A LOOK BACK AND FORWARD — U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Marietta, offered a short history lesson to inspire the many members of Eastern Gateway Community College’s Class of 2023. With more than 8,500 members, the class was divided for two commencement programs held Saturday morning and afternoon at the Pavilion at Star Lake while a third virtual program was held Sunday to accommodate the college’s many online students. -- Warren Scott

BURGETTSTOWN — Members of the largest graduating class of Eastern Gateway Community College received a short history lesson designed to offer inspiration as they prepared for the next chapters in their future.

U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Marietta, served as keynote speaker for two commencement programs held Saturday morning and afternoon at the Pavilion at Star Lake to accommodate the many students who had earned degrees or certificates through the college’s Youngstown or Steubenville campuses, online programs and College Credit Plus program offered to high school students.

Johnson noted the college has expanded greatly from its roots as Jefferson County Technical Institute in 1966, having expanded to include students from Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties and today offering 500 courses in 50 degree programs and 15 certificate programs, with students from all 50 states participating in its online programs.

He told the students the college’s name is fitting because “You’re going through a gateway to the next great challenge or your life.”

Johnson said that may be going on to earn a four-year degree or immediately entering the workforce in their chosen fields.

“You’ve got a lot to be proud of. This if no small accomplishment you’ve achieved,” he told them.

Johnson added they have done so in a state that has played a significant role in the nation’s history.

He told of five Ohioans who played a vital role in the Abraham Lincoln led federal government’s victory over the Confederacy in the Civil War.

He said when Lincoln entered the oval office, he lacked the funds needed for the war effort and he recruited Salmon Chase, then governor of the Buckeye State, to serve as secretary of the treasury, and Steubenville attorney Edwin Stanton to bring order to a disjointed War Department as secretary of war.

Johnson noted Lincoln enlisted three other Ohioans: U.S. Grant, a former Army captain from Point Pleasant, to serve as general over the Union troops, Philip Sheridan of Somerset, to lead forces protecting the U.S. Capitol and William Tecumseh Sherman of Lancaster to cut off supplies to the Confederate Army.

“Were it not for these five very key, influential Ohioans, I daresay we would not be living in the America we’re living in today,” said the congressman.

Johnson noted that following the Confederacy’s surrender, many encouraged Lincoln to punish the southern states that had attempted to secede from the union, but he did not.

He said less than a generation later, Americans in northern and southern states would team to fight in World War I, what they thought would be the last major international military conflict.

“We came together as a nation,” said Johnson, who added that despite the many present differences between Americans, “the indomitable spirit, the heartbeat of America” will again unite us when needed.

“We are never going to be a finished product. We are always going to be in redesign,” Johnson told the students, who added, “We need to be able to trust in you as our future. I’m confident that we can.”

The soon-to-be graduates also heard from EGCC President Michael Geoghegan, who encouraged them to applaud for the family members and others who supported them through their efforts, the faculty and other staff involved in their education, and themselves in acknowledgment of their own hard work.

Geoghegan said EGCC is different from many other institutions of higher learning. The average age among its students is 33, most are the first in their families to attend college and most are pursuing a change in career, often juggling their studies with work and parenthood.

Geoghegan added many also are military veterans or emergency first responders, for which he offered thanks.

“You’ve already accomplished so much. We can’t wait to see what you will achieve in the future,” he told them, adding, “Hold your head high. This is just the beginning.”

Kaitlyn McCloud, the college’s student government president and a native of Logan, W.Va., told her classmates the journey before them will have twists and turns, with the destination sometimes unclear, but they can succeed by adhering to their values and beliefs, persevering and learning from their mistakes.

“Succes is not measured by how many times you fall but by how many times you get back up,” she said.

“When you’re between a rock and hard place, grow. It’s the only choice you have,” McCloud said.

Noting success also hings on the support of others, she advised, “Success takes a village. If you don’t have one, make one.”