Page 12 - Racing To Excellence

Introductory Address · Bowie State
University
I’m looking to the future. And the future,
again, I see as bright. As I look around this
campus, there are so many examples of
excellence. There’s outstanding and
innovative research, teaching and scholarly
activities that demonstrate excellence in
education. Such as Dr. Hoda El-Sayed,
professor in the Department of Computer
Science who was recognized recently by the
Board of Regents and received an award for
excellence in innovation after having served
as a principal investigator on a Department
of Defense grant to acquire a Cray
supercomputer. And then, there’s Dr.
Kimetta Hairston, professor of the
Department of Teaching, Learning, and
Professional Development who was
recognized with an award for her teaching
excellence. And then we have the EI 2 celebration with you as you celebrate your
program for research that’s underway and
looking at how we bridge the classrooms
into the workplace and the community. And
there are countless examples among the
faculty across this campus.
And then, among the students, I haven’t
gotten to know some of these stories
firsthand. I’ve been researching and reading
and hearing so many wonderful things about
what the students are doing. Such as E-Jay
Gonzales who studied in the visual
communication and digital media arts
program and then went on to work with the
WNBA Atlanta Dream. And Cierra Campbell,
who was a major in communication with a
concentration in broadcast journalism who
aspired to go into film production and was
balancing all of those responsibilities in her
major while also serving as an ROTC cadet.
Introductory Address · Bowie State University
And then, most recently, among the many
calls and well-wishes I received, I heard
from a very special young lady, a woman
who will be graduating on May 23. Donna
Barriteau, who is one of the individuals who
will be graduating with her doctoral degree
on May 23. We can give her a round of
applause! She called me and was so excited
to tell me about her study, which by
coincidence is on the lived experiences of
women of color at historically black colleges
and universities. How’s that? It was so
amazing to hear her enthusiasm, and when
she invited me to attend her luncheon
celebration, there’s no way I could have said
no. And so, I’m looking forward to it, Donna,
if you’re out here today. I’m looking forward
to that luncheon and having a great
doctoral degree. Her thirst for excellence
and knowledge is truly amazing and as she
described that journey, I have to imagine
that I need to multiply that around here, in
terms of the journey that our students are on
and that we need to support as they go
about seeking their aspirations.
As there are signs of excellence as a look
around the campus and hear about our
Bulldogs. Wow! The athletic program is
amazing to have achieved 20 CIAA
championships since 1989. That deserves a
round applause! And if anyone in here is on
the bowling team, you’re going to be among
one of the first groups I get to meet because
I’ve heard so much about you and about your
seven titles since 2005. That deserves a
round of applause!