The keynote speaker credits his success to YSU

By LINDA M. LINONIS
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
Sanford D. Rivers, keynote speaker at Youngstown State University's fall commencement Sunday at Beeghly Center, offered the 609 graduates six suggestions for success.
He told them to:
Develop a strong work ethic. "Be there early, complete your job and ask yourself ... 'is this the best work product'"?
Be creative. "Explore how to do it faster, better and cheaper."
Be a risk-taker. "We as a group ... nation ... take chances."
Be a team player. "Give of yourself to help others."
Practice honesty. "Be truthful," Rivers advised. "Your word is your bond. We're judged by what we do, not what we say we will do."
Make a commitment to family. "Honor family ties and values. You'll have a solid foundation on which to build your career."
Rivers' story
Rivers is a 1962 South High School graduate and YSU football player, who graduated in 1968. He was inducted into the YSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993 and retired as a National Football League official in 2004 after working 16 years.
In 1970, he joined Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, where he held a variety of leadership roles. He is on leave from CMU after being appointed to the Pennsylvania Gaming Commission. Rivers received the degree of honorary doctor of the university.
Rivers credited his success to the "training and education I received at YSU." He said the graduation ceremony made him recall his own collegiate experience and the professors and mentors he had along the way.
Rivers also charged the new graduates to remember their YSU experience, and as YSU alumnus asked them to be "responsible to assist and sustain the continued growth of YSU. We have an obligation to the students of the future."
John Pogue, chairman of the YSU board of trustees, said that although trustees are occupied with "budgets, buildings and policies, graduation is a time that brings back the focus of our work ... enabling students."
He also noted that a YSU education gave students "ideas and ideals." Pogue said to the graduates -- "be good, do good and good luck."
Fellow classmate speaks
Student speaker was Michael L. Shaffer, a Youngstown native who received a bachelor's degree in business administration from the Williamson College of Business Administration.
Shaffer said his degree represented the "process of listening, discussing, succeeding and learning."
He said he learned "remarkable things from remarkable people." One element he singled out was the "value of passion."
Shaffer said passion motivated "students to study late into the night and recognize a passion for working harder."
Shaffer said he realized a "most unexpected thing" when he recognized his own passion for being a student. "I realized a love of learning and education, and I recognized I have a lot to learn," he said.
Shaffer asked his fellow graduates to be "bold, brave and enlightened to fight for our passions."
YSU legacy
Dr. David C. Sweet, YSU president, introduced Shaffer and described him as a "nontraditional student" who was in the work world for decades before attending YSU. Shaffer is the first in his family to receive a college degree. Sweet also noted that "nontraditional students are a growing element in the study body."
Sweet also mentioned YSU's upcoming centennial in 2008, noting the university's beginning with one faculty member and nine students.
"Now YSU graduates live in all 50 states and 45 countries," he said, and added that the alumni represent people in all walks of life. He called them "living examples of YSU's legacy."