J.J. Abrams Gives Commencement Address At Sarah Lawrence

YONKERS, NY — Sarah Lawrence College conferred over 400 degrees in the commencement exercises of the historic college in southern Westchester County, just north of New York City. There were 150 master’s degrees were bestowed on Thursday, May 18, and 355 Bachelor of Arts degrees on Friday, May 19.

On Friday, writer, director, producer of film, TV programs, and now a Broadway production, J.J. Abrams delivered the commencement address to the class of 2017 at his alma mater, Sarah Lawrence College.

According to a spokeswoman, Abrams connected with his audience, whom he had met with the evening before to take questions and hear concerns as they leave a campus that has been their home for the last four intensive years of their lives.

From the college:

His personal, self-effacing address hinted at the sense of intimacy students and alumni feel about the small liberal arts college they share. His messages touched on the importance of gratitude, respect, humanity, and belief in the graduates’ own accomplishments.

On gratitude, he said: “It’s not just important to feel gratitude, it’s critical to express it.” And he suggested to his young audience that they employ the “antiquated” practice of writing thank you notes. “…you will be amazed how meaningful that gesture is. To the person who interviews you or gives you a tour of grad school or your new office… it’s not just manners, it’s humanity.”

Abrams spoke of his own family, particularly his wife Katie McGrath, to impress upon the students the importance of finding and respecting one’s chosen spouse: “…choose someone you’re attracted to. Someone you come to love. And someone you hold in the highest regard.”

Underscoring his frequently expressed concern for leveling the playing field, and citing statistics – only 11.2 percent of film directors are men of color, 1.3 percent women of color – Abrams spoke of the “disparity between what the world looks like and those who are generally telling the stories in Hollywood,” saying it is both “preposterous and embarrassing.”

“Regardless of your politics… taking care of each other, doing for others, helping to level the aforementioned playing field, fighting for what you know is right, not just for yourself but for those who might not have as strong a voice or station or college degree in their pockets – is not about being a Democrat or Republican, it’s about being human. Our institutions matter – Democracy matters – there is no better option out there and it needs to be defended. Nothing makes me happier than stating the obvious, so I say this to a population full of activists: it matters that you vote. National elections, but also in your local and statewide elections. Find one thing you’re willing to fight for – that you’re willing to commit energy and time and money towards protecting. You’ve heard the rumors about how entitled and whiny and apathetic your generation is…you owe it to yourselves, your community, to do your part. You have earned your diploma – nicely done. Now it is time to earn your place as a citizen in this country…”

Abrams spoke of the thing he and the students had most in common – Sarah Lawrence College, which he described as “not normal,” saying: “it has always, proudly, been a progressive and creative environment. That means that a high proportion of the student body is artistic. And artists are, nearly always, the ones for whom being a kid wasn’t so easy…but artists are usually artists for a reason. Observers on the outside because the inside didn’t always present a door. To be surrounded by – to live for years beside – people inspired to create, to voice their opinion informed by their observations and struggle – is a gift that will last for the rest of your lives.

“Of course, it was more than just a powerful sense of community that Sarah Lawrence instilled in me. … What getting a Sarah Lawrence degree means is that you’ve attended an exceptional college that values the creative individual, personal discipline, and unique thinking. I can’t think of a more powerful combination in this new economy. In business, in technology, government, entertainment, everywhere. And you’ll actively use what you learned here every day.”

Making reference to the fact that Sarah Lawrence was once an all-women’s college and has a higher proportion of women to men, he said: “I’ve been asked many times why I’ve so often chosen to feature female characters at the center of the stories I tell. I’d argue that’s in no small part because of where I went to college. The extraordinary value of being surrounded by so many female voices cannot be overstated. Having a sister as an only sibling and having had an extraordinary mother prepared me for this place….what my mother taught me is that life is a series of opportunities…serendipities…chances to be grateful, to do the right thing… to find your inspiration.”

In conclusion he said: “While today is important, it isn’t your commencement. It isn’t your beginning. It’s simply another beginning. Like it was going to middle school. Or getting your first job, or learning how to walk….It might not feel like it, but that anxiety you’re feeling right now is the same anxiety you’ve felt before, over and over again…But while your fear is real and justified, so is the fact that you’re standing on a foundation of your own accomplishments…Life, I have learned, like any creative endeavor, is a leap of faith. The thrilling thing… is knowing that it just might work…”

Abrams list of credits included writing, producing and directing “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” producing and directing the “Star Trek” movie reboot and its sequel “Star Trek Into Darkness.”

Photo credit: Andrew Eccles Copyright 2009 Paramount Pictures/All Rights Reserved.