ST. LOUIS—In the rain and wearing graduation garb, the graduates, their guests and faculty listened to Simone Biles, considered the greatest gymnast of all time, give the address at Washington University’s 2025 graduation ceremony.

Biles, recipient of 41 medals for astounding gymnastic performances in the Olympics and World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, spoke words of wisdom to the grads as they vault forward to their next step of life.

“The world doesn't need you to be perfect,” said Biles. “It needs you to be bold, it needs you to care and to keep going even when things don't go as planned. So go out there and write your own story, only one you can tell.”

She spoke to finding joy at work, sacrifices made and the importance of putting one’s own health above all else. In times of pressure, she recommended taking deep breaths, as she has done on various occasions.

Biles told the crowd "to become the greatest you of all time."

• Remember you can only control yourself and show up for yourself consistently by putting in the work whether it’s a day where things are going right or not. “When you’re consistent and you bring your best to your practice every single day, then you’ll be ready for the big moments.”
• Stay creative and prioritize creative thinking. When things inevitably fail, Biles says to learn from it and creatively develop plans until you conquer your goal. 
• “Be mindful and take care of your whole self.” Biles withdrew from the 2020 Olympics due to performance stress affecting her ability to safely perform some dangerous gymnastic moves. She advocates to prioritize mental wellness evenly with physical health by setting aside time for hobbies you enjoy.
• Lean on those that are close that “fill your joy and fill your tank” and surround yourself with people that bring out the best in you.
• Embrace the opportunity to be a leader. “Keep an eye on your rear-view mirror as you pave a trail for those that look up to you. Who may want to follow your path as you never know who may be watching.”

WashU bestowed Biles with an honorary doctorate of Humane Letters degree.

Additionally, five others received honorary degrees.

Jenifer Lewis, a St. Louis-borne actress, was given an honorary doctorate of Fine Arts. Lewis played “Flo” in Disney’s Cars movies, “Mama Odie” in Disney’s Princess and the Frog and “Ruby” in Black-ish, among hundreds of other acting roles in her career. 

Husband and wife, Rodger and Paula Riney, received honorary doctorates of Humanities. They are co-founders of the Rodger Riney Foundation that provided funding for scientific research on multiple myeloma and related cancers. 

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, an undergrad aluma of WashU, rose to become the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during the height of the Caronavirus pandemic. During her two years as director, she oversaw the mass distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. Walensky declared gun violence a serious public threat and launched initiatives to address healthcare inequities based on race and ethnicity.

Jess B. Yawitz, a WashU alumnus, founder and CEO of NISA Investment Advisors, received an honorary doctorate of Business. Yawitz and his wife, Alice, has philanthropically supported St. Louis through their family foundation by giving quality education to children of underserved backgrounds. Also, their foundation has developed and helped sustain minority-owned businesses.

Biles, Lewis, Mr. and Mrs. Riney, Walensky and Yawitz were told their “names will be forever inscribed upon the enduring roll of the university’s honorary recipients,” per Andrew Martin, WashU’s Chancellor.