Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush told graduates at Monday’s fall commencement ceremony at the University of South Carolina to dream big, don’t be afraid of change and have fun.
“You might be a little nervous. Your joy is mixed with a touch of anxiety,” said Mr. Bush, who received an honorary doctorate of public service. “Out in the real world, every day is an exam — every day you’re getting graded.”
He said that three life lessons he’s learned that “you can apply in any situation” include not letting anyone tell you how big to dream; not being afraid to experiment, change and even fail; and remembering to have fun, and give back and serve others.
For having fun, he called to mind his father, former President George H.W. Bush, who celebrated his 90th birthday earlier this year by going skydiving.
He also mentioned his mother, former first lady Barbara Bush, by talking about how he asked her what he should speak about.
“Jeb, speak about 10 minutes and then sit down and shut up,” he jokingly recalled her saying.
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The trip to the early presidential primary state was certainly not political in nature, but comes as the former Florida governor ponders his own possible White House bid and shortly after he said he would be releasing a trove of e-mails from his time as governor and writing an e-book.
Mr. Bush’s father addressed graduates at the university’s commencement in 1990 and received an honorary degree of doctor of laws, and his brother, former President George W. Bush, spoke at the school’s commencement in May 2003 and also received an honorary degree of doctor of laws.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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