Recent and future college graduates are no longer competing with peers in the next state for jobs. They are competing with people in other countries, and it's going to be up to them to decide the role Americans will play in the global competition, former Georgia Gov. Roy Barnes told Paine College students Wednesday in Gilbert-Lambuth Memorial Chapel.

"There are several tools that you can use in making those decisions so that you are a prosperous or more prosperous (person) than your parents. And your children and your grandchildren ... will be more prosperous than you," he said.

Through personal anecdotes and short history lessons, Mr. Barnes told students to be committed to their faith, the government and state, each other, family and to the college.

Mr. Barnes, who lost in his reelection bid to Gov. Sonny Perdue in 2002, is running for his old job in 2010. One of the Democrat's campaign pledges is to improve education in the state. He has acknowledged that feuds with the state's teachers contributed to his defeat seven years ago.

"The education you're receiving now will unlock doors for the rest of your life," Mr. Barnes said Wednesday. "Remember this place down the road. Be committed to it. Give back to it. Send your children here, send your neighbors' children here, to make sure that it's strong."

He also discussed staying informed and having courage.

"The choices that you make will determine your life, but make sure that you have the right choices, not only in your personal life, but you make the right choices in everything that you do," he said.

Students in the Paine College Communication Association organized the assembly. Group President Courtneika Hudson, a senior mass communications major, found the speech inspiring.

"He gave us the encouragement to go forth and be a leader in the world," she said. "You have to put yourself out there and be determined to accomplish your goals."