Excitement, pride, apprehension on graduation day

WILMINGTON -- Graduation day is a day filled with excitement, pride and even a little apprehension.

Nearly 1,500 UNCW undergrads marched proudly into Trask Coliseum Saturday afternoon.

Cheers echoed through the arena as graduates received their degrees.

Many Seahawks admitted to being sad about leaving. But they said they seemed prepared for the real world.

UNCW graduate Kelly Mercurio said, "You know not every one has the opportunity to get a college education, and I've just learned so much from the professors and received such a good education and I'm just so appreciative of that."

UNCW graduate Joshua Thompson said, "And I feel that this is just a starting point, it's not over, it's not done, but it's a starting point. And I feel that I am well on my way to achieving the goals that I have set for myself."

According to Job Outlook 2007, employers plan to hire 17 percent more new college graduates this year than compared to 2006.