Commencement 2021

[Music] foreign [Music] johnson c smith university charlotte's premier hbcu is a private liberal arts university where strong traditions intersect with academic excellence let's start at biddle memorial hall the oldest and most distinctive building on jcsu's campus was erected in 1883 this historic landmark now serves as the home for the university's president's office the historical aspect of jcsu is evident throughout the entire campus the james b duke memorial library includes a gallery exhibit space study area and student lounges as well as the black heritage room jcsu is a catalyst for connecting academics with careers [Music] the new science center [Music] a 62 000 square foot 45 million dollar structure serves as a symbol of jcsu's focus on science technology engineering and mathematics stem [Music] jcsu is a place where students receive an excellent education while also building lifelong friendships through meaningful engagement the mary joyce taylor crisp student union acts as a community center for the campus the building houses cafeterias student organization offices and the university bookstore jcsu home of the golden bulls where athletic scholars are nurtured the irwin belk complex a 4 500 seat stadium home to the golden bulls football team the complex features an olympic sized track a dance studio multimedia classrooms and weight rooms johnson c smith university's alumni are committed to the university's legacy the bray boy gymnasium is one example named for jcsu alum football player teacher coach and director of athletics dr jack bray boy the 2500 seat gymnasium is home to the golden bulls men's and women's basketball team the brayboy gymnasium was also the site of an impassioned speech by dr martin luther king jr when he visited johnson c smith university on september 21 1966. johnson c smith is dedicated to providing wraparound services that will nurture a student's growth and success the johnson seabrook education building is the location of student support services and the academic center for excellence johnson c smith has an historical bond with first united presbyterian church jcsu cares about students spiritual life as well as their academic pursuits the smith church is used for worship and houses large university events jcsu is prided for being a home away from home the residence halls are more than just places to sleep they're communities where students get involved become a part of the vibrant jcsu student life and develop meaningful friendships mosaic village features apartment style suites equipped with a washer dryer kitchen dishwasher and den every floor also has a common area and inner courtyard [Music] the university also houses other residence halls including the new residence hall or new res as most smithites call it it's occupied by upperclassmen and features a townhouse-like setting where each apartment-like unit includes a shared living room kitchenette and dining area [Music] thank you for joining me for a small glimpse into the jcsu experience remember hold high the gold and blue [Music] [Music] johnson c smith university charlotte's premier hbcu is a private liberal arts university where strong traditions intersect with academic excellence let's start at biddle memorial hall the oldest and most distinctive building on jcsu's campus was erected in 1883. this historic landmark now serves as the home for the university's president's office [Music] the historical aspect of jcsu is evident throughout the entire campus the james b duke memorial library includes a gallery exhibit space study area and student lounges as well as the black heritage room jcsu is a catalyst for connecting academics with careers the new science center [Music] a 62 000 square foot 45 million dollar structure serves as a symbol of jcsu's focus on science technology engineering and mathematics stem jcsu is a place where students receive an excellent education while also building lifelong friendships through meaningful engagement the mary joyce taylor crisp student union acts as a community center for the campus the building houses cafeterias student organization offices and the university bookstore jcsu home of the golden bulls where athletic scholars are nurtured the irwin belt complex a 4 500 seat stadium home to the golden bulls football team the complex features an olympic-sized track a dance studio multimedia classrooms and weight rooms johnson c smith university's alumni are committed to the university's legacy the brave boy gymnasium is one example named for jcsu alum football player teacher coach and director of athletics dr jack bray boy the 2500 seat gymnasium is home to the golden bulls men's and women's basketball team the brayboy gymnasium was also the site of an impassioned speech by dr martin luther king jr when he visited johnson c smith university on september 21st 1966. johnson c smith is dedicated to providing wraparound services that will nurture a student's growth and success the johnson seabrook education building is the location of student support services and the academic center for excellence johnson c smith has an historical bond with first united presbyterian church jcsu cares about students spiritual life as well as their academic pursuits the smith church is used for worship and houses large university events jcsu is prided for being a home away from home the residence halls are more than just places to sleep they're communities where students get involved become a part of the vibrant jcsu student life and develop meaningful friendships mosaic village features apartment style suites equipped with a washer dryer kitchen dishwasher and den every floor also has a common area and inner courtyard [Music] the university also houses other residence halls including the new residence hall or new res as most smithites call it it's occupied by upperclassmen and features a townhouse-like setting where each apartment-like unit includes a shared living room kitchenette and dining area [Music] thank you for joining me for a small glimpse into the jcsu experience remember hold high the gold and blue [Music] [Music] johnson c smith university charlotte's premier hbcu is a private liberal arts university where strong traditions intersect with academic excellence let's start at biddle memorial hall the oldest and most distinctive building on jcsu's campus was erected in 1883. this historic landmark now serves as the home for the university's president's office [Music] the historical aspect of jcsu is evident throughout the entire campus the james b duke memorial library includes a gallery exhibit space study area and student lounges as well as the black heritage room jcsu is a catalyst for connecting academics with careers [Music] the new science center [Music] a 62 000 square foot 45 million dollar structure serves as a symbol of jcsu's focus on science technology engineering and mathematics stem jcsu is a place where students receive an excellent education while also building lifelong friendships through meaningful engagement the mary joyce taylor crisp student union acts as a community center for the campus the building houses cafeterias student organization offices and the university bookstore jcsu home of the golden bulls where athletic scholars are nurtured the irwin belk complex a 4 500 seat stadium home to the golden bulls football team the complex features an olympic-sized track a dance studio multimedia classrooms and weight rooms johnson c smith university's alumni are committed to the university's legacy the bray boy gymnasium is one example named for jcsu alum football player teacher coach and director of athletics dr jack bray boy the 2500 seat gymnasium is home to the golden bulls men's and women's basketball team the brayboy gymnasium was also the site of an impassioned speech by dr martin luther king jr when he visited johnson c smith university on september 21 1966 johnson c smith is dedicated to providing wraparound services that will nurture a student's growth and success the johnson seabrook education building is the location of student support services and the academic center for excellence johnson c smith has an historical bond with first united presbyterian church jcsu cares about students spiritual life as well as their academic pursuits the smith church is used for worship and houses large university events jcsu is prided for being a home away from home the residence halls are more than just places to sleep they're communities where students get involved become a part of the vibrant jcsu student life and develop meaningful friendships mosaic village features apartment style suites equipped with a washer dryer kitchen dishwasher and den every floor also has a common area and inner courtyard [Music] the university also houses other residence halls including the new residence hall or new res as most smithites call it it's occupied by upperclassmen and features a townhouse-like setting where each apartment-like unit includes a shared living room kitchenette and dining area [Music] thank you for joining me for a small glimpse into the jcsu experience remember hold high the gold and blue [Music] [Music] johnson c smith university charlotte's premier hbcu is a private liberal arts university where strong traditions intersect with academic excellence let's start at biddle memorial hall the oldest and most distinctive building on jcsu's campus was erected in 1883. this historic landmark now serves as the home for the university's president's office the historical aspect of jcsu is evident throughout the entire campus the james b duke memorial library includes a gallery exhibit space study area and student lounges as well as the black heritage room jcsu is a catalyst for connecting academics with careers the new science center [Music] a 62 000 square foot 45 million dollar structure serves as a symbol of jcsu's focus on science technology engineering and mathematics stem jcsu is a place where students receive an excellent education while also building lifelong friendships through meaningful engagement the married joyce taylor crisp student union acts as a community center for the campus the building houses cafeterias student organization offices and the university bookstore jcsu home of the golden bulls where athletic scholars are nurtured the irwin belk complex a 4 500 seat stadium home to the golden bulls football team the complex features an olympic sized track a dance studio multimedia classrooms and weight rooms johnson c smith university's alumni are committed to the university's legacy the bray boy gymnasium is one example named for jcsu alum football player teacher coach and director of athletics dr jack bray boy the 2500 seat gymnasium is home to the golden bulls men's and women's basketball team the brave boy gymnasium was also the site of an impassioned speech by dr martin luther king jr when he visited johnson c smith university on september 21 1966. johnson c smith is dedicated to providing wraparound services that will nurture a student's growth and success the johnson seabrook education building is the location of student support services and the academic center for excellence johnson c smith has an historical bond with first united presbyterian church jcsu cares about students spiritual life as well as their academic pursuits the smith church is used for worship and houses large university events jcsu is prided for being a home away from home the residence halls are more than just places to sleep they're communities where students get involved become a part of the vibrant jcsu student life and develop meaningful friendships mosaic village features apartment style suites equipped with a washer dryer kitchen dishwasher and den every floor also has a common area and inner courtyard [Music] the university also houses other residence halls including the new residence hall or new res as most smithites call it it's occupied by upperclassmen and features a townhouse-like setting where each like unit includes a shared living