Actor Jeff Daniels tells University of Michigan to pursue something they’re passionate about

Jeff Daniels speaks at Univ. of Mich. graduation

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Actor Jeff Daniels has received an honorary degree from the University of Michigan.

Daniels spoke at the university’s December graduation Sunday. The Michigan Daily reported that Daniels told graduates to pursue something they are passionate about.

After his remarks, Daniels played the guitar, performing a song he wrote about his home state, called “The Michigan in Me.”

He and veteran journalist Helen Thomas were among the honorary degree recipients at the graduation ceremony on the Ann Arbor campus. Others receiving honorary degrees were labor and civil rights activist Grace Lee Boggs and insect expert Edward Osborn Wilson.

Daniels grew up in Chelsea, west of Ann Arbor, and founded the Chelsea-based nonprofit Purple Rose theater company.

On the Net:

University of Michigan: www.umich.edu/

Information from: The Michigan Daily, www.michigandaily.com