“Honesty, integrity, and fairness”—these are professional traits to cultivate throughout one’s life in good times and bad, said John Brennan, FCRH ’77, one of President Obama’s principal national security advisers, in an address to the Fordham University Class of 2012.

“Never judge your actions according to what those around you do. Judge yourself against the high standards you set for yourself,” he told an enthusiastic audience of more than 15,000 graduates and their guests gathered on Edwards Parade for the University’s 167th Commencement on May 19.

Along with Brennan, singer Tony Bennett, pediatric cardiologist Eugenie Doyle, MC ’43, and actress Phylicia Rashad received honorary degrees at the commencement ceremony. Timothy Cardinal Dolan, archbishop of New York, was the principal celebrant and homilist at Fordham College at Rose Hill’sBaccalaureate Mass on May 18, at which he received an honorary degree.

Throughout his address, Brennan recalled the influence of his Fordham professors, including the political science professor—John Entelis, Ph.D.—who first sparked his interest in exploring the world and told him about the opportunity to study at the American University of Cairo, which he seized.

“As with most things in life, it was the influence of others—those who helped me learn here at Fordham—that left the most lasting and indelible imprint,” he said. “I had some truly remarkable professors and instructors—educators who knew that learning is a journey that doesn’t end with a semester’s close or even with the achievement of a degree. It is a journey that lasts a lifetime.”

He delivered his commencement address in front of the academic building—Keating Hall—where he first wrestled with some of the moral questions that continue to occupy his mind today.

“The textbooks I read and the papers I wrote in John Banja’s [philosophy]class have traveled and remained with me over the past 35 years,” said Brennan, who serves as assistant to the president for homeland security and counterterrorism and deputy national security adviser. “I have reread them many times as I have struggled with the real-world application of the concepts that I learned about as a 20-year-old.”

Brennan, who was deeply involved in the successful hunt for Osama Bin Laden, said among those real-world questions were: “What constitutes justice?” and “When is war a morally acceptable choice? What are the ethics of warfare?”

Brennan’s appearance stirred opposition among some students and faculty opposed to the Obama administration’s defense and homeland security policies. He acknowledged the controversy in his speech.

“Much has been attributed to me over the course of my career,” he said. “And after recently reading some of the things that I reportedly have done, said, or have been responsible for while I was at the CIA and the White House, I must admit that I was deeply torn between giving the commencement address or joining the protesters and petitioners who have so energetically opposed my appearance.

“But that’s what makes our country great: our individual ability to openly and freely express our views, whether or not they are popular, whether or not they are in the minority, or whether they are even based on misimpressions.” Brennan had to pause here for sustained applause. “That’s why I still do my job, because the values that this country was founded on, to include freedom of speech and freedom from harm, are worth fighting for.”

In his own address, Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of Fordham, noted that he and Brennan met that morning with faculty members, students, and members of the Board of Trustees to hear and respond to concerns that had been raised about Brennan’s selection as speaker. Brennan offered to come back to campus next academic year for a longer discussion.

“The discussions…were both good and very important,” Father McShane said. “They bore witness to the seriousness with which our faculty and our students wrestle with the great and sometimes divisive issues of our age.

“It is good for us to remember that our nation was founded as a self-conscious experiment in democratic government,” Father McShane said. “From the very birth of the republic, therefore, it was understood that we would never be, and could never be, a static society.

“Therefore, I would like to thank both [Brennan] and the women and men who raised questions about his appearance for making this an occasion on which our graduates were sent out into the world with an important lesson on civic engagement.”

Brennan told the 3,432 graduate and undergraduate degree recipients that they were among the world’s most privileged. “You have virtually limitless potential in your respective career fields, but it will remain only potential if you do not seize the opportunity you have been given,” he said.

Three honorary degrees were also presented at separate diploma ceremonies: Fordham Law School honored Michelle DePass, LAW ’92, assistant administrator for the Office of International and Tribal Affairs in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; the Graduate School of Social Service honored Brooklyn congressman Edolphus Towns; and the Graduate School of Business Administration honored Jacqueline Novogratz, CEO of Acumen Fund.

For many, their first campus encounter was Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of Fordham. The energetic Jesuit handed out bottles of water and friendly greetings to arriving students and their families from all over the state, nation and world.

