Mayor Mike Bell exhorts UT graduates

Toledo mayor Mike Bell, framed by the state, left, and university flags, gives the address. The University of Toledo holds commencement exercises at the school in Toledo, Ohio on December 18, 2011. There are 2,248 degree candidates from the summer 2011 and fall 2011semesters from 11 of the university's colleges. Toledo mayor Mike Bell, who earned his Bachelor's degree at UT, is the commencement speaker. The Blade/Jetta Fraser

Mayor Bell was the key speaker during the University of Toledo’s crowded commencement ceremony at Savage Arena.

The university gave out 2,248 degrees to graduating students from the summer and fall semesters, including 1,454 bachelor’s and associate’s degrees and 794 master’s, doctoral, and education specialist degrees.

“You can have all these other elements of knowledge. But if you can’t get in the front door with your attitude, then you can’t be successful,” Mayor Bell told the graduates.

When life can be short, people need to think about the legacy they leave behind. Supporting others is ultimately what matters most, he said.

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“What do you want to be remembered for?” said Mayor Bell, who received a bachelor’s degree in education in 1978 from the university.

“Do you want to be remembered for being a person who was kind and wanted to help people? Or do you want to be remembered as somebody who was less than that?” the mayor prompted the audience.