The Bus stops at Duquesne for commencement address Former Steelers running back Jerome Bettis didn't attend commencement at Notre Dame University -- he was drafted into professional football before he earned his degree -- but he knows something about success. He used lessons he's learned to give the commencement address yesterday at Duquesne University at the A. J. Palumbo Center. More than 1,360 students graduated. "I believe that success is your ability to make others successful," Mr. Bettis, an NBC sports analyst, told the graduates and their families. He described three stages of life: learning, earning and returning. At this point in the graduates' lives, he said, "This is where you earn a place in life. Nothing is given." But he said earning isn't the most important part. "It's very fruitful, but it's not the fulfilling part of your life," he said. Using one's abilities to help others and effect change is the most important part, he said. "It's important to learn. It's important to earn. But it's really important to give back all that you have been privileged to have," he said. He gave the example of Reggie McKenzie, who started a football camp 35 years ago in the Detroit area. Mr. Bettis attended that camp in high school, and it changed his life by helping him to see his potential. Mr. Bettis received a warm reception, with a couple of graduates waving yellow Terrible Towels above the sea of blue commencement gowns. In introducing Mr. Bettis, Duquesne President Charles J. Dougherty highlighted the work of Mr. Bettis's organization, The Bus Stops Here Foundation, which helps troubled and underprivileged children. Its Cyber Bus program, which is based at Duquesne University, helps children in the Hill District learn computer literacy skills and get computers. Mr. Bettis did not receive an honorary degree, as Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback and TV football analyst Dan Marino did Sunday from the University of Pittsburgh. Duquesne awarded honorary doctorates to Cynthia Baldwin, former state Supreme Court Justice; Bishop David Zubik, of the Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese; and J. Brett Harvey, president and chief executive officer, CONSOL Energy Inc. Afterwards, Mr. Bettis said he would like to finish his degree in business -- he said he is one semester and two courses short -- but a problem is that he would have to do that on campus. As for those who have completed their degrees, he said he finds that type of commitment "impressive." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
