Jodi Kantor '96 Delivers a Powerful Keynote Address to over 1,000 Graduates at Columbia College Commencement 2025

Kantor, a noted Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, urged students, against all odds, to strive to be authors of their own career choices.

 

     In preparation for her address, she did what every competent journalist does: she interviewed many of the seniors of the graduating class of 2025 and found so many felt that their educations were marked by facing one crisis after another  (covid caused sequestration and social distancing as they entered the campus in September 2021 and then as juniors in May 2024, the NYPD cleared the campus which was then closed down.) 

     Kantor continued: “You asked how can you stop feeling tossed around by storm winds building fulfilling careers and reestablishing yourselves as authors of your own lives.”

     She recounted her own excruciating experience while writing for the Columbia Spectator

and how she was “kicked off’ along with another writer after the latter accused her of harassment-- as the story was published as front page news. Her hopes and aspirations to become a journalist were instantly and seemingluy irrevocalbly dashed.

      Two years down the line, she began law school thinking that would be a satisfying career for her. But one night at 3 AM  during her first year, she had an epiphanic experience in which realized she really wanted to be a journalist– “being in the text of a document flipping words around.”  So, she abruptly decided to change careers and dropped out of Harvard Law School. 

   "That was the moment I became the author of my own life.”    

   Well, the rest is history as you watch her entire 20 minute address on tape and listen to the introduction delivered by the 2025 Class President, Rohan Mehta. (click here) 

  (Not a day goes by in her career that she does not go from existential crisis to existential crisis.)

 

  Don’t sell yourself short, she continued. She urged students to carry a small memo pad and for the first few months to jot down on a daily basis which actions you like and which you dislike..  Write down personal reactions to people you meet.  Be honest with yourself and avoid putting the monetary rewards as the sine qua non in your choices. “Do not just do the most lucrative thing.  Do not blur the distinction between meeting financial stability and craving enormous wealth.”   

 

She concluded her exhortation with a suggestion that as you choose your career keep in mind two major considerations: Need and Craft. Choose avenues that have great needs and balance that with your own skills to craft the changes you wish to bring about. “Remember you are not statistics or political props in anyone’s play.”

If you wish to see the entire Class Day Graduation Ceremony from the Parade of Students and the Parade of Alumni, including  presentation of all awards and speakers,  click here.       

 

    

National Poetry Month with Walt Whitman's Elegiac Poem "Oh Captain, My Captain"

Commemorating National Poetry Month, established in 1996,  has been a proud ritual of mine for the past ten years. 

The last 100 days here in America have spelled 'disaster'  as 260,000  federal employees have been laid off.  American businessmen, both large and small have paused their investment strategies due to the uncertanty caused by the erratic and sporadic tarriffs. 

 The global economic system, built on established trade practices, is in turmoil. 

  Economic stagnation is a likely result. 

 Our 'ship of state,'  our new government has been floundering on a turbulent unpredictable sea and I thought it appropriate to turn to Walt Whitman (1819-1892) for inspiration. The poet wrote the verse below just after Abraham Lincoln was assasinated on April 15, 1865 and months before General Robert E. Lee formally concluded it with the surrender of the CSS Shenandoah on November 6, 1865.  

  Our  Civil War claimed the loss of about 700, 000 lives.

   It lasted from its start April 12, 1861 until the last skirmish on November 6, 1865.

   That is a total of 1,669 days, paling the first 100 days of this government. 

   Our  constitution, the time honored fabric of our Union,  was sundered by the secession of eleven Southern states.

   It was metaphorically driven to sea where though pummeled by rough seas (the secession followed by war) was arighted  by the steady hand of its Captain.

  In this powerful reading of Whitman's timeless classic piece, metaphoric language is strong at play.  The severed Union at war with the Confederacy is symbolized by the Ship of State.

Abe Lincoln, Our 16th President, 1809-1865

The Captain, much bewailed and mourned with the shores a-crowding with bugle trills, bouquets and ribboned wreaths as his vessel sails safely into port is our heroic President Lincoln who lies fallen at the helm.

 The Ship is now anchored safe and sound. This is the optimistic message of the verse. 

 It is my fervent hope, that after listening to this reading, all responsible US citizens and our government leaders will be "by the better angels of our nature" (from Lincoln's first inaugural address) come to our  better senses to revitalize our sacred union.