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# CKY STATE UNIVE

……

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……

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CONVOCATION

Thorobreds Leading for Impact

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2026 | 10 A.M.

KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY

DAVID H. BRADFORD HALL, CARL H. SMITH AUDITORIUM

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# Salute to 140 Years

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140 Years of Academic Excellence

MAKE YOUR IMPACT Today! KYSU.EDU/GIVENOW

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# KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY Founded 1886

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EDGAR ENOCH HUME

1875 – 1877

State Representative

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JOHN HENRY JACKSON

1886 – 1898

First President

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# Accreditation and Affiliations

KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate of nursing practice level degrees. Kentucky State University also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Kentucky State University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC's website (www.sacscoc.org).

Kentucky State University remains committed to continuous improvement and institutional excellence. On December 7, 2025, the SACSCOC Board of Trustees placed the institution on Probation for Good Cause, providing a clear opportunity to strengthen our alignment with Standard 13.6 (Federal and state responsibilities) and reinforce our compliance efforts over the next 12 months (Letter from SACSCOC). A Special Committee has been authorized to visit the institution, allowing us to demonstrate the significant strides we are making as we move forward with transparency, responsibility, and a shared dedication to student and institutional success.

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## Mission Statement

KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY provides transformative educational experiences to prepare graduates for making meaningful contributions to society. Kentucky State University is a public, research-comprehensive, historically Black 1890 land-grant institution.

Then

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FOUNDED IN MAY 1886, Kentucky State University formally opened on October 11, 1887.


<table border=1 style='margin: auto; word-wrap: break-word;'><tr><td style='text-align: center; word-wrap: break-word;'>1886</td><td style='text-align: center; word-wrap: break-word;'>2026</td></tr><tr><td style='text-align: center; word-wrap: break-word;'>President John Henry Jackson</td><td style='text-align: center; word-wrap: break-word;'>President Dr. Koffi C. Akakpo</td></tr><tr><td style='text-align: center; word-wrap: break-word;'>55 Students Enrolled</td><td style='text-align: center; word-wrap: break-word;'>2,300 Students Enrolled</td></tr><tr><td style='text-align: center; word-wrap: break-word;'>3 Instructors</td><td style='text-align: center; word-wrap: break-word;'>450 Faculty and Staff</td></tr><tr><td style='text-align: center; word-wrap: break-word;'>24 Acres</td><td style='text-align: center; word-wrap: break-word;'>1,100 Acres</td></tr><tr><td style='text-align: center; word-wrap: break-word;'>1 Diploma Offered: Normal School Certificate of Completion</td><td style='text-align: center; word-wrap: break-word;'>30 degree programs: certificates in 28 disciplines, associate (two-year) degrees in two disciplines, baccalaureate (four-year) degrees in 22 disciplines, master&#x27;s degrees in eight disciplines, and a doctoral degree in nursing practice</td></tr></table>

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# Board of Regents TAMMI DIVERS. Dr. CHARLES

Ms. TAMMI DUKES

CHAIR

Mr. EDWARD FIELDS

STAFF REGENT

Dr. Charles Moyer

DR. JAMES OBIELODAN

FACULTY REGENT

Mr. Matt Grimshaw

Mr. Jonathan Rabinowitz, Esq.

Mr. EDWARD HATCHETT, ESQ.

VICE CHAIR

Mr. KYLAN RICHARD

STUDENT REGENT

Mr. JASON MOSELEY

Ms. Joan "Toni" Stringer, Esq.

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Dr. Koffi C. Akakpo – Nineteenth President

Dr. Heather Bigard

Vice President of Finance and Administration/CFO

Dr. Michael D. Dailey

Provost and Vice President Division of Academic Affairs

Mr. Michael R. DeCourcy

Vice President of Institutional Advancement and External Relations

Dr. WENDY D. DIXIE

VICE PRESIDENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND CHIEF OF STAFF

Ms. Nicole Sergent, Esq.

GENERAL COUNSEL

Mr. ADAM SMITH

INTERIM VICE PRESIDENT OF ENROLLMENT AND STUDENT SUCCESS

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# Presidential Symbols of Office

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## RECTOR'S REGALIA

Since modern academic regalia evolved from the kinds of apparel worn by monks and students in the Middle Ages to keep warm in the castles and halls in which they studied, academic regalia remains symbolic of scholastic achievement.  He regalia worn by Kentucky State University's president is made of black tropical wool. It has green velvet panels and bars.  He bars and panels are accented by antique gold cordings. Each sleeve has four chevrons.  He sleeves are Akron style inlaid with Washington green.  He hood is !at with a square bottom. It is embellished with Washington green satin lining and antique gold chiffon. It also has gold cording with green velvet.

