 Please remain standing for the post and of colors the national anthem and lift every voice and sing Please be seated Chancellor Dixon With your permission, I declare our 177th commencement convocation open Chancellor Dixon distinguished guests and colleagues. These are our honorees. Please join me in saluting them Pastor Beverly H. Mercer of Greater Anointing Ministries in Elizabeth City, North Carolina will now come forward to deliver the convocation Let us pray Most gracious and Heavenly Father We thank you Lord for this momentous occasion as these graduates Lord graduate on today We're asking you Lord to just continue Lord to bless them as they go out Lord to do what you've called them to do We're asking you Lord the bless God open doors for them father God We thank you Lord that they made it Lord and they did not give up And so we're asking you Lord to continue God to have your way in their lives in Jesus name And then Lord we want to thank you for our Chancellor God and this prestigious Institution we're asking you Lord to just continue Lord as it stands out as a beacon of light in this Elizabeth City To bless God let it draw people for our forward God so that they may continue to come here Lord We thank you Lord for this institution and all that are responsible for it But most of all Lord today God we give you the glory for all that you've done Where you brought our students God? We want to thank you Lord because I know these students understand that form guests Faculty staffs to graduates. Good morning. Welcome to the Elizabeth City State universities 177th Commencement Convocation Time I am pleased to introduce Chair of the Board of Trustees Dr. Stephanie Johnson who will extend the welcome after Trustee Johnson we will have greetings from Ms. Kelly blue member of the University of North Carolina Board of Governors and Mr. J. Kwan black ledge president of the Elizabeth City State University Student Government Association Chair Johnson Governor Kelly blue Chancellor Kerry Dixon our keynote speaker is Colette V. Smith platform participants. Good morning. I am Dr. Stephanie Johnson a proud 1974 Elizabeth City State University graduate and I am honored to be chair of the Elizabeth City State University Board of Trustees With the representatives of the Board of Trustees, please stand on behalf of the Board of Trustees It is our immense pleasure to bring greetings to our fall 2023 graduates families Faculty staff friends and alumni Graduates as you move on to the next chapter of your life Know that you are leaving Elizabeth City State University as ambassadors of the of Excellence take the education and experience gained here and use it to make a positive impact in Your communities and the world I also want to extend my appreciation to the faculty and staff who have played an integral role in Your academic journey they have guided and supporting you every step of the way and we are grateful for Their dedication to student success to the families and friends of our graduates Thank you for entrusting us with your loved ones education We share in your pride and joy on this special day Finally, I want to take a moment to recognize our alumni As you celebrate the achievements of our graduates today Remember that you are forever a part of the Elizabeth City State University family. You continue Your continued support and engagement are invaluable to the success of this institution Once again Congratulations to the fall class of 2023 and may your future be bright and filled with endless opportunities and remember this GGG Grow what you did here at Elizabeth City Go you're going out into the world and we want you to make sure to represent us by glowing in whatever you do May God continue to bless you and thank you Good morning On behalf of the entire University of North Carolina Board of Governors and UNC President Peter Hans It is my great pleasure to bring greetings to today's graduates their families This university's distinguished faculty staff alumni board of trustees Chancellor Dixon who was one of my favorites I'll have to add our distinguished keynote speaker Miss Colette v. Smith and members of the platform party Congratulations graduates We are gathered here today to honor and celebrate your remarkable achievements The knowledge and experiences gained during your time at Elizabeth City State University will have a lasting impact on your lives Equipped with the education and skills acquired here You are well prepared to conquer the challenges of this rapidly changing and intricate world I am filled with excitement and optimism for each and every one of you here I do not doubt that you will go on to accomplish extraordinary feats and create a positive influence in society. I Urged you to remain devoted to this esteemed institution and don't forget to give back Let me add that just as you represented it with greatness as a student Continue to shine as ambassadors at ECSU even in your future endeavors Congratulations class of 2023 the world eagerly awaits your contributions and I wish you the very best in all your future undertakings As you embark on this next chapter of your journey always remember the core values that have been instilled in during your time at ECSU excellence accountability respect diversity and social responsibility Not only will these values guide you personally and professionally, but they will also empower you to inspire and uplift others Never cease to strive for your dreams and let not any obstacle deter you from reaching your goals Chase your passions with determination hard work and a positive mindset and above all Remember to give back to your community and ECSU and express gratitude to those who have aided you on this remarkable path In closing I want to congratulate all the graduates once again and wish you all the best in your