room kitchenette and dining area [Music] thank you for joining me for a small glimpse into the jcsu experience remember hold high the gold and blue [Music] [Music] johnson c smith university charlotte's premier hbcu is a private liberal arts university where strong traditions intersect with academic excellence let's start at biddle memorial hall [Music] the oldest and most distinctive building on jcsu's campus was erected in 1883. this historic landmark now serves as the home for the university's president's office [Music] the historical aspect of jcsu is evident throughout the entire campus the james b duke memorial library includes a gallery exhibit space study area and student lounges as well as the black heritage room jcsu is a catalyst for connecting academics with careers the new science center [Music] a 62 000 square foot 45 million dollar structure serves as a symbol of jcsu's focus on science technology engineering and mathematics stem [Music] jcsu is a place where students receive an excellent education while also building lifelong friendships through meaningful engagement the marriage joyce taylor crisp student union acts as a community center for the campus the building houses cafeterias student organization offices and the university bookstore jcsu home of the golden bulls where athletic scholars are nurtured the irwin belk complex a 4 500 seat stadium home to the golden bulls football team the complex features an olympic-sized track a dance studio multimedia classrooms and weight rooms johnson c smith university's alumni are committed to the university's legacy the brave boy gymnasium is one example named for jcsu alum football player teacher coach and director of athletics dr jack bray prayboy the 2500 seat gymnasium is home to the golden bulls men's and women's basketball team the brave boy gymnasium was also the site of an impassioned speech by dr martin luther king jr when he visited johnson c smith university on september 21st 1966. johnson c smith is dedicated to providing wraparound services that will nurture a student's growth and success the johnson seabrook education building is the location of student support services and the academic center for excellence johnson c smith has an historical bond with first united presbyterian church jcsu cares about students spiritual life as well as their academic pursuits the smith church is used for worship and houses large university events jcsu is prided for being a home away from home the residence halls are more than just places to sleep they're communities where students get involved become a part of the vibrant jcsu student life and develop meaningful friendships mosaic village features apartment style suites equipped with a washer dryer kitchen dishwasher and den every floor also has a common area and inner courtyard [Music] the university also houses other residence halls including the new residence hall or new res as most smithites call it it's occupied by upperclassmen and features a townhouse-like setting where each apartment-like unit includes a shared living room kitchenette and dining area thank you for joining me for a small glimpse into the jcsu experience remember hold high the gold and blue [Music] [Music] johnson c smith university charlotte's premier hbcu is a private liberal arts university where strong traditions intersect with academic excellence let's start at biddle memorial hall [Music] the oldest and most distinctive building on jcsu's campus was erected in 1883. this historic landmark now serves as the home for the university's president's office [Music] the historical aspect of jcsu is evident throughout the entire campus the james b duke memorial library includes a gallery exhibit space study area and student lounges as well as the black heritage room jcsu is a catalyst for connecting academics with careers the new science center [Music] a 62 000 square foot 45 million dollar structure serves as a symbol of jcsu's focus on science technology engineering and mathematics stem jcsu is a place where students receive an excellent education while also building lifelong friendships through meaningful engagement the mary joyce taylor chris student union acts as a community center for the campus the building houses cafeterias student organization offices and the university bookstore jcsu home of the golden bulls were athletic scholars are nurtured the irwin belk complex a 4 500 seat stadium home to the golden bulls football team the complex features an olympic sized track a dance studio multimedia classrooms and weight rooms johnson c smith university's alumni are committed to the university's legacy the bray boy gymnasium is one example named for jcsu alum football player teacher coach and director of athletics dr jack bray boy the 2500 seat gymnasium is home to the golden bulls men's and women's basketball team the brayboy gymnasium was also the site of an impassioned speech by dr martin luther king jr when he visited johnson c smith university on september 21 1966. johnson c smith is dedicated to providing wrap-around services that will nurture a student's growth and success the johnson seabrook education building is the location of student support services and the academic center for excellence johnson c smith has an historical bond with first united presbyterian church jcsu cares about students spiritual life as well as their academic pursuits the smith church is used for worship and houses large university events jcsu is prided for being a home away from home the residence halls are more than just places to sleep they're communities where students get involved become a part of the vibrant jcsu student life and develop meaningful friendships mosaic village features apartment style suites equipped with a washer dryer kitchen dishwasher and den every floor also has a common area and inner courtyard the university also houses other residence halls including the new residence hall or new res as most smithites call it it's occupied by upperclassmen and features a townhouse-like setting where each apartment-like unit includes a shared living room kitchenette and dining area [Music] thank you for joining me for a small glimpse into the jcsu experience remember hold high the gold and blue [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] you may be seated good morning oh we can do better than that good morning all to the classes of 2020 and 2021 to our faculty to our staff administrators parents family members and guests what a year and almost a half makes perhaps you didn't think that you would see this day perhaps you wondered if covet 19 was going to really steal your educational joy oh the devil is alive this morning come on now and graduation recognition perhaps you were worried that you would not get to take those special photos or get dressed up in your finest and be able to put on that black gown and mortar board well we are here this morning to tell you that you have made it say i made it absolutely and look up at your families and tell them that you have made it and know that we commend and honor you for your unwavering sense of tenacity persistence faith stay up until it is done and pushed through even when you didn't think you had it in you sense of grit welcome to the moment of year's long fulfillment for which you have eagerly prayed made countless sacrifices and a degree that may have been delayed but not denied and now the day is here the conferring of degrees during this 148th commencement exercise for johnson c smith university this occasion is a time-honored tradition deeply rooted in the 154th year old biddle johnson c smith university narrative you will soon join the ranks of other johnson c smith university alumni worldwide who are making incredible strides in their chosen careers and a difference in their local communities we want each of you to experience the heritage ritual and promise that will speak to your heart and augment your commencement experience this morning for safety reasons we ask for your cooperation during the program by keeping your mask on at all times likewise please sit in your assigned seat according to your ticket stuff and remain with your family pod please ensure that the aisles around you remain clear at all times and then finally in an effort to allow for social distancing we will be dismissing everyone section by section at the end of the ceremony all of these safety precautions will allow everyone to enjoy this golden moment in time the 148th commencement of johnson c smith university dr morgan mr president it gives me great honor to say the faculty and classes of 2020 and 2021 have assembled the ceremony is ready to begin [Applause] this is off here good morning by the authority invested in me by the board of trustees i declare that the johnson c smith university's 148th commencement culminating the university's year of ascending to the pinnacle of success is now in order i now call upon miss ashley bellinger a senior from miami florida majoring in interdisciplinary studies with a primary concentration in graphic arts and production and a minor concentration in business entrepreneurship for the university's historic call to order good morning good morning the development of this great institution can be traced back to early classes being taught in the audience chamber of then colored presbyterian church today known as the first united presbyterian church in charlotte in 1867 members of the colored presbytery of the southern presbyterian church organized this citadel of learning as friedman college of north carolina which later became the henry j biddle memorial institute in 1876 memorial institute became middle university and in 1923 it was renamed johnson c smith university since the advent of the new johnson c smith university this institution has established a stellar representation for preparing individuals for leadership and service today we mark the culmination of the 154th academic year it is certainly my proud distinction as the founder's representative to ring this bell [Applause] [Applause] i now call upon dr kendall p mobley to bless the legacy and life of johnson c smith university good morning i invite you to join me in an attitude of prayer as you see fit in liberty of conscience almighty god we gather at long last to celebrate and congratulate the graduating classes of 2020 and 2021 in this 148th commencement of johnson c smith university in this moment we pause in reverence before you to ask your blessing upon this assembly and these proceedings today we bear witness as these classes cross over from students to graduates having overcome the challenges few have ever faced through the long ordeal and incalculable losses of the pandemic these students endured persevered and won the victory we thank you for their tenacity and ask you for your blessing upon them their families and their loved ones who supported them on the journey our presbyterian founders chose the latin phrase sit luxe or let there be light as the school's motto it stands as a testimony of their faith and the mission of this institution by your grace for 154 years this historically black university has been lighting the way for students when other institutions would have left them in the darkness johnson c smith university gives students an opportunity to achieve their dreams and rise to their potential we thank you for generation after generation of faithful alumni administrators faculty staff and trustees who have poured out their lives their hopes and dreams their passions and their treasure into building this university to make days like today possible they join us today as a great cloud of witnesses we honor and remember them in humility and we set our hearts to do as they have done we pray that the graduating classes of 2020 and 2021 will continue that proud and honorable legacy so that future generations will be able to learn grow achieve and celebrate commencements in the years to come gracious lord we pray your blessing upon the board of trustees president armbrister