Arnold Schwarzenegger has received an honorary doctorate degree from Ulster University (UU) in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
It comes six years after the 78-year-old Austrian and American star mocked Donald Trump’s failed university in a virtual commencement speech for graduates who were stuck at home amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the time, he held up his honorary doctorate from Trump University and said: ‘This is nothing. We all have these pieces of papers.’
An Instagram post shared by UU on Monday was captioned, ‘Today we awarded an Honorary Doctorate to @schwarzenegger in recognition of his extraordinary career and his significant contributions to public service, environmental action and the arts.’
Schwarzenegger’s first trip to the capital city, Belfast, was in 1966 when he competed in his first bodybuilding competition at age 19.
UU’s message continued, ‘Governor Schwarzenegger’s visit carries a personal significance, as it comes on the 60th anniversary of his first visit to Northern Ireland as a young bodybuilder.’
Arnold Schwarzenegger received an honorary doctorate degree from Ulster University (UU) in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on Monday
It comes six years after the 78-year-old Austrian star mocked Donald Trump’s failed university in a virtual commencement speech for graduates who were stuck at home amid the COVID-19 pandemic
While speaking at the ceremony, the athlete-turned-actor-turned-politician described his first visit to Belfast as a ‘breakthrough,’ noting it was the first time he was invited to speak in public, per BBC.
‘Sixty years ago, I came to Belfast as a young bodybuilder. I could never have dreamed that I would be back here all these years later to receive an honorary doctorate from Ulster University.
‘It’s wonderful to be back,’ the former California governor said in his speech, per the university.
Schwarzenegger’s latest degree also acknowledges his significant impact on ‘global arts and culture’ through his film career.
UU highlighted his achievements in ‘shaping the modern action genre and influencing generations of audiences worldwide.’
In his uplifting message in 2020, the Terminator sensation encouraged students to remember the journey they took during their studies and to look forward to the future.
He said: ‘Think back over the last four years, the struggle that you went through to get this degree now…
‘Those are the things that you will remember, not just this degree. You are celebrating that journey today, not just a piece of paper that you hang on the wall.’
An Instagram post shared by UU on Monday was captioned, ‘Today we awarded an Honorary Doctorate to @schwarzenegger in recognition of his extraordinary career and his significant contributions to public service, environmental action and the arts’
The 78-year-old Austrian and American star’s first trip to the Northern Ireland capital was in 1966, when he competed in his first bodybuilding competition at age 19; pictured with Sandra Weird and photographer Roy Smith, who photographed them in 1966
Schwarzenegger shared a moment with Ulster University Chancellor Colin Davidson
He encouraged Monday’s graduates similarly, emphasizing, ‘The most important thing in life is to have a clear vision of what you want to accomplish.
‘If you don’t know where you’re going, it’s very hard to get there. I always had a clear goal — to be a bodybuilder and to be a movie star. You need a blueprint.’
The accomplished veteran athlete and entertainer also pointed out the value in overcoming barriers.
‘Anything that comes easy is not worth getting. The harder it is, the more valuable it becomes. Have a vision, go after it, and don’t let anything hold you back. See it and follow it,’ he urged.
‘Education is the foundation — it is a great springboard for your future. The more knowledge you have, the better you become, whether that’s in academia, business, film, or in sport. That is why institutions like Ulster University are so important — this is where you build your knowledge, your confidence, and your future. There is no better place to do that than at a reputable university like this.
‘I want to say thank you to Ulster University, the Vice-Chancellor and the Chancellor for this honorary degree. It means a great deal to me.’
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