future accomplishments. Thank you Good morning Board of Trustees Chancellor Dixon the Executive Cabinet Foundation Board Board of Visitors National Alumni Association Arquino Speaker Ms. Smith esteemed faculty and staff proud parents and supporters and most importantly the exceptional graduating class of 2023 I am Jayquan Blackledge and I have the honor of serving as a student government association president for the 2023 2024 academic year I bring you greetings as today marks a significant milestone in your lives as you stand at the edge of a new chapter Remember the lessons that you have learned the challenges you have to overcome and the friendship forged during your time here Your journey at ECSU has equipped you with the knowledge and resilience needed for the road ahead I challenge each of you to embrace the opportunities because you can elevate your talents and gifts Face the inevitable and uncertainties with courage because this builds your resilience And let the values instill within these walls guide you because Vikings you are conquerors On this special morning There's a quote that comes to mind It's your reaction to adversity not adversity itself that determines your life That determines how your life story will develop So Vikings, I challenge you all to embrace the obstacles ahead and carry yourself with the true essence of Viking pride As you venture out into the world Congratulations graduates on this remarkable achievement. Thank you Thank you chair Johnson Thank you. Mr. President is what I call him for your great leadership and I would also Like to draw your attention to Governor Kelly blue Thank you so much for all that you do for ECSU And you all just don't realize how much this woman right here Advocates for ECSU behind the scenes and we thank you for all that you do in those conversations To get us what we need right To get us what we need and what we deserve. We thank you governor blue At this time, we will be favored with another musical selection by the ECSU choir ECSU choir. Let's give them another hand. That was absolutely amazing pleasure To introduce our commencement speaker Miss collect v smith You will find a detailed bio of our speaker in your program However, I will provide a few highlights for you about miss collect smith Miss collect v smith is the founder and president of believe in you incorporated and Now get ready for this The NFL's first african-american female coach In the history of the national football league Okay, what y'all think about that fellas? She served as the first female coach with the new york jets In the franchises history Coaching the defensive backs in 2017 during training camp Miss smith is a former women's professional football player Having played as a defensive back and special teams on kickoff and defensive backs coach She was also the director of marketing pr Promotions and events for the new york sparks women's pro football team in two women's professional football league Collette is a social philanthropist and an entrepreneur Specializing in motivational speaking engagements. She has received several recognitions including The humanitarian award by lee steinberg during super bowl 56 in february of 2022 The only woman to receive an award in this capacity from mr. Steinberg And most importantly Miss smith is an honorary member of delta sigma theta sorority incorporated I had the pleasure of meeting her over the summer in indiana And when I met her I told her I want to bring you to my campus as the commencement speaker And when we called her she answered So I am just delighted to have collette v smith here with us And she will provide us with the commencement address. Please join me in welcoming her to the stage So this party has already started. Okay I heard some of y'all party and last night parents the family the hotel And I got to tell you It really warms my heart. I was listening to people talk about He should graduate. He marching or I mean, this is a big deal. This is a huge Accomplishment This is not to be taken lightly without this life We aim high So let me let me try to keep the script. Thank you chancellor dr. Dixon Thank you so much for your work and all your efforts to keep ECSU on the map and soaring higher every day. Thank you There's something to be said about a leader That has to do things that other people may not like But a leader a true leader doesn't stay on somebody else's course. They make their own for change that You have done Thank you to all the staff and the board of trustees all the professors And anyone that had a hand at getting our soon-to-be college graduates here today Thank you So being here reminds me of my college days And I recall being so excited and having so much hope And anticipation for creating a bright Beautiful successful and purposeful future That I know all of you Soar for yourselves when you entered into this school Knowing that it would make your family and your community proud So thank you for reminding me of this moment Congratulations to all the proud parents the mama's mamas Daddy's daddy's grandfathers the uncles the cousins the aunties The nieces the sisters the brothers Thank you Because you played a big part in getting these soon-to-be college graduates here today as well We appreciate you and I know you're proud and as I was thinking About what I was going to deliver as my keynote this morning at elizabeth city state universities 177th commencement I thought about something and I was like I would be remiss If We didn't dive into what the word commencement actually means The word commencement is actually derived from a 13th century french word Meaning beginning start You see commencement isn't the celebration of an ending. It's actually the celebration of a new beginning And while commonly associated with graduation and completion of studies