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At Virginia Commonwealth University's December commencement ceremony, Timmy Davis, a Marine veteran and the former U.S. ambassador to Qatar, shared with new graduates the value of being willing to embrace unsung but vital roles.

Davis, who spent 20 years in the U.S. Foreign Service, pointed to his willingness to do thankless, difficult work - being someone who is "hard to bother" - as being the key to his career success. He told graduates the same can be true for them.

"Make the copies, take out the trash, contribute to the wider mission with your mind and with your sense of teamwork," said Davis, who received an honorary doctor in humane letters from VCU. "Your brains will be important and useful, but not as much as your spirit and heart. You will get promoted and you will receive opportunities because you are indispensable to the success of your organization."

The ceremony, which was held at the Stuart C. Siegel Center, honored VCU's estimated 2,600 August and December graduates, including approximately 1,700 earning bachelor's degrees. The university also hosts an assortment of in-person graduation ceremonies at the department, school and college levels. Graduates came from 33 states and 40 countries and included more than 620 first-generation college students. Psychology and biology were the two most popular undergraduate majors.

At the ceremony, President Michael Rao, Ph.D., said VCU graduates "lead with empathy."

"One of the best parts of your graduation is I know the impact you will have," Rao said. "You are an inspiration to so many people. You are leaders in your communities and role models for the upcoming generations. You are creative. You are innovative. You all have incredible ideas. And you are hardworking."

VCU alum Jack Cullather received the Edward A. Wayne Medal at the ceremony. The award honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions or provided exemplary services to VCU. Cullather has been a volunteer leader and prominent supporter of VCU for 40 years. He has served with distinction on the School of Business Alumni Board, the Real Estate Circle of Excellence Board and the MCV Foundation, and his philanthropy has benefited VCU Athletics, the Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, the School of Business and the School of Medicine, among others.