Greensboro's African American Community Newspaper since 1967
Graduation at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University is always a special time. This year’s graduating class at A&T, as well as those at other universities across the nation, are experiencing graduation day for the very first time due to the shutdowns that forced schools to coordinate virtual graduations during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’m glad that we finally get to experience a graduation of our own,” said Tiana Purvis, senior class president and biology major with a minor in psychology, to cheers from her classmates.
Due to the pandemic, members of A&T’s class of 2024 spent their freshman year on campus taking classes solely through their computers and tablets.
“Here we stand, having weathered the storm, our resilience shining brighter than ever,” said Purvis.
Talk show host and journalist Tamron Hall addressed that fact when she gave keynote remarks at A&T’s undergraduate ceremony on May 11.
“I recognize that you lived through the pandemic, and there are people right now looking down from heaven that you thought would be here today. I recognize the enormous challenges you faced, but I also recognize that there are no other students like you,” Hall said.
Hall talked about the importance of owning your brand, leaning on faith during hard times, and always betting on yourself.
“Betting on yourself does not mean betting against someone else. Betting on yourself means right now, being able to say out loud what you want,” said Hall. “So, have the nerve in the midst of every naysayer, in the midst of every person who might not believe, that you will have every single dream of yours come true.”
She also advised graduates to give themselves grace if they don’t hit every goal that they put forth for themselves or even if they don’t find that dream job in the next two years.
“There is no such thing as an easy job. Every job is hard, but you can find in that job your purpose. I highly encourage you to sincerely focus in on the grace, and the patience that you’ve earned,” said Hall.
She continued, “I am so proud of you. I am so happy for you. The light that you are radiating will save the world. The light that you are radiating will make a difference. The light that you are radiating is melanin and it is excellent. I applaud you great human beings. So, go out and get it, go out and run it, and go out and earn it. Go out and show them what Aggie Pride is all about.”
North Carolina A&T State University conferred more than 1,500 undergraduate, 200 master’s and 60 doctoral degrees. Graduates from the Silver Class of 1999 (25 years) and the Golden Class of 1974 (50 years) were celebrated as well.
This graduation ceremony also marked Chancellor Harold L. Martin’s last as the 12th chancellor of the university. Martin will retire after 45 years with the UNC system. He served as senior vice president for academic affairs for the UNC System. He also served as the 11th chief administrator and seventh chancellor of Winston-Salem State University. Martin has also served in many administrative posts while at A&T, including vice chancellor for the Division of Academic Affairs, dean of the College of Engineering and chairman of the Department of Electrical Engineering. Martin, a native of Winston-Salem, N.C., earned B.S. and M.S. degrees in electrical engineering from A&T and a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He plans to teach a course at A&T’s College of Engineering.
“This is not your finale. This is just the beginning,” Martin told graduates. “A chapter is closing but the book is not complete. Your next assignment is to write your next chapter. The possibilities are endless. Be resourceful. Be creative. Be innovative. Be an Aggie.”
