Cosby tells Shaw grads they are entering a world of responsibilty

Raleigh -- THE CEREMONY: 11 a.m. Saturday, Dorton Arena on N.C. State Fairgrounds

NUMBER OF GRADUATES: 425

MAIN SPEAKER: Bill Cosby, entertainer, television star and education scholar

CASUAL, BUT PASSIONATE: Cosby, 72, drew cheers when he walked into Dorton Arena dressed in grey sweatpants, a Shaw baseball cap and Crocs sandals with socks.

Cosby is known for his passion and outspokenness, so it came as no surprise that he openly discussed money during his speech. Reports of Shaw’s current financial troubles were one of the reasons Cosby offered to speak at this year’s graduation.

Cosby joked that Shaw’s interim president, Dorothy Yancy, had asked him if he could pay for some drapes and air conditioning in the sweltering Dorton Arena to make it more comfortable.

“I can readily open my heart, but my checkbook is empty right now,” Crosby said he told Yancy. “She said then I’m taking your [honorary] degree away from you until you can come back with some more money.”

Cosby went on to praise the role mothers and grandmothers played in a graduate’s life. He told the graduates they were entering a world of responsibility that involves paying taxes, voting and raising their own families.

“And those people who think that there are no jobs out there,” Cosby said. “I ask you to watch the news, read the paper and every time you see somebody doing something wrong go down there and apply for their job.”

He said education had changed the direction of his life, and he reminded the graduates to never forget its value.

“An education leads out of compromising and into thoughts and into knowing how to think and not being afraid to go for things,” he said.

UNCERTAIN TIMES: This year’s college graduates have the unenviable luck of leaving school at a time when the job market remains in historically bad shape.

Many of those who graduated Saturday said they did not yet have a job or were considering returning to school for further studies.

Anthony Lemon, 25, graduated from Shaw in December with a degree in computer information systems. Lemon, who lives near Washington, D.C., said he hasn’t been able to find a permanent position, because most employers require more experience than he has.

some were able to find something before graduating. Kenya Alexander, 26, has an internship with the N.C. Employee Security Commission that he hopes will turn into a full-time job.

“I put a lot of time and effort into this,” said Alexander, who graduate with a 3.5 GPA. “Right now, I’m just excited. I’m ready to put my diploma under lock and key.”

A BEAUTIFUL DAY: Saturday marked the culmination of many stories of perseverance and family pride.

Michael Cannon, 41, who earned a master’s degree in divinity studies, lives in Bennettsville, S.C., and commuted 240 miles roundtrip several days a week for five years to earn his degree. “It’s been a long time,” said his wife, Lisa. “It’s a beautiful day today.”

Ja’nel Baxter, 23, became the third member of her family to graduate from Shaw on Saturday. Baxter’s parents, Agnes and Carl, met at Shaw and both graduated in 1983. Agnes has also worked at Shaw for the last 20 years, and she and her husband will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary later this summer.

“It doesn’t get much better than that,” she said.

Khandi Joseph, 24, became the first of 19 siblings to graduate from college on Saturday. Joseph, who is from the Caribbean island of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, attended Shaw on a basketball scholarship and hasn’t been home in two years.

“Being the only one and being by yourself ...” she said, her voice trailing off as her aunt and uncle looked on with pride.