and the faculty and staff grant us your wisdom and strength as we face the challenges of the moment and embrace the opportunities of the future we thank you for today's speaker the honorable dr alma adams representative of north carolina's 12th district to the united states congress we thank you for her tireless work on behalf of her constituents and her landmark work on behalf of hbcus we await her words with eagerness and anticipation bless and keep her o lord and may her influence be multiplied above all lord thank you for the graduating classes of 2020 and 2021 as we celebrate their achievement we who serve this institution reaffirm our commitment to educate and to empower to stand for justice and promote human dignity to build character and change lives to the glory of your holy name amen thank you dr mobley for your invocation to chair hughes and other members of the johnson c smith university board of trustees distinguished guests alumni and friends of this great institution members of the faculty and staff family and friends of our graduates and especially to the members of the graduating classes of 2020 and 2021. welcome to this empowering and joyful occasion that is filled with vast possibilities at the end of our university's 154th year we gather to celebrate the capstone success of 447 seniors and 82 graduate students as they walk through this rite of passage to devote their time and energy to the rugged business of defining the fullness zest and keenness of meaningful living there can be no doubt that this is a very important occasion for the institution and everyone assembled here today especially the highly motivated and talented individuals who have worked so hard and so long under very difficult circumstances to earn their degrees during the past several years they have met the academic challenges of the classroom with innovative thinking unparalleled determination and focused hard work and diligence they have moved successfully along the journey of purposeful living toward meeting the ambitious goals they have set for themselves now the time has come for their outbound journey this occasion also affords us the opportunity to pay tribute to another of johnson c smith's greatest assets its alumni nothing else speaks more profoundly to the enduring power of our mission than the jcsu graduates whose personal and professional achievements and numerous contributions to society continue to bring honor and distinction to this institution we appreciate our alumni for their generous support and commitment to this university this year we honor the class of 1970 and the class of 1971 as our golden graduates the class of 1970 contributed over 129 thousand dollars during their five-year giving campaign and the class of 1971 contributed over 165 000 during their five-year giving campaign combined these classes have raised just under hundred thousand dollars for johnson c smith university [Applause] but to the classes of 2020 and 2021 i want to commend each of you today for you have made the ascent to the pinnacle of excellence i am sure each of you is prepared for success in all that you will undertake as you enter the next stage of your life i am confident that you are the graduates we as the faculty and staff promised promised to produce [Music] each of you is a critical thinker each of you is able to communicate effectively each of you is capable of working independently as well as collaboratively and finally by conferring the degrees upon each of you today we are confident that in the next phases of your life whether it is a job or on to graduate school you will be able to demonstrate not only competence but excellence in your chosen field indeed you have fulfilled the promise and you are a johnson c smith graduate parents guardians spouses our graduates are wise the mighty class of 2020 is 220 graduates strong 230 seniors 43 msw students one student is actually receiving a dual degree the mighty class of 2021 is 257 graduates strong 218 seniors and 39 msw students and again one student is receiving a dual degree a number of the class members have been accepted into professional and graduate schools and will continue their education at some of the nation's finest schools including our own johnson c smith university's school of social work carson newman university elon university georgia state university morehouse school of medicine northern arizona university temple university university of alabama birmingham university of north carolina at charlotte winthrop university other members of the class of 2020 and 202021 have accepted positions at some leading corporations including amazon american airlines a t and t atrium health bank of america bright house financial cabarrus county dhs cigna health care the city of charlotte the coca-cola bottling company deloitte touch google fiber mecklenburg county department of social services north carolina state highway patrol pnc bank and i'm particularly pleased that our second cohort of students have completed the experiential and classroom experience and are off to red ventures thank you all very very much 141 members of the 2020 undergraduate class and 145 members of the 2021 undergraduate class are completing their studies with latin honors let me introduce them to you and i ask that you please hold your applause till the end will the summa laude graduates of 2020 please stand and remain standing will the summa laude 2021 graduates please stand and remain standing will the magna laude 2020 graduates please stand and remain standing will the magna laude 2021 graduates please stand and remain standing will the laude 2020 graduates please stand and remain standing for the law 2021 graduates please stand and remain standing let's give them all a round of applause you may be seated thank you [Music] now now i would like to recognize our dedicated faculty and staff who for the past year especially labor on the zoom screens as their new classrooms and laboratories in the residence halls and on the courts and on the fields and who have nurtured and helped develop our students over the past two years especially faculty and staff if you would please stand thank you i now call upon chair of the board of trustees of johnson c smith university shirley j hughes to encourage our classes of 2020 and 2021 as they begin their next venture everyone the first woman to chair the johnson c smith university board of trustees in its 154 year history chair shirley j hughes thank you president arm brister it is a shot in the arm to be here today with johnson c smith university trustees and administration faculty staff alumni benefactors and our honored graduates hopefully we can get rid of this ringing we also extend a warm vip welcome to proud parents family members and friends if you supported a graduate in any way this is your special day too the 148th yes let's give them a round of applause the 148th commencement of johnson c smith feels like a mighty momentous occasion that has been a long time coming for us all out of an abundance of caution other than senior week this is our first gathering as a campus community in person this year the class of 2021 joins with the class of 2020 who were unable to experience a commencement ceremony last year and i can't think of a better reason to make a return than to celebrate all of our resilient graduates today while this commencement by necessity is different than years past we hope our celebration feels like getting together with a long lost friend where neither of you misses a beat since we're on the topic of beats grads i know you have all kinds of music on your playlist shaka lucky day maybe a little jazz mind sullivan but there's a song on my mind today by drake that describes the extraordinary effort you all put into a year that was anything but ordinary now if you think i'm going to say hotline bling you have another thought coming the title i believe gives voice to meaning of today is look what you've done see today we are celebrating a comeback that is stronger than the setback look what you've done class of 20 and 21 endured an extended public crisis of uncertainty and unpredictability that changed everything you persisted through two pandemics one global called covet that loves a party and never turns down a social invitation one systemic that caught fire with george floyd in my hometown of minneapolis and spread across the country to invite a social reckoning columnist adam grant wrote a commentary for the new york times about the mood of this past year he named it languishing and said at first i didn't recognize the symptoms we all had in common it wasn't burnout we still had energy it wasn't depression we didn't feel hopeless we felt somewhat joyless and aimless look what you've done grads you did not languish you flourished when light at the end of the tunnel was tough to see through a foggy windshield you did the hard work anyway studying over a hunch laptop through pandemic senioritis and zoom fatigue you balanced your need for social connection with the isolating and exhausting responsibility of social distancing traded campus life greek life athletics campus clubs meetups and hangouts and yes a commencement ceremony all the normal milestones for an altered college experience that was anything but normal some of you defied the odds and exceeded expectations well before you stepped onto campus for the first time maybe you were the first to attend college in your family or you shouldered the need for a financial miracle to make your education possible look what you've done you leave here today representing roughly 11.1 percent of bachelor's degrees and 11.2 percent of master's degrees earned across the country if you're black 13.1 percent of undergraduate degrees and 9.5 percent of master's degrees if you're latino according to research the united negro college fund tells that hbcu graduates can expect to earn an additional 927 thousand dollars in your lifetime 56 percent more than without a degree or certificate but we know statistics aren't everything graduation rates and earning power don't tell the full story champion jesse owens understood that success is not always what everyone sees when he silence hitler with his olympic performance the battles that count aren't the ones for gold medals he said the struggles within yourself the invisible inevitable battles inside all of us that's where it's at look what you've done rose above character building struggles to complete your education through heartaches that stretched your face maybe a lost job that helped pay for your education or the pain of watching someone you love lose their livelihood some of you lost loved ones who left an unfillable hole in your heart felt especially on a day like today in these historical times called the last year all of us lost parts of our lives we can't get back but each of us may have found something of value within ourselves that wasn't there before the late sicily tyson said challenges make you discover things about yourself that you never really knew and yet even as we lift our hearts in celebrating the power of achievement and unimaginable times under difficult circumstances we know that new challenges and obstacles remain we've turned a corner but covet has not left us it was said that the revolution will not be televised but social change streams before us every day grads you may be wondering what comes next your living situation networking opportunities job prospects or simply how to start life after college don't be warriors be warriors and use what you've done inhale exhale breathe enjoy this moment it's your moment in the best of times worn out of the worst of times your proof that comeback is larger than the setback if you ever have doubts about the measure of your inner strength the depth of your resolve or the outcome of your future pack your pandemic toolbox and let resilience be your springboard graduates the inextinguishable light of today and tomorrow shines brightly in each of you you are johnson