--- title: Rutgers University—Camden: Jon Bon Jovi Graduation Speech 2015 description: Breaking news and analysis from time.com. 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Terms and conditions apply. * Savings buckets are a feature of Ally Bank's Savings Account. * No ATM fees from Ally Bank at Allpoint and Moneypass ATMs plus we reimburse for fees charged by other ATM owners nationwide up to $10 per statement cycle. * Early direct deposit offers eligible direct deposits up to two days sooner. * Spending buckets are a feature of Ally Bank's Spending Account. ## Video: Jon Bon Jovi Speaks at Rutgers University–Camden Commencement 2015 [Watch (HLS stream): Jon Bon Jovi Speaks at Rutgers University–Camden Commencement 2015](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/pHlglCD6.m3u8) (18:42)  _Published 2015-05-22. Jon Bon Jovi Speaks at Rutgers University–Camden Commencement 2015_ by [Jon Bon Jovi](https://time.com/author/jon-bon-jovi/) ## Jon Bon Jovi  Jon Bon Jovi speaks at the Rutgers University-Camden Commencement in Camden, N.J. on May 21, 2015. Jon Bon Jovi speaks at the Rutgers University-Camden Commencement in Camden, N.J. on May 21, 2015. Bill McCay—Getty Images Good morning, Mayor Redd, President Barchi, Chancellor Haddon, Governors, trustees, alumni, family, friends, and especially — a very good morning to the 2015 graduating class of Rutgers University—Camden. Thank you for inviting me here today on one of the most special days of your life — so far — and thank you very much for this honor. Although you have allowed me to wear this cap and gown, you have done me no favors having me speak after one of our country’s heroes for justice, Bryan Stevenson — thank you, Bryan, for all that you do. I feel like they may have gotten the opening act and the headliner mixed up. I’ve been wrestling over what information I could offer that you haven’t already heard. Something that can be a reminder of where you came from and a sign to comfort you on the road ahead. At first I shared too little, then I shared far too much. As I edited my thoughts, I realized I’m sure lucky there was no Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram when I was your age. I’m keeping those chapters up here. Sorry! But I was reminded of a few things I’d like to share. 14 years ago, I gave a commencement speech at another New Jersey school. Through the magic of Google search, I was able to have a “back to the future moment,” looking back on my words to see if any of what I said to the class of 2001 stands up today. Those words started out innocently enough talking about new beginnings — from kindergarten to high school to college. You can’t remember what you had for breakfast yesterday — but I’m sure you can remember the multitude of emotions that were running through you during those formative years. From sheer joy to anticipation to absolute fear. And then in a snap of a finger it’s all just memories in a scrapbook. Our future starts in our past — but it doesn’t end there. In that speech I said to treat the workplace like school, and keep learning. Be humble, remain humble and remind yourself that no job is beneath you if you use it as a lesson. Maybe you’ve mapped your life out. A corner office at a Fortune 500 company or a life in philanthropy, politics or even entertainment. Great! I say, “Go for it.” But if you haven’t — that’s ok too. Don’t be embarrassed by indecision. Life is a long, bumpy road, but that makes for an exciting ride. Choose a direction and if the road turns — turn! If there is a fork in the road – take it! It’s ok to map out your future — but do it in pencil. Continuing with the new beginning and planning in pencil theme — 2003 led me to a new chapter in my life and my fork in the road that brings me here today. In 2003 I became co-owner of an arena football team in Philadelphia — talk about bumpy roads, lessons learned, humility and then divine intervention. Ok, see if you can follow this: Rockstar loves football, hears about an opportunity to own an arena team, laughs with his bandmates about calling plays in the owners box. Then calls are made on his behalf to pursue the team. Band sobers up and backs out, singer doesn’t! He finds a partner, they start an expansion team, the Philadelphia Soul. In its first 5 years, it’s the league’s most popular team, they win a championship for Philly. We approach this team differently. We use lessons learned in our “other lives” to put together a winning team on the field, but also to have impact off the field. We make it an affordable, accessible, family affair and proudly announce that we intend to become the most philanthropic team in town. Before the Soul played a down, we found four needy charities and gave away more money than we brought in. We were having fun playing football and Robin Hood! Then one bitter cold night in 2006 