Harvard Inspirational Lecture: The Last Lesson

Graduation Lecture, Harvard's "Last Lesson"

Text / Wang Ke

At almost every university in the United States, graduation ceremonies are a "big show." They pay attention to the show, and most of them contain history and tradition. This is even more evident in Harvard, the oldest university in the United States.

Our graduation ceremony is always scheduled for the "Three Hundred Years Theater", which is located in the boundless greenery between the Harvard Memorial Hall and the Wadener Library. Usually, Harvard has two lectures each year: one is the graduation anniversary speech, and the other is the graduation ceremony speech. The former precedes the latter and is exclusively owned by Harvard College graduates. Speakers are identified by the senior student committee. This kind of speech is generally called "funny speech". Some of the famous jokes that famous stars and humor writers talked about in the speech made us laugh at the belly and make parents blush.

The graduation ceremony for all graduates, such as Mu Chunfeng, is almost always "serious". It is finalized by the Harvard Alumni Association. The school administrators can't do the Lord. Whoever comes to the lecture depends on the wishes of the students and alumni, and they must reflect their interest and value orientation. Some people will say that the graduation ceremony speech is a "spiritual indicator" for observing the Harvard community.

The speech that emerges in your mind may be a preaching to persuade graduates to be future leaders and dominate the world. However, Harvard Graduation Speakers are the least likely to encourage us to achieve goals.

When I graduated in 2007, the guest speaker on the graduation anniversary was former President Bill Clinton, and the graduation guest speaker was Bill Gates. One was once the most powerful person in the world, and the other was the richest person in the world. If the two do not talk about power and money, what will they say?

Clinton mentioned a concept: "ubuntu". It means "I am made up of you". That is, people are not isolated in the world, but a part of society. He also said that we should not regard ourselves as individuals to pursue individual success, but should strive for the well-being of brothers and sisters around the world. Africa’s AIDS is not just for Africa. The Indonesian tsunami does not belong to “Indonesia” alone – we should not think of it as “they” but “we” when we think. He urges us to “spend as much as possible”. Time, love and energy to consider that 99.9% of the people."

Bill Gates talked about how he and his wife, Melinda, ask themselves "how to maximize the benefits of the people with the resources we have." He is committed to advancing innovative capitalism. Among them, market forces can better serve the poor, a very persuasive interpretation: how to use the modern technology and innovation that is complicated and benefiting enterprises and the government to save lives and improve life in developing countries.

He challenges us: with your excellent diplomas, talents and talents, you can cope with major global issues and contribute to the happiness of more people. He also sent us a parting wish: "I hope that you will evaluate your own standards in the future, not only in terms of professional achievements, but also in your efforts to change the world... and how you treat those distant people. A thousand mountains and waters, except those who have nothing in common with you except human beings."

Two very different people, two speeches in a row.

You may ask: Why? But I will ask: Why is this not the case? We, as the top university graduates who have taken “good jobs”, have young vitality and social recognition – we have nothing to lose. We may think that we are invincible and superior, and thus face the danger of losing our humility and empathy for all mankind. But precisely because of this advantage, we are ready to serve the most challenging visions with the best preparations and to commit ourselves to the most frustrating goals. This is not for us to sacrifice health, wealth or happiness to do the work for others. In fact, we should and must act for the common interests of all mankind, not only through individual level of compassion and compassion, but also Innovate and create on the level of dreams and excellence. We don't have to give up our lives. On the contrary, we can improve our lives by fighting for more people's happiness.

I believe that graduates from prestigious schools, in a unique and resource-rich position, should do their best for the world we are in now and for the world that future generations will survive. I hope that the graduates of the world will accept this challenge as well, and let go of their efforts.