Dr. David V. Taylor, DU provost, told a freshman audience that he can identify with a slow academic start, but he encouraged students to challenge themselves consistently.
Taylor, who was featured speaker at the annual First-Year Scholars Program on Thursday, Feb. 4, in Lawless Chapel, urged students to “Set the pace” and “Don’t disappoint yourself.” Some 114 students were honored as having grade-point averages of 3.0 or better. Eight of those students had straight-A averages, or 4.0.
Taylor, who came to DU in fall 2008 as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, previously held the position at Morehouse College in Atlanta.
An accomplished historian today who holds numerous awards, Taylor recalled the difference years ago when he started out in undergraduate school at the University as a popular student without a lot of focus. He said that as a result, he graduated with a 2.9 GPA, just enough to get into graduate school. (He received a master’s from the University of Nebraska and returned to Minnesota for his doctorate.) of Minnesota
Taylor said he found his way in graduate school, where he maintained a 4.0 for two years. The change for him, which he advised for others, was to keep sight of your goal and to be disciplined.
“Challenge yourself; that’s where you’ll grow,” Taylor advised. “Challenge your professors, challenge students around you.”
Taylor encouraged students to take advantage of the time you have now. He said for most college students, this is the freest you’ll ever be. Noting he’s now 65, he said it’s amazing how fast time flies.
(David Pittman contributed to this report.)
Eight of the 114 students recognized as First-Year Scholars on Feb. 4 had a straight-A average. Another 22 had a GPA of 3.6 to 3.9 and 84 had 3.4 to 3.5.
GPA of 4.0
Candace Banks
Tandraer Crosby
Lauren Lemonious
Kanitria Mason
Alexandria Moore
Dasha Parker
Andrew Tadros
Rachel Williams
GPA of 3.6 to 3.9
Alexandria Broadnax
Dominique Bryant
Monette Buchanan
Jhory Buskey
Lyniece Catalan
Charlie Coleman
Heaven Davis
Misha Ferdinand
Chardai Grays
Raven Hardy
Michaela Miller
Christopher Neal
Paula Ogbevoen
Cherelle Palmer
Tanesia Patterson
Ebone Pierce
Felisha Rideau
Michael Sagapolutele
Bridget Sisney
Jazzmin Smith
Mikcal Todd
Nyeisha Warr
GPA of 3.0 to 3.5:
Jerome Bailey
Charles Battles
Heavenly Benoit
Kayla Blain
Kacy Boudreaux
Kortney Bougere
Kyrean Bowens
Faron Bradley
Lance Breaux
Nika Brown
Danielle Burton
Clarence Carr
Nicole Carriere
Shi’nece Cockheran
Kimberley Coleman
Markecha Coleman
Markia Daniels
Zachary Davis
Jasmine Dominic
Katrina Doran
Ashley Edinburgh
L’Tara Ford
Sara Forrest
Duane Green
Jonquil Griffin
Arkesha Hamilton
Tequelia Harcum
Jasmine Hardman
Aleah Henderson
Chervon Hilliard
Jasmine Hurt
Hannah Ingram
Gianni Jackson
Crystal Johnson
Taaler Johnson
Briana Katz
Lisa Landry
Nichole Lathan
Colby Locks
Robinette Love
Angell Luter
Brittani Martin
Melanie Martin
Taylor McGhee
Arion Moore
Alannia Mosley
Sonya Murphy
Ekebnta Okorn
Sommyr Paden
Keshawn Patton
Josef Pons
Jakarah Porter
Christopher Ragas
Sharron Rainey
Jamal Refuge
Markeisha Rickson
Nicole Robinson
Alexjandra Samuels-Zecher
Sian Sanfie
Leroy Scott
Iesha Simms
LaMegan Smith
Daleonne Smith
Ana Stepney
Christopher Taylor
William Taylor
Charne’ Thomas
Cherise Thomas
Jeanne Thompson
Jerry Thompson
Kerri Thornton
Moriah Tyran
Shane Wade
A’Ravion Walker
Farren Washington
Andrew Webber
Dorian Webster
Jasmine Wheaton
Sheridan Williams
Simeon Wilson
Valencia Wise
Tajeve Wright-Young
Bianca Young
Lawrence Young