At the Princeton University Class of 2025 graduation ceremony, Powell spoke to encourage graduates to pursue their dreams and engage in public service. He recalled his own experiences, having once thought economics was boring and useless. He emphasized that American universities are a vital asset to the nation, at the core of scientific innovation and economic vitality, urging students to protect democracy and academic freedom. In the face of the Trump administration's pressure on higher education institutions, his remarks implicitly criticized this situation. Additionally, he defended the Federal Reserve's pandemic decisions, stating that under extreme pressure they collectively avoided the worst outcomes, and reminded everyone to safeguard integrity.