Each spring and fall, the office invites all students of color who are
graduating to this reception to recognize their achievement. The 40-plus
students who accepted the invitation were presented a special MTSU medallion emblazoned
with the “I am True Blue” motto that can be worn during Saturday’s commencement
ceremonies at Murphy Center.
“Our goal is to acknowledge not only what our graduates have
achieved individually, but champion our collective joy as connected scholars as
well as reinforce the bonds of scholarship and extend a sense of community,”
said Daniel Green, the new director of Intercultural and Diversity Affairs.
Held in Cantrell Hall of the Tom H. Jackson Building, the
well-attended event featured remarks by Dr. Louis Woods, associate professor of
African-American history; December graduate Verinique Bailey, president of the
I AM ME Inc. student organization; and Dr. Deb Sells, vice president of student
affairs and vice provost of academic and enrollment services.
“You have done an extraordinary thing that puts you in a very elite
group in the state of Tennessee,” Sells told the students. “And you know the
old saying, ‘To whom much is given, much is expected.’ So we want each of you
to go out and be the leaders I know you can be.
“We are looking to you; we are trusting our futures to you.”
Student Alvin Pike, vice president of the Non-Traditional Student
Organization, served as master of ceremony and also had some words of advice.
As an older student, the reflective 38-year-old told the graduates that he came
to “understand the urgency of now” in getting a degree.
He concluded the reception by quoting legendary UCLA men’s basketball
coach John Wooten: “You should live like today is your last, and learn like
you’re going to live forever.”
For more information about the Office of Intercultural and Diversity
Affairs, visit http://www.mtsu.edu/idac/, email ida@mtsu.edu or call 615-898-5812.
— Jimmy Hart (jimmy.hart@mtsu.edu)
No comments:
Post a Comment