By Karen Vance
Enquirer contributor

CRESTVIEW HILLS - Graduates of Thomas More College on Saturday heard messages of congratulations, faith and even a few baseball stories.

Nearly 450 students received degrees - including associate's, bachelor's and master's - from the school operated by the Diocese of Covington.

Hundreds of white chairs in a grassy area outside the Holbrook Student Center gathered puddles while rain chased the ceremony inside to the nearby Connor Convocation Center.

U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning, a Republican from Southgate, gave the commencement address.

"The world is changing at a faster pace, and this means that you won't have the luxury, like many in my generation, of having just one job in your lifetime," he said.

Bunning recounted playing against Mickey Mantle and Yogi Berra during his pro baseball days. He also stressed the importance of hard work and setting goals.

"But all that won't get you anywhere without a fourth ingredient - faith, a faith in yourself, in your God and in your community," he said.

The college awarded Bunning and his wife, Mary, the St. Thomas More College Medallion.

Graduates also heard from outstanding professor recipients Sherry Cook Stanforth and David L. Meier II.

Stanforth, an English and creative writing professor, even required audience participation for her remarks. She encouraged the graduates and their families to sing a few lines from a popular spiritual before sending the students out into the world.

"This little light of mine. I'm gonna let it shine," the crowd sang in unison. "Let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine."

E-mail kvance@fuse.net