Overview

• Carell received an honorary doctorate from Northwestern University and drew on personal anecdotes, including his children’s ties to the school and his own training at The Second City, to connect with graduates.
• He defined kindness as a potent strength and urged simple acts of goodwill, such as returning stray shopping carts, in everyday life.
• Highlighting active listening as a form of respect, he called on students to listen in order to understand others.
• Recasting envy as a tool for growth, Carell advised turning jealousy into admiration to fuel positive ambition.
• A surprise mid-ceremony dance break and closing reminder to laugh, support one another and embrace challenges underscored his message.