What Do the CEO of Twitter, Conan O'Brian, and David Foster Wallace Have in Common?

Nothing really. At least nothing substantial on the surface. Some might say the title then is just a ploy to get people to click on the link, pandering to the instinct in all of us to read about all things celebrity. But I guess you could say most titles are ploys, at least most good ones. They grab at you and tickle your curiosity in just a few words, words that may have some sliver of deceit in them. Yet that doesn't make them lies. And I submit that this title is no lie either (or you will forgive me the excess). There is something that the three men listed in the title have in common: they have all given truly excellent commencement speeches.

At a time when many UB students are planning their graduation parties and beginning down that nervously hopeful path that leads to the rest of their lives, I figured that I might help alleviate some of that nervousness by directing your attention to some of the most inspiring, funny, and reassuring commencement speeches on YouTube.

University of Michigan: Dick Costolo, CEO of Twitter


Dartmouth College: Conan O'Brien

Socially Up-To-Date with Langsdale

You can find Langsdale Library on social media. We want to make sure everyone is updated on scheduled events, renovations, closings and free giveaways (woo-hoo!). It’s important for a college library to connect with its students and keep them informed about library resources. We understand that some students have busy schedules and can’t stop by the library frequently. But those same people might also like to know that Langsdale has a new, free scanner on the first floor, or that we were giving away free cupcakes about a week ago, or, better yet, that the third floor was renovated with more study space.

That’s why we use social media – for you!

Be a part of our social network by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, subscribing to our blog post, and checking in with us on Foursquare. This way, you’re up to date with all of the latest Langsdale news. Click the images below, and then, like magic, you’ll never be left in the dark about anything going on in Langsdale ever again.

Twitter in the classroom

A recent article in The Chronicle of Higher Education discusses how Twitter can be effectively used in an online classroom to facilitate communication and increase feelings of connection between faculty and students in an online environment.

The article also notes that few students were using Twitter prior to the class; its classroom application taught students a new social media tool.