Volume 70 - ISSUE 12

Campus Briefs Page 2 - Tuesday, May 1, 2018

THE

SOUTHERN DIGEST

CAMPUS BRIEFS

SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY

SUITE 1064 – T.H.HARRIS HALL – P.O. BOX 10180 – BATON ROUGE, LA 70813 225.771.2231 PHONE / 225.771.5840 FAX WWW.SOUTHERNDIGEST.COM The Southern DIGEST is written, edited and published by members of the student body at Southern University and A&M College.

The Southern DIGEST is published once weekly (Tuesday with a run count of 4,000 copies per issue during the Southern University - Baton Rouge campus fall, spring semesters.

The paper is free to students, staff, faculty and general public every Tuesday on the SUBR campus. The Southern DIGEST student offices are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday - Friday. The offices are located on the first floor of T.H. Harris Hall, Suite 1064.

articles, feedback, commentaries and features do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors, staff or student body.

PUBLICATION ASSOCIATIONS

The Southern DIGEST is a member of the Black College Communications Association (BCCA), National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), Associated Collegiate Press (ACP), College Media Association (CMA), Society of Professional Journalist (SPJ), Full member of the Associated Press (AP) and the Louisiana Press Association (LPA).

STUDENT MEDIA OFFICE Director Heather Freeman

ISSN: 1540-7276. Copyright 2017

by The Southern University Office of Publications/Graphics Manager Student Media Services.

Jermaine Proshee All articles, photographs and graphics Advertising/Sales Manager are property of The Southern DIGEST Camela Jackson and its contents may not be reproduced or republished without the written permission from the Editor in Chief and CONTACTS (Area Code 225) Advertising/Sales Office- 771.5833 Director of Student Media Services.

DIGEST Newsroom - 771.2231 The Southern DIGEST is the official The Jaguar Yearbook - 771.5812 student newspaper of Southern University and A&M College located Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Articles, at Baton Rouge is accredited by features, opinions, speak out and the Commission on Colleges of the editorials do not necessarily reflect Southern Association of Colleges and the views and opinions of the Schools, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, administration and its policies. Signed Georgia 30033-4097, telephone (404) 679-4500, Website: www.sacscoc.org.

Spring 2018 Staff EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Bria Gremillion MANAGING EDITOR Jacqueline Morgan COPY EDITORS -------------NEWS EDITOR Gabrielle Hutchinson MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Devin Hadrick A&E EDITOR Najeri Evans SPORTS EDITOR James Eaglin, Jr.

DIGEST STAFF WRITERS Araina Akins Chelsea Beardon Devon Fedrick Rocelyn Hamilton Vincent Honey Leah Williams Debrandin Brown Keith Lewis Taylor Jean-Lewis Contara Mayfield Stephanie Mbaya Caleb Penn Yasmere Rashada DeJohn Richardson Ace Wheeler Kerry Wilson DIGEST PHOTOGRAPHERS Keith Lewis Contara Mayfield Julian Alvarez Kyndall Jones

PHOTO EDITOR Caleb Penn

The Sentinel of an Enlightened Student Body since 1926

CLIMATE SURVEY All Southern University students are enrolled in the Sexual Assault Prevention Ongoing Education Course. The purpose of the survey is to access students’ perception of safety on campus, and it takes about 15-20 minutes to complete. Please check Moodle to complete the survey if you have not already done so.

FINANCIAL AID AND HOUSING The Office of Student Financial Aid will be available between April 25 and May 4 to assist students with their 2018-19 Financial Aid questions and concerns during the residential check-out process.

JOHN B. CADE LIBRARY The John B. Cade Library has been restored for students and other patrons.

The hours of operation are: Monday to Thursday- 7:30 a.m. to midnight Friday- 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday- 1-5 p.m.

Sunday 2 p.m. to midnight Entry to the library will be through the front doors and the Student Snack entrance. Students will have access to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd floors. If a book is needed from the 4th floor, a library staff member will retrieve it.

STUDENT LIFE Student Organizations and the Jaguar Ambassadors presents: “DONATE, DON’T DUMP!” Bring all unwanted, gently used clothing, toiletries, dishes, etc.. to 1 of 3 donation pods on campus EVERYDAY THIS WEEK from 5PM to 7PM P1: Grandison/White/Reed Hall Area P2: Totty/Shade Circle P2: 300 Apts/ResLife Office All items collected will be donated to individuals/families in need!! Employee and #SUCommunity donations are welcomed!! Email jael_gordon@subr. edu

CUSA TUTORING SERVICES The Center for Undergraduate Student Achievement Tutoring Center offers free and friendly academic tutoring to SU students in Math, Chemistry, Biology and Nursing classes Monday – Friday from 8:30AM to 5:30PM. The Tutoring Center is located in Stewart Hall, Room 155.

COLLEGE SUMMER PROGRAM The Southern University Division of Continuing Education presents the 2018 Summer Enrichment Program.

The program will be from June 4 - July 12 and will take place Mon. - Fri. from 8AM - 5PM. The cost of the program is a non-refundable $560. *Discounts are available for multiple campers in the same household.

ROBOTICS AND SENSORS SUMMER CAMP SU Department of Computer Science will be hosting a Summer Robotics Camp in June. Students participate in hands-on robotics and sensors activities, designed to prepare them to conduct quality research in their studies and in their careers. Students are also involved in many fun activities, including guided tours of our scientific labs and offcampus field trips.

High School Sessions timeline: Session 1: June 4 - June 15, 9am 3:30pm Session 2: June 18 - June 29, 9am - 3:30pm.

For more information: http://www.cmps.subr.edu/index.php/ summer-camp SPRING 2018 COMMENCEMENT Spring 2018 commencement exercises will be held Friday, May 11, 2018 beginning at 10 AM in F.G. Clark Activity Center.

FAREWELL SOUTHERN Editor-in-Chief Southern DIGEST Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined becoming the Editor-InChief of THE Southern University and A&M College’s weekly student newspaper, The Southern Digest. Honestly, I never had intentions to attend SU. As the saying goes, if you want to make God laugh, tell Him about your plans.

Without the Office of Student Media, God only knows where I would be. It has been a challenge but I must admit, it was well worth it.

I would like to thank my three amazing advisors for giving me the chance to serve in this capacity; I’ve become a stronger woman because of it. I would like to thank every student who has worked under my leadership. The paper could not have been published every week without you. Lastly, I would like to thank the Jaguar Nation. Your interviews, phone calls, emails, visits to the office and comments, whether positive or negative, have given me an experience that I will never forget.

To the student body, never forget how powerful you are. The Office of Student Media is always here to serve you, first and foremost.

My time on The Yard has come to an end but my heart will always be with SU. I’m grateful for the lessons she has taught me.

Forever yours in gold and blue,

Bria L. Gremillion

Mass Communications student and Professors present research in Las Vegas

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Courtesy: Dr. Lorraine Fuller

BY GABRIELLE HUTCHINSON DIGEST NEWS EDITOR

The Editor-and-Chief of The Southern Digest, Bria Gremillion and Mass Communication professors, Dr. Lorraine Fuller and Dr. Mahmoud Braima presented research papers at the Broadcast Education Association Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 9.

Bria Gremillion presented a paper titled, “Double Standards and Stereotypes: Media

Depictions of Black Athletes”. Dr. Lorraine Fuller presented a paper titled, “Media Construction of Religion in the Black Church”. Dr. Mahmoud Braima presented a paper titled, What’s Wrong with this Representative Picture? African-American Perspectives on the Portrayal of Blacks in Television News”. The research papers were scholarly contributions to a panel on Television and Socialization.

The Sentinel of an Enlightened Student Body since 1926

News

THE

SOUTHERN DIGEST

Tuesday, May 1, 2018 - Page 3

A pleasant surprise from Miss Angela Rye

BY ACE WHEELER DIGEST STAFF WRITER

The Southern University spring 2018 graduating class will have the pleasure of hosting Angela Rye as the guest speaker at this semester’s commencement ceremony.

Families and friends of SU graduates will have the opportunity to see their loved ones graduate, and hear Rye speak in person.

Angela Rye is perhaps most well-known for her political commentary on Cable News Network or her analytical studies on National Public Radio, having put her degrees from Washington State University and Seattle University School of Law to great use.

Alongside that, Rye acts as CEO and Principal for IMPACT Strategies, a non-profit organization tailored for young adults including internship opportunities to prepare them in their professional careers.

Also, according to Rye’s official website, she was a member of the 112th Congress for the Congressional Black Caucus, serving as General Counsel and Executive Director.

In addition, she worked under Congressman Bennie G. Thompson, while serving in the House Committee of Homeland Security as Senior Advisor and Counsel.

Rye has also received several awards over the years, such as the 2010 Black Girls Rock award, the 2012 Root 100, 2013 Marie Claire Power Woman, 2015 Fortune’s 40 under 40 Women to Watch, and many more.

Rye’s appearance at graduation will not be the first time she set foot on the yard. She recently spoke at the Association for Women Students’ Empowerment forum, where she joined other panelists in addressing the crowd with her usual quick-witted and motivational dialect.

Natasha Taylor, Criminal

Justice major and soon to be spring graduate, will be in attendance at the commencement ceremony. As a student in a similar field as Angela Rye, Taylor says if given the chance to speak to Rye in person, she would ask, “Why did you pick your career? What makes you passionate about it? And what changes do you hope to see in your field?”

Fredrick Hamilton Jr., a senior studying History shares, “Angela Rye is quite refreshing. She is the most erudite black woman I’ve seen on national television in a long time. Giving those guys -- whether they are Democrats, Republicans, Liberals, Conservatives, no matter who it is -- she gives them the honest truth. That’s something I haven’t seen from a person on a national stage since, maybe, Louis Farrakhan or Michael Eric Dyson or Marc Lamont Hill. So, she is fantastic.”

Join the Southern University

BY DEBRANDIN BROWN DIGEST STAFF WRITER

Courtesy/AngelaRye.com

spring 2018 graduating class in welcoming Angela Rye to speak at commencement on May 11 in the F.G. Clark Activity Center at 10 a.m.

For more information about Angela Rye, or her IMPACT strategies internship opportunities, visit www. angelarye.com and http://www. impactstrategies.global/index. html.

