Taylor Johnson and Kachelle Pratcher
Staff Writers
“Say it loud, I’m Black and I’m proud,” said Cynthia M. A. Butler-McIntyre as she addressed students at Jackson State University on the annual Black College Day program.
Sponsored by the Jackson State University Student Government Association, students filled the auditorium to hear what this year’s speaker had to say at the event held on Tuesday, Sept. 24th.
“Happy Black College Day,” said McIntyre as she acknowledged the day as a celebration of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s).
Butler-McIntyre posed this question to the audience, “Why do we pause to celebrate our black colleges and universities? If not us then who, if not now then when; we must celebrate our institutions of higher learning.”
There are more than 105 HBCU’s around the world filled with more than 370,000 students pursuing degrees.
Butler-McIntyre served as the 24th National President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and is a graduate of Dillard University in New Orleans, La. An educator for more than 30 years, she currently serves as a director of human resources for the Jefferson Parish Public School System in Harvey, La., and has devoted her time and energy to a lifelong commitment of service through professional, civic, and religious organizations.
Butler-McIntyre centered her speech around three points; the head, the heart and the hands.
“The knowledge that you are gathering in this place will get you far but the thoughts you think sometime will hold you down. You have to be able to think situations outside of the textbook,” she stated.
In her second point she urged students to love people even when they don’t love you and to show someone that would not expect it, the love you have for them.
“Care about something more than yourself and ask yourself what do you care about so much that you are willing to die for,” said the former elementary school teacher.
Lastly, she instructed students to use their hands to make a difference in someone’s life, stating that one must serve without being asked to.
“I charge every student to keep the legacy at Jackson State alive. What student will you recruit to have this experience,” said Butler-McIntyre.
Arianna Stokes, a member of the National Pan-Hellenic Council was inspired by McIntyre’s charge to civic engagement.
“My organization was built on service, much like Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Her words left me confident that my service is not only to my university, but also to my community…she shed light on the NPHC in the African-American community and it made it more evident to me that I must be a beacon for those blazing the path behind,” said Stokes who is a history major at Jackson State.
Butler-McIntyre also acknowledged her fellow sisters and brothers of the Divine Nine Greek organizations that were present.
“When I went to Dillard, I walked into a legacy…you must realize that you have assembled yourself in an atmosphere of expectancy when you walked onto Jackson State’s campus,” she stated.
She added, “Greats like Martin Luther King, Ruth Simmons, Beverly Tatum, Debbie Allen and Tom Joyner all trailblazed an atmosphere of expectancy that is unparalleled to any ivy-league school,” she said. “What’s your name? What’s your level of expectancy while you are matriculating at JSU?” McIntyre asked the audience.
Butler-McIntyre’s speech garnered a standing ovation by students, faculty and staff.
“Tonight’s program touched on a lot of key points that will help you grow as a leader in life, she had a very powerful message,” said sophomore physics major Jasmine Douglas from Dallas, Texas.
Henry Goss, Sophomore Class President was wowed by Butler McIntyre’s speech.
“Mrs. McIntyre’s speech was simply magnificent. She reminded us all that we have of level of expectancy that we must not only uphold, but surpass,” said Goss, a mass communications major from Jackson, Miss.
Angela Shelvy, a sophomore social work major from Pearl, Miss., said: “Once Dr. Butler-McIntrye stood to speak, she peaked my interest by telling the story of a great philosopher and I was anxious to know but she took her time. The entire program caught my attention and had me wanting to hear more. It was not my intentions to stay throughout the whole program, but I could not find myself to move for fear I would miss something.”