## UNIVERSITY MACE

The mace is a club-shaped staff used as a symbol of authority. It was originally a weapon of the middle ages with a long handle, heavily weighted on the end. The heavy end became an iron ball as the sciences of war developed, and archers and other unmounted warriors used the mace as a hand arm. The mace was also used as a symbol of authority by some church officials, the British House of Commons, and the United States House of Representatives. Sergeants at arms, who were the guards of kings and other high officials, also carried maces. Even today, a gleaming white mace still rests on the table at meetings in many nations, symbolizing royal and legislative authority. Gradually, the mace gained a ceremonial character and today it is used during inaugurations, commencements and other formal processions. The Kentucky State University Mace is carried in by a member of the faculty.

## CHAIN OF OFFICE

Each president of Kentucky State University wears the Chain of Office, also referred to as the livery and/or the presidential medallion, symbolizing the Office of the President. It is worn at formal academic occasions such as inaugurations, commencements, convocations, and Founder's Day. Kentucky State University's Chain of Office comprises a 3" diameter brass medallion with an antique "nish. It is attached with a leaf banner bearing the title president and leaf clusters. The chain consists of curved banners depicting engravings of the names of all the official presidents of Kentucky State University and their years of service.

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# List of Presidents

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JOHN HENRY JACKSON

1886-1898

JAMES SHELTON HATHAWAY

1900 – 1907

JAMES SHELTON HATHAWAY

1910 – 1912

JOHN T. WOLFE, JR.

1990 – 1991

WILLIAM A. BUTTS

1975 – 1982

GEORGE W. REID

1998 – 2002

FRANCIS MARION WOOD

1923 – 1924

RUFUS B. ATWOOD

1929 – 1962

Raymond M. Burse

2014 – 2016

JAMES EDWARD GIVENS

1898 – 1900

GREEN PINCKNEY RUSSELL

1912 – 1923

GREEN PINCKNEY RUSSELL

1924 – 1929

JOHN HENRY JACKSON

1907 – 1910

CARL McCLELLAN HILL

1962 – 1975

Raymond M. Burse

1982 – 1989

MARY L. SMITH

1991 – 1998

MARY EVANS SIAS

2004 – 2014

KOFFI C. AKAKPO

2023 - PRESENT

M. CHRISTOPHER BROWN II

2017 - 2021



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# KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY History

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From its modest beginnings as a robust school for the training of African American teachers, Kentucky State University has grown into a comprehensive research land-grant institution that prepares a student population to compete in a multifaceted, ever-changing global society.

Kentucky State University began as an idea on October 15, 1885. The Commonwealth needed more normal schools to train African American teachers for employment in its Black elementary schools. On May 18, 1886, Kentucky's legislators authorized the school's creation and the city of Frankfort donated $1,500, a considerable amount in 1886, and a site on a scenic bluff overlooking the town. The campus was chartered as the State Normal School for Colored Persons and became the second state- supported institution of higher learning in Kentucky.

Recitation Hall, now Jackson Hall, was the college's first building and erected in 1887. The new school opened on October 11, 1887, with three teachers, 55 students, and John Henry Jackson as its first president.

Kentucky State became a land-grant college in 1890 and the departments of home economics, agriculture, and mechanics were added to the school's curriculum. The school produced its first graduating class of five students in the spring of 1890.



A high school was organized in 1893. This expansion continued into the 20th century in both name and program. In 1902, the name was changed to Kentucky Normal and Industrial Institute for Colored Persons. The name was changed again in 1926 to Kentucky State Industrial College for Colored Persons. In the early 1930's, the high school was discontinued, and in 1938 the school was named the Kentucky State College for Negroes. In 1938 the school gained full accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 1952, the school was named Kentucky State College and finally, in 1972, the school officially became Kentucky State University.

Since its humble beginnings, Kentucky State University now spans 1,100 acres, which includes a 301-acre agricultural research farm, 106-acre research and demonstration facility and a 306-acre environmental education research center. Today, KSU boasts 3 Colleges, 30 degree programs, 30 certificates, 7 residence halls, 12 athletic teams, 2,300 students, and 450 faculty and staff.

