YOUNGSTOWN — City Mayor Jamael Tito Brown shared his life story and wisdom with graduates at Youngstown State University’s virtual commencement ceremony on Sunday.

“For me, growing up in a single-parent home and with a father that was in and out of jail, I should be a statistic that you should be reading about,” Brown said. “But today I’m standing before you as the 51st mayor of the city of Youngstown because of my faith, my family and my friends.”

Brown, a two-time graduate of YSU, said his mother made sure academics were his priority and that he earned his bachelor’s degree. A few years later, Brown returned to YSU to complete a master’s when he realized another degree was the first step toward holding a leadership role in the community.

Brown said he shares his story and accomplishments to remind young people — especially young black men — they are not defined by their past.

“It’s not your background that will define you. It’s what you do with your background that will define you,” Brown said.

He also reminded students not to let their degree change who they are, and that they are not immune to tough times because of their qualifications.

Brown used the example of an egg, a potato and a coffee bean to illustrate the importance of how one responds to life’s obstacles. He warned students not to be an egg, which becomes hard and bitter when placed in hot water, and not to be a potato, which becomes too soft and loses courage.

“I need you to be more like the coffee bean. When things get hot, you become a sweet fragrance for everyone that comes in contact with you.”

The ceremony capped the college experience for 1,020 Youngstown State University graduates who are entering a world full of unexpected obstacles — but in earning a degree, they have already overcome some major hurdles.

“When I think back on this year, I mostly think about people like you,” YSU President Jim Tressel told graduates in his opening address. “Those who persevered in unprecedented circumstances to meet your goal.”

Sunday’s ceremony saw the conferment of 14 doctoral degrees, 213 master’s degrees, 736 bachelor’s degrees and 39 associate’s degrees, according to Provost Brien Smith. Families and friends of graduates watched the livestreamed ceremony from around the world, and left digital comments praising students’ work.

“The only thing that matters here today is that you made it,” said student speaker Kristen Thompson, a Youngstown native who earned her master’s in engineering at the ceremony.

She said while everyone was a bit disappointed to have another virtual ceremony, she was excited to fast forward through the commencement speeches — until she was asked to write one.

Thompson joked about the oddities of 2020 — from the early prospect of World War III to a global pandemic, and yes, the murder hornets — but also pointed to challenges ahead and decreased employment opportunities. Still, she said, the class of 2020 prevailed.

“The class of 2020 will never walk across the stage to receive their diploma, but regardless, we persevered and adapted and overcame the obstacles between us and that very expensive piece of paper,” Thompson said.

The deans of each of YSU’s colleges spoke briefly before a list of student graduates were read. Dominic A. and Helen M. Bitonte College of Health and Human Services Dean Jeff Allen told future health and human service providers that “this is a very important time, and we’re looking for your leadership.”

Dean Phyllis Paul of the Cliff College of Creative Arts and Communication commended students for continuing to bring art to the community and region through difficult circumstances.

“In some cases, it would have probably been easier to not do these things, but you persevered, you kept going,” Paul said. “For now, the world is different than the one you thought you would be entering, but you didn’t give up, and we know you are ready for what lies ahead.”

At the end of the ceremony, Tressel invited students, wherever they were, to don their caps and move their tassels from right to left before the school alma mater was sung. The graduates joined over 107,000 YSU alumni all over the world.