The Auckland University Press director and University of Otago alumni addressed 366 arts, law, music and theology graduates yesterday afternoon at the Dunedin Town Hall after a procession down George St.
Dr Elworthy, a former Princeton University Press director and editor of Otago student magazine Critic, was philosophical about his time at Otago but was also realistic.
"It turns out that you can follow your passion [and] I feel very lucky to have got creative at this university and to have kept creative outside it,'' he said.
"You're well-educated enough, and well-off enough, that you have a responsibility to give back.''
The most useful thing he learned at the University of Otago was to read, he said.
Reading, combined with the Otago student life, made him confident enough to pursue postgraduate study in America and it ultimately led him to the life and career he lived today.
"Doing that [reading] made me smart.
"You'll unleash the creativity that you've learned here, you'll change the world and you'll read your way into the marvellous adventures that await.''
A second ceremony was held at 4pm yesterday where 375 commerce, education and teaching graduates listened to an address from retiring University of Otago chief operating officer John Patrick.
His message to the students was simple: have integrity in all that you do.
"Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles,'' he said. "It is one of the most important qualities of a leader.
"Make integrity a key value in your life and look for it in others.''
It had been a privilege to live and learn with the students of the University of Otago, Mr Patrick said.
