PORTLAND — Few seats were left empty at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland Saturday morning as the University of New England presented degrees to more than 1,400 graduates at its 180th commencement ceremony.

Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, granddaughter of Franklin D. Roosevelt who serves as president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Northern New England, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree before delivering the commencement address.

“The world needs you,” she told the students. “The world needs your knowledge, your attitude toward learning, your curiosity, your energy, your commitment and your open heart.”

Roosevelt urged the students to lead altruistic lives, connecting with others and the natural world in an “ecosystem of care and respect.”

“For too long we, as Western thinkers, have siloed our perspectives,” she said. “We’ve disengaged from the notion of being part of a whole system. … This world depends on each of us to solve problems in ways that don’t threaten the Earth’s resources.”

This way of life, said Roosevelt, leads to true happiness.

“It forces us to think of others first, and then to be happily surprised by the personal benefits we derive along the way. … Giving of ourselves makes us happier,” she said. “Giving of ourselves leads to a happy life.”

Roosevelt used the story of Goodwill Industries’ founding as an example of “this kind of holistic thinking.”

In the late 1800s, Roosevelt said Edgar Helms, a Methodist minister in South Boston, noticed many recent immigrants lacked food, clothing, employment and suitable housing ”“ “the very stuff of dignity.”

So, Helms set out to change that, and eventually Goodwill was born, she said. And today, the company ”“ which operates 165 independent organizations throughout North America ”“ continues to reduce waste, create jobs, and help fund health care and workforce services in our region, said Roosevelt.

Michael McCarthy, principal of Portland’s King Middle School, also received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree at the ceremony.

UNE President Danielle Ripich told McCarthy, “You have been a lifelong champion for students and innovation in education,” transforming an underperforming school into a pillar of the Portland community and an international model of success.

Ripich, who took the helm as UNE’s president in 2006, also spoke directly to the students Saturday, delivering a message similar to Roosevelt’s.

“Though it may be easy at times and even convenient to think of yourself as a private individual … you do lead a public life,” said Ripich, who often refers to UNE as “a private university with a very public mission.”

“Find a way to merge your personal expertise, education, ambition and the capacity you possess to brighten the lives of others,” she went on. “Strive not only to do well but to do good.”

After the ceremony, the newly minted alumni filtered onto Spring Street, where their families and friends were waiting with open arms, flashing cameras and colorful bouquets of flowers.

“It feels like a big relief,” Taylor Watts, who studied psychology, said of graduating. “I’m just really excited.”

Watts, of Tenants Harbor, said she wants to take a year off before applying for a master’s or doctoral degree program.

“It’s definitely a big step. It’s awesome to get ready for the real world, but at the same time it’s pretty scary. … I loved UNE,” said Alec Parenteau, of Dayton, who studied medical biology.

Massachusetts native Rachel Russell, who studied animal behavior, said, “I still can’t believe it. It’s kind of crazy.”

— Staff Writer Angelo J. Verzoni can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 329 or [email protected].