Video: Top 5 funniest commencement speeches

A University of Alberta dean is in the headlines over a controversial convocation speech.

Dr. Philip Baker delivered a speech to the graduating class of 2011 last Friday night. During his speech, students discovered that much of Baker’s words were taken from a 2010 speech by Dr. Atul Gawande from Stanford University.

Baker has apologized for the act, saying he was inspired by Gawande’s speech, and used parts of it to make his point to the students in Edmonton.

Baker’s graduation speech raises questions and eyebrows, but it isn’t the first commencement speech to make headlines.

Here are some of our favourite graduation speeches, watch the videos below:

Will Ferrell: Harvard University speech, 2003

Jon Stewart: College of William & Mary commencement address, 2004

Stephen Colbert: Knox College commencement ceremony, 2006

Conan O’Brien: Dartmouth College commencement address, 2011

JK Rowling: Harvard University commencement speech, 2008