Published: May 10, 2008 08:51 am

Eastern graduates 1,694

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Thirty years have passed since Michelle Malicote walked across the stage to receive an associate's degree in nursing from Eastern Kentucky University.

On Saturday, 51-year-old Malicote stood in one of three single-file lines once again at EKU's 101st annual Spring Commencement Ceremony at Alumni Coliseum.

Except this time, she walked across the stage with her bachelor's degree in health science.

Malicote spoke enthusiastically about continuing her education to receive her master's degree.

EKU's campus has undergone several changes in the past 30 years, but overall, Malicote said she enjoyed the experience, but admitted it was a little different.

"I definitely know what it's like to be 'non-traditional' student," she said with a laugh.

Malicote was joined Saturday with 1,694 other EKU graduates who received degrees in the areas of education, health sciences and justice and safety during the 3 p.m. ceremony.

As the graduates stood in line waiting their turn to enter Alumni Coliseum's auditorium, graduate Christie Turner of Flemingsburg and her friends were having a conversation of their own.

"I've had to work pretty hard," said Turner, who is graduating with a degree in elementary education. "Going from high school to college is a big change and then friendships and everything changes in college."

Now that she has graduated, a new set of fears is lingering.

"Now I have to get a job," she said. "That's scary."

Her friend Leslie Wellman, also an elementary education major from Louisa, said she deserved to be dressed in a graduation robe on Saturday.

"I've worked very hard and I've done my very best," she said.

Berea resident Craig Williams, director of the Chemical Weapons Working Group (CWWG), 2006 North American recipient of the Goldman Environmental Prize and 1978 EKU graduate, spoke to the afternoon crowd about the importance of activism.

Williams' talents as an activist began to flourish after returning home from service in the Vietnam War. He was one of the thousands of Vietnam vets who returned protesting the war.

Williams now spends his time heading the grassroots organization based in Berea that oversees the process of chemical weapon destruction at the Blue Grass Army Depot, making sure it is done in the most efficient and environmentally-friendly manner.

"What all activists have in common is that they are willing, against tremendous, sometimes life-threatening odds, to stand up for what they think is right, choosing not the easy road, but the more righteous and equal road," he said to Saturday's crowd.

He encouraged students to strive for what they believe in, even though "The odds against succeeding seem overwhelming," he said.

College life can be very structured at times, but Williams encouraged students to branch out and find the activist in themselves.

"Don't be afraid to take on injustice," he said. "You can make a difference. And, if you allow yourself to become involved, you just might become a distinguished activist in the best and truest sense of the term."

EKU President Doug Whitlock honored those who received Foundation Professor awards, who were Elizabeth K. Hansen, a professor in the Department of Communications who became a part of EKU's faculty in 1987, and Robert W. Mitchell, a professor of psychology who became a faculty member in 1990.

"This award goes to talented professors who are dedicated to the success of our students," Whitlock said. "We're seeing the fruits of their efforts here today. This is the most distinguished award that a faculty member can receive."

Andy Bender, a student of the College of Justice and Safety and a Marine Corps veteran, spoke on behalf of the 2008 graduating class.

"When you leave here today, you'll leave with something precious," he said. "Eastern is not just a place you visited. It's you. It's me. It's in all of us. The world awaits, and it needs our heads and our hearts."

The 10 a.m. ceremony honored students from the colleges of Arts and Sciences and Business and Technology, and a 3 p.m. ceremony was for those graduating from the colleges of Education, Health Sciences and Justice and Safety.

William Daugherty, president, chief executive officer and chairman of the board of directors for the Lexington-based NGAS Resources Inc., was the morning keynote speaker.

NGAS is an independent exploration and production company focused on unconventional natural gas basins in the U.S. that support repeatable drilling opportunities, mostly in the southern portion of the Appalachian Basin.

Fortune Magazine has recognized the company as one of the top 100 fastest-growing small businesses and as one of America's 100 Best Small Companies.

Daugherty is a member of the EKU Foundation board of directors and a Berea College graduate.

Saturday's graduates included 1,297 bachelor's degrees, 290 master's degrees, 99 associate degrees and eight specialist degrees.

Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 234.