Bill Murray Gives Surprise Commencement Speech at College Graduation

Imagine graduating college and out of nowhere, Bill Murray pops up to give a surprise commencement speech.

That was the reality for graduates at Siena Heights University in Adrian, Michigan, over the weekend. The school, a Catholic institution, was founded in 1919 by the Adrian Dominican Sisters.

On Saturday, May 9, Murray, now known as Dr. William James Paul Murray, received an honorary doctorate from the university. According to a report from the Detroit Free Press, Murray surprised graduates, who had no idea he would be there, and gave a motivational commencement speech.

"He spoke to the audience after his sibling, Sister Nancy Murray of the Adrian Dominican Sisters, who also was given honorary doctorate recipient for her roles in education and ministry," the Free Press adds in their report.

Both Murrays are among the last people getting honorary degrees from the school. In June 2025, Siena Heights University announced that it would stop the practice at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.

Bill Murray Gives Commencement Speech at Michigan College: Here's What He Said

Murray told students during his speech that he wasn't prepared, but "I feel because I am now part of your family that I will be forgiven," according to a video of his speech posted by the university.

He added this tidbit of wisdom: "You never point at your school again. You point at your friends again. And you point at yourself again. You don't need a building to be who you already have become or who you will become."

https://www.youtube.com/live/MJ64j6NhO5M

Murray also got personal and talked about his mother and family. "Our mother, who by that time was a widow left with nine children," he stated in the speech, "would say, 'Carry on and be brave.'"

He added that if things got testy in the parking lot after the ceremony, "I'm fighting as a Saint. I'm on your side."

So, it's pretty cool to see that Murray dropped everything to offer up some words of inspiration to the next generation of workers. Who knows if anyone in the crowd has aspirations to become an actor or comedian, but if so, his speech was likely even more motivation.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 12, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

2026 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.

This story was originally published May 11, 2026 at 8:01 PM.