Gravitas on the Green

Conan O’Brien is the first comedian to speak at Commencement. Here’s a look back at the more serious-minded speakers of the last 13 ceremonies:

Stephen Henry Lewis 2010 Louise Erdrich ’76 2009 Ellen Johnson Sirleaf 2008 Henry M. Paulson ’68 2007 Elie Wiesel 2006 Tom Brokaw 2005 Jeffrey Immelt ’78 2004 David McCullough 2003 Fred McFeely Rogers ’50 2002 Madeleine Korbel Albright 2001 Shirley Ann Jackson 2000 George Mitchell 1999 Doris Kearns Goodwin 1998