c smith's most enduring legacy never forget that in unprecedented circumstances you came back to say i am here congratulations golden bulls class of 2020 and 2021. look what you've done we will now have the video musical selection from mr taquan om owens [Music] i was born by the river and a little tent oh and just like that river i've been to run in ever since it's been a long long time coming but i know a change is gonna come oh yes it will it's been too hard but i'm not afraid to die [Music] it's been a long long [Music] oh yes it will i go people keep telling me don't don't you hang around [Music] oh yes it will then i go to my brother and i say brother won't you help me please oh buddy winds up knocking me [Music] i thought i couldn't last for long but now i think i'm able to carry on it's been alone [Music] oh yes it will change is mr taquan owens mr taquan owens thank you so much for that excellent rendition of a change is going to come i welcome now to the podium chair hughes of the board of trustees along with senior vice president for academic affairs dr karen morgan to confer this year's honorary degree to congresswoman alma s adams when our histories are written and we number the names of the truest friends of hbcus few will rise to the level of alma adams as the founder and co-chair of the bipartisan historically black colleges and universities caucus of the us congress she has led the way in procuring 1.3 billion dollars in funds for hbcu campus infrastructure [Applause] she's made sure that 40 million in hbcu scholarships were added to the farm bill and she established the hbcu brain trust which allows faculty staff and students from hbcus to visit washington d.c to promote our institutions to government officials and corporate leaders she has used her seat at the table to make sure others have seats at the table closer to home her office has regularly placed jcs students in internship positions ones where they not only gain valuable work experience but develop an intimate understanding of how our government works it is a commitment to hbcu's students and their futures that dates back at least as far as her time at bennett college where she taught art history and led the effort to increase student engagement in the political process she coined the phrase bennett bells are voting bills these kinds of efforts led to her alma mater north carolina a t state university to award her its human rights medal the highest award presented by ant for her work fighting against social injustice and more generally improving the world quite rightfully she was inducted into the national black college alumni hall of fame in 2020 for such efforts and while jcsu's honorary degree will be but one of the many honorary degrees she has received in recognition of her efforts and the intellectual health needed to achieve what she has we are so proud to be included as one of the company of those who have recognized adams for this work like the hbcu she has championed adam's path to greatness was unexpected at the time of her coming into the world in the aftermath of the second world war as a woman and as an african-american she was not supposed to succeed she was not supposed to be visible she was not supposed to be independent she was not supposed to be prominent no one was supposed to recognize someone like her and yet adams has shown the world what perseverance means as she has overcome the obstacles before her including a fairly recent plan to remove her from prominence in north carolina politics by redistricting her out of her own congressional district it was a plan that ultimately failed because the honorable doctor alma sheila adams is not a woman who was either deterred by a challenge or easily set aside a native a high point adams earned her ba and m.a in art education from north carolina ent and phd in art media and multicultural education from the ohio state university as dr adams she spent 40 years teaching art at ben college where she also served as the director of the steele hall art gallery little wonder that she has so much affection for and dedication to hbcus she is a product of a place like jcsu a former employee of a place like jcsu and now is one of the foremost champions of places like jcsu process of becoming such a champion led through her time on the greensboro city school board and city council prior to her appointment to the north carolina house of representatives in 1994 a record that serves as an example for our graduates of the importance of civic engagement at the local level as well as the state and federal level adams became a member of the u.s house of representatives in 2014 after a special election to fill mel watsi when he was appointed as the director of the federal housing agency becoming only the second woman of color to represent north carolina in the u.s house of representatives and if all of this were not enough representative adams has developed a signature look being known for her many distinctive hats and we consider it a great honor that she agreed to set aside that look for just a short time to donna tam and join us on this stage to receive an honorary degree from jcsu ladies and gentlemen i present to you the honorable alma adams at this time i would ask all trustees and alumni to stand congressman alma s adams for your passion advocacy and consistent and ardent champion of the mission of johnson c smith university and for your commitment to the success of johnson c smith university students it is with great honor and gratitude and under the authority entrusted to me by the trustees of johnson c smith university that i confer upon you the degree of doctor of humane they're also gonna letters you look at them uh wow j.c thank you so very much and good morning to the illustrious president of johnson c smith university dr clarence armbister to first lady armrester to all of the special guests to the alumnae and to the faculty and staff to the family and friends but most especially most especially to the phenomenally awesome bold and courageous classes of 20 and 2021. i want to thank the young man for the song it's been a long time coming president armistead my special thanks to you and to the board of trustees for bestowing upon me the honorary doctorate of humane letters i'm truly humble humbled and grateful and honored by this recognition proud to be a golden bull and proud to be your voice in washington thank you for the invitation to be with you for johnson c smith's 148th commencement to acknowledge the dynamic milestone each of today's graduates have achieved after 14 months of pandemic lockdown it's wonderful to see people outside of those hollywood square zooms and nothing nothing could be finer than to be in the queen city on this historic premier hbcu campus where students are nurtured and into phenomenal leaders thank you chair hughes for your phenomenal work the first woman in 148 years all right we got to get that together but we're going to keep her you know i am delighted to have my daughter janelle lindsay elementary principal in guilford county and my granddaughter jocelyn and my brother ben here with me y'all stand up [Applause] my district director finale rue is with us as well on the campus a lot but let me bring you cordial greetings from the more than 800 000 residents of the 12th congressional district speaker nancy pelosi my colleagues in the u.s house including 58 members of the congressional black caucus known as the conscience of the car of the congress golden bulls today is your day and you have every reason to be proud look at you you made it [Applause] to all of the family and faculty and staff thank you for the investments that you've made in these young men and women graduates for all who believed in your opportunity you owe a debt of gratitude their support helped you to reach for for a life that will possibly positively impact you forever not just today and tomorrow but literally for generations to come it's a privilege to celebrate your moment of passage and accomplishment because no one's born with a college degree in their hand you've got to earn it work for it and it never can be taken away and so you have reached this day because of your resilience your tenacity and talent by overcoming challenges and adversity including a pandemic but always remember why you're able to sit where you're sitting today had it not been for the good lord on your side had it not been for families and professors and friends holding you up and praying you up had it not been for preparation meeting opportunity you could have been someplace else but you've come this far by faith you know as graduates of this university you have the awesome responsibility now to continue the phenomenal legacy of this historic hbcu founded out of necessity in 1867 to educate freed slaves ungirded by purpose ritually grounded in a proud history rooted in service and the hbcu tradition johnson c smith remains committed to providing an outstanding education for diverse groups of talented highly motivated students from various ethnic and socioeconomic geographic backgrounds johnson c smith set a standard so you could become yourself change our world you are jcsu excellence and graduates that makes you excellence too and so today you join the ranks of alumni whose ultimate purpose is to set a path forward for a more just and humane society your founders were clear about the institutions unique mission of service that you must undertake beyond these laws because service is indeed the rent we pay for living on this earth it's the very purpose of life not something that you do in your spare time but like many of you i was a first generation college student and i'm a proud graduate of a historically black university north carolina a t my mom did domestic work she cleaned white folks houses so i wouldn't have to she didn't finish high school didn't have an opportunity to go to college to an hbcu or any cu for that matter but she understood the value of education and what it would mean in my life mom was a praying woman and an hbcu showed favor on her daughter just like jcs did for you and hbcu took this poor black girl who walked those ghetto streets of newark new jersey and and made a committed investment in me they nurtured and molded and shaped me into what they knew i could become i completed my undergraduate master's degrees and earned my phd from the ohio state university but only because of the north carolina a t and h hbcu you know hbcus like johnson c smith they understand the value of students and they help students to realize that you are not your circumstance going from the ghetto to the congress i'm a witness that where you start out in life doesn't have to determine where you're going to end up in life or just how far you can go only you can determine your distance and your destiny you know i'm a little bit like fanny lou sick and tired of being sick and tired of hearing that same old question dr um do we still need hbcus well folks it's past time that that we move the conversation away from why do we need hbcus to what in the hell would we do without hbcus you know we make up three percent of our nation's institutions of higher learning but graduate 20 of african americans earning undergraduate degrees and many of you are sitting out here right now like johnson c smith believed in an opportunity and the fundamental importance of education that the w.e.b du bois talked about when he said of all of the civil rights for which the world has struggled and fought for for 500 years the right to learn is undoubtedly the most fundamental you know students as you walk across the stage and receive your degrees today i pray that you will always remember that this university took you where you were got you to where you needed to be and believing in your fundamental right they shaped and molded you into what they knew you could become graduates to whom much is given much is required and i pray that you will always cherish and value your beginnings understanding