Let's not overlook the profound significance of its true essence Which is embarking on new beginnings and opportunities to come And as students you commence You actually begin a new chapter in your life It is the commencement of the next level of evolving for your future Your life Let your book be an endless new chapter That you that you write nobody else gets to write it, but you And to know that in fact every and anything that you desire and dream of is possible When you give effort We're all here today to shine a light on you shine a light on shine a light on We're here to shine a light on you because you have shined a light on us anyone watching you Has been ignited with hope To see what they can do with their future because they're watching you So as we shine a light on you you brought it back to us Congratulations This is the day you get to revel in Knowing that the fruits of your labor have come to fruition You are college graduates and not just any college graduates Elizabeth city state university graduates HPU see HBC you strong and proud It's great to see y'all here today. You are making change You are the future and we are all so proud of you This is a victory You were playing a long game You have been and will forever inspire armies of others that look like us To make sure they always aim high You know the blueprint is you now You are the the person that brings the next generation into a new world Of hope and someone to be proud of and I warmly congratulate you once again And I'm your big sister loving on you right now Like I'm hugging you real tight if you're choking a little bit. It's because I gotcha. I'm hugging you And as a hbc you girl myself And as a women's pro football player that started playing pro football at the age of 42 years old That's when I was a rookie and the first female to have ever coached in new york jets franchise history And the nfl's first ever african-american Female coach in the history of the national football league A woman black woman players in a full onset blitz with deep field man coverage Playing field, but i'm proud knowing that I've leveled some of it Like you are today You're leveling someone is playing field too and We're not done yet, huh? We got a lot more to do I Am my ancestors wildest dream You are our ancestors wildest dreams And I need you to think about that where we came from This is a wild dream for them something they probably never would have thought about But you are here You are making change Y'all out here tripping on success I Always know that every day is a new start And understand that you hold the power for continued greatness Even after you leave here today because nothing can stop you you all the way up Nothing can stop you you all the way up nobody Nobody can take this from you. Nobody you've earned this You've worked for it. This is something that can't be taken away from you Remember that Your unwavering commitment to ensuring your quest and achieving a higher education by your dedication By your drive by your perseverance your fortitude your courage Your diligence your strong work ethic your sense of pride Not only for yourself But for your family and your community Show us out loud what it looks like to go above and beyond and get the job done Y'all got the job done. I walk with God And I have something to say the devil is a liar Tan because there are people that would have wanted you to believe that this day would never come You are here in all your glory winning Breaking the chains Our ancestors had metal chains And today in this world there are mental chains But you decided to break them The spirit of God lives in us so stay armored up because this game day, baby Every day is game day with Jesus You are destined for all things legendary good and whole God doesn't give us a spirit of fear That's the devil's job And he's good at his job. He works overtime But God just works all the time 2nd Timothy 1 7 for God have not given us the spirit of fear But of power and of love And of a sound mind So don't you ever let the devil Stand in your way Walk with God always because God got you God got you You now are the leaders of tomorrow That will come to continue to ignite hope for everyone that comes behind you because you have lit a spark of hope for others to see Some people ask Where is our representation? What are we doing? What is our representation? It's you It's you it's all of you When you leave it today, it will always be you And if not you then who? And if not now then when? Well, it's right here right now in this room with each and every one of you You have already changed the world for the better But there's more work to be done But you are equipped to handle it So yes, let's celebrate today But it's the start of the second half And game time doesn't stop So continue to move the ball to make this world a better place And as you move forward into your next chapter Don't ever let doubt steal your destiny Don't worry about beating the competition Worry about beating your limits Because you are the competition The way you win at anything is to rely on your will Determination and your mind It takes discipline effort And consistency which each and every one of you have executed to have gotten to this mountaintop right now And there will be more mountains to climb But know that you are equipped with a stellar education From ecsu and with continued dedication persistence consistency discipline hard work and most importantly Having self-worth And valuing yourself And having pride in knowing who you are Where you're from and how far you've come Always stand tall in your accomplishments and your achievements No matter what is happening your voice is still being heard by the way you live and how you move in this world Be consistent and be consistent daily You can't start something one day