COLUMBUS — Appealing to the student conscience, President Bush urged thousands of Ohio State University graduates Friday to engage in service for their neighbors, their character and their country.

        Clouds broke just before the ceremony began to thunderous applause as Mr. Bush stood at the podium before 60,000 people in Ohio Stadium.

President Bush waves to the crowd at Ohio Stadium on Friday after delivering the address at Ohio State University's commencement. (Associated Press photo) | ZOOM |

        “I hope each of you will help build this culture of service,” he said, later adding, “Let's answer the call with every day we are given.”

        The institution's 360th commencement boasted 6,206 degrees conferred to students from 60 countries and six continents.

        While encouraging graduates to do their part, Mr. Bush unveiled a clearinghouse that will become the largest network of resources — using both federal and nonprofit agencies — for citizens to find volunteer opportunities.

        It will be coordinated through USA Freedom Corps, an agency the president created to foster an American culture of service, citizenship and responsibility.

        As part of his volunteerism push, Mr. Bush also wants to expand the ranks of AmeriCorps and the Peace Corps.

        “Today, I'm asking each of you to serve your country, and with the USA Freedom Corps network, you've got a place to start,” he said.

        Mr. Bush accepted only two commencement invitations this year: the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he spoke earlier this month, and OSU.

        His 20-minute speech was only the second at OSU from a sitting president. Gerald Ford spoke to summer quarter graduates in 1974, proposing a “great new partnership of labor and academia” — shortly after assuming the presidency after Richard Nixon's resignation. Vice President George Bush spoke at OSU in 1983 on the recovering economy.

        Michael Yosafat, 23, of Colerain Township was excited but a little nervous about the day's events.

        “It was the president there,” the computer science engineering major said. “Overall, it was a great ceremony.”

        His parents, Dan and Fern, came to Columbus on Thursday night, but got up early to beat the lines at the stadium, some of which stretched more than a quarter of a mile.

        After commencement, the family headed back to the dorm to pack.

        “To see if we can fit everything in the car,” the elder Mr. Yosafat said. “We put all his dirty laundry in the trunk.”

        Angela Mitchell, 44, of Roselawn passed through the security gates early with a group of family members to see her daughter, Brooke Marie Burns, 21, graduate with high honors with an English degree. She starts law school in the fall at OSU.

        “We're just really excited,” Ms. Mitchell said. “It's been a long four years.”

        Along with the hundreds of bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees, the university presented five people, including Mr. Bush and New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, with honorary doctorates.

        This was the final commencement for OSU president William Kirwan, who is leaving to become chancellor of the Maryland university system.

        “I will always feel a special bond with this graduating class because, in a sense, I graduate with you,” he told students. “When I came to this wonderful university in the summer of 1998, I did not realize that, like some of you, I was on the four-year plan.”

        Dr. Kirwan said he has been deeply touched by the special spirit and character of the institution.

        “Without question, it has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as its president,” he said.

        After the thousands of students came forward to receive their actual degrees — a longstanding OSU tradition — they filed out to the ringing of the southeast tower bell of Ohio Stadium.

        “Congratulations,” Dr. Kirwan said. “Godspeed. And go Bucks!”
       

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