Now that you are nurses...

You’ll find that you can only tell time on a 24-hour clock.

Every time you walk, you will make a rattling noise because of all the scissors and clamps in your pockets.

You know more about the medicines he’s dispensing than the doctor does.

You must now live by the motto, "To be right is only half the battle. To convince the attending physician is the other."

As you wait in the lines at banks or the grocery store, you will pass the time by checking out other customers’ arm veins.

You will avoid unhealthy- looking shoppers in the mall for fear that they'll drop near you and you'll have to perform CPR on your day off.

Seriously - you can’t begin to image the pride I feel as I look out at you – poised, graceful, confident, and shining brightly in your nurse’s whites – ready to walk out this door and heal the world!

And you are ready. For you have been prepared by the best, and the oldest, accredited nursing program in the state of Louisiana.

As you come forward to receive your coveted Dillard University Nursing Pin, wear it daily and wear it proudly, as it symbolizes the successful completion of one of the most rigorous academic programs offered at Dillard.

You also have shown, by choosing Dillard following Hurricane Katrina, that you possess the courage, tenacity, and strength to carry on the legacy laid before you by your predecessors.

I wish to share with you a little bit about one of your own sister nurses, Dorothy Jacques Perrault, class of 1960, who was honored on March 24 of this year during Dillard University’s first Models of Success program. This program was designed to recognize Dillard alums for success in their fields, and for giving back to the community. And Mrs. Perrault has excelled at both. Following her graduation from Dillard's Division of Nursing, Dorothy Jacques Perrault became the first registered African-American nurse at Sara Mayo Hospital in New Orleans.

Additionally, as an entrepreneur, she has excelled in politics, as well as businesses including; child care, health and fitness, and catering. Despite the destruction of many of her businesses by Hurricane Katrina, Mrs. Perrault has come back strong – re-establishing her rank among community leaders city-wide.

As newly-pinned Dillard nurses, you now join the ranks of the Dorothy Perraults of the world.

The torch has been passed to you. You must now keep it burning brightly to lead the way for those who will follow you.

May God continue to bless you abundantly!

We have journeyed together through the challenges of rebuilding and transforming this great institution.

Along our journey, we have embraced new ideals- environmental awareness, sustainability, and a sense of global responsibility.

 Now, my charge to you, Members of the Class of 2010:

• You leave us with the Dillard Advantage – your GPS to navigate the many avenues of opportunity before you.
• Embrace a personal ethic of obligation, responsibility and achievement.
• Become touchstones for integrity, accountability, and civic engagement.
• Heed well your responsibility to protect and preserve the planet.

 That is my charge to you, the Class of 2010, graduates of Dillard University. May the Good Lord watch over you, guide you and support you as you begin the next phase of your life’s journey.

By Professor Liu Jinan,
Honorary President of Communication University of China

 Good morning honored President Hughes, faculty, students, friends, and families.

 I join you from Communication University of China, located in Beijing, the capital city of China. I want to start by saying THANK YOU to President Hughes for inviting me to be a part of your commencement ceremony, and for bestowing on me an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, which I know is a great honor. I must also thank every student here today for allowing me the opportunity to share this happy occasion with you.

 In China, university students are called “Tian Zhi Jiao Zi”, which means favorites of Heaven. University students are the elite of the world. And a real generation of elite should not only be outstanding, they have to be a generation of great morals, respecting differences, and practicing equality. A true generation of elite should not only acquire knowledge to create wealth, they also have to learn to be grateful and pay back what they are indebted for. They have to improve themselves as well as benefit others. A real generation of elite will not only strive to achieve goals of their own, but also share with all people, and be responsible, and truth-defending.

 You have survived the hard times following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Led by President Hughes, you have sailed through other storms and rebuilt your beautiful campus with your heart and soul. After the hurricane, I shed tears in China after reading about Dillard’s reconstruction. I believe that what you have been through should be recorded in the history of modern universities so that we can all remember the Never-Say-Die spirit of this special generation of Dillard students.

 Over the years, President Hughes has shared with me the history of Dillard University. In the very beginning, Dillard enrolled only African-American students. The past 140 years have seen Dillard develop a wider vision to better serve all the people in the United States. Now, Dillard University has opened its doors to the world and established exchange relationships with universities from China, Germany, France, Chile, and India. This fully demonstrates Dillard’s openness to equality in education. 

 As a special alumna of Dillard University, I must pay tribute to every “Dillardites” by demonstrating the spirit of perseverance, openness, and equality. All these virtues and qualities have been embodied in President Hughes and everybody at Dillard University.

 The hurricane nearly destroyed Dillard, but it also inspired the strong will of faculty and students. In the process of reconstruction, I believe that the determination and inexorable spirit of President Hughes and all the “Dillardites” have painted a strong picture for the recovery of Dillard.

 I have seen in the eyes of all of you, your determination, openness, and sense equality, which you have learned from your President and the entire excellent faculty. I think this is a precious gift from Dillard that prepares you for the future. From today on, each of you will be the torch bearer of Dillard. Wherever you go in the future, it will burn.

 Dear students, life is like a journey. Every phase of life will have ups and downs. Your future is like a stage, it is for the whole world. There is much to look forward to today. I do hope you will uphold Dillard’s tradition of perseverance, openness, and equality. Guided by your dreams, I hope you will achieve your successes. Today, you are a proud graduate of Dillard University. Tomorrow, Dillard University will be proud of you.

 Last but not the least; we would like to congratulate every graduate today on your past achievements. Congratulations to your families; and congratulations to Dillard University.

 Thank you all very much.    

Dr. Jinan Liu, President of Communication University of China, Nanjing traveled to Dillard University to receive an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters during commencement, as well as to sign into effect the partnership agreement established during Dr. Hughes’ trip to Beijing in December, 2009.

In her introduction of Dr. Liu, Dr. Hughes commented, “It gives me a great deal of pleasure to present this next award to someone who has not let our language barrier stand in the way of what has evolved over ten years into a deep and trusted friendship.”

Professor Liu Jinan and Dr. Hughes have worked together to develop many programs; among them, The World Women’s University Presidents Forum in Beijing.

More recently, the Universities have entered into a partnership whereby Dillard and the Communication University of China Nanjing will establish a global communications studies program focusing on the areas of mass communications, applied mathematics, physics, and international business.

In closing, Dr. Hughes stated, “You are our newest academic partner and we anticipate a long and fruitful relationship between Dillard University and Communication University of China – Nanjing.”