Ira (Reluctantly) Gives a Graduation Speech

Graduation speeches frequently succumb to a "doomed form" characterized by predictable gratitude, repetitive school anecdotes, and empty platitudes about the future. Crafting an engaging address requires moving beyond these stock elements to offer surprising stories and genuine insights, a task often only achieved by those with unconventional lives. A 2012 commencement speech at Goucher College illustrates this approach, where personal history and vulnerability transform a difficult assignment into a resonant narrative. This address draws on deep-seated connections, including a professional relationship with the college president and the legacy of a grandmother who proudly wore her Phi Beta Kappa key. By incorporating unexpected personal milestones—such as losing virginity in a campus dorm—the speech subverts the traditional, cloying expectations of the genre. Ultimately, the most effective commencement addresses transcend boundaries by blending humor with raw, lived experience, providing inspiration through authenticity rather than rehearsed advice.