![]() I met my father for the first time when I was 30 years old. So I was like 22 and shared, one bathroom with my mother … which was … well … perfect I’m the only son of Diane Barnard, who is here today.Ī single mother that worked multiple jobs to raise her little boy, me, Hayden Dickinson Barnard … She called me Boogie.ĭuring my entire childhood, we rented a two bedroom apartment at 574 Town Hall Court, in Creve Coeur, Missouri, until after I graduated college … So, I figure the best place to start … is right from the beginning …Ĭhapter one – I’m the luckiest guy in the world! Graduates, the only thing I feel like I’ve maybe nailed in my life – is that I know my mission.Īnd … maybe … just maybe, I can help you find yours. Well, I’ve asked myself these questions many times. So why am I here … and what do I have to give? Which means there are thousands of commencement speeches from thousands of speakers with words of wisdom, advice and way too much inspiration. I haven’t been to West Fest or Kirby Lane for a hangover brunch, but I’ve done a little research…Īnd there are 3 million people who will graduate from college in the United States this year. To the lows of the heartbreaker against Alabama, when I walked home by your side absolutely devastated. The highs of the Longhorns completely smashing Oklahoma 49 to zero in the Red River showdown … You’ve all shown real resilience to get here …įrom the ecstasy of the Sweet 16 win … to the agony of the Elite 8 loss … Sharing all those high-fives with Mike at the crosswalk everyday, plus you’ve gotta have patience …Įndless patience to navigate the hyper “efficient” waitlist for class registration every semester. ![]() I’ve never been brave enough to go out down there … No really, Respect.įrom the classroom to Covid and back again.įrom all those juicy burgers at Dirty’s, and late night karaoke at Moody’s, you’re clearly driven people … You’ve all officially survived celebrating life on dirty 6th street and those painful headaches the mornings after. You’ve been on a journey of ups and downs: I have so much respect and admiration for all of you and what you have achieved here today. Ok, let’s go … I didn’t personally attend UT, but I do live in Austin and I love this city. So so good … good to be here with all 50,000 of you … Now … all those people in support of these exceptional graduates please stand up and give that warm ovation right back. So Graduates, please stand up with me and let’s give them our thanks. Your parents, grandparents, siblings, all those teachers, coaches, friends, those who you love and those who love you. Well … you’re here thanks to the people who have an unwavering commitment to you: It was her accomplishment as much as it was mine. Yeah she meant it … and yeah… she actually sounds like that … The last time I attended a University graduation, I received my own diploma, and heard my mother cry out from the top of her lungs, “It’s a miracle!” Wow, standing here, in this great stadium, with such impressive graduates, let’s just take a moment … I couldn’t be more honored or humbled to be here with you this evening. Thank you, President Hartzell, for that gracious introduction.Īnd thank you to all the staff who has put so much effort into making this special celebration possible. The following is the speech delivered by Barnard on May 6, 2023. President Jay Hartzell spoke and introduced Barnard. The ceremony held at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium drew about 50,000 friends and family members who celebrated the accomplishments of more than 13,000 students eligible to graduate. Hayes Barnard delivered the keynote address at The University of Texas at Austin’s 140th spring commencement.
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