Many graduates couldn't help but burst into grins and laughter.
Then Brown asked them to sing a chorus of "Class of 18" after every line he sang from a version of the iconic SpongeBob SquarePants theme song, rewritten for the occasion.
"Who's listened and studied and written and read?," Brown sang in Krabs' voice.
"With big ol' ideas knockin' round in your head?"
"If this speech being over is something you wish,"
"Then drop on the deck and flop like a fish."
Brown reminded the audience that this graduating class doesn't know a world without the animated show SpongeBob SquarePants, which made its debut in 1999.
The Rev. D. Stuart Dunnan, the headmaster, said he invited his friend and St. Albans School graduating classmate to give the commencement address because Brown exemplifies the value of a liberal-arts education. Brown is hasn't been corrupted by his success, Dunnan said.
In addition to his voice work for SpongeBob, Thor: Ragnarok, and various video games, Brown was in the films The Shawshank Redemption, Starship Troopers and Highlander.
Brown, who recently saw his daughter graduate from college, talked about the hopes, dreams and academic accolades parents wish for their children.
Those thoughts assuage parents' fears and anxiety over the "unknowable future" for their children, he told the graduates.
"I'm sure my parents had no idea that I would be making funny voices for the rest of my life," Brown said.
He encouraged graduates to explore their options and find their passion in life.
Referring to their education at Saint James in Maryland, Brown said, "You have the tools now to do that."
Alexia Tiches, 18, of Hagerstown has some exploring to do.
The daughter of Charles and Tess Tiches told the Herald-Mail Media that she's planning to study English at Kenyon College in Ohio, but has varied interests, so she hasn't decided on a major yet.
Thinking of the moment, Alexia said she is "happy to leave, but also sad at the same time because I've been here for five years."
"I guess I'm feeling loved, which is, like, kind of corny but it's true," she said.
Tiches was one of 44 graduates from the private, co-ed, Episcopalian boarding school south of Hagerstown. Thirteen grads were from the local area, mostly from Washington County.
Eric Fishkin, 18, the son of David and Judy Fishkin, said he's "grown a lot as a person here." The Hagerstown resident said he'll miss friends and relationships he made at Saint James the most.
Joseph George, 18, of Williamsport, plans to pursue a pre-med track at Davidson College in North Carolina. He wants to be a doctor, perhaps a flight surgeon.
Whether he also joins the military might depend on his medical eligibility, said Joseph, the son of Joe and Catherine Ann George.
George had open-heart surgery about two years ago to address a birth defect.
"The community just surrounded me and really helped me through it," he said.
Congrats Class of 2018! :)
Watch SpongeBob SquarePants on Nickelodeon and Nicktoons, and get your tickets for Nickelodeon's critically acclaimed SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical at SpongeBobBroadway.com!
More Nick: Are You Ready Kids? SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS Musical Opens On Broadway!
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