ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

5 of the weirdest and most unexpected graduation speakers of all time

Kermit the Frog angered some people at the 1996 Southampton College commencement.

Muppets are only the beginning.

The spring semester is winding down for college seniors across the US, and graduation ceremonies will take place throughout May and June.

Many colleges have lined up impressive commencement speakers

But some colleges make more unusual choices when they book graduation speakers. Keep reading to see some of the most unexpected choices to give commencement addresses.

Kermit the Frog — Southampton College, 1996

ADVERTISEMENT

Progressive's Flo (Stephanie Courtney) — Binghamton College, 2015

Stephanie Courtney is better-known by her fictional alter ego Flo, who sells insurance on commercials for Progressive. Flo was

Ali G — Harvard University, 2004

Dressed head to toe in his recognizable red track suit, Ali G — a character played by Sacha Baron Cohen — addressed Harvard graduates for Class Day, the more informal graduation celebration that happens the day before students receive their diplomas. He started off:

Harvard's student paper covered the speech noting that topics addressed ranged from "

ADVERTISEMENT

Kanye West — Art Institute of Chicago, 2015

Kanye West — an award-winning rapper, songwriter, and producer — was ostensibly a great choice for graduation speaker for aspiring artists at the Art Institute of Chicago.

The content of the speech he chose to give, however, was confusing and at points nonsensical. He provided advice like:

Theodor 'Dr Seuss' Geisel — Lake Forest College, 1977

Eugene Hotchkiss, the president of Lake Forest College in 1977, invited Dr. Seuss to receive an honorary degree and give the commencement speech to graduating seniors. But somewhere along the way wires got crossed, and Dr. Seuss didn't realize he was to give the address. A day before the ceremony, Dr. Seuss informed Hotchkiss that he would not be giving a speech.

ADVERTISEMENT

Hotchkiss, believing he had no other choice, hoped for the best on the day of the graduation. In 2004, he told the story of the moment Dr. Seuss went on stage to receive his honorary degree:

My uncle ordered popoversfrom the restaurant's bill of fare. And, when they were served, he regarded them with a penetrating stare. Then he spoke great Words of Wisdom as he sat there on that chair:"To eat these things," said my uncle,"you must exercise great care. You may swallow down what's solid BUT you must spit out the air!" And as you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. Do a lot of spitting out the hot air. And be careful what you swallow.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Here's everything to know about being a virgin on your wedding night

Here's everything to know about being a virgin on your wedding night

7 do's and don’ts of the Holy month of Ramadan

7 do's and don’ts of the Holy month of Ramadan

Top 5 sweetest celebrity mother-child relationships that stand out for us

Top 5 sweetest celebrity mother-child relationships that stand out for us

International Women's Day: 5 Nigerian female celebrities championing women’s rights

International Women's Day: 5 Nigerian female celebrities championing women’s rights

Top 5 female directors in Nollywood

Top 5 female directors in Nollywood

6 things that will break a Muslim's fast during Ramadan

6 things that will break a Muslim's fast during Ramadan

5 benefits of fasting during Ramadan

5 benefits of fasting during Ramadan

5 reasons Easter was more fun when we were children

5 reasons Easter was more fun when we were children

Dos and don’ts of supporting Muslims during Ramadan

Dos and don’ts of supporting Muslims during Ramadan

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT