'Good Wife' Star Urges Sarah Lawrence Grads to Remain True

She was one of their own.

Class of '89, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild award winner, Julianna Margulies gave the commencement address to 340 graduating seniors and 120 graduate students receiving their master's degrees at Sarah Lawrence College on Friday.

Margulies began humbly, telling graduates, guests, faculty, and family about her panic in giving the Sarah Lawrence address for a few reasons.

"The first being that last year's commencement speaker was Rahm Emanuel (Class of '81), the White House Chief of Staff—President Barack Obama's top advisor. And I, on the other hand, am best known as America's favorite TV nurse from a show I did back in the 90's."

The excited crowd tittered and laughed, and then seemed well at ease.

She continued, saying that she was also apprehensive due to everything she's read about the generation of the graduating class lately and their supposed detachment from everyone. "I actually had nightmares that all of you would be texting and Tweeting during the high points of this address."

After more laughter, Margulies spoke of the specialness of a Sarah Lawrence education.

"There is not a day that goes by that I do not call on my formal education," she said.

Gilberto Perez, film professor, taught her how to dissect a script, "a process I still use," she said. Reciting the school's mantra of "learning to think for yourself," Margulies added that no one will be able to take away this one-of-a-kind experience.

She shared a personal story of a time when her Sarah Lawrence foundation and values were tested, "solely in the hopes it will inspire you to stay true to your heart—because there is great value in it." She spoke of her difficult decision to leave ER after six years. She had a great time doing the show, but wasn't happy there anymore. She wanted to do plays and independent films. ER offered her $27 million to stay. Everyone told her no woman makes that kind of money in Hollywood, unless you're Julia Roberts.

Margulies felt conflicted.

That is, until her dad gave her great advice. He said, "When's enough, enough?"

He told her she was 32, owned her own home and had money in the bank.

Margulies received a lot of backlash from her decision, and was even mocked on a morning talk show, by a woman no less, saying that she would be the host's doorman in 10 years. The woman said she was not some spring chicken and that her career was over.

"What I did, whether you agree with it or not, was very Sarah Lawrence—in that I was thinking for myself. I did not act out of fear."

The point? "Oftentimes the distance between the opportunity you have and the goals you've set, is the same distance between true fulfillment and settling. Be fearless, but make sure it's thoughtful and mindful fearlessness."

Ten years after leaving ER, Margulies built a fulfilling life in New York City with her husband and a baby. She was doing Broadway, off-Broadway, and film here and there. Then, she was offered the role of The Good Wife, and got them to move shooting it in L.A. and Vancouver to New York, "and ironically, sometimes we shoot on this campus."

Known for having one of the lowest student to faculty ratios in the country, Margulies said, "You are looking at someone who truly feels blessed—I am almost embarrassed by this life of riches that my education has afforded me. The education I have received here, gave me the confidence to have the life I always envisioned. We have that in common."

In closing, she added that working on her speech and meeting the students reminded her of all the promise that "emanates from these Tudor buildings. I forever carry that in my heart with great pride. I hope that you do too."

After thanking the crowd and congratulating the graduates, Margulies ended her address with, "Here's to always learning more."

A graduate with a newly minted master's degree in education, Mohini Shapero-Arditi, a Virginia transplant, echoed Margulies's words: "This school is so special. I can't imagine going anywhere else. I love the program. The faculty is extraordinary."

Her husband, Neil Arditi, teaches English literature there, and their 6-year-old son, Sasha, is attending their preschool. "We're a Sarah Lawrence family," Shapero-Arditi said.

"The part of the speech, 'You will carry Sarah Lawrence with you forever,' it's true," Maria Alonso, a Queens resident said. Alonso got her bachelor's degree and will be doing some traveling before pursuing a master's in journalism in Spain, where she has citizenship. "There's an emphasis on individuality. I have to be who I am. I have more confidence intellectually. If I were having a bad day, I could go to any professor or dean and they'd be proactive. I'd say, 'This is my problem,' and they'd say, 'Here's what we're going to do.'"

Others shared that sense of community.

"My outlook has changed. I'm very joyous," Vermont resident, Ian McPherson said. Receiving his bachelor's in filmmaking, McPherson is moving to Chicago to work on documentary and public service films. "The experience was transforming. The staff was accommodating and supportive," he said. "I'm so happy, hearing everyone cheering for me. It's exciting."

His sister, Arielle, is graduating from Sarah Lawrence next year. She threw her arms around him and beamed.

"I am so proud of him!"