Bon Jovi is No. 1 Hit As Graduation Orator |
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Article from Asbury Park Press
Just call him Dr. Jon Bon Jovi.
The rock star received an honorary doctor of humanities degree at Monmouth University's 67th commencement and delivered the keynote address urging graduates to follow their passions.
Bon Jovi was among three recipients of honorary degrees. Thomas E. Daniels, president of Management Business Support Services, was awarded a doctor of public service degree and Lewis M. Eisenberg, chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, a doctor of laws degree.
But it was clear Bon Jovi was the star, as students cheered and jumped on stage to get their degrees and shake the musician's hand.
Professor Brian T. Garvey, who received the university's distinguished teacher award early in the program, said jokingly while accepting his honor, "Just think of me as the warm-up act."
Looking into a sea of black robes under a gray sky, Bon Jovi, 39, encouraged graduates to take chances and touched on his difficult transition from music to acting.
"Bon Jovi was not supposed to succeed," he said. "Ask any critic. We weren't from New York. We weren't from L.A. I didn't live the cliche rock 'n' roll lifestyles that legends were made of."
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