PRINCE HALL
New Member
This is a must read, and I trust and pray that you continue this brothers dream as you go through life. Please give back, reach out, reach up, reach back and touch the hearts of our community and future generation.
ENJOY!
Willie Gary delivers
inspirational message to students
By Yanela Gordon
Senior Reporter, TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT, 5-02
The road may get rough and times may get hard, but legal giant
Willie Gary told Florida A&M University honor students to refuse to be
denied and keep persevering.
"You cannot stop here," Gary said during an honors convocation,
held March 24, that paid tribute to nearly 3,500 FAMU students who made
the Dean's list. "Blaze new trails, pioneer new paths and dream big
dreams. Don't let anyone tell you you cannot reach what you have set out
to be."
Gary, whose legal headquarters are in Stuart, challenged the
students to give back to their community, support Historically Black
Colleges and Universities, keep God first and never give up.
"I am a witness that success is reachable and goals are
attainable, but they don't come over night," he said. "You are going to
have to endure some of the bumps and curves. Be willing to pay the
price. Be willing to burn the midnight oil."
One of 11 children born to sharecroppers who only earned a
second-grade education, Gary said he was told he was not college
material and was turned down by several colleges. But he didn't give up
and was ultimately accepted by Shaw University, to which Gary holds a
strong allegiance.
"I like the fact that he gives back to his community and he
doesn't forget where he came from," Murphy said. "Most people don't ever
go back to where they came from. This man visits the shack where he was
raised and that keeps him hungry and inspired. I can appreciate that."
Gary shared stories of his humble beginnings as a migrant worker
who picked beans, corn and sugar cane, to his present-day success that
includes a lavish lifestyle in a 25,000 square foot, $10-million
mansion.
"Don't ever look down on anybody unless you are picking them
up," said Gary, a philanthropist who has donated millions or dollars to
education, including a $10 million endowment to his alma mater Shaw
University. "When you make it, and I know you will, don't you get
amnesia. Don't leave your people behind."
During the ceremony, Gary, a financial supporter of HBCUs
pledged $10,000 to FAMU.
ENJOY!
Willie Gary delivers
inspirational message to students
By Yanela Gordon
Senior Reporter, TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT, 5-02
The road may get rough and times may get hard, but legal giant
Willie Gary told Florida A&M University honor students to refuse to be
denied and keep persevering.
"You cannot stop here," Gary said during an honors convocation,
held March 24, that paid tribute to nearly 3,500 FAMU students who made
the Dean's list. "Blaze new trails, pioneer new paths and dream big
dreams. Don't let anyone tell you you cannot reach what you have set out
to be."
Gary, whose legal headquarters are in Stuart, challenged the
students to give back to their community, support Historically Black
Colleges and Universities, keep God first and never give up.
"I am a witness that success is reachable and goals are
attainable, but they don't come over night," he said. "You are going to
have to endure some of the bumps and curves. Be willing to pay the
price. Be willing to burn the midnight oil."
One of 11 children born to sharecroppers who only earned a
second-grade education, Gary said he was told he was not college
material and was turned down by several colleges. But he didn't give up
and was ultimately accepted by Shaw University, to which Gary holds a
strong allegiance.
"I like the fact that he gives back to his community and he
doesn't forget where he came from," Murphy said. "Most people don't ever
go back to where they came from. This man visits the shack where he was
raised and that keeps him hungry and inspired. I can appreciate that."
Gary shared stories of his humble beginnings as a migrant worker
who picked beans, corn and sugar cane, to his present-day success that
includes a lavish lifestyle in a 25,000 square foot, $10-million
mansion.
"Don't ever look down on anybody unless you are picking them
up," said Gary, a philanthropist who has donated millions or dollars to
education, including a $10 million endowment to his alma mater Shaw
University. "When you make it, and I know you will, don't you get
amnesia. Don't leave your people behind."
During the ceremony, Gary, a financial supporter of HBCUs
pledged $10,000 to FAMU.
