Copy desk chief bids farewell to University

Wow. It is hard to believe that May 2011 is finally upon us. This month is significant for many people and for many different reasons, but for approximately 1,000 Winston- Salem State students this month is special for one specific reason — commencement.

I'm thankful to be counted in that number.

I transferred to WSSU from USC Upstate fall 2009.

I chose to pursue my education in the state of North Carolina mainly due to the coercion of my beautiful grandmother, a Winston- Salem native.

My grandmother received her education at Teacher's College, which led to a successful career in teaching at the secondary level and beyond. She used to recall her fond memories of this institution with pride and grandeur. At some point, I thought for sure she would tell me that the walls were made of gold. My grandmother used to tell me "North Carolina is the birthplace of education."

I was sold.

I must admit, times have changed from when my grandmother attended and now.

I entered as a transfer student into the Mass Communications Department surprisingly trying to find my place in a HBCU.

Luckily, there are people here that I've met along the way who have helped me reach the light at the end of my undergraduate tunnel.

So, this is my goodbye to the campus and a few thank you's to some very special people.

I'd like to thank Ms. Tomikia LeGrande for going beyond the call of duty in a last-minute transition to WSSU. Without your assistance, I wouldn't be here.

I'd like to extend my appreciation to Dr. Philip Jeter, chair of the Mass Communications Department, and his assistant, Ms. Marcia Bonner. You both work tirelessly to ensure that mass comm students receive the best possible education afforded to them.

I'd like to give a special thank you to the staff of the best non-regular production Black College newspaper in the country, the award-winning The News Argus. We stand head and shoulders above our peers for a reason. Dr. Cobb, you are the best adviser a student-run newspaper could ever have. Although we may bump heads, your experience, attention to detail and commitment to excellence make up for all of the migraines. I look forward to next year's staff carrying on the tradition of excellence in journalism and winning awards. And good luck! Thank you Ms. Nancy Young for your insight and expertise; you've not only made my job much easier, but you've also helped me tremendously as I transition into law school.

I would be remiss if I didn't take the time out to recognize those who have personally inspired me.

Dr. Carlton A.G. Eversley, you and Dr. Will Boone lit a cultural-societal fire within me that has yet to be squelched. Thank you for being the strong, Black male role models that you are.

Maigan Stanback, thanks for keeping me grounded. You are the definition of a true friend. Janae Williams, your musical talent, creativity and spirituality is the perfect example of what brought life to my HBCU experience.

To my Blue and White family, I will never forget any of you. The brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. have continued to be the literal benchmark of quality as well as what it means to be a gentleman. Of course, my sisters of the finer womanhood, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. will always hold a special place in my heart.

I must acknowledge and thank God most of all for bringing me this far. Without Him, there would be no me. The journey has been interesting, and I know that this is just the beginning.

To all my friends, acquaintances and students that I may not be familiar with, thanks for allowing me to serve you in the capacity of journalism. It was a blessing to see how so many people can be positively affected all while doing what I love to do.

I'm not much for goodbyes, so I'll leave by reiterating a familiar statement that has become my mantra: enter to learn, depart to serve.

The world is yours. Do something with it.

Love you all.