Butler County Community College’s largest graduating class in four years will hear that commencement “is not a finish line” and to “allow yourself to wonder” from an author and children’s advocate whose lifelong work has been inspired, in part, by Fred Rogers, and who has been honored nationally, including by the White House.

“It’s important,” keynote speaker Gregg Behr plans to say, “that you continue to invest in yourself, continue to explore your curiosities, your creativities.”

Behr, of Pittsburgh, is the co-author of “When You Wonder, You’re Learning.” The 2021 book written with Ryan Rydzewski has introduced a new generation of families to the lessons of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” and to Rogers’ learning tools such as curiosity, creativity and collaboration.

A friend and colleague of Rogers’ widow, Joanne, is also an adviser to the Fred Rogers Institute that houses Fred Rogers’ archives and is located in Latrobe, Fred Rogers’ birthplace.

While on BC3’s main campus Wednesday, May 13, Behr plans to tour the year-old Dr. Robert L. Paserba Teaching and Learning Lab and its simulated elementary school classroom before telling graduates in the college’s Field House.

The 488 members in BC3’s Class of 2026 are the most since the 503 in its Class of 2022.

Graduates attended BC3’s main campus in Butler Township; additional locations in Armstrong, Butler, Jefferson or Lawrence counties; a program in Ellwood City for seniors at Lincoln or Riverside high schools; or online.

A record 106 students will graduate in a registered nursing program established in 1973, joining 108 others who will also earn an associate degree or certificate that aligns with state Department of Labor & Industry high-priority occupations.

BC3’s Class of 2026 includes 31 graduates of an early childhood education (Pre K-4) associate degree program who gained hands-on experience in the Dr. Robert L. Paserba Teaching and Learning Lab by creating settings and evaluating intended lesson-plan outcomes.

During his four years at the University of Notre Dame, Behr, who is a graduate of North Allegheny High School in Wexford, volunteered at a homeless center in South Bend, Ind., where he developed an interest in education policy when helping to establish individualized learning plans for the center’s young people.

“I saw the really impactful but also complex ways that a place like the Center for the Homeless could, and now over years, such other places as an after-school program, a library or a school, can support the entirety of a person and the people in that person’s life,” Behr said.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in government from Notre Dame, Behr’s interest in education policy continued as he attended and graduated from the Duke University School of Law and its Sanford School of Public Policy.

The Grable Foundation, Pittsburgh, was established in 1976, eight years after the first national broadcast of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” It mission, according to its website, is to help children and youth become independent, caring, contributing members of society by supporting programs critical to children’s successful development.

Behr became executive director of The Grable Foundation in 2006 and in the next year founded what’s become known as the Remake Learning Network, which involves more than 800 schools, museums, libraries, early learning centers, after-school programs, colleges and creative industries across southwestern Pennsylvania.

Former President Barack Obama recognized Behr as one of 10 champions of change in July 2016, arising from his leadership for Remake Learning.

Other speakers will be Megan M. Coval, BC3’s president; Joseph E. Kubit, chair of the college’s board of trustees; Aaron Schlott, president of BC3’s faculty organization; Kimberly D. Geyer, a Butler County commissioner and ex-officio trustee; and graduating students Taylor Voloch, Gina Rhoades and Kaela Malis.

Bill Foley is coordinator of news and media content at Butler County Community College.