When Bill Clinton delivered Ohio State University's commencement address yesterday he told graduates to not only remember the former president standing on the stage but also the workers who will dismantle it.

“A lot of them feel that they are never seen by anybody,” he said. “We have to see each other because in an interdependent world we really can't succeed without each other.”

Clinton told nearly 7,500 graduates to focus on promoting humanity and working to make the world better for future generations.

Because we live in a world of interdependence we share vulnerability and can't escape one another's challenges, said Clinton, who received an honorary doctorate in public service during the ceremony at Ohio Stadium.

The world could be a better place if people celebrated their common bonds the same way fans do at OSU football games, Clinton said to an audience of nearly 50,000.

“People that come here to watch football are bound together by supporting this team. They are from all different places, they come from all over the world,” he said. “They come here because they have something in common.

“That is a great challenge for the entire world, to create communities locally, nationally and globally that share the opportunity to participate in the responsibility for success and the outcome and have a genuine sense of belonging.”

Ohio State has a history of attracting presidents to speak at commencement. George W. Bush addressed graduating students in 2002, as did Gerald R. Ford in 1974. Then-Vice President George H.W. Bush spoke at the 1983 ceremony.

Clinton was greeted with applause and cheers of “We love you, Bill!” and “Hey Mr. President!” as he entered the 'Shoe and his face appeared on video monitors.

In the political science section, Lindsey Komora, 23, of Warren, said she heard students say they would react negatively if Clinton discussed his wife Hillary Clinton’s run for president. He never mentioned it. His comments about  his friendship with George H. W. Bush despite their political differences impressed her.

“It proves you don't have to hate someone to have a different opinion,” said Komora, who earned bachelor's degrees in women's studies and political science. “The media portrays Democrats and Republicans as hating each other. They just have different opinions about politics.”

Sara Ziglar, 21, of the East Side, who earned a bachelor’s degree in theater, said she thought a commencement speech from a politician would focus on a personal agenda and not encouraging graduates. But she ended up being inspired.

“I appreciated his views on living in an interdependent world and not being so self-absorbed and remember that we share this world with a lot of people,” Ziglar said.

The importance of validating people by recognizing them resonated with Xingya Wang, 31. Clinton said he visited a part of Africa where people greet one another by saying, "I see you."

“I remember that 'I see you' even though I don't know you. It's a way to respect other people,” said Wang, who earned a doctorate in philosophy.

Karen Holbrook, attending her last commencement as OSU's president, told students she hopes their diverse roads in life lead them back to the university.

The spirit of public service the school promotes will help students contribute to society, said Johnny Ginter, 22, of Middletown. He tutored students at local schools.

“I went to schools like those around here,” said Ginter who earned a bachelor's degree in history. “I figured I could help. Sometimes I run into students on the streets and they'll be happy to see me. That's a pretty good feeling.”

sherri.williams@dispatch.com