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December 2009, I finally graduate from college. Not bad for a military guy who was never supposed to amount to anything.
Summer 2008 was my first semester at N.C. Central University.
I was transferring from Troy University in Montgomery, Ala.
I was reluctant to come to NCCU because I had options of attending UNC and N.C. State as well.
I heard how great the other schools were and even considered them, but I wanted to be more than a number.
I wanted to have a relationship with my teachers and see people with a similar story as mine.
I have watched as NCCU’s ranking has risen in national polls and I’m proud to be a part of it.
I see students that work hard trying to be the best they can, turning in assignments on time, and participating in class.
They seem to have a different focus on what’s important to them, but inversely I see students who are not sure why they are here.
They barely go to classes and won’t hesitate dropping one if need be. They are always playing catch up and never get anything out of class.
I find myself wondering why they waste their money and time. I get concerned that this may be what I have to choose from as I begin to build my companies.
To have a college degree was never really important to me until now. I understand how valuable it is to graduate from a good school.
First, you help contribute to the legacy of your school. You become part of the tradition of excellence and a dream that black people longed to see for generations.
Secondly, you contribute to the uplifting of a race that has been enslaved longer than they’ve known freedom.
We often see our brothers and sisters who have never known anything other than the ghetto and we avoid, feel sorry for and even turn our noses up at them.
Remember, that every person that graduates from college raises the bar for others and sets higher standards that everyone will have to meet, sooner or later. But more importantly, you open up doors for others to follow.
We are the architects of the future and what we learn in higher education, may not guarantee that we become rich, powerful, or even successful. But it will level the playing field some.
I mean, we still don’t make the rules, but we can definitely learn how to play the game.
I encourage you, my fellow Eagles, to work hard at your training and make great connections while you are here.
The real world can be brutal if you tackle it alone.
Also remember that the work ethics that you have now will either expose you or cause you to explode your future. You will play in the game, the same way you’ve practiced.
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