1,200 graduate from YSU today

YOUNGSTOWN

One year ago, Thomas Phibbs was lying in a hospital bed, recovering from a kidney transplant — the second one he’d undergone in six years. The donor was his fiancee.

Ten days ago, he was celebrating the birth of his daughter, Annika Katherine.

Saturday, he received his long-awaited degree from Youngstown State University.

“Life is good, brother,” the 31-year-old Hubbard man said. “If I had to have a quote to sum up today, it would be that life is good.”

Phibbs, who received a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in marketing, was among nearly 1,200 graduates at YSU commencement ceremonies Saturday in Beeghly Center.

Get the full story — and a list of special award recipients — in Sunday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.