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The last lecture

September 19, 2007 by Amy

Read and contemplate (and watch the video).

Randy Pausch, a Carnegie Mellon University computer-science professor, was about to give a lecture Tuesday afternoon, but before he said a word, he received a standing ovation from 400 students and colleagues.

He motioned to them to sit down. “Make me earn it,” he said.

What wisdom would we impart to the world if we knew it was our last chance? For Carnegie Mellon professor Randy Pausch, the question isn’t rhetorical — he’s dying of cancer.

They had come to see him give what was billed as his “last lecture.” This is a common title for talks on college campuses today. Schools such as Stanford and the University of Alabama have mounted “Last Lecture Series,” in which top professors are asked to think deeply about what matters to them and to give hypothetical final talks. For the audience, the question to be mulled is this: What wisdom would we impart to the world if we knew it was our last chance?

It can be an intriguing hour, watching healthy professors consider their demise and ruminate over subjects dear to them. At the University of Northern Iowa, instructor Penny O’Connor recently titled her lecture “Get Over Yourself.” At Cornell, Ellis Hanson, who teaches a course titled “Desire,” spoke about sex and technology.

At Carnegie Mellon, however, Dr. Pausch’s speech was more than just an academic exercise. The 46-year-old father of three has pancreatic cancer and expects to live for just a few months. His lecture, using images on a giant screen, turned out to be a rollicking and riveting journey through the lessons of his life.

Posted in Uncategorized | 9 Comments

9 Responses

  1. on September 19, 2007 at 11:24 pm ambrose

    The Post-Gazette has some more


  2. on September 20, 2007 at 7:47 am Cheryl

    Here in Pittsburgh over the past few days, many of us have been riveted by Randy Pausch and his story. What a heartbreaking display of courage, dignity and generosity.

    In one of the local papers, he was quoted as saying that no job, no matter how exciting, fulfilling, etc., matters as much as one’s family.

    It’s impossible to look at that photo of him and his young children in the WSJ and keep a dry eye. It sounds cliched to say that his story quickly puts things in perspective, but it truly does.

    Prayers for him and his family.


  3. on September 20, 2007 at 9:11 am bill bannon

    One of our family went to CM but is in Taiwan now for two weeks but I will try to reach him. God’s will around the timing of death can only be accepted….not understood…at least by me. I know behind it all…this is the best time in God’s eyes but whenever I see the children mentioned, I can’t endure it. In Tobias it says that mercy is in all that God does….so somehow though we can’t see it….a merciful thing is happening for all souls involved. Those parents of CM young people pay handsomely….they just got their money’s worth…..” and all thy ways are mercy and truth and judgement”…Tobias.


  4. on September 21, 2007 at 9:06 am Mary

    The entire webcast (1:40+ min) is well worth the time. After you read the article Amy’s linked, scroll down to the “Discuss” sidebar on the lower left and click the link to view Randy Pausch’s entire lecture. He has left a great gift to his students, colleagues, family and us.

    God bless and hearten his family and friends — and this man, who surely is a great steward of his talents!


  5. on September 21, 2007 at 3:49 pm Dwight

    I wasn’t aware of this man, and (maybe because I’m a former University lecturer) I was very much touched by the short recount of the day. I draw from it and the comments that this man followed my request of every teacher: Give every lecture as though it is your last. I think we owe that to our students and to ourselves.

    Dwight


  6. on September 22, 2007 at 3:35 pm the Mom

    I saw this man and his lovely family on television this morning. His family’s joy in the face of impending tragedy is inspiring and his own joy is beautiful to witness.

    God bless this man and his family and grant to him a good death.


  7. on September 24, 2007 at 6:14 pm Diann Hooper

    I send my prayers to this humble and brilliant man. I know his wisdom is beyond his years. My mother passed away from ovarian cancer and i still feel the pain of missing her 7years later. Truly this man will be missed by collegues and family.I hope we all will learn from him and cherish and live our lives to the fullest. I recently moved from Washington,Pa. to the Bay area in California.I will pass his wisdom on to my daughter and hope her life will be enriched by him.

    Diann


  8. on September 25, 2007 at 1:13 am Martha Garvey

    I swapped e-mails with Randy Pausch several years ago, and remember his stuffed animals, and his humor, and his kindness to someone who needed his help. What a cool guy. Cool from beginning to end.


  9. on September 25, 2007 at 11:10 am joeh

    In watching this video, it seems like in the lecture when religion is mentioned, it was cast aside as a topic of discussion. Not sure what his beliefs are, but it is sad if he does not have faith in view of what he and his family are facing.



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