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- Students in ceremonial procession. (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Students in ceremonial procession (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Grads prepare for commencement ceremony (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Grads on the big screen (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Decorated Mortarboard (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Festive Mortarboards (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Gracias Mami y Papi (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Grads on the big screen (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Professors in ceremonial procession (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Professors in academic regalia (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Arnold Schwarzenegger takes part in ceremonial procession (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Festive Mortarboards (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Grads get ready for what's ahead (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Personalized Mortarboards (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Schwarzenegger gets honorary doctorate from UH (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- UH President Dr. Renu Khator gives Arnold Schwarzenegger his honorary doctorate (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Arnold Schwarzenegger with UH President Dr. Renu Khator. (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter)
- Schwarzenegger receives honorary doctorate (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Schwarzenegger at the podium (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Schwarzenegger flashes the Cougar sign (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Hasta La Vista, Baby! (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- "I'll be back!" (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Arnold Schwarzenegger gets a hug from UH President Dr. Renu Khator (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Schwarzenegger at podium (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter)
Proud parents cheered and took pictures as U-of-H graduates made the ceremonial march into TDECU Stadium. But they were also there for a little star power, as former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger gave the commencement speech and received an honorary doctorate.
Trading the Terminator's leather jacket for academic robes, Schwarzenegger talked about how he came to the US as an immigrant and forged careers as a bodybuilder, actor, and politician. But he told students no matter what they achieve in life, it's important to remember you can't do it alone.
"To accept that credit or that medal would discount every person that has helped me to get here today," said Schwarzenegger. "That gave me advice, that made an effort, that gave me the time, that lifted me up when I fell."
And after a few more words of encouragement it was time for Schwarzenegger to make his famous exit.
"Hasta la vista, baby. I'll be back."
At another Houston school they've withdrawn the invitation for their commencement speaker. Senator John Cornyn was supposed to speak Saturday at Texas Southern University, but students at the historically-black school circulated a petition against his appearance.
They cited Cornyn's support for President Trump's immigration policies.
