Beheruz N. Sethna Ph.D., president of the University of West Georgia, was the commencement speaker Friday at Georgia Southwestern State University’s (GSW) Spring 2008 commencement.

He offered the approximately 220 graduates three words of advice: “Grow, serve and weave.” “You will notice that the acronym for these three words is G-S-W,” Sethna said.

He told the graduates that Friday’s commencement wasn’t the end of their life of learning, but only the beginning. He said the world and its information are growing at an unbelievable rate.

He said today’s graduates must be willing to grow intellectually and be opened to new information. He asked the graduates to be servants to their fellow man. Sethna told them they can create stepping stones or either stumbling blocks for mankind — the choice is theirs.

He said the world’s society is complex, but to not be afraid to get to know and interact with people who are different.

“Don’t be afraid to weave into the fabric of the word,” Sethna told the graduates.