Jackson State University celebrated its 2015 Spring Graduate Commencement Exercises with lessons on climbing the ladder of success delivered by keynote speaker Dr. Ricardo A. Brown, dean of JSU’s College of Public Service.
Before identifying the qualities necessary to accomplish goals, he generated laughter from the audience Friday evening in the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center, by extolling the wisdom for any great commencement speaker: “Be short. Be brief. Be gone.”
First he asked the degree candidates to think of the year 2065 – 50 years from now and to consider what positive changes would be made in the world as a result of their education and service. He recommended that they give, volunteer and value their health and well being, creating their own metrics for success beyond money and power.
Encouraging graduates to persevere, Brown noted that it took more than 16 years for Jackson State University to create the state’s first and only School of Public Health.
Brown warned that despite their accomplishments and preparation, impending hurdles could threaten their potential. However, he urged them to look at challenges as opportunities and use their skills to address problems such as income inequality, social injustice and cyber-terrorism among the many other pressing issues of our times.
“You are up to challenge. Your education has made it unequivocally clear that you are entitled to tackle the issues of the world,” Brown said.
At the outset of the ceremonies, JSU President Carolyn W. Meyers welcomed family members and guests of the hundreds of candidates upon whom she would confer degrees. She said, “This moment symbolizes the beginning of your work toward prominence in your respective fields. We recognize you as leaders who will develop and sustain communities throughout the globe.”
Meyers acknowledged dozens from the Class of 1965, who earned their degree 50 years ago, remarking that each had made a difference in their various communities. She boasted that the returning graduates were “wonderful role models” for those receiving their doctorate, specialist and master’s degrees. She declared that Saturday, May 2, would be historic because more than 700 undergraduates would receive degrees in the largest-ever spring commencement in JSU history.
As he closed, Brown asked the Class of 2015 to define their success and consider this question: “What legacy will you continue and what legacy will you begin?”
JSU’s undergraduate commencement ceremonies will be 8 a.m. Saturday in the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium. Cornell Brooks, president and CEO of NAACP, will be the featured speaker.