Today, they're all graduates

More than 300 students are cheered on and sent forth with a message about tolerance.

ST. PETERSBURG - With 30 minutes to go before graduation, Laura Tearney stood in the ladies' room at the Mahaffey Theater teetering on one black platform heel.

Steadying herself against the wall, she leaned forward and wiped the bottom of her right foot with a wadded-up paper towel.

"I'm sweating," she said. "Knowing me, I'll slip in my shoes."

Tearney, 22, of Belleair Beach, was nervous, and not just about tripping. On Sunday, she led the procession of 354 students headed for the stage and graduation from the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. She said she is the first person on her mother's side of the family to earn a college degree.

"I know my mom's going to be crying," Tearney said.

During the 2 p.m. ceremony, University president Judy Genshaft told graduates that "tolerance and consideration of many ideas is the path to wisdom."

"We have worked hard to prepare you so that your contributions are meaningful," said Genshaft, adding later: "USF will always be a part of you and you will always be a part of USF."

Genshaft opened her remarks by asking friends and family to stand and be recognized. The graduates answered with a standing ovation.

In the crowd, 11-year-old Joseph Teague looked for his aunt, Margaret Sill.

Joseph said he couldn't wait for Sill to get her diploma. Now that classes are over, he said, she'll have more time to visit his family in Dunedin.

"She won't be as busy," said Joseph. "She'll probably see us almost every weekend."

- Jennifer Farrell can be reached at 445-4160 or farrell@sptimes.com

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