By Ben Wolford of THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
The millennial generation sometimes gets a bad rap for apathy and its focus on social networking.
But David Gergen, adviser to four U.S. presidents, suggested today that the 8,652 mostly millennial students who graduated from Ohio State University could establish a legacy not unlike the Greatest Generation from the World War II era.
"I think this generation has the makings of that," he said before delivering the keynote speech at OSU's 392nd commencement.
"You'll find a lot of them are very idealistic. They want to change the country."
Gergen said he can't remember a time "when our problems seemed bigger and our capacity to solve them seemed smaller."
But he has faith in the graduates, and he presented them the challenge.
"Millennials represent the most promising generation in decades," Gergen said. "We are leaving you a screwed-up world. Now, we need you to fix it."
Finding a job is the first priority for many of the graduates.
"As far as getting work, it's getting internships," said Marcellus Upshaw, 23, of Lima, Ohio. "You have to work your way in from the bottom up, most of it for free."
Upshaw plans to pursue a career in sports management and hopes to someday work for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Others are delaying their entry into the work force.
"I want to be here as long as I can," said Brandon Cera, 22, of Brookville, Ohio. He received a bachelor's degree in biology and plans to stay at OSU to obtain a dentistry degree.
Gergen, now a political analyst on CNN, received an honorary doctorate in public service at the ceremony from OSU President E. Gordon Gee.
Former OSU football star Chris Spielman and his late wife, Stefanie, received distinguished-service awards from Gee for their support of breast-cancer research. Stefanie died in November from the disease.