SC State Honors and Award Convocation
Anton Stinson
Issue date: 4/13/09 Section: News
|
The Presidential Scholar Awards were initiated in 1977 by Dr. M. Maceo, Jr., the fifth President of the University. The underlying objectives for establishing the awards were to recognize students who demonstrate academic excellence, encourage those who them to maintain and achieve higher levels of academic pursuits. Students with a GPAs ranging from 3.00 to 3.49 received a Bronze pin, a Silver pin was given to students with a GPA of 3.50 to 3.74 and a Gold pin was given to students with a GPA of 3.75 to 4.00.
The ceremony's address was given by Dr. Carl E. Jones, the Executive Director for Student Success and Retention for the University. He began his address with Langston Hughes, "I too sing America," a poem who's theme appropriately set the tone for his speech on driving forward and doing one's best. He used quotes from Muhammad Ali and W. E. B. Dubois, two African Americans who both surpassed any limitations set upon them by society. He encouraged honorees and everyone to do their best saying, "The biggest room in the world is the room for improvement."
When asked about the ceremony Sophomore Blair Robinson, a professional theater major said, "It was a very humbling experience for me to be recognized in front of my peers and it was extra special because my parents came down from New Jersey to see me be acknowledged for something positive versus the negativity that surrounds campus."
As the end of the semester approaches, the ceremony was a good way of reminding faculty, staff, and students alike that all of their hard work and dedication will pay off in the end. Now that the awards have been handed out, we can look forward to next year's ceremony and hope that even more students will be honored.
Be the first to comment on this story