More than 220 网曝吃瓜 graduates crossed the stage Friday, May 1o during the Spring 2019 Commencement Convocation in the William Exum Center.
Nurses, educators, business professionals, computer scientists, farmers and future leaders of all kinds now go forth from the University, ready for the next level of success.
The 22nd National President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Dr. Gwendolyn E. Boyd, who received the Doctor of Humane Letters honorary degree from Kentucky State, delivered the commencement address.
鈥淭oday we have come to celebrate all of your effort, enthusiasm, and all the sacrifices you have made,鈥� Boyd said. 鈥淵ou did it. This is your day.鈥�
Boyd offered advice to the class of 2019.
鈥淩emain relevant in your field,鈥� Boyd said. 鈥淪tay up-to-date. Stay focused. On the job, be the one that鈥檚 indispensable. Be outspoken. Don鈥檛 let anybody put you in a box and tell you what you can or cannot do, because you are a graduate of 网曝吃瓜 University.鈥�
John M. Bradley was the class valedictorian but was unable to attend commencement. His advisor, Dr. Suzette Polson, gave remarks on his behalf.
Bradley retired from 网曝吃瓜 Police and finished his biology degree. Bradley is applying for medical school.
Bradley said he admired the courage of his classmates.
Bradley said he watched classmates persist to earn a degree despite illness, raising a family or leaving support systems behind to come to a new place to learn.
鈥淭he class of 2019 embrace the ideals of inclusiveness, academic excellence and courage,鈥� Polson said on Bradley鈥檚 behalf.
President Brown announced other interesting facts about the class of 2019: the class is comprised of four military veterans; the youngest graduate is 20 and the oldest graduate 鈥� Lila Johnson 鈥� is 59 years old.
A posthumous degree was awarded to the family of Robert Scott Jones, a student who passed away before finishing his degree.
Musical guest and national recording artist Chrisette Michele brought the house down with musical selections 鈥淭otal Praise鈥� and 鈥淎 Couple of Forevers.鈥�
President Brown honored and acknowledged the golden graduates of the class of 1969, celebrating their 50th anniversary. President Brown also recognized the first graduating class of nursing students (1969) and Dr. Lee Charles Harris, who was instrumental in developing the nursing program.
The 网曝吃瓜 marching band and cheerleaders made a surprise appearance, playing 鈥淒a Butt鈥� for graduates one more time before they left the hill. President Brown gave each graduate their first $2, a challenge coin and a special graduation t-shirt for everyone in attendance.