“You are on this earth to do good things for the people close to you,” he said.

Several soon-to-be law school graduates said afterwards that they were glad Stein, a staunch Republican, refrained from delivering an overtly political speech.

“I think his views probably differ from many of the students here,” said Lisa C. Green. “He did a good job expressing his views about things but also saying things that apply to people regardless of what their views are.”

Students also had praise for Professor of Law William J. Stuntz, whose speech drew loud applause when he accepted an award for teaching excellence during the ceremony.

Stuntz told students to avoid seeing people as “disembodied crimes or torts or bank accounts,” emphasizing that the legal profession needs a more humane approach.

“Justice needs mercy, efficiency needs empathy and legal craft needs love,” he said.

During the ceremony, the class marshals also presented a clock with the inscription, “Thank you for always having time for students,” to Dean Elena Kagan for efforts in improving student life at the law school. Anjan Choudhury said there was a “palpable feeling that things are changing, and changing for the better” at the school under her tenure.

A staff appreciation award and student awards for leadership were also presented at the event.

—Staff writer Jessica R. Rubin-Wills can be reached at rubinwil@fas.harvard.edu.