Oprah Gives Stanford Grads Books, Calls Class To Service

Oprah Winfrey spoke at Stanford Commencement Sunday (BFF Gayle King's daughter, and Oprah's goddaughter, Kirby Bumpus, was among the graduates) and lamented that she was unable to give the grads new cars. The grads did, however, show up to find two books on their seats courtesy of Winfrey: Eckhart Tolle's A New Earth (Oprah's current Book Club selection) and Daniel Pink's A Whole New Mind (which Oprah said "reassured [her she's] in the right direction]".

Watch:

From Stanford's official write-up of Oprah's commencement address:

"I really wanted to give you cars," said the television host, magazine publisher and philanthropist, who was greeted by the graduates with cheers, high-fives and whoops of "Oprah, I love you!"

During her 30-minute address, which started with a special nod to her graduating goddaughter, Kirby Bumpus, Winfrey drew on lessons learned from a career that began in 1976, when she co-anchored a television newscast.

"It didn't feel right," she said of the $22,000 job that her father encouraged her to stick with. She did not like covering tragedies. She did not like being told to change her look. And she was not about to listen to her boss and change her name to "Suzie."

After eight months of being an awkward fit, the station she worked for made her a talk show host.

As soon as she started the new job, "I felt like I came home," she said.

"When you're doing the work you were meant to do, it feels right," she said "And every day is a bonus, regardless of what you're getting paid."

Money is nice, she told the crowd of about 25,000, but without being able to put it to good use, there is not much point.

"I like money," said Winfrey, who has been ranked five times by Forbes magazine as the world's most powerful celebrity. "It's good for buying things. What you want is money with meaning. Meaning is what brings real richness to your life."

Read the entire summary of Oprah's commencement address, or read the transcript at Stanford's website.

Comments

[toocoldout]

The biggest gift Oprah has given us is Obama. If she hadn't campaigned in Iowa and won the black female vote in South Carolina and nationwide, the world would be a very different place today. Thank you Oprah for convincing me and millions of others to give Obama a chance Thank you for giving him weeks of media attention leading up to Iowa & attracting thousands of volunteers. Thanks for making his book a best-seller back in the fall of 2006. You were there long before others jumped on the bandwagon. In fact you created the bandwagon by having the courage to campaign for a blak man who was 30 points behind in the polls at the time. It's great that you turned Dr. Phil into a superstar and got 4 million people to read Echart Tolle, but getting 4 million people to vote Obama was far more important.

[LiberalBuzz]

Good for Oprah. Sometimes I think she believes her own press and other times I am sure she really wants to do good things in her world.

It's just that with all the problems facing this country it's hard to take someone seriously who just plunked down 50 million for a house here in Santa Barbara and has spent over that amount remodeling it. YES she earned every dollar she had and I don't begrudge her a dime of it, I just think she could do so much more for people with that money and maybe have moved into a house that only cost 25 million.

She does do a lot of good, I just an convinced all wealthy people can do more.

BUT nonetheless it was a good speech. Let's hope as many as possible heed her words.

[Choc1972]

Only a black woman would be put down for being rich. Get a grip. How much have you given to charity in your lifetime?

[txgal44]

Thank you!!!

[toocoldout]

Business Week lists Oprah as the most philanthropic black and the most philanthropic performer in America. Despite having to overcome poverty, racism, sexism, illegitimacy, drugs, teen pregnancy, and obesity, she's managed to give HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS of her own hard earned money to charity. People like us who were born with every opportunity but have given next to nothing have no right to judge.

[KarateKid]

Did they moon her?

[mlaiuppa]

I wish Oprah (or even Stephen Colbert) had given my commencement speech.

I got the Mayor. (Bleech and *snore*)

[SOOKOOYAH GURL]

Thank you Oprah for always being inspirational..

It's funny she is talking about advancement and all the trolls can think of is bad mouthing her.. Lol

[Agnim]

Even greater success, Oprah. You are endowed with one of the biggest hearts in the world.
Compassion flows from you like a mighty stream.

