Author and HBO host Bill Maher is scheduled to be the commencement speaker at University of California, Berkeley in December 2014. <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.change.org%2Fp%2Funiversity-of-california-berkeley-stop-bill-maher-from-speaking-at-uc-berkeley-s-december-graduation" target="_blank" target="_blank">A petition on Change.org</a> urges the school to cancel Maher's speech, calling Maher "a blatant bigot and racist." Here, Maher attends the Summer TCA Tour in 2011. Click through to see more of 2014's big-name commencement speakers.
2014's big-name commencement speakers —
Author and HBO host Bill Maher is scheduled to be the commencement speaker at University of California, Berkeley in December 2014. A petition on Change.org urges the school to cancel Maher's speech, calling Maher "a blatant bigot and racist." Here, Maher attends the Summer TCA Tour in 2011. Click through to see more of 2014's big-name commencement speakers.
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The founders and co-chairs of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation gave the commencement address at Stanford University on June 15. "Even in dire situations, optimism can fuel innovation and lead to new tools to eliminate suffering. But if you never really see the people who are suffering, your optimism can't help them. You will never change their world," Bill Gates told students.<br />
Bill and Melinda Gates —
The founders and co-chairs of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation gave the commencement address at Stanford University on June 15. "Even in dire situations, optimism can fuel innovation and lead to new tools to eliminate suffering. But if you never really see the people who are suffering, your optimism can't help them. You will never change their world," Bill Gates told students.
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The creator of "Scandal" and "Grey's Anatomy" spoke at Dartmouth College's commencement on June 8. "Whenever you see me somewhere succeeding in one area of my life, that almost certainly means I am failing in another area of my life," <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fvideo%2F%3F%2Fvideo%2Fus%2F2014%2F06%2F10%2Fpkg-shonda-rhimes-dartmouth-graduation-speech.wcax%26video_referrer%3D">she told the graduates</a>. Rhimes is a 1991 graduate of the college.
Shonda Rhimes —
The creator of "Scandal" and "Grey's Anatomy" spoke at Dartmouth College's commencement on June 8. "Whenever you see me somewhere succeeding in one area of my life, that almost certainly means I am failing in another area of my life," she told the graduates. Rhimes is a 1991 graduate of the college.
eli burakian/dartmouth
Michael Bloomberg, center, gave <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2014%2F05%2F29%2Fus%2Fbloomberg-harvard-speech%2Findex.html">the commencement speech at Harvard University on May 29, 2014</a>. Bloomberg, Aretha Franklin, left, and George H.W. Bush, right, also received honorary degrees. "This spring, it has been disturbing to see a number of college commencement speakers withdraw -- or have their invitations rescinded -- after protests from students and -- to me, shockingly -- from senior faculty and administrators who should know better," the businessman and former mayor of New York City said during his speech.<br />
Michael Bloomberg —
Michael Bloomberg, center, gave the commencement speech at Harvard University on May 29, 2014. Bloomberg, Aretha Franklin, left, and George H.W. Bush, right, also received honorary degrees. "This spring, it has been disturbing to see a number of college commencement speakers withdraw -- or have their invitations rescinded -- after protests from students and -- to me, shockingly -- from senior faculty and administrators who should know better," the businessman and former mayor of New York City said during his speech.
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Sandra Bullock was the surprise commencement speaker at Warren Easton Charter High School's graduation in New Orleans on May 19. She has supported the school since shortly after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Her advice? "Stop worrying so much. Stop being scared of the unknown, because anything I worried about didn't happen," Bullock told the graduates. Also: "Do not pick your nose in public."
Sandra Bullock —
Sandra Bullock was the surprise commencement speaker at Warren Easton Charter High School's graduation in New Orleans on May 19. She has supported the school since shortly after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Her advice? "Stop worrying so much. Stop being scared of the unknown, because anything I worried about didn't happen," Bullock told the graduates. Also: "Do not pick your nose in public."
Kathleen Flynn/NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune/Landov
The actor offered some <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2014%2F05%2F28%2Fshowbiz%2Fcelebrity-news-gossip%2Fjim-carrey-commencement-speech%2Findex.html">inspiring words to the Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, Iowa</a>, on May 24: "Like many of you, I was concerned about going out into the world and doing something bigger than myself, until someone smarter than myself made me realize that there is nothing bigger than myself," he said. "My soul is not contained within the limits of my body; my body is contained within the limitlessness of my soul."
Jim Carrey —
The actor offered some inspiring words to the Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, Iowa, on May 24: "Like many of you, I was concerned about going out into the world and doing something bigger than myself, until someone smarter than myself made me realize that there is nothing bigger than myself," he said. "My soul is not contained within the limits of my body; my body is contained within the limitlessness of my soul."
