Academic excellence took center stage as Alabama State University honored scholarship achievements of students during its annual University College Honors Convocation March 4.
The event, held in the Vivian Watts DeShields Auditorium of the Ralph David Abernathy Hall at 11 a.m., featured guest speaker and adjunct instructor Kendrick Hardy, who delivered a keynote address on the theme, “Dare to Dream, Prepare to Succeed.”
Hardy began his speech by emphasizing the importance of unity and the role it plays in both academic and personal success.
“Academic excellence. Isn’t that something? But we have to do that by uniting. And if we do not have unity, then what do we have?” Hardy asked.
Hardy referenced the current social and cultural challenges in the country, including diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. He urged students to come together and support one another in their academic journeys.
“It is time to unite. Are you all not aware of what is going on in our culture, in our country right now? There is a lot happening, and now it is going to take a little bit of unity,” Hardy said.
Before delivering his main message, Hardy took time to recognize several university administrators, including President Quinton T. Ross Jr., Ed.D., Provost Carl Pettis, Ph.D., and Evelyn Hodge, Ph.D., among others. He also acknowledged the contributions of event organizer Margie Thomas, a professor in the education department.
“For you all, let us put our hands together for your participation,” Hardy said, applauding the honorees and faculty members in attendance.
Hardy shared his personal story, reflecting on his daughter’s early challenges and successes. He explained how the arts and music helped improve her academic performance, drawing a parallel to the importance of persistence in education.
“She started off in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) as an infant child, and she has been a fighter ever since,” Hardy said. “We found the arts and we found music, and her scores went up. Now, she is an A-B honor student, just like yourselves.”
Hardy also recalled a lesson from his professor, Col. Bartlett, about balancing one’s home language with professional communication.
“He encouraged us that it was okay to keep our language at home but then also expand and develop our language abroad. So you have to think of yourself as being bilingual,” Hardy said.
Hardy discussed the meaning of dreams and the necessity of taking risks to achieve them. He referenced poet Langston Hughes’ famous question, “What happens to a dream deferred?” to illustrate the importance of pursuing aspirations.
“Dare is a word that I suppose is not used largely in today’s vernacular. That is an old-school word,” Hardy said. “When you dare somebody, you are really saying they do not stand a chance.”
Hardy compared life’s challenges to the Nickelodeon game show “Double Dare,” where participants competed through obstacles and trivia.
“Do you realize that life gets messy sometimes? Like, it gets real messy sometimes. You have to be able to navigate through the trivia and the messy challenges,” Hardy said.
He encouraged students to take risks and push forward despite difficulties.
“You have to take risks because that is what daring is. You have to venture off, you have to venture out,” Hardy said. “You have to have the nerve to choose the major that you have chosen.”
Following Hardy’s address, Thomas shared her thoughts on the significance of the event and its impact on the student body.
“These students that are honored are recognized here because they will not be honored at the university’s convocation,” Thomas said. “These are students who work hard, and today was one of the largest ceremonies because we recognized students with GPAs ranging from 3.0 to 4.0.”
Thomas emphasized the event’s role in boosting student confidence and encouraging retention at the university.
“All of this is to build their self-esteem, to encourage them, and hopefully and prayerfully to retain them here at Alabama State and let them know that we care,” Thomas said.
Several honorees shared their thoughts on what receiving academic recognition meant to them. Oluwatomisin Coker, a biology major with a pre-health concentration, expressed gratitude for the honor.
“It means a lot, and most importantly, it is just a reminder for me to continue working hard,” Coker said.
Myah Cummings, a criminal justice major with a 3.4 GPA, reflected on her achievement.
“It felt good being honored for all the hard work I put in,” Cummings said. “Knowing that I will be recognized makes me want to push myself harder.”
Kyra Berry, a graphic design major with a 3.7 GPA, found motivation in the recognition.
“It just gives me courage and guidance to keep doing what I am doing, keep working on my studies, and hopefully exceed my expectations,” Berry said.
Assistant Math Professor Steve Shoals shared his pride in seeing his son succeed at the same institution where he once studied.
“These are his accomplishments,” Shoals said. “Any parent would be naturally proud of what their child has achieved but to do it at the same institution you were a part of adds a little extra pride.”
Jamirrea Herring, a rehabilitation services major with a 3.5 GPA, emphasized the balance between work and academics.
“I am very grateful. It lets me know that my hard work is paying off,” Herring said. “I work as well, so I am managing both my job and keeping up my grades.”
Herring advised fellow students to remain focused and dedicated.
“I say just stay focused and study, study, study,” she said.
Hardy concluded his speech with a powerful message, urging students to remain determined in their academic and personal endeavors.
“I dare you to dream without closing your eyes. It is called vision,” Hardy said. “Execute. Do not compromise.”
As the event concluded, Hardy left students with a final thought on the importance of hard work and perseverance.
“I dare you to dream from start to end. I dare you to dream like Notorious B.I.G.—‘It was all a dream.’ Then you have to wake up and pull it into reality,” Hardy said. “Grow from your mistakes, and do not let them faze you. Education and inspiration lead to graduation.”