Springfest 2018: A breakdown of expenses

BY GABRIELLE HUTCHINSON DIGEST NEWS EDITOR

Each spring, as the academic year reaches its end, Southern University recognizes the hard work its students have accomplished and repays them with a week of entertainment called Springfest.

According to information provided by the Director of Student Life, Jonas Vanderbilt, the planning and funding for several options for Springfest and “surrounding events are presented, checked, priced, and either included or reevaluated making sure we attempt to dot every ‘i’ and cross every ‘t.’

This year, the week consisted of traditional events that the student body look forward to such as the spring fashion show, the Greek show, the comedy show, student choice awards, crawfish boil, and picnic.

Each attraction, set-up, and guest performer included has been paid for or compensated.

The week led up to Saturday night’s highly anticipated spring concert. Having hosted past artists like Lil’ Wayne, Future, Gucci Mane, Jacquees, and H.E.R., the bar had been set high While the university has hosted several major artists during one event in previous year, this year, SUBR hosted legend, 2 Chainz along with girl group, June’s Diary via 2 Deep Entertainment for a charge of $209,000. Expenses included flights for artist and crew, hotels, sound, video feed, and lighting for all inside events for the week.

Local, upcoming performers Young Hub City and La’Donte Lotts, creator of Jiggaerobics, charged SU $1,000 for their performance.

“The end result is normally concert draft number 5-7 after getting rejections because of tour dates and larger concerts in Spring (ie. Coachella and other obligations made), pricing, or even no responses in rare cases,” Vanderbilt explained via email.

Fortunately, 2 Chainz performed hits from his fourth studio album, Pretty Girls Like Trap Music, but many of Southern’s pretty girls had other interests Saturday night, such as sophomore Elementary Education major, Aliska Franklin. “I didn’t participate this year,” she admitted, laughing out loud, “I

DIGEST ILLUSTRATION

had to work.”

Other students took to Twitter to express their disappointment, to which SGA President-elect, Anthony Kenney responded, “Some HBCUs would kill to have even one of the artists we get every year for concerts. We have to be grateful as a student body,” setting an example of humility and appreciation.

All of these events are free to students , but behind the scenes is six months of planning on behalf of SGA, NPHC, the Gold’N Bluez, and the Office of Student Life.

Safety is always the university’s main priority, especially when there are gatherings with such high numbers as Springfest’s popular events. Throughout the week, it is estimated that between $25-$30,000 was allocated to security and services.

In keeping with Springfest tradition, the annual Spring Fashion Show was held on Wednesday following a hot, pretty Wednesday.

The event showcased the works of four designers who worked to put together lines for the new fashion season. While Southern Louisiana’s spring has been a cold one, designers like junior Nursing major Morgan Malone kept the Felton G. Clark Activity

One for the Road: Final Senate meeting of spring term

Center blazing with their Spring/Summer 2018 collections.

The week’s events were an opportunity for students to support their fellow Jags, especially at the fashion show and Greek show. “The Greek show had some amazing performances. My main reason for going was to support my best friend, a new initiate of Delta Sigma Theta,” junior Electronics Engineering Technology major, Trinion Winbush recalled. In lieu of a place in the budget, the Greek show charged guests a $10 entry fee.

A huge attraction for the students is that many of the events are free to those with valid IDs. The budget allowed nearly $10,000 to giveaway items including t-shirts, portable fans, and water bottles.

Thursday night’s comedy show and Student Choice Awards were also covered, with a little over $407 spent on student awards and trophies, and $14,000 paid for the travel and lodging of four comedians, including Atlanta, Georgia’s DC Young Fly. The 4th Annual Capital City Car Show, rescheduled to Sunday, April 29 consisted of over 200 vehicles and 1,500 attendees.

On April 26 in the Jaguar Annex, the final Senate meeting of the spring term took place, during which cabinet approvals and budget summaries were the primary topics of deliberation.

In regards to public expressions, in which students can voice their opinions on relevant issues at Southern University in front of the governing student leaders, there were none shared.

While there was no old business from the previous session, the new business discussed included approvals of senior class officers, senate secretary, Men’s Federation, as well as Judicial Branch positions.

Similarly, SGA President-elect, Anthony Kenney also presented both the summer and fall budgets for the 2018-2019 school year.

As the summer 2018 budget is concerned, a large portion of funds will go towards expanding the SGA office, thanks in strong part to the efforts of newly hired ViceChancellor of Student Affairs, Dr. Kimberly Ferguson-Scott.

This new space will be utilized by both the Men’s Federation and Judicial Branch in the fall semester of 2018, assuming all renovations go as planned.

As far as the fall budget is concerned, many factors were discussed, chiefly the 6 percent increase in enrollment for the fall/spring semester.

“Going over the SGA operational budget for the 2018-2019 fiscal budget, the numbers we’ve been over for the budget has been based off of the 6 percent enrollment increase as expected for the upcoming school year,” said Anthony Kenney, senior Mass Communications major from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

With the overall SGA budgets being at $155,325, there are numerous matters that the 2018-2019 budget will be responsible for as far as event planning and funding goes.

In an effort to emphasize security in the upcoming school year, the SGA budget also reveals that $9,000 has been allocated to campus security -- namely the Southern University Police Department.

Another topic of funding discussed during the meeting was the budget for professional services such as DJ’s, speakers, and special stages which will be receiving approximately $1,500 in the fall.

In regards to funding for the judicial branch and the Senate, Kenney also announced how much these aforementioned parts of the SGA will be funded.

“For supplies, that money is allocated to the classes; the Senate [and] the Judicial branch for anything that they may need throughout the year for a total of $44,735.50,” said Kenney, addressing the student offices.

The 2018-2019 Miss Southern University, Darby Smith, was also in attendance at Wednesday’s meeting in order to discuss the budget for the Royal Court in the fall.

One of the issues touched on by Smith at the meeting was the grand total of expenditures for the 2018-2019 school year, amounting at $118,430, which will be broken down between multiple areas of the royal court’s obligations and events, such as professional services and coronation.

The final Senate meeting of the 2017-2018 academic year ended on a note of transparency and anticipation of another great school year.

Spring 2018 Graduates THE

Page 4 - Tuesday, May 1, 2018

SOUTHERN DIGEST

southerndigest.com The Sentinel of an Enlightened Student Body since 1926

This list was obtained from the Southern University Registrar’s Office and the Graduate School as of April 30, 2018. If you have any questions or discrepancies PLEASE CONTACT YOUR INDIVIDUAL COLLEGE or REGISTRAR’S OFFICE @ 225.771.5050 or THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OFFICE @ 225.771.5390. This is not the final official listing for the Spring 2018 candidates for graduation. The list will be updated daily in the Registrar’s office and Graduate school office. This list of graduates represents the most accurate information available at the time of publication. The appearance of a name on this list and/or participation in the ceremonies is presumptive of graduation, but not conclusive.

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE Bobby Phills, Ph.D., Dean Kalaia J. Tripeaux, Student Marshal BACHELOR OF SCIENCE Agricultural Sciences Christol J. Ashley, Baton Rouge Jordan K. Bivens-Ammons, Zachary Tamra R. Brown, Richardson Jonthan M. Clark, Waterproof Adonte M. Jones, Houston K’Darius K. Lavergne, Baton Rouge Geremy D. Leday, Opelousas Donyelle M. Robinson, Opelousas Family and Consumer Sciences Brittany A. Betts, Baton Rouge Ashia E. Bouie, Monroe Jesse J. Bradley, Donaldsonville Dervon J. Davis, Laplace Terani J. Dillahunty, Baton Rouge Jessica J. George, Baton Rouge Danielle D. Gordon, Port Allen *Tyler C. Haynes, Memphis, TN Treneshia D. Henderson, Baker Shannon N. Miller, Baton Rouge Chandler A. Mire, New Orleans Makayla R. Peters, Baton Rouge Brianna C. Taylor, Chicago, IL Kiara D. Toliver, Houston, TX Passion P. Ward, Houma Urban Forestry Paris O. Battley, New Roads Tevin D. Hamilton, Baton Rouge Kyron D. Mason, Independence Oscar M. Paul, Baton Rouge Denzel X. Ricard, Amite Kalaia J. Tripeaux, Baton Rouge ---------------------------------------COLLEGE OF BUSINESS Donald Andrews, Ph.D., Dean Ambrosia E. Williams, Student Marshal BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ACCOUNTING *Megan S. Adler, White Castle Taylar L. Anderson, White Castle Brittany A. Branch, Monroe *Terashia D. Brooks, Baton Rouge DeQuan D. Bujol, Lutcher *Regina A. Calhoun, Baton Rouge Angel C. Caston, Shreveport Derrick D. Dabney, Baton Rouge *Carlandria R. Davis, Baton Rouge Tiaron K. Ford, Bogalusa Kristopher M. Goodly, Missouri City, TX Terrance X. Hodges, Prairieville LaShanti G. Holden, Baton Rouge *Irene N. Jackson, Baker Venessie C. Johnson, New Roads McKyra D. Jones, Zachary Uriah M. Kibodi, Baton Rouge Ashanti N. Lafleur, Missouri City *Tyler J. Mack, Baton Rouge Ericka L. Mason, Alexandria *Chelsea M. Muskelly, Auburn, WA Johnny Nguyen, Baton Rouge Jarquial D. Primus, Pride *Haille S. Ricard, Plaquemine Hollie S. Ricard, Plaquemine Kawayna N. Ridgley, Baton Rouge Rachel O. Shows, Baker Rhonda J. Spears, Zachary Keamber M. Vaughn, Baton Rouge *Anthony D. Weathers, Chicago, IL MarQuis Z. Williams, Baton Rouge Nickesha A. Williamson, Jamaica BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN FINANCE Jeremiah Douglas, Zachary Devantae A. Franklin, Baton Rouge Brittany L. Garnett, Baton Rouge *Kelly T. Johnson, Baton Rouge McKyra D. Jones, Zachary Vickie R. Jones, Natchez, MS Enos E. King, Baton Rouge

