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More than 550 young adults received their college diplomas Saturday when West Liberty University, Wheeling University and Bethany College celebrated the Class of 2023. Another 4,500 will receive their diplomas on Friday and Saturday of this week when they graduate from West Virginia University. Hundreds of other young adults from our area also graduated this year from other institutions.
We wish these young adults well as they either enter the workforce or take the next step in their college careers with a graduate program.
As they prepare for their next chapter, the lesson that's been learned at Wheeling University over the past half-decade -- persevering through challenging times -- is one that each of them should remember. Wheeling University, which had been on the brink of financial ruin, appears to have turned a corner. Gov. Jim Justice was on hand at Saturday's graduation ceremony to help mark what appears to be a new chapter in the university's story.
"We came dangerously close to losing this school, which is phenomenally valuable to the area (and) valuable to all across this great state," the governor said.
Justice said when he learned of Wheeling University's plight, he said "'This school is not going to close on my watch.' "The whole thing is we're here today. ... It's a big honor for me."
Justice also rightly noted that "life is not a race, but a maze" where one determines their next course of action.
"There's always a test, and what are you going to do? Are you going to lay down? If you lay down, you're not going to be much in life. That's all there is to it," he said.
He's right. Look at Wheeling University. When they had the chance to give up, to throw in the towel, leaders at the university -- most notably President Ginny Favede -- instead forged ahead. There was no giving up, no pining for how things used to be. No, the attitude was simply how to create a new path and purpose for the university.
That's an attitude all of use should emulate, and one college graduates must put into practice as they start this new journey. Life can be hard. Not every opportunity is going to work out exactly as you would like. When that happens, don't fret -- adapt. Overcome the challenges. Improvise your approach. Don't let circumstances dictate your story; instead, write your own.
Good luck to each of you as you enter this journey of adulthood. Here's to wishing you the best.