Phoebe Gates Graduates College — and Gives Parents Bill and Melinda a Shout-Out: ‘So Grateful’

Phoebe Gates just graduated from Stanford University and parents Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates were there — her mom was even the commencement speaker!

Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates recently had a special family moment to celebrate: their youngest child graduated from college!

Phoebe Gates, 21, graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Science in human biology on June 15. Even more impressive? It only took her three years to earn her degree, according to Nylon.

Making the day that much more special was the fact that French Gates wasn’t just there as a proud mom, but as the commencement speaker.

“I knew I had to make it happen if I could, because I wanted to watch my mother deliver this year’s commencement speech as a graduate,” Phoebe told the outlet. “I can’t think of a better ending!”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

In her graduation diary for Nylon, Phoebe also shared several photographs of her father — who “delivered some laughs” on the big day — as well as boyfriend Arthur Donald, one of Paul McCartney’s grandchildren.

“So grateful to have my parents by my side on this day,” the graduate, who is already using her voice to have important conversations, including about a women’s right to make decisions about their own body, captioned one sweet snap.

Phoebe Gates graduating from Stanford.

Phoebe Gates Once Tried to Trick Her Parents with Cardboard Phone: ‘I Remember Getting in Trouble for That’

In her speech, French Gates opened up about the important role Stanford has played in her family’s history.

“Stanford has always held a special place in my family’s heart,” the philanthropist said. “My dad, Ray French, received a scholarship to study mechanical engineering here in the 1960s. While he worked on his masters degree, my mother, Elaine French, supported them with her job at a bottled water company. On nights and weekends, she was my dad’s lab assistant.”

“Today, my mom and dad are back on campus for a very special occasion: To watch their granddaughter Phoebe graduate from the university that changed my Dad’s life,” she added, going on to note that her oldest daughter Jennifer — who recently graduated from medical school — also earned a degree at Stanford, as did Jennifer’s husband, Nayel Nassar.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

As her speech continued, French Gates addressed the graduates, sharing that this was just one of the “enormous” transitions they’ll have to face in their lifetime, something she knows all about.

“For me, those included starting my career at Microsoft. Losing one of my best friends to cancer. Falling in love. Having children,” she said. “Starting my work on behalf of women and girls. Ending a marriage and partnership of almost 30 years. And, very recently, making a major career shift.”

“In each case, there was a moment when I felt like the big wave, terrified that life as I knew it was about to be over. But I always made it to the next day. So will you,” she added.

The Gates family celebrated another graduation earlier this summer when Jennifer graduated from medical school on May 11. Following the ceremony, her parents wrote touching tributes in the comment section of her own Instagram post.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“What you have achieved today — and every day leading up to it — is a tremendous accomplishment, @jenngatesnassar. I’m so proud of you for finishing medical school, and I can’t wait to watch you take this next step into residency,” Gates wrote. “Your patients will be lucky to call you doctor.”

Added her mom, “Can’t wait to see where your next chapter takes you.”