Lincoln University recognized around 302 graduates at two graduation ceremonies Saturday at Richardson Fine Arts Center. Of those, 48 were master degrees and educational specialists, and 254 were graduating with bachelor degrees. The College of Arts and Sciences: Science, Technology and Math and Humanities and Communication; School of Business; and College of Agriculture were represented.
Due to the ongoing pandemic, commencement events were spread over three days with five different ceremonies. School of Education and School of Nursing ceremonies were Friday, and graduates with the College of Arts and Sciences: Social and Behavioral Sciences will be recognized at a 10 a.m. ceremony today.
Saturday's ceremony featured the same speakers from Friday's graduation, with LU Board of Curators President Victor Pasley bringing opening remarks.
"You are joining a group whose membership extends over 150 years," said Pasley, who is also a Lincoln alumnus. "As alumni, you can be a cheerleader for the university and encourage others to take advantage of the great educational experience available at Lincoln."
Lincoln University President Jerald Jones Woolfolk made the commencement address, delivering part of her speech in the form of a letter she gave each graduate containing words of wisdom for their future.
"Graduations are possibly the worst time to deliver a speech," Woolfolk said. "After years of work, the last thing you want to hear is someone lecturing you."
She said the alumni will have the opportunity to share their experiences at Lincoln University with the world.
"You're going to ask them 'Tell me what you know about me, I'm from Lincoln University. 820 Chestnut Street,'" Woolfolk said, as the audience responded "That's me, that's me."
Woolfolk pointed out in her letter that this class should give themselves "a hand clap of praise" for making it through a tornado and COVID-19 and recognize the family and faculty that helped them along the way. She emphasized "resiliency is the superpower that will allow you to fly over any obstacle," saying they will be the leaders in a post-COVID world.
"You are here to rebuild the world on the strong foundations of the past as well as build it up with better ideas for the future," she said.
As students walked across the stage to receive their diplomas, their support systems cheered from the audience, and some relatives cheered through phones over FaceTime.
During the ceremony, graduates were inducted into the National Alumni Association upon reading the alumni pledge, along with a prayer for the graduates' strength into the future. The ceremony featured pre-recorded songs "War March of the Priests" and "Lincoln O' Lincoln" played by the Lincoln University Band.
After the ceremony, students filed out to celebrate under the cover of rain.
Jasha Harvey, graduating with bachelor's in science and biology, was surrounded by fellow Delta Sigma Theta sisters who sang "Sweetheart Song," a celebratory chant for their sorority. She said her sisters helped her to push through this year.
"It's been amazing. My sisters helped me with graduation," said Harvey, adding the year was a difficult one. "It makes me want to cry (talking about it) because it's hard."
At the second ceremony, Whitney Williams, who received a bachelor's in business, talked about her son, Draylin, 2, being one of her inspirations in finishing her degree.
"It's been hard work, but (Draylin) motivated me and actually helped me go back to school," Williams said. "That's my baby."
John Burton, who graduated with a bachelor's in accounting, performed a march and chant with members of Omega Psi Phi, who laughed and patted each other on the back. Burton said community has been important to him over the past year.
"It's what you need, especially over the past year," he said. "Having that support system you can be successful. Hard times bring people together."