WINSTON-SALEM -- Jill Abramson, the former executive editor of The New York Times, drew laughs and a standing ovation during her first public appearance since she was fired last week. She spoke to 1,880 graduates at Wake Forest University's commencement exercises Monday morning.

Abramson told the graduates, "What's next for me? I don't know. So, I'm in exactly the same boat as many of you."

Abramson said she was concerned that the media circus that was following her would distract from their graduation.