By: Stephanie Lambert, Associate Editor
Source: Capital Outlook
It’s a new day for more than 1,200 Florida A&M University Rattlers and former U.S. President Bill Clinton advised the Class of 2009 that they must be the class of doers.
“The world is a wash of people who talk about the problem,” Clinton said during his commencement address on May 3. “But we have a shortage of people that can do something about it. You are the ‘How Generation.’ How are you going to make a difference?”
Clinton, the nation’s 42nd president, served as the keynote speaker of the 9 a.m. graduation ceremony, which was held in the university’s new Multipurpose Teaching Gym. Rep. Kendrick Meek, D-Miami, and Journalist Soledad O’Brien spoke in the afternoon and evening ceremonies.
“When people ask you what you earned your degree in, you tell them that you’re in the ‘How business,’” he said.
With more than 7,500 seats filled in the arena, Clinton spoke passionately to the audience about the state of the nation. “America is back on the path of humanity,” he said, for which he added is evidenced by the election of the first African-American president, Barack Obama. “You are living in the most interdependent time in history.”
He cited the key to the future is when citizens actually encourage debate.
“We have to do what we can so that our children and grandchildren will stand a chance in this world,” he said.
U.S. Congressman Allen Boyd told graduates that the world they were about to enter is dramatically different from that of their parents and grandparents. “Don’t forget that you did not get here by yourself and continue to be on constant pursuit of that which will make you and those around you happy in life,” he said.
Clinton, who marched with FAMU students down Adams Street while he campaigned for president in 1991 in Tallahassee, said he was honored to speak at the commencement, and was “personally indebted” to Florida A&M. “I also came because of them,” Clinton said while pointing to members of the Marching 100. “You got the greatest band the world ever saw.”
FAMU’s President James H. Ammons presented Clinton with FAMU’s President’s Award following his address.
“He is a visionary, humanitarian and a leader,” Ammons said of Clinton.
Clinton, along with the Rev. Ernest Ferrell, pastor of St. Mary Primitive Baptist Church in Tallahassee, received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters during the early morning ceremony. “I was told I had to absorb enough of your culture to receive this degree,” Clinton said while putting his two bent fingers in the air symbolizing Rattler fangs. “I will say, ‘the Rattlers will strike, strike and strike again.”
John Patrick, 26, who received his bachelor’s degree in art education, said it was rewarding to have Clinton speak at his graduation ceremony. “He was very inspirational and he had a lot of words of wisdom,” said Patrick, a Memphis, Tenn. native.
Patrick, who was surrounded by his family and friends following the ceremony, said his experience at FAMU was memorable.
“It feels great to graduate,” said Patrick, who thanked his family and God for their continued support. “It’s been a long road for me. I’m glad it’s finally over, but I know it’s the beginning of the rest of my life.”
Meek, told the graduates during the second ceremony that he gets emotional thinking about the respective footsteps they will leave in the sand. “All of you will be leaders,” said Meek, son of former Congresswoman Carrie P. Meek, who also attended the ceremonies. “You already have been chosen to lead.”
Kendrick Meek, a FAMU alumnus, said the experiences he picked up at the institution made him into the man he is today. “Everyone has a story,” Meek told the graduates at the 2 p.m. ceremony. “And when you leave here today, I want you to know that you are prepared for this opportunity. When you step out of here, you are a new person.”
With the intent to inspire graduates during the 6 p.m. ceremony, O’Brien, an anchor for CNN, spoke of struggle and triumph during her career as well as the obstacles her bi-racial family encountered. “I am the fifth of six kids to graduate from Harvard and my message to the graduates is that despite the obstacles, they have the power to make choices,” she said.
Dorothy Bland, director of FAMU’s Division of Journalism, recognized O’ Brien’s words of wisdom to the graduates as encouragement to pursue their goals with a tenacious spirit.
“They get to see and hear from Soledad O’Brien, who is a mother, wife, and anchor on CNN…” she said. “When they dream, they know that it is not a dream differed. This can be you.”
Crystal Finlay contributed to this story.
