We’re almost through the month of May, and you know what that means: it’s college commencement speech season! While some of us had boring academics speak at our college graduations, there are a lot of other people who get to listen to folks like Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Amy Poehler, or Meryl Streep. So if you’re like me and are still annoyed that the creator of Joan of Arcadia was the celebrated guest who spoke while you baked in your black polyester cap and gown, take a short break and listen to these famous (and, generally, hilarious) people give advice to 22-year-olds.
John Green, Butler University, May 2013
Julie Andrews, University of Colorado, May 2013
Jane Lynch, Smith College, May 2012
Neil Gaiman, University of the Arts, May 2012
Conan O’Brien, Dartmouth College, June 2011
Amy Poehler, Harvard College, May 2011
Meryl Streep, Barnard College, May 2010
Lisa Kudrow, Vassar College, May 2010
Dolly Parton, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, May 2009
Ellen DeGeneres, Tulane University, May 2009
Oprah Winfrey, Stanford Univerisity, June 2008
Stephen Colbert, Knox College, May 2006
David Foster Wallace, Kenyon College, May 2005
Jon Stewart, The College of William & Mary, May 2004
Toni Morrison, Wellesley College, May 2004