The 30th Annual African Heritage Graduation Ceremony
Photo courtesy of University Relations
The African Heritage Graduation Ceremony is a celebration to thank the faculty, staff, personnel and students of Kean University who have shown their support by donating their time, talents and monetary gifts to this important celebration of Kean University student.
On Saturday, April 20, 2016, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., the annual celebration for graduating students of African Heritage was held in Wilkins Theatre.
The ceremony started with all graduating students lining up in the back of Wilkins Theatre according to their colleges and majors. They dressed the different forms of African cultural garb, such as Ankara and Kente, which are types of African fabric, and Gele, an African head wrap.
The 30th Annual African Heritage Graduation Ceremony
Photo courtesy of University Relations
Lauren Taylor, a senior majoring in biology, said, “it is amazing that there are a lot of African Americans that don’t want come to school to complete college. And this African Heritage increased their awareness to continue the education.”
After all graduates sat down, Dr. Morgan Laury, the Director of Public Administration, and Stan Neron, the Elizabeth Board of Education Commissioner, opened the ceremony.
Janice Murray-Laury, Vice President of Student Affairs, gave a speech. She stated, “one of our (Kean University) strengths is diversity. We are on the mission to help this world become stronger.” It was important to have recognition of each student who went through the efforts to finish school as well as enhance their own personality in the community.
Then Paula S. Muindi, who is the EEO Academic Advisor, asked all graduates together to pray, offer best wishes for fellow graduates and say thank you to family and friends, the people who supported graduates.
After that, the video of “Remembering The Ancestors”, was shown, which was a tribute to Dr. John Henrik Clarke (1915-1998) who taught African Americans to speak out.
The 30th Annual African Heritage Graduation Ceremony
Photo courtesy of University Relations
During that time, Lennox Mars, Jr. gave a speech and stated, “You are the leader of today with your dream and mission,” to encourage students have the drive and ambition to achieve their goals.
Around 5:30 p.m., Lovely Randle, a graduate student majoring in public administration, performed the Black National Anthem called Life Every Voice and Song, which caused people to actively join in by standing up and singing.
Randle said, “This event shows us as minority students that we do have individuals in our school community who care about celebrating our achievement especially with the entire thing that we have to face throughout our communities. I never stopped education and my finishing master’s degree means I took one more step further.”
There were three African American student leaders that gave speeches, including Pan African Student Union (P.A.S.U.), Student Organization, which is the official undergraduate student government, and Alumni Association. Kristal Noyan, the President of P.A.S.U., stated, “we have to treasure every step in this journey.”
The keynote speaker, Utrice Leid, who is a civil rights activist and journalist, said, “It is a remarkable achievement for all of you with joint efforts construction from all people who love you. There is no shame and embarrassment for you are an African. In the future, you are on you own.”
Sharon Boyd-Jackson, an Associate Professor from the Psychology Department, presented the undergraduate and graduate valedictorian of African Heritage. And later, there were the recognition of graduating and recognition of Nathan Weiss Graduate Students. By recognizing everyone, it showed their contribution in the past years, involved both in academic and social efforts.
Donna Bost-White, a senior majoring in public administration, was proud to accept the award of Outstanding Academic Achievement Summa Cum Laude. She said, “This is very important and respectful, which is a good way to increase our awareness of African community.”
For the African Studies presentation, James Conyers expressed the memorial of Barbara Wheeler, and who was the leader organizer of African Heritage Ceremony event for years and passed away recently.
At the end of event, LaTysha Gaines made the closing remarks that encouraged people to go to Downs Hall and donated 5 dollars to support this event.
Chino Anyanwu, a student from Fairleigh Dickinson University, attended this ceremony to celebrate his friend, stated, “I am an African, and this activity is really an amazing presentation of us and our culture.”
The 30th Annual African Heritage Graduation Ceremony
Photo courtesy of University Relations
