SOUTH BEND – Matthew Middleton will remember graduating from a university that facilitated discussion on important issues.

Katie Anweiler will remember the hecklers who she thinks overshadowed the happiness of the day. Luke Derheimer will remember the president of the United States speaking at his college graduation.

The three local students and members of the University of Notre Dame's class of 2009 will also remember commending President Obama and Notre Dame President John I. Jenkins for how they handled Sunday's commencement ceremony. They were among 2,900 students who received degrees Sunday.

"I was impressed how Father Jenkins and President Obama and everyone seemed to tackle the issue head-on," said Middleton, 22, who graduated from Snider High School in 2005. "Nobody seemed to shy away, and I thought that was good."

The students stood in the center of a controversy surrounding Notre Dame's invitation to Obama to deliver the commencement address. Many, including students, parents, abortion-rights opponents and Bishop John M. D'Arcy of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, voiced their opposition to the selection of Obama because they disagree with his views on abortion rights and stem-cell research.

About 30 students were expected to boycott the ceremony in protest, something that saddens Anweiler, who graduated from Canterbury High School, because they spent their last months on campus fighting the situation. Anweiler, 21, said the three hecklers who were escorted out of the graduation ceremony for yelling during Obama's address cast a shadow on the day, and it saddened her to think that the heckling may be her memory years from now.

Anweiler, who received a bachelor's degree in biological science, said she was excited about Obama speaking but did not agree with the university's decision to award him an honorary doctorate of laws degree.

Middleton, who received a bachelor's degree in political science, may oppose Obama's views and policies but respects his office enough to support the visit.

"Though I am vehemently pro-life, I was in favor of the president coming in a ceremonial role because he's the head of the country and deserves to be honored as such," Middleton said. "Obviously the disruptions didn't help, and it just kind of highlighted to me how sad the occasion was because of all the tension, but it was what it was."

Bishop Dwenger High School graduate Derheimer, 22, expected protesters at the ceremony but said the majority of the graduates were in favor of Obama as the speaker.

"I thought that it was excellent," said Derheimer, who received a bachelor's degree in business administration. "I thought both presidents … really addressed the issue head-on and kind of dealt with all the controversy in a real mature, adult way."

In the end, the students were a part of a day that included a powerful dialogue about a contentious issue in this country, something that is not lost on Middleton.

"I'm going to remember that I went to a school where these important discussions happened, that it really is a place where things happen and real issues get tackled," Middleton said.

"I'll be a part of that dialogue in a very small way, but I'll feel grateful to have gone to an institution that provides me the opportunity to be a part of this dialogue."

ksoderlund@jg.net