A diploma comes wrapped in a jumble of expectations and pressures. There's a feeling that you -- an early 20-something whose most "adult" possessions include a George Foreman Grill and a button-down shirt you've had since high school -- should have it all mapped out. But no need to panic.

Commencement ceremonies are celebratory and often emotional events. I would put forth that community college commencements are particularly moving. Why? For many of our students, the community college was the second chance -- or perhaps the only chance -- at higher education.

With each option that comes to you, a vibration will emerge from within you. That is your true self bursting into life, and it is your best compass to feel whether the opportunity is right for you, beyond any rational analysis.

There's something about May, more than other months of the year, that makes people want to share advice and try to inspire each other. May also happen...

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The president of Ohio State University withdrew Monday as commencement speaker for a Catholic high school after being reprimand...

If you are willing to be flexible, you will find your true passion. So don't restrict your options, and limit your potential, with arbitrary, self-imposed deadlines. But be ready to push yourself beyond your comfort zone, and to be resilient.

The arc of history will not bend towards justice without you bending it. Public health needs you to ensure health for all. Seize that history. Bend that arc.

I am told that deans retain their titles even after they leave. Like presidents and convicted serial killers, their names are forever preceded by their former roles. But I do need to let go, and found that this May's graduation was surprisingly helpful.

Do our students think that their liberal education proves valuable in regard to their careers and finances in later life? A purely economic indicator seems to show that their answer to that question is Yes.

Now, thanks to his hilarious performance at Whitman College last weekend, the British comedian can add coveted commencement speaker and honorary doctor of fine arts to that list.

Graduating seniors are once again living in two worlds. Much like their young first-year selves, their attention is divided -- each has one foot in college and one foot leading toward the next big adventure. The next climb.

In three weeks, I will graduate from UCLA. The greatest advice that I have for incoming and current scholars is simple: be fearless. Face your fears. Don't be afraid. Fear will hold you back. Bravery will push you forward.

You made it. Or I should say, you've almost made it. For the past four years, maybe five, the number of ways you could blow it have grown smaller and smaller, and you're now down to just a couple of small steps between you and your diploma. My main advice to you is, don't trip up now.

Every graduate needs to step out into the "real world" in style, and at Lynn University all styles are welcome as you'll see from the many styles of shoes that made their red carpet appearance at our 2013 commencement ceremony.

Although it's exciting to welcome graduates entering the real world, a commencement can feel like it lasts forever. In fact, hours of work go into...

Perhaps we should step back and reexamine our criteria for commencement success. I believe forgoing a famous external speaker makes it possible to celebrate the day more fully, because it keeps the focus where it belongs.

Philanthropist Melinda Gates urged graduates of her alma mater, Duke University, to embrace how connected the millennial generation is and use those c...

The room bubbled over with sounds of seniors (seniors!) chatting and drinking champagne as we waited for the announcement of the night: the speaker at the 135th commencement exercises at Wellesley College sending forth the class of 2013 into the world.

Speak from the heart about what you know and what you've experienced in a way that helps these new graduates navigate the ever-changing world ahead. The most important thing to "be" is yourself.

College graduation is a big deal, and a commencement speaker's ability to share something of himself or herself that sticks and gives hope can play an important inspirational role.