while I was staying in Philly, I looked out my window and saw a man sleeping outside—huddled up hoping to make it through the night. I decided we should focus our philanthropic efforts on homelessness! This issue could affect anyone — young, old; black, white; republican or democrat. I didn’t need a scientist to find the cure; I needed someone to help me help those in need. I asked a close friend to find me someone who was both passionate and compassionate, an authority on the homeless issue. He found Sister Mary Scullion and that’s how the rockstar who had the new beginnings, the bumpy ride, and the pencil came to write the words, “the power of we.” You. Me. That’s the power of we. “We” can be that change we want to see. I met Sister Mary and her already well-established team at project home, we joined forces, and nearly a decade later, we continue to address the needs of those in need through the power of we. We may have lost money, but we won on and off the field. Remember when life brings challenges — it also brings opportunity! From rockstar, to team owner to foundation chairman. They’re all just mile markers along the way. That’s the power of we. No one is an island. No one can do it alone. Not government alone, not the private sector alone. It takes great partners like Mayor Redd, and Chief Thompson. It takes great partnerships like heart of Camden, the St. Joseph Carpenter Society, and Hopeworks ‘n Camden. It takes everyone from nuns to rockstars. And it takes you! But you know that, because you’ve seen it. You’ve done it. For me the issue of hunger and homelessness feels right. For you — it may be something else. Find that something you can be passionate about and start the ripple. Be that change! That’s what you do, that’s what you have done. When called upon, your class harnessed change and made it work for justice. You could have easily used technology to relax and play video games. But your class used it to map this community to make sure services got to people who need them. You could have used your knowledge to manipulate others with less, but you used it to come together and reopen Cooper Park. You could have used your time for you. But instead, over the course of one school year, you, the students of Rutgers-Camden did almost 35 years’ worth of community service. That, too, is the power of we. Embracing “we” doesn’t absolve you of the responsibility to lead. This world needs its young people to lead and to lead by example. To walk the walk, and do the work. Confound expectations. Inspire others! Don’t let anyone define who you are and what you can be. It’s not always going to be easy. Life is not a reality show. That’s the reality. Look — you, me — we are New Jersey. Here it’s all about we: in this state, we can’t even pump gas by ourselves. And here in this state, we’ve got the parkway, we’ve got the turnpike. we’ve got mile markers. Here, people say, “What exit are you from?” Your diploma is a mile marker. It’s a measurement of how far you’ve come, but it doesn’t say a thing about how far you can go. Your diploma is an anointment / a calling / a charge, to use the talents you’ve nurtured and the knowledge you’ve gained here — to make a contribution. Class is over, learning isn’t. Your diploma is a key — to open doors of possibility not only for yourselves, but for others. So if you want the amazing feeling of pride you’re feeling to last far beyond today — let’s make today and every day that follows about more than your own accomplishment. Make it about the power of we! Because, if you do, you’ll have a lot more than “things worth having”— you’ll have “a life worth living.” And you can write that one down in pen. Thank you and congratulations, Class of 2015! _Read more 2015 commencement speeches:_ [_Alan Alda to Grads: Everything in Life Takes Time_](http://time.com/3889343/alan-alda-graduation-speech-cmu) [_Bernard Harris to Grads: You Are an Infinite Being With Infinite Possibilities_](http://time.com/3892197/bernard-harris-graduation-speech-wpi/) [_Bill Nye to Grads: Change the World_](http://time.com/3882613/bill-nye-graduation-speech-rutgers-university/) [_Colin Powell to Grads: Learn to Lead_](http://time.com/3889524/colin-powell-graduation-speech-2015/) [_Ed Helms to Grads: Define Yourselves_](http://d) [_Eric Schmidt to Grads: You Can Write the Code for All of Us_](http://time.com/3889977/eric-schmidt-graduation-speech-vt) [_Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel to Grads: ‘This Is the World We Were Born Into, and We Are Responsible for It’_](http://time.com/3881609/snapchat-evan-spiegel-graduation-speech/) [_Gwen Ifill to Grads: If You See Something, Do Something_](http://time.com/3891033/gwen-ifill-graduation-speech-utica/) [_GE CEO Jeff Immelt to Grads: Become a Force for Change_](http://time.com/3888086/jeff-immelt-graduation-speech-siena/) [_Ian