Katie Marino of Niles displays her cap with a capital “G,” the first letter of her son’s name, whom she credits for providing the inspiration for her to graduate from Youngstown State University. Marino was among the more than 400 undergraduates who took home degrees during Sunday’s first fall commencement at Beeghly Center.

YOUNGSTOWN — Much of the motivation, passion, dedication and determination for Katie Marino to earn a bachelor’s degree in business accounting can be traced to someone who is years away from attending college.

“I transferred to YSU because of the hybrid options to take classes online. I stayed with it for my son,” Marino, of Niles, said, referring to her 4-year-old son, Giovanni.

All one had to do to erase any doubts about Giovanni’s influence on his mother was read the inscription on her cap in large turquoise-blue letters: “I did it for G.”

What Marino did, besides earning her degree, was become one of the estimated 450 undergraduates who were rewarded in kind during the first of Sunday’s two fall commencements at Youngstown State University’s Beeghly Center.

A second commencement for about 350 YSU graduates took place a few hours later in Beeghly and has been live-streamed on the university’s YouTube channel, Becky Rose, YSU’s marketing and communications director, said.

Marino, a 2016 Niles McKinley High School graduate, began working on her degree at Kent State University at Trumbull, then transferred to YSU. The accounting field was alluring for her largely because “you can always find a job,” she said.

It won’t be long between when Marino crossed the stage Sunday and when she starts a career next month with Cohen & Co., a financial-services business in downtown Youngstown.

Despite early trepidation, a bit of self-determination and perseverance also were in the equation for Marino to move forward.

“I’m excited. I didn’t think it would come, but through hard work and dedication, I was able to get my bachelor’s,” she said.

Some of those closest to her were a huge factor in Alexis M. DeMain’s ability to take home a bachelor’s degree in business administration, with a minor in marketing. That was abundantly evident by the message on her cap that read, “All that I am and hope to be, I owe to those who believe in me.”

“My family and people around me were my biggest inspiration. If it wasn’t for them, I probably would not graduate today,” DeMain, of Poland, said.

She was referring specifically to her parents, Frank and Stacy Demain, and sister, Addie DeMain, all of whom attended Sunday’s commencement.

Alexis DeMain’s short-term future includes moving to Columbus, where she works for a business called Event Horizon Dynamics, a professional fundraising and outreach company that provides an array of marketing and other services largely to nonprofit clients.

For now, though, DeMain is processing a potpourri of emotions — everything from a touch of sadness to a large dose of excitement — related to turning the page and beginning the next chapter in her life after YSU.

“I’m very excited to see where my life goes on from here,” DeMain said, adding that she was initially interested in accounting.

Delivering the commencement address was Robert J. “Bob” DiPiero, a prolific songwriter of numerous country music hits who has had more than 1,000 songs recorded by artists including country legends Vince Gill, the Oak Ridge Boys, Restless Heart, George Strait and the duo Brooks & Dunn.

DiPiero, who grew up in Youngstown and graduated from Liberty High School, recalled Feb. 9, 1964, a day that changed his life’s direction when he was 13. The teenager was watching the Ed Sullivan show on which the Beatles were performing, he remembered.

“It was a transformative moment for me,” DiPiero said, adding that he sought to emulate the famous British quartet.

Because of the Beatles and other well-known musicians and groups such as Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones, he began writing songs, DiPiero explained. He also told the grads that, while studying classical guitar and performing in YSU’s Dana School of Music, Tony Leonardi, the legendary jazz musician and director of YSU’s jazz studies program, was his primary mentor.

“I ate, drank and slept music,” he said, adding, “YSU taught me to think deeply.”

Leonardi, who died in 2001, worked with the Woody Herman Band as well as Chuck Mangione, Nat King Cole, Buddy Rich, Tony Bennett and others.

During his speech, DiPiero, who in 2007 was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and the city’s Walk of Fame, encouraged the grads to be passionate about their careers, families and communities. He also urged them to keep forging ahead, learning and bettering themselves, yet not be afraid to fail.

“Stay loose, and for God’s sake, have fun,” DiPiero also advised.

Offering the student reflection was Colleen M. Davis, who earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and majored in human resource management.

“We have the capability within us to change the world for the better,” Davis said, adding that friendships and memories likely will be her greatest takeaways from YSU.

Interim President Helen K. Lafferty also urged the hundreds of grads to use their education and talents to positively impact their communities and further develop leadership roles, as well as use their determination and courage “to transform minds and hearts.”

In addition, Lafferty bestowed an honorary Doctor of Music degree upon DiPiero.

She also honored veterans of all military branches and those currently serving the nation by recognizing the undergraduates in the armed forces, then having those in the audience who served their country stand. Both were met with applause.