Click here to view in a gallery.

(Center) Stephen Charles Ainlay, president of Union College (Schenectady, N.Y.) and a 1973 Goshen College graduate, presented the commencement address to graduating seniors titled, "A Pilgrim's Mind" at the 111th annual Goshen College Commencement yesterday in the Roman Gingerich Recreation-Fitness Center. Left: President Jim Brenneman. Right: Academic Dean Anita Stalter. (Photo by Jodi H. Beyeler/Goshen College Public Relations)|93250

Photo Supplied

Goshen College graduating senior Grace Eidmann, a theater major from Antioch, Ill., waits in line to receive her diploma during the 111th annual Goshen College Commencement yesterday in the Roman Gingerich Recreation-Fitness Center. She wears a photo in memory of deceased classmate Deanne Binde, whose family was able to attend the ceremony. (Photo by Jodi H. Beyeler/Goshen College Public Relations)|93251

Photo Supplied

A highlight this year during the 111th annual Goshen College Commencement yesterday was the conferring of the college's first masters degrees. Three students -- (left to right) Mallory Kuhn (Spencerville, Ohio), Nayla Jimenez Cabezas (Cartago, Costa Rica) and Todd Weston (Lee's Summit, Mo.) -- graduated with Masters of Environmental Education degrees. The program is based at Goshen's Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center near Wolf Lake, Ind.|93252

Photo Supplied

GOSHEN -- No recession could put a damper on the eager graduates of Goshen College Sunday as they celebrated their formal entrance into lives beyond college.

Two hundred thirty-nine students, three of which earned masters degrees, were recognized for their hard work and inspired by a retrospective example of what they could do with their education.

Stephen Ainlay, a sociologist serving as the president of Union College in Schenectady, N.Y., delivered the commencement address. The 1973 graduate of Goshen College discussed courage, perseverance and discernment and called on the graduates to remember the college's motto: "Culture for Service."

"It is easy to lose your way in the 21st century. You will need to sharpen and rely on your convictions in order to avoid going astray," Ainlay said. "Hopefully, your time at Goshen has helped. If so, you have been well-served and you've been prepared to serve well."

Lynn Styf will soon start working at Individuals and Families in Transition (iFit), where she completed an internship.

"It's been a long time. I'm ready to be done," she said, although she's excited to begin her career in social work.

Jesse Landis-Eigsti, who earned his degree in music, said he was "mostly happy, a little nostalgic" Sunday.

Landis-Eigsti plans to live and work in Goshen until he decides between composing music for films or conducting choir. Until then, he'll consider graduate school.

The community also took a moment to remember Deanne Elizabeth Binde, a member of the class of 2009 from Lake Park, Minn., who was killed in a May 2008 car accident.

Six retiring faculty members, totaling 163 combined years of service, were also recognized. They were Fern Brunner, associate professor of nursing; Carl Helrich, professor of physics; Victor Koop, professor of psychology; Sally Jo Milne, associate librarian; Ronald Milne, professor of mathematics; and Judy Wenig-Horswell, associate professor of art.

**Editor's note: This story has been edited to reflect the correct spelling of Stephen Ainlay's name.