Reel Urban News Special Report: Rust College 150th Founders’ Convocation (Pt.1)

On Sunday, November 13, 2016 on the campus of Rust College in the Morehouse Auditorium, Doxey Alumni Fine Arts-Communication Building, Rust College celebrated her 150th Founders’ Convocation.

Dr. David L. Beckley, President of Rust College, presided over the ecumenical service and historical observation. The 150th Founders’ Convocation was steeped in spectacular pomp and circumstance.

Dr. David L. Beckley, President, Rust College with Rev. Dr. Jerry Young, President, National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.
Dr. David L. Beckley, President, Rust College pictured w/Rev. Dr. Jerry Young, President, National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., and Rust College 150th Founders’ Convocation Speaker. Photo/Reel Urban Images

Rust College Brief History “Continuing the Quest Toward Excellence

The year was 1866. A battle-ravaged Mississippi was still nursing its wounds after four devastating years of Civil War. Negro people were free-but to do what? Few could read. Few could write. Few had been taught to supply their own material needs. It was a terrible time of adjustment for Negroes, and there was no simple solutions. One thing was sure, however, the need for education was imperative. And amid these circumstances, Rust College was born.

Rust College Academic Faculty participating in the 150th Convocation Processional. Photo/Reel Urban Images
Rust College Academic Faculty participating in the Rust College 150th Convocation Processional. Photo/Reel Urban Images

Reverend A. C. McDonald of the Freedmen’s Aid Society and Reverend Moses Adams, a Negro preacher, opened the doors for classes in Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church where Rust College was founded. In crude facilities with rudimentary equipment, the way was open for adults and children alike to learn how to read and write.

Dr. Ishmell H. Edwards, Vice President, Rust College and 150th Convocation Chief Marshal.
Dr. Ishmell H. Edwards, Vice President, Rust College and 150th Convocation Chief Marshal. Photo/Reel Urban Images

From the beginning, the College’s mission was to provide a thorough, practical and lasting education to a particular group. Its commitment was that no one with a sincere desire to learn would be denied the opportunity. Yet, it was specifically dedicated to the disadvantaged – not only those with limited financial means, but also those with weak scholastic backgrounds.

Mrs. Anita Moore, Director of Library Services, Rust College, Mace Bearer 150th Convocation.
Mrs. Anita Moore, Director of Library Services, Rust College, Mace Bearer 150th Convocation. Photo/Reel Urban Images

In 1870, the school was chartered as Shaw University in honor of Dr. S.O. Shaw, who donated money for the first building. The first college students graduated in 1878. Two years later, Shaw became Rust University in honor of Richard S. Rust, Secretary of the Freedman’s Aid Society.

Rust College 150th Founders Convocation Ice Sculpture. Photo/Reel Urban Images
Rust College 150th Founders’ Convocation Ice Sculpture. Photo/Reel Urban Images

Hymn: Great Is Thy Faithfulness Rust College A’ Cappella Choir and Audience

Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed thy hand hath provided; great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

Rust College A'Cappella Choir Mr. George-Patrick Johnson Director. Photo/Reel Urban Images
Rust College A’Cappella Choir Mr. George-Patrick Johnson Director perform at the 150th Convocation. Photo/Reel Urban Images

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, sun, moon in their courses above join with all nature in manifold witness to thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

The Rust College 150th Founders’ Convocation was elevated by a moving invocation delivered by Dr. John Wells, Associate General Secretary Division of Higher, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, The United Methodist Church, Nashville, TN.

Dr. John Wells, (Left) pictured w/other 150th Convocation participants. Photo/Reel Urban Images
Dr. John Wells, (Left) pictured w/other 150th Convocation participants. Photo/Reel Urban Images

Following the invocation greetings were brought by a host of official representatives from the state of Mississippi from the local and state level.

Hon. Bill Stone, Mississippi State Senate, District 10 greeted the 150th Convocation. Photo/Reel Urban News
Hon. Bill Stone, Mississippi State Senate, District 10 greeted the 150th Convocation audience. Photo/Reel Urban Images
Hon. Kelvin O. Buck, Mayor, City of Holly Springs greeted the 150th Convocation audience. Photo/Reel Urban News
Hon. Kelvin O. Buck, Mayor, City of Holly Springs greeted the 150th Convocation audience. Photo/Reel Urban Images
Dr. Cynthia Bond Hopson, Assistant General Secretary of the Black College Fund and Ethnic Concerns, The UMC represented the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry at the 150th Convocation. Photo/Reel Urban Images
Dr. Cynthia Bond Hopson, Assistant General Secretary of the Black College Fund and Ethnic Concerns, The UMC represented the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry at the 150th Convocation. Photo/Reel Urban Images

After a host of official greetings, Dr. David L. Beckley, President of Rust College and a graduate of the historic institution introduced his long time friend and fellow alumni, Rev. Dr. Jerry Young who served as the keynote speaker for the Rust College 150th Founders’ Convocation.

Rev. Dr. Jerry Young, President, National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., delivers the official address for the 150th Convocation. Photo/Reel Urban Images
Rev. Dr. Jerry Young, President, National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., delivered the official address at the 150th Convocation. Photo/Reel Urban Images
Rev. Dr. Jerry Young, President, National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., delivers the official address at the 150th Convocation. Photo/Reel Urban Images
Rev. Dr. Jerry Young, President, National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., delivered the official address at the 150th Convocation. Photo/Reel Urban Images

Dr. Jerry Young is the current president of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. which is the largest predominantly African-American Christian denomination in the United States. The denomination claims approximately 31,000 congregations. Dr. Young was also the former Vice President of the National Baptist Convention under the leadership of former president, Rev. Dr. William Shaw.

