Tulane University 2009 Commencement Speech by Ellen DeGeneres

Imagine if the sky rained down nuggets of wisdom instead of water droplets, that’s the kind of enriching downpour you’d experience when you listen to Ellen DeGeneres’ 2009 commencement speech at Tulane University.

You’re not just being entertained by a beloved comedian and television host, but you’re gaining insights from a woman who’s faced her own share of life’s storms, yet has emerged stronger, funnier, and wiser.

Her speech, brimming with humor, authenticity, and poignant life lessons, has the power to inspire and challenge you.

So, why not grab an umbrella of curiosity and brave this storm of enlightenment?

Trust me, you’ll want to hear what she has to say.

Background

Ellen DeGeneres’ journey to success wasn’t a straight path; she grappled with a lack of direction and ambition after finishing school, dabbling in various jobs without a clear plan for her future. It wasn’t until a tragic event occurred that she found the inspiration to pursue her dreams. Her newfound passion for writing and performing ignited her career, leading her towards a path she’d never anticipated.

However, her journey wasn’t without obstacles. Just over two decades ago, DeGeneres came out as gay, resulting in the cancellation of her popular sitcom and a period of unemployment. This setback, however, didn’t deter her. It was during this time that her perception of success evolved. Fame, fortune, and material possessions took a backseat to living with integrity and being true to oneself.

In her Tulane University Commencement Speech, DeGeneres emphasized embracing the future with confidence, underscoring the importance of resilience and optimism. Her words weren’t just for the graduating students but for anyone seeking understanding in their journey towards success, reminding us that it’s okay not to have all the answers.

Key Takeaways

Here are 4 insights from Ellen DeGeneres at Tulane that highlight authenticity, self-discovery, kindness, and perseverance:

• Ellen DeGeneres faced a lack of direction and ambition after finishing school.
• A tragic event inspired her to pursue her dreams of writing and performing.
• DeGeneres’ personal growth and perspective have had profound impacts on challenging societal norms and inspiring others.
• Coming out as gay resulted in the cancellation of her sitcom but didn’t deter her from pursuing her passion.

Story

Ellen DeGeneres’s story unfolds a journey of self-discovery, from a pivotal imaginary conversation with God to embracing her comedic calling.

Her courageous coming out heralded a shift towards authenticity, challenging and inspiring others towards acceptance. DeGeneres’s humor, a beacon of resilience, transforms adversity, advocating for a life embraced with authenticity and laughter.

Dive into her narrative, a celebration of being true to oneself, underscored by the healing power of humor.

Personal Journey of Discovery and Acceptance

Ellen DeGeneres’s journey to self-discovery and acceptance is a poignant narrative that resonates with many. She delves into a transformative period in her life triggered by a tragic event, which compelled her to introspect on her life’s purpose and direction.

It was during this time of profound questioning that DeGeneres turned to the unique method of writing an imaginary conversation with God, a creative endeavor that unexpectedly steered her towards realizing her passion for stand-up comedy.

This revelation not only marked a pivotal moment in her career but also symbolized the emergence of her true voice amidst adversity.

DeGeneres’s story is a powerful illustration of resilience and the pursuit of authenticity. Her imaginative dialogue with God reflects a moment of clarity in the midst of uncertainty, highlighting the significance of introspection in discovering one’s true calling.

This episode in her life underscores the transformative power of facing one’s fears and embracing one’s identity, paving the way for a journey filled with self-acceptance and the courage to pursue one’s passion.

The Courage to Be True to Oneself

Ellen DeGeneres’s decision to publicly come out represents a monumental step in her personal and professional life. She openly discusses the initial challenges and backlash she faced, reflecting on the period of doubt and isolation that followed. However, DeGeneres also speaks to the profound sense of purpose she discovered through this act of authenticity.

Her story highlights the transformative impact of living one’s truth, not just on a personal level but as a beacon of inspiration for others. This narrative emphasizes the bravery required to stand in one’s truth and the ripple effect it can create, encouraging others to embrace their authentic selves.

The courage DeGeneres displayed in being true to herself set a precedent in the entertainment industry and beyond, fostering a dialogue around acceptance and equality. Her journey of coming out and the subsequent realization of her role as an influencer and advocate for authenticity illuminate the potential for personal truths to inspire and effect change.

DeGeneres’s experience underscores the importance of authenticity as a source of empowerment and a catalyst for broader societal acceptance and understanding.

Finding Humor in the Face of Adversity

Ellen DeGeneres’s ability to infuse humor into her experiences is a testament to her resilience and perspective on life. Her comedic take on the concept of “commencement” and the candid reflections on her career and identity challenges are imbued with light-heartedness and wit.

DeGeneres’s use of humor not only entertains but also serves as a powerful tool for coping with and transcending adversity. Her approach reminds us of the strength and healing found in laughter, and the importance of maintaining joy and humor as a constant companion through life’s ups and downs.

