Sojourner-Douglass College 28th Annual Commencement Ceremony

This year, Sojourner-Douglass College celebrated at a commencement ceremony that was full of joy, milestones, community and family. On June 29th, 2008 Sojourner-Douglass College held it’s 28th Annual Commencement Ceremony at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. This ambitious group of graduates were in full spirits, ready to tackle the next challenges and the next stages of their lives. As the class motto says, "We are driven to dream, achieve and succeed!" and this day was just one success, but a vital one indeed.

Unfortunately, due to illness, Dr. Marian Stanton, Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs, was unable to attend this year's ceremony, however Dean of Academic Affairs Shirley Evans aptly stepped in and carried on. Faculty member, Ms. Eartha Lamkin, once again graced the attendees with her glorious musical selections throughout the program. Words of praise and blessings were graciously delivered by Faculty Member Dr. Teresa Cooper for the invocation and benediction.

This year's Valedictorian Ms. Celena Gray gave the Farewell Address, inspiring all to reach their greatest heights. As a model student and a role model for current and future students, Ms. Gray was eloquent and filled her fellow graduates with courage and strength of purpose.

The commencement speaker for the 2008 ceremony was the Honorable Patsy Jo Hilliard, Former Mayor of the City of East Point, Georgia. Patsy Jo Hilliard, wife of the late Dr. Asa G. Hilliard III, is not only the first female to be elected Mayor of the City of East Point, but also the first female African-American Mayor elected in the Greater Atlanta Metropolitan Area. The Former Mayor's empowered words and life reflected one of the ever-present and underlying themes of Sojourner-Douglass College; self-determination. It's clear that any graduate who uses Patsy Jo Hilliard's life as a guide will have a proud and successful future.

As always, Dr. Charles W. Simmons, President of Sojourner-Douglass College followed the commencement speaker with his Response and Remarks and as always Dr. Simmons was able to extol the virtues of the continually growing institution. Dr. Simmons spoke on the money that has been raised over the last year through various fundraising and lobbying efforts and on recent collaborations with Johns Hopkins Hospital in the areas of Nursing and Biotechnology. Dr. Simmons also mentioned upcoming expansions of the East Baltimore Campus as part of the collaborations with Hopkins. Dr. Simmons' words assured all that not only is Sojourner-Douglass College a living, breathing part of the community, but it's growth and development will continue long into the future.

The Doctor of Humane Letters Honorary Degrees were bestowed upon three worthy candidates. Larry S. Gibson, Esq., Professor of Law and Historian, Maryland Delegate Hattie N. Harrison, and Baltimore's God Mother of Jazz the late Ruby I. Glover (Posthumously). This honor denotes not only each recipients support of Sojourner-Douglass College, but their service to the community. The posthumous degree awarded to Ruby Glover, and received on her behalf by her son, was particularly poignant as Ms. Glover was a long-time friend and member of the S-DC family, Member of the Board and Professor of Jazz History.

Sojourner-Douglass College was privileged to present twenty (20) Master of Applied Social Sciences Candidates and one-hundred forty four (144) Bachelor of Arts Candidates this year. Amongst the Bachelor Candidates were not only the youngest student that has ever graduated, at age 21, but also the eldest student that has ever graduated, at age 75. Dr. Simmons was also proud and delighted to hand a Bachelor of Arts degree to his youngest son.

The 28th Commencement Ceremony was full of dreams, achievement, and success and the Faculty, Staff and Administration of Sojourner-Douglass College wish each and every one of it's graduates a prosperous and enriching future!

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