Five-time Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles was celebrated by Washington University for her record-breaking achievements in gymnastics.
She received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Washington University in St. Louis on May 12, 2025.
Draped in the traditional cap and gown, Biles joined actress-entrepreneur Jenifer Lewis among six honorees at the university’s commencement ceremony.
Biles’s honorary doctorate recognized her outstanding contributions to sport, mental health advocacy, and youth empowerment.
The world doesn’t need you to be perfect
In her role as commencement speaker, Biles encouraged the Class of 2025 to embrace resilience over perfection.
Delivered before thousands of graduates, faculty, and family members on Francis Olympic Field, her address struck a balance between personal reflection and a call to action.
“The world doesn’t need you to be perfect,” Biles told graduates. “It needs you to be bold, it needs you to care and to keep going even when things don’t go as planned. So go out there and write your own story, only one you can tell.”
Her message resonated deeply with a generation navigating unprecedented challenges—both on campus and beyond.
Drawing from her own journey, which included confronting mental-health struggles at the Tokyo Olympics, Biles highlighted the importance of self-compassion and perseverance.
From Medal Podiums to Honoré
Biles’s honorary degree in Humane Letters is the latest accolade in a career defined by firsts. She is the most decorated American gymnast of all time, with a combined seven Olympic and World Championship all-around titles.
Off the mat, she has become a leading voice for athlete well-being, co-founding the athlete-led initiative “Gym Dandy” to promote body positivity and mental-health resources.
Washington University Chancellor Andrew D. Martin praised Biles’s “unwavering courage and leadership both in sports and in advocating for others,” noting that her impact extends far beyond gymnastics arenas.
Continuing the legacy of leadership
Simone Biles’s honorary doctorate places her among a distinguished roster of Washington University alumni and honorees. It also underscores the university’s commitment to recognizing individuals whose achievements embody boldness, compassion, and service—values Biles exemplifies.
Biles’s parting advice to the graduates is a timely reminder that success is not measured by flawlessness but by the courage to push forward, write one’s own narrative, and uplift communities along the way.
