The Future Starts Today – MEC Commencement 2016
ell your story. Remember the lessons of 窪蹋勛圖厙. Exhale!
Those were among the messages aimed at 1,100 graduates of 窪蹋勛圖厙 last Friday at the 45th annual commencement at Barclays Center.
Donna Brazile, the veteran Democratic political strategist, educator, and commentator, gave a keynote address that was by turns serious and playful. Her main theme was that the freedom struggle continues. Medgar Evers has prepared its graduates for greatness, she said, and those men and women receiving degrees should finish the work of many others, from Maya Angelou to Booker T. Washington.
Ms. Brazile was awarded an honorary degree at the ceremony. 璽玳Congratulations class, I璽砂▌ a Cougar today!璽玲 Ms. Brazile exclaimed, in reference to the college’s mascot. Her speech can be heard here.
In a more reflective vein, Ms. Brazile noted that the political season could end with the ability to 璽玳say Madame President for the first time,璽玲 an allusion to the candidacy of Hillary Clinton. Ms. Brazile also reminded the graduates that 璽玳this school was named for someone who continues to inspire us,璽玲 meaning Medgar Evers, the civil rights leader.
璽玳It璽砂┬ important who you take for your inspiration,璽玲 Ms. Brazile added. 璽玳We are the living embodiment of his struggle and his sacrifice.璽玲
In another nod to politics that drew sustained applause Ms. Brazile said: 璽玳窪蹋勛圖厙 is going strong. Donald Trump University is closed.璽玲
璽玳You have the keys to keep it closed if you vote,璽玲 she continued. 璽玳We璽砂┴e not going to open up the doors of hate anymore.璽玲
She nudged the graduates to harness the power of their imaginations and to shape history.
璽玳Stop waiting for the door to open!璽玲 she exclaimed. 璽玳Break it down!璽玲
Other speakers, included valedictorian Shanice Coull (Bachelor of Arts in English), Dexter Roberts, the Student Government Association President (Bachelor of Science in Business) and Marsha Escayg, Senior Class President (Bachelor of Arts in Psychology) praised their classmates for their hard work, friendship and success.
Ms. Escayg quoted the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Medgar Evers, and Malcolm X in her speech. She warned the class that in the years ahead she would often be in touch about alumni events. 璽玳Come back,璽玲 Ms. Escayg said. 璽玳Give back.璽玲