Agricultural and Technical State University - Ayantee Yearbook (Greensboro, NC)

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G R A D U A T I O N REFLECTIONS— THE SOURCE! IT ' S PROMISE AND REALITY. OUR CHANCELLOR— THE DAWN OF REFLECTIONS. GRADUATION!— GRADUATION!

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r COMMENCEMENT 1983 REFLECTIONS OF GRADUATION TO BE REMEMBERED

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m SPEAKER FOR SUMMER FRESHMEN ORIENTATION JULY 8, 1983 It is gratifying to note that such preparation is made for the entering freshman. In any vital organization, change and modification are constantly needed to meet the demands of a dynamic society. This phase of the process might appear to be boring to you as students, but educators need to know as much as they can about the academic strengths and weaknesses of the students with whom they deal. Similarly, it is important to gain, knowledge about student motivations, special student needs, student backgrounds, and student expectations of the University. You will soon learn that this great University is organized to serve specific functions. Not only do we classify students, but we move them upward from a point of admission, to a point of departure. The University has over a period of 90 years, increased its efforts to reach the goal of full educational opportunity for all students. In spite of widespread opportunities for and improvements in higher education, this Historically Black Institution continues to exist for the LIFE, LOVE, AND LIBERTY involving ail- without discriminating against applicants — based on race, creed, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or the handicapped. In evaluating the educational attainments of blacks, one must not only look at enrollment rates but also at completion rates, as well as the quality of the educational experience. We can no longer assert that each individual has a fixed intelligence — that measurable IQ necessarily remains constant throughout life, and that little can be done to improve the capacity of a student to learn. We have grossly underestimated the potential ability of human beings to learn and to improve their capacity to learn. Not to be overlooked is the fact that we in the University are already being pressed by students who have had the benefit of new approaches, new methods, and new technologies in their high schools. They are coming better prepared with sharper intellects, with greater skills, with better developed capacities for learning. Students, you will face many pressures, but you must realize that you can only meet your campus pressures in a series of tentative and impermanent approximations. You must realize that your campus pressures hold nothing more precious than the sacred process by which you stretch your minds and hearts. OUR pressures must utilize recognized channels for change — change in attitude, concepts, and approaches. These are required at all levels to turn the wheel for progress. Even the present Student Government Association is attempting to UTILIZE NEW STRATEGIES FOR CHANGING TIMES. You may be wondering — what has made this wheel rotate continuously over the years? The answer is clear — There exists, a tremendous centripetal force at the necleus of the wheel that keeps it in motion. This necleus is composed of none other than AGGIE SPIRIT ' AND AGGIE PRIDE.