“When you get to the dorms, don’t lift a finger,” Father McShane instructed the family of freshman Mitch Smith, a National Merit Scholar from Dallas. “Just enjoy the day. Our students will carry everything.

“And thank you for choosing Fordham—you’re going to love it.”

This year marked the 17th consecutive admissions cycle in which applications to Fordham have increased, with 23,794 students seeking to be part of the incoming class—an 8 percent jump over the previous year. Smith is one of 1,868 entering freshmen, up from 1,767 in 2007.

“We’re very excited about this class,” said John W. Buckley, associate vice president for undergraduate enrollment. “It was a competitive year to gain admission to the University and a challenging year for colleges recruiting top students, but this class is academically stronger and more diverse than a year ago.”

Minority enrollment climbed to 31 percent, up from 26 percent in last year’s freshman class. Specifically, Asian students rose from 9 to 11 percent, and Hispanics, who comprise Fordham’s largest minority group, increased from 12 to 15 percent.

The average SAT score for this year’s class jumped to 1228, up slightly from 1224 last year. Of those students whose high schools ranked their class, 76 percent were in the top quarter and 38 percent fell within the top 10 percent.

At the Lincoln Center campus, Fordham upperclassmen descended upon cars that pulled up to McMahon Hall on West 60th Street. Student volunteers serenaded their incoming classmates and helped them get settled in their respective rooms. Afterward, the new students and their parents mingled at a reception on Robert Moses Plaza.

Vanessa Camacho, a Staten Island native who plans to major in international political economy, used the time to make new friends. She said she was familiar with Fordham from high school swimming competitions held at Rose Hill.

“I really like Fordham in the Bronx, and I remember thinking that it would be so amazing if it actually existed in Manhattan,” she said, “and lo and behold, it’s right here.”

The Class of 2012 represents 40 states and the District of Columbia. Additionally, international students were drawn to Fordham in record numbers in 2008, up 40 percent from the previous year. In fact, the Class of 2012 features 60 international students who hail from 19 countries.

Miguel Bantigue arrived from Manila, Philippines, to study finance in the College of Business Administration.

“Fordham has a great combination of a beautiful campus and being close to the city,” Bantigue said. “Not only do you get Fordham’s business program, which ranks really high, but you get New York City. Here, it’s the best of both worlds.”

Pleasant surprise was the common sentiment registered by new students and their parents who moved into the Lincoln Center campus. Jakob Karr, who came to Fordham from Windemere, Fla. for a bachelor of fine arts in dance, said he imagined that the move-in process would be chaotic.

“We actually walked to the door at 7:30 a.m. because we thought there would be a line, but there was no one here, so I went back to bed and came back at 8:45 a.m., and walked right into the room,” Karr said.

About 230 freshmen moved into McMahon Hall on the Lincoln Center campus, while 1,134 freshmen took up residence at Rose Hill. The numbers represented increases of 11 percent and 5 percent over 2007, respectively.

As cars packed to the hilt pulled up in front of Tierney Hall at Rose Hill, scores of upperclassmen in maroon t-shirts greeted the arriving students and their parents with cheers, applause and welcoming smiles. Members of the Fordham football, volleyball, water polo and track and field squads stood at the ready outside of Alumni North and South and Queens Court.

“I can’t believe this,” said Carol Kelley, mother of freshman Brian. “It really makes you feel at home. I’ve never been so impressed.”

Students carted mini-fridges, modular furniture, cases of macaroni and cheese, televisions—and even a fireproof safe—into the dorms, enabling freshman students and their parents to check in with ease.

“The beauty of Opening Day is watching all the students welcoming and cheering the arrival of the incoming students as they drive up to each residence hall,” said Michele C. Burris, associate vice president of student affairs.

Outside the McGinley Center, more than 100 people gathered in a welcome tent for commuter students. Luisa Gautreaux, a Bronx native who plans to attend FCRH, said the event made her feel like a part of Move-In Day even though she would be living at home with her parents.

“Fordham is a 10-minute bus ride from my house,” she said. “I never thought I’d go here, but the University’s Higher Education Opportunity Program made it possible.”