President Obama addressed the ASU Class of 2009 during a historic recession and warned against chasing the usual brass rings of wealth, status, and fancy titles. He argued that this me-first approach displays a poverty of ambition and leads people to compromise their values and principles. He contrasted politicians who think about polls instead of principle and Wall Street bankers who pursued gaudy short-term profits with the leaders we truly revere, whose success came from devotion to a bigger purpose. Obama challenged graduates to reject the culture of superficiality and instead pursue lasting achievement grounded in service and character.