Laura Bush Tells Graduates to Help Others

First lady Laura Bush laughs with Vanderbilt Chancellor Gordon Gee before Bush spoke at Senior Day activities at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn. Thursday, May. 11, 2006. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) (Mark Humphrey - AP)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- First lady Laura Bush challenged the graduating class at Vanderbilt University to participate in Gulf Coast rebuilding efforts, saying helping others can bring happiness.

"It doesn't matter what career you're pursuing, before you start a new job or go to grad school, dedicate a vacation to recovery," she said Thursday. "It will be time well spent."

Bush encouraged students to volunteer their talents anywhere in the world there was a need, specifically mentioning Africa's fight against HIV and AIDS and the Dafur region of Sudan, which is in the midst of genocide.

She acknowledged the efforts of students who have already traveled to the Gulf Coast region and abroad to do humanitarian work.

"If your compass remains fixed on others, you will chart your way to happiness," Bush said.

Bush also accepted the school's inaugural Nichols-Chancellor Medal, honoring humanitarian efforts, on behalf of relief workers around the world.