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A Weeping Oprah Feels the Love at Howard U.

By Shivonne Foster
Black College Wire

Kerry-Ann Hamilton/Howard University Oprah Winfrey weeps as she receives her honorary degree at Howard University.

"I was told before I came, ‘You’re going to feel the love at Howard University’; I’m feeling it today," Oprah Winfrey, entertainment media mogul and philanthropist, told Howard University's class of 2007 in a highly anticipated commencement address.

As graduates and attendees cheered and eagerly snapped photos, a weeping Winfrey received an honorary doctor of humanities degree at the May 12 ceremony. "Find out what gives you juice; nobody can tell you what that is," she told the graduates. "Follow your calling."

She urged them to continue the legacy of "truth and service." She said they should honor their distinct callings as well as their creator, remembering the less privileged.

Winfrey was in company of several other honorees, but as Lanedora Howard, who graduated with a B.A. in psychology, said, "Oprah’s attendance heightened the excitement behind the occasion.

"I thought Oprah’s speech was excellent and thoroughly inspiring," Howard said. The crowd overflowed the university’s Upper Quadrangle.

Others given honorary degrees were Julian M. Earls, retired director of the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, doctor of science; Henry Louis Gates Jr., Alphonse Fletcher professor at Harvard University, doctor of humane letters; Walter E. Massey, outgoing president of Morehouse College, doctor of science; and Irene Sue Pollin, founder of Sister to Sister: Everyone Has A Heart Foundation, Inc., doctor of humanities.

"It is a great honor to be acknowledged by one’s own people," said Gates, in a sentiment echoed by Winfrey.

The talk-show host explained to the graduating class that she understands their worries.

She assured them, "Because of the four years of nurturing you’ve had, you are deserving to be here today. Many of you may be wondering what you will do with this education. Don’t worry, relax, you’re in good hands, because God’s got your back."

Winfrey continued by referencing her childhood and early career as examples of how "God can dream a bigger dream than you can dream for yourself."

She encouraged graduates to go out and help to mentor a child to help alleviate the "crisis with black youth," and affectionately mentioned her recently founded school for girls in South Africa as an effort to save a child’s life.

Jonsette Calloway Winfrey is accompanied by Howard University President Patrick Swygert as the Quadrangle fills for her commencement speech.

"I speak of what is possible, and I am a symbol of what is possible when you dream in your own life," she said.

"Don’t expect the perfect job right away," she added.

"Be grateful to be on your path; only by being grateful do you allow space for more blessings."

This was not the first time Winfrey was invited to commencement, according to Artis Hampshire-Cowan, senior vice president and secretary of the university. Winfrey was invited in 2006, but was unable to attend due to schedule conflicts. This year, Winfrey was available. A key player in facilitating her appearance was Dianne Atkinson Hudson, a Howard University trustee who is former executive producer of "the Oprah Winfrey Show."

Howard University President H. Patrick Swygert welcomed attendees and acknowledged many distinguished graduates in the class, which consisted of 27 Howard University employees as well as the largest class of Ph.D. graduates in the university’s history. He acknowledged the presence of Dorothy Height, 95, longtime head of the National Council of Negro Women.

Winfrey has connected to millions of viewers for two decades on the "Oprah Winfrey Show" and has expanded her audience through her magazine O: The Oprah Magazine.

Winfrey has established philanthropic efforts through the Oprah Winfrey Foundation, Oprah's Angel Network and the Oprah Winfrey Academy for Girls in South Africa.

Shivonne Foster, a student at Howard University, writes for the Hilltop. To comment, e-mail [email protected]

Posted May 13, 2007