Special Occasions & Events: Graduation Quotes

Celebrate the milestone of graduation with a curated mix of uplifting, thoughtful, and witty quotes. These selections honor hard work, perseverance, and the courage it takes to embrace change, offering encouragement as new chapters begin. Find words to share in speeches, cards, and captions - from timeless wisdom to fresh perspectives by modern voices. Whether you are a graduate, parent, or teacher, these quotes aim to inspire gratitude, confidence, and purpose for the journey ahead.

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"As I matriculate my way down the field of life, I will never forget this moment and you wonderful people who helped make this day possible"

Hank Stram, Athlete

"Getting through high school and college was one of my greatest achievements"

Ann Bancroft, Explorer

Ann Bancroft

"I received a D.Sc. from the University of London in 1992"

J. Philippe Rushton, Psychologist

"When Harvard men say they have graduated from Radcliffe, then we've made it"

Jackie Kennedy, First Lady

"I was actually valedictorian of my class"

Sydney Sweeney, Actress

Sydney Sweeney

"Really, the potential for, first of all, any college graduate today, is enormously good. These are good times for anyone with a college degree today, particularly African Americans. With a college degree today, you really breach the unemployment rate"

Alexis Herman, Public Servant

"Nothing is as easy to make as a promise this winter to do something next summer; this is how commencement speakers are caught"

Sydney J. Harris, Journalist

Sydney J. Harris

"To those of you who received honours, awards and distinctions, I say well done. And to the C students, I say you, too, can be president of the United States"

George W. Bush, President

George W. Bush

"The commencement speech is not, I think, a wholly satisfactory manifestation of our culture"

John Kenneth Galbraith, Economist

John Kenneth Galbraith

"I got my diploma from Ealing College of Art, in graphics and illustration"

Freddie Mercury, Musician

Freddie Mercury

"A graduation ceremony is an event where the commencement speaker tells thousands of students dressed in identical caps and gowns that 'individuality' is the key to success"

Robert Orben, Entertainer

"It was a myth that's often perpetuated at commencement that holds that only hope and promise lie beyond the halls of academe. Don't worry, be happy. Everything is fine"

Paul Tsongas, Politician

Paul Tsongas

"A commencement is a time of joy. It is also a time of melancholy. But then again, so is life"

Paul Tsongas, Politician

Paul Tsongas

"For my undergraduate work, I went to Oklahoma State University and graduated from there in 1977"

Anita Hill, Professor

Anita Hill

"I was the first boy in the Kennedy family to graduate from college"

Mark Kennedy, Politician

"I have, actually, five honorary degrees"

Katherine Dunham, Dancer

Katherine Dunham

"In fact, if they didn't let me commute, I would not have taken the role because I wanted to graduate high school with my classmates. I remember my agent's jaw dropping when I told him if I couldn't commute I didn't want the role"

Sarah Chalke, Actress

"The fireworks begin today. Each diploma is a lighted match. Each one of you is a fuse"

Edward Koch, Politician

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime event for all of us, something like this"

Berenice Bejo, Actress

"If a young person has any idealism at all, it's strongest about the time he finishes college"

Sargent Shriver, Politician

"I went to the Westminster College for Men in Missouri, which is what it was called back then, and transferred to the University of Denver, where I ultimately got my degree"

Ted Shackelford, Actor

"I studied at the Budapest Academy of Theatrical Arts for four years and emerged with a degree"

Bela Lugosi, Actor

"And then I graduate two years later, in 1998, with my class. And, since then I've been here in Houston for training basically. And I was very happy to be assigned to this mission"

Umberto Guidoni, Astronaut

"I received an honorary doctorate for my work. Maybe one of these works is considered the equivalent of a Ph.D"

Iris Chang, Historian

Iris Chang

"In 1858 I received the degree of D. S. from the Lawrence Scientific School, and thereafter remained on the rolls of the university as a resident graduate"

Simon Newcomb, Mathematician

"I got all my work done to graduate in two months and then they were like, I'm sorry, you have to take driver's ed. I just kind of went, Oh, forget it"

Fiona Apple, Musician

"Commencement speeches were invented largely in the belief that outgoing college students should never be released into the world until they have been properly sedated"

G. B. Trudeau, Cartoonist

"At the end of four years' time, at graduation, we were down to 12. At our reunion that we had several years ago, only 1 out of the 52 actually made it to ordination and priesthood. So there you go, there's your numbers"

Peter Jurasik, Actor

"Interesting enough, we had a reunion of the 12 of us who graduated, right? The only one who wasn't there was the guy who became a priest, and he was literally in prison in Libya, for being a Catholic priest. Isn't that interesting? Everybody else made the reunion but that guy"

Peter Jurasik, Actor

"When I was in school, my mother stressed education. I am so glad she did. I graduated from Yale College and Yale University with my master's, and I didn't do it by missing school"

Angela Bassett, Actress

"I graduated in 1930 and I went up to the Yale Drama School for two years"

Albert Maltz, Author

"If my soccer career were over, I would still come here because of the people. And despite the fact I've had to skip some school for National Team purposes, I am looking forward to holding that Carolina degree as soon as I can get my hands on it"

Lorrie Fair, Athlete

"I took six months off, finished high school, and hung out with friends"

Devon Sawa, Actor

"I did graduate with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering in 1948"

Daniel J. Evans, Politician

"Yeah, I spent about 20 years in a dorm room. It took me a while to graduate"

Douglas Wilson, Entertainer

"The college graduate is presented with a sheepskin to cover his intellectual nakedness"

Robert M. Hutchins, Educator

"We've got a support system that gives our players a wonderful opportunity to graduate. If they go to class and give good effort, they can graduate from this school, and I believe that's important when you go out recruiting"

Steve Spurrier, Coach

"Those three years ended with June 1933. At that time I left Princeton, having submitted my Ph.D. thesis"

Stephen Cole Kleene, Mathematician

"Made it through high school, went to the University of Minnesota"

Dave Winfield, Athlete

Dave Winfield

"Reed College required a thesis for a Bachelor's degree. Normally a Bachelor's is sort of like being stamped 'Prime US Beef.' They just walk you through, hand out the diplomas and you fill in your name later on"

David Eddings, Author

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