Louisiana’s higher education commissioner encourages graduates to focus on future
With slight winds and partly cloudy skies, Southern University today held its first outdoor commencement ceremony since Nelson Mandela delivered the address in 2000. More than 450 students were celebrated in A.W. Mumford Stadium for completing requirements for bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.
Despite the challenges of a global pandemic, President-Chancellor Ray L. Belton noted, “The sun is truly shining on Southern University and A&M College.”
Belton commended the graduates for completing their degrees during very different academic year amid COVID-19, as well as Student Government Association President Chandler Vidrine and his fellow student leaders for working closely with the commencement committee to present the in-person ceremony.
Kim Hunter Reed, Louisiana Commissioner of Higher Education, served as the keynote speaker and echoed Belton’s sentiments about the tenacity of the graduates.
“Today, graduates, is an affirmation that literally nothing could stop you and your dreams. Even a challenge of global proportions could not stop you,” said Reed, a Southern University alumna. “You masked up, you marched on and you made it happen. So, today we come to celebrate what a Jaguar can do: EVERYTHING.”
Reed highlighted several graduates for their determination, success and their service to community:
- Sylvia Copper, an administrative specialist for the Louisiana Senate, started graduate school at 75 to pursue a master’s degree in public administration. She attended classes part-time and is graduating at age 79 with her second master’s degree.
- Tamyra Ransom, who graduated with a degree in nursing and was the student marshal for the College of Nursing and Allied Health. She will be starting a job soon in ICU respiratory therapy as Louisiana continues to fight COVID-19.
- Erysee Green, who led her fellow students as chief student marshal with a GPA of 3.94. She graduated with a degree in psychology and plans to open a private practice.
Reed implored all graduates to focus on the future: “We focus on a future where you, graduates, will propel America and Louisiana forward; a future where Black lives, Black children, Black America matter; a future where quality health care, quality education and quality jobs are a reality for everyone; a future where your aspirations and talents matter.”
Reed, Louisiana’s chief talent development officer, stressed the fact that Southern and its graduates have an important place in that future.
“While talent has no zip code, opportunities do,” Reed said. “We have to change that. And, institutions like Southern University are changing that reality every day… We are Southern. And, Southern University stands for teaching and learning, and for launching change-agents into the future.
“Because our march to a more perfect union is not a sprint but a relay, graduates, the baton has been passed to you. We need more communication and sharing and less shouting; more collaboration and less conflict; and more unity and less divide. Your education has prepared you to meet this moment.”
Reed closed with more words of encouragement and a quote from Nelson Mandela, for whom the College from which Reed graduated at Southern was named — the Nelson Mandela College of Government and Social Sciences:
“Nelson Mandela said, ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,’” Reed said. “Graduates, you have that education. Now, go out and change the world for the better. When challenge comes — and it will — think about your strength in 2020 when you masked up and marched on, and didn’t let something even of global proportions stop you from getting to your dream.”
As the ceremony continued, Lt. Col. David Marshall of Southern’s Army ROTC unit, administered oaths for the commissioning of:
Second Lieutenant Jordan L. Donald, Active Duty
Ordnance Corps
Fort Lee, Virginia
Second Lieutenant Delmonte S. Williams, Louisiana Army National Guard
Military Intelligence
Fort Huachuca, Arizona
Before the announcement of graduates present, President-Chancellor Belton extended condolences to the family of Mieisha Betty Melton, and presented her mother, Toni Melton, with Mieisha’s posthumous degree in rehabilitation services.
The Fall 2020 Commencement ceremony in its entirety can be viewed here.