and then stop at the next keep going Remember nothing can stop you you all the way up Remember that always aim for progress Not perfection progress Start and never give up Because every day is a new beginning to prove not to others but to yourself Just how powerful you are So after you finish celebrating This amazing achievement and you have to get out and get out there into the world There might be some difficult moments When I have them I have to yell at myself sometimes, but it's all right I could do that look you can't but I can Same way the same for you Sometimes you have to tell yourself some things Get up You've got this Get up. You are worthy. Get up. You are enough get up. You are valuable. Get up. You are important Get up. You are loved get up. Love yourself Get up. You are special get up. You are strong. You are smart. You are bold You've got this gets up body can do it like you Being yourself don't look back Have the power and you live your best life You deserve it Get up. You have to show this world and yourself But you're capable of get up and you make tomorrow better today Making tomorrow better today is very important So I know back in the day when you had these exams And you didn't get a great grade you wanted more Well, if you really wanted more you would have studied for it. You would have Put more time into it, right? So what you got to do you got to do it today for tomorrow Make tomorrow better today What you waiting for? Always walk in that That holds true In every aspect of your life Most importantly get up because you are a child of the most high There is no shortcut to excellence As you keep on in your world and your new journey You determine the outcome of your life But always know the destiny in you is greater than any storm around you The most powerful weapon we have outside of god is our mind So continue to use it and be future ready Go hard and go all in And remember there is no dishonor In losing a race There is only dishonor And you're too afraid to race So start there's a lot of people that need to be in these chairs, but they're not You will have them come here You're changing the game So always stay in it. You are enough. You are enough and you are enough You are worthy of all great things and you got to take the ball and continue to make forward progression And when they say there's no way Because they will tell you that You show them one set yourself up to win because nobody practices to be a backup Just gonna say that when I played football the the starter that was better than me. I was coming for See the better I get the better team gets we a team Nobody practices to be a backup and never rationalize what you can't do instead Rationalize what you can do. I believe in you I believe in you. Dr. Dixon believes in you The board of trustees believes in you your family believes in you You always believe in you every day There will be hard days to come but champions aren't made when the game is easy You show who you are or the things you go through and how you handle them So continue to make whomever was on this journey with you whether they're here on this earth Or above making proud Most importantly make yourself proud And go into life knowing that you are giving it everything you have and never ever let fear win Use wisdom and discernment in your and all of your movements You become good at what you do most So invest positivity into yourself create good habits Create good habits people think the word habit is not a good thing. It's a great thing if you use it wisely And if you have setbacks Take it as a lesson to improve on what you started You see in football we have this thing called L's and W's Losses and wins Well L's Aren't losses they're lessons Never blame anybody else for what you didn't get done And never be passive Knowing that you are capable of something and continue being a champion that you are I have faith knowing that god is always with us Have faith in your abilities to succeed have faith that you can materialize your dreams Always hold faith in your heart If you've done it before you could do it again And you do it better the next time All right, and if and and challenge yourself challenge yourself like never stop never stop learning My dad would ask me all the time. Did you finish your homework? I was a kid that always came home and did her homework first because I didn't want to hear anybody's mouth It's the truth so I would knock it out My dad would come on me said did you finish your homework? I'm like, you know I did He would say well, you know you're not you could never do too much homework I thought it was crazy as an adult As you gain wisdom. I realized what he was saying. You never stop learning If the professor says read one chapter for your homework this evening And you read one chapter, but you like the book But you just read that one chapter. Why are you gonna stop? Keep going Get it all in So always bet on you and give yourself a fighting chance And as you step into your new journey Don't wait till tomorrow what you can do today Your heart was made to be content and full of will to succeed at anything you put your mind to anything Use your brain. It's the most powerful thing you have outside of god. So continue to use it. Don't waste it Push through Push through the things that hold you back Because the only way out is through The only way out is through It's gonna still be there until you until you take charge of it You're a winner. You can do it When the world says there's no way what are you gonna do what you're gonna do You're gonna show them You're gonna show yourself So this is the start of the second half and there's a whole lot more games to be played and you're equipped for it And I pray you never ever Give up on your dreams And I pray you never ever stop dreaming bigger and bigger and