Candid but refreshing advice from someone who has practiced what he preached. Most commencement speakers tell a few jokes, let loose a few platitudes, and wish the graduates well. It reflects well on Smith's leadership skills that he told them what they needed to know (without being arrogant) and not just what they wanted to hear. But equally importantly, he told them the question they had to ask themselves ("What do you want your sentence to be?") in order to find the path that is best for them.
Re: “"You Might Be Screwed": Excerpts from Jefferson Smith's U of O Commencement Speech”
Candid but refreshing advice from someone who has practiced what he preached. Most commencement speakers tell a few jokes, let loose a few platitudes, and wish the graduates well. It reflects well on Smith's leadership skills that he told them what they needed to know (without being arrogant) and not just what they wanted to hear. But equally importantly, he told them the question they had to ask themselves ("What do you want your sentence to be?") in order to find the path that is best for them.