Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen, arrive at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport Saturday morning on his way to Grove City College where he is the commencement speaker. by R. Michael Semple, Tribune Chronicle

GROVE CITY, Pa. — Lead fearlessly, with integrity, perseverance — and faith.

That is the challenge that Vice President Mike Pence left with Grove City College’s Class of 2017 Saturday as he delivered the commencement address.

And he called on the graduates to keep President Donald Trump in mind as they plan for their future and prepare for the obstacles that might threaten it.

The day included a few firsts, both for the vice president and the college. It was Pence’s first commencement address as a sitting vice president and the college’s first address by a vice president.

Pence spoke to 606 graduates — the most in school history.

The vice president acknowledged the traditions and principles that have guided Grove City College for the last 141 years, adding the college’s determination to adhere to that standard included a refusal to accept federal funding, and a defense of that decision all the way to the Supreme Court.

Grove City College remains one of the few schools that do not accept federal funding, Pence said.

“The diploma that you will receive today was minted in an institution of principle and independence, and you can be proud of it for the rest of your lives,” he told the graduates.

Pence called on the Class of 2017 to move forward in whatever field they choose with determination and with the principles they have learned at Grove City in mind.

“But as the Bible says, ‘To whom much is given, much will be required.’ I believe that you leave here today with one particular responsibility. It is what I came here to tell you. You leave here with a responsibility to lead,” Pence said. “All of you, without exception, are called to be leaders no matter where you go from here.”

Pence charged the graduates to inspire others and to aspire to be men and women of character.

But he also noted that leadership has its challenges.

“If you aspire to lead, you will need courage, because leadership brings both honor and opposition,” he said. “Anyone who dreams big will encounter those who think small. Anyone who dares to step forward will find those who would rather they stayed put. And anyone who thinks they can will always hear from those who are sure they can’t.”

And there is no better example of the challenges that come along with being a leader, and the perseverance and courage it requires, than the president, Pence said.

“Since the first day of our administration, and in the great tradition of this college, our president has been freeing the American economy by rolling back the heavy hand of big government. He has been expanding educational choice opportunities for some of our most disadvantaged children. He has been rebuilding our military, restoring safety to our streets.”

Trump also has stood firm on one other principle, Pence said.

“I can’t tell you how proud I am to be vice president to a president who stands without apology for the sanctity of life and all the God-given liberties in the Constitution of the United States,” he said.

No new path is forged without challenges, Pence said.

“Don’t fear criticism,” he said. “Have the humility to listen to it. Learn from it. And, most importantly, push through it.”

Persistence is the key, Pence said. The world is littered with people who have talent but who lack the determination to do anything with it.

“Never quit on your dreams,” he said. “Dreams may be deferred but they must never be abandoned.”

Pence discussed his own path and its twists and turns and how every step forward and back led to where he sits now, as the vice president of the United States.

He issued the same challenge to Grove City’s Class of 2017.

“Be men and women of integrity, with a servant’s heart,” he said. “Expect opposition and persevere. And, lastly, have faith.”

And as far as their futures go, Pence had one final bit of advice for the graduates.

“Go get it,” he said.

Before Pence’s speech, protesters from the Pence Resistance March marched for several blocks off campus. Organizers estimated there were 200 at the height of the protest, but only about three dozen remained by the time his address ended.

And the gathering, which also included a counterprotest in support of Pence’s visit to Grove City College, remained peaceful, those in attendance said.

“I didn’t see any shouting matches. It went pretty well,” said Carolyn Steglich, a member of the Slippery Rock Huddle, which organized the event. The march was co-sponsored by the Grove City College Advocates for Inclusion and Acceptance.

The Sharon Herald contributed this report.