Jon Stewart, a 1984 graduate of the College of William and Mary, in Williamsburg, Va., got an honorary doctorate May 16, 2004, from the school, where he confessed he was a mediocre student.
Samuel L. Jackson
Actor Samuel L. Jackson delivers the keynote address during Vassar College's 140th commencement ceremony May 23, 2004, in the Town of Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
Madeleine Albright
Madeleine Albright, the 64th U.S. Secretary of State, high-fives a graduate after she delivered the commencement address at Duke University, May 9, 2004, in Durham, N.C. Behind Albright is Nannerl Keohane, president of the university. In her address, Albright urged graduates to "search always for more and better ways to give."
Laura Bush
First Lady Laura Bush gave the commencement address to graduating students of Miami-Dade College at the James L. Knight Center in Miami, May 1, 2004. She told the grads: "We never know where life is going to take us, but with education, you have the opportunity to chart your own course... Never cease to learn. Don't simply read books, devour them, and share them."
Robert Redford
Robert Redford delivers the commencement address at Bard College's 144th Commencement on the campus in Annandale-on-Hudson, N.Y., May 22, 2004. Redford also received the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from the college.
Coretta Scott King
At the New England Conservatory of Music, Coretta Scott King, center, spoke May 16, 2004, of the power of music. Mrs. King, widow of assassinated civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., is an alumna of the conservatory, which is located in Boston.
Tommy Franks
Retired Gen Tommy Franks salutes the audience as he receives a standing ovation after delivering the commencement address for Oklahoma State University inside Gallagher-Iba Arena, May 8, 2004, in Stillwater, Okla.
Mariane Pearl
Mariane Pearl, widow of slain Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, shown here with their son, Adam, told a group of graduating journalists of the University of California, Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism, on May 15, 2004, that the Iraq war and its aftermath will challenge the news media to maintain its role as government watchdogs.
Bono
Bono, lead singer of the rock group U2, watches University of Pennsylvania graduates walk toward their commencement ceremony in Philadelphia, May 17, 2004. Bono delivered the commencement address and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.
Tom Brokaw
News anchor Tom Brokaw gave the commencement speech at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Okla., May 8, 2004. In calling for more unity in the U.S., Brokaw told the grads: "I have no illusion that American politics should resemble spring break, when everyone gathers on a beach and loves everyone else. But must it be scorched earth all day every day?"
Clarence Thomas
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas gave the commencement address at the Ave Maria School of Law in Ypsilanti, Mich., May 16, 2004. Thomas extolled graduates to live by principle and never give up.
Queen Noor
Queen Noor of Jordan speaks after receiving an honorary doctorate of humane letters at Occidental College's commencement ceremony, May 16, 2004, in Los Angeles. She told graduates: "Use your education, foster connections, and cooperate to establish a new kind of security, built on mutual benefit, not better bombs. Not a fortress for the few, but a safety net for all of us."
Bill Clinton
Former President Bill Clinton walks off the stage with Russell Maurice Franklin, left, alumni co-president after delivering the Convocation Address to the graduating at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., May 29, 2004. Also pictured is Esther Tang, alumni co-president, and David E. Jackson II, back, convocation chair.
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey addresses the attendees of the Greenwich Academy Commencement ceremony in Greenwich, Conn., May 27, 2004. Winfrey's goddaughter, Kirby Bumpus, was part of the graduating class.