the buzz log

J.K. Rowling gave one. So did Bill Gates. Even Conan O'Brien got the nod. Successful, rich, witty? Sure, but you're nobody until you've delivered the commencement speech at Harvard.

This year, Energy Secretary Steven Chu (a Harvard reject who consoles himself with a Nobel prize) gave it a try. He worried he could not live up to past speakers, but the Secretary presented his credentials to the Class of 2009: "I am a nerd." You can read the full text here.

In the season of speechifying to grads, the Harvard Commencement address stands above others. It may not be fair, but the name must go far in attracting not just the top students, but also, the top speakers. They don't have a funny guy: They want the funniest guy (Will Ferrell, thank you very much). Heads of state (Benazir Bhutto), renegades (Ali G—really), and rock stars (Bono, natch) have all stepped up to the podium and delivered the jokes, the unsolicited advice, and the wisdom that comes from being them.

News of the Harvard graduation caused searches on "harvard commencement 2009," which stirred interest in past addresses. The perennially popular speech given by alum Conan O'Brien in 2000 is resurfacing as he starts his new gig as "Tonight Show" host.

O'Brien opened with: "The last time I was invited to Harvard it cost me $110,000. So I was reluctant to show up." You can catch the video here. Funny man Will Ferrell delivered Harvard's class day address in 2003, decked in nautical gear, claiming he mistook the graduation for a boat show.

So maybe the lesson is this: If you grow up to be super-successful in any field, maybe someday you too can deliver the Harvard Commencement.