作者：辛西娅·休伯特

2024年8月8日

萨克拉门托 State celebrated the inaugural class of its 布莱克荣誉学院 (BHC) on Thursday, Aug. 8, with a program that featured a White House representative and a congratulatory video from former President Barack Obama.

该活动还宣布了一项重大捐款，以支持BHC。

Students and supporters entered the University Union Ballroom to a greeting from 囊状态’s marching band and cheerleaders. An overhead screen displayed photos and short biographies of the BHC’s first 80 scholars, who will begin their studies this fall.

这所学院是美国第一所这样的学院，为所有种族、文化和专业的学生提供以黑人和非裔美国人经历为重点的综合课程。 它将以专门的通识教育课程为特色，班级规模较小，教职员工在为黑人学生服务方面取得了成功。

“囊状态 is exemplifying what we can do across the CSU.”

-- Mildred Garcia, CSU chancellor

Speakers described the college’s launch as historic and momentous for 囊状态, the CSU and beyond.

Before the formal program started, audience members were surprised by a congratulatory video from former President Barack Obama, who told BHC scholars they are “uniquely poised for success” and should seize the moment.

“Channel your energy to a cause higher than yourself,” he said.

副总统卡玛拉·哈里斯（Kamala Harris）发出了书面信息，由乔·拜登总统的高级顾问斯蒂芬·k·本杰明（Stephen K. Benjamin）发表主旨演讲。

“May you always dream with ambition, and lead with conviction,” Harris wrote.

• 查看布莱克荣誉学院开学庆典的照片

萨克州立大学校长卢克·伍德（Luke Wood）因其创建黑人荣誉学院的远见而受到其他演讲者的赞扬，他要求即将入学的BHC学生努力改善自己和他人的生活。

“Commit to leaving this city better than you found it,” he said.

Wood then introduced members of 萨克拉门托’s Tsakopoulos family, who announced they are donating $2.5 million to the BHC.

CSU Chancellor Mildred Garcia said the college embodies the system’s commitment to students of all cultures and backgrounds.

“囊状态 is exemplifying what we can do across the CSU,” she said.

Benjamin, who was among several White House representatives attending the event, told the BHC’s inaugural class that their studies at 囊状态 carry the potential to change lives.

“I hope that you are both humbled and excited,” he said, reminding them that “titles don’t make leaders.”

“Leaders are servants,” Benjamin said. “Leaders give. 领导者塑造其他领导者。 … Within each and every one of you is the power to change this world.”

在庆祝活动的前半段，BHC的学生们聚集在舞台上，接受了纪念这一天的别针和奖品。

萨凡纳·贝蒂说，她将学习护理，并希望在新生儿重症监护室工作，她说她很自豪能成为BHC第一批学生中的一员。

The college “will give us a voice, a way to make change, and a family,” she said. “That’s what it means to me.”

加西亚告诉学生们，科罗拉多州立大学和萨克州立大学将在学术和其他方面培养他们。

“I know you are going to be courageous leaders of tomorrow,” she said. “Let us help you reach your highest potential.”