Pen
0f Ausuatine 0 College
Raleigh, NC
‘Unity Begins Witti You’
February 1981
One —Hundredth and
Fourteenth Founder’s
Day Convocation
By Sammie W. Brown
On February 12, 1981 at IJ a.m.
hundreds of faculty, staff and
students gathered into the Emery
Gymnasium to celebrate the institu
tion’s one-hundred and fourteenth
Founder’s Day service.
The prelude by college organist.
Jack Biggers, began the program.
Dr. Prezell R. Robinson, President,
presided. The invocation and sdrp-
ture were rendered by The Reverend
Ronald Fox, college chaplain.
Following the musical selection,
The Blue and The White greetings
were extended by The Honorable
Smedes York, Mayor, City of
Raleigh , who emphasized, “The im
portance of St. Augustine’s past ac
complishments” and challenged “it
to make many more in the future.”
Dr. John D. Epps, President of
the National Alumni Association
and Mr. John Jolly, President of the
Student Government Association,
emphasized the importance of the
student body “reaching for the
sky.” Ms. Lois Shyllon, “Miss In
ternational Student,” and Ms.
Magdalene Johnson, “Miss St.
Augustine’s College,” emphasized
the importance of St. Augustine’s
paying special tribute to those who
are responsible for our being here.
Musical selections were rendered
by the college band, directed by Mr.
Harold Jeffreys, the college choir,
directed by Dr. Addison Red, and
the Gospel Choir, directed by Mr.
Robert Lewis.
Remarks and presentation of the
speaker were advanced by Dr.
Prezell R. Robinson. He emphasized
that Dr. Wright has obtained five
degrees and numerous honors and
awards. He’s also an ordained
Episcopal priest, civil leader,
pohtical activist and the author of
more than fifteen books.
Some of his works are: What
Black Educators are Saying, Let’s
Work Together, and Good Manners
for Good People. Dr. Wright is a
native of Shreveport, La.
The Founder’s Day convocation
address was delivered by Dr. Nathan
Ms. Magdalene Johnson, Miss St.
Augustine’s College. (Lewis Ligon,
photographer)
Wright, Jr., Chief Editorial Consul
tant, Black Media Incorporated,
New York, N.Y. Dr. Wright^ em
phasized that “St. Augustine’s is
designed to meet the shifting needs
of our times.”
His subject was “The Readiness
for Freedom.” During the address
he reflected upon Booker T.
Washington, Frederick Douglas and
the pillars: Self-reliance, self-
assessment and self-protection.
He feels that wnen we are in need
of a helping hand we must take it,
because (pbd moves in a mysterious
way; Those who have laid the foun
dation have done so for our
freedoms.
Dr. Wright feels that we do not
support our institutions as we
should, and this is in no way to our
gain. “We must pledge to support
our own initiative and institutions.”
Self-reliance is needed today as well
as self-assessment. Emphasis should
be put on basic reading skills for
both the classes as well as the
masses. Blacks should plan and
assess programs for our own self-
image and strive for mastery.
Dr. Wright feels blacks ihust
strive to become models of human
excellence. “Black institutions have'
educated blacks better than any in
stitutions in America as of today.”
In conclusion. Dr. Wright stated,
“There is ultimately but one power
in the universe.”
Spedal remarks were made by Dr.
Joseph Gordon, Chairman of the
President Prezell R. Robinson, The Reverend Canon
St. Julian Aaron Simpkins, and Dr. Thelma Roundtree,
Vice President for Academic Affairs. (Lewis Ligon,
photographer)
Board of Trustees, St. Augustine’s,
who emphasized the importance of
having a political choice.
The conferring of the Honorary
Degree of Doctor of Civil Laws was
presented to The Reverend Canon
St. JuUan Aaron Simpkins, Jr. He
expressed that St. Augustine’s
taught him to pursue and unders
tand the cost of discipleship. “I
pledge to you always my loyality and
devotion.”
Special recognition was given to
Dr. Robert Bridges, Assistant
Superintendent for the Wak? Coun
ty Public School- System, who is a
graduate of St. Augustine’s for
distinguished service, and Dr.
Nathan Wright, for outstanding
leadership.
.Dr. Prezell Robinson recognized
Dr. James Boyer, President
Emeritus and visiting guests.
Acknowledgements and an
nouncements were made by Dr.
Thelma Roundtree, Vice President
for Academic Affairs.
The Benediction and recessional
closed the extragavant occasion.
Dr. Nathan Wright, Jr., Guest
Speaker. (Lewis Ligon,
photographer)
Mr. John Jolly, President SGA.
(Lewis Ligon, photographer)
Dr. John Epps, President, Na
tional Alumni Association. (Lewis
Ligon, photographer)
Ms. Lois Shyllon, Miss Interna
tional Student. (Lewis Ligon,
photographer)
The Honorable Smedes York,
Mayor, City of Raleigh. (Lewis
Ligon, photographer)
The Reverend Ronald Fox, Col
lege Chaplain. (Lewis Ligon,
photographer)