Best Speech Ever - Lessons from a 3rd Grade Dropout - Dr Rick Rigsby

Peter D
18 Sept 201826:16

Summary

TLDRDr. Rick Rigsby, a former journalist and professor, delivers an inspiring commencement speech at California Maritime Academy. Drawing from his experiences and wisdom imparted by his father, a third-grade dropout, Rigsby emphasizes the importance of combining knowledge with wisdom to make a significant impact. He urges graduates to live with integrity, kindness, and excellence, sharing personal stories that underscore resilience and the power of influence in leadership.

Takeaways

  • 🎓 Dr. Rick Rigsby is a respected commencement speaker with a diverse background, including journalism, academia, and leadership coaching.
  • 🏆 His educational journey culminated in a PhD from the University of Oregon, and he has been recognized with numerous awards, including two-time recipient of the outstanding teaching award from Texas A&M.
  • 📚 Dr. Rigsby emphasizes the importance of combining academic knowledge with wisdom from life experiences to make a significant impact.
  • đŸ‘šâ€đŸ« He draws on the wisdom of his father, a third-grade dropout, who taught himself to read and write and became a role model of excellence.
  • 🌟 Dr. Rigsby encourages graduates to aim high, using quotes from figures like Michelangelo and Henry Ford to illustrate the importance of setting and achieving lofty goals.
  • 🕰 He advocates for punctuality, with a personal anecdote about his father always being early as a demonstration of striving for excellence.
  • đŸ€ Kindness is highlighted as a key virtue, with the message that kind deeds are never lost and can command the world's attention.
  • đŸ§œ The metaphor of 'finding your broom' is used to convey the idea of taking on tasks, no matter how small, to grow influence and make an impact.
  • 💬 Dr. Rigsby shares personal stories of loss and resilience, using his experience to impart the lesson that 'rock-bottom' can be a foundation for growth.
  • 👹‍👩 He imparts the final lesson from his father: 'Just stand,' emphasizing perseverance and the importance of continuing to stand no matter the challenges faced.
  • 💖 The speech concludes with an emotional story about living with purpose and making every day count, as exemplified by his late wife Trina's final words.

Q & A

  • Who was the commencement speaker at the event described in the transcript?

    -Dr. Rick Rigsby was the commencement speaker at the event.

  • What significant educational achievement did Dr. Rick Rigsby accomplish after his journalism career?

    -Dr. Rick Rigsby earned a PhD from the University of Oregon after his journalism career.

  • What role did Dr. Rick Rigsby serve at Texas A&M University for many years?

    -Dr. Rick Rigsby served as a character coach and chaplain for the Aggies football team at Texas A&M University.

  • What is the profession of Dr. Rick Rigsby's father, as mentioned in the transcript?

    -Dr. Rick Rigsby's father was a cook at California Maritime Academy.

  • What valuable combination does Dr. Rigsby suggest for personal growth and impact?

    -Dr. Rigsby suggests combining academic knowledge with wisdom for personal growth and impact.

  • What is the title of the book authored by Dr. Rick Rigsby that he mentioned in his speech?

    -The title of the book authored by Dr. Rick Rigsby is 'Lessons from a Third Grade Dropout'.

  • What important life lesson did Dr. Rigsby's father teach him about not judging people?

    -Dr. Rigsby's father taught him not to judge people and to get to know them instead.

  • What advice did Dr. Rigsby's father give him about punctuality?

    -Dr. Rigsby's father advised him to be an hour early rather than a minute late.

  • What is the significance of the phrase 'make sure your servant's towel is bigger than your ego' in Dr. Rigsby's speech?

    -The phrase signifies the importance of humility and service over ego and self-importance.

  • What personal tragedy did Dr. Rigsby experience, and how did it shape his perspective on life?

    -Dr. Rigsby experienced the loss of his wife, Trina, to breast cancer, which led him to value how one lives their life and the wisdom gained from personal struggles.

  • What final lesson did Dr. Rigsby's father impart to him at the casket of his deceased wife?

    -Dr. Rigsby's father imparted the lesson to 'just keep standing' no matter the circumstances.

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Highlights

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Transcripts

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Étiquettes Connexes
Commencement SpeechLeadership PrinciplesLife WisdomInspirationalExcellenceInfluenceCharacter CoachEducational ImpactPersonal GrowthLegacy Building
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