Inspiring Professor of The Last Lecture
Dr. Pausch's Last Lecture has become an Internet phenomenon. He inspired people at the time and continues to inspire people (thanks to the availably of the lecture online) to not only following your dreams, but achieving your dreams. He advises "It's important to have specific dreams," to "Dream Big" but perhaps his most important message is to "Always have fun." (The photo with his three children is an illustration of this point.)
From my perspective as a Physician who has worked with those at the end of life and as a Thanatologist, I believe his greater gift is his ongoing continued teaching about *living* after getting the diagnosis of a terminal illness. His head-on, straight-forward, entertaining and motivational approach to facing the diagnosis of terminal pancreatic cancer has been an inspiration to the millions that have seen his Last Lecture and have watched his story unfold.
Dr. Pausch has also become a "poster child" for Pancreatic Cancer, putting a face to an often overlooked cancer by recording several Public Service Announcements. He has also testified in front of Congress as to the need for more research money being allocated for Pancreatic Cancer Research. He supports the The Lustgarten Foundation and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
Updates July 25, 2008: It is with great sadness that I have to report that Dr. Randy Pausch has lost his battle with Cancer. He died July 25, 2008.
In Lieu of Flowers: The family requests that donations on Randy's behalf be directed to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 2141 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 7000, El Segundo, CA 90245, or to Carnegie Mellon's Randy Pausch Memorial Fund (www.cmu.edu/giving/pausch), which primarily supports the university's continued work on the Alice project.
More information can be found at the Carnige Mellon Tribute page to the Enduring Legacy.
Three reasons to admire Dr. Randy Pausch
- His amazing spirit and love of life.
- His gift of not just teaching, but inspiring.
- His lasting legacy with "The Last Lecture" not only for his family and his students, but for those of us lucky enough to have seen or read the inspiring lecture.
Note to Self
Always remember what Dr. Randy Pausch said:
Time is all you have...
and you may find one day that
you have less than you think.
The Invitatation to Dr. Randy Pausch's Last Lecture
Almost all of us have childhood dreams; for example, being an astronaut, or making movies or video games for a living. Sadly, most people don't achieve theirs, and I think that's a shame. I had several specific childhood dreams, and I've actually achieved most of them. More importantly, I have found ways, in particular the creation (with Don Marinelli), of CMU's Entertainment Technology Center (http://www.etc.cmu.edu) of helping many young people actually *achieve* their childhood dreams.
This talk will discuss how I achieved my childhood dreams (being in zero gravity, designing theme park rides for Disney, and a few others), and will contain realistic advice on how *you* can live your life so that you can make your childhood dreams come true, too.
Dr. Pausch's Last Lecture was an answer to the question, "What wisdom would you try to impart to the world if you knew it was your last chance?"
An Invitation to The Last Lecture
The Official Last Lecture Video by Dr. Randy Pausch on YouTube
Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams
Carnegie Mellon Professor Randy Pausch (Oct. 23, 1960 - July 25, 2008) gave his last lecture at the university Sept. 18, 2007, before a packed McConomy Auditorium. In his moving presentation, "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams," Pausch talked about his lessons learned and gave advice to students on how to achieve their own career and personal goals. For more, visit: http://www.cmu.edu/randyslecture. Also learn about the Randy Pausch Memorial Bridge: http://www.cmu.edu/randyslecture/bridge.html.
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Table of Contents for Randy Pausch
- An Invitation to The Last Lecture
- The Official Last Lecture Video by Dr. Randy Pausch on YouTube
- The Inspiration behind The Last Lecture
- Main Points from the Last Lecture
- Journeys: Composing a Life
- Reader Feedback / Educator Challenge on Your Last Lecture
- Vote for Your Favorite Randy Pausch Quote
- Are You a Tigger or an Eeyore?
