Departing from his usual role as the nation’s top economist, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke unveiled a softer side Friday, urging Boston College law school graduates to stay “optimistic” and “flexible” in tough economic times.
The U.S. is in recession, the job market is weak and the financial crisis is “the most severe since the Great Depression,” Bernanke said in his prepared commencement address. “Many of you may not have gotten the job you wanted; some may have had offers rescinded or the start of employment delayed.” He told graduates that getting the economy back on track and “maximizing economic opportunity” are the core of the Fed’s efforts.
Bernanke didn’t address the economy or monetary policy in his prepared remarks. In fact, he advised business reporters to “go get coffee or something.” Instead, he sprinkled his remarks with references to John Lennon and Louis Pasteur and told a few personal anecdotes.
