Actor and environmentalist Harrison Ford delivered the commencement address and accepted an honorary doctorate at Arizona State University on May 11, 2026 [1].
Ford's address highlighted the intersection of leadership and environmental stewardship for a generation facing significant global challenges. By speaking to a record-breaking class, the actor emphasized the scale of influence these new graduates possess to enact social and ecological change.
The ceremony took place at the ASU Tempe campus, though the university held over a dozen separate celebrations across its multiple campuses [2]. Ford addressed a record-size graduating class of more than 22,000 students [3], which included more than 14,000 undergraduate students [4].
During the speech, Ford focused on the importance of individual agency and purpose. He encouraged the graduates to take ownership of their roles in society and to prioritize the health of the planet. "This is your time," Ford said [5].
Ford's remarks shifted toward the necessity of active participation in public discourse and the pursuit of social justice. He urged the students to be courageous in their leadership and to remain steadfast in their commitments to the environment. "Find your voice," Ford said [6].
The actor concluded his address by challenging the graduates to apply their education toward tangible global improvements. He spoke of the responsibility that comes with knowledge and the urgency of the current climate crisis. "Go change the world," Ford said [7].
The event served as the centerpiece of the university's spring commencement week, marking a milestone for the institution's growing student population.
“"This is your time,"”
The selection of Harrison Ford, a prominent conservationist, as a commencement speaker underscores Arizona State University's emphasis on environmental responsibility. By addressing a record-breaking class of more than 22,000 students, the university aligns its academic achievement with a public call for leadership in the face of the climate crisis.
