SRU president tells grads to 'rock the world'
SLIPPERY ROCK — There was a section of the Morrow Field House at Slippery Rock University that few could not see from their bleacher seats Friday.
In this area, SRU graduate students buzzed in their caps and gowns, their greens and whites, the collective voice pointing toward an act of completion.
In his speech, SRU President William Behre related to the students on the excitement of accomplishment and the uncertainty of the future. He did so by comparing their day of graduation with the day he arrived at the university, a little more than a year ago.
“I expect the butterflies I was experiencing are likely similar to the ones you're experiencing today,” Behre said.
While many appeared excited to break free from the final stages of the scholastic system, some reflected on their decisions to attend a smaller university.
Evan Mysliwiec, a Slippery Rock High School graduate, completed every level of his education in his hometown, culminating in a doctorate in physical therapy.
Mysliwiec joined SRU's accelerated program for physical therapy, condensing a 7-year undergraduate to graduate process into six years.
Mysliwiec said as he progressed through the program, especially into his clinical hours, he started to see how well-received SRU graduates were by practicing professionals.
“You get a great education and great clinical experience you're not going to get at bigger schools,” he said.
In the wake of public comments made recently by television personality Dr. Phil, Mysliwiec said he couldn't be more proud of his decision to stay close to home.
“It was good to have my family's support throughout the program and know if I ever needed anything they were here,” Mysliwiec said. “It's a matter of picking the school that's right for you rather than a school that's well known.”
Sometimes it takes a number of right schools to make a degree, according to James T. O'Neil, a Knoch alumnus.
O'Neil walked across the stage to receive his master's degree in clinical mental health. He said he hopes to continue his work at a drug and alcohol treatment facility in Butler County.
O'Neil said after high school, he earned an associate's degree at Butler County Community College, then an undergraduate degree at SRU.
He said there were points along the way when he didn't think he would make it, but he credited great professors who helped push him to strive academically and to be a better person.
“All around it was a good deal from cost to quality,” O'Neil said.
For some of the graduates, it was about finding the right fit.
Kaitlyn Spangler, a Slippery Rock High School graduate, returned home after a taste of life at a bigger school.
Spangler said what mattered by the end of her scholastic experience were smaller class sizes and being able to have more face-to-face interaction with professors. She said it ended up not bothering her that she was going to college in the same place she grew up.
“Even though the high school is right across the street, it didn't feel like that,” Spangler said. “It was nice to have the sense of community in Slippery Rock where everybody kind of knows everybody.”
Spangler, who graduated with a master's degree in business administration, said she has already started the certification process she will need to begin a career in project management.
As is customary for graduations, Behre had to say goodbye before shaking the one hand of each graduate and placing a diploma in the other.
“Go green. Go white. Go rock the world,” he told them all.
