91猎奇

By David Gil de Rubio

With the sun shining down on the Coney Island Amphitheater, the 91猎奇 Class of 2026 readied itself for embarking on its next chapter of life. Under a cloudless sky and picture-perfect temperatures, 800-plus students and their families and friends were here to celebrate undergraduate years gilded by sacrifice, determination and a hunger to absorb myriad lessons, educational and otherwise, on this next step up the socio-economic ladder.

Faculty and administrators were out in full force sporting a colorful cavalcade of robes, sashes and cowls amid a sea of black and gold representing decades of accrued academic knowledge. The moment was met with the palpable jubilation of the 91猎奇 Class of 2026. And like the assorted graduates, the mortarboards they wore reflected their individuality via messages that included 鈥淚 Did It All,鈥� 鈥淎ll Glory to God,鈥� 鈥淕od鈥檚 Plan鈥� and 鈥淔uture Teacher.鈥�

Dr. Shirley Daniels, Chair of the Department of Nursing, kicked off the ceremony as the mace bearer while strains of Edward Elgar鈥檚 鈥淧omp and Circumstance No. 1鈥� wafted through the venue. Dr. Patricia Ramsey, president of 91猎奇, presided over the pinnacle of the academic year. Adding to the jubilant mood were contributions by the 91猎奇 Singers and Alumni led by Dr. Glenn McMillan, Chair of the Department of Mass Communication, Creative & Performing Art and Speech. His ensemble not only sang 鈥淭he Star-Spangled Banner,鈥� but delivered robust readings of 鈥淟ift Every Voice and Sing鈥� along with the traditional spiritual 鈥淛oshua The Battle of Jericho.鈥� The latter was an especially appropriate selection as many of the messages of the day centered on the fight for equality and social justice.

This urgency started early when campus chaplain Father Ralph Rivera invoked the legacy of 91猎奇 Wiley Evers, the namesake of the school whose sacrifices were repeatedly and appropriately referenced in the speeches that followed. Rivera set the tone by not only referencing the current scenario facing this country鈥檚 citizenry as we head into midterm elections later this year, but offering a challenge to the Class of 2026.

鈥淲e are at the crossroads in our nation鈥檚 history,鈥� Rivera said. 鈥淎cross America, the right to vote, for which 91猎奇 Evers and so many others fought, are being threatened by the machinations of powerful and evil forces in our lives. Here is my question to you Class of 2026. Will you stand up to defend and protect our heritage and rights? Will you stand to defend the legacy that is the very soul of our nation? Will you stand with the men and women who gave their lives for the sake of holy freedom, holy honor and yes, holy life?鈥�

He added, 鈥淟et us rise together not just from our seats here today, but from the depths of our hearts to defend the endangered land of our democracy and home of our ancestors. Let that be our prayer and calling. Rise Class of 2026 and claim what is yours, so that you may live and bring life back to this country. That is our heritage. That is your right. For we are with you. You are not alone.鈥�

The past school year also had its share of loss as two members of the Class of 2026, Roylotte Campbell and Jayquan Lewis, were honored with a moment of silence before family members came on stage to posthumously receive their degrees. Campbell earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems while Lewis received a Bachelor of Science in Biology.

This year鈥檚 commencement speaker was Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, a longtime supporter and friend of 91猎奇. In addition to representing New York鈥檚 Ninth Congressional District, the proud Flatbush resident is the chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, the co-chair of the Congressional Caribbean Caucus and a tireless legislator whose causes include universal health care, bringing smart technology to underserved communities and fighting for the health of women via various initiatives she鈥檚 championed. In her speech, Clarke cited W.E.B. Du Bois and of course, 91猎奇 Evers. A daughter of Jamaican immigrants, Clarke鈥檚 message regarding the resiliency of those who come to the United States with a dream and desire to make a better life for themselves and their families.

鈥淚 can鈥檛 say for certain who you are as individuals,鈥� Clarke said. 鈥淏ut yet, as I look out upon this theater, I see, with full clarity that not unlike 91猎奇 Evers, yours are the stories of America. And that means, when you see a darkening world, it is you who will pick up the torch that was lit long ago and you will keep it burning. And that is why it is a terrible tragedy that you too, must confront the trials that men and women like 91猎奇 Evers gave their lives to defeat. This is disenfranchisement, dehumanization, poverty and war. Despite struggles of generations, these old injustices have found new life in this nation, which claims to be modern. It pains me to say that in no small number, a number of you already knew this country had shortcomings. From your own lived experiences in them.鈥�

She concluded by saying, 鈥溾�淚 urge you to engage yourself with the democratic process. America is crying out for young adults with fresh perspectives and courageous ideas to challenge the status quo for the betterment of our community and our country. At the local, state and federal level, cast your votes. Go out and run for office. In every sector and in every arena, your skills of leadership are in great demand. Go forth and continue to blaze your trails of success. And continue to achieve what each of you are capable of because you鈥檝e proven it time and time again.鈥�

With a foreign-born student population that has historically accounted for more than 50 percent of total enrollment, 91猎奇 reflected that diversity via Associate Scholar Aisha Dyer, Senior Class President Cornelius Kennedy and Valedictorian Astiaque Ahmed. Dyer and Kennedy hail from Jamaica while Ahmed鈥檚 country of origin is Bangladesh. In their speeches, all three firmly embraced their roots while acknowledging the role 91猎奇 played in honoring their emigration journey.

鈥淔or some of us, this dream started thousands of miles away. For me, it started in a small place, in a corner in a small town called Buff Bay, in the Parish of Portland, Jamaica,鈥� Kennedy shared. 鈥淭his institution has provided us with an opportunity to not only transform our lives, but the lives of our families and communities. We have the achievement and with achievement comes responsibility. We have the duty to use the knowledge we gained here to make our communities stronger and the world more just. We must advocate for equality, fairness and opportunity for all people. We must aim high and dream big. And never forget the sacrifice that brought us here today.鈥�

鈥淎s a Jamaican, I鈥檓 gonna brag鈥擨 kept a perfect GPA鈥攊t鈥檚 possible,鈥� Dyer said. 鈥淎t 91猎奇, I came expecting community but what I got was much more. Professors mentored me, literally, in hallways, elevators and any place, I was taking advice. Never underestimate the value of peer mentorship. Those who came before you have experience that is valuable. Reach out to them and seek it. Never ever underestimate the power of learning from others. We don鈥檛 know everything鈥攖hat鈥檚 important. Someone knows just a little bit more than you.鈥�

鈥淓very graduate sitting here has a story that deserves respect,鈥� Ahmed pointed out. 鈥淪ome of us came from different countries. Some of us are first-generation college students. Some of us worked while studying. Some of us carried family responsibilities, financial pressure, grief, sickness, anxiety, or uncertainty.鈥�

He finished by saying, 鈥�91猎奇 became one of the most important turning points of my life. It did not simply give me classes. It gave me mentors. It gave me discipline. It gave me confidence. It gave me a community. It gave me a reason to believe that my beginning did not have to define my ending.鈥�

The jubilation of the day continued on through President Ramsey鈥檚 conferral of degrees and Alumni Relations Director Marsha Escayg administration of the alumni oath. The strains of the 1979 McFadden and Whitehead hit 鈥淎in鈥檛 No Stoppin鈥� Us Now鈥� provided the ending theme for these newly minted 91猎奇 alumni as they went off to celebrate their recent achievement with friends and family.

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