Jindal to speak at SU commencement

Louisiana governor, Bobby Jindal, will be the keynote speaker at Southern University during its Spring 2008 commencement that will be held Friday, May 9 at 10:30 a.m. in the F. G. Clark Activity Center, according to a media release.
Southern officials are expecting almost 700 undergraduate and graduate students to receive their respective degrees.
“I expect Bobby Jindal to deliver a passionate commencement speech that will inspire my peers and me to reach for our personal goals and to serve our community. I want to be motivated to go above and beyond my wildest dreams,” said Thibodaux native Shayla Price, a marketing major.
Jindal was sworn into office on Jan. 14. Jindal is a former U.S. Rep from Metairie, has served as president for the University of Louisiana System and has directed the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals.
“Governor Jindal made history being the nation’s youngest governor and being the first elected Indian American governor in U.S. history. As one of a predominately black graduation class at an HBCU, this gives me hope to know that America, and more importantly Louisiana, is progressing and ready for change.
“The same change that gives me hope that Barack Obama might be the first black president of the United States. The same change that eases my mind when I think about my six-year-old black son maturing into a powerful black man and being judged by the content of his knowledge and not the color of his skin (as Dr. Martin Luther King so eloquently said in his infamous speech).
“The same change that tells me that while in office, Gov. Jindal will be a governor for all people and not just those who share his political party and skin color. I welcome Gov. Jindal and all that he has to say, for I know he recognizes the eyes that will be watching him and the ears that will be listening,” said Cher Crockett, who is receiving her masters in mathematics.
Albert Samuels, assistant professor in political science said, “Gov. Jindal has a unique opportunity to share with the university community his vision for the state and how Southern University can play a role in it.”
Samuels continued, “Commencement is often the time when we hand over diplomas to our best and brightest, and they go on to other states because the grass is greener in other places. This speech gives the new governor the opportunity to share his ideas of what we can do as a state to give our cream of the crop a reason to stay in Louisiana.”