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Stevie Wonder gives surprise Tulane graduation performance

Stevie Wonder, April 10, 2011, in New York. Getty

(CBS/AP) NEW ORLEANS - Best graduation ceremony ever? Tulane University gave Stevie Wonder an honorary degree and he, in turn, gave the graduates a surprise performance.

Pictures: Stevie Wonder

The Grammy award-winner surprised grads with his hit "You Are The Sunshine of My Life." (Imagine if he'd then busted out "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" or "Higher Ground.")

Nobel Laureate Walter Gilbert and award-winning journalist Cokie Roberts also received degrees during Thursday's commencement exercises for 2,300 students. New York Times columnist and Pulitzer Prize winning author Thomas Friedman was the keynote speaker.

As Michael White's Original Liberty Jazz Band and singer Topsy Chapman performed "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans," Wonder unexpectedly added his harmonica magic to the song. He also briefly addressed the graduates and recited the words of a new song he's penned called "Ten Billion Hearts."

University spokesman Michael Strecker says the audience received an "unexpected treat."

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