Hilary Swank gave an inspiring speech to Chapman University’s graduating class of 2025 at Wilson Field.
The two-time Academy Award-winning actress spoke to over 2,600 graduating students on May 23. Her speech included words of encouragement while also touching on perseverance, purpose, and compassion.
She talked about her journey to Hollywood and how she often felt like an outsider. The “Million Dollar Baby” star urged the grads to transform setbacks and to use it as fuel to success.
“It doesn’t matter what your career path is,” she told the crowd. “It could be wildly creative or methodically linear. There’s a language in there that will allow you to connect with people, to improve lives beyond your own, unearth it and become fluent. It will change your perspective on your career when you need it most, and if practice to fluency, it will change your life and the lives around you.”
The producer was also awarded an honorary Doctor of the Arts degree as the university recognized her “artistic achievements and philanthropic work, including her leadership of The Hilaroo Foundation, which connects foster youth with rescue animals.
Past speakers at the Orange County campus include actor, writer and director Bill Hader, award-winning actress Angela Bassett and Nobel Peace Laureate Nadia Murad
