Matthew Fox: Columbia College Speech

ROAR, LIONS, ROAR!

Lost star Matthew Fox returns to Low Plaza at his Alma Mater on Tuesday to deliver the keynote address during Columbia College Class Day at Columbia University.

(You can watch the video feed here but you need to download Real Player.)

Fox, 40, introduced himself and joked that while Harvard got Bill Gates, “The only difference is I actually graduated.”

“You may have an idea where you want to be in 20 years and some of you will get there. But if you do, I guarantee you won’t have let yourself take chances. 18 years ago sitting in these seats, as hung over as I was, I remember a sense of accomplishment & a sense of fear. In defining the future for yourselves, the safest choice may not be the best choice.”

Fox concluded: “Live for your own passion, not the aspirations or expectations others have for you. Trade fear for trust. Allow yourself to find that area either of your excellence or your excitement that motivates you to apply the same focus and energy that got you through Columbia. Whatever that area is, there is value in it simply because it is the area of your passion.

“Finally and most importantly, do not apologize. One of the most beautiful things you can see is that moment of which a person stops apologizing for who they are and what they want to do and who they want to be and they drop being themselves. That’s it, that’s all the wisdom I’ve got to offer.

“As of tomorrow you are the author of your own life. I’m excited about what I get to do. I get to tell stories but equally as exciting as that to me is the story each one of you is yet to write. The first chapter is coming to a close, where the story goes from here is up to you. Congratulations class of 2007!”

Fox, who received a standing ovation at the end of his speech, graduated with a B.A. in economics (CC’89) and played wide receiver on the Lions’ varsity football team.

UPDATE: Here’s the actual video of Matthew Fox‘s speech thanks to JJ reader Johanna! The recording was taken from one of the side tents. Foxy is quite charismatic and more importantly, funny! Great Class Day speaker…

Fox even addressed the seniors’ reactions published in the Columbia Spectator. “I’ve never heard of this guy. The years before got a Pulitzer Prize-winner and a potential presidential candidate,” Julia Kite, CC ’07, said. “I suppose that after what happened last year, they wanted someone less controversial.” Watch the video below!