NEWS - Texas Southern University

NEWSRegent Harry Johnson delivers the keynoteaddress at TSU’s 2004 Charter Day.The University Wind Ensemble performsat the Charter Day convocation.Charter Day 2004Reminds Campus of TSU’sLife and Legacyur mission for TSU transcends contracts, bricks and mortar,” Board“Oof Regents member Robert Childress intoned, as individuals were stillsettling into their seats for Charter Day, which was held March 3 at SawyerAuditorium. “As a board, we know where we will lead Texas Southern andteaching and learning will get us there.”The speakers who followed Childress throughout the morningechoed his sentiments loudly, and each encouraged students toaccomplish their goals. Terrick Brown, president of the StudentGovernment Association, spoke, as did newly inaugurated presidentChris LeBlanc of the TSU National Alumni Association. BeverlyCaldwell, director of the Sterling Student Center and student activities,spoke on behalf of TSU staff. The retired faculty of TexasSouthern had a voice via Sybil Allman, who taught at the Universityfor more than three decades. She pushed students to get everythingthey could from TSU and encouraged faculty to “make every classcount.” Education professor Lillian Poats was on hand to speak onbehalf of the current faculty.TSU Regent and alumnus Harry Johnson served as CharterDay speaker; taking the podium, he heaped accolades upon his almamater. “This school allowed me to fulfill my dreams…allowed meto support my family and my fraternity,” he said. “In 1947, we setout to make a difference and, looking back, we’ve made remarkablecontributions.”There is always room for improvement however, Johnson pointedout. He urged faculty and staff – as speakers before him did – togive 100 percent to the students they serve. “When student needsare no longer met, is there any other need for us to exist?” he asked.He continued by saying that students should be treated as customers,not as second-class citizens; he followed, however, by tellingstudents that they must act in a manner deserving such respect.“Don’t walk around acting like an excuse and looking like anaccident,” he boomed. “Your success begins and ends with a madeupmind.” With that, Johnson enumerated specific keys to success,such as maintaining a good character, making one’s word bond andbeing bold, decisive and motivated.Perhaps most importantly, however, Johnson underscored thevalue of investing in oneself and one’s community, yet getting involved in somethingthat brings joy and passion. “Never stop believing and dreaming,” he toldthe audience. Without dreams to keep one afloat, success cannot be achieved.26 Summer 2004 • GENERATIONS OF PRIDE