UMPI graduates get lessons for the game of life

PRESQUE ISLE – Though he promotes skiing as a lifestyle, commencement speaker Andy Shepard turned Saturday to the sport of T-ball in his talk to students graduating from the University of Maine at Presque Isle about their futures.

Shepard spoke before about 200 graduating students and a gymnasium and auditorium full of their families and friends during the university’s 97th Commencement Exercises. A total of 366 degrees were awarded for the 2005-2006 academic year, with eight students earning double degrees. Melissa Wright of Presque Isle, receiving a bachelor of science degree in secondary education, was named valedictorian; Judith Hudson of Castle Hill, receiving a bachelor of social work degree, was named salutatorian.

Shepard, president and CEO of the nonprofit Maine Winter Sports Center, opened his address with a story from his younger days. He said that parents used to take their young kids to a nearby field where the little ones would take turns attempting to whack the ball off the tee and then run to the nearest base.

One runner, he remembered, looked like he bore the weight of a World Series on his shoulders as he waited on third base. But when the batter actually hit the ball, the little boy froze with his foot on the base, unsure what to do.

“Run home!” his mother cheered from the crowd. And so the little boy did – through the outfield and in the direction of what Shepard could only assume was his house.

As students poised to graduate, he said, they were all like that little boy standing on third base.

“All of us can become mesmerized by the moment,” Shepard said.

But when the batter hits a pop fly, he asked, will you be ready for that moment?

While Shepard gave several pieces of advice about what students should do after they graduate, he suggested that re-establishing healthy lifestyles in this country was one of the most important.

Pointing out that this generation might be the first not to outlive the generation before it, Shepard recommended that students try something different – walk instead of using the car, take stairs instead of elevators and get outdoors regularly.

“Let’s get back to a healthy, active lifestyle,” he said.

Several others spoke to the Class of 2006 offering advice and good wishes as they prepare for life after graduation.

President Karl Burgher told the gathering that his mentor taught him seven things that he should try to understand as he made his way through life: love, faith, truth, courage, trust, empathy and pride without ego.

G. Melvin Hovey, the recipient of an honorary degree from the university, told students that when he was young, “you could get by” with a high school diploma.

Hovey, former president, CEO and chairman of the board for Maine Public Service Co., has lived in Presque Isle for nearly half a century and has served the university and community in many capacities over the years.

“Your education today is more important than it has ever been,” he told students.

But the words of Charles O’Leary, of the University of Maine System’s board of trustees, probably summed it up best for students.

“I know the feeling is, ‘Oh my God, I’m glad it’s over,'” he said. “But that feeling will pass quickly. Soon you’ll be thinking, ‘Oh my God, I’m glad I did that.'”