With her signature style, passion and flair, award-winning entertainer encouraged graduates to continue learning and evolving throughout their lives during the 天天吃瓜 on May 11, 2015, at UIC Pavilion.
鈥淪urround yourself with those who love and support you, who believe in you,鈥 Moreno said. 鈥淒on鈥檛 ever let anyone interfere with your dream or your focus or your vision. It belongs to you.鈥
Northeastern awarded Moreno an honorary doctorate degree in recognition of her outstanding achievements. She has won the Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards.
鈥溙焯斐怨 is proud to honor such an extraordinary individual and to invite her to become a part of the legacy of our university,鈥 President Sharon Hahs said.
Comparing the feeling of receiving an honorary doctorate from Northeastern with her experience receiving an award from President Barack Obama, Moreno mixed humor and passion in her message to the graduates.
鈥淚t took me just two minutes to get a doctorate, and most of you at least four years,鈥 she said. 鈥淟esson No. 1: Life is not fair.鈥
Moreno cited Walt Disney, who was fired from a job as a newspaper editor, and Brad Pitt, who once was paid to dress as a chicken to attract customers to a restaurant, as role models of perseverance.
鈥淚鈥檓 looking at you, and I鈥檓 not thinking only of the fact that you did it,鈥 she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 also thinking of the people around you who made so many sacrifices for you. That鈥檚 pretty fabulous.鈥
Graduation, Moreno stressed, is not a symbol of 鈥渁rrival.鈥
鈥淭his is not the end; this is absolutely the beginning for you,鈥 she said. 鈥淭o graduate is to change gradually. If you have not figured your life out yet, you just keep on graduating.鈥
Earlier in the ceremony, Hahs praised the University鈥檚 newest graduates鈥攁nd also issued a three-point challenge:
- Live life with integrity
- Continue to embrace learning
- Be good citizens and give back to society
鈥淚 congratulate you and I commend you for your accomplishments,鈥 Hahs said. 鈥淵ou are the leaders of tomorrow, and with leadership comes responsibilities.鈥
Also at the Commencement ceremony
- Northeastern presented Associate Professor of Biology Emina Stojkovic with .
- Northeastern honored professors emeriti Theodora H. Bofman, Paul P. O鈥橦ara, Janet L. Pariza and William J. Quinn.
- Vice President for Institutional Advancement Melba Rodriguez presented the of more than $3,400 to the NEIU Foundation.