bigger You may not see it now But everything is aligning for you Everything is aligning Just the way it's supposed to be You made it Remember those hard times while you were in school like Waiting for grandma says she's gonna send you some money. You're like, where the money? That was a hard time. You might have been so hungry All right Written on a grant or financial aid or that scholarship to come through stressful tough But you didn't throw the towel in you're still here. You're still standing So choose to walk in faith grace and humility Always poor positivity in yourself Y'all remember that expression you are but you eat Y'all never heard that you are what you eat what you put into your body Well, you also are what you tell yourself So you get out what you put in And again, no one practices to be a backup. So tell yourself you are powerful beyond measure. Tell yourself that Feed yourself the right words Eat them don't eat the words that don't mean anything to you That might hold you back. Tell yourself everything good Force that I'd like to leave you with this Sometimes you might lose But don't be lost You may experience failure, but don't be defeated Greatness is your destiny and decide today to accept nothing less Let go of everything that was And walk into what is There are three types of people out here in this world People that watch what happens People that wonder what happens And people that make things happen Which one you're going to be have discipline and consistency because it wins every time Stay in the game so you can change it Be the leader you would follow You notice some folks out y'all know That you say you shouldn't be no leader So you be the leader be the leader that you would follow though And don't ever play small These your challenges are to be championed and continue to be our ancestors wildest dreams lastly Congratulations You elizabeth city state university university class of 2023 Thank you so much. Thank you Collette v smith you brought it And they heard you we heard her It's game time and these graduates are prepared To go out there and win So on behalf of elizabeth city state university when you come forward miss smith He would like to thank you so much for agreeing to be here as we celebrate the fall class of 2023 You would like to let you know that you are viking. Thank you. Oh, thank you Thank you again So each year we have representation from our stakeholders joining us as we congratulate and celebrate our graduates I would like to acknowledge those joining us today First you've already heard from her, but I would like to acknowledge once again our UNC board of governor Kelly blue. Thank you again for being here our ecsu board of trustees Thank you If there are any ecsu trustee emeriti in the room, will you please stand or raise your hand? Thank you for being here Also ECSU foundation board members if you're somewhere in the room, please wave your hand Thank you so much for your work and thank you. Mr. Cherry and you'll hear from him later ECSU board of visitors we have with us chair brian spence member wendy pierce The ecsu national alumni association officers and directors, please stand Messers emeriti and members of the ecsu retiree association. Please wave your hand where you are Thank you all for your continued support Representatives from local state and national government. Please raise your hand where you are And we have joining us barber baxter Antoinette Gibbs Jarvis Gibbs Kim Spence and Tammy Spence Also rosemary whitehurst and her sister. Thank you so much for being here And all over the room if you represent any branch of the military, please stand where you are and thank you for your service Thank you all once again for joining us today and for investing in ecsu. Greatly appreciate our stakeholders Lieutenant colonel julie m. Kendrick, please come to the podium to deliver the oath of office for our newest ROTC officers Elizabeth city state university family and friends I am lieutenant colonel julie kendrick professor of military science the viking battalion ecsu's premier senior army rotc program Today, I have the honor and privilege of reaffirming the oath of office for your classmates Second lieutenant laquan bond second lieutenant gracia thomas lieutenants Please join me on stage These new second lieutenants received their commissions yesterday in a separate ceremony in front of family Friends peers university leadership staff faculty and ecsu alumni who have supported them along their journey Thank you again chancellor dixon for attending your kind words of wisdom and encouragement And you're in yielding support to the viking battalion All military military members begin their career by accepting the oath of office Doctors lawyers public officials and our military some of these few professions that take such an oath The oath of office represents an officer's right of passage from cadet to commission officer on behalf of the president of the united states The oath affirms a commitment to defend the american people and our way of life against all enemies foreign and domestic If other represents a pledge to uphold and live by the army values of loyalty duty Respect selfless service honor integrity and personal courage Finally, the oath of office represents a special trust that a newly commissioned lieutenant Will take care of america's sons and daughters and provide them with confident confident and caring leadership This is the charge that second lieutenants bond and thomas will reaffirm today Lieutenants raise your right hand repeat after me I state your full name Do you saw me swear That I will support and defend The constitution in the united states Against all enemies foreign and domestic and that will bear true faith And allegiance to the same That I take this obligation freely Without any mental