May 12, 2007 By Patty Yauger 6 min read

LATROBE – Public service through volunteerism was the theme of the commencement address delivered by President Bush to the 2007 graduates of St. Vincent College on Friday. Nearly 300 graduating seniors, wearing their black caps and gowns, adorned with the school’s gold and green colors, and various medallions, pins and honor stoles took part in the late morning ceremony.

While he joked about his occasional misuse of the English language, the president’s focus was the need for public servants.

His focus, however, was the need for public servants.

“Across this great land of opportunity, we have citizens with great needs, and for every need there is a path of service,” said Bush.

Some among the graduation class, he said, chose teaching as their career and will have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the students that fill their classrooms.

“The first lady has taught me that teaching is more than a job or a profession, it is a vocation,” said Bush. “When you make the decision to become a teacher, you know that your reward will be greater than money. It will happen in wonderful moments when you see a student grasp a difficult concept, come alive during the reading of a poem or discover how a work of history speaks to our time.

“This generation’s willingness to serve will define the character of our nation.”

The president also applauded the decision of five seniors who have joined the military and will begin their service to their country following graduation.

“You knew the risk of serving in a time of war and you have volunteered to accept those risks,” he said. “You have chosen a noble cause; you will take your place as officers in the finest military the world has ever known.

As your commander in chief, I salute you for your service and ask Almighty God to keep you close as you keep our nation safe.”

Don Orlando, press officer for the college, said that the Right Rev. Douglas R. Nowicki, chancellor and archabbot, issued the invitation to the president last year.

The commencement participation, said Orlando, was one of the more “well attended” ceremonies than in previous years.

“There were only three students that indicated that they were not going to be able to be present to personally receive their diploma,” he said. “(The participation) is considerably more than in past years.”

Lindsey R. Rose of Lemont Furnace received a bachelor of arts degree in psychology.

“I’ve worked hard that last four years and I deserved to walk across the stage, no matter who our guest speaker is,” she said before the ceremony. “I don’t find the president to be a very good public speaker. He doesn’t write his own speeches, but it will be interesting to hear what he has to say.

“It is an honor to have the president come, but by no means is he the reason why I am attending my own graduation ceremony.”

The president’s appearance sparked some earlier campus debate with some students stating that the commencement speaker should carry the same values as held by the school, but that Bush did not, while others said that Bush’s attendance would bring recognition to the college.

“It has been a healthy discussion and the opportunity for people to express their opinions,” said Orlando. “(The college administration) respects all those opinions; the discussion has been very rationale and everyone has been very respectful of each other.”

Orlando added that despite the varied opinions, the attendance of a president at a campus event is a privilege.

“It is a great honor for our college to be able to bring the president of the U.S. to Pennsylvania; to western Pennsylvania; to Westmoreland County as our commencement speaker,” he said. “There are thousands of colleges across the country that would love to have the president of the U.S., but for him to have accepted our invitation is a great honor for us.

“It is not about politics; you can disagree with him politically on various issues, but he is still the president of the U.S. and that supercedes any particular issue with which people might have disagreement.

“He came to our college to give advice to our graduates based on his worldly experience and what he thinks they need to know to have a successful future.”

During the president’s address, protestors gathered along Route 30 waving signs in protest of his war policies, but they were not permitted to enter the campus.

H. James Towey, the 16th president of the college and former assistant to the president and director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives, said that the day was not about protestors or their protests, but about the accomplishments achieved by the graduates.

“For me the day is about the graduates; I think the focus should be on their excellence and all that they have done,” he said. “Regardless of whether you agree with (the president) or not, he will receive Benedictine hospitality here on the campus.”

Orlando said that for several weeks the Secret Service and other security agencies visited the college and took measures to assure the president’s safety during his brief visit.

He departed Washington, D.C., on Air Force One and landed at the 911th Airlift Wing in Coraopolis and boarded Marine One for his flight to the Latrobe campus.

Accompanying Bush on his flight was U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Holidaysburg, whose uncle is a college alumnus.

“His visit brings an international spotlight on this great college institution,” he said following the ceremony. “I’m so proud to see the great reception he received here from these quality students.”

His advice for those entering the job market, joining the military or continuing their education is to make a difference.

“Get out in the world and work hard,” said Shuster. “Take the president’s advice and serve the community, because you get back much more than you give.”

Inside the Carey Center, meanwhile, the graduates were encouraged by the president to become a volunteer.

“When Mother Teresa accepted her Nobel Prize, she told the story about visiting a nursing home. At first she was impressed by the home because it was attractive and well-equipped,” he said. “But she soon noticed that none of the residents were smiling, all were looking at the door.

“When she asked why everyone seemed so sad, one of the caretakers explained that they were hurt because they were forgotten; they stared at the door in the hope that it would open and someone who loved them would walk through it.

“My challenge to you today is this: Be the person who walks through that door, be the face that bring a smile to the hurt and forgotten, lead lives of purpose and character and make a difference in someone else’s life.

“And if you do, you will lead richer lives, you will build a more hopeful nation, and you’ll never be disappointed.”