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# Past Founders' Day Speakers

1977 – Dr. William A Brown (1959)

1978 – Dr. Henry Cheaney (1936)

1979 – Rev. Benjamin Baker

1980 – Dr. Carl M. Hill

2004 – Dr. Bailus Walker Jr. (1954)

1982 – Dr. Rufus Barfield (1952)

2005 – Dr. James C. Letton (1955)

2006 – Mr. Patrick Beauchamp (1955)

1984 – Dr. Clifford Claiborne (1960)

1985 – Dr. Ivan Cotman (1962)

2007 – Mr. Lytle T. Davis (1955)

1986 – Mr. Roy E. Bussell Jr. (1970)

2008 – Kimberly Reed Thompson, Esq. (1978)

2009 – Dr. Cuttie Bacon III (1963)

1987 – Dr. Bessie M. Lasley-Rhodes (1956)

1988 – Mrs. Brenda Blane (1967)

2010 – Ms. Tish Norman (1995)

1989 – Mr. Thomas P. Lewis (1959)

1991 – Dr. Olivia Whyte Thomas (1972)

2012 – Brigadier General Henry L. Huntley (1983)

2011 – Dr. Earl Richardson

1992 – Senator Gerald A. Neal (1967)

1993 – Patricia Russell-McCloud, Esq. (1968)

1996 – Mr. Benjamin F. Shobe (1941)

1994 – Mr. Kenneth “Sam” Harp (1977)

1997 – Dr. Norman Maurice Rates (1947)

2013 – Rev. Zachary Royal (1982)

1995 – Dr. Herbert Ernest Olivera (1950)

2000 – Dr. Gerald W. Patton (1969)

1998 – Mr. Adrian L. Wallace

2001 – Dr. Kevin W. Cosby

2014 – Mrs. Joann James (1986)

2015 – Judge Hubert Grimes (1975)

2002 – Mr. Jaques J. Wigginton (1986)

2016 – Patricia Russell-McCloud, Esq. (1968)

2017 – Dr. M. Christopher Brown II

2018 – Rev. Cuttie W. Bacon IV (1987)

2019 – Mr. Russell L. Drake

2020 – Combined with Commencement Convocation

2021 – Dr. Corey Hicks (1995)

2022 – Dr. Karen Townsend (1985)

2023 – Mr. Frederick Yeakey (2005)

2024 – Mayor Stephanie Terry (1998)

2025 – Dr. Leonard Clemons (2009)

Note: Parenthetical year represents graduating class.

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# 2026 Keynote Speaker

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DR. EVELYN BETHUNE is an educator, author, entrepreneur, and nationally recognized advocate for historical preservation, leadership development, and community empowerment. A proud graduate of Bethune-Cookman College, now Bethune-Cookman University, she carries forward a deeply personal connection to the institution as the granddaughter of its founder, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune.

As Founder and Managing Director of the Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Family Legacy Foundation, Inc., Dr. Bethune leads initiatives that preserve, interpret, and expand her grandmother’s legacy while inspiring new generations to embrace scholarship, service, cultural stewardship, and community transformation. Her life’s work reflects the enduring HBCU tradition of education not simply as preparation for a career, but as preparation for leadership and service.

Across more than four decades, Dr. Bethune has built a career spanning education, business, government, nonprofit leadership, media, and

entrepreneurship. She is also the founder of Bethune Publishing House, Inc. and History in the Making Coaching Network, Inc. Her signature master class, “Greatness Is In Your DNA,” connects ancestral history, faith, self-confidence, leadership, and practical business development.

An accomplished author, lecturer, radio host, workshop facilitator, and motivational speaker, Dr. Bethune's books include the award-winning Bethune: Out of Darkness into the Light of Freedom and The Bethune Blueprint: Transforming Your Life Through the Lessons of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune. Her work transforms history from something we remember into something we actively use to build stronger lives, communities, and institutions.

Dr. Bethune is a Life Member of the Bethune-Cookman University National Alumni Association and the National Council of Negro Women, where she is also a Bethune Achiever. Her service and leadership have been recognized through numerous honors and acknowledgments, including the Phenomenal Woman Award, Most Influential Women in Business honors, and recognition in the United States Congressional Record. She remains a passionate advocate for HBCUs and for alumni engagement, investment, mentorship, advocacy, and collective leadership so that future generations inherit institutions stronger than those entrusted to us today.

