LOWELL — "Don't Tase me, Bro!" yelled a spectator as Sen. John Kerry stepped to the podium to make the commencement address for University of Massachusetts Lowell's Class of 2008.

Kerry laughed and replied; "FDR was remembered for, 'The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.' John F. Kennedy had, 'Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.' I'll be remembered for 'Don't Tase me, Bro!'"

The former Democratic presidential nominee was referring to an incident during a speech he made at the University of Florida last summer when another young man interrupted him and uttered that now-famous remark before being subdued with a Taser by campus police.

It was a calmer scene yesterday as Kerry spoke at the Tsongas Arena in Lowell for the graduation of nearly 2,000 students, many of them from the Merrimack Valley.

"This is one of the most exciting days of your lives," Kerry told the crowd. "But I have to admit, it's also been a very exciting week for me. I just got off phone with Barack Obama. The two of us prove that opposites attract. He's black, I'm white. He went to Harvard, I went to Yale. He's the most dynamic speaker of the past 40 years. I'm....here to give it my best shot."

"And you deserve my giving it my best because this is such an incredible school," Kerry continued. "Simply put, you and this school are the economic engine of the area. What happens at UMass Lowell is changing this region, this commonwealth, this nation and this world. And the research that is conducted here and the knowledge you take with you when you leave are what will drive this economy in the years to come,"

Outside the arena, Ben Curry, who received his Bachelor of Science degree in nursing after an internship at Emerson Hospital where he has recently landed a job as a nurse, said, "If it wasn't for UMass Lowell, I don't think I would have the tools to get by. I really mean that."

Curry also just bought a house in Lowell and has aspirations to join the Red Cross or possibly the Peace Corps

"I already miss the school terribly," said Julia Gavin, also of Lowell. "The sleepless nights, the whole nine yards."

Gavin came to UMass Lowell with an interest in criminal justice but soon changed her major to English.

"I loved the professors and programs and the overall feel of the English department," she said.

Nancy Byron of Methuen completed her degree in information technology while working full time and raising two teenage daughters through the university's online program.

"UMass Lowell has an awesome online program. It's very interactive," said Byron, who is now applying to Boston University to get her master's in digital forensics.

"Without the online program I would not be graduating today."

Another grad, Jared Jordan of Hopkinton said "I'm extremely excited. It's been 10 years in the making."

"I'm glad it's done. It's a real accomplishment," said Danielle Parker of Haverhill. "The programs here are excellent."

"I'm very excited," said Katherine Chateauneuf of Chelmsford. "I'm very happy with my education."

Back inside the arena, Chancellor Martin Meehan told the graduates, "While you may move on or move away, I want you to know that the bond you formed with us can last a lifetime. Congratulations on your accomplishment today. Welcome to the community of scholars."