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT *Eric A. Berger, New Orleans Sharon Billians, Natchez, MS Amber P. Burks, Delhi Travis M. Carter, Baton Rouge Colleen C. Cheramie, Golden Meadow *De’Andre D. Darville Allegra M. Dogan, Zachary *Nasheka T. Doyley, Neptune, NJ Karrington Dugas, Beaumont, TX Armond C. Duncan, Alexandria Cory L. Early, Baton Rouge *Erah J. Ford, Baton Rouge Nevin Hawkins, Baton Rouge Dominic M. Honore, Baton Rouge Kaylx C. Ike, Zachary Willma E. Joao, Anciola, Cabinda Javontae T. Kelly, Lake Providence Jason M. LaMotte, Baton Rouge *Kyree D. Willis-Lear, Laverock, PA Rayven M. Lumar, Vacherie *Jaccari O. Lumar, Long Beach, CA Alex D. McKee, Shreveport *Carlisha A. McKeel, Ferriday Erik G. Parker, Baker *Kiera M. Pierre, New Orleans Victoria N. Richard, Opelousas *Noel Rivers, New Orleans Grant M. Ross, Baton Rouge Dalvin A. Skinner, Baton Rogue *Courtney A. Smith, Freindswood, TX *Warren S. Theodore, Houston, TX *Mykell C. Venable, Baton Rouge Adrianna Williams, Baton Rouge Chaz D. Williams, Houma BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MARKETING Jessica L. Celestin, Laplace Shay C. Fleury, St. Gabriel Miron R. Jackson Green, Baton Rouge Brendon L. Guerin, Baton Rouge *Diarra J. Bryant-Harden, Shreveport Whittney M. Lathan, Grosse Tete DuAtlanzer D. Miller, Slidell Anthony A. Tabor, Antioch Kevin W. Thomas, White Castle Taylor L. Thomas, Bogalusa Daidrian D. Thornton, Baton Rouge Ambrosia E. Williams, Bismarck, IL

---------------------------------------COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AND INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES Cynthia Bryant, Ph.D., Dean Zachary L. Williams, Student Marshal BACHELOR OF ARTS English Dariel S. Anderson, Miami, FL Terrilyn M. Anderson, Baton Rouge Natalie J. Faucette, Baton Rouge Paula S. Haynes, Baton Rouge Ja’Vonna D. Lewis, Port Allen Jessica R. Persico, Canada Ashley N. Warner, Hammond *Stevee Warren, Baton Rouge BACHELOR OF ARTS IN MASS COMMUNICATIONS Niara C. Addison, Baton Rouge Khephren H. Allen, Baton Rouge Jalen J. Anderson, Baton Rouge Taylor R. Calvin, Plaquemine Ohnieka C. Campbell, Canada Tiana M. Cephers, Marana Kaylie A. Gage, Baton Rouge Bria Gremillion, Baton Rouge Darrell J. Griffin, Greensburg Skylar K. Harris, Shreveport Diamond Haynes, Baton Rouge Remi A. Hill, Baton Rouge Donovan R. Jackson, Baton Rouge Celwyn B. Johnson, Baton Rouge Teia D. Kent, Baton Rouge

Jordan Stewart, Vacherie Alexandra Trigg, Sacramento, CA Zachary L. Williams, Plantation, FL BACHELOR OF INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES Brittany L. Butler, Zachary Kirsten L. Campbell, Baton Rouge Liza R. Collins, Mamou Xavier D. Diamond, Kentwood *Keisha Dorsey, Harvey De’Monica D. Dunn, Baton Rouge Samuel Dwomoh-Mensah, Baton Rouge Antonio C. Edison, Alexandria Herbert Edwards, New Orleans Daniel L. Franklin, La Place Diamonte O. Hayes, Baker Tukeya A. Jarvis, Baton Rouge Danshawn Jenkins, New Orleans Courtney J. Jones, White Castle Jacqueline M. Moore, Baton Rouge Murphy Nash, Baton Rouge Ebony K. Paschall, Pass Christian David J. Rankin, New Orleans Tamirion R. Reese, Baker Jamie Selleneit, Kaysville, UT Camille Tademy, Shreveport Sean A. Wallace, Baton Rouge Lynet Wesley, Addis A’Shanti T. Williams, Monroe Willie R. Williams, Opelousas BACHELOR OF MUSIC Tyjus L. Brantley, Harvey Amber K. Brown, Monroe Kala K. Converse, Baton Rouge Arthur J. Gremillion, New Roads Joseph V. Knox, Gretna Felix A. Lewis, New Orleans Wendell Mitchell, Kansas City Leigha R. Nauls, Baton Rouge Brandon E. Smith, Baton Rouge Devonne J. Timmons, College Park, GA BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION Jasmine C. Howard, Baton Rouge

---------------------------------------COLLEGE OF NURSING AND ALLIED HEALTH Janet Rami, R.N., Ph.D., Dean Donna J. Doiron, Student Marshal BACHELOR OF SCIENCE Rehabilitation Services True Brown, Baton Rouge Julian D. Cain, Monroe Renee Deggs, Baton Rouge *Tyranisha Grimes, Clinton Sh’Kira A. Guy, Lake Charles Alexis M. Irvin, Baton Rouge LauTwanese G. Joseph, Alexandria *Elijah L. McLaughlin, Rowlett, TX Annissa B. Moses, New Orleans MeElle J. Reed, Ferriday Jasmine K. Smith, Paulina Therapeutic Recreation & Leisure Studies Patrick N. Augustine, Mansura Imani F. Harrell, Baton Rouge Eddie D. Jeanpierre, Hammond Darrell D. Lewis, Shreveport Teriyon M. Maurice, New Orleans Alton A. Scott, Slidell Eric M. Singleton, Lafayette Damien D. Thomas, Baton Rouge Keyona Washington, Baton Rouge BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING Osita S. Ajoko, Nigeria Aaliyah M. Armstrong, Baton Rouge John T. Aubert, Baton Rouge Supria Bains, Baton Rouge Alice M. Black, Baton Rouge Kristen A. Claxton, Zachary

THE

The Sentinel of an Enlightened Student Body since 1926 Alexandria T. Cooper, Baton Rouge Kellie M. Cox, Livonia Jada M. Crayton, Laplace Devin C. Crockett, Baton Rouge Donna J. Doiron, Baton Rouge Darrian A. Dupree, Natchitoches Samara Y. Ferguson, Zachary Quinshala K. Ford, Baker Mignon L. Galathe, New Orleans Keondra Goins, Baton Rouge Lashontana M. Gordon, Delhi Nioka S. Gordon, Ponchatoula Shemaiah M. Grant, Marrero Kadi M. Hall, Baker Rushelle S. Headad, Baton Rouge Raven B. Jackson, Donaldsonville Shanasi M. Jackson, Denham Springs Jaslynn A. Leon, Norco Shan’kedru C. Lewis, Baker Jesey A. Manyo, Baton Rouge Dominicka L. McKeey, Zachary Stacy J. McNealy, Gonzales Darian T. Morgan, Baton Rouge Laneka M. Morgan, Chicago, IL Christopher L. Pigeon, Baton Rouge Whitney A. Robertson, Baton Rouge Ashley N. Robinson, Marietta Taylor M. Roussell, Vacherie Andraus Russ, Plaquemine Raven Shields, Baton Rouge Meagan R. Simon, Baton Rouge Megan I. Smith, Baton Rouge Brittney N. Sodipo, Baton Rouge Monica A. Tabi, Baton Rouge Shenelle M. Tate, New Orleans Shenny C. Thigpen, Baton Rouge Brianne M. Valdery, New Orleans Kristal J. Walker, Kingston, Jamaica Jasmine S. Wallace, New Iberia Shante’ J. Washington, Lafayette Leanne M. Webb, Denham Springs Adeyemi R. Wheeler, Berwick Carlisha M. Williams, DeQuincy Destinee A. Williams, Baker

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN SPEECH PATHOLOGY AND AUDIOLOGY *Amayia A. Butler, Laplace Natasha M. Cummings, New Iberia Tawan B. Gradney, Kinder Ashton R. Guillard, Kenner *Natalie A. Guillory, Opelousas *Marquell D. Hall, Prairieville *Amber R. Jackson, Prairieville *Jaylon B. Jackson, Plaquemine LaCoty R. James, St. Joseph *Dante’ J. Johnson, Atlanta, GA *Breanna D. Lawrence, Saint Francisville *Kendra V. Lewis, Canada Rasheda Mosby, Addis Kiera I. Price, Baton Rouge *Chyra R. Scott, White Castle *Kenneth W. Scott, Baker *Alexis A. Smith, Maringouin Tevin D. Thomas, Houma Vincent P. Wicker, Greenwell Springs *Jasmine L. Williams, Baton Rouge

---------------------------------------COLLEGE OF SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING Patrick Carriere, Ph.D., Dean Raven L. Buntyn, Student Marshal BACHELOR OF SCIENCE Biology Charles R. Butler, Baton Rouge Courtney E. Chavis, Opelousas Jeremy R. Coleman, Houston, TX *Jade M. Dalcour, Crowley Edolia A. Davis, Baton Rouge *Ebony F. Deloch, Baton Rouge Tyrenee L. Foster, White Castle Briana K. Fuertes, Randolph, MA La’Deja’ A. Graves, Angie *Joy L. Henderson, Monroe Allison D. Jack, Baton Rouge Davia L. Jenkins, West Monroe Tierra R. Lane, Lake Providence Makaila A. Mitchell, New Iberia

