One of Drew University’s best-known former students, who found fame in the late 1990s upon leaving before graduation, returned to campus Saturday and received an honorary degree.
Actor James Van Der Beek, who played the title role in TV’s “Dawson’s Creek,” was the commencement speaker for the private university’s College of Liberal Arts ceremony at 10 a.m. in Madison.
“I have so many fond memories from my time here in the forest,” Van Der Beek said at the top of his comments before addressing and congratulating the graduates. “Your greatest possible destiny is the one you will write. I’m just here to offer a few observations from having walked down the road a bit.”
Van Der Beek, 47, dropped out of Drew when he secured the lead role in “Dawson’s Creek,” which aired from 1998 to 2003 and also starred Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams and Joshua Jackson.
He had received a scholarship upon enrolling at Drew in 1995.
Reflecting on his time in the entertainment industry that pulled him away from Drew, Van Der Beek shared that the most important lesson he’s learned is to pay close attention to what brings true joy and to forge a path following it, rather than taking transactional steps towards happiness.
“As you navigate life outside of the forest,” he said, “I would invite you to ask that newly minted, freshly certified brain to execute at the behest of your heart, and not the other way around.”
He, of course, encouraged the graduates to follow their dreams, but to do so always knowing one’s own worth.
The actor received an honorary bachelor of arts degree Saturday for his “selfless service and exemplary commitment to the mission of Drew,” the university said.
Drew University President Hilary Link welcomed Van Der Beek with a popular quote from his character Dawson Leery: “Edge is fleeting,” she said, “but heart lasts forever. So on this morning, we pay tribute to that heart.”
Saturday’s commencement was the third in two days at Drew University.
In addition to his work on “Dawson’s Creek,” Van Der Beek has starred in films and television series, including “Varsity Blues,” “The Rules of Attraction” and “Don’t Trust the B— in Apartment 23.” He also co-created, wrote, produced and starred in the series “What Would Diplo Do?”
Harriett Jane Olson, former general secretary and CEO of United Women in Faith and a social justice activist, was scheduled to speak Friday at the Drew Theological School ceremony.
Laura Winters, a Drew professor of literary studies, writing, and studies in religion in the Arts & Letters program, was scheduled to speak at the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies ceremony, also on Friday.
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