THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, May 15, 1995 TAG: 9505150047
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANCIE LATOUR, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
A year of milestones was the theme for graduating students from Norfolk State University on Sunday.
The record-breaking attendance was just one of those milestones: More than 12,000 students, teachers and family members packed Scope to celebrate the class of 1995 and honor the university's president, Harrison B. Wilson.
Wilson, who has served as president for 20 years, addressed students in a speech that charted the past hallmarks and future goals in the transformation from Norfolk State College to Norfolk State University.
In doing so, Wilson not only marked his own two-decade anniversary as president, but also the anniversary of the school itself, which celebrated its 60th anniversary this year.
``When I was inducted in 1975,'' Wilson said to 1,318 graduates, ``I asked that all the persons present join me in an odyssey for this institution. At that time, I shared then, and continue to share, the urgent belief that this university could be one of the leading institutions in the country.''
In spite of federal cutbacks and periods of racial conflict, Wilson's tenacious hold on that dream over 20 years has enabled the school to grow from a college of 6,500 students to a university of 9,000. The university also expanded from 90 to 150 acres, and its budget ballooned from $15 million to $84 million.
Wilson said the university's future had to promise more than the tangible changes of new buildings and bigger budgets.
``In thinking anew, we must adopt a new realism in our institution,'' Wilson said. ``We must clarify our convictions and put those convictions to work.''
The obligation to serve the community and relieve others of discomfort, Wilson said, should grow out of students' memories of their own discomfort during the past four years.
The memory of discomfort and struggle was echoed later by senior class president Quinton E. Moss.
``There are many paths that led to this place,'' Moss said to a crowd that shouted back in agreement. ``There are those who started this journey amidst extreme financial hardship, and they have made it. There are some who needed a second chance to get here and prove themselves, and they have made it. And there are some who have had to carry the burdens of children and full-time jobs, and yes, they too have also made it.''
After the three-hour ceremony, students said their moment of achievement was well worth the years of sacrifice.
Renee Miller of Chesapeake struggled for seven years toward a bachelor's degree in accounting while raising her 8-year-old daughter, Ashlee.
``I'd take one class here and there each semesterand I was struggling with money as well,'' said Miller, 28. ``Those struggles they talk about are real, and a lot of people don't realize it. So I definitely felt the sacrifice part. But I also feel the pride.'' ILLUSTRATION: Graduates March On
Norfolk State University
[Color Photo]
JIM WALKER
Staff
Karla L. Brown, left, and cousin Santina D. Brown, both of
Portsmouth, graduated from Norfolk State University on Sunday. They
both were honors students in communications.
by CNB