Spring 2018 Graduates

SOUTHERN DIGEST

Alexia Mosby, Plaquemine Alockie R. Noel, Baker *Meaghan K. Overstreet, White Castle Jamira S. Russ, Plaquemine Akil J. Strawder, Clinton, MS Brianna J. Thomas, Allen, TX Felise Thompson-Doyle, Keithville De’Nita Washington, Shreveport Chemistry Brielle J. Bailey, Baton Rouge Angelique L. Bass, New Orleans Raven L. Buntyn, Jackson, TN Tiara A. Johnson, Baton Rouge Amber R. Shropshire, Baker Terrence C. Willis, Baton Rouge BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN COMPUTER SCIENCE Dane R. Barra, New Roads Levi K. Brown, Shreveport *Joshua N. Edwards, Chicago, IL *Julian N. Edwards, Baton Rouge *Muhannad A. Elsanousy, Baton Rouge *Kayla R. Foster, Conyers, GA Gary A. Gaskin, Baton Rouge Tashyra A. Harris, Maringouin Brian K. Parker, New Orleans Ren A. Plummer, Baton Rouge *Anthony J. Richardson, Baton Rouge Andrew R. Swanson, Baton Rouge Edwin K. White, Laplace BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING Juanica D. Banks, Baton Rouge Detrich M. Bob, Zachary Alexis D. Hunt, Baton Rouge Carl E. Johnson, Baton Rouge Jameese K. McCray, Baton Rouge Donaven T. Moss, Jefferson Joseph G. Roberts, Lafayette Gerald L. Russell, Saint Francisville Alexander D. Smith, Pine Bluff, AR BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING Firesola P. Akinbuli, Baton Rouge Toi Armstead, Baton Rouge Christopher D. Batiste, Brusly Brandon Davalos-Barreto, Hemet, CA Ali J. Ghawwas, Al Qatif, Saudi Arabia Torianno M. Joshua, Donaldsonville Christian R. Primus, Baker Chase N. Richardson, Hammond BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING TECHOLOGY Brandon J. Bernard, Carencro Del’Patrick B. Hayes, Alexandria *Dajyra D. Lewis, Ville Platte Miles A. Lewis, Arnaudville Tyler J. Robinson, Hammond Darrick D. Starnes, Nashville, TN Dontrevious J. Turner, Simmesport BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING Darius L. Briggs, Baton Rouge Ja’Nae V. McGee, Missouri City, TX Lee Mitchell, Birmingham, AL Nathan J. Morrison, Mer Rouge Terrance J. Ross, New Orleans Polite D. Stewart, Baton Rouge Mark Tran, McDonough, GA Jada White, Saint Francisville Maya A. Wilson, Baton Rouge

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NELSON MANDELA COLLEGE OF GOVERNMENT AND SOCIAL SCIENCE Damien Ejigiri, Ph.D., Dean Kayla Clancy, Student Marshal BACHELOR OF ARTS History Kenci J. Washington, New Orleans Political Science DaeJonae D. Berry, Baton Rouge Alicia Butler, Seattle, WA

Tuesday, May 1, 2018 - Page 5

Joycelyn N. Hill, Gonzales Keilon C. Hill, Shreveport *Shantecia L. Johnson, Monroe David J. Kennerson, Richton Park, IL Herman D. Lucas, Memphis, TN Makala S. Lundy, Houston, TX Cathy D. McLeod, Baker Nicki J. Neal, Buford, GA Bre’Anna S. Perkins, Monroe Jasmine R. Singleton, Houma Keyaira M. Thomas, Baton Rouge Aysha J. Thompson, Opelousas Sarah E. Williams, Mobile, AL BACHELOR OF SCIENCE Psychology *Bianca D. Adams, Greenwell Springs Billi C. Allen, Destrehan Victoria N. Allen, Newellton Alexis M. Baptiste, New Orleans Connor Black, Navarre Janisha L. Branch, Saint Francisville Kirstin Q. Brooks, Baton Rouge Brianna N. Caldwell, Shreveport Kayla E.Chaney, Baton Rouge Kayla Clancy, Chicago, IL *Chantel W. Crockett, Zachary Talisha Dalton, Baton Rouge *Kierra Davis, Zachary Laquita N. Ennis, Zachary Kimberly L. Gardner, Baton Rouge Sierra N. Harper, Oakland, CA Fred A. Henry, New Orleans Latoya S. Henry, Baton Rouge Tamala M. Jackson, Baton Rouge Aspen A. Jenkins, Baton Rouge Aurealia S. Johnson, Madison, WI Elaisha M. Johnson, Baton Rouge Tranika M. Johnson, Slidell Bianca R. Jones, Baton Rouge *Keiya L. Jones-Brady, Shreveport *Kendra V. Lewis, Windsor, ON, Canada Nia C. Marsh, Baton Rouge Tatjhana Maury, Bossier City Meghin C. Mcgee, Folsom Emprise C. Morrison, New Orleans Rashad M. Murphy, Stockbridge, GA Mariah S. Neiman, New Orleans Logan E. Page, New Orleans Tyshica A. Rodgers, Vidalia Jamika M. Schonberg, Donaldsonville *Ashanti N. Smith, Lafayette Netoi J. Spears, Zachary Latrinda K. Stewart, Baton Rouge Karahn L. Tardy, Indianapolis, IN Daisha L. Temple, New Orleans *Majestic Walker, Baker *Arielle D. Washington, Lake Charles Gina M. Washington, Baton Rouge Wes A. Washington, Baton Rouge Brianna J. Williams, Baton Rouge Sociology Sarajanet Banks, Baton Rouge Justin B. Broussard, Saint Martinville Whitney Brown, Baton Rouge Latari E. Cooks, Baton Rouge Josie E. Gibson, Slidell Bria B. Green, Hammond Briana J. James, Opelousas Kevin D. Knighten, Baton Rouge Chantal N. Moon, Houston, TX Kelsi A. Myers, Opelousas Rachelle D. Populars, Giesmar Enciah T. Robinson, Baton Rouge Tre’ J. Skidmore, Donaldsonville Emoni L. Spencer, Thibodeaux Kiara A. Suttles, Hixson, TN Raegan S. Washington, Prairieville Janel D. Webber, Port Allen Trevon White, New Orleans Ilisha R. Wisham, Baton Rouge BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE *Cristal Allen, Baton Rouge Pashion Borskey-Norman, Baker Javaris L. Bridgewater, Shreveport Dontrell D. Brown, Morgan City Franklin J. Carter, Baton Rouge Curtisha R. Chambers, Baton Rouge Christy L. Clifton, Baton Rouge

Spring 2018 Graduates THE

Page 6 - Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Toddra D. Cole, Ville Platte Michael J. Coleman, Harvey *LeDarrona A. Crews, Tallulah Calandra D. Crockett, Baton Rouge Briana M. Green, Fort Lauderdale *Victorious L. Green, Baton Rouge Jamani’ A. Greer, Chattanooga Sh’Kera A. Guy, Lake Charles *Azhayla T. Hart, Baton Rouge Cory D. Haynie, Laplace Mercedes A. Holland, Weeki Wachee, FL Jerome H. Jacob, New Iberia Tloria D. James, Monroe *Andreisha L. Johnson, Monroe *Kaitlyn R. Johnson, Baton Rouge Raneshia S. Johnson, Clinton *LaRaysha A. Jones, Youngsville Destinee Jordan, Franklin Chanse H. Joubert, Baton Rouge *Tiera R. Lands, Baton Rouge Monica N. Lee-Rogers, Greenwell Springs Brannon D. Lenard, Sunshine Alexis R. Mather, Prairieville Kayla Matthews, Zachary Lachandra D. Montgomery, New Orleans Derrion D. Moore, Baker *Eddie J. Morrison, Olive Branch, MS Kimberly Nelson, Baton Rouge Darrell J. Nettles, Baton Rouge *Jaz’mine E. Okary, Shreveport Tierria D. Pitts, Baton Rouge Briana R. Rankins, Lake Charles Casey N. Richardson, Baton Rouge *Ryan S. Robinson, Baton Rouge Christian M. Rodriguez, Garden Grove, CA *Kourtney R. Sanders, Alexandria *A’Leah R. Scott, Merrillville, IN *Ricky T. Simon, Broussard Crystal Stewart, Addis Natasha E. Taylor, Baton Rouge LaTasha A. Tennart, Baton Rouge *Christopher L. Thomas, Baton Rouge *Erica D. Washington, Alexandria Kelsi J. Washington, New Orleans Bre’Anna S. Williams, Baton Rouge Elbert L. Williams, Monroe Sharone J. Williams, Plaquemine BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN SOCIAL WORK Raquail W. Carter, Independence LaPorsha S. Coleman, Baton Rouge Tia L. Coleman, Zachary Don M. Green, Baton Rouge Frankie J. Harden, New Orleans Alexis A. Horne, Monroe Kelli J. Marks, Baker Kadasjah S. McMillon, Winnsboro Brittany N. Polk, Baton Rouge Irielle T. Price, Laplace Kiera Sparks, Baton Rouge Ginnipher N. Spencer, Maringouin Arika T. Washington, Zachary Solomon D. Williamston, Baton Rouge HONOR GRADUATES Summa Cum Laude Cumulative Grade-point Average of 3.86 – 4.00 Kayla Clancy Magna Cum Laude Cumulative Grade-point Average of 3.70 – 3.85 Niara C. Addison Connor Black Raven L. Buntyn Aysha J. Thompson Kalaia J. Tripeaux Ambrosia E. Williams Nickesha A. Williamson Zachary L. Williams Cum Laude Cumulative Grade-point Average of 3.40 -3.69 Levi K. Brown Angel C. Caston Colleen C. Cheramie Derrick D. Dabney Terani J. Dilahunty

SOUTHERN DIGEST

Donna J. Doiron Quinshala K. Ford Kristopher M. Goodly Tevin D. Hamilton Paula S. Haynes Mercedes A. Holland McKyra D. Jones David J. Kennerson Tierra R. Lane Ja’Nae V. McGee Alex D. McKee Cathy D. McLeod Johnny Nguyen Logan E. Page Jessica R. Persico Chase N. Richardson Christian M. Rodriguez Jamie Selleneit Rachel O. Shows Rhonda J. Spears Polite D. Stewart Brianna J. Thomas HONORABLE MENTION Cumulative Grade-point Average of 3.00 -3.339 Osita S. Ajoko Firesola P. Akinbuli Khephren H. Allen Jalen J. Anderson Terrilyn M. Anderson Aaliyah M. Armstrong Dane R. Barra Angelique L. Bass Roderick J. Bihm Jordan K. Bivens-Ammons Jesse J. Bradley Darius L. Briggs Kirstin Q. Brooks Tamra R. Brown True Brown Alicia Butler Brianna N. Caldwell Kirsten L. Campbell Courtney E. Chavis Tia L. Coleman Devin C. Crockett Natasha M. Cummings Talisha Dalton Brandon Davalos-Barreto Xavier D. Diamond Darrian A. Dupree Tiaron K. Ford Gary A. Gaskin Jessica J. George Danielle D. Gordon Lashontana M. Gordon Tawan B. Gradney Sh’Kera A. Guy Sh’Kira A. Guy Imani F. Harrell Skylar K. Harris Tashyra A. Harris Joycelyn N. Hill Karleigh R. Hill Keilon C. Hill Alexis A. Horne Jasmine C. Howard Donovan R. Jackson Tamala M. Jackson Lacoty R. James Celwyn B. Johnson Tiara A. Johnson Chanse H. Joubert Joseph V. Knox Ashanti N. Lafleur K’Darius K. Lavergne Geremy D. Leday Jaslynn A. Leon Ja’Vonna D. Lewis Makala S. Lundy Kelli J. Marks Ericka L. Mason Tatjhana Maury Jameese K. McCray Dominicka L. McKeey DuAtlanzer D. Miller Shannon N. Miller Chandler A. Mire Makaila A. Mitchell Jacqueline M. Moore Nathan J. Morrison

