Amid an economy reeling from financial meltdown and major domestic industries teetering on the brink, Penn State sent about 2,000 blue-robed students into the real world Saturday.

"You are graduating from Penn State in a time of uncertainty, but I am confident you are all prepared to handle whatever comes your way," Penn State President Graham Spanier told the future alumni seated before him on the Bryce Jordan Center (BJC) floor.

The day featured two undergraduate ceremonies at the BJC. The 9 a.m. ceremony included a commencement address by J. Stuart Hunter, professor emeritus of engineering at Princeton University and world-renowned statistician.

Spanier spoke at both ceremonies and gave the commencement address at the 12:30 p.m. ceremony.

He told the students his deepest hope was that they would "care enough about humanity to make a genuine difference in people's lives." He added he believes Penn State has given them everything they need to face current challenges, "except for the chicken cosmo," a reference to the chicken patty sandwich that was a cultish dining hall favorite until its discontinuation in April.

While the college deans began calling students up to receive their diplomas, Niaz Osman (senior-psychology) rushed to find an audience seat, carrying freshly purchased flowers for a girl he admires. Seeing her robed and ready to go suddenly brought into focus the reality of his graduation next semester, Osman said.

"It's kind of nerve-racking; it's scary," he said. "I'm looking forward to it, but I'm probably not going to feel it until I'm in those shoes."

As the students were called up, cheers from proud friends and family and a "We are ... Penn State" call-and-response rippled throughout the arena.

Afterward, two towering figures were hard to miss in the crowded BJC concourse. Nittany Lion football players Gerald Cadogan and Josh Gaines were all smiles and tassles, having graduated a day before making the trip to Pasedena, Calif., to begin preparation for the Rose Bowl.

The fifth-year seniors are both set to try their luck in an uncommonly stable industry: professional football.

"I hope to be playing football for a couple more years," Cadogan, an offensive tackle, said, adding graduate school may be eventually on the horizon.

While Cadogan said he is headed to Florida after the bowl game to begin training for the NFL, Gaines said he will move east to train in Lancaster. The defensive end was less interested in pursuing further studies.

"I'm happy I'm never going to have to take another class," Gaines said.

Both players said graduation was an important milestone and they will be leaving Penn State with fond memories. But the day failed to eclipse some of their more exciting on-field experiences.

"Do you think this compares to [the] Ohio State [game]?" Cadogan asked his teammate.

"Heck no," Gaines said.