McEwan to Grads: Defend Free Speech_](http://time.com/3883212/ian-mcewan-graduation-speech-dickinson/) [_Jorge Ramos’ Message for Journalists: Take a Stand_](http://time.com/3881590/jorge-ramos-usc-commencement/) [_Joyce Carol Oates to Grads: Be Stubborn and Optimistic_](http://time.com/3893106/joyce-carol-oates-to-grads-be-stubborn-and-optimistic/) [_Katie Couric to Grads: Get Yourself Noticed_](http://time.com/3882654/katie-couric-graduation-speech-2015/) [_Ken Burns to Grads: Set Things Right Again_](http://time.com/3890954/ken-burns-graduation-speech-wustl/) [_Kenneth Cole to Grads: Find Your Voice_](http://time.com/3889495/kenneth-cole-class-speech-emory) [_Madeleine Albright to Grads: The World Needs You_](http://time.com/3882439/madeleine-albright-tufts-graduation-speech/) [_Mark Ruffalo to Grads: Buck the System_](http://time.com/3883345/mark-ruffalo-award-speech-dickinson/) [_Matthew McConaughey to Grads: Always Play Like an Underdog_](http://time.com/3881954/matthew-mcconaughey-graduation-speech-university-of-houston/) [_Maya Rudolph to Grads: Create Your Own Destiny_](http://time.com/3883091/maya-rudolph-tulane-university-graduation-speech/) [_Mellody Hobson to Grads: Set Your Sights High_](http://time.com/3889937/mellody-hobson-graduation-speech-usc/) [_Meredith Vieira to Grads: Be the Left Shark_](http://time.com/3882465/meredith-vieira-graduation-speech-boston-university/?iid=time%5Fspeed) [_Mitt Romney to Grads: America Needs You to Serve_](http://time.com/3882769/mitt-romney-graduation-speech-saint-anselm-college/) [Natalie Portman to Grads: Carve Your Own Path](http://time.com/3899747/natalie-portman-to-grads-carve-your-own-path/) [_President Obama to Grads: We Should Invest in People Like You_](http://time.com/3889866/barack-obama-graduation-speech-lati/) [_President Obama to Cadets: Lead the Way on Fighting Climate Change_](http://time.com/3891078/barack-obama-graduation-speech-uscga/) [_Salman Rushdie to Grads: Try to Be Larger Than Life_](http://time.com/3889267/salman-rushdie-graduation-speech-emory/) [_Samantha Power to Grads: Start Changing the World By ‘Acting As If’_](http://time.com/3883303/samantha-power-graduation-speech-upenn/) [_Stephen Colbert to Grads: You Are Your Own Professor Now_](http://time.com/3883513/stephen-colbert-graduation-speech-wfu/) [_Tim Cook to Grads: Tune Out the Cynics_](http://time.com/3882479/tim-cook-graduation-speech-gwu/) ## Transcript [ APPLAUSE ] He is an acclaimed musician and actor who is also one of our nation's most thoughtful philanthropists. And it gives me great pleasure to invite Mr. Bon Jovi to join me at the podium to receive an honorary degree of letters. [ APPLAUSE ] This will be a doctor of letters degree. As a true and loyal son of New Jersey, Your success as a musician and an actor has brought great pride to our state. Your name is synonymous with energy, aspiration and optimism. Attributes that you have defined in dual careers as entertainer and philanthropist. Your role as musician has inspired creativity and happiness around the world. Both as a solo artist and with your band Bon Jovi, you have touched the lives of millions of people. You have performed in more than 50 countries and have sold more than 100 million albums. And you have earned many honors, such as the Grammy Award and the Billboard Music Award. It may be, however, through your role as philanthropist that you have truly transformed lives in the most profound manner. As the chair of the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation You founded and lead a non profit organization dedicated to bringing about positive change and helping the lives of those in need one soul at a time by focussing on finding solutions to the issues that force families and individuals into economic despair You and the sole foundation have provided funding for affordable housing and shelter for hundreds of low income individuals and families throughout the country. The projects funded by the sole foundation address the critical issues of food and shelter for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. In October 2011, the foundation opened the JBJ Soul Kitchen in Red Bank, New Jersey, to address issues of food and security. Through your vision that community kitchen has served 37, 000 meals in a restaurant seating 33 or so I hear. [ APPLAUSE ] And you do so in an atmosphere based on respect and equality, where diners contribute either volunteer hours or a minimum donation for their meals. Your unfailing support of the victims of Hurricane Sandy Has helped families regain lives that have been disrupted by that storm and continue to be disrupted. Your compassionate efforts to help build pride in one's self and one's community have brought you here to Camden and to our neighboring city, Philadelphia. Seeing a need for community investment, your Soul Foundation