The Sentinel of an Enlightened Student Body since 1926 Annissa B. Moses Leigha R. Nauls Ebony K. Paschall Bre’Anna S. Perkins Ren A. Plummer Tamirion R. Reese Hollie S. Ricard Casey N. Richardson Whitney A. Robertson Ashley N. Robinson Tyler J. Robinson Andraus Russ Jasmine R. Singleton Jordan Stewart Akil J. Strawder Monica A. Tabi Shenelle M. Tate Brianna C. Taylor Shenny C. Thigpen Kiara D. Toliver Mark Tran Dontrevious J. Turner Kristal J. Walker Ashley N. Warner Gina M. Washington Leanne M. Webb Lynet Wesley Jada White Trevon White Adrianna Williams A’Shanti T. Williams Destinee A. Williams MarQuis Z. Williams Sarah E. Williams Sharone J. Williams

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SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES Spring 2018 DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Public Policy Sonia Latrell Marie Daniels, Baton Rouge Dissertation Title: A Review of the Implementation of the Violence Against Women Act and its Impact on Crimes Against Women in Louisiana.

Major Professor: James Larson, Ph.D. Karmen Rochelle Davis, Baton Rouge Dissertation Title: The Policy Implications of Legalized Medical Marijuana.

Major Professor: James Larson, Ph.D. Tewabetch Asebe Negatu, Baton Rouge Dissertation Title: The Spatial and Hermeneutic Phenomenological Analyses of East Baton Rouge’s Food Accessibility Major Professor: Leslie Taylor-Grover, Ph.D. Science and Mathematics Education Esperanza Gotoman Chavez, Baton Rouge Dissertation Title: Effectiveness of the Khan Academy as Educational Intervention to Enhance Student Learning Outcomes of Pre-Calculus at the High School Level.

Major Professors: Susannah Craig, Ph.D.

Moustapha Diack, Ph.D. Pramod Jasti, India Dissertation Title: An Investigation of Student and Faculty Perceptions of Mobile Application Adoption at a Historically Black College and University.

Major Professor: Albertha Lawson, Ph.D. Nursing Research Juanita Antoinette Allen-Garner, Baton Rouge Dissertation Title: The Life-Style Promoting Behaviors, Spiritual Perspective, and Perceived Stress Among Sophomore and Senior Baccalaureate Nursing Students at a HBCU. Major Professor: Wanda Spurlock, DNS, RN-BC, CNE, FNGNA, FAAN Tonda Delaya Martin, Baton Rouge Dissertation Title: HIV-Related Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceived Stigma As Predictors of Sexual Lifestyle Behaviors of Older Adults.

Major Professor: Janet Rami, Ph.D., RN Anne Dolores Troy, Mandeville

THE

The Sentinel of an Enlightened Student Body since 1926 Dissertation Title: The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Forgiveness on Nurses’ Capacity for Compassion Satisfaction Major Professor: Sandra C. Brown, DNS, APRN, FNP-BC, CNE, ANEF, FAAN Urban Forestry Reshon Imon Clayton, Baton Rouge Dissertation Title: Assessing Tree Canopy Covers, Ecological Benefits, and Economic Values of Thirty Parks Along Urban and Rural Gradient in East Baton Rouge Parish.

Major Professor: Zhu H. Ning, Ph.D. RaHarold Deonyou Lawson, Baton Rouge Dissertation Title: I-Tree Eco Model Application in Two Urban Parks in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Major Professor: Zhu H. Ning, Ph.D. MASTERS OF ARTS Clinical Mental Health Counseling Antonia LaVontria Adams, Baker Christopher Broussard, Lafayette Raven Elyse Dunlap, Plaquemine Astria Dette Franklin, Greensburg Sugcora Nahrae Green, Baton Rouge Dominique Alexis Haughton, Baton Rouge Christen Cuillier Johnson, Baton Rouge *TaRhonda Marshele London, Zachary Jasmine Nicole Mastin, Covington Amber J. McCoy, Port Allen Chinelo Veronica Okpalobi, Prairieville *Britney Alexandre’ Payne-Woods, Baton Rouge Veronica M. Carter, Baton Rouge MASTERS OF ART IN TEACHING Leah Marie Douglas, Baton Rouge Orlean R. Wilkinson, Baton Rouge SOCIAL SCIENCES History Alexis Michell Clark, Baton Rouge Tyra Dionne McClay, Baton Rouge Sylvia N. Provost, Plaquemine Political Science Tercel Devant’e Harris, Baton Rouge Jerilyn Patrice Lee, Baton Rouge Kimberly Shanell Porter Wilson, Belle Chasse Thesis Title: A Case Study of the Top-Down Implementation Approach for Environmental Cleanup of Camp Lejeune: What Went Wrong Thesis Advisors: Albert Samuels, Ph.D. Melanie Johnson, Ph.D. Sociology Irlondria Rose Campbell McCormick, Baton Rouge Janet Marie Green, Baton Rouge Sharon Michelle Green, Baton Rouge Robyn Patricia Williams, Baton Rouge MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Anindya Ahmed, Baton Rouge Avery Marie Alexander, Sorrento *Johnathan T. Brown, Baton Rouge Demetrius Lee Carter, Chicago, IL KaDedra Carter, Baton Rouge Jessica Dwanna Davis, Shreveport Jessica Donald, Baton Rouge Alfred Earley III, Baton Rouge Shayla Rochelle Edwards, Baker Adron James Frazier, Ponchatoula Ngwe Mangwe Gael, Cameroon Brandon Craig Gorden, New Orleans *Adelina K. Kaliba, Baton Rouge Rhondalette Lashaune Mack, Baton Rouge *Lance L. McCaleb, Baton Rouge *L’Britney Irene Noles Moore, Baton Rouge Jamar Akai Brooks Myers- Montgomery, Bossier City Jasmine Rae Pack, Port Allen Gerald Wayne Perkins Jr., Jennings Candice Perrilloux, Baton Rouge Belinda Anoria Stansbury, Baton Rouge Mubarak Oluseyi Timson, Baton Rouge Reuben Orenthal James Turner, New Orleans *Booker D’Andre Washington, Baton Rouge Micah Brandon Whitmore, Zachary

Spring 2018 Graduates

SOUTHERN DIGEST

MASTER OF EDUCATION Educational Leadership Chanel Johnae Brooks, Port Allen Kodia Chanel Green-Gradney, Baton Rouge *William Johnson, Baton Rouge *Arnessia Carlette Malveaux McCray, Baton Rouge *Tamara Nichole McNeely, Baker Shauntelle Renae Moses, Baton Rouge Ebony Jovanna Noah, Baton Rouge Jason Michael O’Dell, Zachary *Joshua Micah Perry, Baton Rouge Evan Tremaine Platt, New Roads Chante’ Du’Pree Rice, Baton Rouge *Irone Roussell, Baton Rouge Jane Leah Silvie, Baker Marcus Dwayne Singleton, Zachary *Arnold George Thomas, Baton Rouge Nicholas Antoine Turner, Zachary MASTER OF ENGINEERING Hairth Al-Aloosi, Baton Rouge Nikhil Kanike, India Mustafa Najeeb, Baton Rouge Charlotte Marica Peterson, Addis MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION Demita Charae Walker Allen, Baton Rouge Crystal Monique Bobo, Shreveport Jared P. Bordere, Baton Rouge Karmyce Te’Aun Chisley, Baton Rouge Byrianne Alison Foley, Baton Rouge Florida JaLeera Franklin, Baton Rouge Alvarez Joseph Hertzock III, Baton Rouge Megan Jenell Lawrence, Thibodaux Justine Dasean Roberts, New Orleans Thesis Title: Exploring Racial Disparities in Incarceration within the Black Community Thesis Advisor: Leslie Taylor-Grover, Ph.D. Shanice Mae Sam, Maurice Kelly Lynn Thomas, Baton Rouge *Emili Ufedor Ugbaje, Baton Rouge EXECUTIVE MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION Hillary Ayanna Davis, New Orleans Jansom Jermaine Jones, White Castle Shayla Denise Thompson, Baton Rouge Markeyla Cherrelle Veal, Woodworth Ykethia Shantell Williams, Zachary MASTER OF SCIENCE Biology Jasmine Marya Carter, Plaquemine Gerelle Genea Jackson, Baton Rouge Chelsea Yumekia Taylor, Baton Rouge Computer Science Vidya Sagar Bandaru, India Thesis Title: Data Aggregation by Partial Processing of Big Data in Dadoop MapReduce Thesis Advisor: Md Abdus Salam, Ph.D. Jawara Keith Brown, Harvey Tyrone Leroy Curtis, Baton Rouge Samhitha Devarapally, India Thesis Title: Enhanced Security Mechanism with the Analysis of Encryption, Decryption Algorithms on Cloud Thesis Advisor: Sudhir Trivedi, Ph.D. Raju Rao Donthineni, India Aishwarya Eagala, India Ashok Gade, India Divya Gangavaram, India Venkata Laxmikanth Gangavarapu, India James Earnest Halley Jr., Baton Rouge Rajesh Reddy Jonnalagadda, India Gouthami Kandala, India Prudvi Saikumar Reddy Kotra, Baton Rouge Deepthi Reddy Magam, India Sashidhar Muppirisetty, India Mina Orang, Baton Rouge Thesis Title: Development and Implementation of an Algorithm for Locating Lightning in 3 Dimensions Thesis Advisor: Ebrahim Khosravi, Ph.D.

