afraid of the changing world as their education had prepared them for it.

And they were urged to be role models to their peers and young generations at a time when drugs and violent crime were increasing.

The message came from Puisne Judge Norma Wade who addressed the graduates during their ceremony at the Anglican Cathedral yesterday afternoon.

Mrs. Wade had earlier been made an Honorary Fellow of the Bermuda College along with educator Sinclair Richards and Corange Ltd. chairman Curt Engelhorn.

She told the students they had reached "a significant milestone'' and were now at another junction where they would have to make decisions that would affect their future quality of life.

While doing so, she continued, "you will bear several things in mind and among them must be the changing society in which we all live''.

"Change is part of the process of life. We must be prepared for it and having attended college you are better prepared than many others.'' She told the graduates not to be afraid of change as they could create opportunities for themselves and other people around them rather than waiting for things to happen because they were educated.

Mrs. Wade quoted Nettie Washington Douglass -- the ancestor of US abolitionist Frederick Douglass and educator Booker T. Washington -- who recently visited Bermuda.

"Education is an important component to achieving success, success in terms of creating and maintaining a lifestyle. With education comes knowledge, with knowledge comes better choices and better choices keep you from making stupid mistakes.'' Mrs. Wade added that the graduates' education gave them a privilege many others did not have and they had to make a difference.

"Because of this privilege,'' she said, "you owe a duty to society to make intelligent choices about your future.

"You must regard yourself as part of the framework on which the future structure of Bermuda in particular, and society in general, will be erected.'' Mrs. Wade said this was particularly true as the Country was facing challenging and difficult times and the graduates had to use their education to reach greater heights.

"Do not leave here without the caution that with the tools you now have and may attain in the future, you have a responsibility to your community.'' College graduation Drug abuse, violent crimes and a growing lack of respect for people's property and their rights were part of the difficulties the Island was facing and had to be tackled by each and every individual.

"The education that you have received from this institution will help you to understand that this cannot be the way forward. You can now be role models in the society to your peers and the younger generation.'' In closing, Mrs. Wade told the graduates that her generation was not the sole trustees for the Country.

"You are joint trustees with us, and some of the problems this Country now faces are of such magnitude that they can only be resolved by all of us working together.

"In order for there to be a Bermuda as we know it, of which you can be proud trustees with the responsibility for the next generation, you must each day endeavour to do your best.''