Jimmy Buffett's University of Miami Commencement Speech

Jimmy Buffett receiving a Doctorate of Music, Honoris Causa, from the University of Miami. May 8, 2015. Presenters, University of Miami President Donna Shalala and Board of Trustee member Fred Berens. This video is available on the University of Miami's livestream page at livestream.com/accounts/226340.... I am sharing this on KZbin for the benefit of the Parrothead community, and most others, who would look to KZbin for something like this as opposed to the livestream site. All credit to whom credit is due. If the University of Miami or Jimmy's people take issue with me posting this on KZbin, please contact me before filing a copyright claim. I am more than happy to work with you.

[@lynnholzberlein4449]

Jimmy Buffett is the only celebrity I would consider to sit down with and just talk to as a friend. He is genuinely just what he says he is. We will miss him but his music and dedication to making life better will never be forgotten. He has been a major influence on many lives He is the essence of feeling good. What a great human.

[@tommyselbe1999]

RIP Dr. James William Buffett 🎉 Great eulogy

[@cmhopkins7772]

This was a lucky class to have this experience great life advice may he rest in paradise

[@RandyTaylor_1969]

This world was a better place with Jimmy Buffett in it. Rest in paradise, Jimmy, and thank you for everything.

[@scottstrain8388]

RIP Jimmy Buffett Thanks for all of the smiles and all of the songs, in the past, now and in the future. A legend never dies :)

[@patriciapage4625]

Jimmy was a Genius and he had the best personality one could ever imbrace the likes of him. He always had a great smile. Have fun on the other side.

[@joycesutter3336]

This was so extremely charming and real. Those students were so lucky to have had him address them. RIP Jimmy!

[@sueschneider9516]

I was lucky enough to attend the University of Miami 1975-80 and Jimmy would grace our campus with his cool Caribbean vibe and coconut telegraph lifestyle I am glad that my alma mater conferred this Doctorate of Music to Jimmy. Of course, he is wearing flip-flops to accept this honor. RIP my friend.

[@kenperkins7921]

This world wilsuck even worse! Now 😢

[@nancyjones2541]

We were at our local beach hotel for labor day weekend. Woke up to the news. It was like losing a father, another one since the year prior. Had my worn thin with love "woman to blame" tee shirt with me and it was a no Brainer. Came down to our familiar Hilton on our familiar beach in our familiar paradise, and cried when I saw so many tourists and locals alike, donned in their parrothead gear. My dear daddy is playing the ukulele along with Jimmy as we speak. Thank you, Jimmy, for letting me know that my daddy is having the best time jamming with you in HEAVEN..... "come monday"❤❤❤❤

[@paulmorris6177]

The man is worth $600 million dollars and wears flip-flops to his doctoral graduation...the very definition of cool! I've been a Parrothead since I was intro'd to him back in '83 when I was 17 at my FIRST Jimmy Buffett concert...and will die one!

[@MrGaryGG48]

I have to wonder if Dr. Buffett isn't the patron saint of "Don't take yourself too Seriously!!!" ;^)

[@pamcaswell9404]

He is actually worth one billion dollars. That is 1,000 million dollars. Let that sink in.

[@paulmorris6177]

@@pamcaswell9404 that’s more money than both of us will see in 10 lifetimes…let THAT sink in..😂

[@powell4661]

​@@pamcaswell9404last 3 years were good financially.

[@aaronz9410]

"Terror is the absense of humor." A very strong and true line.

[@rhondalewis8240]

I WOULD HAVED DIED JUST TO Bask in his glory Jimmy you are the most beautiful creative inspiration we’ve had in 100 years thank you

[@DavidDudley-yy2ui]

no exaggeration!

[@nicenice2651]

As Mexican, it's kind of weird to know who Jimmy Buffet is, my sailing life made and connected somehow with his music, music that I found so inspiring, fun, and moreover to keep sailing. Once in a while I go beyong memories and connect with him. I've just found out he has passed away, I know, I am just another soul appreciating what he taught us and somehow I feel sad. Thanks a lot for sharing.

[@Mphscat]

What a genuinely nice man (and funny too). The sun shines a little less bright since his passing. Thank you for the gifts you gave all of us in the world including your great advice: Trust the Universe and Fins UP :) Sail in eternal Peace Captain.

