Temple's largest class in history graduated Thursday

NORTH PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Temple University held its 130th Commencement ceremony Thursday. And they also made history with the largest graduating class.

There was nothing but big grins and some pretty proud graduates that made their way down the aisle at the Liacourous Center in North Philadelphia.

Today, 9,519 graduating students officially made up the class of 2017.

Former Eagles coach Dick Vermeil, who led the Eagles to their first Super Bowl appearance in 1981, was the honorary speaker.

He had some tough but inspiring words for the graduates about to embark on a new chapter in life, one which they will write.

"Your future belongs to you, treat it with great respect and hold yourself accountable. Nobody owes you a future. You have to work for one, you have to earn it like you have already done to get here today," said Dick Vermeil.

Vermeil also received an honorary degree from Temple.

The class comes from 86 countries and 45 states.

And 19-percent of today's grads are from right here in Philadelphia.

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