Dartmouth grad and 'Scandal' creator says be a doer, not a dreamer

HANOVER Ditch the dreams and be a doer, Greys Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes told graduates during Dartmouth Colleges commencement on the Big Green Sunday morning.

A total of 1,933 degrees were awarded by the school, including 1,116 Bachelor of Arts degrees.

A 1991 Dartmouth graduate, Rhimes delivered the main address Sunday.

She was also was awarded an honorary Doctor of Arts degree at the commencement ceremony.

Your mark on the entertainment industry has indeed been profound, said Dartmouth president Phil Hanlon as he introduced Rhimes, saying that she has changed the face of entertainment. Even your earliest work signaled a rare talent. Your script for Introducing Dorothy Dandridge met with commercial and critical success. ... And though your career is far from over you have already given us nothing short of a modern television institution, the highly acclaimed and long running drama Greys Anatomy. And your newest show Scandal is currently one of televisions highest-rated dramas.

When she addressed the graduates, Rhimes said she is a TV writer and doesnt like to give speeches.

I dont like giving speeches because of the fear and terror, she said. Dry mouth, heart beats so, so fast, everything in slow motion, pass out, die.

Rhimes said she wasnt going to give the typical commencement speech about dreaming big, following your bliss and listening to your spirit.

I think thats crap. I think a lot of people dream and while they are busy dreaming the really happy people, the really successful people, the really interesting and engaged, powerful people are busy doing, Rhimes said. Dreams do not come true just because you dream them. Its hard work that makes things happen. Its hard work that creates change.

"So lesson one, I guess, is ditch the dream and be a doer, not a dreamer.

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Dartmouth grad and 'Scandal' creator says be a doer, not a dreamer