Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    • Home
    • About Us
    • Digital Subscription
    • Advertisement
    • Contact Us
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    The Tennessee TribuneThe Tennessee Tribune
    Advertise With Us
    • Home
      • COVID-19 Resource Center
        • Dr. Henry Louis Gates’ PSA Radio
      • Featured
    • News
      • State
      • Local
      • National/International News
      • Global
      • Business
        • Commentary
        • Finance
        • Local Business
      • Investigative Stories
        • Affordable Housing
        • DCS Investigation
        • Gentrification
    • Editorial
      • National Politics
      • Local News
      • Local Editorial
      • Political Editorial
      • Editorial Cartoons
      • Cycle of Shame
    • Community
      • History
      • Tennessee
        • Chattanooga
        • Clarksville
        • Knoxville
        • Memphis
      • Public Notices
      • Women
        • Let’s Talk with Ms. June
    • Education
      • College
        • American Baptist College
        • Belmont University
        • Fisk
        • HBCU
        • Meharry
        • MTSU
        • University of Tennessee
        • TSU
        • Vanderbilt
      • Elementary
      • High School
    • Lifestyle
      • Art
      • Auto
      • Tribune Travel
      • Entertainment
        • 5 Questions With
        • Books
        • Events
        • Film Review
        • Local Entertainment
      • Family
      • Food
        • Drinks
      • Health & Wellness
      • Home & Garden
      • Featured Books
    • Religion
      • National Religion
      • Local Religion
      • Obituaries
        • National Obituaries
        • Local Obituaries
      • Faith Commentary
    • Sports
      • MLB
        • Sounds
      • NBA
      • NCAA
      • NFL
        • Predators
        • Titans
      • NHL
      • Other Sports
      • Golf
      • Professional Sports
      • Sports Commentary
      • Metro Sports
    • Media
      • Video
      • Photo Galleries
      • Take 10
      • Trending With The Tribune
    • Classified
    • Obituaries
      • Local Obituaries
      • National Obituaries
    The Tennessee TribuneThe Tennessee Tribune
    Collegiate Tribune Interns

    Tom Joyner Shares Love; His Legacy with Meharry 2017 Graduates

    Tribune StaffBy Tribune StaffMay 25, 2017Updated:October 1, 2020No Comments3 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Telegram Pinterest Tumblr Reddit Email
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    Comedian and syndicated radio show host Tom Joyner encouraged the Meharry Medical College graduates on May 20 to brand themselves as the medical college has branded itself as kind and timeless. “Giving back never goes out of style. Kindness is non-partisan. Philanthropy’s not a fad and neither are HBCUs. With or without universal healthcare, affordable healthcare, Obama care, Trump don’t care, institutions like Meharry grooming medical professions to roll up their sleeves and go where they are needed,” he told the students.

    He also shared that his great grandfather, Oscar, was a graduate of Meharry in 1909. The school was known as the Medical department of Central Tennessee College when “Doc” attended. Who would’ve known Doc’s great great grandson would have started a foundation that selected his alma mater for which to raise nearly $200,000 in scholarships during May? Or that his great grandchild would be the featured speaker at the commencement?

    This event was Joyner’s third and final historically black college commencement address. He addressed graduates of Tennessee State University on May 6.  He is known for his distinct humor and energy used to bring awareness to underlying social/political issues in order to inform, educate, engage and empower his audiences.

    “From the very beginning Meharry’s goal was to assist the poor, the undeserved, the downtrodden, people of color because that’s who needed it the most,” Joyner said of the school’s history.“ In 1876,the Meharry brothers made a donation of $30,000 to Central Tennessee’s medical department and that donation became Meharry Medical College, not because they had to, not to get votes. They did it to repay an act of kindness bestowed to them by a black family several years before. So from the beginning Meharry’s message was kindness and philanthropy.”

    Meharry’s legacy continues to enforce kindness and inclusiveness. This was shown throughout the ceremony from the numerous shout outs to the parents and through the practice of letting two chosen loved ones robe the graduates as they became doctors, and the open invitation of any dentist or physician in the audience to participate in reading the pledges and oaths with the graduates.

    The graduation began with prayer before the President of Meharry Medical College, Dr. James E.K. Hildredth gave his remarks to the second graduating class under his direction since he was inducted into office in 2015.

    “Never dim your light as you pursue your life’s journey, Never ever stop dreaming, Never ever let your light not be shown so that others may see it,“Hildredth told the graduates. He asked the graduates to stand and salute parents and friends for letting them realize their dreams and walk in their purpose.

    Joyner asked the class what was their brand, what was their message, what will come to mind when people think about them.Generations of graduates have been where these students stood for the last 142 years as the Meharry Medical Graduating class of 2017 walked in to receive their medical degrees.

    Joyner added that the graduates needed to provide for the poor. He asked the class of 2017,“what will you be a part of to ensure that HBCUs and other organizations put the needs of people first, what will you do to continue their existence?  That’s your assignment. There’s somethings we need to do just because its right. “

     

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Tribune Staff

    Related Posts

    Meharry Medical College Announces Dr. Ashwin Vasan James McCune Smith Distinguished Fellow at Meharry Medical College’s School of Global Health

    December 27, 2024

    New Wharton/HBC Program Welcomes First Meharry Scholar

    December 14, 2024

    Meharry Medical College and Oracle collaborate to advance health care access, innovation and education

    November 9, 2024

    Meharry receives investment from Sanofi to increase diversity in clinical studies

    October 22, 2024

    Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Leader Speaks at Meharry’s Convocation

    October 3, 2024

    TriStar Health announces HCA Healthcare’s $600,000 gift to Meharry Medical College

    September 25, 2024
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Business

    FUNdraising Good Times Report from Neighborhoods USA Conference in Jacksonville

    June 4, 2025

    Flower Child Restaurant to Open June 24 in Franklin

    June 4, 2025

    FUNdraising Good Times Survival through partnerships, collaborations, and mergers

    May 14, 2025
    1 2 3 … 383 Next
    Education
    Education

    Can Black Teacher Pipelines Survive Trump’s Attacks?

    By Word In BlackJune 12, 2025

    Although a court blocked the move, an Education Department plan to cancel $600M in teacher…

    Meharry Expands Into Memphis With Training Site at Mississippi Boulevard Church

    June 9, 2025

    ‘Lives will be impacted’: TSU proposes staffing, scholarship cuts to stay open

    June 8, 2025

    Fisk University Announces the Discontinuation of its Gymnastics Program in May 2026

    June 7, 2025
    The Tennessee Tribune
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    • About Us
    • Digital Subscription
    • Store
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact
    © 2025 The Tennessee Tribune - Site Designed by No Regret Media.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Our Spring Sale Has Started

    You can see how this popup was set up in our step-by-step guide: https://wppopupmaker.com/guides/auto-opening-announcement-popups/