By James B. Ewers Jr. Ed.D.,
President Emeritus, Teen Mentoring Committee of Ohio,
The month of May is known for blossoms and flowers. May is also known as the month for college graduations.
Joy and happiness were in abundance as students received their college degrees. The long hours and hard work paid off. They made it!
Graduates checked all the boxes on their way to this momentous occasion. They left no stone unturned. Success happened because graduates prepared themselves. I heard an expression years ago and it was “no pain, no gain.”
Being a college graduate was their goal, and they accomplished it.
According to the Census Bureau, the goal of having a bachelor’s degree is foremost on the minds of young people. The same holds true for those seeking advanced degrees like master’s, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Education is an important quality of life component in states across America. Confirmed reports list Massachusetts as the most educated state in the country. It boasts the highest percentage of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree and a considerable proportion of graduate degree holders.
One question that comes up at times is why does a person go to college? I think we know the answer, however I wanted to reaffirm the answer.
Recently, I asked a group of soon to be college graduates that question, A companion question was what were their post-college plans?
A young man said, “I am the first person in my family to attend college, and I wanted to set an example for my other family members. He followed up by saying, “I want to go to graduate school to pursue a master’s degree in business administration.”
A young woman seated next to him said, “I am a non-traditional student, and I am quite excited about my college graduation. College was a wonderful experience for me. My degree will help me to get a better position and have more responsibility with my company.”
Another young man said, “Both of my parents are graduates of HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), and I wanted to follow in their footsteps. He added, “I have been accepted to medical school and will be going there in the fall.”
These were real-life testimonies about the impact of a college degree. I was impressed with their candor and their sincerity.
One study showed that acquiring a college degree can increase your self-confidence and give you a sense of pride. The journey had bumps along the way, yet they persevered until the end. Their resilience showed up and showed out.
Some business magazines say that having a college degree will give you a financial boost and will result in your being more economically stable.
Shayna Joubert of Northeastern University says there are several benefits to having a college degree. In her article, ‘10 Benefits of having a college degree,’ she lists that it will prepare you for a specialized career and you will have increased access to job opportunities. I would strongly encourage recent college graduates to read it.
Across this nation recently, students were crossing the stage to receive their degrees with unbridled jubilation. These moments were captured on tablets, cameras and seen on television.
This jubilation was displayed recently on May 17th during the commencement exercises for the graduates of Morris Brown College in Atlanta Georgia. Pomp and Circumstance was the call of the day at St. Philip A.M.E. Church in Atlanta Georgia as graduates entered hearing the cheers and handclaps from family and friends.
The commencement address was delivered by Bishop T. D. Jakes, chair, and CEO of The T. D. Jakes Group.
He congratulated them for staying the course and for not giving up on their dreams. Bishop Jakes talked about them having fortitude which sustained them in their educational pursuits.
The graduates and the audience were ebullient and effusive as they listened to his address of overcoming and thanksgiving.
College commencements have always celebrated excellence, and they always will.
This column is dedicated to all 2025 graduates.
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