“Be in this moment.”—Dick Costolo, BA ’85, CEO, Twitter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqRPesTumlA

Dick Costolo received his U-M degree in computer science and went on to lead the online social networking service Twitter, but it was a lesson he learned performing improvisational comedy right after college that formed the foundation of his May 4 address to the Class of 2013.

“You can’t plan a script. The beauty of improvisation is you’re experiencing it in the moment,” he said, recalling the advice of an instructor at Chicago’s famed “Second City” improv troupe.

“If you try to plan what the next line is supposed to be, you’re just going to be disappointed when the other people on stage with you don’t do or say what you want them to do, and you’ll stand there frozen. Be in this moment. Now be here in this moment. Now, be here in this moment.”

That same spirit is a useful guide for life, he told graduates, friends, and family members in a humor-filled address delivered under a warm spring sky at Michigan Stadium.

“If you’re just filling a role, you will be blindsided,” he said. “Not only can you not plan the impact that you’re going to have, you often won’t recognize it even while you’re having it. The impact is what others frame for you and the world after it happens. The present is only what you’re experiencing and focused on right now.”

In the clip below, Costolo follows his own advice upon meeting the graduating members of the U-M football team in the famed tunnel at the Big House.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbRNfj0JbzI

Costolo, who received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree at commencement, was born in Royal Oak and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science from LSA in 1985. He joined Twitter in 2009 as COO and became CEO in 2010, helping build the social network company from 50 employees to 1,300.

In recognition of Costolo’s role at Twitter, the University encouraged commencement visitors and participants to tweet using the hashtag #MGoGrad. By mid-afternoon, the special indicator was trending nationally with more than 4,700 #MGoGrad tweets.

Dick Costolo’s view from the stage. (Image: @dickc via Twitter.)

Besides Costolo, four others received honorary degrees May 4: William Brehm, strong advocate and supporter of higher education, Doctor of Laws; Suzanne Farrell, ballet dancer and educator, Doctor of Fine Arts; Rosabeth Moss Kanter, business leadership expert and former editor of the Harvard Business Review, Doctor of Humane Letters; and David McCullough, best-selling author and historian, Doctor of Humane Letters.

Former U.S. Rep. Dale Kildee received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree at the UM-Flint commencement, and economist and sustainability advocate Jeffrey Sachs received an honorary Doctor of Science degree at the UM-Dearborn ceremonies.