Commencement 2011: what 10 eminent speakers told graduates

"Follow your bliss." "You can be whatever you want to be." "Never give up." Google reveals those three platitudes to be the ones most often spoken at commencements, according to Richard Stengel, managing editor of Time magazine. Many speakers, however – including Mr. Stengel – offered more insightful advice to college graduates this spring. Here are the Monitor's hand-picked highlights from the 2011 season.

- Amanda Paulson, Staff writer

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Vice President and Secretary of Emory University Rosemary Magee, left, and Provost Earl Lewis, right, robe U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano as she receives an honorary doctor of laws degree before delivering the keynote address at the university's commencement ceremony on May 9 in Atlanta. Napolitano made her remarks at the commencement ceremony on the Emory campus where About 3,500 students graduated from the private college. (David Goldman/AP Photo)

9. Janet Napolitano, secretary of Homeland Security, Emory University

Today, we live in a world where change is a certainty – and where the pace of that change is growing ever faster. Past generations could not bank on the fact that the world would be all that different 4, 40, or 100 years in the future. But we can. This gives us greater opportunities, to be sure, but greater risks as well. Your challenge as graduates will be figuring out how to take advantage of the dynamism of today's world – and use your unique skills to make it better.