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# Founders' Day Convocation

Dr. Michael D. Dailey '84

Provost and Vice President Division of Academic Affairs

Presiding

GOLDEN CLASS AND ACADEMIC PROCESSIONAL

“War March of the Priests”

(from Athalie by Felix Mendelssohn)

Mr. Gordon D. Ford Jr. '19

Guest Organist



THE SUMMONS TO CONVOCATION

Dr. Phillip H. Clay, Jr. '99

Associate Professor of School of Education,

Interim/Acting Director of Graduate Studies

MUSICAL INTROIT

ENTRANCE OF PRESIDIUM PLATFORM

Mr. Gordon D. Ford, Jr.

WELCOME TO FRANKFORT

Mr. Layne Wilkerson

Mayor, City of Frankfort

PROVOST WELCOME

Dr. Michael D. Dailey '84

WELCOME

Ms. Drew McEachin

97th Miss Kentucky State University

Mr. LaTrae Redrick

33rd Mister Kentucky State University

THE OCCASION

Ms. Tammi Dukes '94

Chair, Kentucky State University

Board of Regents

THE HERITAGE ANTHEM

“Lift Every Voice and Sing” (by James Weldon Johnson and John Rosamond Johnson/Arr. Roland Carter)

Dr. Patricia Griffith

Accompanist

INVOCATION

Reverend Leslie Wayne Whitlock

Pastor, First Corinthian Baptist Church

Frankfort, KY

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Mr. Kylan Richard

Student Government Association President

Kentucky State University

As a member of the Kentucky State University family,

I pledge to maintain honesty and integrity in my academic and personal life.

I understand that cowardly or shameful acts violate our shared bond

and undermine the community of trust and respect for which we are all stewards.

I will remain loyal to the ideals learned at “The College on the Hill” toward the

betterment of those who are around me and others who come after me.

## ALUMNI GREETINGS AND RECOGNITIONS

Mr. Barry Johnson '94

President of the KSUNAA

JUBILEE GRAND MARCH

Mr. Michael R. DeCourcy

Vice President of Institutional

Advancement and External Relations

1976 GOLDEN CLASS RESPONSE

Mr. Wentzel Stewart '76

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

Dr. Michael D. Dailey '84

Dr. Corey Hicks '95

Chair, KSU Thorobreds Foundation, Inc

## MUSICAL PERFORMANCE

MUSICAL PERFORMANCE

“Somebody's Knockin' At Yo' Do’, arr. Stacey Gibbs”

Soloist, Kisma Jordan ’04

INTRODUCTION OF THE SPEAKER

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Ms. Tisha L. Norman '95

Vice President of the KSUNAA

Dr. Evelyn Bethune

Founder and CEO of

Barbershop Male Mentoring Initiative

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS

Dr. Koffi C. Akakpo

President

Kentucky State University

THE ALMA MATER

University Choirs

Mr. Mario J. Radford '14

POSTLUDE

Mr. Gordon D. Ford, Jr.

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# Golden Class of 1976

BEN ABERNATHY

MELLIO W. ABERNATHY

LARRY LEE ADAMS

DOUGLAS E. ALBRITTON, JR.

ARNOLD R. ALEXANDER

FELIX R. ALEXANDER

TERRY L. ALEXANDER

JAMES ARMSTRONG

DOUGLAS W. BALDWIN

JAMES W. BARBER

DAVID M. BARNETT

GLENDA M. BEAUMONT

STANLEY K. BETSWORTH

WENCESLAO BORRESS, SR.

ARTHUR G. BOX

JAMES L. BRADLEY

ROOSEVELT R. BRANTLEY

TERRY A. BROWN-HAZARD

OLIVER S. BUCKNER

ROBERT C. BURKS

HOMER W. BYERS, JR.

ROBERT D. BYRD

TERRY A. BROWN-HAZARD

OLIVER S. BUCKNER

ROBERT C. BURKS

HOMER W. BYERS, JR.

