# How Sandra Oh Chose The Right Words For Her Speech At Dartmouth’s Commencement

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upvm5aAkFbw
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/upvm5aAkFbw
Generated: 2025-07-22T08:03:18.968+00:00

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## Quick Overview

Sandra Oh received an honorary doctorate from Dartmouth College and used her commencement speech to advise graduates on the importance of kindness and embracing silence, while also playfully expressing mock outrage at CBS and Paramount for late-night show cancellations.

**Key Points:**
- Sandra Oh received an honorary doctorate from Dartmouth College, humorously noting she's now a "doctor" without attending college.
- She playfully expressed her "outrage" at CBS and Paramount for the cancellation of late-night shows, wishing "a plague on both your houses."
- Oh aimed to give Dartmouth graduates honest and purposeful advice in her commencement speech, avoiding false optimism.
- She emphasized the importance of embracing moments of silence for self-reflection and making sound decisions.
- Oh also highlighted kindness as a fundamental quality, describing it as essential for making change and settling oneself during difficult times.

![Screenshot at 02:25: Sandra Oh in her graduation gown, arms outstretched in joy, at the Dartmouth commencement ceremony.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/upvm5aAkFbw/00-02-25.png)

**Context:** Sandra Oh, an Emmy-winning actress known for her roles in "Grey's Anatomy" and "Killing Eve," appeared on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert." During her interview, she discussed a recent significant personal achievement: receiving an honorary doctorate from Dartmouth College, and shared insights from her commencement speech.

## Detailed Analysis

Emmy-winning actress Sandra Oh appeared on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" to discuss her recent honorary doctorate from Dartmouth College. She humorously remarked on now being a "doctor" without attending college, contrasting it with her family of doctors. Oh also playfully expressed her "outrage" at CBS and Paramount for the cancellation of late-night shows, invoking a Shakespearean curse. She then elaborated on her commencement speech, where she aimed to provide genuine inspiration to graduates by acknowledging life's difficulties and encouraging them to embrace moments of silence and practice kindness as fundamental tools for making sound decisions and navigating challenging times.

### Introduction & Playful Outrage

- Stephen Colbert introduces Sandra Oh, who immediately expresses mock anger at CBS and Paramount for late-night show cancellations, wishing "a plague on both your houses"
- Colbert acknowledges her playful jab and thanks her for the sentiment.

### Honorary Doctorate from Dartmouth

- Oh discusses receiving her honorary doctorate from Dartmouth College, joking that she's now a "doctor" without having to go to college
- A photo of her at the commencement ceremony, arms outstretched in joy, is shown.

### Commencement Speech Advice

- Oh shares her philosophy for the commencement speech, emphasizing the importance of giving graduates honest inspiration and not lying to them about the challenges ahead
- She aimed to provide guidance for navigating difficult times.

### Importance of Silence & Kindness

- Oh elaborates on her advice to graduates, highlighting the value of embracing silence to settle oneself and make good decisions
- She also stressed the significance of kindness, describing it as the "mitochondria" for making change and settling oneself.

![Screenshot at 00:00: Stephen Colbert at his desk, introducing his guest to the audience.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/upvm5aAkFbw/00-00-00.png)
![Screenshot at 00:24: Sandra Oh walks onto the stage, greeting Stephen Colbert with a handshake and hug.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/upvm5aAkFbw/00-00-24.png)
![Screenshot at 00:40: Sandra Oh sits on the guest couch, beginning her conversation with Stephen Colbert.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/upvm5aAkFbw/00-00-40.png)
![Screenshot at 01:20: Sandra Oh holds Stephen Colbert's hand while playfully expressing her "outrage" at CBS and Paramount.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/upvm5aAkFbw/00-01-20.png)
![Screenshot at 02:25: A photo of Sandra Oh in her graduation gown, arms outstretched in joy, at the Dartmouth commencement ceremony.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/upvm5aAkFbw/00-02-25.png)
![Screenshot at 03:05: Sandra Oh and Stephen Colbert engaged in a close-up conversation, both holding mugs.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/upvm5aAkFbw/00-03-05.png)