Harrison Ford has urged graduates at Arizona State University to embrace leadership, social justice and environmental responsibility as he accepted an honorary doctorate.
The Star Wars and Indiana Jones actor was awarded an honorary Doctor of Arts and Humane Letters during the university's spring commencement ceremony on Monday.
In his address, Ford told students that humanity must do more to protect nature and support marginalised Indigenous communities, warning that cultural change is needed to confront climate change and prevent mass extinction.
"Humanity is a part of nature, not above it," Ford said.
The 83-year-old actor also encouraged graduates to recognise the influence they can have in shaping the future.
"Your generation has far more power than you may realise," he said. "And if you harness that power, if you find your leadership, your issues, your voice, the world will not be able to ignore you."
Ford has long been involved in environmental campaigning. Arizona State University said ahead of the ceremony that he has been a member of Conservation International’s board since 1991 and currently serves as the organisation’s vice chair.
The university said more than 22,000 students were graduating as part of its spring 2026 class.
Ford’s screen career spans more than six decades, with credits including Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Blade Runner, Witness, The Fugitive and Patriot Games. More recently, he has appeared in the television series 1923 and Shrinking.
Source: Reuters
