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HARDIN CHALLENGES SEARK GRADS

By Wilson Brown/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Friday, May 14, 2004 11:14 PM CDT

At exactly 7 p.m. Friday, a mass of capped-and-gowned students filed into the Pine Bluff Convention Center's auditorium readying themselves for goodbye speeches and the world.

About 240 Southeast Arkansas College students will receive their degrees and diplomas by the end of the summer. One hundred ninety participated in Friday night's Spring 2004 Commencement ceremony, according to Harvey Post, vice president for student affairs at the college.

"Whatever your degree, tonight is a celebration," said Lu Hardin, president of the University of Central Arkansas at Conway and the night's keynote speaker.

Hardin congratulated the graduates and noted their "hard work and tenacity" in completing their degrees but told the students to never stop learning no matter how many degrees they can put on their shelves.

The president also commended the graduates for improving life in their own state.

"It is not only important for this individual, it's important for the state of Arkansas," Hardin said. "Not only have you accomplished something for yourself, you've accomplished something for the state of Arkansas."

Even though the graduates will help the quality of life in Arkansas, Hardin told them to also think about themselves once they get out into their fields of study.

"I'm not coming here with some generic, abstract speech," Hardin said. "I'm challenging you graduates to find a job you really love.

"Find your passion. Live a life that exudes character and live a life that exudes integrity," he said.

Some family members could hardly keep their composure as their loved ones walked across the auditorium's stage.

"Man, it was really exciting," Deshawn Bennett said after watching his fiancee, Latoya Gray, pick up her diploma. "It almost feels like I'm graduating. It's a wonderful thing.

"She wants to be a detective. I'm behind her a 100 percent," Bennett said after trying to prop up his nephew in one arm and take a picture of Gray.

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