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Bill Nye 'The Science Guy' Challenges UMass Lowell Grads To Change The World

LOWELL (CBS) – TV "Science Guy" Bill Nye challenged UMass Lowell graduates at their commencement Saturday to "change the world" urging them to use their talents to address issues from climate change to the threat of an asteroid impact.

Nye and U.S. Assistant Secretary for Health Howard Koh spoke to a record number of graduates – 3,478 – at two commencement ceremonies held at the Tsongas Center in Lowell.

Bill-Nye-with-bowtie-clad-UMass-Lowell-graduates
Bill Nye shows off his bowtie with similarly clad graduates at UMass Lowell. (Photo courtesy UMass Lowell/Tory Germann)

A scientist, engineer, author and inventor best known as "the Science Guy" from his award-winning TV show, Nye was joined by UMass Lowell Chancellor Marty Meehan in wearing bowties – Nye's signature neckwear – with the UMass Lowell logo.

Just as he found ways to put fun in science, Nye offered some less serious, yet practical "plain old advice" to the grads.

"If you smell fresh paint, don't walk under the ladder," Nye said. "Wear shoes in a thumbtack factory. And, don't try to smoke in the rain. In fact, don't smoke at all, ever."

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