NEWTON, Mass., May 22 — Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice delivered the commencement address on Monday at Boston College to an audience that included dozens of students and professors who stood, turned their backs and held up signs to protest the war in Iraq.

A small plane flew overhead twice, pulling a sign that said, in red letters, “Your War Brings Dishonor.” Outside Alumni Stadium, where 3,234 students received diplomas, protesters marched up Beacon Street holding signs reading “No Blood For Oil” and “We’re Patriotic Too.”

Inside, however, Ms. Rice received a standing ovation when she was introduced, and she drew applause throughout her address.

Ms. Rice told students of what she believed to be the five responsibilities of educated people: find your passion, be committed to reason, reject false pride, be optimistic and reject prejudices. She acknowledged the protests, receiving applause after urging graduates to consider perspectives different from their own.

“There is nothing wrong with holding an opinion and holding it passionately,” Ms. Rice said. “But at those times you’re absolutely sure that you are right, go find somebody who disagrees. Don’t allow yourself the easy course of the constant ‘Amen’ to everything you say.”

The selection of Ms. Rice has upset the campus of this Jesuit-run university since it was announced May 1. Faculty members and students were angry that the university was conferring an honorary law degree on Ms. Rice, saying her endorsement of the war ran counter to Jesuit principles of pacifism and human rights.

About a third of the college’s faculty members signed a letter objecting to Ms. Rice’s appearance. The campus African-American, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American organization sent a letter to the administration asking that it “stop touting Secretary Rice’s race and gender as justification for her invitation.”

Kristen Ward, 27, who was receiving a master’s in education, said she almost did not attend graduation, as she was afraid the protests would overshadow Ms. Rice’s speech.

“I’m glad she’s here,” Ms. Ward said. “There’s been a lot of emotions over this, and so many people have been involved in the students’ graduation, but I don’t think politics should be in this. She’s not here to give her opinion.”

Julie Flaherty, 21, who received an education degree, said she and her parents had spoken of nothing else.

“The controversy of this is taking away from our accomplishments,” Ms. Flaherty said.