the commitment and the expectations that come with your degree and never forget the role you've traveled and the many bridges that help you cross troubled waters i'm grateful for an hbcu that invested in my fundamental right so that i could seize opportunity aren't you glad jcu invested in yours if you all say i'm glad oh i can't hear you i'm glad all right i think you are glad you will be once you get across the stage but you know your educational preparation here has been a first step the training ground and the stepping stone for your service to humanity and so my challenge to you graduates is don't get it and go get it and give give back to your community give back to your school to those who helped pave your way and sacrificed and brought you along nothing can be accomplished on your own caring and compassion is a reciprocal obligation if you learn teach if you get give time is of the essence so don't waste it and you know you don't do anybody any good if you're standing around talking about the problem in everybody's way martin luther king reminded us that at the end of the day despite the divisiveness and the and the hate-filled rhetoric unarmed truth and and unconditional love will have the final word and so here's the unarmed truth golden bones there's a battle on the horizons our schools are under siege communities in turmoil and so we've got to sound the trumpet because a trumpet is required because the fluke's not going to do and graduates it is your time to have the final word to sound your trumpet as the next generation you must be the trumpets for change to protect our democracy it's your time get in the game rise up make your voices heard with a resounding thunderous trumpet roar you know smith heights you are hbcu strong and you have been fully prepared to lead johnson c smith invested in you so that you could seize opportunity and be those trumpets of change those change makers the movers the shakers and yes be the shakers of the world my former colleague the late john lewis would say get into some good trouble there'll be stumbling blocks in your way but use them as stepping stones be self-assured and don't doubt yourselves respect yourself and demand the same respect from others making sure that nobody takes you for granted or your school for others to take you seriously to know that you matter and to treat you like you matter you must make a personal commitment and investment in yourself so do what's right because it's right it's always right to do what's right and don't let anybody define you don't worry about what they call you there's an old african proverb and says it's not what you call me it's what i answer to so you answer to what and who you know you ought to be called and nothing else and maintain respect for your mind the knowledge and what you know and build on what you don't know but what you need to know i salute you for the good choices that you've made being here is one of them because you could have been someplace else blowing a flute and i commend you for remaining committed for setting goals to realize your dreams for for such a time in this country's history you must embrace your responsibility as our leaders and while you help revolutionize your own dreams build the kind of world that you want to see and the kind that you know it can be and must be the obligations that come with the jcsu education and how you fulfill those is determined by how you live your lives the education that you have attained here will yield substantive benefits so that you can leave the world much better than you found it and i believe i truly do that if anyone can take a moment a cause and turn it into a movement to bring change to this world graduates it is you it's your time to step up and stand out and sound the trumpets for a more just society classes 20 20 and 21 this is your time when your preparation will meet the many opportunities that await you today is in your hands and truth be told tomorrow will be too hbcus are responsible for creating some of our nation's most motivated and exceptional young entrepreneurs and many of you are sitting out here right now you have the power to develop your own social and economic and political platforms in ways that an aging group of policy leaders like myself can only imagine now here in the world of twitter and facebook and youtube and instagram and and i know some of that too and snapchat and tic toc you you can reach billions in just seconds and produce change almost instantly advancing the mission of hbcus the success of the communities that they serve must be on the minds of our nation's leaders and more importantly it's got to be on our agendas as a member of the house education and labor committee as founder of the first congressional bipartisan hbcu caucus hbcus johnson c smith you're on the top of my agenda you know the congressional bipartisan caucus which is now bicameral more than a hundred members we've successfully with the cbc secured millions of additional dollars for hbcus the first standalone hbcu bill in 20 years the future act that i sponsored permanently ensures 85 million every year for our schools you know and this week dr ombuster i'm going to introduce ignite we're going to light this fire it's a bill it's an hbcu infrastructure bill for our schools long name institutional grants for new instruction technology and education and guess what i've got senator coons senator tim scott representative french hill so we've we've teamed up to republicans to democrats folks you are testaments that there is real value in higher education and as a country and government we must increase affordability and access reduce student loan defaults protect student borrowers and dismiss some of this debt on our students and schools as graduates you'll leave this university in addition to your degrees you're going to carry thousands of student debt with you it's time for you now to become part of the solution these perilous times require courageous smith trumpets that our communities have always known for 154 years courageous leaders like former congresswoman eva clayton a smith alum still sounding her trumpet now more than ever blow your homework blow it for a living wage blow it for equal pay for quality education blow it for racial justice blow it for better community policing for black lives they do matter for health care blow it against hunger and racism and blow it for equal opportunity for everyone and yes blow it for hbc use you know smith has prepared you to be those trumpets of change and there's a climate of hatred and intolerance and inhumanity in america it's simmering and it must stop and it's your job now to share and and and be involved in advocating and speaking up and standing up and sometimes you have to cut up you know your generation can quickly pick through and respond to the spin and to the phoniness and to the artificial nastiness that saturates much of the national debate the martin luther king reminds us that the world may not remember the words of our enemies but they will remember the silence of their friends graduates you are jcsu excellence that makes you hbcu strong classes of 2021 i'm convinced that that you have the power to change the way we do things how we confront some of the hardest problems facing the world today climate change and artificial intelligence and famine and war and racism and hunger and disease including a pandemic you mix desire and compassion and technology so stay in the game stay focused expect excellence because you are hb see you strong and don't just be concerned be committed everybody's concerned about something but there's a difference you know when you're concerned about a problem you usually talk it the death you talk a lot about it you meet a lot about it you don't do much about it and usually your position is negotiable but when you are truly committed you don't just talk about it you do something about it you act and your position is never negotiable so take responsibility seriously and use your power because power is what makes the difference in lives and communities and the first thing you have to understand about power and how to get it is you don't ask somebody how to get it or where it is or can you have it you take it and once you've taken it you use it so you've already proven doers so do it for those who came before you those who follow you do it for culture for the future and never mind the naysayers who want to write you off as a lost generation because i don't buy that because i see in each of you the kind of energy and hope and determination that reminds me of why i am so optimistic about the future of america graduates we need you your creativity your passion your drive your persistence you have all of the right dynamics for a new frontier in america in this very interesting time in our nation's history a time of real opportunity but also a time of struggle and pain growing opportunities await you in health care and education and energy and the sciences and the arts and all forms of technology and communications and now you're better positioned as someone who has completed undergraduate or graduate degree here at johnson c smith this is your time your time of new beginnings when your preparation will meet the many opportunities that await you you were placed in the care of johnson c smith university for such a time as this so consider as you leave how you can contribute to the mission formed by those who came before you and so as you climb jacob's ladder and ladies when you climb jennifer's every round going higher and higher as you step up you must reach back and bring somebody else along because opportunity awaits you you are jcsu excellence truly prepared to seize it emerson told us a long time ago that most of the shadows in one's lifetime come from standing in one's own sunshine so graduates don't be a shadow in your own way and don't allow anybody else to block your view why you are hb see you strong congratulations god bless you [Music] [Applause] [Music] hmm [Applause] congresswoman congresswoman adams thank you for those stirring words today and i i hope i don't butcher this too much but that line in your speech about why in the hell do we need hbcus anymore that question should be asked and the question might be why in the hell do we need jcsu graduates we don't have to answer that question you know what because we got you congratulate we got you and you're going to be here for the future i am sure all of who are within the sound of your voice especially our 2020 and 21 graduates today will be stirred to action to fulfill their respective destinies for which we all know as you qui so well pointed out they are very very well prepared thank you again for that stirring speech congresswoman adams and now let us listen to a musical presentation by the university concert choir and alumni choir be still and know [Music] is [Applause] [Music] right i am i will be [Music] [Music] [Music] is [Music] i am [Music] is [Applause] [Music] oh [Music] peace [Music] [Applause] [Music] is [Music] oh [Music] [Music] peace [Music] i am [Music] [Music] [Applause] so thank you dr shauna lee swight and the johnson c smith university concert choir and alumni choir for their beautiful musical selection at this time i have the honor of presenting four individuals who are being recognized for their exemplary academic records and overall high level of involvement at the institution during their matriculation the first is don arvello class of 2020 salutatorian don arvelo had no plans of going back to school when she relocated to charlotte north carolina for a job in 2008 last year she graduated as the salutatorian of the 2020 class earning a degree in business administration with a concentration in management it confirms that with hard work and determination anything is possible she said arvelo a puerto rican born and raised in hoboken new jersey gave college a second chance after speaking with two jcsu employees registrar kisha wilson class of 96 and enrollments