Speakers' Advice for the Washington Region's Class of 2009

Gathered under sometimes drizzling skies and facing a dour economy, thousands of students received their college diplomas yesterday at ceremonies across the Washington region.

As students waited eagerly for their names to be called and for their college experience to finally, officially, be over, they listened to speakers who hit on similar themes despite the different venues: The importance of friendship, experimentation and idealism and the search for truth in a troubled world.

Here are excerpts of keynote addresses:

Catholic University

New York City Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly

America is at a crossroads. The economic crisis has led to a national reexamination of what constitutes meaning in our lives and in our work. For too long, the allure of money alone led many of our brightest down the narrow path of material enrichment. . . .

In contrast, you have acquired the values of a Catholic education that, if properly nurtured, can lead to genuine reward and sustain you no matter what challenges life brings. . . .

My advice to the class of 2009 is: Tell the truth. Be loyal to your friends but not blind to their failings. Set a standard of ethical conduct for yourselves, and be true to it no matter what. Whatever perceived advantage in your personal or public life that is sacrificed by doing the right thing is not worth attaining if it means compromising what you believe in.

One other thing: I have never made a career decision based on money, and I have never regretted it. Simply put, money is overrated.

I can see all of you with loan payments and your parents cringing. I understand how difficult the job market is right now. I know it's tough out there. The economy will come back.

But even now, America has plenty of money and plenty of moneymakers. What it needs are idealists. I urge the class of 2009 to be America's new idealists.