Astute students celebrated at 2017 Honors Convocation
For T’Kisheuna Stewart, being honored as a President’s Scholar at Alcorn State University’s biannual Honors Convocation has been a priority for her every since she stepped foot on campus. She’s consistently made the Dean’s Scholars list, but this year, she finally accomplished her goal of surpassing her past accomplishments.
“This Honors Convocation was the most exciting one for me because I finally earned a President’s Scholar cardigan,” said T’kisheuna, a senior. “I’ve been working so hard to reach this goal. Even though the journey hasn’t been easy, all of the sacrifices were worth it. This is the result of hard work.”
Timothy Sellers, a sophomore, views his Dean’s Scholar honor as motivation to reach higher heights as a student.
“Being a Dean’s Scholar shows me that I’m doing really well as a student, but it also shows me that I can work harder,” said Timothy. “This motivates me to try my best to become a President’s Scholar.”
T’kisheuna and Timothy were among the 452 Dean’s Scholars and 181 President’s Scholars that were honored at the 75th biannual Honors Convocation Thursday, March 23 in the Oakland Memorial Chapel. Velma Brown Blackmon, Alcornite and retired professor of communication, was the event’s featured speaker. The mass communications degree programs at Alcorn and Elizabeth City State University were developed under her guidance.
Blackmon praised the students for their academic achievements, and encouraged them to spread their knowledge to make the world a better place.
“You are being honored for being smart,” said Blackmon. “Share your knowledge with others so that you can help them achieve their goals. If you share your ideas, you can be a transformational force in society. Don’t let the knowledge you’ve accumulated go to waste. Let being smart transport you from this stage of your life to something better. Take your transformative ideas and change the world.”
Blackmon also encouraged the scholars to broaden their horizons by traveling and learning more about what the world has to offer.
“Go places you haven’t gone and get out of your comfort zone. If you ever have the opportunity to travel, do so because you never know what you may learn from other cultures.”
President Alfred Rankin Jr. concluded the convocation by motivating the students to be at their best, no matter the circumstances.
“When you leave Alcorn and transition into the corporate world, you’re going to go through ups and downs,” said Rankins. “Despite the hurdles, you will be expected to perform at a high level. I have faith that you all will be able to perform at a high level, no matter what.”
