Graduates Told ‘It’s Not How You Start But How You Finish’
Graduates Told ‘It’s Not How You Start But How You Finish’
By Hazel Scott/ASU
To realize dreams, the Founder of the Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental
Justice, Catherine Coleman Flowers, told excited spring graduates “It’s not how you start, but how you finish the race” during Alabama State University’s
2024 Commencement on Friday, May 3, at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome. The ceremony was
moved to the Acadome from the ASU Stadium, now the official venue for all commencements,
because of predictions of inclement weather.
Flowers addressed the graduates across two ceremonies, which included honoring The Golden Class of 1974, which gifted the University with a $140,000 check, and the commissioning of a cadet as an officer in the United States Air Force.
One special moment included a congratulatory message from the second in command of the United States.
Tradition
The Class of 2024 sat on the floor of the Acadome facing the stage with radiant smiles and perhaps a few nervous butterflies. Some sat quietly while others vigorously waved to parents and friends in the audience.
Over the two ceremonies, the University conferred 411 degrees: 304 undergraduates and 107 graduates.
Before taking the long-awaited walk, the spring graduates watched the Class of 1974 take the Acadome stage for their historic moment, as President Quinton T. Ross, Jr. presented their 50th Golden diplomas.
Journey of Change
During her address, Flowers reflected on her life’s journey with pride while recounting her personal evolution as an activist -- from a country girl born in a car in Birmingham, Alabama, to being raised in rural Lowndes County Alabama (a cradle of the Civil Rights Movement) to student civil rights organizer to environmental justice champion to becoming the Vice Chair of the Biden Administration’s inaugural White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council. From her experiences, she shared useful tools to help students through the challenges of making their dreams a reality.
“For me this morning, I have come full circle. It was at this University where I cut my teeth as an activist. There are some people in this (Golden) Class that were part of my journey. I want to discuss my journey because there is something I want you to keep in mind: It doesn’t matter how you start, it's how you finish,” she said.
The way one ends a journey or task, Flowers noted, is more important than how it began. “This idea emphasizes the significance of perseverance, growth, and achievement over time.”
A seasoned social justice advocate, Flowers understands that her journey’s challenges may have slowed her race to the finish line, but that didn’t prevent her from getting there.
“Life is a continuous process of learning and evolving, and both the start and the finish contribute to the overall experience. One thing that I learned through my struggles is that we don’t know it all when we are young. I think that there is a lot of truth to that saying.”
Flowers pointed out that along with the finish, the experience and what you learn along the way are also very important. She stated that there is generally a lot of time from the start to the finish and in that time much can be learned.
“One of the things I carry with me from Alabama State University is the lessons and support I received from so many professors on staff. From professors to people in the dining hall to people in financial aid, they treated me well,” she said. “It was my extended family.”
Along her travels, Flowers said she learned that it’s important to reinvent yourself,
and to know who you are. “No matter how much education you have, always acknowledge
who you are and where you came from because it will take you through some of the hard
times.”One memorable moment of her journey was when she was invited to the Oval Office in Washington to meet with President Biden and introduced him when he signed the new executive order on environmental justice.
“For me that was significant...born in a car, raised in Lowndes County and now here I was introducing the President of the United States…It’s not how you start, but how you finish," she reiterated.
Flowers asked the graduates as they make the transition from students to alumni to support ASU in its mission of providing excellence in education for future leaders.
“I’ve had a chance to spend a lot of time at traditional white institutions. They support their institutions. So, in all the things you do, don’t forget to donate…for our HBCUs to strive, you must support your institution…no matter how small of the amount please give to your University… some people are coming behind you who deserve to have the opportunity that you had,” she stressed.
Flowers concluded by telling the spring Class of 2024 that opportunities are ever-present.
“Keep pushing and keep taking action in the direction of your dreams. Remember, It’s not how you start, but how well you finish,” she said.
A Special Message
As the graduates savored their few final moments together before embarking on the next chapter of their lives, their attention was drawn to a big screen for a special pre-recorded congratulatory message from a prominent HBCU graduate – Vice President Kamala Harris.
“Our nation is so proud of you. This is a special moment…no matter what path you choose from here, our nation needs you. We need your ambition, we need your aspiration, voice and your leadership…We need you to continue to work to build a brighter future for our nation and world. And you are ready. As a proud HBCU graduate, I know firsthand the value of attending an institution like yours…you have a duty to work to uplift the condition of all people and to fight to protect our most fundamental rights and freedom. So, as you set out on the next chapter of your life, remember there are no obstacles you can’t overcome, there is no barrier you can’t break, and there is no limit to your capacity for greatness. Wherever you go, please always remember everyone you see today will be with you cheering you on. Congratulations on this achievement. I'm very proud of you,” Harris said.
The ASU Commencement ceremonies were live-streamed on the University’s YouTube channel.