This year, more than 1.6 million students will don a cap and gown, walk across the stage, and accept their diplomas as they become part of the graduating class of 2014.
As we do every year at "Nightly News," we canvassed the country to capture the most memorable moments of commencement right alongside those students. Along the way, we heard inspiring words from some of our nation’s leaders and entertainers.
Below, watch highlights from commencement speeches delivered to the class of 2014.
Singer-songwriter John Legend spoke at the University of Pennsylvania on love:
Susan Wojcicki, the CEO of YouTube, soothed the nerves of Johns Hopkins graduates who still hadn't figured out what to do next:
Actor and producer Forest Whitaker told graduates at Miami University to work like swarming bees to achieve their dreams:
Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg told City Colleges of Chicago students how much self-belief can predict destiny.
U.S. Navy Adm. William McRaven teaches graduates at the University of Texas-Austin how to survive a shark attack:
And Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs told Howard University students that there’s “no rescue team” coming to guarantee success:
