Jimmy Buffett delivered the commencement speech at the University of Miami on Friday afternoon. Before his speech, he was given an honorary Doctor of Music degree.

Buffett told the crowd he was inspired to become a marine biologist after visiting the aquarium while on vacation in Florida with his family – and he wanted to study at UM.

“I wanted to be Jacques Cousteau with a Southern accent,” he said.

The closest he got was a nearby bar that’s now called Titanic Restaurant and Brewery, where Buffett said he landed his first paying gig.

He distilled his advice into a checklist for the “ever-elusive future.” The four bits of wisdom he shared: Everything in moderation. Make your avocation your vocation. Go see the world. And “be Santa Claus when you can.”

Wearing aviator sunglasses (he said he forgot his reading glasses,) Buffett encouraged students to get out and see the world. “Use your time well. Beware of falling into the sedentary trap.”

The Miami Herald has a photo gallery from the ceremony.

Watch Jimmy’s speech:

Jimmy Buffett is set to give the commencement speech at the University of Miami’s undergraduate graduation ceremony this Friday:

With graduation around the corner, the UM has announced that singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett will be among this year’s commencement speakers at one of the ceremonies Friday at the BankUnited Center in Coral Gables.

The Margaritaville singer will deliver the commencement address at the undergraduate ceremony at 1 p.m. Friday when students from the schools of architecture, communication, education and human development, marine and atmospheric science, music, and nursing and health studies will cross the stage.

UM’s announcement teases that Buffett “may or may not sing his advice.”

Read the full article here.

Jimmy Buffett and his wife Jane were in southern California Sunday night and attended the Vanity Fair Oscars party.

Buffett has attended the party in the past and now owns a home in Beverly Hills.

Here are some photos from the party: