Jennifer Garner offers life tips in her return to her alma mater to deliver commencement speech at Denison University in Ohio

Jennifer Garner returned to her alma mater of Denison University in Granville, Ohio last weekend to deliver the commencement speech to the graduates and receive an honorary doctorate degree.

Being the mom who's always trying to fight the good fight in life, the actress, 47, used much of her time at the podium to offer words of wisdom mixed in with a healthy dose of funny anecdotes.

'When your dear @denisonu friend becomes a beloved professor at your alma mater and hoods you with an honorary doctorate of humane letters...it is a very good day,' Garner captioned an edited video of her speech that was posted on Instagram along with the hashtags: '#markbryan #ilovetheclassof2019 #♥️denisonuniversity♥️'

Honor: Jennifer Garner received an honorary docorate degree at her alma mater of Denison University last weekend in Granville, Ohio

Honor: Jennifer Garner received an honorary docorate degree at her alma mater of Denison University last weekend in Granville, Ohio

After some flattering words from the university president, Garner was officially bestowed with an honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, by her friend, fellow alum and chair of the theater department, Dr. Mark Evans Bryan. 

'I realize I have the rare, and who knows, maybe last opportunity to say thank you to the faculty,' Garner began her speech with great honor and humility.

After a brief joke about her bad grammar in the opening of the speech, the 1994 graduate then praised the university for helping give her 'a life of adventure and fun  and the tools to deal with more than I could have ever imagined being thrown at me... thank you from the bottom of my heart I am so grateful.'

Garner's received an honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, with the help of her friend, fellow alum and chair of the theater department, Dr. Mark Evans Bryan

Garner's received an honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, with the help of her friend, fellow alum and chair of the theater department, Dr. Mark Evans Bryan

Respect: The two friends and fellow alum hugged out after the honor

Respect: The two friends and fellow alum hugged out after the honor

Garner used a good portion of her time at the podium to offer eight life tips that graduates can hold on to at the request of Dr. Bryan, her friend who nominated her for the day's commence honor.

'First don’t walk down the Grand Canyon to see what it looks like from the bottom. It’s great from the top – you should do that. But when you get to the bottom, it's just a big hill, and it’s a pain in the a– to climb back up.'

She then laughed and got a few chuckles from the crowd when she asked them not to smoke or vape. 

'We know, vaping smells like maple syrup or pineapple or cotton candy, whatever it is. But now that you’re going to be adulting, it’s not cute – just don't do it.

The Texas native then offered some hindsight as a woman who is inching closer to 50: 'Nothing looks better in your 50s than sunscreen in your 20s.'

Road to success: Garner graduated from Denison University in 1994

Road to success: Garner graduated from Denison University in 1994

At times she gave special attention to the ladies in the post '#MeToo' era. 

'When it comes to Halloween costumes, go funny over sexy. Why would you dress like a flirty nurse when you could be a mailbox?'

She hit a more serious tone with: 'Mixed signals are not mixed signals – they’re a no.'

'Impose self-discipline around three things: Have a book on your bedside table at all times – and read it, obviously,' she joked.

'Be in charge of your consumption of social media. And foster a sense of humor about yourselves because otherwise, you run the risk of being boring. I'm sorry somebody has to say it.'

Paying it forward: The actress, 47, also delivered the commencement speech where she offered eight life tips full of humor and words of wisdom

Paying it forward: The actress, 47, also delivered the commencement speech where she offered eight life tips full of humor and words of wisdom

She again turned to the female graduates: 'If you’re a woman and – pardon me for being binary for just a second. The stage has been set. The world is yours to grab. Go out and get it, girl.'

'Finally, stay close to your friends from college,' she hammered home.

'You’ve just spent four years hanging out with them. That history is invaluable. Work friends, you talk to them about work. Lovers, you talk to them about love and dinner reservations. But friends from college, you can talk to them about everything and you can do nothing with them and still be happy. 

She ended by adding: 'My friends from Denison mean the world to me, have gotten me through everything possible. And without them, I wouldn't know any Republicans,' she said which got plenty of laughs from the graduates.

Getting real: 'If you're lucky, your life will be 65 percent happy, and that's fresh on Rotten Tomatoes,' Garner told the crowd. 'Happiness is your own responsibility, so attack it'

Getting real: 'If you're lucky, your life will be 65 percent happy, and that's fresh on Rotten Tomatoes,' Garner told the crowd. 'Happiness is your own responsibility, so attack it'

Later in the speech, Garner offered some words of wisdom as a way to gauge this thing we call life on Planet Earth.    

'If you're lucky, your life will be 65 percent happy, and that's fresh on Rotten Tomatoes,' she told the crowd. 'Happiness is your own responsibility, so attack it.'    

Garner has been featured in 35 films over her career that includes Catch Me If You Can (2002), Daredevil (2003), Electra (2005), Juno (2007) and Dallas Buyers Club (2013).

She has also had role in 19 television series like Law & Order (1996), Spin City (1996), Alias (2001-2006), and Camping (2018). 

 

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Jennifer Garner offers life tips in her return to her alma mater to deliver commencement speech

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