it actually has a chance to change the trajectory of the country.

  You face that inflection point today, and I know you will meet the moment. I just think about the many ways you already have.

  Patton Oswalt, Comedian and Actor: Everything extraordinary in my life came from the wandering. And that's not to say I didn't work hard and that you shouldn't work hard, but don't work hard to acquire things. Work hard, so that you can buy yourself the time to wander easy. Use whatever skills you have to carve out days of randomness and adventure.

• Ketanji Brown Jackson, U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice:

  When you find yourself in unfamiliar situations, taking on new responsibilities, perhaps under challenging circumstances, find a way to do that thing outside of the law that grounds you, whether it's ultimate Frisbee or painting or going to the theater.

  Oksana Markarova, Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States: Love is always about taking action, not just words. Love is always about support and help. Never ask yourself, shall I help? Ask yourself, how can I help?

• Mae Jemison, Former NASA Astronaut:

  Happy is not something that is given to us by others. It is a choice that we get to make every day, so why I ask you to look up. Look up at the sky, the clouds beyond the sun, the moon, the stars, when you need to recharge your spirit. Let the gravity of Earth give you a warm hug when you're feeling low.

• Amna Nawaz:

  I know hope can feel like a really wishy-washy word, right? It's all rainbows and butterflies and big dreams. But I'm here to tell you, it is not.

  Hope is a verb. Hope is strength. Hope is resilience. I see it every day in the stories I cover, in all parts of the world, in every corner of this country, in moments where all seems lost. Hope is the bridge between what is and what will be.

• Fmr. Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY):

  When the path ahead is obscured and unclear, you can find your way by resolving to do the next right thing.

  And you will…

  (APPLAUSE)

• Fmr. Rep. Liz Cheney:

  And you will almost always know what that is. There was a small voice inside telling you. It is your conscience. Listen to it.

• Juan Manuel Santos, Former Colombian President:

  For the sake of this world, become peacemakers. It is better to be at peace than to prove to anyone that you are right. Work with peace in your heart. Find peace in your soul, and everything else will follow.

• Angela Bassett, Actress:

  It's your time now to leave this home and to begin to create a life that you will call your own. It's all part of carving out your individual paths as purposeful, whole human beings.

  So now, if someone says to you that you are doing too much, you tell them, I am just getting started.

  (CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

• Angela Bassett:

  Thank you again for this tremendous honor, and congratulations.

  (CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

• Geoff Bennett:

  Online, you can also hear from students who are graduating high from school about their hopes for the future.

  That's at PBS.org/NewsHour.