380 degrees conferred at YSU commencement
By Bob Jackson
YOUNGSTOWN
For Sarah Stafford and Lesley Anne Roddy, their years of study at Youngstown State University were truly cross-cultural, international experiences.
Stafford made three study trips abroad as a YSU student, gaining what she called invaluable experiences that she will apply to her life and career. Roddy came to Youngstown from Ireland to pursue her goals and dreams. Both women were among the 380 students who graduated from YSU on Saturday during summer commencement at Beeghly Center.
Stafford, 24, received a master of business administration degree. She had earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing with a minor in Spanish from YSU in 2010 after graduating from Boardman High School in 2006.
“YSU gave me opportunities that I most likely never would have had otherwise,” said Stafford. “I can’t even begin to explain the positive things that have happened to me here.”
Three years ago, she traveled to China as part of a university-sponsored business study tour, visiting Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai. In 2010, she spent four weeks in Buenos Aires, Argentina, participating in an advanced language studies program at the University of Belgrano, applying her Spanish-speaking skills. And just three months ago, she went to London, England, for four weeks as part of a business and marketing study program.
All the while, she was working as a graduate assistant in the university’s Small Business Development Center.
“I gained so much experience there because I was actually working with local small-business owners,” she said. “I’m leaving here today not just with a diploma, but with actual experience that I can use.”
The daughter of Joe and Janice Stafford of Boardman, she said being active and involved in university life and taking advantage of opportunities such as the international travel, is a critical component to success after graduation.
“A lot of kids just come and go to class, but I think it’s all those extra things you get involved in that really help make you an asset to your community,” she said.
“It’s not about sitting back and waiting for something to come to you. A lot of people wait for a job to fall into their lap. You have to get out there and get started looking early.”
Stafford said she briefly considered going to college elsewhere, but quickly decided to stay home and attend YSU. Her father and her older sister, Ellen, also are YSU graduates, and her younger brother, Peter, plans to enroll after his graduation from Boardman High next year.
Stafford will have little time to rest after her studies. She’ll start working later this month as marketing director for JFS Wealth Advisers of Hermitage, Pa.
Roddy, 23, said she first came to Youngstown in 2004 from Belfast, Ireland, as part of the international Ulster Project. When it came time for her to pursue a college degree, she decided to come back.
“I already knew the university, I knew the area, and I knew it was a good program,” she said. Roddy spent five years going to school at YSU, and received her bachelor of science degree in applied science in the coordinated program of dietetics Saturday.
“I’m going to stay [in America] and go to medical school,” she said, noting that she will pursue a master’s degree in public health at the Northeast Ohio Medical University in Rootstown.
“I love YSU,” Roddy said. “It’s been my home away from home.”
Like Stafford, Roddy said she made the most of her college years by becominginvolved in as many honors programs and extracurricular programs as she could. Both women said networking with faculty and fellow students has been invaluable.
“Never underestimate who is in a classroom with you,” Stafford said.
The featured speaker at Saturday’s ceremonies was Dr. Bege Bowers, who retired this summer after a career at YSU that began in 1984. She co-founded and directed the professional writing and editing program; served as acting chair of the English Department, associate to the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and interim provost. She became assistant provost in 2002 and associate provost in 2005.
She encouraged the graduates to find and follow their dreams, and to facilitate the dreams of others.
“As you pursue your dreams, do anything you can to make the world a better place,” Bowers said.