Hillary Clinton served as the keynote speaker Sunday for Yale University’s commencement, where she celebrated accomplished students and faculty and spoke about her own tribulations that turned to successes that she thanked her Alma Mater for.
The former first lady and 1973 Yale Law School graduate, kicked off the anticipated address by happily congratulating the class of 2018 and cracking several jokes.
‘I am thrilled for all of you… even the three of you who live in Michigan and didn’t request your absentee ballots in time,’ Clinton told the cheering crowd on Sunday.
In between her celebratory words, Clinton said she still hasn’t moved on from her 2016 presidential loss, and expressed concerns over the state of the nation.
The former secretary of state said: ‘I’m not over it. I still regret the mistakes I made. Today, as a person, I’m Okay. As an American, I’m concerned.
Hillary Clinton on Sunday provided the commencement speech at Yale University
The former first lady and 1973 Yale Law School graduate, kicked off the anticipated address by happily congratulating the class of 2018 and cracking several jokes
‘This is a moment to reach across divides of race, class, and politics to try to see the world through the eyes of people very different from ourselves and to return to rational debate.’
She at one point whipped out a Russian hat in front of students and faculty members in reference to the country’s 2016 election meddling and keeping the class headdress tradition alive.
Clinton said: ‘I see looking out at you that you are following the tradition of over-the-top hats, so I brought a hat too.’
The centuries-old Class Day tradition sees thousands of students don headdresses of all kinds.
‘A Russian hat… I mean, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em!,’ Clinton added.
The former secretary of state first visited Yale in the fall of 1969 as an incoming law student.
The Theodore Dwight Woolsey statue in front of Dwight Hall on the Old Campus at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, November 28, 2012
Buildings stand on the Yale University campus in New Haven, Connecticut, U.S., on Friday, June 12, 2015. Yale University is an educational institute that offers undergraduate degree programs in art, law, engineering, medicine, and nursing as well as graduate level programs
Students are pictured during Yale’s graduation on May 22, 2011
Clinton was one of 27 women out of 235 to be enrolled in the prestigious college during its first year women were admitted.
Clinton spoke about how she battled between Harvard and Yale Law School – and the shocking experience that helped her make up her mind.
‘I had some trouble making up my mind between Yale and Harvard Law Schools. One day, during that period of decision making, I was invited to a cocktail party at Harvard for potential incoming law students, where I met a famous law professor,’ she said.
‘A friend of mine, a male law student, introduced me to this famous law professor. I mean truly big, three-piece suit, watch chain.’
She went on to explain how the professor informed her that the school doesn’t ‘need’ anymore women – while adding that Harvard didn’t have any competitors.
She also met Bill during her second year at the university – which she described as her most significant experience there.
A graduate listens during the commencement at Yale Law School on May 23, 2011
‘I was cutting through what was then the student lounge with some friends and I saw this tall, handsome guy with a beard who looked like a Viking.
‘I said to my friend, “well who is that?” And she said, “well that’s Bill Clinton. He’s from Arkansas and that’s all he ever talks about”,’ she joked.
Aside from meeting Bill, Clinton said she has met several other faculty and students who have changed her life and career for the better.
‘Ive been honored to serve over the last year or two working with some of the Yale Law School faculty.
‘Yale grads, many of whom are also here today, have worked for me in the United States Senate, the State Department… on my presidential campaigns. I have been so well served.
‘Over the years, Yale has been a home away from home for me. A place I’ve returned to time and again.’
Yale did not specify whether Bill Clinton was in attendance to the ceremony.
Hillary Clinton speaks during a press conference at the Wyndham New Yorker Hotel the day after the election on Wednesday November 9, 2016 in New York City