'The tassel is worth the hassle.' LeMoyne-Owen, Rhodes celebrate 2023 graduates

Across Memphis on Saturday, colleges and universities recognized the achievements of thousands of students who have spent years ― some of those in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic ― working toward what they were granted this weekend: higher-education degrees. LeMoyne-Owen College, Rhodes College, Christian Brothers University and Southwest Tennessee Community College all held commencement exercises.

At LeMoyne-Owen’s graduation ceremony, there was pomp and circumstance, there was dancing, there was prayer and there were inspirational words, spurring the next generation of graduates from one of Tennessee’s seven historically Black colleges and universities onto great next chapters.

Keynote speaker Nzinga Shaw, chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer for The Recording Academy and the Grammys, acknowledged life would always have adversity and sadness. She mentioned the killing of Tyre Nichols and the shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville. But she encouraged graduates to focus on the blessings in life and make a positive impact in the world by helping others.

“Everyone wants happiness. No one wants pain. But you can't have a rainbow without a little rain,” she said.

Shaw, who previously served as head of diversity, equity and inclusion programs for Starbucks and within the NBA, also praised the support systems of the graduating students, thanking “the family and friends of these exceptional students. Thank you for your unconditional love and ongoing encouragement of today's graduates.”

She lauded the graduating students for their years of hard work, including the unprecedented challenges the pandemic presented. She quoted musical greats Rick Ross and Kendrick Lamar in her address, reminding graduates of the importance of spending time wisely and persevering through difficult circumstances.

Shaw drew on her own experience of being told by a high school guidance counselor she was aiming too high with the colleges she applied to. She ended up earning degrees from both Fisk University and the University of Pennsylvania before the career that brought her to the world’s most recognizable coffee chain and the pinnacle of one of the country’s most beloved sports.

Above all, she told the graduates their hard work and dedication mattered.

“The tassel is worth the hassle,” Shaw said.

Rhodes grads praise experience

Rhodes College on Saturday bestowed degrees on almost 500 students, including Walker Coleman and Priscilla Foreman.

Foreman, from White Hall, Arkansas, said she came to Rhodes for the combination of a small, liberal arts college experience within a big city. The education and opportunities she had at the college ― including one-on-one time with professors and years of volunteer work with various Memphis organizations ― helped her land previous internships with the National Aeronautics and Space Agency, she said.

“I'm really proud to say that I've spent most of my time off campus off-campus compared to being on campus, which is something I've enjoyed. And I've been to more places than Beale Street and Overton Park and the zoo,” she said. “Really what makes my experience here worthwhile is getting out and seeing the city of Memphis.”

After graduation, she’ll be interning with NASA as part of their communications team and hopes to stay with the agency long-term. For now, Foreman said she’s happy she’ll be able to work for NASA remotely from Memphis.

“I really love the city,” she said. “Memphis is always going to have a special place in my heart.”

Coleman, a Cincinnati native, will be joining the Global Crop Diversity Trust in Bonn, Germany, which works on issues related to global food security. He previously went to Germany through a Rhodes-funded program, which he said helped him to this new job opportunity.

“I think it's super unique to have that kind of connection with an organization that really has a global scope,” he said.

Coleman acknowledged his college experience was disrupted somewhat by the pandemic but said Rhodes has been instrumental to his success.

“I've really, really gotten a lot out of small class sizes, being able to always get in for office hours, just having a really personal relationship with your professors…has been really helpful," he said. "It's been really nice to have that support network and I don't think I would have done nearly as well or had the same level of opportunity had I not had such engaged faculty."

Other area graduations

Christian Brothers University and Southwest Tennessee Community College also celebrated commencement. Southwest President Tracy D. Hall conferred more than 1,200 associate degrees and certificates to the school’s graduates in a ceremony at the Renasant Convention Center.

“At a time when students are still rebounding from the pandemic, and some may be contemplating the value of a college education, I congratulate this year’s graduates on their perseverance and determination to earn their credentials,” Hall said before the ceremony. “These graduates have proven themselves, are job-ready and have made a valuable investment in their futures.”

Leigh Mansberg, president of Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South, delivered the keynote address. First-generation college student and Tennessee Reconnect recipient Erika Tadeo Konig was the student speaker. Konig was 13 when she immigrated to the United States from Mexico with her six siblings and parents. At the time, she didn’t speak any English. Saturday, she graduated as a top scholar with an Associate of Arts in Communication.

The University of Memphis held commencement exercises last weekend and saw more than 2,700 students awarded degrees, a record for the university.

“You have reached this moment through hard work and dedication, and we’re very proud of you,” Memphis President Dr. Bill Hardgrave told graduates.

Corinne S Kennedy covers economic development, real estate and healthcare for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached via email at Corinne.Kennedy@CommercialAppeal.com

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis colleges and universities hold 2023 commencement exercises