DeGeneres’s narrative demonstrates the pivotal role humor can play in navigating difficult circumstances and fostering a positive outlook. Through her anecdotes and reflections, she illustrates how laughter can bridge the gap between adversity and resilience, offering a mechanism for dealing with life’s challenges.

Her story is a compelling reminder of the enduring power of humor to uplift spirits, foster connection, and bring light to even the darkest moments, showcasing the integral role it plays in the journey of self-discovery and acceptance.

Learnings

In Tulane University Commencement Speech by Ellen DeGeneres, there are 3 key learnings. Let’s delve into each:

Embracing Identity and Authenticity

Ellen DeGeneres’s life exemplifies the profound impact that embracing vulnerability and authenticity can have on personal growth and connection with others:

• The Strength of Vulnerability: Showcases the transformative potential of opening up about one’s true self, demonstrating how vulnerability can break down barriers and cultivate deeper relationships.
• Authenticity as a Path to Success: Affirms that genuine success is achieved through living authentically, suggesting that true alignment between one’s actions and identity not only fulfills the individual but also encourages others to live truthfully.
• Navigating the Challenges of Self-Discovery: Highlights the journey towards self-acceptance as one fraught with obstacles, yet ultimately rewarding, leading to a profound understanding of oneself and a richer, more authentic life.

DeGeneres’s narrative underlines the value of authenticity and vulnerability as conduits for meaningful success and deeper human connections.

The Role of Resilience and Perspective

Ellen DeGeneres’s experiences with overcoming adversity shed light on the importance of resilience, positivity, and maintaining perspective:

• Overcoming Challenges with Positivity: Illustrates how facing difficulties with a positive attitude and humor can turn challenges into opportunities for personal growth and insight.
• The Impact of Resilience on Recovery: Highlights her remarkable journey of resurgence, underpinned by resilience, self-belief, and optimism, showcasing how these qualities can drive recovery and lead to new beginnings.
• Maintaining Perspective in Adversity: Encourages keeping a broad perspective in times of hardship, reminding us of the clarifying and purposeful outcomes that can emerge from navigating life’s setbacks.

DeGeneres’s story emphasizes the transformative effects of resilience and a positive outlook in overcoming life’s hurdles, advocating for a perspective that views challenges as catalysts for growth and self-discovery.

The Power of Humor and Joy

Ellen DeGeneres champions the use of humor and the pursuit of joy as essential elements for a fulfilling life, even in the face of adversity:

• Humor as a Coping Mechanism: Promotes humor as a powerful tool for dealing with life’s struggles, showing how laughter can alleviate stress and bring light to dark times.
• Finding Joy in Every Moment: Stresses the importance of finding happiness not only in achievements but in the everyday experiences that enrich our lives, advocating for a joy-filled journey.
• Inspiring Happiness Through Authenticity: Demonstrates through her use of humor in storytelling how joy and authenticity are interconnected, suggesting that embracing our true selves is key to a happier and more satisfying life.

Through her embrace of humor and joy, DeGeneres illustrates how these qualities can navigate life’s challenges, enrich our experiences, and inspire happiness within ourselves and others.

Ellen DeGeneres’s Tulane University Commencement Speech

Oh boy, thank you so much, thank you so much. Thank you, President Cowan, Mrs. President Cowen; distinguished guests, undistinguished guests, you know who you are, honored faculty and creepy Spanish teacher. And thank you to all the graduating Class of 2009, I realize most of you are hungover and have splitting headaches and haven’t slept since Fat Tuesday, but you can’t graduate ’til I finish, so listen up.

When I was asked to make the commencement speech, I immediately said yes. Then I went to look up what commencement meant which would have been easy if I had a dictionary, but most of the books in our house are Portia’s, and they’re all written in Australian. So I had to break the word down myself, to find out the meaning.

Commencement: common, and cement, common cement. You commonly see cement on sidewalks. Sidewalks have cracks, and if you step on a crack, you break your mother’s back. So there’s that. But I’m honored that you’ve asked me here to speak at your common cement.

I thought that you had to be a famous alumnus, alumini, aluminum, alumis; you had to graduate from this school. And I didn’t go to college here, and I don’t know if President Cowan knows, I didn’t go to any college at all, any college. And I’m not saying you wasted your time, or money, but look at me, I’m a huge celebrity.

Although I did graduate from the school of hard knocks, our mascot was the knockers. I spent a lot of time here growing up. My mom worked at Newcomb and I would go there every time I needed to steal something out of her purse.

But why am I here today? Clearly not to steal, you’re too far away and I’d never get away with it. I’m here because of you. Because I can’t think of a more tenacious, more courageous graduating class. I mean, look at you all, wearing your robes. Usually when you’re wearing a robe at 10 in the morning, it means you’ve given up.

I’m here because I love New Orleans. I was born and raised here, I spent my formative years here, and like you, while I was living here I only did laundry six times. When I finished school, I was completely lost and by school, I mean middle school, but I went ahead and finished high school anyway.

