Video: Jimmy Carter, in 1994 Commencement Speech, Urged LSU Grads to Transform the World

Family, friends, supporters, and former presidents will attend the funeral of the late President Jimmy Carter today at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.

In May 1994, President Carter visited LSU to deliver the keynote address at the commencement ceremony. During his speech, he inspired graduates with his reflections on leadership, service, and global responsibility.

“I think the greatest repository for the opportunity for future change on Earth are the great American universities,” Carter said.

President Carter’s time at LSU extended beyond the commencement address. Alongside former Presidents Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush, he participated in the grand opening of the Lod Cook Alumni Center. The event brought together the three distinguished leaders and underscored LSU’s national stature.

Carter was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, a recognition of his lifelong dedication to peace, human rights, and public service. His speech emphasized the importance of civic engagement and the responsibilities tied to education. He encouraged graduates to lead lives of purpose and service.

“As we do take an adventure, encompassing the lives of others who are in need, invariably the benefits far transcend the individual sacrifices. It’s a great world in need of me, of you, that can be transformed by dedication to peace, to freedom, to independence, to democracy, human rights, the elimination of suffering,” he said.

Video Courtesy of C-SPAN

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