Black doctors urge students to fly at 92nd Xavier University Commencement

By Mark Veals
Contributing Writer

A total of 504 students earned undergraduate and graduate degrees at Xavier University of Louisiana’s 92nd annual commencement on May 11 at the university’s Convocation Center. Eleven students in the class of 2019 earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average, and 56 students graduated with summa cum laude academic honors.

This year’s commencement ceremony recognized Xavier alumni who shared the national spotlight in 2018. These include three Black physicians: Dr. Pierre Johnson and Dr. Maxime Madhere, both class of 2002, and Dr. Joseph Semien, class of 2001, who co-authored the 2018 book “Pulse of Perseverance: Three Black Doctors on their Journey to Success.” The acclaimed book about their journeys as young African-American males to the medical profession was featured on “The Today Show,” ABC News, and the “Steve Harvey Show” among other national media outlets. The three doctors co-delivered the 2019 commencement address and along with vocalist Gail Gilmore, class of 1972, received honorary degrees from the university. Gilmore was recognized for her efforts in strengthening pathways to education and music for Black youth.

“You have keys,” Gilmore told graduates about using their skills and mind to make opportunities. “That’s your genius and let the person next to you open the other doors and you open your doors,” Gilmore said.

She urged graduates to live their lives to their fullest, to enjoy their journey of self discovery and to make their mark.

“It doesn’t matter where you are and languages you speak, you can be in France, you can be in Spain, you can be in Moscow, or you can be in Saudi Arabia, however, remember the entire earth is a playground, enjoy playing on the playground,” she said.

Johnson, Madhere and Semien, also known as Pulse of Perseverance or P3 doctors, shared their humble beginnings and how they met each other at Xavier as freshmen. Throughout their time at the university and later in life, they recalled how they were there to support each other with the phrase “Keep grinding we got this.” They quoted Tupac Shakur and Nipsey Hussle to challenge graduates to consider the different ways they can begin changing the world.

“It’s not that we want your talents and skill sets to help build our community, we absolutely need your talents and your skill sets to help build our community,” Madhere said.

The doctors do so by providing monthly scholarships and in the midst of the ceremony, announced the May 2019 Pulse of Perseverance Scholarship recipient as Keith Moree II, who stood up from among the sea of graduates. Moree, a Dallas, Texas native, earned his degree in Neuroscience on May 11. Despite his rigorous coursework and working as an Emergency Department scribe, he found time to give back by volunteering with a nonprofit called Brothers Empowered To Teach, where he works with and mentors local underprivileged youth.

“I have still been able to learn from my mistakes and remain diligent, all the while passing this invaluable knowledge down to the youth as I continue to rise,” Moree said.

In welcoming the most recent cohort of alumni, the doctors charged graduates to continue to strive for their highest potential.

“All of you have to fly, flying is your assignment, flying is your charge to the world. Your diploma is your passport to go out there and get what you rightfully deserve,” Johnson said.

This article originally published in the May 20, 2019 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.