Rev. Dr. Jerry Young, President, National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. delivered the official address at the 150th Convocation. Photo/Reel Urban News
Rev. Dr. Jerry Young, President, National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. delivered the official address at the 150th Convocation. Photo/Reel Urban Images

In 2000 Dr. Young won Mississippi Man of the Year (MLK, Jr., Award), in 2004 he obtained the Mississippi Majesty Award for “Living African American Legends”, in 2006 he earned the Magnolia Bar Association Harriet Tubman Award as well as the Phi Beta Sigma Lifetime Achievement Award in Religion.

Rev. Dr. Jerry Young, President, National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., delivers the official address at the 150th Convocation. Photo/Reel Urban Images
Rev. Dr. Jerry Young, President, National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., delivered the official address at the 150th Convocation. Photo/Reel Urban Images

Dr. Young received as Associate degree in Social Science from Coahoma Junior College, Clarksdale, MS, a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology/Social Welfare from Rust College, Holly Springs, MS, a Master of Divinity Degree from Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, MS and an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA.

Mrs. Helen Young, (Blue Dress) is pictured w/Special Guest, Mrs. Lynn McAlilly and Mrs. Willa Terry, Manager, Office of the President, Rust College
Mrs. Helen Young, (Blue Dress) is pictured w/Special Guest, Mrs. Lynn McAlilly and Mrs. Willa Terry, Manager Office of the President, Rust College in attendance of the 150th Convocation. Photo/Reel Urban Images

Dr. Young is married to Mrs. Helen Young, Rust College graduate, Class of 1974. Dr. Young serves on the Board of Trustees at Belhaven University and his Alma Mater, Rust College.

The Rust College 150th Founders’ Convocation concluded with the conferring of two Honorary Degrees. Mrs. Pearlene Carter, Chair, Rust College Board of Trustees received an Honorary Doctor of Humanities.  Bishop William T. McAlilly, of the Nashville Episcopal Area of the United Methodist Church received an Honorary Doctor of Divinity.

Mrs. Pearlene Carter, Chair, Rust College Board of Trustees receives Honorary Doctor of Humanities at the Rust College 150th Founders' Convocation. Photo/Reel Urban News
Mrs. Pearlene Carter, Chair, Rust College Board of Trustees receives Honorary Doctor of Humanities at the Rust College 150th Founders’ Convocation. Photo/Reel Urban Images
Bishop William T. McAlilly, of the Nashville Episcopal Area of the United Methodist Church received an Honorary Doctor of Divinity at the Rust College 150th Founders' Convocation. Photo/Reel Urban Images
Bishop William T. McAlilly, of the Nashville Episcopal Area of the United Methodist Church received an Honorary Doctor of Divinity at the Rust College 150th Founders’ Convocation. Photo/Reel Urban Images

The Alumni Oath taken by both Honorary Doctor Degree recipients was administered by Mr. Larry Anderson, President Rust College International Alumni Association.

Mr. Larry Anderson, President, Rust College International Alumni Association is pictured w/Dr. Pearlene Carter and Dr. William T. McAlilly at the Rust College 150th Founders' Convocation. Photo/Reel Urban Images
Mr. Larry Anderson, President, Rust College International Alumni Association is pictured w/Dr. Pearlene Carter and Dr. William T. McAlilly at the Rust College 150th Founders’ Convocation. Photo/Reel Urban Images

Justice Taylor Lynch the newly crowed Miss Rust College 2016-2017 along with several members from the High Court are in attendance of the Rust College 150th Founders Convocation.

Justice Taylor Lynch, Miss Rust College, 2016-17 pictured w/Shakyla Scruggs, Miss Senior, Correy Henry, Miss Freshman, Shante Hill, Miss Sophomore and Terria Green, Miss Social Science at the 150th Founders' Convocation. Photo/Reel Urban Images
Justice Taylor Lynch, Miss Rust College, 2016-17 pictured w/Shakyla Scruggs, Miss Senior, Correy Henry, Miss Freshman, Shante Hill, Miss Sophomore and Terria Green, Miss Social Science at the 150th Founders’ Convocation. Photo/Reel Urban Images

The Alumni Oath

“I pledge allegiance to Rust College. And to the Principles for which it stands. One School, One Air, Look Up! Lift Up! Lend a Hand.”

Dr. David L. Beckley, President Rust College 150th Founders' Convocation. Dr. Beckley is all smiles. Photo/Reel Urban Images
Dr. David L. Beckley, President Rust College 150th Founders’ Convocation. Dr. Beckley is all smiles. Photo/Reel Urban Images

Additional exclusive photos from the Rust College 150th Founders’ Convocation will appear in our second posting.

We welcome your repost of photos. Please credit Reel Urban Images.

By: Michael Reel, Founder, Reel Urban News, and Alumni, Rust College, Holly Springs, MS.
By: Michael Reel, Founder, Reel Urban News, and Alumni, Rust College, Holly Springs, MS. @graceyreel Twitter: ReelUrbanNew (IG) Michael Reel