By Deborah Bailey, PhD.
AFRO Contributing Editor
Bowie State University graduates, their families, friends and BSU faculty and staff packed the school’s A.C. Jordan Arena on a rainy May 22 to celebrate 887 graduates: the largest graduating class in the school’s 161-year history, according to university President Aminta Breaux.
The milestone achievement comes amid a tumultuous time in U.S. history, a time where African Americans – once again – are being targeted. However, Breaux challenged the graduates to rise to meet the moment.
“Change is not new to our community,” Breaux said in greeting the graduates. “African Americans have long led through moments of uncertainty and transformation.”
Breaux continued, quoting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the late Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, who refused to accept limitations, saying, “If they don’t give you a seat, bring a folding chair.”
Michael Eric Dyson, Black studies scholar, author, social activist, ordained minister and Vanderbilt University distinguished professor, delivered the keynote address. And, he wasted no time in addressing one of the nation’s most divisive political issues affecting young Black
“You live in a generation where they’ve made ‘woke’ a bad word,” he said.
In his trademark style, Dyson urged graduates to reject pressures to dismiss “woke” as a negative label and instead redefine it through the discipline and excellence they had gained through years of study.
“You got to stay woke. And for me WOKE is an acronym … We Only Keep Excellence,” he said.
Blending old-school and contemporary hip-hop and R&B lyrics with storytelling and cultural analysis, Dyson urged graduates and their families to remain vigilant in protecting their civil rights.
“And you got to get up off of your couch, get up off of Twitter, get up off of Facebook and march your Black behind to the poll and pull that lever,” Dyson said as the graduates roared in affirmation.
“It gave me hope for what I have to do next,” said Jason Johnson, a graduating psychology major from Bowie, Md. “It’s up to us as the next generation, so we needed to hear this. A lot of time, people pull the ladder out from under you instead of reaching out to help the next generation. This kind of message is inspirational.”
The graduating class included 31 doctoral students in education leadership and computer science after Bowie State was formally granted designation as a research institution in 2025. A posthumous doctorate was awarded to Clyde Doughty Jr., the university’s late vice president of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation, who died unexpectedly in February. His wife and two children accepted the honor at the May 22 ceremony.
In the midst of graduation celebrations, Bowie State announced an $18 million budget deficit heading into fiscal year 2027 and plans to cut 79 positions. The announcement came to the university community via a May 7 letter signed by Breaux, Provost and Vice President Guy-Alain Amoussou and Vice President for Administration and Finance Manish Kumar.
The projected budget deficit is due to a host of factors cited by the letter, including “reduced state and federal funding, declining enrollment and rising operational costs such as employee benefits, infrastructure, utilities, and essential technology investments. In addition, lower enrollment projections are affecting tuition, fee and auxiliary revenues.”
Bowie resident Tyler Anderson was aware of the budget deficit as she crossed the stage to get her degree in mental health counseling. She said she and other graduates are concerned about the peers who are still finishing degrees, but the bleak budget outlook made the ceremony even more meaningful.
“This is a huge celebration for those of us who have made it out, especially with all that is going on right now at Bowie. A friend shared the letter with me, and yes, it came as a surprise. How do we wind up $18 million in the hole? That’s definitely concerning for sure,” said Anderson.” But today, it’s an occasion to celebrate. We made it.”