By Eric Stock

LINCOLN – Graduating students at Lincoln College got a pep talk Saturday from someone who has called for dramatic cuts in higher education funding.

Gov. Bruce Rauner delivered his first commencement address to 320 students in the 2015 graduating class.

LISTEN: Rauner’s commencement address at Lincoln College:

Rauner said the proposed $400 million cuts to higher education are needed because of Illinois’ fiscal crisis. He suggested costs could be better contained.

“Higher education is critically important, both colleges and universities as well as community colleges,” Rauner said. “We want to make sure they get the good support, but we also want to make sure their resources are properly spent, that the bureaucracy doesn’t eat up the money.”

Rauner’s message for the 320 graduating students: use your resources – if not financial then intellectual to make your community better. Rauner told the students about his 37 years as a venture capitalist – many business ventures failed and many succeeded.

The multi-millionaire governor said money is not what will make you happy.

“The key to success is whatever financial resources you have, donate those back to those in need,” Rauner said. “But you have intellectual resources, you have talent of the mind. Bring your mind to solve problems and give back in your community.”

Rauner also invoked the college’s namesake, Abraham Lincoln, noting he lost eight elections before becoming our 16th president. He said failure is an opportunity to learn.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].