Overview

• At Chicago’s United Center on June 15, Carell received an honorary doctorate and addressed more than 2,500 graduates of Northwestern University’s class of 2025.
• Midway through his speech, he launched a surprise dance break to The Ting Tings’ “That’s Not My Name,” inviting faculty and students to join in and energize the ceremony.
• Drawing on his experiences as the father of a 2023 alumna and a current student, he urged graduates to treat kindness as a potent strength and to turn envy into positive ambition.
• He highlighted simple acts—like returning stray shopping carts and writing handwritten letters—as meaningful ways to foster connection and practice self-care.
• He concluded by encouraging active listening, embracing both laughter and tears, and leaning into resilience as graduates step into the next phase of their lives.