Oprah Winfrey’s Commencement Address at Colorado College (Full Transcript)

Full text of Oprah Winfrey’s commencement speech Colorado College. This event occurred on May 19, 2019.

TRANSCRIPT:

Oprah Winfrey – Talk show host

I got to say that’s a full-circle moment for me. And I just like to take a moment to thank Jesus, and the ancestors and do a little happy dance. Hello! Because I brought 20 girls to the United States. This is my 19th and final graduation today.

19 graduations in the past 3 years, and what’s interesting is… no, 17 graduations and 2 baccalaureates, because I had three, twice in one day in 3 different cities and couldn’t get to all three cities in one day.

So to be here and have you beautiful Palesa; I know where you’ve come from. I know what the blossoming has been here at CC. It gives me such pride and fills me with such joy to see you becoming the woman that you are.

So thank you for that beautiful introduction. And thank you… full circle moment.

Thank you President Tiefenthaler… Tiefenthaler thank you so much.

Good morning Class of 2019.

I’m here for Palesa and I’m here for you. This is my second time. Two years ago, I was here. One of my other daughters, Avakeil [ph], graduated two years ago from CC, and I was back there freezing like everybody else is right now, including a gentleman I saw in the elevator who said don’t mention my name, I will not. Who’d gone back in to change clothes and I thought I’m going to – I am on a cute little white dress and then I thought I’m going to freeze my buns off, so thank you gentleman in the elevator.