Actor Denzel Washington was invited to give the commencement address to those graduating with degrees from the College of Business, College of Arts and Sciences, and Nursing at Dillard University in New Orleans Saturday. Although Washington’s speech was brief, it was packed with wisdom–and not just for this year’s graduating class.
The most important thing, he said, drawing loud cheers from the crowd, is to “put God first.” He told the graduates: “Put God first in everything you do. Everything that you think you see in me, everything that I have accomplished, everything that you think I have — and I have a few things — everything that I have is by the grace of God. Understand that. It’s a gift.”
He told a story about when he was 20 and flunking out of college with a 1.7 GPA. While sitting in his mother’s beauty shop one day, a woman told him she had a prophecy for him and said he would one day travel the world and speak to millions of people.
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He noted that he has both traveled the world and spoken to millions, but emphasized success is not the most important thing. “I’ve been protected, I’ve been directed, I’ve been corrected,” he said. “I’ve kept God in my life and it’s kept me humble. I didn’t always stick with Him, but He always stuck with me. So stick with Him in everything you do. If you think you want to do what you think I’ve done, then do what I’ve done, and stick with God.”
Washington next told the crowd to fail big. He encouraged the graduates to do what they feel passionate about, to take chances, and to not be afraid to fail. He cautioned them to remember, though, that “dreams without goals are just dreams and they ultimately fuel disappointment. So have dreams, but have goals… Understand that to achieve these goals, you must apply discipline and consistency…everyday… You have to work at it.”
His third point was a reminder that “you’ll never see a U-Haul behind a hearse.” Washington told the graduates that no matter how much money they make, they can’t take it with them. He reminded them, “it’s not how much you have, it’s what you do with what you have,” encouraging them to use their gifts and resources to make a difference in others’ lives.
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For his final piece of advice, Washington told the class of 2015: “I pray that you put your slippers way under the bed tonight, so that when you wake up in the morning, you have to get on your knees to reach them. And while you’re down there, say thank you.” He went on to list several things they should remember to be thankful for, telling them to “say thank you in advance for what’s already yours,” drawing a murmur of agreement from the crowd.
Washington was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Dillard administrators after he gave his speech. He has been involved with the university for years, having set up a scholarship program for students who go into theater, eight of whom were graduating, including valedictorian Ariel Lucius.
Washington concluded his speech by telling the graduates, “Don’t just aspire to make a living. Aspire to make a difference.”
You can watch Washington’s full address below.
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