Vol. 40, No. 19 Section 01 Tallahassee, Florida May 8-14, 2014

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FSU Graduates Get Advice from Coaching LegendBy Aldranon

English IIOutlook Staff

Writer

Smiling faces, relief, joy, laugh-ter and graduation jitters were seen on the faces of more than 2,000 graduates as they prepared to walk across the stage May 3 at 9 a.m. during Florida State University’s Spring 2014 Com-mencement Cer-emony held at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center.

Retired head football coach Bobby Bowden gave the com-mencement ad-dress. Plus, he received an Hon-orary Doctorate of Humane Letters, which was placed on him by Interim President Garnett Stokes during the ceremony.

Bowden, who worked as FSU’s head football coach from 1976 to 2009, holds the NCAA record for most ca-reer wins. He led the Seminoles to national champion-ships in 1993 and

1999 as well as 12 Atlantic Coast Con-ference champion-ships. Bowden has written or co-writ-ten several books on topics ranging from leadership to faith, including “The Bowden Way” and “Called to Coach.” Bowden answered a few questions be-fore addressing the sea of graduates awaiting his words of wisdom and en-couragement.

What does it mean to you being

here speaking to the graduates? “Well, I ap-see ADVICE, page 2

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preciate it,” said Bowden. “I didn’t expect it but the president called me and told me that they would like to present a doctor-ate to me so I was pleased about it, excited and anxious to talk to these stu-dents.”

How did it make you feel when you were called upon to receive this hon-or?

“It makes me feel good; what better honor they could have given me?” said Bowden. “I re-ally appreciate it.”

What is your message for to-day’s ceremony?

“I’ll tell them some of the expe-riences that I went through that might help them,” said Bowden. “Give them a few words of en-couragement; try to help them.”

Have you ever done a commence-ment speech be-fore?

“Well, I got an-other doctorate from another school, but I didn’t have to make a speech,” said Bowden. “So I

guess I have to make a speech this time,” Bowden said as he chuckled after mak-ing the comment.

How different is this compared to a pregame speech to your players?

“Well, you plan that and you plan this so it’s not that much of a difference,” said Bowden.

You have led a life full of great suc-cess, what does it mean to you to be able to share that experience to grad-uates?

“Well that is all I do now; I speak all the time,” said Bowden. “I was in Arkansas last night then I was in Missis-sippi. I spoke every night this week. And what you are doing is going through life experiences trying to tell them things that will help them.”

Bowden had much to say about his life experiences, particu-larly when it came to overcoming obsta-cles. A lesson he stat-ed that the graduates would appreciate as they go through life.

“Mind unlocks all barriers, don’t let barriers stand in your way,” said Bowden.

Bowden ended his commencement ad-dress with powerful words of wisdom for graduates to adhere to before they make their own mark on the world.

“Your character is worth more than your reputation. Your reputation is what people say about you but your character is what God knows about you,” said Bowden.

Stokes praised the new graduates be-fore conferring the many academic de-grees.

“Congratulations graduates of 2014, you are now a part of a prestigious group of more than 300,000 alumni,” she said.

FSU orchestrated three graduation services with more than 6,000 graduates during the weekend. The ceremonies rec-ognized students who have received academic honors, inductees of the Gar-net and Gold Scholar Society as well as veterans. Several graduates also wore honor cords signify-ing their achieve-ments during the cer-emony.

Photo by Aldranon English IIGraduates sat anxiously for their name to be called during FSU’s commencement ceremony May 3.

Photo by Aldranon English IIFSU’s Interim President Garnett Stokes presented Bowden an Honor-ary Doctorate as well as conferment of degrees.

Photo by Aldranon English IIFSU’s Student Government Association President Rosie Contreras gave a moving speech during graduation.

ADVICE CONTI-