Tennis great Roger Federer earned high marks for his Commencement address on June 9. “Most of the time, it’s not about having a gift. It’s about having grit,” the winner of 20 major titles said to the 1,150 graduating members of the class of 2024. He reminded them that “effortless is a myth,” noting that even the world’s best tennis players win barely more than half the points they play.

An audience of more than 11,000 people endured a heavy rainfall in the morning—soggy seat savers certainly earned their money this year—but the skies cleared in time for Federer’s words of wisdom and the conferring of degrees. Seven honorary degree recipients included former U.S. Representative Liz Cheney.

Federer, 43, retired from tennis in 2022. His longtime agent and business partner, Tony Godsick ’93 (who was featured in DAM’s January/February 2021 issue), helped land the champion for the day by setting up a meeting with President Sian Beilock at her request. “I told Roger how meaningful it would be for our community if his first commencement speech was at Tony’s alma mater, the year Tony’s daughter (Isabella ’24) was graduating,” she says. “The class of 2024 has not had it easy. I really wanted them to have a Commencement speaker who could reflect and tap into the resilience they have shown during their time at Dartmouth and inspire them as they move on to their next chapter. I was thrilled when he said yes. Roger is one of the greats at coming through when it counts.”

For some of the new alumni, it was their first graduation ceremony—the pandemic spoiled many high school celebrations.

After Federer spoke, several dozen members of the graduating class walked out as Beilock addressed the crowd, and several refused to shake her hand as they crossed the stage. These were nods to the spring protests on the Green about the Israel-Hamas war, which led to 89 arrests after the administration summoned police.