It sounded and looked like your normal graduation ceremony, with family, professors, and of course, graduates in attendance.

But for the Class of 2006 at St. Lawrence University, this year was nothing normal.

First off, they no longer have three of their classmates, Will O'Brien, Emily Mounce, and Adam Falcon.

"The passion with which they lived their lives inspired us and made us work harder to live up to the standards they set for themselves, and the friends that they held in the highest regard," said Adam Casler of the Class of 2006.

The university also saw the return of one of its most famous alumni.

Viggo Mortensen is a 1980 graduate and also a Watertown High School graduate.

Mortensen, has appeared in more than 40 movies, including the roll of Aragorn in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Mortensen's speech wasn't exactly about the hometown boy making it big. Instead, he took the time to blast the White House.

"Plato once said one of the penalties of refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors. Recent election results and subsequent political appointments in this country seem to bear that in mind," Mortensen said.

He mainly focused on what he calls a ridiculous problem this country has with health care. He said the country is too focused on making sure the rich get richer and the poor stay that way.

"This is especially galling because how many of these same politicians regularly trumpet their devout Christian values as badges of honor and electability," Mortensen added.

Mortensen ended his speech by telling the class of 2006 to stay very active in politics. He said everything the government does from here on out will affect them everyday.

Friends and family of Will O'Brien, Emily Mounce, and Adam Falcon accepted degrees in their honor.