Indiana University student inspires with commencement speech

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College Grad With Stutter Gives Inspiring Commencement Speech
College Grad With Stutter Gives Inspiring Commencement Speech



When Indiana University graduate Parker Mantell gave his commencement speech, he told his fellow students he was sure he wasn't the best person to be giving the speech.

"As a person who stutters, I can be no more certain that, in this room and in
this hall, are thousands of people who are far more talented at public speaking than I am."

On May 10th, Mantell graduated with a degree in political science and a minor in public management.

Speaking in front of 17,000 people, Mantell gave an address a writer for The Daily Caller called "inspiring."

Business Insider summarized some of Mantell's speech, in which he pushed his fellow students to strive for greatness.

"Doubt, as has been observed, kills more dreams than failure ever will," Mantell said, before citing Beethoven's deafness, Ray Charles' blindness and Albert Einstein's dyslexia as great examples of disabilities conquered.

Mantell called into "Fox & Friends" Tuesday morning and said he's received encouraging letters from people, including parents of children with disabilities.

"Their children were in tears because they for that time didn't doubt themselves. They dared themselves."

After his graduation ceremony, Mantell spoke with NBC about his speech, which he hopes inspired his fellow students.

"It is my greatest hope that I have done so in the days following my speech. Ultimately, however, none of this is about me or what I have done--it's about people becoming what I know they can be."

We think he's on the right track. Mantell hopes to pursue a career in public service.

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