Jeb Bush tells graduating Grove City students to rise up through hard work

GROVE CITY, Pa. — Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush delivered a commencement speech to 585 students at the Grove City College graduation ceremony in Mercer County Saturday morning.

Inside the arena at the campus Physical Learning Center, Bush told the at-capacity crowd he hoped to see the next generation of America restore "the right to rise," where hard work makes a difference.

"It's time now for us to be bolder, to sunset the obsolete rules that exist so the next generation can truly rise up," Bush said.

Bush, widely considered a potential contender in the 2016 GOP presidential primary, served two terms as Florida governor from 1999 through 2007.

The speech clocked in at just under 14 minutes. Bush spoke about the importance of adhering to one's convictions, including faith and family, and accepting "disruptive innovation" as the digital era transforms daily life.

In opening remarks, David Rathburn, chair of the college's board of trustees, said the commencement speech was the only one Bush would deliver this season.

"Thank you for your service and thank you for your family's service to the greatest nation on earth," Rathburn said, turning to Bush seated on the stage and eliciting applause.

Grove City, a college where the principles of faith and freedom are the core mission statement, was named one of the top conservative schools in the country by the Young America's Foundation.

This article was written by Channel 11's news exchange partners at TribLIVE.

WPXI