Celebrities Offer Words Of Inspiration For College Graduates

Jet, June 26, 2000

"We have become better at extending life, but we need to be more concerned about the quality of life," Dr. Satcher said at the University of Buffalo School of Medicine's graduation ceremony.

He called on the students to write their own prescription to healthy living, which includes proper diet, exercise and safe-sex practice. "The greatest change in our health can come from changes in our lifestyle."

TV talk show host Montel Williams told graduates at Lehigh University it is time to help others who helped them become graduates. "It's time for you to think how you can help the have-nots, before they come knocking on your door."

Julian Bond, chairman of the NAACP, delivered the commencement address at Washington University in St. Louis and stressed that not enough people are seeking a college education and are missing out on one of life's sweetest rewards.

"If we can shrink the world's population to a village of only 100 people ... six of the 100 people would own 59 percent of all the wealth in the world, and all 6 of those people would be from the United States. Eighty of the 100 people would live in substandard housing. Seventy would be unable to read and write. Fifty would suffer from malnutrition. One would have a college education."

Business leader Earl G. Graves Sr., publisher and founder of Black Enterprise magazine, delivered the keynote address at Florida A&M University's Spring Commencement Exercises.

He told the nearly 1,200 graduates: "Your generation will build more wealth to pass to future generations of Black Americans than previous generations could ever imagine. Your generation will see African-American CEOs of major multinational companies, Fortune 500 companies that are Black-owned, African-American governors, senators and many more in key Cabinet positions."

But none of these successes comes without a price tag, Graves said. He challenged the graduates to accept the responsibility of giving back to the community.

"I've often said that it is not a crime to earn a lot of money," Graves said. "I hope that all of you will earn enough to invest in stocks and bonds, drive luxury cars, wear the very best clothing, and live in homes you dream of having today. If you make that much money, you have to give back!"

U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexis Herman gave tips for success to graduates at Albany State University in Albany, GA.

Secretary Herman advised them to "take five." She quickly added: "I'm not talking about taking a break."

She advised them to take hold of history, take on knowledge, take risks, take responsibility and take comfort in the love of family and faith.

"In this economy, knowledge matters more than ever. What you learn today is going to directly impact what you earn tomorrow."

She reminded them: "You did not get here on your own. I measure success in a different way," she noted. Success, Herman said, is "how you treat your grandmother. It's how you give back to your community."

Commencement speakers also took time to teach the graduates about issues and concerns that are dear to their lives and professional careers.