Harvard University awarded the 66-year-old actor, Tom Hanks, an honorary doctorate in the field of arts. The Forrest Gump star made an appearance at the esteemed institution on Thursday to address the graduating pupils in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
During his graduating speech, the actor-director-writer-producer referenced superheroes and pop culture in general. He said, "There ain't no Superman, nor anyone else in his Justice League."
He challenged the Class of 2023 to uphold "the promise of our promised land," cautioning them against the neglect that weakens the goal of equality and which is worse than falsehoods, ignorance, and prejudice.
The Harvard Gazette reports that the Tercentenary Theatre in Harvard Yard hosted Harvard's 372nd Commencement on Thursday, with the Oscar-winning actor serving as the keynote speaker.
"Every day, every year, and for every graduating class, there is a choice to be made, the same option for all grown-ups to make: to be one of three types of Americans - those who embrace liberty for all, those who won't, or those who are indifferent - and only the first do the work of creating a perfect union," Hanks said. "In the never-ending battle, you have all officially joined as of today, the difference is in how truly you believe, in how vociferously you promote, in how tightly you hold onto the truth that is self-evident: that of course we are all created equally yet differently, and of course we are all in this together."
The actor was awarded an honorary doctorate of arts from the Ivy League institution while joking that he had previously obtained the degree "without having done a lick of work, without having spent any time in class, without once walking into that library."
Hanks received a volleyball with the Harvard logo on his visit to the campus in recognition of his 2000 film Cast Away.
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