Taylor, Washington address ASU graduates

ALBANY — Albany State University honored more then 775 graduates at two fall commencement ceremonies Saturday at the Albany James H. Gray Sr. Civic Center. ASU President Art Dunning, who is retiring next month, delivered his final charge to the graduates at the afternoon commencement.

“Many of you took different paths to Albany State University, and now you are ready to move onto the next phase of your lives,” Dunning said. “We are living in times of changing cultures. You will be a part of that change. We are now living in an age of intense communication, much of it due to the internet and social media. There are a lot of truths and untruths out there.

“You need to be thoughtful in what you believe.”

Johnny C. Taylor Jr., president and chief executive officer of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, served as the keynote speaker at the morning ceremony for candidates in the College of Arts & Humanities, the College of Education and the College of Sciences and Technology.

Named one of the “Power 100” by Ebony Magazine in its list of the 100 most influential African Americans a year after assuming the role as Marshall Fund president and CEO, Taylor heads the only national organization representing nearly 300,000 students attending this country’s 47 publicly supported historically black colleges and universities.

Taylor was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He graduated valedictorian of his class at Dillard High School in Broward County. An Isaac Bashevis Singer Scholar and honors graduate of the University of Miami with a bachelor of science degree in Communications, Taylor went on to earn a master of arts degree with honors from Drake University and a doctor of jurisprudence degree with honors from the Drake Law School.

“When I was going to college I took Latin, and one of the phrases that stuck with me was ‘Veni, Vidi, Vici,’” Taylor said. “It means ‘I came. I saw. I conquered.’ Each of you sitting on this floor deserves a victory lap. Appreciate this day, because it is all about you. Celebrate this moment. I have been asked by many ‘Do we still need HBCUs, do they still matter?’

“Yes they do matter, and your sitting here today is proof because it is here with you.”

Werhner V. Washington, plant manager at Proctor & Gamble Albany, served as the keynote speaker at the afternoon ceremony for candidates in the College of Business and the Darton College of Health Professions.

Washington has been employed with P&G since 1984. P&G is a global, publicly traded Fortune 500 company that serves nearly 5 billion people around the world. A passionate community supporter, Washington serves on the Albany Technical College Board of Directors. He is also co-chair of the Albany-Dougherty Industry Roundtable and a youth mentor.

“What does it take to be happy in life?” Washington asked the graduates. “First you have to recognize your blessings, then you will lead a happy life. Appreciate the blessing of good health, and you will live a long life. Appreciate the blessing of a good job, and you will lead a comfortable life. The common denominator is being grateful for what you have earned and what has been given to you.”

Washington then issued some advise to the graduates.

“What I’d like each one of you to do is find that family member, mentor or professor that helped you along the way,” he said. “Don’t text them. Seek them out, look them in the eye and tell them how much you appreciate them. I guarantee you it will warm their hearts and yours, too.

“Be grateful and live simply and you will lead a happy life.”