reservations Or purpose of evasion And that I will and faithfully Discharge the duties of the office Upon which I'm about to enter So help me god It was a great pleasure to participate in the commissioning ceremony yesterday of our new second lieutenants Very proud of you and want you to know your viking family is here with you all the way In your journey with the military and you always have a home right here in viking land And on behalf of the university I want to present to you a special token that I want you to keep with you wherever you go And always know that the vikings are praying for you and the vikings are with you through it all Again, congratulations second lieutenant Chancellor dickton We now recommend candidates for graduate degree Chancellor dickton It is my privilege to report to you that the candidates here assembled have qualified in all aspects For their degrees by successfully completing the curricula offered by the graduate programs in elementary education school administration biology and mathematics at elizabeth city state university Was a candidate for the master of education and elementary education The master of school administration and the master of science and biology and mathematics Please stand and remain stand Chancellor dickton It is with pleasure that I present to you these candidates who have completed all requirements for graduation They have been certified by the registrar and have received an affirmative vote of the faculty to be awarded the master's degree in education school administration biology and mathematics I now recommend them to you for the conferral of their degree By the virtue of the authority bested in me by the university of north carolina board of governors And the elizabeth city state university board of trustees I do hereby confer Upon you the degree for which you have qualified with all honors privileges and responsibilities They're on to appertaining With the candidates for the master of education and elementary education master of school administration master of science and biology And master of science and mathematics Please proceed to the stage to receive your degrees We will also present A special medallion to our graduates who have successfully completed their master's degrees Mohammed awadala Marisa harrell copeland Ashley m wilkins Felicia little goldston Janice lorraine rogerson Narendra nath Banerjee jasmine renai cuffing godfrey shanae elise hamilton full george anthony oliver Congratulations graduates. Please be seated degrees will now be conferred Chancellor dixon it is my privilege to report to you that the candidates here assembled have qualified in all aspects for their degrees By successfully completing curricula offered by the academic departments at elizabeth city state university They have been recommended by their department chairs and deans approved by the honors council where apropos certified by the registrar and have received an affirmative vote of the faculty to be awarded the bachelor of science and education the bachelor of science and the bachelor of arts At this time i am pleased to begin the conferment of undergraduate degrees by presenting the bearer of the mates who entered ecsu as a first time freshman and has the highest cumulative grade point average in the fall 2023 commencement ceremony Chancellor dixon it is my pleasure most distinct indeed To inform you that the official bearer of the mace is jayla godley Jayla godley, please come forward for the conferment of your degree Chancellor dixon i am pleased to present bearer of the mace jayla godley who has our cumulative grade point average of 3.972 Jayla virtue of the authority vested in me By the university of north carolina board of governors and the elizabeth city state university board of trustees I do hereby confer upon you the degree for which you have qualified with all the honors privileges and responsibilities there on to Appertaining trustee stephanie johnson will now hood you Congratulations jayla Of the shield represents the student who entered ecsu as a transfer student And has the highest cumulative grade point average in the graduating class for the fall 2023 commencement Chancellor dixon it is my pleasure most distinct indeed to inform you of our official Bearers of the shield for the fall 2023 graduating class Will the bearer of the shield kelvin thorton, please come forward for the conferment of your degree Chancellor dixon i am pleased to present the bearer of the shield kelvin thorton who has earned a cumulative grade point average of 4.0 of the shield kelvin thorton By virtue of the authority vested in me by the university of north carolina board of governors And the elizabeth city state university board of trustees I do hereby confer upon you the degree for which you have qualified with all the honors privileges and Responsibilities there on to appertaining trustee stephanie johnson of the ecsu board of trustees will now hood you and i want y'all to know this is miss ecsu Miss ecsu's father Congratulations. We are proud of you Congratulations The shield kary mora reos, please come forward for the conferment of your degree Chancellor dixon i am pleased to present our second bearer of the shield kary mora reos Who has earned a cumulative grade point average of 4.0 of the shield kary mora reos By virtue of the authority vested in me by the university of north carolina board of governors And the elizabeth city state university board of trustees I do hereby confer upon you the degree for which you have qualified With all the honors privileges and responsibilities there on to appertaining trustee stephanie johnson of the ecsu board of trustees will now hood you Congratulations kary Congratulations chancellor dixon Before we proceed with a conferment of degrees I am honored to have the opportunity to recognize