Graduates Enjoy Pomp, Circumstance, and Freedom

Almost 5,000 Carolina students filled the seats at Kenan Stadium, listening to graduation speaker and Presidential Candidate Bill Bradley.

Bradley asked the graduates not to lose faith in people, or in government. "I believe that the biggest and most ultimate challenge posed to citizens in a democracy is to ask yourselves what you owe another human being," Bradley said in his commencement address.

Bradley did more than just impart wisdom during his visit to North Carolina. The Democrat is doing a little campaigning as well.

The former U.S. Senator says he is impressed with the work of Governor Jim Hunt and would even consider Hunt as a running mate.

Duke students heard from Journalist Cokie Roberts at their commencement ceremony. Roberts' message was also a political one.

She quoted Thomas Jefferson: "I will not say that this time more than all others calls for the service of every man," she quoted. "But I will say there was never a time when the services of those who possess talents, integrity, firmness and sound judgment are wanted more in Congress."

Close to 3,000 students received their degrees at Duke's Wallace Wade Stadium.

In Raleigh, students fromN.C. State Universityare enjoying their first full day in "the real world" after nearly 3,500 graduates were awarded degrees Saturday.

School administrators moved the commencement exercises indoors to Reynolds Coliseum because of the threat of rain. Senator John Edwards, who graduated from the school twenty five years ago, gave the commencement address.

AndFayetteville State Universityalso celebrated its new alumni -- 300 of them -- Saturday. Congressman Bob Etheridge delivered the keynote address at the university's 132nd commencement exercise.