They themselves never went to college, which is why Sharon Bertsch started to cry and her husband, Charlie, felt quiet pride when their youngest son, Steve, received his degree Saturday from Northern Kentucky University.

        Mr. Bertsch, along with 1,001 NKU graduates, walked out of Firstar Center into the real world Saturday afternoon, eager to make a difference.

Steve Bertsch was graduated from NKU Saturday

        Of course, the 23-year-old Cold Spring man planned to first celebrate with his large Catholic family, who also happen to be fellow graduates and Norse alums.

        Mr. Bertsch was the ninth — and last — Bertsch child to work his way through college, the seventh to graduate from NKU and the fourth to aspire to a teaching career. He is now considering a job offer to teach English at Ludlow High School.

        “I just can't believe they're all done,” said his mother, wiping away tears.

        Mr. Bertsch, who graduated with honors and a 3.9 grade-point average, sat patiently Saturday as he listened to commencement speaker Paul W. Chellgren, Ashland Inc.'s chairman and chief executive officer, urge the graduates to “live in the moment” and make every moment count.

        It's a philosophy that Mr. Bertsch supports.

        Mr. Bertsch was overwhelmed by a special feeling as he made those last steps toward the podium, spotted his parents and waved.

Soon-to-be graduate Cora Gilford waits for NKU ceremonies to commence at the Firstar Center Saturday. (Ernest Coleman photo)

        “A sense of accomplishment was the big thing,” he said. “This is for them and all the sacrifices they made over the years.”

        While growing up, his mother worked part-time jobs and his father, now retired, worked as a Cincinnati Bell systems technician. They stressed the need for a college education while also warning their children that they'd finance their Catholic school education but not their college tuition.

        Like three of his siblings, Mr. Bertsch wants to make a difference by teaching. His sister, Debbie, teaches English at Wright State University in Dayton. His sister, Diane, teaches at Cline Elementary in Cold Spring. His brother, Gary, teaches English at Amelia High School in Ohio.

        All were NKU grads, along with sisters Janet and brothers Brian and Joe.

        Danny Miller, who heads NKU's English Department, distinctly remembers teaching four of the Bertsches and is sad to know that there will be no more.

        “Every time I see Mr. and Mrs. Bertsch, I tell them they really must have done something right.” Elsewhere Saturday:

        • NKU held a separate commencement ceremony for 96 graduates of the Samuel P. Chase College of Law in NKU's Regents Hall.
       • The College of Mount St. Joseph held a commencement ceremony for 469 graduates on its Delhi Township campus.

        • Thomas More College in Crestview Hills held a ceremony on campus for about 250 graduates.
       

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