356 Graduates Depart to Serve at Spring Commencement

Two newly commissioned officers in the armed services shed tears and shared bright smiles with 354 graduates at Bethune-Cookman University’s spring commencement last week. The day began with the commissioning of Cadet Detchine Ilmet and Cadet Ian Wigg as lieutenants in the United States Army. The two Army ROTC cadets then joined their classmates later in the afternoon for commencement.

The ceremony began with the conferring of honorary degrees. Joe Petrock received the Doctor of Laws, while alumnus Larry Little and Dr. J. Stanley Marshall received the Doctor of Humane Letters.

Dr. Julianne Malveaux delivered the commencement address. “You are a blank sheet of paper and you are the pen that will determine who you will be,” said the former president of Bennett College. “Take the road less traveled...if you can’t follow your heart you will be dissatisfied with much of your life. Get to know yourself, because you know who you are and what you need to do.”

Senior Class President Arlen McCray-Nibbs led the graduates, half of whom graduated with honors, in the university’s pledge of support. Finally, the newly-minted graduates celebrated with loud cheers as they departed to serve.