has provided homes to the homeless in Philadelphia, and opened shelter for the homeless here in Camden. Communities across the region, however, have found new life and new hope due to your ongoing committment to affordable housing and supportive social services. In 2015, you rightfully receive the Commonwealth Award, in reflection of your many contributions to the enrichment of modern culture through your professional and your personal endeavors. In the Delaware Valley, you received the 2014 Marion Anderson award, which honors critically acclaimed artists who affect change in a positive way. Your life's work raises up the spirit of everyone you touch. Be it through the inspiration of your music or the hope and optimism generated by your philanthropic initiatives. Now therefore, by virtue of the authority vested in me, by the boards of governors and trustees of Rutgers, the state university of New Jersey I am pleased to confer upon you [ UNKNOWN ] the degree doctor of letters with all rights, responsibilities, privileges and immunities appertaining thereunto Here and elsewhere. [ APPLAUSE ] Thank you so very much, really appreciate it. [ COUGH ] Well good morning. Good morning. Good morning Mayor Redd, President Barchi, Chancellor Haddon. Governors, Trustees, Alumni, family, friends. And especially the graduating class of Rutgers Camden, congratulations. [ APPLAUSE ] [ APPLAUSE ] I want to thank you for inviting me here today on one of the most special days of your lives so far. And I want to thank you very much for this honor. Although you have allowed me to wear this gown you have done me no favors by asking me to speak after Brian Stevenson. [ LAUGH ] I feel like they may have gotten the opening act and the headliner mixed up here today. [ LAUGH ] I'd been wrestling over what information I could offer you that you haven't already heard. Something that could be a reminder of where you came from and also sign to comfort you on the road ahead. At first I shared too little and then I shared far too much. As I edited my thoughts, I realized I sure am blessed that there was no Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram when I was your age. I think I am just going to keep all those chapters up here and in here. But I was reminded of a few things that I would like to share with you. 14 years ago, I gave another commencement speech at another New Jersey school Through the magic of Google search I was able to do a Back to the Future moment. Looking back on my words to see if any of what I had to say to the Class of 2001 stood up today. Those words started out innocently enough, talking about new beginnings, from kindergarten to high school to college. You can't remember what you had for breakfast yesterday, but I'm sure that you can remember the multitude of emotions that were running through you during the formative years. From sheer joy to anticipation to absolute fear. And then, in a snap of a finger, it's all just memories in a scrapbook. Our future starts in our past, but it doesn't end there. In that speech, I said to treat the workplace like school and keep learning. To be humble and remain humble, and to remind yourself that no job is beneath you if you use it as a lesson. Maybe you've mapped your life out. Corner office at a Fortune 500 company or a life in philanthropy, politics or even entertainment. Great. I say go for it. But if you haven't. That's okay too. Don't be embarrassed by indecision. Life is a long bumpy road but that makes for an exciting ride. Choose a direction, and if the road turns, turn, if there's a fork in road, take it. It's okay to map out your future, but do it in pencil. Continuing with the new beginning, and planning in pencil theme It was in 2003 that a new chapter in my life began. And my fork in the road brought me here today. In 2003, I became the co owner of an arena football team in Philadelphia. You talk about bumpy roads, lessons learned, humility, and then divine intervention. Okay, see if you can follow this. Rock star loves football. Hears about an opportunity to own an arena team. Laughs with his bandmates about calling plays from the owner's box. Then, before you know it, calls are made on his behalf to pursue the team. Band sobers up and backs out, singer doesn't. He finds a partner, they start an expansion team called the Philadelphia Soul. In it's first five years it's the leagues most popular team and they win a championship for Philadelphia. We approach this team very differently. We use lessons learned in our other lives to put together a winning team on the field, but also to have impact off the field. We make it an affordable, accessible, family affair and proudly announce that we intend to be the most philanthropic team in town. Before the soul ever played a down, We found four needy charities and gave away more money than we brought