Skipping classes or missing events is not usually something that is promoted on a college campus, but when it came to President and Executive Editor of InSpire Magazine, for Dr. Lee Jones, an exception was made. Having spoken at over 350 colleges across the country, Dr. Jones was well received during his first visit to Grambling State University.
Students showed up to invest in leadership and “Empowerment through education” on Oct. 28 in the Nursing Auditorium.
After being pinned with the world known “G” by University President, Dr. Frank G. Pogue, Dr. Jones posed a question to the audience, “Have you lived in your purpose?”
After a pause from the audience he said, “I am living at the pinnacle of my success because I have met my purpose face-to-face and I am walking in it.”
Uplifting words and questions flowed from the member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
He touched on the 10 reasons Black people hate on each other and encouraged the audience to be motivated by their haters.
A more important and relevant topic was national domestic violence, which Dr. Jones spoke on bullying and hazing.
“When you’re confident in who you are you do not have time for bullying.”
With Greek organizations especially, it happens often than not, and many of the members who bully do not know or display the principles upon which fraternities and sororities were founded.
Dr. Jones said it best, “If we do not begin to focus on unifying we will self destruct.
Reasons people bully are because they do not know how to love.
They do not have joy and true happiness; and they do not have any respect for others.”
Junior business marketing major from Minneapolis, Vanessa Jones said, “Organizations on campus should join forces and work together more efficiently in order to bring more awareness to serious issues in our community.”
Dr. Jones expressed that if people have been involved in hazing or bullying it can be changed.
Woody Haze said at Ohio State University “You can never pay back, but you CAN pay forward.
“Recognize, apologize, and move on.”
Dr. Jones challenged not only GSU, but our entire community to become better, and aid in our fellow man’s betterment.
He lost his mother at seven years old and lost his father while he was working on his Ph.D.
Surely they would be proud to know that their legacy is changing and challenging lives one university at a time.
His father’s remarks after Dr. Jones high school graduation were, “Go off to the little school house and learn all you can.