ROBERT D. BYRD

VALERIA L. CALDWELL GAINES

BERTHA J. CALLAHAN

TOMMIE CARNEY

COURTNEY J. CARTER

ETHEL M. CHANEY

CECIL E. CIARDY

PATRICIA L. CICCORELLA

MIM C. CLARK

WANDA E. CLARK

CEDRIC M. COLLINS

CELINA R COLLINS

LINDA P. COOK

JOSEPH V. CROCKETT

PAUL D. CROSS

NANCY M. CRUME

JAMES W. DAVIE

ANTOINETTE S. DAVIS JONES

HARRIETT E. DAVIS

JAMES DAVIS

BONITA C. DAWSON

MARGARET E. DEBOW

WANDA D. DEWITT

DEBORAH J. DOWNS

ORVELT T. EATON, JR.

LYNNETTE A. EDWARDS

MICHELLE E. FAIN

OLGA R. FLETCHER

TANGULAR Y. FREEMAN

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— Golden Class of 1976 Continued

ROBERT H. FRENCH

LINDA M. FREY

DOLORES L. GIANNINI

ALLENE W. GOLD

LEEANNA GORDON

KENNETH W. GRAHAM

ROMEE GRAHAM

ROBERT LEE GRIFFITH

DORETHA GUION

EDWARD E. HALE

ALAN S. HAMMOND

ROBERT L. HARP

YVONNE HARRIS

DEREK HENDERSON

GARY M. HENDERSON

HELEN MAI HETCHER

SANDRA K. HILL-LEWIS

JENNIFER K. HODGE

DALE HOLT

DEBRA J. HOOD

THOMAS D. HORNE, SR.

TOMMY E. HORTON, JR.

WALLACE A. HOWARD

ROY C. HOWELL

SHERRY D. HOWELL

CLEVELAND C. HUDSON

MRS. OMEGA F. HUME

JAMES R. HURTT

ROBERT IVORY

KENNETH W. IVY

RENEE S. JACKSON

SUSHIL K. JAIN

LYDIA HAIL JOHNIKIN

MINNIE JOHNSON

MARLA V. JONES

ROBERT W. JORDAN

THOMAS D. KANE

DONALD A. KEMPER

TERESA Y. KNOX

ANTHONY L. LACEY

CHARLOTTE LANE

LINDA A. LARKIN

LESLIE J. LAWSON

MARSHA A. LINDSEY

NIRAL LOAHASURAYOTIN

GEORGE K. LONG

GLORIA J. LONG

EDWARD LEE LUNEY

VENTRA MAPP

NATHANIEL R. MARSHALL

STEPHAN A. MASON, SR.

JAMES D. MAYFIELD

PATRICIA A. MAYFIELD

CAROLYN MCLAUGHLIN

JAMES MCQUIRE, JR.

IVY MEADOWS

MINNIE MEBANE

BANURAYAT MEEPIEN

EDDIE MILES, JR.

ANITA E. MILLER

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WILLIAM D. MINIX

JANNIE E. MORGAN

ANTHONY K. MORRIS

ORA R. MOSBY

JEFFERY MOSELEY

VIRGINIA MEREDITH MUCCI

JOYCE E. NAILING

DONALD W. NELSON

NELLIE NORRIS

VERNON L. OLDHAM

DELE T. OLUBAJO

JO ANN OSBEY

JOYCE Y. OWENS

TERESA L. OWENS

BERTRAM E. PERKINS

Evelyn E. Perry

Charles F. PETERS

PHYLLIS B. PETTAWAY

ETTA J. PHILLIPS

JOHN D. RAVIZEE

DENISE M. RAY

CHERYL A. REDFORD

JOYCE E. REED

WILLIAM L. RIES

STHER DENISE ROACHE-DAVIS

MELVIN J. ROBARDS

GEORGE E. ROBINSON

ROSALIND A. ROBINSON

DWIGHT M. ROGERS

LA TANJI ROUSE BURROUGHS

THANUVEULI M. SAMUELS

ANNIE JANE SCOTT

RONALD SEAY

TOMMY SHEFFEY

FRANKIE F. SHEPPARD

CONSTANCE SLAUGHTER

LARRY S. SLAUGHTER

GEORGE M. SMALLEY

BENJAMIN L. SMITH

JACQUELYN D. SMITH

JANET D. SMITH

KENNETH RAY SMITH

MARILYN V. SMITH

SHERRI D. SMITH

ROSALINE SPOVALL

PERASAK SRISUPHOI

DIANE KATHY STEWART

WENTZEL STEWART

GARLAND H. STONE

ALBERT L. STRANGE

DONALD R. SULIVAN

JOHN R. SUMMERSETT

DEBRA SWEASY

MELVIN K. SYKES

DONALD W. TALBERT

LARRY N. TAYLOR

LUVINIA G. TAYLOR

WILLIAM A. TAYLOR

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— Golden Class of 1976 Continued

Cathy L. Thomas

Connie S. Thomas

Anthony E. Thompson

Eric H. Thompson

Maeda E. Thompson

Steve F. Thornton

Harold L. Todd

Timothy J. Turner, Jr.

