There are few honors higher than being asked to return to the college where you spent several stressful, life-changing years, to address a graduating class of seniors and share the wisdom you’ve accumulated since your own commencement.
Comedian Kumail Nanjiani (Silicon Valley, The Big Sick) recently experienced this, when he returned to Iowa’s Grinnell College to speak to the class of 2017. In traditional graduation attire, Nanjiani – a member of Grinnell’s class of ’01 – welcomed everyone to there ceremony, including “that one random guy from town who always shows up to things,” before mentioning that he doesn’t remember his own commencement. It’s cause he was so concerned with his own uncertain future, and while he’s not sure he has the right advice for everyone, he certainly gives it a shot.
Nanjiani’s entire 20-minute speech was captured on tape, so you can enjoy his motivational speech even if you’re not a graduating senior.