And I really, I had no ambition; I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I did everything from: I shucked oysters, I was a hostess, I was a bartender, I was a waitress, I painted houses, I sold vacuum cleaners; I had no idea and I thought I’d just finally settle in some job and I would make enough money to pay my rent, maybe have basic cable, maybe not, I didn’t really have a plan.

My point is that, by the time I was your age, I really thought I knew who I was but I had no idea.

Like for example, when I was your age, I was dating men. So what I’m saying is, when you’re older, most of you will be gay. Is anybody writing this stuff down? Parents?

Anyway, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life and the way I ended up on this path was from a very tragic event. I was maybe 19, and my girlfriend at the time was killed in a car accident. And I passed the accident, and I didn’t know it was her and I kept going and I found out shortly after that, it was her.

And I was living in a basement apartment; I had no money; I had no heat, no air, I had a mattress on the floor and the apartment was infested with fleas. And I was soul-searching, I was like, why is she suddenly gone, and there are fleas here? I don’t understand, there must be a purpose and wouldn’t it be so convenient if we could pick up the phone and call God and ask these questions.

And I started writing and what poured out of me was an imaginary conversation with God, which was one-sided and I finished writing it and I looked at it and I said to myself, and I hadn’t even been doing stand-up, ever, there was no club in town. I said, “I’m going do this on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” at the time he was the king “and I’m going be the first woman in the history of the show to be called over to sit down.” and several years later, I was the first woman in the history of the show, and only woman in the history of the show to sit down, because of that phone conversation with God that I wrote.

And I started this path of stand-up and it was successful and it was great but it was hard because I was trying to please everybody and I had this secret that I was keeping, that I was gay. And I thought if people found out they wouldn’t like me, they wouldn’t laugh at me. Then my career turned into, I got my own sitcom, and that was very successful, another level of success. And I thought, what if they find out I’m gay, then they’ll never watch, and this was a long time ago, this was when we just had white presidents. But anyway, this was back many years ago.

And I finally decided that I was living with so much shame, and so much fear, that I just couldn’t live that way anymore and I decided to come out and make it creative. And my character would come out at the same time, and it wasn’t to make a political statement, it wasn’t to do anything other than to free myself up from this heaviness that I was carrying around, and I just wanted to be honest.

And I thought, “What’s the worst that could happen? I can lose my career”. I did. I lost my career. The show was cancelled after six years without even telling me; I read it in the paper. The phone didn’t ring for three years. I had no offers. Nobody wanted to touch me at all.

Yet, I was getting letters from kids that almost committed suicide, but didn’t because of what I did. And I realized that I had a purpose. And it wasn’t just about me and it wasn’t about celebrity, but I felt like I was being punished and it was a bad time, I was angry, I was sad, and then I was offered a talk show.

And the people that offered me the talk show tried to sell it. And most stations didn’t want to pick it up. Most people didn’t want to buy it because they thought nobody would watch me.

Really when I look back on it, I wouldn’t change a thing. I mean, it was so important for me to lose everything because I found out what the most important thing is, is to be true to yourself.

Ultimately, that’s what’s gotten me to this place. I don’t live in fear, I’m free; I have no secrets and I know I’ll always be OK, because no matter what, I know who I am.

So In conclusion, when I was younger I thought success was something different. I thought when I grow up, I want to be famous. I want to be a star. I want to be in movies. When I grow up I want to see the world, drive nice cars, I want to have groupies. To quote the Pussycat Dolls. How many people thought it was “boobies”, by the way? It’s not, it’s “groupies”.

But my idea of success is different today. And as you grow, you’ll realize the definition of success changes. For many of you, today, success is being able to hold down 20 shots of tequila. For me,

The most important thing in your life is to live your life with integrity and not to give into peer pressure to try to be something that you’re not, to live your life as an honest and compassionate person, to contribute in some way.

So to conclude my conclusion, follow your passion, stay true to yourself.

Never follow anyone else’s path, unless you’re in the woods and you’re lost and you see a path and by all means you should follow that.

Don’t give advice, it will come back and bite you in the ass. Don’t take anyone’s advice. So my advice to you is to be true to yourself and everything will be fine.

And I know that a lot of you are concerned about your future, but there’s no need to worry. The economy is booming, the job market is wide open, the planet is just fine. It’s going be great.

You’ve already survived a hurricane. What else can happen to you? And as I mentioned before, some of the most devastating things that happen to you will teach you the most. And now you know the right questions to ask in your first job interview. Like, “Is it above sea level?”

So to conclude my conclusion that I’ve previously concluded, in the common cement speech, 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 going to be OK, dum de dumdumdum, just dance.

Conclusion

So, you see, Ellen’s journey is much like navigating uncharted waters. It’s full of setbacks and triumphs, like waves in an ocean.

Her Tulane speech is a lighthouse, guiding us to find our own path and weather our own storms. By embracing authenticity and resilience, she reminds us that our unique voyage can lead to a life of genuine success, illuminated by integrity and compassion.

Truly, an enduring beacon in the sea of life’s challenges.

 

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Speech Collection