SELINSGROVE -- An extra special Mother's Day gift was given Sunday to Julie Waltman when she graduated from Susquehanna University with her oldest daughter.

In six years, the 49-year-old Selinsgrove mother hopes to do it again with her youngest girl.

"This is something special, definitely a Mother's Day to always remember," said Waltman, who earned an associate in arts degree and was among 404 graduates at Sunday's commencement. "I remember she came to college kicking and screaming. I asked her to give it one year, then she inspired me to go back to school. Here we are now, together as college graduates."

Waltman's daughter, Clayre Waltman, 22, earned a bachelor of arts degree. Waltman said her youngest, Madeleine Waltman, 16, is eager to join her mother at Susquehanna in two years.

"I'm going to pace myself, so I can graduate with her," said Waltman, who has two years to go to earn a bachelor's degree. "This is a very proud moment for me, and I can't wait to experience it again."

In total, more than 4,500 people watched the graduates -- spanning from 21 to 56 years of age -- earn degrees from Susquehanna's School of Arts, Humanities and Communications, School of Natural and Social Sciences, and the Sigmund Weis School of Business.

The top two graduates, honored as co-valedictorians, were Kyle Nalls and Erica White, both Shikellamy High School graduates.

The graduates represented 19 states and the District of Columbia, including 261 graduates hailing from Pennsylvania, as well as two international students.

In her address, Cynthia A. Baldwin, a former justice on the state Supreme Court, urged graduates to celebrate a new beginning in their lives.

"Life is a series of new beginnings, well, if you're living life and not just existing," said Baldwin, who was the first black woman judge elected to the Allegheny Court of Common Pleas. "Economists are calling this the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. Unemployment is at 8 percent, and some students are considering this the worst year to graduate."

She added, "Yes, the future is a challenge, but we must learn to face challenges and make the necessary changes."

Baldwin said there is more to education than thick textbooks and elaborate school buildings.

"Education is making changes and using a mistake as a character builder," Baldwin said. "In education, they say a mistake is another word for investment. Make contributions and learn from your mistakes to build a better future."

Susquehanna University President L. Jay Lemons also encouraged the graduates to take advantage of their next opportunity, which will begin the next phase of their lifelong pursuit of learning.

"You members of the Class of 2009 entered Susquehanna University with great expectations upon you," Lemons said. "You fulfilled not only the expectations we had for you but the expectations you set for yourself."