U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito – wife, mother and grandmother – has yet another title she can add to her name.

Bethany College awarded her an honorary doctor of education during graduation ceremonies there on Saturday.

“I can’t wait to tell the members of my family they now can call me ‘Dr. Capito,'” she told those present.

Capito next provided the commencement address to Bethany’s graduates, and offered them five core pieces of advice.

The first she attributed to West Virginia University President E. Gordon Gee. She said she heard him tell graduates this just this week.

“Put … down … your … phone,” Capito told the Bethany graduates. “Nothing can replace eye-to-eye contact during conversation.”

Speaking one-on-one often brings additional insight and comprehension to just what someone is saying, she explained. There are subtle tones and inflections a person puts in their voice that add additional insight into their comments.

Capito suggests sometimes we are “misinterpreting” the thoughts of others who are texting and messaging us.

She told the graduates to “approach everyday with a positive attitude.” Rather than dreading a chore and thinking, “I have to do this,” it is much better to instead say and believe, “I get to do this,” according to Capito.

“A positive outlook will help support good thoughts,” she explained.

Her third core piece of advice was to “cherish your relationships,” and the fourth, “show gratitude.”

“Always be grateful,” she told the graduates. “We live in a wonderful country. Always be proud of being an American. We are the leaders in the world, and the protectors of the world.”

Lastly, Capito told them to always look for and take advantage of the opportunities that come their way. She noted we sometimes get so set in achieving a long-term goal in our lives that we overlook or turn down opportunities that can lead us in a different direction.

About 95 students were awarded bachelor’s degrees at Bethany College on Saturday, and 15 received master’s degrees, according to information provided by the college.

Capito acknowledged it was her first visit to Bethany College.

Jamie Caridi, president of Bethany College, said Capito has also shown her support for Bethany College’s initiatives, including efforts to pursue federal grant opportunities.

During his remarks on Saturday, he noted her support of endorsing the college’s $2.2 million dollar Title III “Strengthening Institutions Program” (SIP) grant last fall was critical in securing the award.

A significant portion of the grant was directed to the T.W. Phillips Memorial Library on campus, with a focus on “integrating advising and educational experiences and centralizing student services.”

The graduating seniors started college at Bethany College during the COVID era, and Caridi commended them for their resiliency.

“You remained hopeful the world would reset, and that you would ultimately be successful,” he said. “You plowed forward in the face of uncertainty.”

Caridi also reminded them of the support system around them.

He had the students first stand to thank their families “for being there for you even on the most cloudy of days.”

Caridi also had them stand again in honor of the school’s faculty, who engaged with them and “were there when you needed them.”