Graduations are a time of reflection, celebration, and hope for a bright future. Securing a memorable commencement speaker can help elevate your graduation event and make the day that much more special for graduates, professors, families, and friends.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n\n
To create an exciting and rewarding commencement experience, consider booking a popular commencement speaker. Prominent college graduation speakers will capture your graduate and attendees\u2019 imaginations and propel them into this next phase of their lives with conviction, determination, and inspiration.<\/p>\n\n
Here are nine of the top-booked commencement speakers for college graduations we have worked with recently:<\/p>\n\n
Keep reading to learn more about each of these inspirational and motivational commencement speakers and browse through their individual speaker profile pages to find out more about their expertise and speaking topics and watch their speaker videos by clicking the links below.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n
Inspiration For the Movie,\u00a0The Pursuit of Happyness<\/em>, & Former Wall Street Stockbroker and Investor<\/b><\/p>\n\n If you\u2019ve seen the Golden Globe and Academy Award-nominated movie,\u00a0The Pursuit of Happyness<\/em>, then you\u2019re familiar with Gardner\u2019s story of going from homelessness to Wall Street. But what you may not know is that in person, he is one of the most warm and impressive speakers on the lecture circuit today. Gardner spoke at University of California, Berkeley\u2019s graduation in 2009 and\u00a0encouraged graduates<\/a>\u00a0to create a new vision of the American Dream for modern times, touching on the importance of appreciating what we have\u2014especially our loved ones\u2014and ignoring any discouragement you may find along your pathway to success.\u00a0Learn more about Chris Gardner here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n Nationally-Syndicated SiriusXM Radio Host, CNN Host & Contributor, Columnist, &\u00a0New York Times<\/i>\u00a0Best-Selling Author<\/b><\/p>\n\n In addition to his acclaimed work as nationally-syndicated Sirius XM Radio talk show host, newspaper columnist, and New York Times best-selling author, Michael Smerconish hosts CNN\u2019s\u00a0Smerconish<\/i>. He talked to Delaware Valley University for their 2018 commencement, and\u00a0spoke about<\/a>\u00a0our polarized political climate and the need for renewed civic engagement among our nation\u2019s youth, telling them to \u201cbe good citizens.\u201d\u00a0Learn more about Michael Smerconish here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n Award-Winning Journalist and CNN Anchor and Chief Washington Correspondent<\/b><\/p>\n\n Jake Tapper is a hugely-influential and award-winning American journalist who currently serves as Chief Washington Correspondent for CNN and the anchor of the network\u2019s weekday television news show\u00a0The Lead with Jake Tapper\u00a0<\/i>and Sunday morning affairs program\u00a0State of the Union<\/i>. He delivered the 2018 graduation speech for University of Massachusetts Amherst and\u00a0urged attendees<\/a>\u00a0to resist the temptation to listen only to points of view that reinforce their opinions and to think for themselves, to not worry if they make mistakes or have to start over time and time again, and to embrace your own path.\u00a0Learn more about Jake Tapper here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n Co-Host of\u00a0CBS This Morning<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n\n Norah O\u2019Donnell is the co-host of\u00a0CBS This Morning<\/i>. She also contributes\u00a0to 60 Minutes<\/i>. O\u2019Donnell joined CBS This Morning in July 2012. Prior to that, she served as CBS News Chief White House Correspondent. She\u00a0spoke to<\/a>\u00a0Kean University and told students to live their values, to allow their setbacks to power them forward, to never stop learning, and to set an example for others\u2014even when no one is watching.\u00a0Learn more about Norah O’Donnell here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n Former Commander of US & International Forces in Afghanistan, Best-Selling Author, & Co-Founder of the McChrystal Group<\/b><\/p>\n\n A one-of-a-kind commander with a remarkable record of achievement, General McChrystal is the former commander of US and international forces in Afghanistan and the former leader of Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), which oversees the military\u2019s most sensitive forces. He\u00a0talked to<\/a>\u00a0graduates of The Citadel in 2016 and explained that knowledge is power but ignorance has genuine utility\u2014in that not knowing the answers can help spur innovative solutions. He also discussed the importance of humble leadership and courage in character.\u00a0Learn more about General Stanley McChrystal here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n First Woman Thunderbird Pilot, Combat Veteran, & Fighter Squadron Commander<\/b><\/p>\n\n Nicole is America’s first female Thunderbird pilot, a combat veteran, and a former fighter squadron commander. She uses stories from her time in combat as a metaphor for the lifelong twists and turns we are all faced with and must overcome A natural storyteller, Nicole inspires audiences to face challenges head on and shares incredible insights in leadership, teamwork, and overcoming adversity.\u00a0Learn more about Nicole Malachowski here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n Associate Law Professor at Georgetown University, Criminal Justice Reform Advocate, and Motivational Speaker<\/b><\/p>\n\n Shon Hopwood\u2019s story is uniquely inspiring in that it is all about second chances and pushing past naysayers and self-doubt. Shon was sentenced to 11 years for robbing five banks in Nebraska before discovering a passion for law inside the prison. He accomplished an extremely rare feat while in prison: two certiorari he prepared with no proper law training for fellow inmates were granted review by the Supreme Court. After his release, and despite being told by 300-400 lawyers he would never join their ranks, he became a licensed attorney and well-known law professor. Shon talks about the importance of setting goals, never doubting your ability to turn things around, and persevering despite all odds.\u00a0Learn more about Shon Hopwood here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n Former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency & Former Director of the National Security Agency<\/b><\/p>\n\n General Michael Hayden is the only man to have led the CIA and NSA. As the U.S.\u2019s former top intelligence officer, he is expertly positioned to offer insights on leadership, using your strengths, and acknowledging your weaknesses to get ahead. He\u00a0spoke to cadets<\/a>\u00a0at the Air Force Academy in 2018 about his leadership style and how, even as he climbed to the top of the CIA, he made an effort to get to know everyone who worked for the agency and always strove to do the things that \u201conly he could do.”\u00a0Learn more about General Michael Hayden here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n Retired Marine & Founder of Nuru International<\/strong><\/p>\n\n Jake Harriman’s<\/a>\u00a0story will make you want to get up and do something. He\u2019s a former Marine Commander who founded a unique non-profit aimed at ending extreme poverty in war-torn areas. Run by fellow former Special Ops officers, Nuru International worked with the Obama White House to set up a new outpost in Boko Haram territory in Nigeria.\u00a0Watch Jake deliver the Presidential Leadership Scholars commencement address<\/a>\u00a0to an audience that includes Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.\u00a0\u00a0Learn more about Jake Harriman here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n To bring one of these or another graduation and commencement speaker to your event, email contact@lauthorities.com,\u00a0<\/b>call 1-800-SPEAKER\u00a0or\u00a0<\/strong>live chat<\/a>\u00a0with a member of our team right now.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"MICHAEL SMERCONISH<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n\n
JAKE TAPPER<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n\n
NORAH O\u2019DONNELL<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n\n
GENERAL STANLEY MCCHRYSTAL<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n\n
COL. NICOLE MALACHOWSKI<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n\n
SHON HOPWOOD<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n\n
GENERAL MICHAEL HAYDEN<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n\n
JAKE HARRIMAN<\/a><\/h2>\n\n