prospecting i'm sorry enrollment processing specialist targey caldwell during a chance meeting at a charlotte ymca while i've had many unique memories from jcsu the common thread is the instructors who believed in me more than i believed in myself arvelo explained arvelo admits life work balance was a challenge but support from professors such as dr lucinda blue made it easy to stay on task while attending jcsu arvella worked as a human resource manager for a fortune 100 company so she was grateful for the flexibility metropolitan college of professional studies provided her that flexibility helped her to maintain grades and a full-time job dawn could not be with us today but i'd like us to take this opportunity to congratulate her as the class of 2020 salutatorian [Applause] the second person whom we'd like to recognize for her outstanding academic performance is crystal nicole howard class of 2021 salutatorian crystal please come forward crystal howard a native of charleston south carolina followed in her older sister brianna howard's class of 14 footsteps when she decided to attend jcsu while howard and her sister did not experience jcsu at the same time they were able to share moments on campus including her initiation into the gamma delta chapter of alpha kappa alpha sorority incorporated howard's parents who are also graduates of hbcus influenced her decision i'm graduating from a school with people who look like me and are achieving greatness it's just a good feeling howard said crystal secured a job with bank of america headquartered in charlotte before the start of her senior year the banking giant offered her a position as a cyber security analyst in their global information security department following the completion of her internship with the company with diversity and technology at the forefront of conversations howard hopes her role with bank of america allows her to be a role model for black women i want to be an inspiration for younger kids who may not think they can says howard please join me in congratulating our class of 2021 salutatorian crystal nicole howard [Applause] [Music] [Applause] thank you the third individual being recognized for her meritorious academic achievement is the class valedictorian for the class of 2020. ramoya reagan grandison ramoya please come forward ramoya grandison class of 2020 arrived at johnson c smith university in 2015 with ambitions of becoming class valedictorian it is probably one of my biggest accomplishments to date she said grandison from saint catherine jamaica came to america for the first time on a jcsu track and field scholarship but knew she wanted to make the most of her experience as an international student she served as president of delta mu delta business honor society and was granted scholarships and learned leadership skills she is also a member of the gamma delta chapter of alpha kappa alpha sorority incorporated as a jcsu student granted completed three internships two of those with deloitte touch in july 2020 deloitte touch hired grandison who double majored in computer science information systems and business administration as a risk and financial advisory group consultant please join me in congratulating our class of 2021 i'm class of 2020 valedictorian ramoya [Applause] grandison [Music] [Applause] greetings board of trustees president armrester distinguished guest administrators faculty staff students family and friends i am ramoya grandison your 2020 valedictorian [Applause] i am honored to stand before you not only representing the class of 2020 but through the unprecedented times we've experienced i also stand in solidarity representing my fellow smithites in the class of 2021 holding high the gold and the blue permanence perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacles discouragements and impossibilities it is this that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak my fellow graduates today was surely delayed but it was not denied we are here today because nevertheless god wanted it no other way [Applause] my speech today will be longer than the time it took to approve vaccines but shorter than the time we spent quarantined it is with assurance that i am able to speak on behalf of all my peers when i say this is a moment we've always imagined and a moment we'll remember for the rest of our lives attending johnson season university has brought many experiences some joyful some fulfilling some successful and some which caused misery but let's not pretend that this pandemic wasn't the saving grace for some of us let's thank the founder of zoom for creating an application that allowed us to get a's in our sleep yeah we're built different but on a serious note i would like to say thank you to the faculty and staff for making that quick transition to facilitate virtual learning thank you to our parents for all the nagging and micromanaging but still supporting and trusting us to get the job done thank you to us for being adaptive and responsive to all changes and personally i would like to thank god for the perfect positioning of my life [Applause] thank you to my mom for being brave enough to send her favorite daughter so i believe across the country to study i would like to thank coach graham former track and field head coach for saying yes even though his track budget was saying no thank you to dr theramurty for encouraging me to take on dual majors though at the moment i felt like he was crazy but it led me to the position i am today unfortunately i can't thank everyone individually but to my line sisters [Music] soul sisters teachers mentors friends and well-wishers i thank you all fellow graduates if you remember nothing else from today remember this word nevertheless we were in the midst of a panoramic oh my bad a pandemic nevertheless we persevered our senior week of parties and fun was snatched away but nevertheless we found other ways to fulfill that joy some of us loved job offers nevertheless we sought and we found other avenues of income some of us lost loved ones nevertheless we found a way through and some of us are still trying to find our way nevertheless we meet we move forward with determination essentially no matter the obstacles you faced yesterday the ones you face today the ones you'll face tomorrow i encourage you to move forward never the less please repeat after me we will rise nevertheless we will conquer nevertheless we will flap our wings like eagles and soar nevertheless thank you oops sorry thank you ramoya the last but certainly not least individual being recognized for exemplary academic achievement is the class of 2021 valedictorian adrian simmons the fort washington maryland native never imagined he be graduating top of his class in fact there was a time when he had no desire to attend college when i came to johnson c smith university the goal was just to graduate said adrian simmons he attributes his success to networking it's important to be involved on campus because it helps you build communication with people in your network simmons secured a job as a web analyst with deloitte touch more than a year before graduation with the help of his professors the computer science major was exposed to additional opportunities including the 2019 be smart hackathon by black enterprise where simmons and his teammates finished second place the highest finish ever for jcsu in the competition as a black man simmons looks forward to breaking barriers of diversity in tech and he hopes his story of success inspires others especially future smithites who may not feel worthy of success adrian will begin his role with deloitte touch fall 2021 in arlington virginia adrian could not be with us today and he asked me to read his remarks adrian i will do my best to represent you greetings board of trustees members president armbrister distinguished guests administrative officials faculty staff family friends and of course to my fellow classmates the graduating class of 2021 we made it i'll be honest if you told me four years ago that i'd be the one selected to give the valedictory address i wouldn't believe a word you said in fact i probably questioned how i even got to college in the first place so to start i'd like to thank my mom for giving me a much needed push and the wake-up call that made me realize that i have what it takes this commencement is the final send-off before we all delve into the next phases of our lives i'm sure everyone is relieved that in most cases they've submitted their final assignments wrote their last paper or taken their final test but more importantly i hope that you are all proud that you earned the right to walk across this stage despite what people may have said about you your major or your reasoning for choosing to go to smith the bottom line is that you made it this far and that alone is worth celebrating i also know that this moment comes with bitterness as well to be fair most schools including smith have been operating under remote learning for the past year and a half so for most of those present it's probably been a while since you've seen the friends and peers that sit amongst you even though it's easy to feel reluctance that this celebration serves as both the reunion and the farewell i hope you choose to look back on the moments that you have enjoyed together as those same moments are a part of the memories we'll enjoy for the rest of our lives i would be remiss not to give thanks to those who helped us during this experience there are so many important and under appreciated people both on and off campus that have assisted us in making it happen i'm sure we all have that favorite teacher or staff member or that unexpected person who's been looking out for us since day one so i like to give all of those people no matter who they are a round of applause for me it starts with thanking the entirety of the computer science department for constantly putting me and others in positions to succeed i gained a lot of irreplaceable knowledge and experience thanks to the various opportunities i have participated in over the years i've also probably bugged our advisor dr fike more times than he probably cared to answer especially coming into my last year but regardless he always made time so i thank you then it goes to tidwell michael and mr howard of the smith tech innovation center for giving me a space to grow and develop i'd also like to thank miss killian for being the hands that oversaw all of the paperwork and issues behind the scenes so again i appreciate all of you very much it would feel weird if i were giving thanks and didn't also shout out my guys so austin jameer miles narcisse and nate thank you not only for the amazing and priceless moments we had but also for the brotherhood we built over the years love y'all that's my best adrian voice and last but certainly not least i would like to give a big thank you again to my mom for being my support system my source of motivation and for being one of the few people who believed in the younger version of me truly if it were not for you i have no idea where i'd be so i guess it's that time as we all move on to the next moments and challenges of our lives i hope we all remember that failure does not define us no matter how many times you were unsuccessful understand that it is important not to dwell on your failure but to use it as an experience to orchestrate the future victories that account for the bigger picture in other words don't be like me four years ago with our degrees we have now established a new floor that will make it possible for us to reach a higher ceiling and even though i'm not in attendance know that we are all crossing the stage to celebrate together with that being said i wish you all good luck i hope that we all continue to floor soar and flourish as individuals and congratulations [Applause] thank you ramoya and adrian we wish you much success as you continue your journey through life and now and now the moment you have all been waiting for the conferring of the degrees