A 1969 graduate of then-Arkansas AM&N College, Charlie Nelms reminded fall 2025 graduates of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff the school’s philosophy.
It reads, in part: “The end of education is to know God and the laws and purposes of His universe, and to reconcile one’s life with these laws. …
“We develop power and courage and determination and we go out to achieve Truth, Wisdom and Justice. If we do not come to this, the cost of schooling is wasted.”
This semester’s graduating class earned 142 degrees and certificates, and before they marched across the stage at the Pine Bluff Convention Center on Saturday, Nelms challenged the graduates with responsibilities including living with purpose and passion and doing well for oneself, embracing lifelong learning and living for others so that one’s success can lift up a community.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“You must understand education is a privilege, and with privilege comes responsibilities,” said Nelms, who has been a chancellor at Indiana University East, University of Michigan-Flint and North Carolina Central University.
Even with the responsibilities, Nelms offered a thought-provoking message about finishing college: “Graduating from college does make you education. I say that with love, admiration and honesty.”
The message behind that statement was for each graduate to keep learning.
Pine Bluff’s Tiffany Curengton, a store manager at Super 1 Foods, earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice more than two decades after graduating from high school.
“It took hard work, dedication and prayer, much prayer, much prayer,” she said. “Criminal justice is something I always wanted to do since high school, so I figured, let me just finish this degree. Not saying I’ll leave Super 1 Foods, but I’ve got some criminal justice in me.”
Curengton said she’s not sure what’s next for her other than to use her degree for her current job. As for how high she wants to climb up the criminal justice ladder, she declined to say exactly.
“But I am going up,” she said.
A number of student-athletes donned their golden sashes in receiving their degrees, including baseball catcher Michael “Vinny” Saumell Jr., who earned a bachelor’s degree in finance. Saumell will use this upcoming season to complete studies in his minor, which he has yet to declare but said will be business-related.
“I’ve also got a couple of internship opportunities coming up this summer, if I don’t sign professionally, which is kind of my goal,” said Saumell, a Houston native who transferred from Arkansas State University. “If have a (good) season, God-willing, He’ll supply for me and provide for me. The saying in my family is ‘Conquer the world,’ and wherever life takes me, I’m there to conquer it.”
Mari’Neisha Hardrick, who graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in multimedia production/broadcast news, gave the student reflections. The degree, Hardrick said, means: “I don’t just talk; I speak with purpose.”
“I feel the responsibility of representation as I stand here today, unapologetic and grateful for this journey,” Hardrick said.
