Commencement Speaker Pierce Freelon ’02

Editor’s note: Pierce Freelon ’02 delivered this speech during the 177th Commencement exercises on May 26, 2018.

Seniors, what up?

It is so nice to be back here at Williston. Just a little back story: I was really nervous about delivering this speech today. I’ve given a lot of speeches, but this is probably the most nervous I’ve been, being back here on this campus and I didn’t actually have anything prepared until yesterday. I wrote it in my journal, so we’re just going to read from my journal if that’s cool, alright?

So, this is my entry from Friday, May 25th 2018: “Tomorrow I will deliver the commencement speech at my alma mater, Williston Northampton. Yesterday Headmaster Bob Hill called me. He wanted to see a copy of my speech. I didn’t have one because I’m writing it on the plane right now.” So, my first message to the Willie graduating class of 2018 is: It’s okay to procrastinate. You can still be successful. And I’m like 90 percent sure this will be the best speech you’ll hear all day. So. Continue reading