UTICA – The man who’s known as the “Hardest Working Man in Radio” and “The Fly Jock” asked this year’s graduates of Hinds Community College Utica Campus to take a page from his own book and never rest on their laurels.
Tom Joyner, syndicated radio show host, speaks at the graduation ceremony at Hinds Community College Utica Campus on May 13, 2018. At left are Hinds Community College President Dr. Clyde Muse and Dr. Tyrone Jackson, vice president for the Utica Campus. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
“You’ve all worked hard to get here today,” nationally syndicated radio and television show host Tom Joyner told about 130 who earned credentials inside J.D. Boyd Gymnasium on Sunday.
“So, turn to your neighbor and say, ‘the struggle is real.’ Some of you had financial issues. Some of you had academic issues. Some of you had problems at home. Some of you had school and jobs. Some had presentation issues – you name it. Some of you had all these issues at once. But, like the old song by The Impressions, you kept on pushin’.”
The Utica Campus, which is designated an HBCU (historically black college and universities), was selected by the Tom Joyner Foundation as its June 2018 School of the Month. The program is the signature such effort of his foundation in its support of HBCUs through fundraising efforts, scholarships, endowments and capacity-building enhancements.
The Utica Campus is one of two, two-year HBCUs selected for the honor, which is traditionally reserved for four-year institutions. Annually, the Tom Joyner Foundation selects 11 HBCUs with which to partner. During the partnership, funds are raised in support of student scholarships and other initiatives to help sustain the HBCU.
Joyner asked students to stay focused on the next step in their education and added a twist uncommon to most graduation ceremonies but common indeed for times when he delivers a keynote address at one – he gave $5 to each graduate with a tacit pledge from each that they’d make it grow as they continued their education.
“I’ll put it in your hand, and you’ll make it grow – with your good ideas,” he said. “I want to see you add to that $5, with some more zeroes and some commas. When I see you again, I want you to tell me you made your idea work, and how you helped someone else.”
From left, Hinds Community College President Dr. Clyde Muse, keynote speaker Tom Joyner and Dr. Tyrone Jackson, vice president for the Utica Campus
On Saturday, Joyner visited the Mississippi Job Corps Center in Crystal Springs and attended a special program on campus recognizing his foundation’s work to support HBCUs.
“I heard so many stories there of overcoming adversity,” Joyner said of the visit, adding he was impressed by his tour of the campus. Joyner shares a hometown – Tuskegee, Ala. – with that of William H. Holtzclaw, who founded the Utica Normal and Industrial Institute in 1903, which is the Utica Campus today.
“What I love most about Hinds Community College in Utica, is that it offers something for everyone,” he said. “There’s traditional students who come straight from high school who intend on changing their direction. Whatever the situation, whatever your goals, God brought you to Hinds at the right time. Take it from me, HBCUs are the right place to be.”
Joyner also urged students to participate in civic life to make sure their voices are heard.
“We can tweet about social injustice, we can even march about it, but nothing will happen until we vote out elected officials we don’t believe in. It won’t happen at all unless you go vote.”
Traditional students with honors credentials walked in the grand processional into the gym side-by-side with those who took a more circuitous route to starting college.
One, Antonio Green, beamed with happiness outside the gym with his mother, Leah.
“I wanted to play football coming out of high school in New Orleans, but I’ve gone into Electronics Technology to start a career there,” Green said.
Daphanie Bryant, left, of Jackson, and Lemontez Brown, of Edwards, line up with fellow graduates of Hinds Community College Utica Campus before the graduation ceremony May 13, 2018. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
Jennifer Burnett, a custodian at Hinds Community College Utica Campus, earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Computer Programming Technology during the graduation ceremony on campus May 13, 2018. Burnett earned a Career Certificate in the subject last summer.
Dr. Bobby G. Cooper, director of the Jubiliee Singers at Hinds Community College Utica Campus, carries the mace en route to the graduation ceremony held on campus May 13, 2018. Cooper, who is retiring this year, is Hinds’ longest-tenured employee, with 45 years of service.
Hinds Community College President Dr. Clyde Muse speaks during graduation ceremonies at the Utica Campus May 13, 2018.
Dr. Vanessa Wilson, reading instructor at Hinds Community College Utica Campus, sings the national anthem before graduation ceremonies on campus May 13, 2018.
Antonio Green, center, originally from Algiers, La., earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Electronics Technology during a graduation ceremony at Hinds Community College Utica Campus May 13, 2018. With him is friend and classmate Hosea Jackson Jr., left, and Antonio’s mother, Leah Green. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
The Jubiliee Singers perform during graduation ceremonies at Hinds Community College Utica Campus May 13, 2018.
Louis Perry Jr., center, earned a Career Certificate in Welding and Cutting Technology during graduation ceremonies held at Hinds Community College Utica Campus May 13, 2018. With him, from left, are his mother, Eddie Perry, sister Catina Perry, girlfriend Taylor Liggins, Utica Campus Chief of Police and family pastor Perry Terrell, niece Shay Miles, and cousin Maleek Bruce. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
Amber Sanders, second from right, of Jackson, earned an Associate of Arts degree from Hinds Community College Utica Campus during the ceremony held on campus May 13, 2018. With her are sisters Charlotte Sanders and Samantha Johnson, and brother Romeo Johnson. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
Students hold $5 bills distributed by keynote speaker Tom Joyner after the graduation ceremony at Hinds Community College Utica Campus.
Students hold $5 bills distributed by keynote speaker Tom Joyner after the graduation ceremony at Hinds Community College Utica Campus.
From left, Alexis Williamson, Jeffery Fairley, both of Jackson, and Brianna Watkins, of Summit, each of whom graduated from Hinds Community College with honors at ceremonies held at the Utica Campus May 13, 2018.