YSU celebrates its summer commencement

YOUNGSTOWN — Erin Bishop recently saw a play called “Wicked,” which made numerous references to “The Wizard of Oz.”

The one that likely resonated the loudest for Bishop was Dorothys wanting to come home to her aunt in Kansas.

“When I graduated from Ursuline in 1995, many of my friends left, but home is important to me, so I chose YSU,” Bishop told a crowd of hundreds of people who attended Saturday’s summer commencement ceremony in Youngstown State University’s Beeghly Center.

The powerful scenes in the 1939 movie classic served as metaphors for the key points Bishop made as she addressed faculty, as well as the graduates and their families and friends. Bishop, who graduated with her master’s degree in public health, was the student commencement speaker.

Bishop recalled that she had little direction during her first several years at YSU, having changed her major four times. Eventually, though, someone told her about a community health program and encouraged her to go for her masters in that field, Bishop said.

“It seemed like a better fit for me. It was a lot of hours and work, but I was ready,” Bishop said, adding that her volunteer efforts included working with an HIV/AIDS ministry and with youngsters who were infected with or affected by the disease.

Close to 500 students, including about 128 graduate students, walked across the stage to receive their degrees.

For more, see Sunday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com