Actor Jeff Daniels, a Chelsea native, gives the winter commencement address Sunday at the University of Michigan.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

But some new grads say they face struggle to find any work at all

University of Michigan graduates crossing the stage at Crisler Arena Sunday got a serenade, tough advice and the option of a fist bump or handshake with President Mary Sue Coleman. U-M awarded degrees to several hundred graduates at its winter commencement ceremony. There, actor, playwright and Michigan native Jeff Daniels delivered a short, off-beat commencement address after receiving an honorary doctor of fine arts.

Daniels began his address by complimenting the esteemed company he was in - and then recalled the infamous toilet scene from his 1994 flick "Dumb and Dumber."

He joked about having doubts over filming the scene before Jim Carrey reassured him: "By doing this scene, one day you're going to be asked to give the commencement address at the University of Michigan."

The actor put joking aside to offer advice that drew at least one "boo" from the crowd of Michigan parents and supporters. "I got news for you," he said. "The world doesn't give a damn where you went to college. It's a wonderful achievement. This is a fine university, but you're going to find out tomorrow morning that the world doesn't care."

But he encouraged graduates to find their life’s passion and pursue it with everything they had.

"I ask you that whatever it is you do, decide to do something that is your life's work, that is your passion, that means something to you," he said. "Be one of those who does make a difference."

And as for the the value of "Dumb and Dumber"?

Daniels visited wounded Iraq veterans at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C., and every one of them asked about the movie, he said.

"Not 'cause they're stupid. Not 'cause they're uncultured. Not 'cause it's beneath them. They just wanted someone to make them feel better. To make them laugh. So maybe that does have value."

He then serenaded the crowd with the song he wrote called,“ The Michigan in Me.” The address drew a standing ovation.

Meanwhile, Coleman encouraged students to be curious and ask questions, and to pursue creativity and civic engagement.

"We will benefit from what you do every day because of the great work you are bound to accomplish," she said. "For today, goodbye. For tomorrow, good luck. And forever, go blue."

As a nod to the H1N1 flu virus that has plagued the country since last spring, Coleman offered graduates hand sanitizer and the choice of hand shake, fist bump, wave or hug as they crossed the stage. Those graduating Sunday had varying plans. Of 20 students interviewed, several said they expected an eventual move out of state to find work, and a move home in the mean time.

A few had had jobs lined up or were keeping current positions.

And starting a career took a back seat to several graduates' plans to go abroad for travel and short-term work. Freshly minted U-M graduates Daniel Pesick, from West Bloomfield, and Jenna Stemper, of Plymouth, are now qualified music teachers.

They hope to start substitute teaching near their hometowns soon. Both said they'd look nationwide for job opportunities, agreeing it was likely they'd need to move to find work in their field.

John Northrup, a Michigan native, earned a bachelor of arts degree in history Sunday.

"I haven't quite yet decided if I'm going to pursue teaching," he said.

But one thing was sure: "I am planning to leave." He said he'll be heading to Tennessee, near the Smoky Mountains, to try to get a job with the National Park Service.

Some graduates, like Ally Kidman, a Florida native awarded a bachelor in general studies, have lined up internships.

Kidman plans to intern with the Home Shopping Network in Florida before applying to graduate schools in Miami. William Griffin, a Missouri native, earned his doctoral degree in anthropology with research focusing on archaeology in Madagascar. On leave to finish his studies, he said he will now continue working in his position as a professor at a St. Louis community college.

Other students said they'll skip the stress of a job hunt in favor of travel or contract work abroad.

John Danci, an Ann Arbor native, earned a bachelor of science in movement science. He said he will continue coaching baseball at Pioneer High School, where he graduated four years ago.

But plans to travel and visit family living in Europe are trumping any career aspirations at the moment, he said. He's bought a one-way ticket.

His friend and fellow movement science graduate, Emily Allshouse, said she's heading to Spain to teach English for the year.

"I'm not actively pursuing other jobs," she said.

But some of the new graduates are. Joel Hammer has landed 13 interviews so far, including a phone interview with an international consulting firm based out of Paris.

"It's frustrating," said Hammer, who was awarded a bachelor of business administration Sunday. "They've said they just aren't hiring right now."

But he will keep plugging away at the job search, he said.

A group of new nurse practitioners had better luck. Tish Baxter, of New York, was awarded a master of science in nursing Sunday and has already accepted a job at the Cleveland Clinic, one of two hospitals with which she interviewed recently. "They took me for an interview, and I got the job," she said.

Other honorary degree recipients Sunday included longtime Detroit activist, writer and speaker Grace Lee Boggs; Helen Thomas, the White House press corps member for six decades who was raised in Detroit; and entomologist and biological theorist Edward Osborne Wilson.

Juliana Keeping covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at julianakeeping@annarbor.com or 734-623-2528. Follow Juliana Keeping on Twitter