Paul Greenberg (photo at right), editorial page editor of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, addressed the crowd gathered in Couch Garden on a warm but drizzly day.

Before he took the podium, Lyon President Dr. Walter Roettger said the Commencement was an end to the students’ lives at the College, but a beginning of the dreams they’ve had throughout their undergraduate careers.

"We have fulfilled our obligations to our alma mater, our families and ourselves," he told the graduates. "Write good stories of your lives."

He told the 103 graduates to be slow to anger, quick to forgive and to always tell the truth.

"And remember you can never say thanks enough," he added. "Thanks, congratulations and Godspeed. And stay in touch."

Greenberg told the graduating class of seniors that since they now have liberal arts degrees, they are equipped to learn from all that life has to teach them.

His most vital piece of advice, he said, was to understand that failure is not to be feared.

"Failure is more common than success," he said. "So when it comes, and it will, allow it to educate you. Only the wisest can learn from success, but who hasn’t learned from failure, or mistakes? Nothing succeeds like failure."

Failure is another name for education, Greenberg added.

"It’s good for you," he said. "Never to experience failure is a sad thing. It makes us less human."

In addition to presenting degrees to the graduating class, the College awarded honorary doctorates to Greenberg and sports legend and community leader Keith Jackson (at left, receiving his diploma from Chairman Ray LaCroix and President Roettger.).

Greenberg, who won the Pulitzer Prize for his editorials on civil rights in 1968, was born in Shreveport, La., and is editorial page editor of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. A graduate of the University of Missouri, he writes a syndicated column and has been awarded various honors, including the H.L. Mencken Award, the ASNE’s Distinguished Writing Award, the William Allen White Award from the University of Kansas, and an honorary Doctor of Letters from Rhodes College.

In addition, he’s written radio essays for BBC’s State of the Union series. He’s served as a lecturer in history for Hunter College in New York City and as an adjunct faculty member for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

Jackson was born in Little Rock and attended high school at Parkview, where he was a three-sport letterman and Parade All American in football. Keith attended the University of Oklahoma, graduating with academic honors and a bachelor’s degree in communications in three and half years.

In 1988, the Philadelphia Eagles made Jackson the 13th pick of the first round in the National Football League draft. He played in the NFL for nine years with the Philadelphia Eagles, the Miami Dolphins, and finished his career with a Super Bowl championship with the Green Bay Packers.

Jackson is also president of P.A.R.K., (Positive Atmosphere Reaches Kids), a non-profit organization serving junior and senior high school students who appear to be at risk of dropping out of school and or succumbing to the pressure of drugs, alcohol, sex, and/or gangs. P.A.R.K. provides after school tutoring, recreation, summer programs, and community service.

Jackson has also combined his college degree in communications and his professional playing experience to become a broadcast analyst. He currently serves as an analyst for the Arkansas Razorback Sports Network. He also serves as an inspirational speaker for groups such as churches, civic groups, corporations and schools.

Jackson and his wife, Melanie, have three children: Keith Jr., Kenyon and Koilan.

Photos of the honorees are posted on What's Hot.