in. We were having fun playing football and Robin Hood. But then on one bitter cold night in 2006 while I was staying in Philly, I looked out my window and I saw a man sleeping outside. He was huddled up hoping just to make it through the night I decided that we should focus or philanthropic efforts on the homeless. This issue could effect anyone. It didn't matter if you were young or old, black or white, republican or democrat. I didn't need a scientist to find the cure, I needed someone to help me help those in need. I asked a close friend to find me someone who was both passionate and compassionate, an authority on the homeless issue. He found me Sister Mary Scullion and that's how the rock star, who had the new beginnings, the bumpy ride and the pencil came to write the words, the power of we. You, me, that's the power of we. We can be that change we want to see. When I met sister Mary, and her already well established team at Project Home we joined forces, and nearly a decade later we continue to address the needs of those in need Through that power of we. Now we may have lost some money on the team, but we won on and off the field. So remember, that when life brings you challenges, it also brings you opportunities. From rock star to team owner to foundation chair, they were all just mile markers along this journey. And that is the power of we. No- one is an island, no- one can do it alone. Not government alone, not the private sector alone. It takes great partners like I've had Mayor Redd and Chief Thompson. It takes great partnerships like the Heart of Camden and Saint Joseph's Carpenters Society and Hope Works in Camden. It takes everyone from nuns to rock stars and it takes you. But you already know that because you've seen it, you've done it. For me, the issue of hunger and homelessness. feels right. For you, it may be something else. So find that something. Be passionate about it, and start that ripple. Be that change, that's what you do. That's what you've done. When called upon, your class harnessed change and made it work for justice. You could have easily used technology to relax and play video games, but your class used it as a map to map this community, to make sure that people got services to those who are in need. You could have used your knowledge to have manipulated others with less, but you used it to come together to reopen the Cooper Park. You could have used your time for you. But instead over the course of just one school year, you, the students of Rutgers Camden did almost 35 years of community service. And that, too, is the power of we. Now embracing we, Doesn't absolve you from the responsibility to lead. This world needs its young people to lead and to lead by example. To walk that walk and to do that work. So confound expectations, inspire others, don't let anybody ever define who you are and what you can be. It's not always going to be easy. Life is not a reality show. That's reality. Look, you, me, we are New Jersey. Here it's all about we. In fact in this state we can't even pump gas by ourselves. [ LAUGH ] And here in this state, we've got the parkway, we've got the turnpike. What we have here is a lot of mile- markers. Here people say, what exit are you from? Your diploma, it's a mile mark. It's a measurement of how far you can go. It's a measurement of how far you've come but it doesn't say a thing about how far the future can take you. Your diploma is an anointment, a calling, a charge to use the talents you've nurtured and the knowledge you've gained here to make a contribution. Class is over. But learning isn't. Your diploma is a key to open doors of possibility not only for yourselves, but for others. So if you want the amazing feeling of pride that you're feeling today to last far beyond a day, let's make today, and everyday that follows, about more than your own accomplishments. Make it about the power of we. Because if you do, you'll have a lot more, and things worth having, you'll have a life worth living. And you can write that one down in pen. So thank you, and congratulations to the class of 2015. I tried to buy you all a gift, but I wasn't sure of sizes, and you know, favorite colors. I did what I do best, I was so inspired by this invitation, that I sat down and I wrote you a song. [ APPLAUSE ] And, [ APPLAUSE ] I'll do my best to perform it for you, I've never performed it since I've written it. I sang it for the Chancellor in the back dressing room. [ LAUGH ] All right, let's try it. [ APPLAUSE ] Wish me luck. [ MUSIC ] Along the way. [ MUSIC ] Oh, write your song. Sing along. Love your life. [ MUSIC ] Learn to laugh. Dare to dance. Touch the sky. [ MUSIC ] What's wrong or right. Right. Write your song. Sing it long. Love your life. [ MUSIC ] Learn to laugh. Dare to dance. Touch the sky. 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