Published: May 16, 2009 11:44 pm      

A PROUD MOMENT

MSU hands out over 400 degrees at commencement ceremony

Judy Berger, a native of Glen Allen, Va., was one of more than 400 students who walked the stage at Mountain State University’s 74th annual commencement ceremony Saturday at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center.

Berger said walking at graduation was a proud moment for her family, who traveled several hours from Virginia to watch her fulfill a lifelong dream.

“I’m older than most people here,” Berger said.

“I just want to walk and appreciate all of the hard work I did to get here.”

Berger said earning her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice leadership development was a “long time coming.”

She spent 25 years working as a detective in the violent crimes/cold case unit at a Virginia police department.

One day she decided she was nearing the age of retirement and signed up for college.

“I think it’s always been a dream I wanted to fulfill. I always tell my children and grandchildren, ‘you’re never to old to get an education.’”

MSU awarded more than 1,300 graduate and undergraduate degrees in the 2009 commencement season, with 284 undergraduate and 172 graduate students participating in Saturday’s ceremony.

“As you graduate today, set your goals for your future and expect to find great success in all that you do,” said Dr. Jerry Ice, chairman of MSU’s Board of Trustees.

Ice addressed the graduates on behalf of MSU President Charles Polk at the last minute. Polk couldn’t be in attendance due to the death of his father.

As part of an MSU tradition, Ice asked any graduate who was the first in their family to graduate from college to stand up.

Nearly half the graduates stood.

“As you fulfill the great expectations of each encounter in your life, never forget that the road that led to these moments started at Mountain State University.” Ice said.

Beckley native Nancy James also participated in Saturday’s commencement. She said she was proud to earn her bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy in three years.

James worked as an LPN for 25 years. She left her position at Raleigh General Hospital when her mother fell ill several years ago. After her mother died, James decided to go back to college and pursue a degree in something new.

Although the economy is at an all-time low, James says she’s not too worried about securing a job.

“The one thing about health care is that people are always going to need someone in the health care profession,” James said.

“The occupational therapy field is growing every year, so I hope I can find a job.”

The new graduate still has to complete four months of clinicals and take her board exams before she can start applying.