Nearly 1,000 students walked across the stage Friday morning at Troy University’s Spring 2019 commencement ceremony, making it the largest graduation in Troy history.

Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange challenged students to strive not only for success, but for significance in their lives moving forward.

“Success looks inward,” he said. “Significance looks outward and focuses on what impact you have on others. You have achieved success by being here today. Now go forth from here and strive for significance.

“Today, you have reached a milestone in your college career. Some will go on to further their education with graduate degrees, but for some, today is the end of your college career. Actually though, commencement doesn’t mean an ending but rather the beginning of a new chapter of your life. What will you bring to your tomorrows? Our yesterdays are gone forever, but your tomorrows are full of opportunity.”

Strange also encouraged graduates to set goals for their lives and to use life’s challenges as learning opportunities.

“When you set your goals, you must realize that there may be failure. Fear of failure is a constraint. Get over it, move forward,” he said. “If you are going to continue to grow, you must be willing to risk failure. Each bump in the road is a learning opportunity. You will achieve many milestones in your lifetime, but no one station in life means that you have arrived. The true success in life is found through the trip itself. I wish for each and every one of you great success and great significance.”