SOUTH BEND | There was plenty of excitement for President Barack Obama on Sunday when he strode into the Joyce Center.
Commencement may just be another ritual at some schools, but for nearly 2,700 graduates at the University of Notre Dame, May 17, 2009, will be a day to remember.
Commencement was different for many reasons this year.
There was the stirring speech from valedictorian E. Brennan Bollman and the dozens of Indiana State Police and Secret Servicemen as well as extra news media and camera crews.
Despite the protests outside regarding Obama's position on abortion and stem cell research, he was greeted with thunderous applause and a standing ovation inside the Joyce Center.
Neither Obama nor Notre Dame's president, the Rev. John Jenkins, shied away from talking about the controversy surrounding Obama's visit to the university's 164th commencement ceremony Sunday.
Jenkins said there's been a lot of talk about the invitation to speak at commencement, but no one has said anything about the president's decision to accept the invitation.
"President Obama has come to Notre Dame though he knows full well, we are supportive of the church's belief in the sanctity of human life," Jenkins said. "Others might have avoided this venue for that reason, but President Obama is someone who does not stop talking to those who differ from him."
The president acknowledged the differences, then called on people to have "fair-minded" words.
"Understand, I do not suggest that the debate surrounding abortion can or should go away," he said.
"No matter how much we may want to fudge it indeed, while we know that the views of most Americans on the subject are complex and even contradictory, the fact is that at some level, the views of the two camps are irreconcilable. Each side will continue to make its case to the public with passion and conviction. But surely we can do so without reducing those with differing views to caricature."
As the president congratulated the class of 2009, there were some hecklers in the crowd shouting that abortion is illegal. A couple of times, others in the audience shouted them down and police also quickly got to the scene to control the situation. The president took it in stride, focusing on the graduates and calling them to be part of future discussions.
He said people have to find common ground and recognize that our fates are tied together.
Outside of the Joyce Center, protesters continued carrying placards.
"Shame on Notre Dame," read one sign at the university's gate. Another declared "Stop Abortion Now."
Obama on Sunday also received an honorary degree of law from the university, which in part says he has inspired the nation "to heal its divisions of religion, culture, race and politics in the audacious hope for a brighter tomorrow."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