Maharishi University of Management
The president of the United States delivered the commencement address at University of California-Irvine on June 14. During the speech, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpoliticalticker.blogs.cnn.com%2F2014%2F06%2F14%2Fclimate-change-deniers-serious-threat-to-future-obama-says%2F">he called lawmakers and pundits who deny manmade climate</a> change a "fairly serious threat to everybody's future."
Barack Obama —
The president of the United States delivered the commencement address at University of California-Irvine on June 14. During the speech, he called lawmakers and pundits who deny manmade climate change a "fairly serious threat to everybody's future."
Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP
The vice president of the United States gives the commencement addresses at Miami-Dade College on May 3. He later spoke at the University of South Carolina on May 9 and his alma mater, the University of Delaware, on May 31.<br />
Joe Biden —
The vice president of the United States gives the commencement addresses at Miami-Dade College on May 3. He later spoke at the University of South Carolina on May 9 and his alma mater, the University of Delaware, on May 31.
Javier Galeano/AP
The first lady delivers the commencement address at Dillard University in New Orleans on May 10. She'll also <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpoliticalticker.blogs.cnn.com%2F2014%2F04%2F24%2Ffirst-lady-changes-plans-after-controversy-over-high-school-graduation-address%2F">speak to seniors in Topeka, Kansas, just before their graduation</a> and the District of Columbia College Access Program in Washington this year.
Michelle Obama —
The first lady delivers the commencement address at Dillard University in New Orleans on May 10. She'll also speak to seniors in Topeka, Kansas, just before their graduation and the District of Columbia College Access Program in Washington this year.
Jonathan Bachman/AP
Gen. Colin Powell, the former secretary of state and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, delivers the commencement speech at High Point University in North Carolina on May 3.
Colin Powell —
Gen. Colin Powell, the former secretary of state and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, delivers the commencement speech at High Point University in North Carolina on May 3.
From High Point University
The former president of the United States delivered the address at New York University-Abu Dhabi's inaugural commencement exercises on May 25.
Bill Clinton —
The former president of the United States delivered the address at New York University-Abu Dhabi's inaugural commencement exercises on May 25.
courtesy Philip Cheung
The General Motors CEO delivers the commencement address at the University of Michigan on May 3. Barra, the first woman to lead a major automaker, urged students to rethink old assumptions and correct injustices.
Mary Barra —
The General Motors CEO delivers the commencement address at the University of Michigan on May 3. Barra, the first woman to lead a major automaker, urged students to rethink old assumptions and correct injustices.
Carlos Osorio/AP
The entrepreneur and entertainment mogul delivers the commencement speech at Howard University on May 10.
Sean Combs —
The entrepreneur and entertainment mogul delivers the commencement speech at Howard University on May 10.
Allison Shelley/Getty Images for DKC
Elin Nordegren, the ex-wife of Tiger Woods, gave <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fvideo%2Fdata%2F2.0%2Fvideo%2Fus%2F2014%2F05%2F12%2Fbts-tiger-woods-ex-graduation-speech.rollins-college.html">a commencement speech at Rollins College</a> after winning the Outstanding Graduating Senior Award from the Hamilton Holt School. "Education has been the only consistent part of my life the last nine years," she told her fellow grads. "And it has offered me comfort. Education is one thing that no one can take away from you."<br />
Elin Nordegren —
Elin Nordegren, the ex-wife of Tiger Woods, gave a commencement speech at Rollins College after winning the Outstanding Graduating Senior Award from the Hamilton Holt School. "Education has been the only consistent part of my life the last nine years," she told her fellow grads. "And it has offered me comfort. Education is one thing that no one can take away from you."
Rollins College
The "Science Guy" delivered a commencement address at University of Massachusetts Lowell on May 17.
Bill Nye —
The "Science Guy" delivered a commencement address at University of Massachusetts Lowell on May 17.
George Riley/UMass Lowell
The Grammy-winning singer and songwriter delivered the commencement address at the University of Pennsylvania on May 19. Legend graduated from Penn in 1999. Here, he receives an honorary doctorate of music during the commencement ceremony.
John Legend —
The Grammy-winning singer and songwriter delivered the commencement address at the University of Pennsylvania on May 19. Legend graduated from Penn in 1999. Here, he receives an honorary doctorate of music during the commencement ceremony.
Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images
The U.S. Navy admiral delivered the keynote address at the University of Texas at Austin's commencement on May 17. McCraven is the ninth commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command; he planned and directed the U.S. Joint Special Operations Command raid that led to the death of Osama bin Laden.
William H. McRaven —
The U.S. Navy admiral delivered the keynote address at the University of Texas at Austin's commencement on May 17. McCraven is the ninth commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command; he planned and directed the U.S. Joint Special Operations Command raid that led to the death of Osama bin Laden.