those seniors who are graduating with highest honors Summa cum laude having achieved by their diligence a cumulative grade point average of 3.8 to 4.0 With the graduates graduating summa cum laude, please stand and remain standing first who are graduating with high honors Magna cum laude with a grade point average of 3.6 to 3.79 Please stand and remain standing years graduating with high honors cum laude With a grade point average of 3.25 to 3.59 Please stand and remain standing. Please join me and congratulating these students on their accomplishments You may be seated So like to recognize seniors who have completed four years in the university's honors program Many of whom were just standing well those students who have completed four years in the honors program Please stand so that we may congratulate you. You may be seated Please to acknowledge all of the summa cum laude magna cum laude cum laude graduates and graduates of the university's honors program I commend you for having achieved the excellence required by a highly rigorous curriculum I encourage you to continue to excel And continue to focus on your success. Thank you Chancellor Dixon, I am pleased now to present candidates for their respective degree Chancellor Dixon on the recommendation of their department chairs and deans Certification by the registrar and by an affirmative vote of the faculty It is my pleasure to present the candidates for the bachelor of science in education Bachelor of science and bachelor of arts, please stand virtue By virtue of the authority vested in me by the university of north carolina board of governors and the elizabeth city state university board of trustees I do hereby Confer upon you the degrees for which you have qualified with all the honors privileges and responsibilities They're on to appertaining Chancellor Dixon I am pleased to present the candidates for the bachelor of science in education Candidates for the bachelor of science and bachelor of arts. Please be seated for the bachelor of science in education Please come forward to receive your degree Samantha and Barry Alisa Raquel break Neil Henry Michelle Rogers Luella Sweeney Congratulations. Please be seated Will the candidates for the bachelor of science degree? Please stand to present Thanks for the bachelor of science degree Candidates, please come forward to receive your degree Tariq Zaheem Adams Mustafa Mohamed Awadallah Free Baker Hey Bethay Free Brenei Jondell Billet Martavious Bisha Jenaeah Lashay Brooks Lakisha Nicole Cartwright In the third Jermaine Chandler Tanaeah Danielle Evanport Rachel Duru Brashon and Jr Jamal Hagan Nakeven Kayez Kendriana Monique Howard Joshua Avion Hunter Engwall Jasmine Monet Jacob Jarman Jaylin Jeffrey Johnson Jasmine Marie Starlett Jones Jr McCoy Jr Taikwan Lagerius Mercer Donovan Ryan Muller Jenae Rebecca Vive Dallas Jarell Nuker Brandon Michael Nguyen Kalea Renee Noel Gideon Ose Bonsu Jaylin Isaiah Parry Serena Marie Parry Brandon Terrell Pettaway Grayson Bell Pierce Jaquan Marquise Higgs Darnell Anthony Howard Nicholas Martin Prosper Regina Antoinette Hughes Leah Nicole Louise Ransom Jenae Marie Brooks Precious Monet Rouse Taylor Brooke Russell Stefan Darnell Sanders Dijonay Juanice Scratchings Jalissa Danielle Sellers Elizabeth D. Charell Jenna Isaacs Schumates Deja Onye Singleton Tyreek Drakewan Slaughter Michelle Carter Spence Kamari Deshawn Spencer Taylor Lauren Starlett Nicole D. Starlings Shadera Angelique Stevenson Andre Durell Stewart Jr. Tyresha Kenyet Stewart Nakaya Sheree Taylor Chrislyn Mariah Terry Latasha Faye Latasha Faye Thomas Quasya Malise Thomas Cameron Renee Thompson Mariah Sashay Thompson Michelle Angel Valadaris Kayla Monique Vickers Nathaniel Bernard Walker The Fifth Tiara Renee Wallace Angel Nicole Williams Quinton Virgil Williams III Austin Joseph Wimbush Congratulations graduates please be seated Will the candidates for the Bachelor of Arts degree please stand? I am pleased to present candidates in the Bachelor of Arts for their degree Candidates please come forward to receive your degree Candice Mariah Sherrod Mario DeWayne Cross Shaquilla R. Dixon Altarite Balal Fawal Marie Freshwater Jay Gatson the Fourth Ladejah Alizeh Harris Jacqueline Harvey Jayzahn Emanuel Holmes Nguyen Brittany M. Johnson Pugh Danielle Latina P. McClinton Tanisha Chantel Pryor Barkley Nevea Shawanda Monique Ruffin Witherspoon Adams Jr. Jr. Nicole Ward Andrina Wilson and Karika Danette Wyde Congratulations graduates please be seated Will the conferral of degrees upon candidates comprising the fall graduating class of 2023 Now would all the baccalaureate graduates please the attainment of your degrees by turning your tassels from the right to the left Congratulations Congratulations graduates As I promised it is now time for you to celebrate Return to your seats celebration of our graduates return to your seats graduates to the fall 2023 graduates On behalf of the entire university community I extend sincere congratulations to each of you for achieving this milestone in your lives At this time I would like to recognize our honor marshals as listed in the program booklet Honor marshals are the highest-ranking students academically from the freshman sophomore and junior classes Also at this time, I would like to recognize and thank the ecsu commencement committee And applaud the ecsu choir and ecsu band For helping us make this day memorable and special. Thank you. Thank you south of class Welcome to the podium. Ms. Jalen hall president of the senior class to deliver farewell remarks. Ms. Hall Honorary board members chancellor dixon and her cabinet faculty staff family friends and graduating class Congratulations class of 2023. This morning is a special moment. You'll forever cherish. You did it. I am so proud of you We all are here to celebrate this major