HU GRADUATES TOLD TO SET HIGH GOALS

Hampton, VA - On May 9 at the 134th Commencement, Dr. William R. Harvey became the first president of Hampton University to address the graduating class. In his 26th year as president of HU, Harvey is the longest running president in HU history.

The Class of 2004 invited Harvey to give the address.

“I was exceedingly proud to accept their invitation. My pleasure was enhanced because in the graduation line was my daughter, Leslie, who received a master’s in early childhood education.” Leslie, the youngest of Harvey’s three children, received a B.A. from HU in 2002.

Harvey told the 1,113 graduates not to settle for being an employee, rather to strive to be the employer.

“One day, I want someone out of this class to run a corporation, to own a daycare center,” said Harvey. “I want someone out of this class to be a United States Senator. It is not too far fetched for me to think that someone from this class will invite me and Mrs. Harvey to the oval office of the United States.”

Harvey challenged the graduates to make a commitment to grow, continue to learn, be economically sound, and to fight racism and drugs.

“Be positive role models, be leaders in your respective fields,” Harvey said. “The world is waiting for you. Serve it and Hampton well.”

The 2004 Commencement marked the first time that students received bachelor’s degrees in the online religious studies program.

The following awards were presented during the ceremony:

Valedictorian – Delonna White, biology major from Spotsylvania, Va.

Salutatorian – Colen Wiley, political science major from Cheverly, Md.

Edward L. Hamm Sr. Distinguished Teaching Awards - Psychology professor Dr. Adolph Brown and Nursing Professor Dr. Arlene Montgomery

Outstanding Twenty-Year Alumnus Award – Jan Peters Richardson, founder of JAE Group and Assoc.

Outstanding Alumnus-at-large Award – Wesley A. Coleman, vice president, Global Human Resources, Nike, Inc.