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Sep 24, 2007

"The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are." --Joseph Campbell

A Dying Professor's Last Lecture

Professor Randy Pausch of Carnegie Mellon University was about to give a lecture Tuesday afternoon. Before saying a word, he received a standing ovation from 400 students and colleagues. He motioned for them to sit down; "Make me earn it," he joked. Top professors are asked to give hypothetical final talks on the theme: 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. But Dr. Pausch's speech was more than just an academic exercise. The 46-year-old father of three has pancreatic cancer and is expected to live for just a few months. His lecture was a rollicking and riveting journey through the lessons of his life; an article and a highlights video follow.