Twenty newly minted teachers at Slippery Rock University agreed that their graduation yesterday was more memorable than most.

The 19 seniors and one graduate student, who had returned Tuesday from Mexico City, were presented their diplomas in front of family, faculty and friends at a separate event in the school's Russell Wright Alumni House.

Slippery Rock administrators reported receiving hundreds of phone calls from other students and parents concerned about their possible exposure to swine flu at the main commencement exercises yesterday. Mexico is at the center of the epidemic, with more than 400 confirmed cases and at least 16 confirmed deaths from the disease.

Following a two-hour meeting Wednesday with university President Robert M. Smith, the students agreed to the graduation arrangement. None has reported flu symptoms, but its incubation period is seven to 10 days.

The group had been student teaching at the American School Foundation in Mexico City. Students said they were disappointed not to be marching with their classmates, but they appreciated Slippery Rock's effort to craft an alternative.

"Instead of just taking something away, they also are giving us something in return," said Ryan Brisini, an elementary education major from Johnstown.

The cheers, whoops and applause were lively and loud when the students marched into the alumni house assembly room.

As their names were called and students came forward to receive their diplomas, Dr. Smith greeted everyone with a handshake or a hug.

"They did nothing wrong, and I know it hurts," he said after the ceremony. "But they understood that we had to err on the side of safety and protect the health of the larger group."

Health officials monitoring swine flu have been particularly concerned about the disease being spread through large groups of people. A record 1,341 students were scheduled to graduate, and commencement activities were expected to draw almost 5,000 visitors to the Butler County campus.

"It was a very nice ceremony," Samara Bailey, of New Castle, said of the separate event. "And I think it was more memorable than if we had graduated with everyone else."

Parents expressed mixed feelings.

"It is what it is," said Robert Watson, of New Castle. His daughter, Valerie, received her degree in elementary and special education. "I'm glad the students had a chance to talk about the issue with the president."

"It's a good compromise," said parent Lisa Bauer, of Marshall. Her daughter, Shari, received her degree in elementary education and early childhood development.

Barb Kuchinic, of Scott, said she was worried that her daughter, Meghan, and the other student teachers might have been met by boos or insults had they taken part in the larger ceremonies. "Under the circumstances, Slippery Rock is doing a wonderful job."

"I'm glad they took the high road on this," said Mary Beth Gripshover, of King of Prussia. "It would have been awful if the university had said, 'We'll just mail you the diplomas.' " Her son is physical education major Dan Godshall.

Emily Duerlein, of Ford City, was not so understanding. Her daughter Ashley saw a family physician as soon as she returned. She feels fine and displays no symptoms, her mother said. "It's ludicrous and discriminatory not to allow her to participate with the rest of the school," she said.

Despite the controversy following their time in Mexico, students said they had no regrets.

"I'd travel there again in a second," Dan Godshall said.

Valerie Watson said: "My experience in Mexico was so great that I would have gone, even if it had meant that I couldn't participate in graduation at all."