Former President Clinton’s RIT Convocation Speech ‘Lives On’—Online

For those who missed it, or for those who simply want to relive it: Former President Bill Clinton’s visit last month to Rochester Institute of Technology as the university’s Academic Convocation keynote speaker can be seen online and on DVD (see ordering details below).

Free, open-captioned video coverage of RIT’s entire Academic Convocation ceremony—including the 42nd U.S. president’s speech—can be viewed at www.rit.edu/videos/?file=convocation2007. An audio-only podcast of Clinton’s speech is available at www.thetigerbeat.com/rss/podcasts/convocation_clinton.m4a (or, see “Latest Podcasts” on the RIT University News Web site at www.rit.edu/news).

RIT’s Academic Convocation ceremony on May 25 was moved outdoors to accommodate an audience of more than 13,000 who listened, in record-setting heat, as the former president urged graduates to positively change the world by embracing their similarities and differences.

The ceremony, part of RIT’s 122nd Commencement, was the last one for RIT’s outgoing president, Albert Simone, who retires June 30 following 15 years as RIT president. Simone’s final Academic Convocation speech, along with RIT Student Government President Lizzie Sorkin’s address, are also available on the RIT University News Web site.

Transcripts of each audio podcast are also available, along with photo galleries from RIT’s Academic Convocation and 122nd Commencement weekend and links to outside media coverage (see “RIT In the News”).

Note: DVDs of RIT’s Academic Convocation—featuring keynote address by former U.S. President Bill Clinton—and individual college commencement ceremonies are available for $26 each. A package of two DVDs, including the Academic Convocation and a college commencement ceremony, is $42. DVDs can be ordered by calling (585) 475-4121 or by downloading an order form at www.rit.edu/~commence/know.php3#video (scroll down to “DVDs of College Commencement Ceremonies,” near the bottom). Orders must be received by June 8.