Medford/Somerville, Mass. -- “This University is one to be reckoned with.” Those were the words of baseball legend Hank Aaron after he received his honorary degree together with comedian Bill Cosby and feminist Betty Friedan and before thousands of Tufts graduates and guests during Tufts 144th Commencement. 

     In his address on Sunday to the Class of 2000, Cosby told the graduates to keep their eyes on the big picture and to always be two steps ahead. “The way I succeeded was that I made sure that each time I did something, I was aware of the next two steps ahead, and I made sure I was ready, no matter when they called on me.” 

     The actor and comedian didn’t forget to add a little humor to the day’s ceremonies. Pointing to the 50-year reunion class, Cosby told the graduates, “I would imagine that if I was sitting there in your suit, I’d ask one of them to give me their old job.” 

     Cosby wasn’t the only one having fun on Sunday. The Associated Press reported that thousands of ping pong balls were rigged to fall onto the graduates from the trees just moments into Cosby’s address. 

     The star power on campus drew thunderous applause from the students and parents as well as the attention of the local and national media. Boston’s Channel 7 broadcast segments of the ceremony live throughout the morning. NBC Nightly News, Associated Press, the Boston Globe and Channel 5 were also on campus to cover the day’s events.