Chancellor Howard Cohen encouraged some 515 Purdue University Calumet graduates Sunday afternoon (5/17) to use their Purdue degree to become good stewards.

During the university’s 58th Commencement Exercises Cohen expressed that in receiving their degree, the graduates assume certain obligations. “…You have ceremonially joined the ranks of community builders,” he said. “Each of you has the capacity to do for the next generation what was done for you. This is one of those responsibilities that is conferred on you with your degree.”

Concluding his remarks, he said, “The work of improving Northwest Indiana-or wherever you choose to live-is both in your self-interest and is your obligation to those who will follow. I believe that you have been well educated to assume these obligations. I hope you will do so with enthusiasm. Being a good steward is one of life’s great satisfactions.”

Associate Professor of Civil Engineering Roy Evans, Purdue Calumet’s 2008-09 Outstanding Faculty Award recipient, also addressed the graduates, urging them to “share (their) knowledge in any way you can with those whose lives could be improved from that sharing.”

Purdue Calumet’s spring graduation class consists of individuals earning 688 degrees-144 masters, 461 baccalaureate and 83 associate. Including graduates from last fall (528) and summer (129), Purdue Calumet’s Class of 2009 totals recipients of nearly 1,350 degrees.

Offering the traditional “response” for the graduating class was Michigan City resident Tyamo Okosun. The 14-year-old mechanical engineering graduate began taking higher education classes at age 9. He plans to pursue graduate education next fall in the Ph.D. mechanical engineering program at Purdue’s West Lafayette campus.

“We are…at a juncture where new thoughts and ideas are going to be useful in moving us in new and positive directions,” he said. “Our efforts to find solutions to today’s challenges must be infused with creativity, determination and collaboration.”

The spring class increases to more than 41,500 the total degrees awarded at Purdue Calumet.