Bill Pullman gave the commencement speech at Warren Wilson College in Asheville, North Carolina, Saturday, where he recited his speech from Independence Day. He chose to speak at the college because his sons are alumni.
“You will not go quietly into the night," the 63-year-old now-bearded star told the 140 students. “Because today is your graduation day!” The actor played President Whitmore in the cult 1996 alien action film and reprised his role in a 2016 sequel. In his speech, Pullman said he had been waiting a couple of decades to get the chance to recite his “Independence Day” line at a graduation ceremony. Pullman stayed after the commencement ceremony to take photos with students and their families.