H.E.L.P. program hosts special ceremony for MU graduates

HUNTINGTON -- The Higher Education for Learning Problems (H.E.L.P.) program had a special ceremony Friday evening for students in the program who received their degrees from Marshall at commencement Saturday.

The center not only helps students with learning disabilities through tutoring and testing options, but also diagnoses learning disabilities and helps children of all ages.

Some of the students graduating have been with the H.E.L.P. program since high school.

"It's kind of like a small family at a big university," said Lynne Weston, the program's director. "And we recognize these kids because a lot of them have been told that they would never make it to college, much less graduate."

The speaker at Friday's event was former Marshall and National Football League player Giradie Mercer.

Mercer was enrolled in the H.E.L.P. program while at Marshall.

The recognition ceremony is a tradition that goes back several years with the program. Students receive a certificate and a gift, and are also given the opportunity to say a few brief words.