dr caldwell [Applause] [Music] [Applause] everyone may i remind you that approaching the stage doing the awarding of degrees is prohibited only our professional photographers are allowed to do so please reserve your individual photography for after the ceremony thank you will the candidates for the master of social work in the school of social work please stand president armbruster it gives me great pleasure to present to you the graduate candidates for the master of social work degree mr president in accordance with the recommendation of the johnson c smith university faculty and the vote of the board of trustees i request that you confer upon these candidates from the school of social work the master of social work degree in recognition of the successful completion of degree requirements within the school of social work and institutional obligations [Applause] i am pleased to accept the faculty's recommendation and the approval of the board of trustees and i am honored to invite your candidates to the stage to receive their degrees please come forward [Applause] ashley syackney alexander [Music] yes gabrielle janae adams [Music] wow desiree dashay brooks [Applause] jasmine lashay arnett [Applause] lauren elizabeth corpening robert lonza brown junior beverly denise davis that's your shirt kimberly ronnell caldwell angela maria clay [Applause] [Applause] april latricia berry carrie l cronk [Applause] [Music] roslyn denise gibson my sofia gabriel shania williams carter um amber renee gillespie tamara nicole gilmore tia janae glaspie reina marie graham denisha lashonza gravesia amani green frida romerios gutierrez ty harper [Music] kenisha olethia hi looker stephanie alexis hoover [Music] sierra nicole hopkins lashana aisha james courtney jenae johnson fiona mariah massey yes anaya e smith sierra janiece mercado cheray dierra mccollum wallace thomas peake jr patricia kimberly newell [Applause] aria z woods stephanie k perkins [Applause] octavia elise ramsey [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] tanine laletti pryor [Music] [Applause] tamiya robinson [Music] come on denise holly woods francesca vasquez jada kiara wright [Applause] [Music] kwanzaa suzanne nguyen william fitzgerald richardson afila t walton [Applause] right it's my great pleasure to present to you the candidates for the bachelor of social work degree from the school of social work will the candidates for the bachelor of social work please stand mr president in accordance with the recommendation of the johnson c smith university faculty and the vote of the board of trustees i request that you confer upon these candidates from the school of social work the bachelor of social work degree in recognition of their successful completion of degree requirements and institutional obligations dr caldwell i am pleased to accept the faculty's recommendation and the approval of the board of trustees please be seated president armbruster it gives me great pleasure to present to you the candidates for the bachelor of arts degree from the college of arts and letters will the candidates for the bachelor of arts degree please stand [Applause] mr president in accordance with the recommendation of the johnson c smith university faculty and the vote of the board of trustees i request that you confer upon these candidates from the college of arts and letters the bachelor of arts degree in recognition of their successful completion of the degree requirements and institutional obligations dr deforest i am pleased to accept the faculty's recommendation and the approval of the board of trustees please be seated [Applause] president armbruster it gives me great pleasure to present to you metropolitan college of professional studies candidates for the degree of bachelor of arts bachelor of science degree and bachelor of social work degree will the candidates for the bachelor of arts degree bachelor of science degree and bachelor of social work degree please stand mr president in accordance with the recommendation of the johnson c smith university faculty and the vote of the board of trustees i request that you confer upon these candidates from the metropolitan college of professional studies the bachelor of arts degree bachelor of science degree and bachelor of social work degree in recognition of the successful completion of degree requirements within the college of arts and letters and school of social work and institutional obligations [Applause] dr mitchell i am pleased to accept the faculty's recommendation and the approval of the board of trustees please be seated dr gompa [Applause] president armrester [Applause] president armrester it gives me great pleasure to present to you the candidates for the bachelor of science degree from the college of science technology engineering and mathematics when the candidates for the bachelor of science degree please stand mr president in accordance with the recommendation of the johnson c smith university faculty and the world of the board of trustees i request that you confer upon these candidates from the college of science technology engineering and mathematics the bachelor of science degree in recognition of the successful completion of degree requirements and institutional obligations [Music] [Applause] dr gompa i am pleased to accept the faculty's recommendation and the approval of the board of trustees please be seated at this time i am honored to invite the bachelor of arts degree bachelor of science degree and bachelor of social work degree candidates to the stage to receive your degrees please come forward [Music] you want to do it again [Music] [Applause] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Applause] foreign [Music] bridgette denise acklin laude class of 2021 haciana tanay alexander laude class of 2021 [Applause] [Music] laura in ketchi arjuku magna laude class of 2021 indigo cheyenne allen class of 2020 daniel isaiah allen class of 2021 shaughnessy anderson magna laude class of 2021 kirsten mayan austin laude class of 2021 my tanaya ashley archer class of 2020 [Applause] stephanie tamica anthony coombe laude class of 2021 [Applause] anaya brianna barker laude class of 2021 kayvon barrett suma laude class of 2021 couture miele fontaine class of 2020 class of 2020. ariana baje clements laude class of 2021 ashley nicole bellinger summer laude class of 2021 [Applause] [Music] aaron m adair magna laude class of 2020 jeremy blunt laude class of 2020 [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] dejaria canis janelle benjamin suma laude class of 2021 class of 20-21 khalia braxton laude class of 2021 decravious bowman laude class of 2021 [Music] lazari emania [Music] class of 2021 [Applause] kayla louise bray laude class of 2020 [Applause] [Music] [Applause] samaria valarie carey laude class of 2021 [Applause] alexandra brown class of 2020 class of 2020 malik kishon brown laude class of 2020 dana l battle summa laude class of 2021 taneva chartell bush magna laude class of 2020 [Applause] martha m bell class of 2020. marcellus dion bird summer laude class of 2020 china tierra blair laude class of 2020 [Applause] trevor martez calloway laude class of 2021 [Applause] brittany denasia brown magnum laude class of 2021 [Applause] charnay brianna campbell class of 2021 sequoia carey danielle brown laude class of 2020 ivory da'quan canty junior class of 2021. [Applause] kennedy joelin cook laude class of 2021 [Applause] brittany marquette perry carter class of 2021 [Music] dontania sheamore butler class of 2020 tia nicole castor class of 2021 crestlea alexis cherie lindsey bird laude class of 2021 chenoy marquia challenger laude class of 2021 [Music] sydney morgan calhoun laude class of 2021 [Applause] antonia marie childs laude class of 2020. class of 2021. imani chantal clark class of 2021 cameron campbell laude class of 2021 kiana sierra clegg laude class of 2021 [Music] glenn dewane chamar canty class of 2021 [Music] corey juwon clemens class of all 2021 [Applause] [Music] [Applause] william case summa laude class of 2021 tiata janae coker laude class of 2020 [Applause] [Music] [Applause] alicia renee coffin class of 2020 [Applause] destiny coppage class of 2020. [Applause] a lima charles laude class of 2021 [Music] legere costin laude class of twenty twenty one darren jerome clark laude class of 2020. [Applause] malik couch class of 2020. [Applause] antoinette clark class of 2020. tyreke lamont cureton class of 20 21. [Applause] class of 2021 randazia daniels laude class of 2020 reyes cornwall class of 2020 [Music] delay maria davis class of 2020 keaney sequin cotton smith laude class of 2021 winston gabriel douglas the second laude class of 2020. karina zakira cunningham summa laude class of 2020 [Music] [Applause] william dew heart iii class of 2021 [Applause] wilson brumel curtis class of 2021 [Music] [Applause] eugene ellington jr magna laude class of 2020 [Music] deja renee davis magna laude class of 2020. zabdiel ascalona laude class of 2020 [Applause] jaziel manuel diaz rosa class of 2021 [Applause] [Music] class of 2021. marlisa douglas magna laude class of 2021 class of 2021. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] desmond dozier class of 2021 deron faust class of 2021 anthony shawn edwards jr summa laude class of 2021 [Applause] davies monique fleming laude class of 2021 [Music] ruben allen class of 2020. demetria zade foster suma laude class of 2021 alize unique ferris class of 2020 [Applause] [Music] [Applause] maya alicia foxworth magna laude class of 2020. jamila fitzgerald class of 2021 [Applause] khalil asante frazier suma laude class of 2021 [Applause] jasmine imam foreman magna laude class of 2021. class of 2021 david francis jr laude class of 2020. malia to shia gaston laude class of 2020 [Applause] nakia edwards gaskin laude class of 2021 [Applause] michael gerard glenn jr class of 20 21. class of 2021. devontae gooding class of 2021. [Applause] christina marche gilliam class of 2020. lauren goodlow moore magna laude class of 2021 class of 2021 martina a grady class of 2020 [Music] [Applause] jasha danique gore magna laude class of 2021 donovan veto green class of 20 [Applause] 20. ramoya reagan grandison summa laude class of 2020. koran green laude class of 2020 jordan makaya green magna laude class of 2021 [Applause] jada simone gresham class of 2021 morning star lucinda green laude class of 2020 [Applause] ashley nicole sydney grove laude class of 2021 shawandan takita grice magnum cularde class of 2021 erica lorraine ham laude class of 2021 lisa renee hall class of 2020 [Applause] joy antoinette haywood suma laude class of 2021 jasmine m harris class of 2021 quentin j henderson class of 2021 johntavious henderson class of 2021 tierra anaya hicks magna laude class of 2020 lauren marie herring summa class of 2020 [Applause] shakira antoine hill laude class of twenty twenty one calvin hill laude class of 2021 laude class of 2021 phillip orlando holiday class of 2021 [Applause] hood class of 2020 [Music] [Applause] malik ali holoman class of 2021 [Applause] brandon james howard laude class of twenty twenty javana brichay hopper laude class of 2021 kimberly howell laude class of 20 21 [Music] [Applause] [Music] crystal nicole howard summa laude class of 2021 [Applause] [Music] [Applause] alexis jackson class of 20 21 [Applause] cameron vichon hyman summa laude class of 2021 [Applause] [Music] janaea dawn jackson suma laude class of 2021 genesis celeste jule jackson laude class of 2020. justice christine jackson sumer laude class of 2021 [Music] jasmine jackson laude class of 2021 [Applause] cyra jasmine jacom class of 2020 [Applause] casiana jacobs class of 2020. deandre jernigan laude class of 20 21 [Music] miles aaron jennings magna laude class of 2021 jamia janiece johnson laude class of 20 21 brianna elaine thioli johnson laude class of 2020 [Music] michaela janae johnson class of 20 21. [Applause] [Music] i'm trying to make sure desire messiah johnson summa laude class of 2021 trayana johnson magna laude class of 2021 takeisha