On December 15, Virginia State University (VSU) president Dr. Makola M. Abdullah will recognize more than 300 graduates during the winter graduation ceremony. One graduate in particular is special to Abdullah, his daughter, Sefiyetu.
Dr. Makola M. Abdullah and familySefiyetu Abdullah, 19, will be one of the youngest graduates in the VSU Class of 2018, graduating with summa cum laude honors, according to a VSU release.
“I am always honored and excited to celebrate our graduates on earning their academic degree from Virginia State University,” Abdullah said. “This commencement I probably will be a little more ecstatic because our baby girl is graduating. It is such a great feeling for parents to watch their child walk across a commencement stage to receive his or her degree. I will have the privilege of presenting the degree to our daughter with a handshake and a great big hug and kiss.”
The commencement ceremony will also feature an encouraging speech from their commencement speaker and university alumna, Deshauna Barber, Miss USA 2016. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. in the Multipurpose Center.
