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Temple University Graduates Its Largest Class Ever

By Paul Kurtz

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- More than 9,000 Temple University students were receiving their diplomas today during commencement ceremonies at the Liacouras Center.

These are boom times for Temple, which today was saying farewell to its largest graduating class ever.

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(Temple president Neil Theobald. Credit: Paul Kurtz)

University president Neil Theobald (right), who took the helm at Temple in January, says this class may also be its most diverse.

"We had graduates from 47 countries, 49 states," he said, adding with a chuckle, "We gotta do a better job in Hawaii.  And I'll volunteer to work on that over the winter."

WATCH: Bill Cosby Speaks At Temple University Graduation

This year's graduates are finding a more robust job market.

"I got a job in Harrisburg working for the House of Representatives as a research analyst," says Ryan Smoker as he prepares to make the transition to the real world.  "I'll start in August."

Smoker and his classmates were given a big sendoff by Temple's most famous alumnus, Bill Cosby.

 

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