Singer Vanessa Williams dishes out wise words at her graduation!

UGLY BETTY star VANESSA WILLIAMS graduated from college on Saturday (10May08) with inspiring words for the younger generation of students. Williams dropped out of Syracuse University - where she studied musical theatre from 1981 to 1983 - to become a model. She became the first black Miss America in 1983, before being stripped of the title when she posed nude in Penthouse magazine.

The university decided to award Williams the remaining credit necessary for her degree and invited her to a graduation ceremony in New York state. Taking to the stage, 45-year-old Williams told graduates, "These days are irreplaceable and are the beginning of the rest of your life. Treasure the moment."