NORFOLK, VA. — Norfolk State University Winter graduates said their last "Behold the Green and Gold" on campus today as they walked across the stage as college graduates.
NSU's 109th Commencement at 9 a.m. on Saturday, December 10 at Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall degreed over 400 students.
Grammy-award-winning singer, rapper, producer, and songwriter Missy Elliott delivered the keynote address at the ceremony.
Missy Elliott is known for her record-breaking studio albums and as a Portsmouth native she has gone on to receive 22 Grammy Award nominations.
Recently, Missy's hometown of Portsmouth, VA honored her with a street in her name, "Missy Elliott Blvd." The Commonwealth of Virginia also declared October 17, "Missy Elliott Day."
She encouraged students to stay focused and keep their eye on success during her speech.
While speaking life into their next journey's as they enter into the real world.
"We are going to claim over everybody in here that is graduating success over y'all careers, strength, keep faith, drive, and I ain't going to say be cocky but be confident... and just keep going," said Elliott.
As NSU conferred degrees for nearly 400 graduates, Elliott also received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree and the presidential medallion.
In addition to her honorary doctorate degree, she was gifted with personalized shoes designed by shoe artist Van Monroe to honor her efforts toward giving back to her community.
To close out the ceremony Missy donated a $20,000 check to help support NSU's greatest areas of need.
