Smiles, pride dominate DCU Center; Grads urged to seize opportunities.

• Position: LOCAL NEWS

Byline: Thomas Caywood

COLUMN: WORCESTER STATE COLLEGE GRADUATION

WORCESTER - Frame shops of greater Worcester take note: 655 freshly printed Worcester State College diplomas hit the streets yesterday afternoon.

Beaming parents decked out in their best duds packed the DCU Center for the college's 132nd commencement. The only empty seats were so far back from the convention center stage the ceremony was broadcast live on two large-screen televisions suspended from the ceiling.

So Kelley A. Griffin of Gardner found a spot along the wall closer to the stage to stand as she waited for her daughter, Jennifer Oliva, to accept her sheepskin.

"She's worked so hard," Ms. Griffin said with pride in her eyes.

Her daughter, a 23-year-old early childhood education major, hated high school, so her mother was surprised when she announced four years ago that she planned to attend Worcester State and get a college education. Ms. Oliva worked part time as a waitress and in preschools to help pay the tuition bills.

"I'm so proud of her. She's a wonderful young lady," Ms. Griffin said.

Judging from the broad smiles, hearty applause and bouquets of flowers cradled in the arms of parents throughout the room, there was no shortage of pride at yesterday's commencement.

At another Worcester State commencement many years ago, a young man by the name of Thomas V. Murray graduated with the class of 1968. Forty years later, his son, Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray, gave the keynote address to the class of 2008.

The former Worcester mayor said his father put his Worcester State diploma to work teaching high school history for 37 years.

"And because the mission of Worcester State College was for many years focused almost solely on training teachers, like so many generations of children who attended the Worcester public schools, I was taught, inspired and, yes, disciplined on occasion by excellent teachers who graduated from Worcester State," Mr. Murray said.

The lieutenant governor went on to get in a plug for his and Gov. Deval L. Patrick's education policy, saying they are committed to "investing in and improving our public education system at all levels."

"And as you go out into the working world," he told the class of 2008, "I encourage you to continue to support this system, which has nurtured your own achievements so well."

Mr. Murray received an honorary degree in public administration.

Keith P. Taverna, senior class president, kept his remarks short and drew an analogy between the once hapless Red Sox who went on to win two World Series titles and the graduating students, some of whom had to hold down jobs and raise families while pursuing their educations.

"Like the Red Sox, many of us have gone through ups and downs," Mr. Taverna said, later adding, "As we sit here today, we persevered .... Today marks a huge accomplishment for us."

Besides handing out 549 bachelor's degrees and 106 graduate degrees, the college also recognized a number of people with special awards. Among them were Dr. Arthur M. Pappas and Martha R. Pappas, who were honored with the 2008 Community Service Award for their leadership in community involvement.

"You are well-prepared for the opportunities that are ahead of you," George W. Tetler III, chairman of the college's board of trustees, told the graduates. "Seize them."

WORCESTER STATE COLLEGE AREA GRADUATES, 2008

Bachelor of Arts

Auburn: Padraic K. Flynn, Kyle S. O'Brien, Jared W. Olen (NHS), Michelle L. Renihan (NHS) and Anthony J. Romeo.

Barre: Stephanie A. Young.

Berlin: Peter Colpitts Demko.

Boylston: Seth M. Ridinger (NHS).

Brimfield: Pamela A. Bouchard.

Brookfield: Emily R.Thurlow (NHS).

Charlton: Evan A. Arsenault, Paula L. Harwick and Matthew E. Smith.

Cherry Valley: Bonnie L. Jerome.

Douglas: Michael P. Amons.

Dudley: Dominique A. Panarelli.

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