Matthew McConaughey congratulates the class of 2020 with a new remote commencement speech

Matthew McConaughey is continuing to spread encouragement and inspiration in his second commencement speech for the graduating class of 2020.

The actor addressed the seniors of Urban Assembly School for Emergency Management in New York during a speech was broadcast on Good Morning America on Friday.

This comes after the Dallas Buyer’s Club actor, 50, gave a similar speech to the class of 2020 as part of the star-studded virtual #Graduation2020 on Facebook Watch on the same day.

The Oscar winner also recently released an inspiring public service announcement, titled It’s About US, focusing on the unity required in this country to beat the coronavirus pandemic and a call to end political partisan infighting and finger-pointing.  

Dressed in a tuxedo jacket and white dress shirt open at the collar, a bespectacled McConaughey began his message to the students on Friday by stating the obvious.

‘To you I say congratulations. Number one: You just graduated. You got no prom. You got no real ceremony.

‘But don’t feel bad,’ he continued. ‘At least you’re originals. You are the one and onlys. You’re going to have a whole lot of fun for the rest of your life knowing that. Sing it from the rooftops: We are the class of 2020! We got a virtual graduation. We got a drive-by and we got McConaughey to do our commencement. 

‘Put it on T-shirts, make a rap song out of it. Wear it as a badge of honor because it is yours, and yours only, forever,’ Matthew added.

The Dazed And Confused star also focused on the career choice of this graduating class in particular, as emergency management trackers.

‘We all have a role to play in making this world a better place, and you chose to do something with real and necessary purpose,’ McConaughey said. ‘Your vocation is a necessity, it’s not a luxury. It’s a brave job that takes true courage and commitment.’

He also emphasized the unique position that graduating classes around the world find themselves in this year. 

‘Some of you are going to college and many of you are going straight to the front line. You’ll be entering the workforce during a crisis, this one we’re in right now, and you will have no internships, no emergency ride-alongs, no auditions, no warm-ups.’

‘Support your 2020 graduate brothers and sisters, become a fraternity,’ the Wedding Planner actor later added. ‘You know, a special class like no other. Take pride in your position and embrace the challenge. You’re giving back. You’re adding value to your community.’ 

Toward the end, the Texas-born actor made sure not to sugarcoat things, reminding students that ‘life’s hard, even without a damn pandemic. You realize that now, and you’ll enjoy your life a whole lot more later.’

But ever sure to end things on a lighter note, he also recommended that they ‘have as much fun as you can, when you can’ and ‘above all, just keep living!’

‘Not only is that what we’re all here to do, that’s what you and your job allow us to do. Thank you,’ he concluded. 

McConaughey filmed both of his recent commencement speeches from his home in Texas, where he has been isolating with mom Kay, 80, wife Camila Alves, 38, sons Levi, 11, Livingston, seven, and daughter Vida, 10.