Over the past two decades I have had the very special opportunity to speak before audiences around the world about some of the issues that animate life in the twenty-first century. Below you may find the texts of more than 80 of my speeches. To watch or listen to streaming video or audio, click here.
The Opportunity Given to College Graduates
** "On Dirt: Engaging Evil To Improve the World," Cornell U Spring Commencement, May 30, 2004
* "Worldly Public Service," The Frank M. Coffin Lecture on Law and Public Service, November 15, 2012
"E.B. White, WIlliam Strunk, and Charlotte," Cornell U Winter Commencement, December 20, 2003
"An Open and Inquiring Mind, and Stuart Little," Cornell U Winter Commencement, December 18, 2004
"An Optimistic Heart," Cornell U Spring Commencement, May 29, 2005
The Opportunity Given to College Students
"Welcome to NYU Shanghai," New Student Convocation, August 22, 2015 [Chinese Translation]
“Liberal Arts Education in the Twenty-First Century,” Fudan University, November 28, 2014
"The Elements of an Outstanding Undergraduate Education,” Global Initiatives Taiwan, July 16, 2014
"Making the Most of a Magical Opportunity," New Student Convocation, August 25, 2011
"Zoolander and Kafka," New Student Convocation, August 21, 2004
"The Big Lebowski and Sophocles," New Student Convocation, August 23, 2003
Americans in China
** "A Transnational Soul," TEDx Shanghai 2012 Talk, May 20, 2012
* "On Friendship," (Acceptance of Friendship Award), September 29, 2011
"Crafting the Right Work Environment for a Multicultural Talent Pool," December 20, 2011
"How Americans Think," Peking University School of International Studies, April 10, 2007
The Transnational University
Leading a Great University
** "Revolutionary and Beloved," October 16, 2003
* "Understanding, Adaptation, Innovation, and Contribution," April 5, 2012
"Building Cornell: The State of the University," October 29, 2004
"University Leadership and Healthy Globalization," University Presidents Assembly, Beijing Forum, November 17, 2005
"A Plane With Two Pilots: The State of the University," June 11, 2005
"On Collaboration," New York City Inaugural Address, October 15, 2003
"The Shoulders of Giants," December 12, 2002
"Leadership in Higher Education," ICOS Seminar, January 11, 2002
Why Universities Are Different
The Transformation of Chinese Universities
** “The Process of Innovation in Chinese Higher Education,” Address to the SEIED, December 4, 2014
* "A Bilingual Optimistic Heart," July 20, 2013
“Reforming University Administration to Enable Excellence,” Beijing Normal University Symposium Keynote, January 26, 2015
"The Changing Face of Legal Education in 2012," Sir George Turner Public Lecture, March 5, 2012
"Imagination, Courage and Trust," PKUSZGS Tenth Anniversary, December 21, 2011
"Breaking New Ground in Legal Education," Groundbreaking Ceremony, September 21, 2011
"American and Chinese Universities," Address at University Town Library, May 14, 2011
"More Drops, More Buckets," Law School Admissions Council Keynote, May 30, 2009
Creativity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship
Life, Wisdom, and Sustainability
"Wisdom in the Age of Digital Information: A Virtual Speech," 2005
"Sustainability in the Age of Development," Cornell Silicon Valley Conference, May 14, 2005
"Life in the Age of the Genome," Inaugural Address, New York City, October 15, 2003
Globalization and the Rule of Law
“A Decisive Role in Creating a Happier World,” China Entrepreneurs Forum, February 13, 2014
"The Geography of Legal Thought," Shenzhen Bar Association, May 6, 2009
"New Hard Questions About Globalization," CSES, November 10, 2006
"From Welfare State to Welfare Planet," CIPA, November 9, 2006
"Global Food Security," World University Presidents Keynote, September 16, 2005
Affirmative Action and Diversity
** "The Law and Politics of Affirmative Action," Uppsala, Sweden, August 28, 2006
* Keynote Address to Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, April 2, 2003
“From Bakke to Grutter and Beyond,” Address to Cornell Institute for Public Affairs, March 5, 2004
Acceptance of National Equal Justice Award, November 6, 2003
American Jewish Congress Panel Discussion, May 7, 2003
The Great Lawyer
** “Searching for Answers,” PKU STL Spring Commencement, July 3, 2015
* “Respectful and Honest Professionals," PKU STL Spring Commencement, June 27, 2014
* "Pragmatism," PKU STL Spring Commencement, July 5, 2013
* "A Transnational Soul," PKU STL Spring Commencement, June 23, 2012
"Compassion," Michigan Law Spring Commencement, May 3, 2003
"Optimism," Michigan Law Spring Commencement, May 5, 2001
"Patience," Michigan Law Spring Commencement, May 13, 2000
"Voice," Michigan Law Spring Commencement, May 4, 2002
"Our Profession's Image," Michigan Law Spring Commencement, May 15, 1999
"Civic Engagement and Friendship," Michigan Law Spring Commencement, May 16, 1998
"Teaching," Michigan Law Spring Commencement, May 10, 1997
"Professional Integrity," Michigan Law Spring Commencement, May 11, 1996
"Commitment to the Public Good," Michigan Law Spring Commencement, May 13, 1995
