Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 8 hours ago
Microsoft CFO and Duke alumna Amy Hood returned to campus to deliver the 2026 commencement address for the Class of 2026. In a speech about uncertainty, curiosity, resilience, and community, Hood encouraged graduates to embrace imperfect paths, keep learning, and stay open to unexpected opportunities.
“Stay curious when things stop making sense.”
Watch highlights from Hood’s address to Duke graduates and their families at Wallace Wade Stadium.
CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction
0:44 Congratulations to the Class of 2026
2:31 The myth of the perfect career path
5:02 The Alcatraz internship story
6:13 Accepting the Microsoft job
7:27 “Your next step doesn’t have to be perfect”
9:16 What Duke really taught her
10:55 Graduating into uncertainty
12:30 “There aren’t many one-way doors”
13:29 Three lessons for graduates
14:07 Community and lifelong friendships
15:59 “Show up. Be in the room.”
17:19 Her mother’s advice
18:07 “The mess is where all the good stuff happens”
18:36 Final message to graduates
𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐃𝐮𝐤𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲
Established in 1924 in Durham, North Carolina, Duke University is one of the world’s leading institutions for education, research, and patient care.
Subscribe ➡️ youtube.com/@dukeuniversity
𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 #𝐃𝐮𝐤𝐞𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲
Home: https://duke.edu/
News: https://today.duke.edu/
X (Formerly Twitter): @DukeU
Instagram: @dukeuniversity
Facebook: @dukeuniv
LinkedIn: @DukeUniversity
#Duke2026 #DukeUniversity #Commencement #AmyHood #Graduation #Duke
Microsoft CFO and Duke alumna Amy Hood returned to campus to deliver the 2026 commencement address for the Class of 2026. In a speech about uncertainty, curiosity, resilience, and community, Hood encouraged graduates to embrace imperfect paths, keep learning, and stay open to unexpected opportunities.
“Stay curious when things stop making sense.”
Watch highlights from Hood’s address to Duke graduates and their families at Wallace Wade Stadium.
CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction
0:44 Congratulations to the Class of 2026
2:31 The myth of the perfect career path
5:02 The Alcatraz internship story
6:13 Accepting the Microsoft job
7:27 “Your next step doesn’t have to be perfect”
9:16 What Duke really taught her
10:55 Graduating into uncertainty
12:30 “There aren’t many one-way doors”
13:29 Three lessons for graduates
14:07 Community and lifelong friendships
15:59 “Show up. Be in the room.”
17:19 Her mother’s advice
18:07 “The mess is where all the good stuff happens”
18:36 Final message to graduates
𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐃𝐮𝐤𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲
Established in 1924 in Durham, North Carolina, Duke University is one of the world’s leading institutions for education, research, and patient care.
Subscribe ➡️ youtube.com/@dukeuniversity
𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 #𝐃𝐮𝐤𝐞𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲
Home: https://duke.edu/
News: https://today.duke.edu/
X (Formerly Twitter): @DukeU
Instagram: @dukeuniversity
Facebook: @dukeuniv
LinkedIn: @DukeUniversity
#Duke2026 #DukeUniversity #Commencement #AmyHood #Graduation #Duke
