A smiling Marko Bajic strolled into McKenzie Arena to finish his college career Sunday afternoon at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
But something changed once the future medical student stood by his chair near the stage. His face started to resemble 900 other confused expressions as UTC's latest products struggled to locate their parents, grandparents, friends, girlfriends and boyfriends packed among the bleachers.
They were looking for loved ones, but it almost seemed that the soon-to-be real world occupants were searching for a clear path in an uncertain economic market.
"As long as you just give me a chance, I can do anything," Mr. Bajic, 22, said before the ceremony. "That's what everyone needs, is a chance. The goals I've set for myself aren't too crazy, and they're things I can accomplish."
The ceremony's commencement speaker said he wanted talented young people like Mr. Bajic to accomplish even the toughest goals. Retired U.S. Army Gen. Burwell "BB" Bell, a 1969 graduate of the University of Chattanooga and 39-year military man, lamented the current state of the nation and implored the graduates to turn the tide "before it's too late."
"You will make a difference between a future second-rate America and an America that lights the world for man- and womankind," said Gen. Bell, who received an honorary doctoral degree from UTC Chancellor Roger Brown before his remarks.
Hearing the veteran's words, a second chemistry graduate hoped to live up to the latter possibility.
"All you can do is keep on going and don't give up what you want to do," said Pei Pei Graeflin, 22. "Eventually it happens."
After two years filled with post-recession gloom, the Nashville native knows the employment prospects for young college graduates are somewhat bleak, but she remained upbeat after walking across the stage. She hoped to use her degree to land a laboratory job at DuPont in Chattanooga before advancing to dental school.
"I'm taking every opportunity that I can, applying myself every day and meeting new people," Ms. Graeflin said.
She said the biggest thing she'd miss about the last four years is the "financial freedom" that was part of the insulated nature of college life.
"For everything, it's real now," she said. "I've got to take care of myself."