SpringfieldNewsSun.com

URBANA — U.S. Congressman Jim Jordan issued three simple challenges to Urbana University's 2008 graduating class during his commencement address Saturday, May 3.

Continue to take risks, continue to be positive and "continue to defend those principles that made our nation the greatest nation in history," said the Champaign County native who now represents Ohio's 4th congressional district. "Continue to defend those values, those basic principles, that make us special."

Jordan spoke for about 15 minutes to 125 graduates, their families and friends, faculty and staff at Urbana's Warren G. Grimes Center gymnasium.

But it was Jordan's paraphrasing of the words of British politician Winston Churchill that resonated the most with Urbana graduate Robert Jones of Springfield.

"He said to never give up," Jones said after the hour-long ceremony. "(The address) was great, it was very well done."

Eric Lunsford of Sydney, who remembers Jordan's speech from when he was a state senator, also enjoyed the congressman's commencement.

"I have a lot of respect for him," Lunsford said. "He's a good man."

Jordan also spoke of another good man as he congratulated and bid farewell to Robert Head, Ph.D., outgoing president of Urbana.

Head was honored with an honorary doctorate at the ceremony, which "was not on the program," he said with a laugh.

"It was a surprise," Head said in an interview after the graduation, adding that it was another great day for Urbana University, but a difficult one for him as it was his 10th and last commencement.

"I have many fond memories of Urbana University and the community we serve," he said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0374 or boutten@coxohio.com.

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