Duke Grads: “Don’t Be a Passenger,” says Grant Hill Lead with Integrity and Take the Wheel
In his stirring and heartfelt commencement speech, Trinity ’94 and former Duke men’s basketball great Grant Hill urged the Class of 2025 to not be passive recipients of life but to take initiative, lead with integrity, and make a difference.
Addressing a crowded Wallace Wade Stadium on a bright Sunday morning, Hill challenged graduates to close the widening divide between “what is said” and “what is done,” emphasizing the value of community, integrity, and action.
“Don’t be a passenger,” Hill declared. “Take the wheel.”
A Legacy of Excellence
Introduced by President Vincent Price as “far more than a star athlete,” Hill was praised for embodying the values that define the Duke spirit excellence, humility, and service. During his four-year career at Duke, Hill helped lead the Blue Devils to back-to-back NCAA Tournament championships in 1991 and 1992, and he remains one of college basketball’s all-time greats.
President Price referenced Hill’s iconic full-court assist to Christian Laettner in the 1992 NCAA Tournament against Kentucky a play often dubbed “The Shot” as symbolic of Hill’s enduring impact on the game and the Duke community.
“Of all the places I’ve played and all the jobs I’ve had, I am most proud to be known as a Blue Devil,” Hill said.
Wisdom Passed Down from His Mother
In honor of Mother’s Day, Hill shared heartfelt reflections on his mother’s influence. He recalled doubting the value of college during middle school, only to be reminded by his mother that college teaches you how to think, problem-solve, and endure. That guidance, he noted, was instrumental when he and Laettner missed the same full-court pass in a regular season game an experience that prepared them for their historic success just weeks later.
“When it arrived, we were ready,” Hill said. “Not because we were perfect the first time, but because we learned to think, problem-solve, and endure. Mom was right.”
Lessons in Integrity and Leadership
Hill didn’t shy away from the real challenges facing graduates today. He urged them to protect their integrity, especially in a world where it is too often compromised.
“You will meet people, rely on institutions and listen to leaders who say all the right things, but when they’re tested, they will run, hide, and fold,” he said. “Out there in the world you’re about to enter, the gap between what’s said and what’s done is too wide.”
Rather than accept this reality, Hill called on graduates to lead by example. “Carry Duke’s values forward, carry each other, and let your integrity carry you through the tests to come,” he said.
Students Reflect on Hill’s Message
Graduates left the ceremony inspired, many sharing how Hill’s words resonated with them deeply.
“Hearing Grant Hill speak today felt like the culmination of everything Duke represents,” said Jessica Tran, a biomedical engineering graduate. “His message about bridging the gap between words and actions really hit home for me.”
“I’ll never forget when he said ‘don’t be a passenger,’” said David Kim, a public policy major. “It made me realize that just showing up in life isn’t enough you have to lead with your values.”
Amara Smith, who studied cultural anthropology, said the most emotional moment came when Hill talked about his mother. “I called my mom right after the ceremony,” she said. “It made me think about how much our families have shaped us, even when we didn’t realize it.”
For Carlos Moreno, a former Duke student-athlete, Hill’s legacy as both a player and a person resonated deeply. “He’s one of us—but also a reminder of what we can become when we commit to excellence and character,” he said.
A Final Challenge
In closing, Hill reminded the students that graduation is a beginning rather than a finish. He remarked, “You are more than just alumni.” “You act as stewards. What you do next will be a co-author of Duke’s second century.
With the stadium erupting in applause, it was clear that Hill’s message struck a powerful chord one that will echo in the lives of Duke’s Class of 2025 for years to come.
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