Daily Egyptian Spring 04
Spring '04 Edition
Pre-Commencement Ceremony celebrates black graduates
Leah Williams
Daily EgyptianFor Sybil Kennedy, her years at SIUC will be considered a time of transition. Throughout her collegiate career, she transferred from a private, liberal arts college to the public University. She also traded in her single status for marriage and upcoming motherhood.
"It was very exciting because the years at SIU were the years that I got married, so it was a new challenge for me," said Kennedy, who is graduating with a bachelor's degree in speech communications.
Kennedy has been through much in the pursuit of her degree, and in order to celebrate her triumph, along with other graduating students, the Black Affairs Council and the Black Graduate Students Association had their first Pre-Commencement Black Congratulatory Ceremony on Saturday in the Alumni Lounge at the Recreation Center. During the event, SIUC faculty members gave their send-off advice to the graduating class of 2004 as those students prepare themselves for a life outside the SIUC campus.
The theme for the evening's event was "Building a Bridge to Success." Pamela Smoot, a Black American Studies assistant professor, used bridges as a metaphor for the students to provide connections, contacts and transitions during the rest of their lives.
Smoot also had the graduating students stand and promise the black faculty and staff at SIUC that success comes from understanding that they must go from one failure to the next and know that they did not get where they were without the help of other people.
Along with bidding adieu to those graduating, the ceremony also was to bid farewell to assistant professor in psychology Kevin Cokely, who was the event's keynote speaker.
Cokely began his speech by doing libations, which are poured in honor. A piece of advice he gave to the students was to always remember that while a degree fits into a frame, an education is comprised of more than reading, writing and arithmetic.
"Your education takes the form of all the values and experiences that you've had," Cokely said. "They have taken place inside and outside of the classroom."
After graduation, Kennedy plans to take six months to a year off to raise her child but wants to work in college student personnel after her hiatus. She said she really appreciated having a ceremony dedicated to her and her fellow students.
"I think this is really nice," Kennedy said. "It makes you feel special. Other people are recognizing what I have done. I just feel special that other people care."
Doni Walker, outgoing president for the BGSA, said both councils have worked diligently for this year's event and that their goal is to make the reception a yearly event.
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Last update: Tuesday, May 4, 2004 at 1:19:04 AM
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