accomplishment I am Jalen hall and I have the pleasure of serving as senior class president I want to start off with the quote And it says you could travel with the sheep follow everybody else's stuff, but then you're not you I guess if I want to say anything is be you Be true to you and that should make a ride a little more interesting. We'll be over As you begin to sit back and think about your matriculation through the halls of vacuums You should begin to smile and say to yourself Road was not easy, but you made it We all took different paths to get here But all had the same goal That goal you are achieving today graduating As the road world awaits go out and make an everlasting impact that will show the true meaning of ike pride You all came to discover That building connection and endless relationships is very important That even though you started the race alone You made it to the finish line with the support of those who traveled with you That the race between your fingers typing and the clock striking 11 59 is the true race of a graduating senior Now it's time to conquer the world Be focused Determined and empowered Every day is a new opportunity to change your life and be who you want to be Be confident and the choices you make Take risks because you miss a hundred percent of the shots that you don't take by letting your fears get in the way I challenge each of you to go forth and be great Rise above it all Live life I want to leave you with this Never just settle for any seat at the table. The goal is to fight for the head seat And one more time on this side of ike land Viking pride Viking pride Congratulations class of 2023 farewell Vikings Thank you president hall for those inspiring words It is my pleasure to bring to the podium. Mr. James cherry the third Chair of the ecsu national alumni association board of directors who will administer the oath of allegiance to the university Mr. Cherry chancellor dixon the governor blue Ms. Collette v smith board of trustees ecsu foundation board ecsu board of visitors faculty and staff alumni And distinguished guests. Good morning My name is james cherry class of 1996 and president of the ecsu national alumni association In what seems like a lifetime away. I stood in the same spot as sga president and spoke to my class about our next journey in life How we did not just want to be graduates but productive alumni Given our time talent and treasure back to our beloved alma mater First I want to congratulate the class of 2023 on all of your achievements And I know that will you will continue to make us proud in your chosen field Next I want to let you know a couple of things in the next couple of weeks You you will be receiving a package containing your membership card for one year free membership It will also contain a contact list of local chapters and chapter presidents I implore you to reach out to them as they can assist with acclimating you to your new environment Also, the pin that you received last night wear it proudly It is an outward sign of the pride in your heart for your alma mater Lastly, I was strongly I would ask that you strongly consider joining our one one or more of our 25 local chapters We have three maintenance in the national alumni association Student recruitment We want to continue to bring students to have the same experience or better that you had here at our university Membership we need boots on the ground simply put we're stronger with you than without you and alumni giving We continue to raise money to support university and ecsu foundation initiatives Got it Got it I will now administer the oath of allegiance. I would ask that the graduates, please stand And repeat after me. I hereby solemnly pledge unbroken allegiance To my alma mater in appreciation for the opportunities for development Afforded me as a student At elizabeth city state university I pledge active membership Let's repeat that one more time. I pledge active membership in the national alumni association wherever I may be Through association with my fellow alumni I shall forever do my best To uphold the ideals and traditions of my alma mater I pledge as a person To exemplify high ideals By rendering positive and dignified service to the community state nation and world Thus living to bring honor and respect to my alma mater Welcome to the fall class of 2023 You may be seated. Thank you, mr. Cherry to the fall 2023 graduates Thank you for allowing elizabeth city state university To be the woven in to be woven into the tapestry of your life As you go forth continue to be ambassadors for ecsu I encourage you to tell our story Know our story Share your viking experience with others so that they will be inspired to sit where you sit now At the threshold of great opportunities You will be successful And I urge you to make a difference and be the difference Remember the lessons you learned both in and out of the classroom And always remember to return to visit your university I wish you much success as you continue life's journey Thank you and congratulations again fall class of 2023 Please stand for the singing of the alma mater We have come to the conclusion of our ceremony We ask everyone to remain seated until after the graduate's exit and you will be directed by security Chancellor Dixon with your permission. I declare our 177th commencement convocation closed. Let us receive the benediction from pastor Beverly H. Mercer Thank you lord for this graduation and once again for this great institution As we leave this place lord, we ask you for traveling mercy We ask the lord to bless us to get to our home safely Thank you for all that you've done and all that you're going to do and these graduates Now to the only wise god i'll save you be glory and majesty Dominion and power both now and forever more and everyone said amen Amen