James R. Tyson

Rhonda S. Uschan

Cynthia A. Vandergriff

Arthur Vanhouten

Eakhai Varunprabha

Catherine Walker

Eddie L. Walker

James F. Walters

AUDREY G. WARREN

James E. Watkins

Estrella U. Watson

Stephen K. Watts

Mary M. Welch

Valerie L. Wesley

Bernida White

John T. Wigginton

Ralph M. Williams

Zachary D. Williams

Karen D. Wilson

Georgia M. Wimberly

Villiam S. Wimberly, Sr

Furches L. Wingate

Janice E. Yewell

Angylin C. Young

===== PAGE 18 =====
# ONWARD — UPWAI

……

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……

SING EV'RY VOICE TOGETHER, LET ECHOES RISE.

HAIL TO OUR ALMA MATER, SHOUT TO THE SKIES.

HOLDING THE TORCH OF WISDOM, SHE LEADS THE WAY

CLASPING THE HAND OF FREEDOM, AS SHE MARCHES ALONG.

MAY BLESSINGS BE UPON HER, SHEPHERD OF YOUTH; SHE HOLDS THE SEAT OF HONOR, IN THE HALL OF TRUTH. MEM'RIES OF HER SHALL NEVER FADE FROM OUR HEARTS, AND WE WILL PRAISE HER EVER, FOR THE LOVE SHE IMPARTS.

HAIL TO OUR ALMA MATER, DEAR IS HER NAME, AND THERE SHALL BE NO OTHER TO SURPASS HER FAME.

HERS IS THE HAND THAT GUIDES US DAY AFTER DAY, AND SHE WILL STAND BESIDE US, WHEN WE GO ON OUR WAY.

Music Arrangement

Harriet N. Gibbons '45

Lyrics by

Frederick Jarmon '43

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===== PAGE 19 =====
# Lift Every Voice and Sing

by J. Rosamond Johnson

and James Weldon Johnson

LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING

TILL EARTH AND HEAVEN RING

RING WITH THE HARMONIES OF LIBERTY

LET OUR REJOICING RISE

HIGH AS THE LISTENING SKIES

LET IT RESOUND LOUD AS THE ROLLING SEA

SING A SONG FULL OF THE FAITH THAT THE DARK PAST HAS TAUGHT US

SING A SONG FULL OF THE HOPE THAT THE PRESENT HAS BROUGHT US

FACING THE RISING SUN OF OUR NEW DAY BEGUN

LET US MARCH ON TILL VICTORY IS WON

STONY THE ROAD WE TROD

BITTER THE CHASTENING ROD

FELT IN THE DAYS WHEN HOPE UNBORN HAD DIED

YET WITH A STEADY BEAT

HAVE NOT OUR WEARY FEET

COME TO THE PLACE FOR WHICH OUR FATHERS SIGHED?

We HAVE COME OVER A WAY THAT WITH TEARS HAS BEEN WATERED

We HAVE COME, TREADING OUR PATH THROUGH THE BLOOD OF THE SLAUGHTERED

OUT FROM THE GLOOMY PAST

TILL NOW WE STAND AT LAST

WHERE THE WHITE GLEAM OF OUR BRIGHT STAR IS CAST

GOD OF OUR WEARY YEARS

GOD OF OUR SILENT TEARS

THOU WHO HAS BROUGHT US THUS FAR ON THE WAY

THOU WHO HAS BY THY MIGHT LED US INTO THE LIGHT

KEEP US FOREVER IN THE PATH, WE PRAY

LEST OUR FEET STRAY FROM THE PLACES, OUR GOD, WHERE WE MET THEE

LEST, OUR HEARTS DRUNK WITH THE WINE OF THE WORLD, WE FORGET THEE

SHADOWED BENEATH THY HAND

MAY WE FOREVER STAND

TRUE TO OUR GOD

TRUE TO OUR NATIVE LAND

OUR NATIVE LAND

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