Class of 2012 Commencement

With disaster on the horizon, President Levin tries to create the ideal Yale experience. The Yale 2012 Class Day Video Directed by Hunter Wolk & Chloe Sarbib Written by Mark Sonnenblick & Brendan Ternus and Hunter Wolk Produced by Carina Sposato

Yale mascot Handsome Dan XVII takes a new look at Commencement, taking his GoPro to the festivities on Monday, May 21, 2012. Presented by the Yale University Office of Public Affairs and Communications, this "Dan Cam" view is brought to you by Sherman, aka Handsome Dan XVII. Music courtesy of the Yale Glee Club, Jeffrey Douma, director. Video produced by Michael Morand, edited by Michael Marsland, with special thanks to Chris Getman, Michael Helfenbein, John Maturo, and Mark Stricker. Boola, boola, and bulldog, bulldog, bow, wow, wow!

Margaret Hilary Marshall '76 J.D., former chief justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, offers her thoughts on how individuals can change the world, the lasting value of a liberal arts education, and advice for graduating students in this conversation during Yale Commencement weekend. She was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by Yale at its 311th commencement on May 21, 2012. For more information on Marshall and the honorary degree recipients, visit

Robert M. Gates, chancellor of the College of William and Mary and former U.S. Secretary of Defense, offers his thoughts on the importance of compromise for the well-being of the nation and the value of a liberal arts education in this conversation during Yale Commencement weekend. Gates was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree by Yale at its 311th commencement on May 21, 2012. For more information on Gates and the honorary degree recipients, visit

Midori, a world-renowned violinist and founder of Midori & Friends, offers her thoughts on education, music, and how to maintain balance in life in this conversation during Yale Commencement weekend. She was awarded an honorary Doctor of Music degree by Yale at its 311th commencement on May 21, 2012. For more information on Midori and the honorary degree recipients, visit

Margaret Warner '71 is a senior correspondent and on-air anchor on public television's PBS NewsHour. She was elected an alumni fellow of the Yale Corporation in 2006. Warner served as chair of the Yale Corporation's Honorary Degrees Committee 2011-2012. In this video, she discusses what Yale looks for in selecting honorees, what it is like to serve as a trustee of Yale, and what makes Yale, Yale. For more information on the honorary degree recipients pictured in this video, visit

Yale University celebrates the 311th Commencement ceremonies on May 21st, 2012. Yale President Richard C. Levin conferred a total of 3,021 degrees, in addition to 251 that were awarded provisionally to students of the Yale Law School and 34 students in the Physician Assistant program, who complete their programs a bit later. He saluted all of the graduates for their "extraordinary accomplishments" and for their "effort, diligence, talent, and intellect."

Barbara Walters, ABC News Correspondent, reporter, producer and author, addresses the Yale Class of 2012 during the traditional Class Day speech on May 20th 2012.

Yale President, Richard Levin, and Yale College Dean, Mary Miller, address the graduating seniors at the Yale College Class of 2012 Baccalaureate Ceremony on May 20th, 2012.