LORMAN &045;&045; Whether they came for their first Alcorn graduation or if that trip to Lorman in May was a family tradition, everyone at Jack Spinks Stadium Saturday morning was there for the 133rd graduating class of Alcorn State University.

Of the approximately 600 graduates, all were wearing the traditional cap and gown, some with honors cords and at least one with two tassels but almost all were wearing a smile on this day of celebration.

Those smiles were matched by at least one family member or friend in the masses on both sides of the stadium.

Ralph Morris, from New Orleans, stood in the end zone with a present in hand, waiting for his niece, Jessica Morris, to get her diploma.

&uot;She’s the first one that’s graduating from college,&uot; Morris said.

And there was no mistaking when she crossed the stage as the Morris family erupted into cheers.

William Arthur Smith’s family came all the way from Dallas, Texas to see him get his diploma in business administration.

&uot;I was the first, he was the next to graduate from college,&uot; said Smith’s aunt, Carrie Gordon.

As Smith’s mom, Pauline Smith, was brimming with excitement and said she was likely to cry when he got his diploma, his dad, Bobby Smith, was filled with pride.

&uot;I couldn’t put that into words,&uot; Bobby Smith said when asked how proud he was of his son. &uot;I’m just elated.&uot;

For Queriston Haynes’ family, making the trek to Alcorn in May is a family tradition, with aunts, cousins and her mom, all graduating from the historic college.

&uot;I’m so proud of them I could burst,&uot; said Haynes’ mother, Ora Richardson of Durant.

Richardson was braving the fierce morning sun and heat to see her daughter and Haynes’ two cousins graduate Saturday, Robin Scott and Terry Large Jr. Haynes was graduating with her master’s degree in science Saturday, with distinction, Richardson added.

Cousin Josette Howard, also of Durant, said it was very important for the graduates to have their family there for support. &uot;As long as they know someone is behind them … they will continue to succeed,&uot; Howard said.

Speaker Earl G. Graves, nationally recognized authority on black business development and the founder and publisher of Black Enterprise Magazine, told the graduates how to be successful &045;&045; first, take care of their health.

&uot;Rule number one is don’t die,&uot; Graves said of being successful.

Graves told the graduates to be prepared, to make a statement by experience and ideas not by physical appearance and to put financial stability before financial gain.

&uot;Success carries a price tag called responsibility,&uot; Graves said.

Graves challenged them not to let anyone tell them race hindered their aspirations.

Graves reminded the class of 2004 that it was 50 years ago that the case Brown v. Board of Education was decided.

&uot;What does the Brown victory mean to you today?&uot; he asked them.

His response &045;&045; the 2004 Alcorn graduates attended a historically black college not because they had to, but because they chose to.

To end, Graves gave seven challenges, one for each discipline, to remind them to strive to be the next leaders of this nation.