Dr. Michael D. Dailey class of 1984, KSU alumni, Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs was presiding over this year’s Founder’s Day Convocation.
The class of 1975, celebrating their 50th Anniversary, was recognized by Kentucky State University faculty members, as they stood proud in golden cap and gown in Bradford Hall’s auditorium during this year’s Founder’s Day Convocation. The class of 1975 honored Kentucky State University’s president Dr. Koffi C. Akakpo, faculty, staff, Kentucky State University National Alumni Association national president Barry Johnson, alumni, and present students.
KSU students were encouraged by one of the class members of 1975, Hubert L. Grimes, former Judge of Volusia County, Florida to dream, explore, and consider why not. Grimes said, “Consider you solve problems unknown to man.” Grimes, “Work is necessary for success, be nice to people, be a student for life and not be tired of exploring.” Grimes, “Forgive and never go to bed as ignorant as you got up this morning.” Grimes also said, “People fear your knowledge and what you have learned. Hope is our gift for each day. Hope helped us to persevere.”
The Mayor of Frankfort, Layne Wilkerson, along with other political figures as well as fire fighters, paramedics, and police officials were recognized as being heroes in the community when it came to responding to the flood.
Henry L. Huntley, a KSU alumni, was honored with the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters. Huntley retired from the Pentagon, worked at Fort Knox among many of his other accomplishments.
As the Founders’ Day Convocation proceeded in celebration it was announced that Home Depot awarded KSU with a special gift in the amount of $50,000 dollars.
KSU’s Gospel Assemble, joined together with past and present alumni, performed two music selections during the convocation.
Alumni Tish Norman, founder of Transforming Leaders Now, Inc., which recognizes the importance of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, College and Career Readiness, Women, and African American History, introduced alumni and keynote speaker Dr. Leonard Clemons to the audience.
Dr. Leonard Clemons is a Chicago, Illinois native, a 2009 graduate of Kentucky State University with a Bachelor Arts in Liberal Studies, a Master of Science in adult higher education from Northern Illinois University, and a doctorate in higher education from University of Miami. Clemons is Vice President for Student Affairs at Austin Peay State University and has more than 15 years of work experience at multiple universities as an assistant in student affairs services.
Dr. Clemons said, “We may have left the hill, the hill has not left us.” Dr. Clemons grew up in a single parent home where his mother raised him and his four brothers. His mother struggled working two jobs to put food on the table. Dr. Clemons’s grandmother told his mother her whole life she wasn’t fit for college, but on his grandmother’s dying bed she told his mother an education is worth it. Dr. Clemons’s mother entered nursing school at age thirty-seven. Two years ago, his mother received her doctorate degree.
Dr. Clemons, “I ask you to join me in giving back financially.” Dr. Clemons asked alumni to give back to Kentucky State University so others can enter to learn and go out to serve. Dr. Clemons says he is giving back one thousand dollars a month to Kentucky State University.
During his Presidential Address Dr. Akakpo said come October 31st many students will be sent home because of no money for education. Dr. Akakpo said former students owe KSU $1.9 million dollars. Dr. Akakpo urges alumni to support the university today.
If you missed this year’s Founder’s Day Convocation you can find a recording of this event on Kentucky State University National Alumni Association Facebook.