Tuesday, May 1, 2018 - Page 7

Abhishek Punna, India Criminal Justice Takiyah Dyone’ Beard, Baton Rouge Ebony Dallas Fatima Freeman, Oakland, CA Skyler Titus Jones, New Orleans Reginald Juwan Keys, Greenwood, MS Craig H. King, Zachary Kevin Jaron King, Jacksonville, FL Stephanie Trenise Styles, Los Angeles, CA Linda Marie Wright, Alexandria Executive Masters in Criminal Justice Anthony Christopher Alfonso, Baton Rouge Brayln Alton Batiste, Lafayette Kenya Nicole Cameron, New Orleans Catherine Alexandria Conway, Fayette, MS Ebony Champagne ReShae Dorizan, Baton Rouge *Aaron Haynes, Baton Rouge Robert Sheldon Hooks, Augusta, GA Simone Alexis Maiden, Baton Rouge *Delores A. Moore, Baton Rouge Neotha Nicole Moses-Williams, Addis *Natassia Neely, Baton Rouge Steven Ross Nevels, Sr., Zachary Louis Perry, Zachary Derricka Damara Spurs, Ferriday Latrecia Renae Stewart, Alexandria Jaclisa Rycarrie Thomas, Baton Rouge Kimberly Nacole Williams, Baton Rouge Shamika Renee Wright, Fort Lee, VA Master of Science in Nursing Kyron L. Anthony, Baton Rouge Shanda Doree Arnold, Baton Rouge Shrilda Ann Gradney Bailey, Baton Rouge Jasmine Renee’ Thrash Breaux, Baton Rouge Oto-Obong Ekaete Eduok Collins, River Ridge Debra Ann White Cooper, Saint James Asia Santanna Starwood Crockett, Baton Rouge Shonte’ Patrice Daniels, Ferriday Jornel Rarnise Dixon, Baker Lakisha Carletha Dunn, Zachary Kiara Ja’nae Foulcard, Denham Springs Kaelyn Michelle Hebert, Lafayette April Latasha Jackson, Sunshine Patience Marie Jordan, Parks Stephen Lance LaCaze, Broussard Catina Marie Landry, New Orleans Tamira Bush LeBlanc, LaPlace Luke Martin Leonards, Lafayette Vanessa Denise Veals Murphy, Baton Rouge Brandon Scott O’Quinn, Walker Rehabilitation Counseling Michael Earl Sebble, New Orleans Christy Nichelle Tassin, LaPlace Speech-Language Pathology *Taylor Brooke Carraway, Winnsboro Maegan Champagne, Thibodaux Jessica Seirra Cox, Ellenwood, GA Nneka C Eko, Houston TX Lauren Blaire Fontenot, Ville Platte Evian Michelle Goode, Baton Rouge Breaynna Jerrae’ Hunt, Beaumont, TX Aleigha Danae Jones, Sorrento *Melanie Alice Kelly, Baton Rouge Kearria D. LeBlanc, Fresno, TX Taylor Cherise Venice Martin, Missouri City, TX Michelle McDonald, Baton Rouge *She’aa Brooke McEwen, McComb, MS Katie Marie Merrifield, Houma Robyn Kalila Munson, Marrero Kaitlin Elizabeth Pierce, Franklinton Jaci Lynn Poirrier, Paulina Bryanna LaTrice Sims, Gautier, MS *Schena LaTrice Singleton, Baton Rouge Maegan Paisley Smith, Lauderhill, FL Danea Nicole Spillman, Denham Springs Amy Jarreau Sullivan, New Roads Coretta Michelle Talbert, Jackson, MS *Teirral Danielle Thompson, Lake Charles Traci Nicole Vance, Houston, MS Sabrina Antoinette Washington, La Place *Kelsey Noelle Williams, Amite Therapeutic Recreation LaJarde’ Johnson, Baton Rouge Urban Forestry Caroline Olufunke Akinrinwoye, Nigeria

Spring 2018 Graduates THE

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SOUTHERN DIGEST

The Sentinel of an Enlightened Student Body since 1926

Thesis Title: The Effects of Urban Trees and Compost as Soil Amendment for Katrina Flooded Ninth Ward of New Orleans.

Thesis Advisor: Yemane Ghebreiyessus, Ph.D. Felicia Amenyo, Ghana Thesis Title: Canopy Cover Evaluation and Relationship Establishment of Factors Affecting Soil Erosion For SUBR Scott Bluff.

Thesis Advisor: Yemane Ghebreiyessus, Ph.D. Brittany Rachelle Benjamin, New Orleans Thesis Title: Physiological Responses of Japanese Magnolia (Magnolia liliiflora) to Flooding, Elevated CO2 Level, and Light Intensity.

Thesis Advisor: Zhu H. Ning, Ph.D. Lakshmi Manasa Dasari, India Onyekachi Uzochukwu Ejim, Nigeria Sunday Omoyefe Evue, Nigeria Temitope Oriade Haastrup, Nigeria Kelvin Leonard Kiwale, Tanzania Obiageli Jane Okwusu, Nigeria Mitchell James Provensal, Baton Rouge Thesis Title: Improving Vegetable Production for Small Farmers in Louisiana: Potential Use of Net House.

Thesis Advisor: Yemane Ghebreiyessus, Ph.D. Christiean Todd Smith, Baton Rouge Thesis Title: Effects of Flooding, Elevated CO2 Level, and Light Intensity on Southern Crabapple (Malus Angustifolia).

Thesis Advisor: Zhu H. Ning, Ph.D.

DUNCAN

Business Management Alexandria, LA SGA President Graduating Senior “Congratulations to the all of the graduates celebrating their latest and greatest achievement thus far!

It’s amazing how time flies and just how much we’ve been able to grow individually as well as an institution.

There are so many of you who I have been blessed to come in contact with and who have helped to draft yet another page in the story and history of Southern University. With that said, I want to encourage you as you reflect on the past circumstances, regardless of where you are from, of the struggle, REGARDLESS OF IT ALL.. you’ve made it! The world is yours for the taking! So as you gather your belongings and say your goodbyes, remember the mission of our beloved institution and carry it with you wherever you go as competent, informed, and productive citizens desiring to leave this world better than you found it.

Congratulations and best of luck in all of your future endeavors!”

BAGAYOKO

MOHAMADIAN

Diola Bagayoko, Ph.D. SU System Distinguished Professor of Physics Dean, Dolores Margaret Richard Spikes Honors College

Habib P. Mohamadian Interim Dean of Graduate Studies

“A little known scientific law, the Law of Human Performance, states that someone not suffering from a severe physiological or mental impairment can reach any level of excellence or expertise – through correct, sustained, and increasingly sophisticated practice or efforts. Let our new Jaguar alumni remember that the attainment of this degree attests to their deployment of sustained efforts over years. Let them continue to deploy such efforts in the future, to guarantee their ascension to greater heights. Go Jaguars, and, as you prosper, give back to SU.”

“On behalf of the Southern University Graduate Studies family, I extend a sincere congratulations and best of luck to the Graduate School’s Class of 2018. You have been exceptional representatives of the Graduate School and University and I’m sure you will continue to serve as worthy ambassadors for Southern University. We expect you to be the beacons that the world needs today as much as ever. You are committed, compassionate, and well-prepared.

You are equipped to understand and engage appropriately the changing demographics that are bringing much more diversity to our social fabric and increasing gaps in economic fortunes that continue to exclude too many from a productive and happy life.

In closing, I wish you much success upon your graduation from SUBR. I know you will work hard to attain your goals. Don’t forget, we would love to hear from you, so please stop by or drop us a note so we remain a part of your life.

Wishing you all a very happy summer.”

- Dean Habib P Mohamadian

Congratulations to the Class of Spring 2018 This is not the end but the beginning of the next chapter of your journey in life. Pursue your passion and follow your dreams. Walt Disney said, "All our dreams can come true...if we have the courage to pursue them." You must continue to work hard knowing that your best days are ahead of you. I know that Southern University has equipped you with knowledge and skills to be successful. The institution has prepared you for the workforce and now it is time for you to make an impact within the world that we live in. We are extremely proud of you and your great accomplishment as a graduate of Southern University and A&M College.

MONTGOMERY

Tamara Foster-Montgomery, Director Career Services Center Southern University and A&M College

CHECK OUT THE DIGEST SPORTS SECTION! ONLINE TODAY.

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Arts & Entertainment

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Tuesday, May 1, 2018 - Page 9

A Serenade: PresidentChancellor’s Concert

Master of Ceremony, Donovan Segura, Ph.D., introduces the Southern University Symphonic Orchestra during the President-Chancellor’s concert in Hayden Hall Theater on April 24, 2018. (Contara Mayfield/DIGEST)

BY DEBRANDIN BROWN DIGEST STAFF WRITER

On April 24, 2018 in the Hayden Hall Theater, the annual PresidentChancellor’s concert took place on SUBR campus. The event featured multiple performances from our very own Southern University marching band.

The music selections were chosen from a variety of different composers, such as Peter Tchaikovsky and Claude T. Smith, to name a few, who have composed some of the most renowned works of art in the genre of classical music.

The set to start the event was Southern

Avengers Infinity War: A Review

University’s own Symphonic Band, led and conducted by Conductor and Assistant Director of Bands, Brian Simmons.

When asked as to what all goes into preparing for an event such as this, Simmons said, “It takes us a long time for us to prepare, because we have to change the style of playing. The difference between a concert band and a marching band is simply setting.”

Performing four different songs by four completely different composers, such a performance is one that Simmons See CONCERTpage 10

Kanye or Koonye West?

BY KEITH LEWIS

DIGEST STAFF WRITER

Avengers Infinity War, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo is a ten-year phenomenon in the making. April 27, 2018 was the last day of the most anticipated wait this year.

Imagine a 11-year-old boy playing with all his marvel -branded action figures, then smashing them all together.

Essentially, this is what was thrusted on the big screen, which by the way, ushered in $284,467,000 world-wide on the first day. The movie is a payoff from beginning to end.