e johnson class of 2021 byron james johnson kilm laude class of 2021 willie joseph johnson jr laude class of 2021 [Applause] tyler james jolly laude class of 20 20. vantino anthony johnson class of 2020 [Applause] kyah lashon jones class of 2020 jasmine shanae jones laude class of 20 2021 [Music] lisa michelle jordan laude class of 2021 francis jewell jordan magna laude class of 2021 [Applause] [Music] asia ariel judge laude class of 2020 [Applause] kyrie deshawn joyner class of 2021 monasia diamond kabuya laude class of 2021 [Applause] geneva magna laude class of 2021 kim yata deangelo kelty magna laude class of 2021 [Applause] miles kelly comlade class of 2020 [Applause] [Music] fantasia schuler lawrence magna laude class of 2020. defonte trayvon lewis laude class of 2021 [Applause] [Music] [Applause] janiece ellen class of 2020 orioles sydney simone leach class of 2021 [Music] kaylee harrison magna laude class of 20 21. class of 2020 [Music] [Applause] imani tagtiana daniane louis suma laude class of 2020 [Music] essence andrea lewis laude class of 2021 tiana cassandra lewis class of 2021 class of 2020. [Applause] put my hands on my hips i know the floors i want to make an announcement though [Applause] i'm going to be debbie down if i make an announcement for the floors mustafa khalifa love laude class of 2020 [Applause] okay [Applause] [Music] [Applause] miles isaiah lindsey laude class of 2020 [Music] carrie ann lowe laude class of 2020 [Music] michelle angela mack magna laude class of 2021 [Music] tatiana priera lachey mars summa laude class of 2021 denzel marquarius marshall class of 2020 brianna martin laude class of 2021 [Applause] don michelle martin class of 2021 melissa denise martin magna laude class of 2021 shelby audrey martin laude class of 2020. christina dior mason laude class of 2020 jatoria rose mason laude class of 2020 [Music] sterling lee mccarroll magna laude class of 2021 [Applause] appreciating it class of 2021 class of 2020 [Music] tanay miller magnum cooladi class of 2020. odyssey monet macmillan class of 2020. genesis shanae miller laude class of 2021 jessica narissa mcnair class of 2021 brian dion lemur mobley class of 2021 [Applause] kayla nicole anna rose miller magna laude class of 2021 brenda lisset montenez summa laude class of 2020. tatiana de asia minor laude class of 2020 class of 2021. [Applause] amari moet class of 2021 alexis moore laude class of 2020. de montre lydell moon summa laude class of 2021 ishmael mohammed class of 2020. [Music] [Applause] michaela moore laude class of 2021 [Music] class of 2021 [Applause] [Music] anesia ahmada muhammad magna laude class of 2021 marquisha lashay nelson magna laude class of 2021 alexis danielle murphy class of 2020 class of 2020. [Music] a very class of 2021 blanca italia nolan laude class of 2021 quincy dante nolan jr class of 2020 [Music] tamisha lynae odin class of 2020. [Music] isaiah jared oakes laude class of 2020. deshawn oliver laude class of 2021 kevin tyrone oliphant the second class of 2020 [Applause] melanie's unique otis laude class of 2021 [Applause] sierra saturday oliver wise laude class of twenty twenty owens class of 2020 [Music] kiara owens laude class of 2021 [Applause] [Music] hallie chantel parker summa laude class of 2021 lauren brittany palmer class of 2021 [Music] maria fernanda para perez class of 2020. tremail dalmetrius parker class of 2020. darian andrew peyton magna laude class of 2021 olivia ray paulden magna laude class of 2021 [Applause] serena yamilette peralta magna laude class of 2020 frank stephen perez class of 2021 [Music] raven leela perkins steele laude class of 20 21. quentin lionel perry class of 2021 [Music] veronica harris perry magna laude class of 2021 [Music] l monique jamal pitt class of 2021 [Applause] class of 2020. denise porter laude class of 2020 [Applause] dejuan powell class of 2020. [Music] jamir malcolm prosper magna laude class of 2021 [Applause] now brittany sherman sherman come back brittany i'm going to get your name right now britney sherman purvis summa class of 2020. dajjana unique ray coops laude class of 2020. [Music] [Applause] alexis keasia reeves kum summa kumari class of 2021 avion lashay reed laude class of 2021 [Applause] [Music] ariana sydney monet rhodes laude class of 2021 kian marquis rice class of 2021 [Music] charnelle a rigsby laude class of 2021 [Music] windy guadalupe rivera del abra laude class of 2021 [Applause] roberts laude class of 2021 sean l roberts jr laude class of 2020 [Music] alexandria robinson laude class of 2021 anesia lashay robinson laude class of 20 20. christian deandre robinson laude class of 2021 tanya m robinson magna laude class of 2020. bernie trion robinson laude class of 2020 [Music] tyler j von robinson class of 2020 nicole rodriguez laude class of 2020. louis taylor rogers jr laude class of 20 21 jamisha renee rollins class of 2021 to lisa ann roseboro hampton laude class of 2021 class of 2020 deja janae scott class of 2021 siana lenae ryan's laude class of 2020 monique nicole sears summa laude class of 20 21 [Applause] dante [Music] class of 2021 la tifa ariana simmons class of 2021 class of 2021 gregory linell singington junior laude class of 2021 [Music] [Applause] sydney carlene simmons class of 2020. taylor smith laude class of 20 21 [Music] deangelo m smith laude class of 2021 kiara nadine spivey laude class of 2020. class of 2021. [Music] tatiana tashay staton laude class of 2021 [Music] tabitha michelle stanback class of 2021 nicole stringer class of 2020 capiz natasha sutherland class of 2021 tanya melissa tanksley magna laude class of 2020. lorenz c taylor class of 2021 dwayne carlos taylor jr class of 2020 [Music] [Applause] [Music] class of 2021 montreal terrell class of 2021 my apologies china dania texara magna laude class of 2021 sharon danielle thompson magna laude class of 2020 [Music] ariel malia thompson summa laude class of 2021 kiara ladonne thompson magna laude class of 2020 raven todd magna laude class of 2021 katina renee townsend laude class of 2020. sierra monique turner magna laude class of 2020 adia origin a ushery class of 2021 carla gabriela diaz summa laude class of 2021 kevin vasquez laude class of 2021 eric d venable class of 2021 tyro ward magna laude class of 2021 class of 2021 alexandria malayana waters magna laude class of 2021 ryan antonio weaver laude class of 2021 clarisse danielle webster laude class of 2020 jasmine white laude class of 2021 [Music] alasha nicole williams magna laude class of 2020 tamiya nicole williams laude class of 2021 samira williams class of 2021. deja lynae williams laude class of 2020 tanisha chandra williams class of 2021 destiny willis suma laude class of 2021 [Music] kayla jane williamson clements laude class of 2020 [Applause] sierra nicole wilson class of 2020. kiara ashante wilson magna laude class of 2020. krista brianna wilson laude class of 2020 cheyenne and yala class of 20 21. taisha monique wilson class of 2021 class of 2020 bernice e wright laude class of 2021 charnes johnson class of 2021 josephine e young class of 2021 jacqueline renee jones con lotte class of 20 [Music] 20. [Applause] [Applause] [Music] johnson c smith university class of 2020 and 2021 please stand chair hughes members of the board of trustees faculty of the university i am honored to confer upon these individuals the master of social work degree and the bachelor of social work degree from the school of social work bachelor of arts degree from the college of arts and letters the bachelor of arts degree bachelor of science degree and bachelor of social work degree from the metropolitan college of professional studies the bachelor of science degree from the college of science technology engineering and mathematics and with all the rights privileges and responsibilities appertaining their unto class of 2020 and class of 2021 congratulations you may now move your tassels to the opposite side [Applause] please remain standing please remain standing trustee boyd class of 1979 will now induct the degree recipients into the alumni association trustee boyd [Applause] [Music] [Applause] to the class of 2020 and 2021 in a few short minutes you will complete a momentous body of work on your journey of life and move from student to alumni with this comes privilege of membership into the jcsu national alumni association the privilege comes with responsibility and requirements to the class of 2020 and 2021 it will be your responsibility to ensure along with other alumni the jcsu remains financially sound and academically strong for the generations that follow this will require your financial support time spent mentoring and sharing your life experience with students if you commit to this please say i will you are our new newest ambassadors of johnson c smith university let your career actions and your service to your community be a shining example for others to follow as they set out on their path away from johnson c smith university the educational institution that has prepared you for global leadership we welcome you to the cl the class of 2021 and 2020 to the johnson c smith university alumni association congratulations may god continue to bless you you may be seated [Applause] please be seated and thank you and thank you for your attention we're almost done i really do urge you to play an active role in the alumni association always remember that the strength of any institution depends on the success and support of its alumni and again on behalf of the entire university family let me thank each of you for joining us for our 148th commencement exercises as we prepare to close this program we ask that you remain seated during the recessional and keep the aisles clear until the recessional ends we understand how eager you are to embrace and congratulate your graduates however allow them to complete the recessional and march with their fellow graduates with dignity and decorum on this their special day also please wait for further instructions on how you will need to exit the building in an effort to allow for social distancing we will be dismissing everyone section by section at this time we will have the singing of the loyalty song followed by the benediction please rise [Music] [Music] we love uh oh [Music] is [Music] on earth thy cause oh [Music] [Music] oh [Music] [Applause] [Music] oh congratulations graduates now receive the benediction god bless these graduates they have fought the good fight and finished the race in each one of them we see the continued harvest of blessing that streams forth into the world through johnson c smith university this commencement marks a new beginning for them and we pray for your guidance protection and blessing for each of them as we send them forth as you call them to leadership in their communities and among the nations give them grace and wisdom to lead with excellence compassion and justice and now the lord bless you and keep you the lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you the lord turn his face toward you and give you peace amen [Applause] [Music] so [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] so [Music] [Music] so thank you everyone thank you [Music] graduates graduates there is an announcement [Music] [Applause] thank you everyone for attending today's ceremony for those still remaining we were to be dismissed by sections we appreciate your patience thank you for those graduates under the sound of my voice those graduates seeking to pick up your diplomas you will pick up your diplomas at johnson c smith university's fiddle hall parking lot again graduates graduates who can hear the sound of my voice you can pick up your diplomas at the jcsu biddle hall parking lot there you may return your mock diplomas for your actual diplomas again graduates under the sound of my voice

Channel: Johnson C. Smith University

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Keywords: JCSU, Johnson C. Smith University

Id: 1uuYwPRWgBg

Length: 225min 40sec (13540 seconds)

Published: Sun May 16 2021