Baker University President Pat Long, left, with Sunday's commencement speaker, Neal Malicky, a1956 Baker graduate.

Baldwin City ? The final commencement ceremony for hundreds of Baker University students from several campuses ended early Sunday afternoon on a chilly, snow-covered day.

All of the ceremonies were at the Collins Center, located on Baker’s main campus.

Baker President Pat Long addressed Sunday’s packed gymnasium and remarked on several memories.

“This is my most special day, watching all of you walk across this stage,” Long said. “When handing out the diplomas, one student asked me, ‘What did I give you?’ That student gave me a memory of this day that I will carry with me.”

Earlier in the ceremony, Long introduced the commencement speaker, Neal Malicky, 1956 Baker graduate and former dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Malicky served as interim president of Baker in 1974 and was the sixth president of Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio.

After he was introduced, Malicky joked about not giving a commencement address. Then he cracked a joke about keeping his speech short.

“As Henry VIII said to his sixth wife, I won’t keep you long,” he joked.

His message to the graduates was short indeed, but stern: “Take care.” He talked about taking care of people, the world and yourself.

“I hope you will take care of your principals, values, family and friends,” Malicky said. “Take care of these things in your life. Take care.”

He then spoke about taking care of the planet for future generations.

“Take care of the Earth,” Malicky said. “It’s the only Earth we have.”

On Sunday, Baker’s College of Arts and Sciences, School of Education, School of Nursing and School of Professional and Graduate Studies were honored.