Hofstra University students got words of wisdom Sunday from a fellow alumnus: New York Gov. David Paterson.

About 2,000 smiling graduating seniors packed James M. Shuart Stadium to receive their degrees and to listen to Paterson, who graduated from Hofstra Law School in 1983 after receiving his bachelor's degree from Columbia University in 1977.

Paterson urged the class of 2008 to use its knowledge to make the world better. "As you try as hard as you can to fulfill your own dreams and destinies, think of others around you," the governor said. "Think of the ways in which you can enlighten the spirit of others. Try to understand people and points of views far away from this region and your own."

He also suggested the seniors pursue careers that they're genuinely passionate about, saying they would accomplish more.

Paterson's accomplished political career started in 1985 when he was elected to represent Harlem, becoming the youngest senator in Albany. In 2003, he became the first non-white person to hold the post of state Senate minority leader.He made history again when he became the first legally blind person to address the Democratic National Convention in 2004.

Paterson became New York's first black lieutenant governor in 2007 under then-Gov. Eliot Spitzer. He replaced Spitzer as New York's first black and legally blind governor on March 17, 2008.