Baldwin City ? Moving 15 miles away from his hometown couldn’t have worked out any better for Baker University graduate D.J. Watkins.

Lawrence native D.J. Watkins, right, greets William Neuenswander, dean of the School of Education, as he walks across the stage Sunday afternoon. Watkins received Bachelor of Arts degrees in history and international studies from Baker.

After one year at Kansas University and four years at Baker, the Lawrence native walked across the stage and received his college degrees Sunday.

“It feels like the end of a long four years here at Baker,” Watkins said. “It feels really good. I feel like the liberal arts education down there gave me the ability to pursue a variety of interests. I was lucky to be a part of the tradition and quality of education down here.”

Sunday’s commencement ceremony for the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Education undergraduates and School of Nursing recognized 174 graduates. Watkins earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in history and international studies.

Watkins spent his freshman year at KU, but transferred to Baker to play basketball. He played for the Wildcats all four years while pursuing a double major.

Watkins is now looking ahead to the future, which will include some time out West.

“I am ready to move on and take some time off from school,” he said. “I am actually going to do some traveling and work in California this summer. I am going to take a year off before I go back and do some more school.”

Curt Eddy, senior vice president of sales for Hollywood/Lyric Street Labels and a 1969 Baker graduate, gave the keynote address.

“You’ve got to listen to the voices,” Eddy said during his speech. “You need to listen to your own ideas and suggestions. These are what will help you transform passing interests into pursuing interests. These are what will lead you through life.”

School of Professional and Graduate Studies students and School of Education graduate students were honored at a second commencement ceremony Sunday afternoon.

David Adkins, vice chancellor for external affairs at the Kansas University Medical Center, spoke at the second ceremony. Adkins oversees alumni and community relations, the staff of KU Med magazine, health and technology outreach, and continuing education at the KUMC in Kansas City, Kan.

Sunday’s festivities marked the first spring commencements for Baker President Patricia Long.