It would be difficult to think of a more relevant graduation speaker than the one featured at the ceremonies for the graduating class of the Fels Institute of Government.
Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell addressed the Fels graduates and an audience of around 100 on Saturday.
Rendell, a 1965 College graduate, has taught popular courses at the Fels Center in semesters past during his time as mayor of Philadelphia. During his address on Saturday, he kept his remarks light, drawing several laughs from the crowd.
Rendell questioned the purpose of graduation speakers, and claimed to be unable to remember his own. He reminded the students how proud their parents were -- and encouraged them to take advantage of the opportunity to ask for money.
However, his speech was not without a serious message. Declaring that politicians pose the biggest opposition to reform in government, Rendell praised the Fels graduates for their vision and for the impact that he was certain they would have.
Former Congresswoman and Fels lecturer Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky, who was in attendance on Saturday, applauded Rendell's performance.
"He was remarkably good," she said. "Just funny enough, just serious enough, and students liked him because he was just short enough."
As the graduates walked up to the podium to receive their degrees, Rendell shook their hands and gave each a chance to have their picture taken with him.