[@velvetjones1856]

It was wonderful to see Jimmy weave the words of his songs throughout the speech. RIP Dr. Buffett. You will be missed.

[@backroads6695]

God Bless you, Jimmy!!

[@vincegiaccone4411]

What an honor, thanks Jimmy for your inspiration to these graduates. Laugh and love in life. Rest in Peace.

[@he2548]

"Be Santa Claus when you can". So Jimmy Buffett.

[@UKindness4]

Thank you, Jimmy. See the world if you want a full life and growth.

[@troylindley2216]

This was so cool! Jimmy Buffet rocks!!

[@TheJMadarash]

Wow...that was so awesome.... We miss you so much already Jimmy...but watching you at this commencement( 8 years later!) was very inspirational, emotional and fun. Thanks for all of the incredible memories. Fins up forever!

[@kim13207]

🎅What a wonderful person and unique individual.

[@timmcgurk8391]

A good Sailor and even better person

[@joywimer4281]

Agree 😊

[@wayneyeager2842]

Thank you Jimmy! Your music will live on always-! Docturate James!

[@richardgenschaw2323]

how many doctors have made you feel as good as Doc Jimmy?

[@WilliamHampton]

Jim IS the 1! . Ship, Captain and Crew ..all rolled in One. Steadiest star I've evr followed ! ( respectively ) Truest North Navigator most might ever sea . Thanks Jimmy !

[@cooldude7046]

Be Santa, never stop giving gifts of time, memories, healing and happiness. Stay Cool 😎

[@kenperkins7921]

Sh alalah was a BIG Z ERO IN 😅 MIAMI LOL.

[@michaelberes93]

Jimmy, Old Parrotheads happy for you. For me I will remain one of the Proud grads of Jimmy Buffets Domino College where every show was seen. Love and Luck to you and your Family and Thank you. The Egmont Key Guy

[@barbarawest278]

I never knew he lived in Coconut Grove the same years I did. Spent time in the same drugstore and the bars... Fondly remember falling of my bicycle as I drank my way around the apartment parties. 🤪 Those were FUN TIMES‼️ Times change.... sober almost 21 years 😎

[@mckinley5]

Those were the days in Coconut Grove 50+ years ago! Class of '71

[@joymcdonald8240]

I lived in the Gables in the early 70s and the Grove before that. They were great times.

[@richieodonnell2712]

Jimmy was just in the shop I work at in Palm Beach(he is a friend of my boss)..He is sucha cool guy!

[@FunkHouse9Videos]

Ah man. So jealous. Have met most of the band but never gotten close to the big guy.

[@richieodonnell2712]

Yea! Him and my boss go on occasional surf trips together! It took all the fiber of my being to not jump around like I just saw santa lol.. He was just a normal guy coming into the store to buy a few pairs of shorts! lmao!

[@kenperkins7921]

Thats the ALABAMA IN HIM!

[@joywimer4281]

🎉🎉 love Jimmy and your flip flops 😍😁💜fins up!!!

[@elizabethmencia6027]

I've loved him since I was 11 thanks to a much older brother 🦜⛵

[@maryhirsch2909]

This is so awesome.

[@debrawilliams6487]

He looks so happy

[@currentcphcsecretary7178]

This was awesome! Thank you for sharing!

[@davet5260]

Thank you! I love and miss this man.

[@user-go5xz3px9x]

Thank you Jimmy! Your music will live on always-! Docturate James!. "Be Santa Claus when you can". So Jimmy Buffett..

[@anniefannycharles9951]

Such a doll❤

[@cherylmelton4620]

Parrothead here! Buffet is the king of chill!

[@napiligal]

May your Rest in Paradise!

[@Dallas-Nyberg]

I occasionally teach art. I tell my students - The farther you go....the more your mind grows... don't waste a minute of it. We will miss you Jimmy - Rest in Paradise. Fins Up! 🦈🦜🍔🏝

[@dwaters7541]

I love all the song references. In particular the one at 17:30 referencing Coast of Carolina

[@nicolel.2398]

Nice to meet you, Dr. Buffett.

[@wayneyeager2842]

My favorite pirate!

[@charityward6920]

I want to live with jimmy buffett

[@mpbrannigan]

Funky, you rock! Thanx Jeff!

[@FunkHouse9Videos]

mpbrannigan 8^) You're very welcome Marty!!!

[@seanlong7872]

Wow..Dr.Buffett...who knew..

