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‘Good day’ to graduate
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Samantha Rohrman reacts after receiving her degree in the college of liberal arts and sciences.
By Bob Jackson
YOUNGSTOWN
Graduation day at Youngstown State University was special for Leah Williams for far more than simply the diploma she was finally holding in her hand.
“Today is a good day because it’s been a very long, hard road to get here,” said Williams, 26, of Lordstown. “I’m finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel after so many hardships.”
Her mother, Debbie, died in November 2007 at just 60 years old, while Leah was still attending high school in Cincinnati, where she was born and raised. Nine months later, her 68-year-old father, Leo, a factory worker, also died.
“I truly believe that he died of a broken heart,” said Williams.
The youngest of three sisters, Williams said she was the one who stepped up to take care of the business of settling her parents’ affairs and holding her family together before heading off to college at Ohio State University, where a friend introduced her to Lordstown native Joseph Williams.
Leah transferred to YSU in 2009 to be near Joseph, whom she married in August 2012. About a month before their wedding, her oldest sister died.
“When my mom died, I just wanted to quit everything,” said Williams, who received a bachelor’s degree in general studies Sunday. “But my dad told me to keep going, so that’s what I did.”
On top of her graduation cap, Williams had printed, “For Leo & Debbie, Rest In Heaven,” followed by a scripture reference, Jeremiah 29:11.
The verse says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
“This is my expected end,” said Williams, smiling. “Being here today, this is my expected end.”
Rucel Pletado, 24, also took a long road to graduation Sunday. She lived most of her life in San Diego, Calif., before moving here in 2007 to be with her boyfriend, Jabob Kuhle. She received bachelor’s degrees in both political science and economics Sunday.
“My long-term goal? Ultimately, I would love to be the president of the United States,” she said bluntly. “Short-term? I guess just trying to figure out how to get there.”
Pletado, who lives on the West Side with Kuhle and their two children, said she experienced significant culture shock when she moved here from the West Coast, but she adapted quickly.
“Ohio is a wonderful state,” she said. “People are so involved here, and I love that.”
She was wearing a lei given to her by her mother, who had traveled here from California to watch her graduate.
“The separation was hard for us because when I came here, I just packed up and left,” said Pletado.
Kristine Totten, 24, endured her own hardships en route to receiving her bachelor’s degree in history. Afflicted with muscular dystrophy, Totten is confined to a wheelchair, which created challenges in getting across campus, or simply getting to school in wintry weather.
“Life can’t stop just because you’re in a chair,” Totten said. “It was challenging, but I did it.”
She intends to remain in this area, but isn’t sure what the future will hold for her just yet.
“I’m going to see what options are out there, and then make some decisions,” she said. “Most people can just go anywhere and apply for a job, but I have to make sure that wherever I go is handicapped-accessible.”
The featured speaker was Michael Garvey, president and CEO of M-7 Technologies in Youngstown. At the top of his remarks, he took off his mortarboard cap and put on a hard hat, which he said made him feel more comfortable.
“We are witnessing the emergence of the new Youngstown,” said Garvey, who said the economic potential created locally by the oil and gas industries may well be comparable to the steel boom that grew Youngstown 150 years ago.
“We are on the cusp of a second round of wealth development,” said Garvey, noting that the area has abundant natural resources combined with the technology to harvest those resources and take them to market.
“The new Youngstown has transformed itself from Rust Belt chic to Tech Belt chic,” he said.
Before Garvey’s remarks, YSU President Dr. Cynthia Anderson asked that those in attendance observe a moment of silence in memory of the victims of this week’s mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.