Charles Woodson to deliver Spring Commencement Address
The more we can have him affiliated with our beloved University, the better. He is one of the all-time greats. He accomplished so much in the collegiate ranks and professionally. Also, you have to love the NFL Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award win for his fair play, integrity in competition and respect for opponents.
This is a good omen from the football gods...I sense ignition soon
I think Harbaugh should ask if he'd like to play left Tackle.
March 12th, 2018 at 11:09 AM ^
Let it go.
Lucky bastards. My commencement speaker was so banal that I don't even remember his name or anything he said.
Pope - think about the poor grads last year
They got Schlissel and a video
the snoozers - -GM's president Barra, Zingerman's cofounders, and last years 200th anniversary vignette's. The better speakers --Bloomberg Gupta, Page ( I missed Obama because of daughter's crew regatta). Have also seen former players Avant, Chesson, Howard deliver nice addresses but in front smaller crowds not 30 to 40 thousand. Be engaging, enthusiastic and try to bring it back to U of M and the students not all about how great you are.
March 12th, 2018 at 10:06 AM ^
I got Page and Obama for undergrad and then masters and they were both great. Woodson would have been an awesome one to finish with but I'm not going to be done in time.
March 12th, 2018 at 10:09 AM ^
mine was bill Clinton.. he was the first big one in awhile. there was some pressure on Mary sue at the time to deliver someone better than the past few years
hand out cigars at the meet-n-greet afterwards?
March 12th, 2018 at 10:11 AM ^
I had a T-shirt that read “We Got Bush at Graduation”. No reason Michigan can’t get a high profile speaker. Good grief, just start with the notable alumni list.
March 12th, 2018 at 10:12 AM ^
Dammit, I just graduated in December and already forgot what it was!
March 12th, 2018 at 12:50 PM ^
I skipped my undergrad graduation from U-M in '73. But, as I recall, Ellis Dee spoke to me that whole day. It was enlightening.
March 12th, 2018 at 10:29 AM ^
We had Bill (William) Davidson for the B school (pre Ross days) and HRC for the big one just after Bill became Prez
Owner of Pistons and UM grad in Davidson was cool but he was not a big name outside that
We played euchre during the commencement. Is that wrong?
March 12th, 2018 at 10:44 AM ^
Alexander Robertus Todd
Baron of Trumpington
Master of Christ's College in Cambridge, England
Head of Organic Chemistry
University of Cambridge ,England
Title: Man and His Future - A Scientist's View
He was awesome!
Is that a real title?
In all honesty I didn't attend the graduation. I hit the draft lottery (#16) so Uncle Sam wanted to see me
I've visited Cambridge many times, and I'll recommend a visit to the King's College Chapel every time. It is astoundingly beautiful... As is the entire town - Old World to its very core. You'd never guess that some of the most advanced science mankind has ever dreamt up had its start in that sleepy little enclave of ancient brick. I mean, the place looks like it doesn't even have internet access yet!
March 12th, 2018 at 10:59 AM ^
was our commencement speaker, but that was way back in the day.
Charles Woodson is an excellent speaker choice. A once-in-generation football talent, a philanthropist, and a genuinely good person. He exemplifies all that's best about the "leaders and best" Michigan tradition. Go Blue.
March 12th, 2018 at 11:06 AM ^
neat
March 12th, 2018 at 11:11 AM ^
I mean, I didn't even get to graduate in the stadium... The iffy speaker was just icing on the crap cake.
March 12th, 2018 at 11:15 AM ^
The more Charles is involved with the school and the program the better. He is the best player we've ever had on the field as well as a philanthropist and a great represenative for the university and the state off the field.
March 12th, 2018 at 11:23 AM ^
Mine was David Halberstam, and I don't really remember the speech being all that engrossing. Of course, it was also in the mid-80s outside by the time he finished and it was only the beginning of May, and it is hard to concentrate when you're losing water weight by the minute. Pretty sure the one corner of my diploma has sweat stains on it as a result.
Same here, but I do remember a great speech from him. Didn't know much about him at the time but he was an amazing and accomplished person, and his speech encouraged students to take risks and live their lives rather than just focusing on work and what society expects. I remember being frustrated that so many people had their cell phones out (in the early days of cell phones) and seemed to be chatting with others in the stadium. Was definitely a hot day but I thought it was an excellent address.
March 12th, 2018 at 11:37 AM ^
as he should
March 12th, 2018 at 11:56 AM ^
his Cabernet would make a nice graduation present.
March 12th, 2018 at 12:00 PM ^
he was okay and that's all. i was hoping he'd be dynamic. not so. for B-school we had like the CEO of Renault auto. no recollection of his speech which means he probably wasn't all that special either.
March 12th, 2018 at 12:01 PM ^
Don't read the comments - a lot of clutching of pearls because the University should do "better" than a mere athlete.
March 12th, 2018 at 12:18 PM ^
God damn it. We (class of 2017) don't even get a commencement speaker and y'all get Charles fucking Woodson?
Yes, I'm still bitter.
March 12th, 2018 at 12:55 PM ^
100% same
Last year was a travesty.
March 12th, 2018 at 12:44 PM ^
Did not go to mine in ‘80. Mr son’s undergrad was Zingermans guys and his masters will be Woodson. Looking forward to attending this year!
March 12th, 2018 at 12:45 PM ^
Was John Kasich, political feelings aside...wasn’t that great of a speech.
Not sure the guy actually believes in anything.
Jennifer Granholm was a wonderfully terrible one.
In the midst of the recession in December 2008, he told us to learn Chinese. Kind of a depressing commencement. Of course that spring commencement had been at the Diag, which was kind of incredible. So, you win you lose.
I had Lawrence Kasdan for Undergrad. I didn't go. I went to the RC ceremony where each graduate got to speak for a minute or two.
I went for my doctorate.--in the winter in Crisler. Speaker was Ann Arbor native Ken Burns; he was pretty good.
...after all. Honorary Doctor of Laws? What will he get?
March 12th, 2018 at 10:49 PM ^
No idea who the main speaker was, but Bo was there and Bo talked; and we all listned.
March 12th, 2018 at 11:19 PM ^
my son graduates this year and we will report back with messages for the class of 2018. Go Blue !!!