Former Mexican President Vicente Fox accepted an honorary doctorate and addressed more than 1,300 graduates at Loyola Marymount University's 2009 Undergraduate Commencement ceremony Saturday, May 9.

Fox described the class of 2009 as being "gifted" with the opportunities that come from attending LMU. "Not many young people have the opportunity to be in an outstanding institution like this," he said. "In Latin America, only 22 out of 100 have the opportunity to sit in a university. Seventy-eight percent don't have this gifted opportunity that you have received to be here for four years.”

"But you also have given hard work, sacrifice and effort every day, pursuing your dream ... your commencement dream."

Fox then addressed “the millions of Hispanics, Mexicans, Latinos that are in this great nation, that are loyal, that have dignity, that are working hard to make this nation better. My love, my respect to each and every one of them. They are going through very difficult times."

Fox said "reshaping the world is an urgent need" and reminded graduates that doing for others, the community and the world is their responsibility.

"Times are difficult," he said. "This is the moment when leaders come ... when you have to show the way ... when you have to instruct and inspire your followers.

"Leaders have to have that inner force, the power within that we all were created with. We are all leaders. Let's not forget that."

Fox said he considered himself "gifted" to have the opportunity be at LMU witnessing commencement, and said he had no doubt the class of 2009 had the "spirit and commitment" to accomplish great things.

"Never forget every day is commencement day ... that every day you will be meeting new challenges … that every day you will be hardworking and being for others.” 

 
Watch webcasts of Commencement Weekend events