Early morning clouds and intermittent storms gave way to stunning sunshine and clear blue skies over Wilberforce on May 11 as Central State University celebrated the remarkable achievements of the Class of 2024 with the spring Commencement Ceremony. Members of the Class of 2024, known as “the COVID class,” were high school seniors during the first year of the coronavirus pandemic, which led to the cancelation of their high school graduation ceremonies and many activities during their first semester at college. But they found creative ways to connect while keeping one another safe. Their bond is strong today. 

Daquan Neal

Major: Bachelor of Science in Political Science with Minor in Philosophy

Achievement: Daquan was the only student in the Honors College to be awarded the Gold Cord Honors, University Honors, Honors in the Major, General Honors, and Summa Cum Laude Honors — an incredible accomplishment for a student who dropped out of college twice before finding home at CSU.

“What stands out as the difference for me was the mentors and professors who believed in me. They have faith in me. They say, ‘We believe in you,’” Neal said. “It makes all the difference in the world.” 

Read Daquan's inspiring story of triumph over adversity.

Laketa Wright

Major: Bachelor of Science in Education

Achievement: The top senior scholar in the College of Education questioned whether she could finish her degree after the unexpected passing of her father in April 2023. With the support of peers and mentors, she pushed on and now is poised to make a difference in the classroom.

“I was very fortunate in fifth grade to have my first Black teacher. When I got to high school, a lot of my friends kept telling me, ‘Oh, I didn’t like this subject because of this teacher’ or ‘I didn’t get to see an African American teacher until just this year.’ Our future children are going to be in our seats one day. I don’t want to hear them say that.” 

Learn how Laketa persevered and the impact she plans to make for her future students.

Raven Golliday

Major: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing

Achievement: The 76th Miss Central State University advocated for empowerment and holistic wellness in her platform. She was named the top senior scholar in the College of Business.

“(An HBCU is) a space created for us to be and dream as big as we want to be. A place to bring more out of life while giving to those coming after. So, my question to you all this morning is, what more do you have to give to leave this place better than you found it? That is a question I ask myself daily, and it has played a pivotal role in every one of my achievements."

Read how today's college seniors grabbed ahold of their joy amidst COVID-19 restrictions.

Baijing Zinnerman

Major: Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering

Achievement: Baijing Zinnerman is ready to blaze a trail for young Black women interested in careers in manufacturing engineering. The top senior scholar in the John W. Garland College of Engineering, Science, Technology, and Agriculture (JWGCESTA) has a message to share:

“There are no limits to what you can do. The only person who can stop you from your destiny is you. Use the obstacles as motivation. Those are what are going to get you through the adversity.”  

Read about Zinnerman's determination to overcome obstacles and break down the gender and racial barriers in her chosen field.

During a visit to Central State University, Dr. Manjit Misra, director of the United States Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), commended CSU's commitment to its 1890 Land-Grant mission, a historic designation it won in 2014 — 125 years after its first attempt. Peppering his April 26 keynote speech with personal anecdotes that easily drew laughter from his audience, Misra said: "I travel a bit in Africa and one thing they (Africans) say is, 'If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.'"

Centralians hugged, laughed, reminisced, and shed a few tears when they reunited during the Golden Class of 1974 Dinner on May 9 at the Central State University Student Center. It was an emotional and electrifying evening for the class members, guests, and University administrators as they recalled the catastrophic April 3, 1974, Xenia tornado that damaged over 80% of the campus of Ohio’s only public Historically Black University in Wilberforce. The historic event threatened to end Central State. Pictured are (front row, from left) Dorothy Ison Quinn, Victor L. Davis, Sheryl Ayers Perkins, Gloria Greathouse Rolle, Christine J. Townsell, Gwynn Gillon Richardson, Renae Foreman McCord, Dr. Denise McCray Scott; (second row) Ellis "PopCorn" Clifton Jr., Gary Dowdell, David Horton Jr., Tommye Gulley-Averyheart, Cynthia Granville Hodges, Sharon Edley Ponquinette, Kathleen Starks Dow, Deborah Lynn Kennedy Mack, Brian Keith McCafee, Obie Houston Sr.; (back row) Donald Cash, and Gilford Stephen Vincent. 

Join the Central State University National Alumni Association (NAA) for the Alumni Weekend Annual Meeting on June 21-23 in Toledo, Ohio!

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The Ambassador is a University Communications publication designed to keep students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, friends, and others informed about news and developments at Central State University. To share your story ideas, questions, and comments, contact Alissa Paolella, editor, at apaolella@centralstate.edu or the Office of Public Relations at publicrelations@centralstate.edu.