Anderson Cooper - 2010 Tulane Commencement Speech

Today, Tulane's Class of 2010 graduated, a class that decided to attend Tulane University directly after Katrina. I cannot imagine the uncertainty that they faced moving to New Orleans four years ago. I respect these graduates for their decision, and know the city is a better place because of it.

Anderson Cooper's address was an inspirational one with points that are very prevalent in my journey. Especially this one...

"The things that seem like heartbreaking setbacks sometimes turn out to be lucky breaks."

Be Real.

“I’m always suspicious of a student who tells me they set out to be a TV news anchor. It’s like becoming a politician. I think you should set out to be a real person first before you set out to become a fake one.”

"When I graduated college, there were hiring freezes at most TV networks, I tried for months to get an entry level job at ABC News…answering phones, Xeroxing whatever I could. And I could not get the job.  At the time, it was crushing........In retrospect, not getting that entry level job was probably the best thing that could ever happened to me.  After months of waiting, I decided that if no one would give me a chance as a reporter, I’d have to take the chance…I wanted to be a war correspondent so I decided that I would just start going to wars." - Anderson Cooper

Link to ANDERSON COOPER'S 2010 COMMENCEMENT SPEECH TO TULANE 

and if that's too heavy here's Ellen DeGeneres' from last year. We have a lot in common.

Just Dance!

"I guess what I'm trying to say is life is like one big Mardi Gras. But instead of showing your boobs, show people your brain, and if they like what they see, you'll have more beads than you know what to do with. And you'll be drunk, most of the time. So the Katrina class of 2009, I say congratulations and if you don't remember a thing I said today, remember this: you're gonna be ok, dum de dum dum dum, JUST DANCE. - Ellen DeGeneres