Hampton University News January 13, 2015 HU Student Gives Keynote Speech at UNCF's Annual Masked Ball Hampton University student Whitney Turner, marketing major from Kentucky, gave the keynote address and was a scholarship recipient at the United Negro College Fund's (UNCF) 7th Annual Masked Ball on Dec. 12 at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown. The annual event, a black tie evening of elegance, that brings together hundreds of business, civic, and education leaders to provide needed funds to help students through college financially. "I am very proud to be a part of the UNCF's great legacy," said Turner, who admitted to being nervous about giving the keynote speech, but instead of becoming intimated, she became inspired after much prayer, determination, and preparedness. Her speech focused on leadership and how leaders are not mythically born creatures, but are cultivated and matured into great figures. "I've been able to gain knowledge from many different experiences-some good, some bad-but all helpful," said Turner. "Hampton teaches you that no matter your background or the obstacles you may face, you can still be great amongst the odds if you put in the work. Education is the great equalizer and is everyone's greatest tool." "HU professors like [Ricardo] Jarvis, Dr. [James] Forbes, and [Vahwere] Kavota have all helped in my growth tremendously, and I am very glad that I chose to follow in my older cousins' decisions to be a HU student and continue the tradition of excellence that HU portrays," said Turner. Turner is still ecstatic about having attended the ball and describes the experience like one of a movie. Being a recipient of a UNCF scholarship meant the world to her and it illustrated how "hard work and focus really pays off even when it includes a lot of early mornings and stressful nights." 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.