It's part of a trend on college campuses, says today's Wall Street Journal : Schools such as Stanford and the University of Alabama have mounted "Last Lecture Series," in which top professors are asked to think deeply about what matters to them and to give hypothetical final talks . Pausch, who recounted fulfilling his childhood dream of winning giant stuffed animals at carnival games of skill, had the toys brought out and distributed them to audience members. For those of you who have trouble starting a talk, the idea of a last lecture may sound like your heart's desire.