Tuskegee University News January 23, 2015 Tuskegee kicks off centennial celebration of Booker T. Washington The university community embarked on the first of a yearlong series of events to celebrate Booker T. Washington today. Crowds gathered in Tuskegee University Chapel for a special centennial year kick-off lecture honoring the 100th anniversary of the death of this institution's founding principal and first president. Washington died on campus November 14, 1915. During the program, Washington's great granddaughter, Robin Washington Banks, said that although she did not personally know her famous ancestor, his character and his commitment to bettering the lives of others often inspire her. She urged the audience to be motivated by the spirit and example that her great grandfather left the community. "Remember, Booker T. Washington was just a man who chose to do God's will and make life better for others," she said. "He chose to build his character to make the right choices to accomplish that goal - his God-given purpose in life. For Booker T. Washington, the only thing worth living for was to lift up his fellow man." Many did not know the man Dr. Brian L. Johnson, Tuskegee University president, was the keynote speaker for today's event, the first of approximately 12 planned events this year. In remarks, Johnson said that few understood Washington as an administrator and often confuse knowing his position with knowing the man. He said his commitment to learn more about Washington was the inspiration for his "Washington Word". Using the writings and correspondence of Tuskegee's first president, Johnson writes these daily commentaries to share modern-day lessons to the university community via social media. He said the true essence of the first president could be found in the consistency of Washington. "The man is found in his character," Johnson said. Drawing from several commentary lessons, Johnson said Washington's leadership was the model for modern-day university presidents in areas such as business practices, education, ethics, fundraising, and marketing. "What one will read in "Up from Slavery," written in 1901, is a man who testified to every single word that he had done with an accompanying work. He did not talk about being ethical if he himself was not ethical," Johnson said. More events to come Johnson also said the centennial celebration will help strengthen the university community's dedication to excellence and service to "Mother Tuskegee." "I ask you to join me in looking back at him so that he can show us how Tuskegee University will be not the best HBCU in the land, not the best in Alabama," Johnson said. "But, the greatest, most exceptional university in the entire world." In the coming months, representatives of all disciplines at this institution and others will sponsor programs to honor Washington this year. The events will include lectures, community outreach activities, and symposia. For more information, go to: http://www.tuskegee.edu/btw_commemoration.aspx and follow on Tuskegee's official social media sites by using the hashtag #HonorBTW. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.