‘Terminator’ to grads: Nobody goes it alone
Former California governor and movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger tells UH graduates that the “whole concept of self-made man or woman is a myth.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger went from firing people on television to firing up University of Houston graduates Friday, in a speech that didn’t directly focus on the current political climate but featured deep undertones of America’s role in improving the lives of immigrants and helping others.
“America has proven to be the greatest country in the world, where anyone can make it,” Schwarzenegger said during the school’s 2017 Spring Commencement at TDECU Stadium. “This place has given me the opportunities step after step. Thank you, America, for the great thing you are doing for immigrants who are coming here.”
Without mentioning any politicians but himself, the former California governor alternated from cheering immigrants such as himself and UH president Renu Khator for taking hold of opportunities in the U.S. to reminding graduates that while only their names will appear on their diploma, they are not solely responsible.
“The whole concept of the selfmade man or woman is a myth,” he said interspersing the speech with references to his own prowess as a bodybuilder and movie-screen hero. “I just didn’t materialize like the Terminator in a fireball on the
streets of Los Angeles.”
Using his own life as a Mr. Universe-turnedactor-turned-politician as an example, Schwarzenegger noted the people along the way who made his leap from Venice Beach muscle-boy to state leader possible.
“At some point take a break from the celebration and the Instagrams and Snapchats and think about all the people who helped you,” Schwarzenegger told graduates.
Though he didn’t mention President Donald Trump — whom Schwarzenegger briefly replaced as a reality TV host — the mixture of crediting immigrants, dispelling notions of the self-made man and celebrating humility and service was laced with connections to current political discussions.
“We are not going to be remembered for how much we’ve made, but how much we have given,” Schwarzenegger said.
Initially the university agreed to pay $40,000 for Schwarzenegger’s appearance, which was brokered through a third party. Schwarzenegger learned of the agreement and the contract was rescinded.
The university drew strong criticism from agreeing to pay Matthew McConaughey $135,000 for its 2015 commencement speech. The university first tried to keep McConaughey’s payment confidential. After it was publicly disclosed, officials stressed the actor donated $130,000 of it to his charitable foundation.