Bowie State Students Find Inspiration in Founders Day Program

Pastor Ylawnda Peebles ('96) Urges Students to Strive for Excellence

MEDIA CONTACT: Damita Chambers, dchambers@bowiestate.edu, 301-832-2628 (mobile)

(BOWIE, Md.) – The Bowie State University Founders Day convocation highlighted outstanding student leaders and scholars through the program and featured messages of inspiration to the campus community, including the powerful address from City of Praise Pastor Ylawnda Peebles (’96). View the photos.

Peebles used her personal story as a way to encourage students to embrace “a relentless, unbreakable spirit” to rise above life’s challenges and strive for excellence in all that they do. Although she experienced many trials in her life, she held strongly to her faith and was determined to not let adversity keep her off the path to fulfill her dreams.

“Although my beginning was rough, God did something incredible for me,” she said. “I could have given up after my father died. I could have given up every time my family had a financial crisis. … But I promised God, He loved and stayed with me, like I knew He would… (that) I would teach someone else that to have a relentless, unbreakable spirit is worth it in the end.”

The keynote address reflected the theme of “standing on the shoulders of our ancestors,” which was carried through each student’s message throughout the program. Notably, freshman Camille Campbell and graduate student Xiomara Medina both brought personal expressions of how the Bowie State experience empowers students to exceed their own expectations of what they can accomplish. The entire program celebrated student success and shown a spotlight on their achievements.

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