Taylor Bembery
Staff Writer
Dr. Earlexia M. Norwoood began her speech with popular lyrics from R&B hit, “I Believe I Can Fly” by R. Kelly. “I believe I can fly, I believe I can touch the sky, I think about it every night and day, spread my wings and fly away!”
Norwood told an audience gathered outside on a beautiful October day last week at Jackson State University’s 135th Founders’ Day Convocation all about the power of belief and how it has brought the university so far.
“Many did not believe why anyone should invest in this experiment or could any good come out of a free slave? The founders, the African-American ministers of the Mississippi Missionary Convention, the American Baptist Home Mission Society of New York, and the original class of 20 believed that there could be good in a free slave,” said Norwood. “Although there were many that didn’t believe, I thank God that it was a handful that did.”
Norwood, Physician-in-Charge at Henry Ford Medical Center and JSU alumnus of the class of 1984, is a board certified Family Medicine physician who has practiced with Henry Ford Health System since 1993 and also the First Vice President of the Jackson State University National Alumni Association, Inc.
Throughout her speech, Norwood honored ancestors and explained the importance of persevering through hardships as the only way to achieve the mission of the university.
“Yes, there were many in 1877 and in 2012 who looked for failure but because of the roots of our past, the resolve of our present and the prayers for our future, JSU will stand the test of time,” said Norwood.
“Our history demonstrates the strength of diversity because it took the gifts and abilities, courage of many with a common goal not a common skin tone to achieve the goals and principles that we stand on today.”
She added: “I believe those who doubted our ability to lead should look at and have a conversation with a Dr. Hilliard Lackey, a Michael Thomas, a Carlton Reeves, a Terry Woodard, a Sarah Brown, a Bryan Wilkes, or even a Terry Flemming.”
Some students who were in attendance of the Founders’ Day Convocation explained how they felt about the speaker’s words and the importance of attending the event.
“I think she did really good, she was very positive. Her main focus was on believing that the students can do better through education and we can succeed if we put our minds to anything,” said Aja M. Woods, a sophomore accounting major from Silvercreek, Miss.
Kendra Montgomery, an elementary education major from Detroit, Mich., said, “I felt the speaker was good because she stressed the importance of our ancestors and how their actions are still making an impact on why JSU is a great university today,” said Montgomery.
After the convocation, a processional of faculty, staff and students moved to the historic Bell Ringing ceremony. The ringing of the bell took place in the garden in front of Ayers Hall.
Alumni who attended JSU in the early years attested to the power of the bell. Manufactured in a Baltimore, Md. foundry, the exact age of the bell is not known; however, it is known to have been on the campus prior to 1911, and it remains stored on the campus in good condition.
Associate Professor Hilliard Lackey, III led the ceremony with open remarks and then continued to acknowledge the accomplishments of each decade with one ring for each year from 1877 to 2012. Michael Gorden, freshman class president was the bell ringer for the ceremony.
Lackey’s famous saying “Ring that Bell!” echoed on the walkway in a show of appreciation for the founders and people who have dedicated their lives to making JSU into the university it is today.
Woods also explained how Founders’ Day makes her appreciate her education more.
“To always hear about the sacrifices from the people who founded the school helps me be grateful for my education and to continue to do well in school,” said Woods.
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