John S. Wilson, executive director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), will deliver the commencement address during ceremonies at Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, La. The 2012 commencement ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 18, in the F.G. Clark Activity Center on campus.
In his remarks, Wilson will highlight and celebrate the achievements of the members of the graduating class, emphasizing the stories of several who have accomplished much against great odds. In the context of the nation’s 2020 college completion goal, he will challenge the graduates to be life-long learners, and to encourage others to join them in a pursuit of the knowledge and skills that are most relevant in today’s knowledge-driven world economy.