YouTube EDU partners Dartmouth College and Stanford University to live stream commencements on YouTube

To kick off the 2011 graduation season in the United States, we featured some inspiring commencement speeches available on YouTube. Since then, many new addresses have been uploaded, including Amy Poehler’s speech at Harvard Class Day, Denzel Washington’s address at the University of Pennsylvania, and First Lady Michelle Obama’s (Part 1 and Part 2) at Spellman College.

While you can spend hours watching these and other addresses on YouTube, sometimes there’s nothing like watching a live event. So to tune in this Sunday June 12 and watch the commencement ceremonies of two YouTube EDU partners live — Dartmouth College and Stanford University will use YouTube’s live stream platform to broadcast their ceremonies beyond their own campuses.

Dartmouth College will kick off the festivities this Sunday at 9:30am ET from Hanover, New Hampshire. Conan O’Brien will deliver the commencement address, likely to be as entertaining as his visit to Google. You can also stay tuned as honorary degrees are presented to former President George H.W. Bush; philanthropist and retired executive Russell A. Boss ’61; New Yorker cartoonist Roz Chast; Native American leader and activist Elouise Cobell; actress Ruby Dee; brain scientist Michael S. Gazzaniga ’61; physician and researcher Howard Hiatt; and Joel Klein, former chancellor of the New York City public school system.

Then, travel from small town New England to Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, California, to watch Stanford University’s 120th commencement ceremony at 12:30pm ET. The day will start with the traditional “Wacky Walk” processional of graduates wearing zany costumes and carrying signs, props and even floats into the stadium with them. Mexican President Felipe Calderón will speak, expected to discuss leadership, social justice and international cooperation. Stanford President John Hennessy will also address those gathered and awards will be presented to the graduating students.

Whether you’re a relative or friend of a graduate unable to attend the day’s events, or simply interested in tuning in to catch the speeches, we hope you enjoy your front row seat at the ceremonies. Hats off again from YouTube to the graduates of 2011!

Will Houghteling, YouTube Marketing Manager, recently watched “Justice series: What’s the right thing to do?”