When Nick Fury (Samuel Jackson) enlightened Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) in Iron Man 3 saying, “You think you’re the only superhero in the world?

Mr. Stark, you’ve become part of a bigger universe. You just don’t know it yet,” this is what he meant.

Avengers Infinity War was modeled primarily from The Infinity Gauntlet comic book produced by Marvel Studios. It follows the villain Titan Thanos See AVENGERS page 10

DIGEST ILLUSTRATION

In August 2005, after Hurricane Katrina, Kanye Kanye has been causing buzz West went on national TV and all over Twitter with his recent discussed how our country Tweets about President Donald does not help black people or poor people as quickly as they Trump.

Since he made it to the should. He also talked about mainstream market, Kanye how George Bush doesn’t care West has been one of the most about black people.

Although Donald Trump controversial rappers in the treated Puerto Rico after game. Recently, his comments Hurricane Irma similarly to have been openly and proudly supporting President Donald how New Orleans was treated Trump and the “Make America by George Bush after Hurricane Katrina, Kanye West has been Great Again” campaign.

BY LEAH WILLIAMS DIGEST A&E WRITER

openly supporting him.

Kanye tweeted a series of tweets over the last few weeks defending his political thoughts.

One tweet said, “You don’t have to agree with Trump but the mob can’t make me not love him.

We are both dragon energy. He is my brother. I love everyone.

I don’t agree with everything anyone does. That’s what makes us individuals. And we have the right to independent thought.”

He also tweeted, “If your friend jumps off the bridge you

don’t have to do the same. Ye being Ye is a fight for you to be you. For people, in my life the idea of Trump is pretty much a 50/50 split, but i don’t tell a Hillary supporter not to support Hillary, I love Hillary too.” He even posted pictures in a “Make America Great Again” hat.

West then proceeded to tweet screenshots of messages with John Legend. He told Kanye about how loyal his fans are to him and people feel betrayed about his thoughts on Trump because of Trump’s harmful policies. He warned him to not let this be what he’ll be remembered for. Kanye responded by telling John Legend that he’s trying to use fear tactics to manipulate his free thought.

People on social media have been saying he’s in the sunken place,in reference to the movie “Get Out.” They’ve also been saying he has mental problems.

His wife, Kim KardashianWest, defended him on Twitter saying he is not in the sunken place, and he is just being himself through self expression.

She tweeted, “To the media trying to demonize my husband let me just say this… your See KANYE page 10

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Page 10 - Tuesday, May 1, 2018

KOD Album Review

KANYE from page 9

commentary on Kanye being erratic & his tweets being disturbing is actually scary. So quick to label him as having mental health issues for just being himself when he has always been expressive is not fair.” Her next tweet read, “He’s a free thinker, is that not allowed in America? Because some of his ideas differ from yours you have to throw in the mental health card? That’s just not fair.

He’s actually out of the sunken place when he’s being himself which is very expressive.”

Brittany Lee-Tillery, a freshman Animal Science major from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, feels that Kanye is acting like Trump and even if he’s just trying to gain publicity, he’s going about it the wrong way.

“Kanye is so cocky and arrogant, he really acts just like Donald Trump if you think about it, especially how he’s been using Twitter as his platform just like Trump,” says Lee-Tillery.

“Even if he’s just doing it for album publicity or whatever, his statements still aren’t okay,” she continued.

Since he recently announced that he will be releasing an album in the summer, many Kanye fans think he’s only doing this for publicity for the album. Others think he’s seriously running for president in the 2024 election and is trying to gain a Republican following to eventually gain their vote.

THANKS FOR A GREAT SEMESTER!

SEE YOU IN THE FALL! HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!

The Sentinel of an Enlightened Student Body since 1926

BY DEBRANDIN BROWN DIGEST STAFF WRITER

On April 20, J. Cole released his fifth studio album, which he announced earlier that week under the moniker of “K.O.D.”, which was later confirmed

by Cole to stand for ‘Kids On Drugs’, among other acronyms.

K.O.D. is the successor of “4 Your Eyez Only”, Cole’s previous album that was released in 2016, which went on to achieve platinum certification with no features, a feat that Cole himself had done for the first time in nearly two decades with his project, “2014 Forest Hill Drive.”

Despite the success of his previous albums, however, the reputation that preceded Cole was that he has yet to live up to his full potential. His vast fanbase aside, there have also been many critics who have claimed that his music was boring.

In a subtle deviation from his normal smooth, relaxed beats, Cole embraced a more modern, trap rooted sound on “K.O.D.” Relying heavily on melodies and autotune, Cole introduced a more diverse style than his critics previously thought him capable of.

On the intro track of the album, the album’s theme, “Choose Wisely” was a major part of the opening monologue and of the album as a whole. The monologue that composes this intro track lists the numerous vices that people use in order to cope with “the pain life brings”, in the words of the narrator of the track.

While the intro was impactful, the first track providing a theme for the album is nothing new for a Cole project, as highlighted by his earlier mixtapes, such as “Friday Night Lights” and “Warm Up”, which have similar introductory monologues and, in some cases, entire songs.

On tracks such as “KOD”, “Motiv8”, and “1985”, Cole takes a far more aggressive approach to his flow, as well as beat selection. Producing a

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majority of his own work, Cole’s flow, beat styles, and subject matter have stayed objectively consistent throughout his career.

Despite this, multiple tracks on his album, including the aforementioned ones, are all songs that have modern, trapstyled radio potential, as well as the classic Cole words of wisdom that he is known for incorporating in his music.

Cole also hinted that his more modern style could be a slight at the new, modern generation of rappers who use the style of rap that Cole incorporated into certain songs on the album.

“If you exclude the top three rappers in the game, the most popping rappers all are exaggerated versions of black stereotypes; extremely tatted up, colorful hair, flamboyant, brand names. It’s caricatures, and still still the dominant representation of black people, on the most popular entertainment format for black people, period,” said Cole in an interview with Vulture in regards to the new generation of rappers and what their impact is on the culture.

On the track “ATM”, Cole addresses the nation wide pursuit of this “stereotypical” black lifestyle, in which multiple characters, played by Cole, go through different struggles and do different things for the sake of money and how the pursuit of it can ultimately destroy you.

On tracks such as “Kevin’s

Heart,” however, Cole provides a clear message to his audience as to what vice, adultery in this case, looks like from a males point of view. With a visual that included a guest appearance from Kevin Hart in the music video, Cole gave vibes reminiscent to his hit track, “Wet Dreamz”, which was widely regarded for its messages on love and other, relatable issues from his fans point of view.

“The album itself is top three so far this year,” DeKendrick Johnson, a senior Business Management major from Baton Rouge, LA stated in regards to just where this album ranks amongst the albums released this year by Cole’s peers. “Is it up there with DAMN? No.” said Johnson when asked if K.O.D. is better album than Kendrick Lamar’s Pulitzer winning album, DAMN. Unable to escape the shadow of Lamar’s evident success, Cole also admits in the same interview with Vulture that seeing Lamar’s album success inspired him to get back in the booth himself.

“I got to see what it was like to have a hit album performed, and it set off a desire. It was recognition--like ‘Oh, I’ll take that again’,”said Cole in regards to reasserting himself into the hip-hop landscape.

CONCERT from page 9

commented that he is proud of, but expects from his group.

“They gave me a B-plus. They’ll never get an ‘A’,” said Simmons on his personal opinion of his group’s performance to start the night off. Simmons continued on to say that in regards to the high standards he has for his group at all times, “My standards are too high [and] Southern University’s standards are too high.”

During intermission at the event however, there was a brief honoring of a local high school, Baker High, with Southern University’s own “Winner’s Circle Lifetime Achievement” Award.

After the intermission, the Southern

University Wind Ensemble took to the stage to perform. Performing pieces such as Rossano Galante and Oliver Nickel, the Wind Ensemble played a total of six songs to close out the concert.

While the audience of the concert was mainly comprised of alumni and older members of administration, there was also a relatively high number of current students in attendance, who came out to see their band’s performance.

Alsha Guss, a freshmen Mass Communication major from New Orleans, Louisiana, spoke on what drew her to an event such as the President’s Concert.

“I’m happy that the ensemble was able

to change the ranging of the performance. I was able to hear all of the instruments,” said Guss in response to the positives she took away from the performance.

Guss, an experienced member of the band herself, echoed Assistant-Director Simmon’s sentiments on the innate difficulty of making an outside band perform well, from an audience perspective, into an inside setting.

Filling up the room in the Hayden Theater, this year’s concert welcomed faces old and young to witness classical music in the heart of Southern University’s campus that was heard by all in attendance.

AVENGERS from page 9

on his quest to find six infinity stones which are the most powerful entities in the universe.

The movie was the first Marvel production with such a massive amount of dominant characters on one screen, the result was astonishing.

The movie trails you on 160 minutes of humor, death, action, love, and character development.

For the comic book fans that have been anxiously waiting, the end result created appreciation and praise.

“It’s more than just a movie, I’ve grown with these characters from the comic books to the decade of set up,” pleaded former Southern University student, Daniel Joiner.

The greatest feat for this movie ironically isn’t the movie itself. It is the buildup. Every scene in every movie leading to this had a purpose. The plot twist and deaths meant that much more because an established relationship was secured. These weren’t one dimensional characters. They made us laugh, hurt, and cry in multiple movies. The same character that gave you comic relief in one film will make you hate them in Infinity War. This is what makes a movie great.

Producer, Kevin Feige, and the Russo brothers created this film and made sure to adhere to every small detail.

So much information was given that it was overwhelming.

Baton Rouge local, Assad Semmes, exclaimed, “It was too much. I wasn’t ready!”

Even regular fans who knew what was “supposed” to happen couldn’t believe the risky steps this movie took. The source material, The Infinity Gauntlet comic book, couldn’t prepare you for the events in Avengers Infinity War. Critic Matt Maytum praised the movie declaring “[…] fan expectations that have snowballed during 10 years of the MCU – and doing so with wit, pace, and surprises aplenty – Infinity War deserves a huge, bejeweled high-five.”

Comic lovers and a Marvel fan enthusiasts commend the movie for the grand scale story arch and dedication. The movie will not upset and will leave one thirsting for Avengers Four, which is part two to this movie set to be released May 3, 2019.