[@pamcolmus-mcgee7812]

Awesome!

[@A1Adaydreaming]

I wonder if that lady wrote that intro...or if someone had to tell her about things like the "Coconut Telegraph". Haha...this is beautiful. Dr. Buffett. I think I just became a U of Miami fan.

[@Terrisitagg]

Actually, no. She's one of us...

[@annemcgill6370]

Donna Shalala is a really smart, well spoken woman. She was the Chancellor of the University of Wis. years ago (my alma mater).

[@A1Adaydreaming]

Anne McGill yes...but is she a smart woman in a real shirt skirt is the real question here.

[@MrsBJPalmer]

That lady is a former Cabinet member of the Clinton Administration! Yeah, she's smart.

[@carolanndriscol6316]

Yes. She is a champion of Jimmy Buffett and a good friend. The warmth and respect and shared humor showed me this🙏🏼♥️🌴🌎👍🐕‍🦺🌺Aloha I’mua🙏🏼♥️🌎

[@kirkmail2010]

Very nice speech from this wonderfully humble man. I miss Buffett so much, often thinking that the the one person in this world that should not be gone is Jimmy Buffett. Can you imagine a guy who was one of the highest paid musicians in the world, while making the Forbes Billionaire list, could walk into a Perkins Pancake House and not be mobbed. Taylor Swift, eat your heart out.

[@michaelsweeney9028]

Fins up

[@andymorgan8496]

Kyeah, onya Jimmy

[@thomastimlin1724]

Brilliant

[@A1Adaydreaming]

One too many nights along that Biscayne shore, and one too many mornings in the Grove drugstore.

[@lewisc215]

The greatest

[@freddieferrara609]

🦜🦜🦜🦜🦜🦜🦜🦜🦜🦜🦜🦜🦜🦜🦜🦜🦜🦜🦜🦜🦜🦜🦜🦜🦜🦜🦜

[@diannebunnell5582]

Great Question?🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@SrFelouniusMonk]

damn lucky kids. Fins up indeed.

[@andreasmodugno]

WHY do these people have the need to go on and on and on and on... Just let the guy talk!!

[@straycats6]

Wonder what this graduating class is thinking today?

[@daviddebergh3481]

GO FLORIDA!!!! #Parothead #Relaxed #SeasAtAllThreeSides

[@garygerard4290]

how many does it take to introduce Jimmy? He starts speaking at 4:45 mins.

[@karenhilker8074]

You were in school when the Rock played football at the U

[@LAURABOHDAN]

I’ve never so wanted to be able to understand sign language.

[@edwardbaggett8287]

" my feet stink & I don't love Jesus'".. Jimmy Buffet...(lol)

[@Earlenem1]

🥲

[@surfpirate]

This video is most definitively #surfpirate approved.

[@veloise]

3:48 "It's the shoes"

[@spencerwinston4334]

Jimmy Buffett's song lines, from his joyous yet introspective "Jimmy Dreams" song, crystallize the essence of his core. Jimmy, dear "endless summer" friend and poetic visionary, rest in peace now on the eternal, "deep blue" ethereal waves of a higher realm. He's a child to the end What a joy When you are you're best friend And the world's such a toy If you just stay a boy You can spin it again and again Jimmy flies With no use for disguise Just escapes Using mirrors and capes And the words do the trick There is no bigger kick Than just rhyming again and again..... "The states in which we infuse a transfiguration and a fullness into things and poetize about them until they reflect back our fullness and joy in life...three elements principally: sexuality, intoxication and cruelty - all belonging to the oldest festal joys." The Will to Power (1888). Sec. 801 We want to be poets of our life - first of all in the smallest most everyday matters. Nietzsche

[@tomjeffersonwasright2288]

It's scary to think that little guy Fred is in any way connected to a University. Was his family a big donor, maybe?

[@tdrewman]

UM Football got a lot better after she left.

[@briankowald6465]

Don’t waste your talent!

[@ubomninomen7765]

JB will always be a national treasure, for all nations. I'm a bit pi%%ed as I begin to watch this. Auburn should have been the first univ on the bandwagon of awarding honorary PhD's to JB - the place he learned to play guitar. Shamefull! All the tigers and eagles will be in mourning until this grievous wrong is righted.

[@bchbum3802]

Yes!! Auburn should have been 2nd and only after his USM alma mater!!