COMMENCEMENT Big class, big day for YSU graduates

An increase in the number of graduates led to two commencement ceremonies.
YOUNGSTOWN -- About 1,150 Youngstown State University students received degrees Saturday in two separate commencement exercises, marking one of the largest graduation days in YSU history.
An undergraduate class estimated at just over 1,000 graduates was recognized during a morning ceremony at the Beeghly Center. A total of 141 graduate degrees were awarded at the university's first-ever commencement exercise for master's and doctoral students on Saturday afternoon at Stambaugh Auditorium.
YSU conferred honorary doctorates on its all-time winningest basketball coach, Dom Rosselli, and on commencement speaker and alumnus Anthony Lariccia, a vice-president for Merrill Lynch.
In his remarks to graduates, YSU President Dr. David M. Sweet said that the university now awards almost 2,000 degrees in a typical academic year.
"But don't let that create the impression that this is not a great accomplishment," he said, noting that about one in four people nationally and one in five in the Mahoning Valley holds a college degree. "You should be proud."
Lariccia, a 1966 graduate of then-Youngstown University, used his commencement address to urge students to "take it to the next level."
He said, "You have met many challenges. You have overcome many obstacles. You have proved that you have what it takes."
Lariccia compared the graduating class to "a beautiful 747 -- all of you are on the runway, ready to take off."
Lariccia read some of the lyrics to the R. Kelly song, "I Believe I Can Fly," then added: "Nothing can stop you now. Fly! Fly! Fly!"
The student commencement speaker was Jeremy Hamilton of Canfield, who was awarded two bachelor's degrees, in math and in education.
He praised the university for the opportunities it provides to work closely with professors. He said that his studies, which included student teaching at Poland Seminary High, gave him the opportunity to learn inside and outside the classroom.
"YSU has given us the keys to success," he said. "I challenge my fellow graduates to pursue their dreams."
Educational experience
Former YSU trustee Bruce Beeghly addressed the afternoon graduation for one doctoral and 140 master's degree candidates.
Noting that nearly half of the graduate degrees awarded were in education, he told graduates that whatever their discipline, they would likely be involved in teaching in some way.
"Much of what happens in every profession involves the conveying of information," he said. "In your studies, you have learned how to think and adapt to change. It's safe to predict that you will use those skills in life."
He said that higher education is essential to the nation's continued prosperity. "It means higher income and more civic participation," he said.
Student speaker
Rachel Hoffman of Poland, who received her master's degree in child and adolescent counseling, was the student commencement speaker.
Hoffman, who also earned her bachelor's degree at YSU, said she was glad that she decided seven years ago to enter the university as a freshman.
"I'm a resident of the Mahoning Valley, so this is home," she said. "I have a favorite lunch spot and a favorite chair in the library. I've enjoyed the small classes and individual attention from professors."