GOOD LUCK ON FINALS!

#FINISHSTRONG HAVE A GREAT SUMMER, BE SAFE!

Commentary

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The Sentinel of an Enlightened Student Body since 1926

SOUTHERN DIGEST

Tuesday, May 1, 2018 - Page 11

Your Guide to a Stress-Free Finals Week

BY JULIAN ALVAREZ DIGEST STAFF WRITER

So, finals time is the season to scream, shout, and let it all out.

Well, maybe not. Acing finals can be easier than you think. A test is hard when you make it hard, and this column wants to give tips on making your final exams easier with five tips. A class that studies together passes together, marry your paper and pencil, love thy Google/ library database, sleep keeps the mind fresh, and keep calm ‘cause you got this.

Tip number one: a class that studies together, passes together. If the class is one of those extremely hard courses, then your classmates should have a group message and arrange a study group before finals. Everybody has weaknesses and strengths, so a study group is a way to collaborate and make each class member well-rounded.

As college students we have to

be selfish at times, but a study group is helping yourself and your classmates because everyone has something to offer. If you want to be successful in your study group the next tip should be highlighted.

Tip number two: marry that paper and pencil because the two of you will share a night of failure, then success. Failure is better experienced on your desk than on the scantron, so don’t be scared. It will all be worth it when you get that grade you want.

When you retake notes or solve problems you are able to commit them to memory because you are taking your time writing it out.

When you are typing your notes or problems you are just thinking.

Writing it out causes you to think then engrave it in your memory, because after you thought of what to write you are now putting it on paper which will take some time, but that means it is still fresh in the brain during that process. Anything

that you didn’t understand will be explained by someone in your study group that has it simplified.

Tip number three: love thy Google/database. To all the ‘know it all’ folks, let’s be honest, there are things that you do not know but the world is at our fingertips now in 2018.

If you need to know how to solve a formula, there are youtube videos that are perfect for you.

Khan Academy simplifies a plethora of subjects including math and physics. If you are doing some sort of analysis, the library’s online database has very reliable sources to turn to including peer reviewed journals, articles, and more.

Here is the fun part about crunch time. Sleep can actually make or break your finals. If you are so tired that you can’t recognize your mom’s voice, there is no way that you are studying because you won’t remember anything. You

will have a study hangover the next morning.

A good rule of thumb is to study ‘til midnight or whenever you get tired if you are not a night owl and hit the hay. Set an alarm early in the morning to quickly review and cover new topics before the exam, and just like that, you are ready to pass that final.

Your mindset affects your grade as well. If you have missed half a semester worth of content and forgot what your textbook looks like, there is no reason negativity should be lingering in your head.

Failing thoughts can lead to failing grade because it makes the test ten times harder and ten times stressful. Show up with a head held high and one goal in mind: to slay the beast with a graphite tipped sword.

So keep calm because you got this.

The importance of commencement speakers at HBCUs

BY ROCEYLN HAMILTON DIGEST STAFF WRITER

Graduation season has graced us with its presence once again.

Well, not me unfortunately, but graduation is definitely in the air.

You can feel all of the seniors anxiously waiting and preparing to walk across the stage as they close this chapter in their life to begin a new one.

With that being said, along with graduation, commencement speakers, specifically those speaking at HBCUs are always a main topic depending how popular (or unpopular) the speaker is.

Recently, Dillard University announced musician Chance the Rapper as their commencement speaker, along with Black Panther star and Howard alum Chadwick Boseman as Howard’s speaker.

As for Southern, we have Angela Rye, attorney, political analyst and commentator who recently visited Southern back in March for

the second annual Empowerment Seminar as a special guest speaker.

I’m going to be honest, if you ask me who my commencement speaker was in high school and what she talked about I could not tell you simply because I did not care enough to pay attention. I honestly think that in high school, no one really pays attention to who their keynote speaker is mainly because it’s always someone from the school and they are just too ready to go. But in college it’s different, especially at HBCUs. The point of a commencement speaker is for them to deliver that last message to undergraduate (or graduate and doctorate) students before they move into the next phase of their lives. Speeches are meant to be profound, inspirational, and moving enough to where students want to take some kind of action. But, that effect also depends on the speaker.

With speakers at HBCUs you

either see really big names like Janelle Monae who spoke at Dillard last spring, or Denzel Washington, again at Dillard.

(Sidebar: whatever money Dillard has I’m gonna need them to send some to SU so we can get someone popping for our graduation in 2021, okay?) I feel that it is crucial for HBCUs to have speakers that are not only relatable, but who are for sure going to leave an impact with their words by the time they are done speaking.

I also feel like that SU should also try to get better commencement speakers. Obviously for me, it’s gonna be a minute until I’m sitting the Mini Dome with my cap and gown listening to whoever the speaker is, and hopefully that person is someone that I would want to listen to. But again, I feel like we should get people who are more known. That’s not to knock any of the previous speakers, and that’s not to say that their

message isn’t as meaningful. But when you’re listening to someone that’s “popular” and very relatable that appeals to our generation like Chance the Rapper and Chadwick Boseman, and even Denzel Washington, that message resonates on a different level compared to it being someone that we may not know of.

I know that there is probably a whole process that goes into choosing a speaker and of course that doesn’t lie in the hands of the students. I also feel like students should have a say in who they would like to deliver their commencement speech but that is another conversation for another opinion piece.

Overall, that is just something to think about and congratulations to all the Spring graduates of Southern University.

come on is a rule that only black people know. If you think about it, that rule is to protect kids from the realities of the projects. If those lights come on, a whole new world is formed. Someone at the park down the street is supporting his family selling, a few more blocks down there is a gang initiation.

Everyone has seen those sitcoms without any black people in them, they have no time restriction on when they can do things. They are allowed to have a blast at night time without any altercations, they can go for a run at night and come home without any tragedies. When it comes to black pop culture, any scene at night time you can expect something to go down. So, for many white people that have so much hate for the opposite race, they should be empathetic and consider all those things that most black people have to endure.

That brings the topic of “All Lives Matter”. What is all

lives matter? All lives are not fighting for their rights are they?

All lives aren’t experiencing racial condescendence since the transatlantic slave trade. While one race is dying and trying to fight for their right to live with equality the other race is feeling left out. Do we say “your lives don’t matter?” No we do not because we’d like to say we’ve been there and done that but we are still fighting that notion and wouldn’t wish it on anybody else.

We are saying our lives matter because it is open season on any unlucky person of color twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, thirty days out of the month, twelve months a year until we finally convince our fellow human beings that our skin color doesn’t make us elks with a bullseye on our stomachs.

History speaks for the present and the future, and the black lives matter movement stems from centuries of oppression of the

black race. It is a fight to prevent history from repeating itself for black people.

With this skin also comes determination because since we are underrepresented in every field in the white collar job market that means our work ethic must be unmatched.

Everyday it is a fight, especially since landing a job is all about what is on paper and how you sound over the phone. On paper you may not have a traditional name with a voice that resonates with the majority of the applicant pool.

The fight is on from the day you are born until the end of time, but there is nothing wrong with that because it disproves our inferiority to the other races and shows that we will not weaken no matter what test we are put through, so wear your melanin with pride.

Proud Melanin:A Race Relation Story

BY JULIAN ALVAREZ DIGEST STAFF WRITER

Being black is more than having melanin in your skin, it comes with the experience.

The experience has its ups and downs. The ups are the natural style and confidence that you present yourself with. The downs are the struggles that we face in terms of racism because out of each minority, black folks get the worse end of the stick.

We have been oppressed all throughout history, but back in history the racism was obvious and no one tried to hide behind the law. Now any white person can shoot a black person, and the law and press will play in favor of the white people.

Take the cases of Rodney King, Trayvon Martin, Alton Sterling, and unfortunately the list goes on.

That rule where you had to be inside before the street lights

Queen Bey: The queen of finessing

BY DEBRANDIN BROWN DIGEST STAFF WRITER

Did Beyonce finesse Southern, one of the most well-known HBCUs with one of the most well-known marching bands in the country? Yes. She definitely did.

Everyone knows that a huge part of HBCU culture is the band and the dancers. And when it comes to college marching bands and dancers, the Southern University Human Jukebox and the Fabulous Dancing Dolls are unmatched. They have performed with, and for some of the biggest events and biggest celebrities in the world. But did Beyonce bother to get any of them to perform with her for Coachella? Nope. Not one Juke.

Not one doll.

Beyonce even did the exact same catch-on that the Dancing Dolls did on their viral video dancing to “Can You Stand the Rain,” by New Edition in the rain years ago. Did she give us credit for the catch-on or even mention the dolls as all for inspiration for the Coachella performance? Nope.

Of course not, she’s the Queen Bey. She’s too famous for that.

Then, after Coachella, she decided to give $100,000 in scholarships to four HBCUs, so $25,000 to each school, during the 2018-2019 academic school year as part of her BeyGood initiative. It’s called the “Homecoming Scholars Award Program.” Great, right? Yeah, except for the fact that Southern didn’t make her list. Xavier University of Louisiana, Wilberforce University, Tuskegee University, and Bethune Cookman University; that was her list.

Funny thing is, Xavier doesn’t even have a football team, so do they even have a real homecoming? Or a band?

Or dancers? Who knows? It’s also only about an hour and a half away from Southern. It’s funny how she somehow acknowledged Xavier, but not Southern.

A week later, she partnered with Google to add four more HBCUs to her list. Did Southern make the second list? Of course not but two other schools in the SWAC did.

She’s offering the same scholarships to Texas Southern University, Fisk University, Grambling State University, and Morehouse College.

Not only are Grambling and Texas Southern apart of the same conference as Southern, they are two of the schools’ biggest rivals and biggest copycats. Who’s next on her list?

Jackson State University?

How can you create an entire HBCU themed show without even mentioning one of the most well known and highly imitated HBCUs in the country?

This whole situation gives me deja vu from when Beyonce did her whole video for “Formation” based on the flooding after Hurricane Katrina and used Big Freedia in her song, but wasn’t even going to go to New Orleans on her tour. She didn’t add the city to her list until people complained and “cancelled” her on Twitter.

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