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Continuing Shepard’s dream

64th annual Founders Day convocation honors NCCU legacy

Published: Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Updated: Wednesday, November 2, 2011 12:11

clarence_williams_convocation_2011

Aaron Saunders/Echo editor-in-chief

Convocation speaker Clarence Williams receives his Golden Eagle certificate from Chancellor Charlie Nelms.

In 1910 Jack Johnson defeated James Jeffries in a heavyweight boxing match that set off race riots around the country, Haley's Comet passed by the earth, and Dr. James E. Shepard founded the  National Religious Training School and Chautauqua.

101 years later, students, alumni, faculty and staff gathered at McLendon-McDougald Gymnasium to honor Shepard's legacy at the 64th annual Founder's Day convocation.

"I challenge you Eagles today to follow the steps of our founder and I promise that you will flourish," said Miss N.C. Central University Kelsey Har-grove.

Convocation speaker Clarence Williams, a 1961 alumnus and former MIT professor, read from five letters thanking Dr. Shepard for creating NCCU, which, he said, "raised him up.

"On behalf of my class I would like to thank you for founding this institution in 1910," said Williams. Along with his wife Mildred, Williams was inducted into the Society of Golden Eagles as a member of the class of 1961.

"I stand here with great humility as a member of the incoming Golden Eagle class," he said. Chancellor Charlie Nelms said, "Dr. Shepard would not be surprised."  

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