It’s founder’s day weekend at Morehouse College. I wish I was home and able to attend the annual Candle In The Dark festivities.  Quite a few of my friends are making the trek back.

I’ve only attended one Candle in my lifetime, though there is one other notable one to me and my family.

The one I attended was in my senior year 2001. I should mention that in previous years I’d gone to the hotel and just hung around the lobby and such for parties or whatever, but I actually attended that year. It was one of those events where you get to celebrate the best of Morehouse.

Celebs are in attendence as well as prominant alumni. The board of trustees is in town. Occassionally Spike Lee (who is a board member) will pop in and do something special. That year Ray Charles was the headliner, but he wasn’t the only true star. Harry Belefonte and Dick Gregory were honored that year. That was the year that Mr. Charles left his million dollar gift to the school. All in all it was a great event. I had a great time eating, listening to the various introductions and speeches, and just overall having a good time.

I wish I was able to attend the event in 1996 however. I forget the exact reason I was unable to attend, but that was the year that my grandfather the late Hobert Kornegay was honored with a Bennie Achievement Award. This was the same year that Dr. Massey was inaugurated as president. Sam Jackson was also awarded that year.

I remember seeing the pictures from the event and it being one of the things I looked forward to when I decided to attend Morehouse. I remember thinking that one day I’d do something so special as to be awarded a Bennie one day. With each year I realize how special and important Morehouse College has been in my life.

I literally would not be here without it’s existance. Not only because my mom and dad met there, but I can go back to my Grandfathers who met each other then, and even further on my father’s side to HIS grandfather. My roots are deep there. I feel proud of the things I accomplished there, be it my service to other students in various aspects of student government to my writing for the Maroon Tiger during arguably one of its brightest periods to being a member of the first national champion Honda Campus All Star Challenge teams.

I feel like I left my mark at Morehouse, though I’m still (and will always be) growing to reach that proverbial crown that Dr. Howard Thurman spoke of. Morehouse, one of your proud sons wishes you a happy 140th birthday!