"I wish you way more than luck."

April 24, 2009 11:40 AM

Do you have the video for David Foster Wallace's 2005 Kenyon commencement speech?

I'm interested in finding the video for DFW's speech. The full text is available transcribed here, but I'm looking for the video and can't find it. The Kenyon website says that they can only distribute tapes to a Kenyon graduate, and I've read online that graduates did receive a tape of the entire ceremony, but I can't find anything anywhere.

DFW's heartwrenching speech moved me nearly to tears when I first read it, and I've returned to it so many times -- I'd love, LOVE to find video of this somewhere, or at the very least an audio recording. Surely, surely somewhere out there has this speech out there. I'd be willing to buy, pay, or do whatever it takes. Are there any people who have this? Or any Kenyon College graduates who would be willing to order the tape for me?

Thanks so much, AskMe!

posted by suedehead to Media & Arts (2 answers total)

If it's available to all grads -- not just those from that year -- I'd be happy to try to get it for you. Send me mefi mail with contact info.
posted by suasponte at 12:03 PM on April 24, 2009

DFW requested in his will that the video not be published. It is available for viewing in the Kenyon Special Collections room. Obviously, that would require a trip to Ohio, but if you're interested in seeing it and also respecting his wishes, that would be the way to go.

Also, the text has been cleaned up and published, if you would like something a bit classier than the marginalia website.
posted by Picklegnome at 12:49 PM on April 24, 2009 [2 favorites]