Grad speeches: Who flopped, who rocked in 2008

Here’s a look at four of this year’s graduation speeches that merit some distinction, if perhaps dubious

’Tis the season to move on, get a job, grow up, move in with mom and dad. That’s right; it is graduation season at schools and universities across America, and with it come the commencement addresses.

So far impressive personalities have produced quotable lines and some laughs, a few duds and a couple home runs.

And let’s not forget that 2008 is the year of c-h-a-n-g-e. It has appeared in several speeches. Probably no surprise that Barack Obama uttered the word seven times in his speech to Wesleyan graduates.

So here’s a look at 2008’s words of wisdom from one former and one prospective president, the Bianca Jagger—yes, Mick’s ex-wife—speech that flopped and one address that could pass the test of time.

Barack Obama: One part genuine inspiration, one part well-crafted elevator pitch

Mix a commencement address with a politician’s stump speech and what do you get? A mess of compliments and empty overtures, right?