Though Hollywood actor Val Kilmer delivered the commencement speech, William Woods University president Jahnae Barnett made sure everyone knew that the real special guests at the school's 142nd ceremony Saturday morning were the approximately 235 students who earned their degrees that day.
William Woods' Undergraduate commencement began at 10 a.m., preceded by the annual ivy cutting ceremony across the Senior Bridge. Kilmer, who has appeared in dozens of blockbuster films throughout his career, was also awarded with his own honorary doctorate of fine arts for his contributions to cinema.
Kilmer's older brother, who himself earned his doctorate, was less than amused by the younger sibling's account.
"Maybe they liked Doc Holliday so much they wanted me to be Doc Kilmer," Kilmer said, recalling what he told his brother.