Secretary Steven Chu's Commencement Address(es)

Commencement Address at Washington University

St. Louis, MO

Excerpts from Secretary Chu's address:

"I was born in St. Louis and lived here until I was three years old. My only childhood memory of St. Louis was standing at a street corner, holding my mother’s hand, on a really, really hot day. It’s strange how one’s memory works. When I was a child, weather records show that the temperature in St. Louis rarely reached 100 degrees. By about the time your grandchildren graduate from Washington University, there is a chance the temperature will be above 100 degrees for about 60 days each year."

"The great American philosopher of the 20th century, Yogi Berra, once said that “predictions are hard to make, especially about the future.” 

"Here are my first two words of advice:  Do something. 
Pick something you care about, and give it your all.  
If it doesn’t work out, move on. Even if you are successful in your career, don’t be afraid to move on and explore new territory. Your biggest regrets will not be over the mistakes you made, but over the opportunities not seized. Carpe Diem."



Commencement Address at Harvard University

 From Secretary Chu's address:  

"First, every time you celebrate an achievement, be thankful to those who made it possible. Thank your parents and friends who supported you, thank your professors who were inspirational, and especially thank the other professors whose less-than-brilliant lectures forced you to teach yourself. Going forward, the ability to teach yourself is the hallmark of a great liberal arts education and will be the key to your success. To your fellow students who have added immeasurably to your education during those late night discussions, hug them.

"Second, in your future life, cultivate a generous spirit. In all negotiations, don’t bargain for the last, little advantage. Leave the change on the table. In your collaborations, always remember that “credit” is not a conserved quantity. In a successful collaboration, everybody gets 90 percent of the credit."
 

"My third piece of advice is as follows: As you begin this new stage of your lives, follow your passion. If you don’t have a passion, don’t be satisfied until you find one. 
Life is too short to go through it without caring deeply about something."