PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (Dec. 13, 2022) – More than 640 proud students graduated on Dec. 10 during Prairie View A&M University’s 27th Fall Commencement Convocation. The number marks the University’s highest number of fall graduates in recent history.
The featured commencement speaker was Cornel West, a pre-eminent American philosopher, political activist and social critic. For graduates and guests who attended the Saturday morning ceremony, it might have seemed more like a Sunday sermon. “I’m not at church; I’m at Prairie View,” West said to the chuckling crowd. However, he quickly added, “But there is no Prairie View without the church; let’s just be honest about that.”
West’s message was simple: “I just simply came by to say that I am who I am because somebody loved me,” he said, going on to list the people in his life he is grateful for, from his mother to his vacation Bible school teacher.
Despite his accomplishments, accolades and achievements, West focused on something else, something greater, something eternal: love. He talked about “the Black love that transformed a plantation into an educational institution.”
Describing himself as “a redeemed sinner with gangster proclivities” to the audience’s laughter and cheers, West shared a story about a time in Charlottesville, Virginia, when he ran into “Neo-Nazi brothers with guns and ammunitions.” “They’re so big and bad, and we’re here singing, ‘This little light of mine.’” He urged the crowd: “Jesus loves you like Jesus loves me. But you have to make your own decision. You have to decide what kind of a human being you’re going to be in the short move from your mama’s womb to your tomb.”
West also shared what a pastor told him when he got baptized at the age of 7. The pastor looked him in the eyes, telling him, “If the kingdom of God is within you, then everywhere you go, you ought to leave a little bit of heaven behind.” West passed on to the students: “I want you to leave some of heaven behind. That’s what I’ve tried to do.”
A Standing Ovation
This semester’s notable PVAMU graduates include future presidential cabinet hopeful Christi Boyd of Louisiana, second-generation legacy student Randi Plair from Crosby, Texas, and business majors and twins Devin and Justin Previlon from the Dallas area, among many others.
West also listed successful past PVAMU alumni, including Malcolm X’s lawyer Percy E. Sutton. West himself is the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Professor of Philosophy and Christian Practice at Union Theological Seminary in New York, teaching various subjects, including classics, philosophy, politics, cultural theory, literature, and music. Previously, he has served on faculties at Yale University and the University of Paris, as well as his alma maters, Harvard and Princeton, where he holds the title Professor Emeritus.
During the ceremony, West received the University’s Presidential Medal, the highest recognition awarded to exceptional individuals who achieve the highest levels of success, make significant contributions to society, and for their outstanding achievements in their respective fields. Presenting him his award, President Ruth Simmons thanked him for all he does to “keep us alert to our obligation as human beings,” as well as his “love of mankind and generous spirit.”
But above such achievements, West treasured something else. “I know you’re going to be highly successful,” he told the graduates. “You all represent your own distinct, unique and singular contribution to Prairie View.” But, he stressed, “never confuse worldly success with spiritual and moral greatness. Use your success for something bigger than just you,” he told them. “Be a service to others. Be a service to the least of these.”
He urged graduates not to live life “as a gold rusher,” lest they end up “worshiping the golden calf,” but rather challenged them: “What is your scope of compassion?”
West’s final parting words, “In your achievements, keep your humility. But most importantly, keep the love with a little style and a little smile.” That received a thunderous standing ovation.
Click here to watch PVAMU’s 27th Fall Commencement Convocation.
By Christine Won
PVAMU Commencement Statistics (Fall 2022)
Number of degrees (by college/school)
- College of Agriculture and Human Sciences: 30
- School of Architecture: 21
- Marvin D. and June Samuel Brailsford College of Arts and Sciences: 159
- College of Business: 118
- Whitlowe R. Green College of Education: 140
- Roy G. Perry College of Engineering: 57
- College of Juvenile Justice: 37
- College of Nursing: 73
- Undergraduate Studies: 4
Number of degrees (by in-state, out-of-state, international)
- In-state: 572
- Out-of-state: 46
- International: 29
Percentage of degrees awarded to first-generation students (undergraduate):
- 33%
*Graduation numbers as of 12/2/22.
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