HU confers 665 degrees during 154th Commencement ceremony

HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) — Hampton University conferred degrees to over 665 graduates at its 154th Commencement ceremony on Sunday. The record number a graduates marks a milestone in the 156-year-old school’s history.

The class of 2024 began their educational journey during the COVID-19 pandemic and demonstrated resilience as they transitioning from virtual to in-person learning environments.

Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley, pastor of Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia delivered the keynote address.

“Today marks the beginning of your obligation to shape the post-COVID world that is evolving and devolving at the same time. Your degree is not only a blessing for you but it should also be a blessing to someone else,” said Wesley. When you decide to walk in your intelligence, when you decide to let every boardroom know that you are a proud Hampton grad, when you rise above mediocrity and declare that ok [isn’t] ok, when you walk in excellence and determine that ‘good enough’ [isn’t] good enough you will change this world by showing them the God-given intelligence that is within you to shape and change this world.”

Hampton University President Darrell K. Williams highlighted the successes of this graduating class during his address.

“We celebrate not just your academic achievements, but also your profound impact on our community and the world at large,” said President Williams. “You are a symbol of our institutional success, our Hamptonian brilliance, and a manifestation of our Standard of Excellence.”

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