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The Indiana Daily Student

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'Do something you love': Graduate commencement speaker John Hennessy shares advice

John Hennessy

As the executive chairman of Alphabet, Google's parent company, John Hennessy has been at the forefront of the world's technological shifts. During his time as the tenth President of Stanford University, Hennessy dedicated his life to higher education.

A president emeritus of Stanford University, Hennessy will deliver the commencement address during IU's graduate commencement ceremony May 4 in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.

He will also receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree during the ceremony. 

Prior to the graduate commencement ceremony, Hennessy shared advice he would give to the graduating students with the Indiana Daily Student.


What pieces of advice would you give to students who are about to graduate?

Do something you love: don't settle. Remember that the people you work with will be as important as the specific job you do. Think of your first real-world job as a learning opportunity.


What do you hope to communicate to the graduating students in your speech Friday?

I hope to convey that a willingness to take risks and to try doing new things can take you to places you never dreamed of. Furthermore, as you get older you will value your relationships more and the positive things you do for others will grow in importance.


What has education meant to your life, and what role do you believe higher education plays in society and the impact it can have on people?

I believe deeply in the power of education to change lives. Higher education is the ladder of opportunity, it changes lives both for the graduate and for those she impacts.

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