[MUSIC]
Our four years at BU were perhaps
the hardest four years any class
has experienced.
But when things were dark,
when the road seemed too steep or
too narrow,
we kept fighting anyway.
And if I can leave you with one
single thing from this moment,
let it be this.
When you are overwhelmed by what
is to come take a deep breath,
imagine turning 180 degrees.
See the mountains behind you?
Each of those peaks was once
the largest you had ever climbed.
Many seems totally overwhelming in
their turn that you
overcame them all.
We know that whatever challenges
await on our horizon,
we will use our time at BU and
the lessons we've learned here to
drive us forward.
Thank you and
good luck on your climb.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> You registered
first-time black voters after
passage of the Voting Rights Act.
And later help administer
South Africa's first democratic
elections in 1994,
which established Nelson Mandela as
president and ended apartheid.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> You
have made an impact with decades of
human rights work through
the United Nations and have
received numerous recognitions.
Gay McDougall, we thank you for
your vision and courage and
proudly confer upon you the degree
of Doctor of Law, honoris causa
>> [APPLAUSE] >> Having
founded a venture capital firm that
invests in emerging technologies,
you are accustomed to seeing things
others do not.
And then you turn your vision into
reality.
You envisioned a center dedicated
to digital learning and innovation
then you made the generous gift
that opened its doors.
For 14 years you served on
the Board of Trustees then on
the university advisory board and
now you are a Trustee Emeritus.
Rich Shipley, we proudly confer
upon you the degree Doctor of
Humane Letters honors cause.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> Who have
worked tirelessly in the public and
private sectors for
society's most fun Vulnerable.
So it was no surprise when
Massachusetts governor
Charlie Baker enlisted you to serve
as secretary of
human services in 2015.
You have since reformed the child
welfare system.
Confronted the opioid epidemic and
strengthened community based
program delivering essential
services to one in three
Massachusetts residents.
Marylou Sudders we are proud to
call you and alarm and
confer upon you to degree Doctor
of Law on this call.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> Your name has become synonymous
with hard hitting journalism.
Just a few years after your
first byline and in the post,
you and your colleague broke one of
the biggest stories of the century,
the Watergate scandal.
Your fearless pursuit of the real
story has marked every
turn in your long career, and
resulted in the sharing of two
Pulitzer Prizes along with almost
every other honor in journalism.
Bob Woodward, we're honored to
present you with the degree Doctor
of Law, honors class.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> I have one suggestion don't be
in a hurry to do what might
be the wrong thing in your life.
Don't be afraid to try new things.
Some paths may sound crazy to
others, even your parents,
your guardian but
it might be the right path for you.
Katherine Graham,
the renowned publisher and
owner of The Washington Post,
back in the 70s once said about
journalism, to love what you do and
feel that it matters.
How could anything be more fun?
Thank you very much.
>> [APPLAUSE]
[MUSIC]