- A Squidlit Lens on the Last Lecture
- The Last Lecture Book Website
- The Last Lecture Book in the Amazon Spotlight
- More for those who liked the Last Lecture
- Randy Pausch at a Glance
- Dr. Randy Pausch Websites at Carnegie Mellon
- Dr. Randy Pausch's Last Lecture
- Professor Randy Pausch Honorary Fund
- Randy Pausch and the Last Lecture on Flickr
- Dr. Randy Pausch in the News
- The Incredible Pausch Family
- Chemo Cannot affect SuperPowers
- Another Lens about Dr. Randy Pausch - The SuperHero
- Dr. Randy Pausch ABC Special Clip on YouTube
- The Last Lecture: A Love Story for Your Life
- The Latest and Last Public Service Announcement by Dr. Randy Pausch
- Dr. Randy Pausch Public Service Announcement on YouTube
- Organizations Researching and Managing Pancreatic Cancer
- Dr. Randy Pausch Public Service Announcement on YouTube
- Learning to Program with Alice in the Amazon Spotlight
- Alice.org Programming Promotional Video on YouTube
- Alice.org - An Innovative 3D Programming Environment
- Dr. Randy Pausch ia a Featured Lens at the Giving Back Group
- A Shining Example of the Power of Altruism at Work
- Jump for Joy
- Living Each Day to the Fullest
- A Featured Lens on Dr. Elisabeth Kubler Ross
- Announcing the Randy Pausch's Memorial Footbridge
- Randy Pausch's Memorial Footbridge on Flickr
- Dr. Randy Pausch Available on eBay
- Other Squidoo Lenses on Dr. Randy Pausch
- Reader Feedback on Dr. Randy Pausch
- Benefitting Cancer Research
The Inspiration behind The Last Lecture
- At many colleges, professors are asked to give a "last lecture." In this talk, they ruminate on what matters most to them. As they speak, audiences mull the same question: "What wisdom would you impart to the world if you knew it was your last chance?"
Last year, I agreed to give a last lecture at Carnegie Mellon University, where I'm a professor in the computer science department. A few weeks later, I learned that I had only months to live-I was dying of pancreatic cancer.
I knew I could cancel. I have three young children, I'm married to Jai, the woman of my dreams, and there were so many things to be done. But by speaking, I knew I could put myself in a bottle that would one day wash up on the beach for my children, Dylan, Logan and Chloe.
Here's what I want to share.
Excerpt from The Last Lecture, by Randy Pausch and Wall Street Journal reporter Jeffrey Zaslow.
Main Points from the Last Lecture
- Always have fun
- Dream big
- Ask for what you want
- Dare to take a risk
- Look for the best in everyone
- Make time for what matters
- Let kids be themselves
Journeys: Composing a Life
"Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams," Dr. Pausch's Last Lecture was part of the Journeys series at Carnegie Mellon."Journeys" are special University Lectures in which Carnegie Mellon faculty members share their reflections on their journeys - the everyday actions, decisions, challenges and joys that make a life.
Read More about the University Lecture Series: Journeys at the Caarnegie Mellon website.
Reader Feedback / Educator Challenge on Your Last Lecture
If you were asked to deliver a Last Lecture...
What would you focus on for your Last Lecture?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byI would focus on...
Jimmie says:
The offer of eternal life given to us through Jesus Christ.
There is more than this physical world we live in. Be ready for what comes afterwards. Invest your life in something that matters -- eternity. Lay up treasures in heaven.
Posted April 17, 2008
Griefdoc says:
I would focus on teaching people how to cope with life challenges. I would probably end up using Dr. Randy Pausch as an amazing example of coping with what life gives you.
Posted April 11, 2008
I would not focus on...
Vote for Your Favorite Randy Pausch Quote
The sign of a great teacher is to give people quotes that they will remember, thoughts that may change their minds. Dr. Randy Pausch is a walking 'sound bite' with a collection of many memorable and motivational quotes.
If your favorite quote isn't there, add your own.
1
We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.
1 point
2
Time is all you have...and you may find one day that you have less than you think.
1 point
3
It's important to have specific dreams.
1 point
4
If you wait long enough and people will surprise and impress you.
1 point
5
Experience is what you get when you don't get what you wanted.
1 point
6
If I don't seem as depressed or morose as I should be, sorry to disappoint you...
0 points
7
The lecture really was for my kids, but if others are finding value in it, that is wonderful.
0 points
8
Brick walls are there for a reason: they let us prove how badly we want things.
0 points
9
And always remember that people matter. People, not things.
0 points
10
Almost all of us have childhood dreams; for example, being an astronaut, or making movies or video games for a living," said Pausch. "Sadly, most people don't achieve theirs, and I think that's a shame.
