GUEST COMMENTARY: BY RICARDO P. DEVEAUX
(EDITOR’S NOTE: With this being the “season” of commencement speeches by well-known individuals, Ricardo P. Deveaux, Deputy Permanent Secretary at The Bahamas Ministry of Education & Technical & Vocational Training, posted this nostalgic “flashback” of the commencement address he delivered at Bethune-Cookman University in 2009 that arrested my attention and I decided to share it with readers of BAHAMAS CHRONICLE as a Guest Commentary.)
NASSAU, Bahamas — On Saturday, May 9, 2009, I was actually living my Super Dream. You see, on Monday, April 23, 1990, I received my Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology with Honours from Bethune-Cookman College (now University). My College President Dr. Oswald P Bronson Sr spoke “a word” over my life at my graduation.
At that time, I told him that one day, I would return to Bethune-Cookman to serve as a Commencement Speaker.
It could only be faith in God that at the age of 43, I was actually walking in the footsteps of individuals like Ralph Brunche (1954); Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1958); Coretta Scott King (1972); Sir Lynden Pindling (1978); Joseph D. William’s (1990); William “Bill” Cosby; Dr. Ben Carson; Governor Bob Martinez; Carver Potluck; Cicely Tyson; Earl Graves; and so many others serving as Commencement Speakers at Bethune-Cookman University.
I was honoured to receive an honourary Doctorate of Humane Letter, which is the highest honour bestowed by the University. It was exciting that OVER 70 Family members and friends traveled to Daytona Beach, Florida, to witness this.
I will forever be grateful to the former University President Dr. Trudie Reed for the invitation. It was my hope that my selection was seen as a symbol to bring hope and inspiration to the graduating Class of 2009.
Walking as a Legacy of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune…UPHOLDING the guiding principles that she espouses during her presidency.
FOREVER GRATEFUL…..WHAT AN HONOUR….WHAT A PRIVILEGE….
EDITOR’S NOTE: This report on Ricardo P. Deveaux’s 2009 commencement address at Florida’s Bethune Cookman University was published on the university’s website in May of 2009:
BAHAMIAN RICARDO P. DEVEAUX DELIVERS THE 2009 COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS AT BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY
It was an historic day on Saturday, May 9, 2009 when Ricardo Deveaux returned to his alma mater, Bethune-Cookman University to deliver the coveted 2009 Spring Commencement Address. Deveaux told more than 450 college graduates that despite the doom and gloom being predicted that the future is bright and the possibilities are endless, if they are willing to dream big dreams and work hard at achieving those dreams.
He urged the graduates during his commencement address to embrace their future because Bethune-Cookman and indeed the world are expecting great things from the Class of 2009. He noted that they were ending a chapter in their lives but more importantly about to begin a new chapter. The past that they were leaving meant a future that they are winning.
Deveaux, a 1990 honor graduate from Bethune-Cookman University, spoke to some 8,000 in the Daytona Beach Ocean Center. Deveaux recalled how in 1983 he was required to withdraw from his private academic institution due to failing grades and a public school in The Bahamas gave him a second chance and Bethune-Cookman afforded him the opportunity to prove that he was capable of achieving a college degree.
In his address he highlighted the support of his parents – Edward & Beverly Deveaux — and a high school guidance counselor, Zoie Miller-Powell, who never gave up on him. He also told the graduates that they had the power to make things happen in their lives.
He gave the example of at his graduation some 19 years prior envisioning himself returning to Bethune-Cookman one day to serve as a commencement speaker and note that this is “The Power of OUR Dreams”.
He also noted that he felt honored to join the long list of distinguished citizens like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1958), Sir Lynden Pindling (1978), Bill Cosby, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Cicely Tyson, Dr. Ben Carson, Joseph Williams and Earl G. Graves, Sr. who had graced the podium to deliver commencement addresses at Bethune-Cookman.
Ricardo Deveaux was awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters by the University. Ricardo was joined in Daytona Beach by his wife Pamela, daughter Richea, parents Edward & Beverly Deveaux, his high school guidance counselor Zoie Powell and about 50 family members and friends from The Bahamas and the United States.
FLASHBACK: Here’s a link to Ricardo P. Deveaux Commencement Speech at Bethune Cookman University’s commencement in 2009. https://youtu.be/NcF-cGAo-5g
