The end of UF’s Black History Month celebration Sunday night also marked the end of Betty J. Fullwood’s 32-year career at UF.
The closing ceremony of Black History Month included a tribute to Fullwood, the former director of the Office for Academic Support and Institutional Services for the UF College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, during a ceremony in the Reitz Union Rion Ballroom.
In the event’s closing speech, Fullwood, an award-winning author, counselor and professor, encouraged the crowd of more than 200 to never give up on their dreams.
Getting through UF can be difficult, she said, recalling stories of her bad grades as an undergraduate.
But once students have endured organic chemistry and differential equations, they are better prepared to face challenges outside the classroom, even if their classes do not directly correspond to their jobs, Fullwood said.
“Nobody’s going to ask you to find the square root of anything when you get out of school,” she said, pausing for applause.
UF graduates should be proud of their accomplishment because they have endured one of the most prestigious schools in America, she said.
“If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere because this is worse than New York,” Fullwood said.
“[The program] was bittersweet,” said Talia Cadet, the director of special events for UF Black History Month’s Executive Board. “We were honored to give her the recognition she deserves.”
After the speech, students gave Fullwood a standing ovation.
Laurel Alcenat, a sociology sophomore, said Fullwood’s speech inspired her to stay motivated.
“I thought she was talking to me,” Alcenat said.