0 points
11
I, like Moses, get to see the Promised Land but I won't get to set foot in it, and that's okay, because I can see it and the vision is clear-millions of kids having fun while learning something hard.
0 points
12
Someone asked what I want on my tombstone. I said: "Randy Pausch: He Lived 30 Years After a Terminal Diagnosis."
0 points
13
Each of us must make a decision, best captured in A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh characters. Am I a fun-loving Tigger or a sad-sack Eeyore? It's clear where I stand.
0 points
14
By speaking, I knew I could put myself in a bottle that would one day wash up on the beach for my children, Dylan, Logan and Chloe.
0 points
15
My job is to help my kids foster a joy for life and develop the tools to fulfill their own wishes.
0 points
Are You a Tigger or an Eeyore?
- I came to an early realization. Each of us must make a decision, best captured in A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh characters.
Am I a fun-loving Tigger or a sad-sack Eeyore? It's clear where I stand.
I won't let go of the Tigger in me.
Dr. Randy Pausch
Tigger in the Amazon Spotlight
Soft 'n Silly Tigger
Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 11/10/2009)
Your own fun-loving, soft and silly Tigger, a reminder of what to strive for in life.
This adorable Tigger is made of soft velour that's perfect for cuddling. The "silly" part is that he flops about and falls into funny positions when picked up and put down.
6.2 x 8 x 11.8 inches
A Squidlit Lens on the Last Lecture
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The Last Lecture
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My background includes caring for those those who are facing the end of life. I have been in awe of the human spirit shown by those facing their final life challenge. I was amazed when I read Randy Pausch's inspirational story. He has shown amazing c...
The Last Lecture Book Website
- The Last Lecture | Randy Pausch
- The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch--the lecture that captivated the world is now a book to inspires millions. The official website for the book.
The Last Lecture Book in the Amazon Spotlight
The Last Lecture
Amazon Price: $14.27 (as of 11/10/2009)
An extension in book form of the lecture that has become a phenomenon. In the book version Randy Pausch combines the humor, inspiration and intelligence from the lecture and creates a more permanent form.
This book is destined to become a classic gift book to inspire those facing challenges or life changes.
More for those who liked the Last Lecture
If you loved The Last Lecture, you may also enjoy:
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Mistaken Identity: Two Families, One Survivor, Unwavering Hope by Don & Susie Van Ryn, Newell, Colleen & Whitney Cerak
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A Year to Live: How to Live This Year as If It Were Your Last by Stephen Levine
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Saving Graces: Finding Solace and Strength from Friends and Strangers by Elizabeth Edwards
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The Latest News about The Last Lecture
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byRandy Pausch at a Glance
Randolph Frederick "Randy" Pausch (October 23, 1960 - July 25, 2008) was an American professor of computer science and human-computer interaction and design at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Pausch learned that he had a terminal case of pancreatic cancer in September 2006. He gave an upbeat lecture entitled "The Last Lecture: Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams" on September 18, 2007 at Carnegie Mellon, which became a popular YouTube video and led to other media appearances. He then co-authored a book called The Last Lecture on the same theme, which became a N...
Dr. Randy Pausch Websites at Carnegie Mellon
- Randy Pausch's Web Site
- Dr. Randy Pausch's Web Site at Carnegie Mellon University.
- Randy Pausch Day-to-Day Information
- Dr. Randy Pausch's Day-to-Day Update Page at Carnegie Mellon University.
Dr. Randy Pausch's Last Lecture
- Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Order a DVD and Learn More - Carnegie Mellon University
- View Randy Pausch's Last Lecture at the Carnegie Mellon University Website.
- Transcript of the Last Lecture
- PDF File Transcript of Dr. Randy Pauch's "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams."
- Randy Pausch: Childhood Dreams Lecture - Carnegie Mellon University
- View the Last Lecture at the Carnegie Mellon University website.
Professor Randy Pausch Honorary Fund
The Pausch Fund will enable the university to continue and complete Randy's work, including his most important academic project: the Alice 3D authoring system.
- Professor Randy Pausch - Carnegie Mellon University
- Information on the Professor Randy Pausch Honorary Fund.
