SpringfieldNewsSun.com

Springfield, Ohio — Wittenberg graduates have a lot to celebrate following their commencement ceremony Saturday, May 10. They also face a lot of difficult challenges that previous generations haven't fared so well with, their commencement speaker warned.

U.S. Rep. Dave Hobson, R-Springfield, Class of 2008 commencement speaker, said the graduates would have to find constructive ways to deal with the country's immigration issues, in addition to facing a looming energy crisis.

The key, he said, is to remember to treat people with respect and be willing to change and if necessary, to adapt to the problems. In dealing with environmental issues, Hobson said the graduates will need to be able to change the way they think about energy and water consumption.

"It doesn't mean you have to have less," he said. "It just means you have to do it differently."

Mark Preston, graduating class president and political science major, added his peers will need to find new ways to deal with issues such as the country's sky-rocketing foreclosure rates . He urged his classmates to try to make the world a better place through their leadership.

"We cannot and will not remain sedentary when it comes to leaving a lasting legacy," Preston said.

Wittenberg President Mark Erikson highlighted several of the class's more inspirational stories, including the women's volleyball team that finished with a 38-1 record and maintained a 3.5 team grade-point average.

He also mentioned Ken Wells, a 72-year-old graduate who finally received his diploma Saturday after leaving college to join the U.S. Air Force in 1952.

After the ceremony, several of the graduates said they were simply glad to be able to spend the moment with their families and friends. Some are already working in their new career path, while others are looking for a start.

Eric Bess, a fine arts major, said he already has a job as an adjunct professor at Clark State Community College and eventually plans to get a Master's degree in fine arts.

Jeremy Kleiner, who majored in Chinese, said he will be headed to Shanghai, China to begin a degree in business.

"I went there to teach English as part of an internship and fell in love with the country," he said. "So I came back and changed my major."

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0355 or msanctis@coxohio.com.

Vote for this story!