NOTES FROM: Ben Bradlee’s Graduation Speech
[ Another in our “Notes From…” series - short notes by volunteers summarizing various events around the school, to help those of us who didn’t/couldn’t attend. Watch for several other “Notes From…” throughout the year. If you have one, send it in! Or let us know in advance that you’d like to do one; or after the event, too. ]
Below, notes from the 2007 graduation speech by Ben Bradlee of The Washington Post. Many thanks to volunteer notes-taker Phil Wahba, who is a Part-Time student graduating in 2008.
Feel free to drop him note or post a comment below (free, one-time registration required).
Notes From… Ben Bradlee’s Graduation Speech, Columbia Journalism School
By Phil Wahba
E-mail: pw2158[at]columbia.edu
LERNER HALL, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, MAY 16, 2007: “Love your job, and work harder than the guy next to you.” With those words, former Washington Post executive editor Ben Bradlee imparted his advice to the latest batch of Columbia University Journalism School grads setting out into the world of journalism. He is this year’s recipient of the Columbia Journalism Award, the J-school’s highest honor (a recent previous winner was David Halberstam - read his 2005 speech).
After an effusive introduction by Dean Nick Lemann at the school’s graduation ceremony, Mr. Bradlee regaled the audience of graduates and their families and friends with tales from his illustrious career, everything from having President Kennedy for a source to nearly getting deported from France while on assignment
for Newsweek magazine. As he spoke, many of the parents and students in the hall started taking photos of him, their camera flashes going off again and again from all over the room.
His talk also included cautionary tales. Recalling that he was the editor who allowed the publication of Janet Cooke’s 1981 Pulitzer-winning article about heroin addiction that turned out to be a complete fabrication, Mr. Bradlee advised the newly-minted journalists, “When you make a mistake, eat it.” And he cautioned the aspiring journalists that sometimes they won’t get to write the stories they find.
From the outset of his remarks, Mr. Bradlee, 86, made clear his optimism for the profession upon which the 250 or so grads were embarking. “I am flat-out sick of dire predictions for the future of journalism,” he told the audience. “We are the latest of the breed, not the last.” And, he said, people will always want to know
the truth.
He firmly believes that good stories will always be in demand and urged the graduates to be patient when working on a story, because the truth emerges eventually.
The gravel-voiced Mr. Bradlee ended his address by quoting his father’s advice for succeeding. “Nose down, ass up and go.”
NUGGETS OF WISDOM FROM BEN BRADLEE
- “Have a good time in your work.”
- “Find the good stories.”
- “Just go out there and live.”
- “Think for yourself and care about other people.”
- “When you make a mistake, admit it.”
More than 150 students, faculty and staff participated in student Jennifer Redfearn’s “Hat Project” during the two weeks before graduation. Scroll below to see the photos and to see Jennifer’s original e-mail request (the project has since closed).