Dr. Randy Pausch in the News
- Professor Randy Pausch's Last Lecture on Oprah
- In September 2007, a university professor who is dying of cancer gave a final lecture to his students that has since been downloaded more than a million times on the Internet.
- ABC News: The Last Lecture: A Love Story for Your Life
- The Last Lecture: A Love Story for Your Life the special interview with Diane Sawyer.
The Incredible Pausch Family
Chemo Cannot affect SuperPowers
Randy Pausch
Another Lens about Dr. Randy Pausch - The SuperHero
Created as part of the SuperHero Challenge, featuring everyday superheroes.-
Dr. Randy Pausch - A Superhero
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Dr. Randy Pausch is a living inspiration. Diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic cancer in 2006, he has gone on to show people how to continue *living* even after getting the diagnosis of a terminal illness. For his head-on, straight-forward, entertai...
The Last Lecture: A Love Story for Your Life
An ABC New Story
- ABC News: The Last Lecture: A Love Story for Your Life
- The Last Lecture: A Love Story for Your Life an interview with Diane Sawyers on ABC News.
- Order PRIMETIME: The Last Lecture: 4/9/08
- A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this special will go to the research centers Randy supports. The Lustgarten Foundation and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
The Latest Blog Posts about Randy Pausch
- The Last Lecture, Randy Pausch
- A common assignment that High School teachers & College Professors give is to write a paper or give a speech as if it were your last one on earth. What.
- Person of the Week Randy Pausch
- Randy Pausch, a 46-year-old computer-science professor at Carnegie Mellon University, has terminal cancer and expects to live for just a few more months. ? Carnegie Mellon Universit Peron Of the Week Randy Pausch Professor's Lecture.
- Remembering a Remarkable Man : Randy Pausch « Tasithoughts's Weblog
- Today, I wanted to post some videos capturing the life of a man who lived through and then died of pancreatic cancer. Randy Pausch faced death with such a heroic manner that continues to inspire millions. I thought about him today. ...
- CMU to dedicate pedestrian bridge to Randy Pausch's memory ...
- The bridge spans a hollow between the new Gates Center for Computer Science and the Purnell Center for the Arts on the CMU campus.
The Latest News about Dr. Randy Pausch
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byThe Latest and Last Public Service Announcement by Dr. Randy Pausch
Your thoughts about Randy Pausch
Dr. Randy Pausch Public Service Announcement on YouTube
Organizations Researching and Managing Pancreatic Cancer
- Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
- The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is the first national patient advocacy organization for the pancreatic cancer community. PanCAN works to focus national attention on the need to find a cure for pancreatic cancer.
- The Lustgarten Foundation
- Pancreatic Cancer Research, Pancreatic Cancer Treatment, Help & Information from The Lustgarten Foundation. The mission of The Lustgarten Foundation is to advance the scientific and medical research related to the diagnosis, treatment, cure and prevention of pancreatic cancer.
Dr. Randy Pausch Public Service Announcement on YouTube
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network PSA with Dr. Randy Pausch
Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the US, but receives extremely little federal funding to support research efforts. Dr. Randy Pausch, the Carnegie Mellon professor who has pancreatic cancer, has joined efforts with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network to urge the federal government to provide critical funding to speed the cure for this horrible disease.
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Learning to Program with Alice in the Amazon Spotlight
Learning to Program with Alice, Brief Edition
Amazon Price: (as of 11/10/2009)
This book takes an innovative approach to fundamental programming concepts using 3D animation.
It is written for anyone interested in programming using the Alice environment, an innovative 3D programming environment for teaching children.
Alice.org Programming Promotional Video on YouTube
Alice.org - An Innovative 3D Programming Environment
In Alice, 3-D objects (e.g., people, animals, and vehicles) populate a virtual world and students create a program to animate the objects.
- Alice.org
- Alice is made freely available as a public service from Carnegie Mellon University.
Dr. Randy Pausch ia a Featured Lens at the Giving Back Group
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Giving Back Headquarters
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Giving Back/Altruism Group Giving back is a way of doing good for others, for humanity and for the planet. It is a way of expressing your gratitude. The purpose of the Giving Back / Altruism Group is to focus on lenses about organizations, groups or...
A Shining Example of the Power of Altruism at Work
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The Health Benefits of Altruism - How Giving Back is Good For You
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Being altruistic, or reaching out to help others, not only benefits the person being helped, but practicing altruism also has many benefits for the person doing the helping. Altruism is an unselfish concern for the welfare of others. It is a g...