Marsha Miller/The University of Texas at Austin/ap
The screenwriter and director of Disney's "Frozen" spoke at University of New Hampshire's commencement on May 17. Lee is a 1992 graduate of the school.
Jennifer Lee —
The screenwriter and director of Disney's "Frozen" spoke at University of New Hampshire's commencement on May 17. Lee is a 1992 graduate of the school.
Mark Bolton/university of New Hampshire
Jill Abramson, former executive editor of The New York Times, received an honorary doctorate during the commencement ceremony at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on May 19. It was <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmoney.cnn.com%2F2014%2F05%2F19%2Fnews%2Fcompanies%2Fabramson-speech%2F">Abramson's first public appearance</a> since her dismissal from The New York Times.
Jill Abramson —
Jill Abramson, former executive editor of The New York Times, received an honorary doctorate during the commencement ceremony at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on May 19. It was Abramson's first public appearance since her dismissal from The New York Times.
neil redmond/ap
The Denver Broncos quarterback spoke to graduates of the University of Virginia on May 17, even tossing a football to a few students.<br />
Peyton Manning —
The Denver Broncos quarterback spoke to graduates of the University of Virginia on May 17, even tossing a football to a few students.
Sanjay Suchak/University of Virginia
The secretary of state delivered Yale University's Class Day address on May 18. Kerry is a 1966 graduate of Yale.
John Kerry —
The secretary of state delivered Yale University's Class Day address on May 18. Kerry is a 1966 graduate of Yale.
jessica hill/ap
Howard Koh, assistant secretary for health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, left, addressed graduates during a commencement ceremony at University of Massachusetts Lowell on May 17. He posed here with Marty Meehan, chancellor of the university.
Howard Koh —
Howard Koh, assistant secretary for health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, left, addressed graduates during a commencement ceremony at University of Massachusetts Lowell on May 17. He posed here with Marty Meehan, chancellor of the university.
george riley/Umass lowell
The host of "Fareed Zakaria GPS" on CNN delivered the commencement address at Sarah Lawrence College on May 23.
Fareed Zakaria —
The host of "Fareed Zakaria GPS" on CNN delivered the commencement address at Sarah Lawrence College on May 23.
from Sarah Lawrence College
The actor from "The Office" and "The Hangover" spoke at Cornell University's senior class convocation on May 24.
Ed Helms —
The actor from "The Office" and "The Hangover" spoke at Cornell University's senior class convocation on May 24.
Jason Koski/University Photography
The Federal Reserve chairwoman delivered the commencement speech at New York University on May 21.
Janet Yellen —
The Federal Reserve chairwoman delivered the commencement speech at New York University on May 21.
Frank Franklin II/ap
The U.S. secretary of labor received an honorary degree during commencement services at Brown University on May 25; he graduated from the school in 1983. Perez also spoke at Oberlin College's commencement ceremony on May 26.
Thomas Perez —
The U.S. secretary of labor received an honorary degree during commencement services at Brown University on May 25; he graduated from the school in 1983. Perez also spoke at Oberlin College's commencement ceremony on May 26.
Steven Senne/ap
YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki spoke at Johns Hopkins University's commencement on May 22.
Susan Wojcicki —
YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki spoke at Johns Hopkins University's commencement on May 22.
Jay VanRensselaer/JHU
Former Vice President Al Gore addressed the class of 2014 at Princeton University's Class Day on June 2, the day before its commencement ceremony.
Al Gore —
Former Vice President Al Gore addressed the class of 2014 at Princeton University's Class Day on June 2, the day before its commencement ceremony.
Mel Evans/ap
U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia delivered the commencement address at the William & Mary Law School graduation ceremony on May 11. Here, he conducts a naturalization ceremony in 2013.
Antonin Scalia —
U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia delivered the commencement address at the William & Mary Law School graduation ceremony on May 11. Here, he conducts a naturalization ceremony in 2013.
MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
The former secretary of homeland security, now president of the University of California, delivered the commencement address at Northeastern University in Boston on May 2. Here, she gives a farewell address at the National Press Club in Washington in 2013.
Janet Napolitano —
The former secretary of homeland security, now president of the University of California, delivered the commencement address at Northeastern University in Boston on May 2. Here, she gives a farewell address at the National Press Club in Washington in 2013.
Carolyn Kaster/AP
The former chief executive of Microsoft spoke at the University of Washington's commencement on June 14. He's shown here at the opening of the Microsoft Center Berlin in 2013.
Steve Ballmer —
The former chief executive of Microsoft spoke at the University of Washington's commencement on June 14. He's shown here at the opening of the Microsoft Center Berlin in 2013.
Adam Berry/Getty Images