LYNCHBURG -- The former Randolph-Macon Woman's College Class of 2008 honored its single-sex roots at commencement yesterday while congratulating the 148 women who made up its final all-female class.

The school's 111th class is its first since becoming the coeducational Randolph College.

"Speaking your mind is nothing new here," said commencement speaker Suzanne D. Patrick, an alumna from the Class of 1977. "We are well-known for being made of stern stuff."

Patrick, a former deputy under secretary of defense for industrial policy, shared stories of alumnae she had known over the years.

She said the school has shaped the lives of 12,000 alumnae who held focus, discipline, femininity, strong minds and charm.

"I think the young men who come to this campus could do much worse [than] to stand shoulder to shoulder with Macon women," she said.

She urged graduates to continue to seek knowledge even outside of school, and to never outgrow the boldness they learned at R-MWC.

"Make learning your life's core curriculum," Patrick said.

As the graduates walked on stage to receive their degrees, some showed their support for single-sex education. A few students wore the yellow R-MWC ribbons they had worn during protests the week of the coed decision in 2006. Others wrote out R-MWC on their graduation caps. One simply had the "W" on her cap.

They received degrees yesterday that read "Randolph-Macon Woman's College." Another set of degrees that read "Randolph College" will be sent to the graduates' homes.

"Over the past year, I've watched as members of the Class of 2008 received honor after honor," President John Klein said as he addressed the audience. "Each of you is capable of reaching the high aspirations you have for yourselves."

Christa Desrets is a staff writer for The News & Advance in Lynchburg.