Jump for Joy
Photo Source: Jessica Bowden. Jump for Joy. Royalty Free Use.
Living Each Day to the Fullest
- It is only when we truly know
and understand that we have a limited time on earth
and that we have no way of knowing
when our time is up
that we will begin to live each day to the fullest,
as if it were the only one we had.
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
A Featured Lens on Dr. Elisabeth Kubler Ross
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Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, MD
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Dr. Elisabeth Kubler Ross has the distinction of writing the first best selling book on a topic that no one wanted to discuss. On Death and Dying, written in 1969 is still required reading for many medical, nursing, psychology programs and college de...
May You Live All the Days of Your Life...Amazon Spotlight
'May You Live...' Necklace (length: 16")
Amazon Price: $46.00 (as of 11/10/2009)
This beautiful necklace, one of my personal favorites and mantras, expresses my wish for Randy and his family...
May you live all the days of your life.
Announcing the Randy Pausch's Memorial Footbridge
Randy, there'll be a generation of students and faculty to come here who will not know you, but they will cross that bridge, they will see your name, and they'll ask those of us who did know you. And we will tell them that unfortunately they were not able to experience the man, but they are surely experiencing the impact of the man. Randy, thank you for all that you've done for Carnegie Mellon. We're going to miss you.
Jerry Cohen
President of Carnegie Mellon University
The Randy Pausch Memorial Footbridge is a raised pedestrian bridge that will connect CMU's new Computer Science building with their Center for the Arts, a symbol of the way that Dr. Randy Pausch linked those two disciplines together.
A Featured Lens on Who Wants to Live Forever
Another reminder of how fleeting our time is.-
Who Wants To Live Forever? - A Reminder of the Fleeting Time
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I always find the song "Who Wants to Live Forever?" sung by lead singer Freddie Mercury from the English Rock Band Queen to be a haunting and poignant reminder of just how fleeting our time here really is. The lyrics for this song sung by F...
Dr. Randy Pausch Available on eBay
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Other Squidoo Lenses on Dr. Randy Pausch
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Randy Pausch
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Randy was this lucky guy with the lovely wife and kids on the picture. His name has been going around the world wide web for some time now. Yes, you may have heard something about 'the last lecture', or the 'achieving your childhood dreams lecture'....
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Randy Pausch: Raising Awareness of Pancreatic Cancer
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The follwing includes a note from Randy Pausch. If you haven't seen his "Last Lecture", then I encourage you to do so. For those who have pancreatic cancer or have loved ones who have been diagnosed, this is an uplifting and spiritual experience. KRG...
Reader Feedback on Dr. Randy Pausch
Have you been inspired by Dr. Randy Pausch?
What would you say at your last lecture?
mukunda22 wrote...
Randy Pausch is indeed an inspiration! The message he teaches is hekpful and inspiring!!
####blessed####
Posted October 28, 2009
Graceonline wrote...
One of the quotes I like best, posted here, is "If you wait long enough ... people will surprise and impress you." It is true.
I am grateful and pleased to add this lens to the Building Ordinary group under the heading "People whose work contributes to the vision." Surely it is comforting to many to know that even after we're gone, our work may still be of use.
Posted February 22, 2009
Comfortdoc wrote...
May we all strive to be the "Tigger" that Randy Pausch was.
Posted July 30, 2008
Julie Davis wrote
Oh , if only every one in the world could be the "Tigger" that Randy was. Just think what more we could have ackomplished and how much Fun we would have had trying!God Bless Randy Pausch and all his blessed family! His children may not have his presence, but they will always know his spirit.
Posted July 29, 2008
Benefitting Cancer Research
If you buy any of the books or products recommended on this page, a donation is automatically made to Prevent Cancer Foundation (formerly Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation), working to prevent cancer through research, education and community outreach to all populations, including children and the underserved.In addition the webmaster has made a donation to the The Lustgarten Foundation and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and purchased the ABCNews, The Last Lecture: 4/9/08.
by Comfortdoc
Kirsti A. Dyer MD, MS, FT is a respected physician, an expert in life challenges, loss, grief and bereavement, professional health educator, professor...
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