Fred Rogers, Commencement Address, 1973

Title

Fred Rogers, Commencement Address, 1973

Files

Streaming Media

Description

Fred Rogers was an American television personality, musician, puppeteer, writer, producer, and Presbyterian minister. Rogers was famous for creating, hosting, and composing the theme music for the educational preschool television series Mister Rogers' Neighborhood (1968–2001), which featured his kind-hearted, grandfatherly personality, and directness to his audiences. In this address to the graduating class of 1973, Rogers stresses his view that education is individually varied according to the student doing the learning; different student characteristics necessitate a diverse array of teaching methods. Rogers says that though the road to discovering one’s true self may be long, it is also worth the wait, especially with the help of intuitive and creative teachers. Rogers performs two of his own compositions, “Truth and Freedom,” and “There Are Many Ways to Say I Love You” during the presentation.

Speech Date

4-15-1973

Keywords

Chicago Public Television, Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, television, musical composition, cabinetry, Metropolitan Opera Studio

Permission To Use:

Permission to Use - Permission to quote from this speech should be requested from the University Archives ( lib_archives@emich.edu).​

Fred Rogers, Commencement Address, 1973

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