President Jimmy Carter gave the commencement address for the class of 1977 just five months after entering the Oval Office. The University gave the President an honorary doctorate of law degree prior to his address. President Carter began his address at 3:25pm and spoke about his brief experience as president. He also related Father Hesburgh's experience with civil rights and uniting the country to the world's current problems of hunger and human rights. The President outlined the country's view of foreign aid to developing countries.

A video of the address can be viewed here. Read the entire speech here.