POTSDAM — The nearly 600 students who were awarded bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees at Clarkson University on Sunday obviously had a lot to be proud of — including their mothers.

Moms got some of the biggest cheers of the day, as students representing 19 states and 35 countries graduated in Cheel Arena.

"As we continue to earn our luck in life, let us remember how we got here. The most important part of today is to celebrate with our friends and family. So today, rejoice with friends and make sure to hug your mother — it's her day too!" said senior class President Matthew P. Ruby. "Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers. Have we given you a decent Mother's Day gift today?"

Judging by the applause, it seemed the answer was yes.

University President Anthony G. Collins said Mr. Ruby, a business and technology management major, will stay in Potsdam after graduation to work for Izzit Green, an environmentally conscious Internet startup.

That's a venture Ray C. Anderson, one of the day's honorees, can appreciate.

The founder and chairman of Interface Inc. has been called the "greenest chief executive in America." He calls himself a "recovering plunderer." Mr. Anderson's carpet corporation has reduced its net output of greenhouse gases by 82 percent in 14 years, and hopes to reach zero emissions by 2020.

"Your generation does not have the luxury of waiting until you are 60, because my generation has frittered away all of the slack in the timeline for action — and for that I ask your forgiveness. On second thought, the day could come when it would be too late. I implore you: Don't let that day come," said Mr. Anderson, who received an honorary doctor of science degree. "Act. Get involved. Act. Act. Act."

The Class of 2008 will leave the college with a gift of a golden knight statue, which will be mounted outside to "defend" Cheel Arena. Students raised $23,000 — a college record — toward the gift.

"I am pleased to represent the 34,000 — and I'm going to ad lib a bit here and say jealous — jealous Clarkson alumni," said Eric Dibble, executive vice president of the Clarkson Alumni Association. "Why didn't we think of a golden knight statue, all 34,000 of us?"

Mr. Collins told students' stories of how thankful they are for their families, and of one family that had two reasons to be thankful Sunday.

Meagan R. Emlaw, a biology major with minors in cognitive neuroscience and psychology, received her bachelor's degree alongside her grandfather, World War II veteran John P. White. In 1942, Mr. White left Clarkson in the second semester of his senior year to serve in the Army. The proprietor of White's Hardware (today Evans & White Hardware) received an honorary certificate of completion.

"We recognize John White today with much gratitude, for it is a symbol of all of those who so selflessly serve this nation," Mr. Collins said. "I conclude with a challenge, and a charge. ... Your degree will open doors for you. Use it also to open doors for others."

Sophie V. Vandebroek, chief technology officer for Xerox and president of the Xerox Innovation Group, also received an honorary doctor of science degree. She told students her philosophy for simply being happy. The holder of 12 patents said that when her husband died, a friend introduced her to the written Chinese word for "crisis."

"The two characters together say 'crisis.' But if you cover the left stroke and look really hard, you will see 'opportunity,'" Ms. Vandebroek said. "Always look for the opportunity, no matter how much crisis or how difficult the situation is for you. And be happy. You're lucky, you have choices. Enjoy your life."

Niall M. Mangan of McAllen, Texas, was awarded the Levinus Clarkson Award, and senior Christy D. Petruczok of Orchard Park received the Frederica Clarkson Award. The $1,000 prizes are the highest honors bestowed on Clarkson graduates.

Stephanie A. Schuckers of Canton, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering in the Wallace H. Coulter School of Engineering, was the recipient of the John W. Graham Jr. Faculty Research Award, and Ruth E. Baltus of Potsdam, professor and chairwoman of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering in the Wallace H. Coulter School of Engineering, was awarded the Clarkson University Distinguished Teaching Award.