[americanwomaninpa]

Opra is a huge disappointment to me.She is really off the Deep End these days.

[edwarvir]

americanwomaninpa MIss O has the right to endorse whomever she wants.

Don't be a player hater. She is loving ! with a big heart ! and I hope
GOD will continue to Bless her

[Speakchic]

Considering you don't even know how to spell her name, I take that with a grain of salt.

[jkb246]

Who is Opra?? Never heard of that lady.

Well at least we know that the so called Clinton ladies for McCain are just a bunch of racists. It's okay McBush will treat you ladies very well

[Daly]

O (original O) it is my 11 y.o's dream to go to Stanford I cannot wait to show him your speech.

[ZimboChick]

Great speech Oprah. Stay blessed

[supergranny]

That photo makes her look like she's supersizing her happy meals.

[GPC]

I always have to laugh when I am in checking out at the store. You see real pictures of oprah with her 3 shins, round face and body, but on her self agrandizing magazine of advertisemnets, she looks like she is 110 pounds. Photshop much!

I see the same thing happening with the new cartoon character, rachel ray.

[trailblazer]

Why is that so important to you?

[sheikwil]

Now do you think Oprah and her 2.5 Billion dollars care what you think. I think not, you know she exist, but she don't know you do. This women who grew up in the poorest state in our country Mississippi has earned all that money and respect on her own with only a Bachelor's Degree, so I think she is one smart cookie, she didn't steal, cheat or humiliate anyone to get there either. Instead of trying to diss someone who has made it, why don't you try to get what she has earned for herself. I am not mad at her. She's done more good and very little harm for the world than people that sit around and complain rather than getting on with their lives.

[springsm]

Oh my honey, you have a great case of the greenies...they are called envy and jealousy. Very catty of you.

[LynndaMaree]

She also has the money to downsize those meals to. Sounds to me like you're jealsous.

[Speakchic]

She has a thyroid problem.

[txgal44]

Your mouth is supersized!

[Mujokan]

From the text: "Daniel Pink's A Whole New Mind (which Oprah said "reassured [her she'] in the right direction]"."

I thought it was Dr. Mehmet Oz who was the expert on getting hershey moving in the right direction?

I was a fan of Oprah up till when she endorsed "The Secret". Thank goodness she didn't give them that book. Sorry guys, there was no need to go to Stanford. You can get everything you want by sending out psychic messages to the universe!

[trailblazer]

You haven't read it, have you? Didn't think so.

[Mujokan]

I've heard what Oprah had to say about it, I've read other stuff about it, then I've read through it in the bookstore to verify all that. Obviously I'm not going to buy it!

Here is a quote from the official website: "Money is magnetic energy. You are a magnet attracting to you all things, via the signal you are emitting through your thoughts and feelings."

The advice they give on dealing with money is a quick route to going broke. E.g. "Speak, act, and think from the mindset of being wealthy now. Eliminate thoughts and words of lack such as "I can't afford it", "It is too expensive".

I think positive thinking is important, but the "Secret" focus on magical thinking and searching for coincidences I find manipulative and dangerous. There's a term for it : "delusions of reference". I recognize a lot of techniques from cult psychology and the tricks fake mediums use.

Though it has some good advice, that is devalued by attaching it to this stupid psychic stuff. There is only one way to be sure of getting what you want, and that's to work towards it. That will create opportunities naturally, but not because you sent out a signal to the universe and *literally* (that's the word they use) turned into a "magnet".

[jukesgrrl]

She is the person who raised "The Bridges of Madison County" to cult status, also. Another decision that makes me question her taste.

[toocoldout]

Oprah earns $275 million a year and single handedly launched Obama into the political stratosphere. If she tells you the secret works, who are we to question it? Hell if she tells you that the secret to success is standing on 500 slices of bread, then I suggest you hurry to the nearest grocery store.

[Seven7s]

Obama's speech to the DNC launched him into the stratosphere and his win in Iowa put him in orbit.

Oprah helped, but lets not get crazy.

[LawSource]

GREAT Commencement Speech and Strong Call To Service!!

Oprah -08!