Talk about a moment you will never forget. Talk about thunder in the sky and lightning in the soul. And about May 12—the kind of day where raindrops dared to fall, but joy refused to be washed away. A total of 3,600 graduates from Washington University in St. Louis at Francis Olympic Field proudly turned their tassels, cheered on by massive crowds that braved the weather to mark this once-in-a-lifetime moment. It was a sea of caps, gowns, and dreams, underscored by one unforgettable presence. Among the graduates and cheering families stood a legend. Not in cap and gown, but in stature. Who, you ask? The greatest gymnast of all time—Simone Biles—took center stage, not on a balance beam, but on a commencement podium. Why was she there?

Biles was a keynote speaker for WashU’s 164th university-wide commencement, where she electrified the crowd of 17,000 and was even awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. But before the applause faded, she had something to say!!

She was nervous. Nervous? From someone who has stared down everything and made gravity beg for mercy? Yes. And that’s what made the moment so deeply human. “I would probably feel more comfortable if they had allowed me to vault onto the stage and do a little floor routine,” she joked, and laughter echoed across the damp field.

But under that charm was something more: raw honesty. Because this wasn’t just a moment of celebration. It was a moment of reflection. She didn’t earn that honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree simply by collecting medals. No, Washington University recognized her for something that doesn’t glitter but matters far more—her impact.

Her relentless advocacy for children facing impossible odds. Her voice was raised for foster kids, for mental health, and for education. Her work with Friends of the Children—a cause she’s embraced fully—has helped futures in youth wrestling with intergenerational poverty, adoption, and trauma.

This was a woman who once dreamed of UCLA, signed the letter, but chose a different road—first deferring for Rio, then leaving college behind to go pro. And still, education never left her. “I still want to pursue a college degree, and the University of the People offers me the flexibility I need to fit in my studies around my career,” she said in 2018, enrolling in a tuition-free, accredited program. A quiet move, but one that said loudly: dreams evolve, but they never expire.

And on that same field that hosted events during the 1904 Olympics, Biles delivered a 12-minute address—longer than any of her routines, but no less graceful. She stood as one of six honorary degree recipients, yes!

Simone Biles gives a success mantra at Washington University

When Simone Biles took the stage at WashU, she didn’t bring medals, she brought a mindset. Her message? Success isn’t about being the best. It’s about being your best.

“My goal was to be the ‘Greatest Simone Biles of All Time,’” she said. “It is always about me being the best Simone I can be, and I’m so proud to say I’ve stayed true to that. And that’s all you have to do, too. Show up and be the best you.”

She reminded the graduates that the diploma wasn’t the only thing worth celebrating—it was everything they overcame to earn it. Then came her playbook for greatness: “Show up for yourself consistently,” Biles said. “Do something every day that scares you. Put in the work on the days you feel like you’re not even in the right arena. When you’re consistent, when you bring your best to your practice every day, then you’ll be ready for the big moments.”

She urged them to think creatively. “No one’s, and I mean no one’s, success is a straight line.” She emphasized rest and reflection: “Take quality time for yourself… Lean into your friends and family who fuel your joy.” And finally, she challenged them to lead: “A moment doesn’t define a person… Get back out there.”