BY TIFFANY CAPUANO

Sam Donaldson, a 30-year news veteran and chief White House correspondent for ABC News, addressed more than 2,400 graduates at Old Dominion's 90th commencement May 8 at Norfolk Scope.

For the second year in a row, C-SPAN covered the university's spring graduation. The national cable television network plans to run Donaldson's address over the Memorial Day weekend. Donaldson shared with the graduates what he said was his number one rule for life: "Get your mouth in gear, and hope the brain follows."

His address covered the political spectrum from Abraham Lincoln to Harry S. Truman to Bill Clinton. He advised the graduates that "wisdom does come with age," but he encouraged them to seize opportunities when they arise.

"Don't sit around and wait," he said. "Don't lead a life of quiet desperation. Opportunities worth taking aren't easy."

The essence of Donaldson's own lesson on life, he told the graduates, came from the life of Ernest Shackleton, a man who was determined to make it to the South Pole. Although he never did reach his destination, his journey provided valuable insight, Donaldson said: "Don't give up . . . beat the other fellow . . . work harder . . . and you will get to the South Pole."

Donaldson covers the White House for "World News Tonight" and other ABC programs, and is seen regularly on "Prime Time Live," "20/20" and "This Week with Sam Donaldson and Cokie Roberts."

The university presented honorary doctorates to Donaldson, Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera Oberndorf and Swedish businessman Peter Yngwe. Oberndorf and Yngwe are Old Dominion graduates.