A Look Back: Legendary James Earl Jones Gives ’94 Commencement Address

Acting icon James Earl Jones, who passed away this week, gave the College’s 1994 commencement address to graduates. He concluded his remarks with the following:

Whatever the origin of your personal aspiration, each of you has a unique driving force that has delivered you to this point in your journey. And graduating today, you have accepted the call to be a part of a new society as you answered the call. Remember, there are promises to keep promises to yourself. Promises to your families. And promises to your collar. To your colleagues and fellow citizens. To the generations who have paved your way, and to the generations whose way you will be paving as you strive to keep these promises. I applaud you. I cheer you on. I wish you godspeed.

Jones’ wife, Cecilia Hart Jones, is a 1970 School of Arts alum.

Watch the speech (beginning at 26:25), which was included on WCVB’s broadcast coverage yesterday honoring Jones.