Alabama State University Montgomery - Hornet Yearbook (Montgomery, AL)

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DR. RALPH ABERNATHY, successor to the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., head of the S.C.L.C. left the mud 0f ttRessurt rcclion Uitya, tWashington D.CJ to come home and addressed 254 candidates for graduation of the College, May 31, 1963 in the ArenaiAuditorium. Abernathy, a 50 graduate of the College: and leader of the tthr Peoplek Marclfain Washington, D.C., had a contingent of his followers from the renowned gtHeassturrcction Cityi which inciuded his wife Mrs. Juanita Abernathy, also a graduate of the College, and Bernard Lee, a former Student of Alabama State. Rev. Abernathy, opened his speech by reminding the prospective graduates that times have changed from the old ways of society, and that today stu- dents have become a dynamic social force before and after graduatirm.H Speaking on violence and militants, Dr. Abur. nathy stalcd that ttWe must. have militant protest; this is unurgucublc; we must have unyielding resistance; this too is beyond debate, but. in both, it: is not necessary to use vio- lence . Continuing Abernathy said, nWe smashed many structures of southern segregation in less than a decade witllu out bowing in shame. We faced the guns of tho oppressors without. guns and defeated them. In the process we educalcd all of America in the inherent dignity and courage of black people . In closing, Dr. Abernathy lcfl these challenges: 0t make our world one world; Qt fulfill the dreams of our found- ing fathers: tin feel the importance of social protest. IIc asserted that t1! the prophetic task of challenging society's evil is nul undertaken by the well trained, a necessary leader- ship will be missing; and Q10 the protesting student must make himself he heard and respected even if the tactics 118 uses are sometimes jarring and the language waconventional. If this is not clone, the essential truths may be doomed in a sprawling social order of psychological brilliance of human degenera- lions? Dr. Ralph Abernathy making the Commencement Address Dr. Watkins, confedng Degrees. I EUNOH GRADUATES

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S.C.L.C. PRESIDENT ABERNATHY ADDRESSES l'Ir . . T . --i-..:-! awdrnw u-Ar-T nq-g .Ir-r Tag- I Administrative Representative stands as the rest of the procession files in. 26

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DR. SAMUEL D. PROCTDR addressing the Third General Session; GOVERNOR BREWER addressing the Second General Session and GEORGE W. jONES addressing First Thu. annual Prinripals uml Supervisors Conference. and Work- shop cmn-l-nud ilt Alabama State. College, Juiy 29-30. 1968. The Cutlh'rmlct' and Wurkshup was sponsored by the Alabama Armlrialinn of St-t'nndary SchuUl Principals. James A. Smilh. presidr-nl. in cunpvraliun will: Alabama State College. ll duall wilh am Evaluation uf Group Involvement in Educational Ad- 111inistraliun. 'lem Thruc general seasions were highlighted by speeches from Cnmgc .Inmrs ol' llw National Education Associ- aliun: Dmlur Samm'l Proctor, President of the Instituu- for Services to Education and the Honorable Albert P. Brewen I.?uwrlmr ul' Mahumal. Then: were four group sessions along with UN lhrm: gum-rul sessions. Thug: spssions were high lighted lJy Spt'ljiilluh from Jm: 1... Reed. Executive Sccrclury. Alabama Slate 'rlfiltilllN'H Association; Dr. Emory jaaksnm I'Idi- tun Birmingham World, and Attorney Arthur Shores. of Birm- ingham: Dr. Wayman LI. Mallhursun, Assistant Supcrintcndan Birmingham Schools: Dr. 1LD. Woodward, jr. Executiw Dirac.- lm, Alabama Education Study Commission; and Dr. Ernest Slum: Supt-rinlcmlL-nl ui' Education. State of Alabama. Dr. va'i Wulkina, Prrsidunl of Alabama State. College along with HA. Spunrs, Dirm'lur of Cullrgv Relations. made final remarks and adjourned lhr Coufcrmum. Doulor Watkins Principals and Supervisors on Step3 uf College Union Dining Hall 28