"Just Do It" Must Have Already Been Taken

"It can be done."

Commencement Speaker: Allen Fore

Law School: Valparaiso University Law School

Claim to Fame: Director of Public Affairs for Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP

Notes: Fore quotes from his personal hero, Ronald Reagan. Isn't Reagan where this whole "public divestment of public education" started? The "why should I pay for your degree" thing?

*****

"It's always impossible until it's done."

Commencement Speaker: David Drummond

Law School: Santa Clara University School of Law

Claim to Fame: Senior VP and Chief Legal Officer of Google

Notes: Drummond quoted his personal hero, Nelson Mandela, in his speech. Drummond went on to say of Google: "Because it's a big company doesn't mean I can't fight to make sure that this big company sticks to its principles, that its continual march toward openness and progress and fairness mirrors the marches I participated in 30 years ago on this campus." Note Drummond attended Santa Clara undergrad; his law degree is from Stanford.

*****

"Lawyering is service. Do it with honor and integrity."

Commencement Speaker: Sonia Sotomayor

Law School: Yale Law School

Claim to Fame: First Hispanic U.S. Supreme Court Justice

Notes: The gist of Sotomayor's remarks were to follow their values and passions and not to worry about their resumes.

*****

"Graduates, as you survey the life and career paths before you, consider how the meaningful application of your exquisite Swiss Army knife of a degree, especially application of your critical thinking, can lead to greater involvement in your self-worth."

Commencement Speaker: William "Mo" Cowan

Law School: Boston College Law School

Claim to Fame: Interim U.S. Senator about to "return to the private sector"

Notes: Cowan told the grads: "Find the proper balance between your net worth and your self-worth." He then went on to provide this gem: "Your true career path will be as clear as a bell, and you will know how best to utilize that versatile tool of remarkably infinite utility."