U.S. Senator Katie Britt of Alabama delivered remarks at Tuskegee University’s Homecoming Convocation, where she was also awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by the university’s Board of Trustees.
During her speech, Britt spoke about the importance of Tuskegee’s history and its future. “It’s fitting for this week’s theme to be ‘Tuskegee’s Renaissance Era’ appreciating rich history, but recommitting and looking forward (to the) renewal, innovation, transformation that will come. The history and legacy here in Tuskegee is evident. You can feel it when you drive on to campus, right? So when I was traveling the state campaigning, I came here and it was undeniable what I felt when I met with students, met with faculty and met with the administration here at Tuskegee. It’s one of the reasons that I made a commitment that day to always be your partner, because I believe you don’t just represent the future, you all represent the now ….”
Britt also highlighted the university’s unique status: “The incredible standards that you all said are evident in Doctor Brown, your first alumnus serving as the President. The work that he’s doing, the energy you feel here on campus—this is the only university in the nation to be designated as a National Historic Site by the U.S. Congress. As a proud member, myself, of the HBCU Caucus in the United States Senate, I not only remind my colleagues that we have more HBCUs than any other place in the nation, but that we have the best,” she continued.
Offering advice to students about overcoming challenges and self-imposed limitations, Britt stated: “One thing I can guarantee you is that the world will knock you down, it happens. And what you have to do, and what we need you to do, is to stand back up. Because as the first female elected in the state of Alabama to serve in the United States Senate, I am well aware that the world does place limitations on us. And if I stood up here and told you anything different, I wouldn’t be being honest with you. But what I have found in life, that it is the ones that we place on ourselves that do the most damage.
“So believe in what is possible. Know that these men and women are pushing you to stretch to your limit, because they know that God has a purpose and a plan for you. And everyone’s skills and gifts and talents that the Lord has given you are different, but it is incumbent upon you to use them to continue to build off of the incredible legacy that we have here and contribute to the continued success of this incredible institution. It is an honor to be here with you all today. It is an honor to have gotten this doctorate and to officially be part of the Tuskegee family,” she concluded.
Tuskegee University President Dr. Mark A. Brown introduced Senator Britt at convocation: “Today, we continue to benefit from the political savvy of a modern-day political tycoon, a congressional leader, and public servant to her community—Senator Katie Britt. Senator Britt has served her community in every imaginable way … And she does so with courage, intellect, grace, and I believe, myself, driven and shaped by her faith and her upbringing in Enterprise, Alabama … She has consistently championed families, advanced economic opportunity, and upheld the dignity of public service. Beyond her professional accomplishments, the Senator is grounded by faith and family …
“Senator Britt’s actions as a friend of Tuskegee—it’s not just talk. She has successfully launched the successful Aviation Science Program in our College of Engineering as a result of her support. Ma’am your instrumental support and $6.7 million is transforming the future of flight education and honoring the proud legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen …
“Mother Tuskegee remains grateful for your actions,and pride and gratitude for your extraordinary contributions to public service,your lifelong commitment to Alabama’s people,and your embodiment of Tuskegee University’s enduring value of leadership,integrity excellence.”
Senator Britt has supported efforts at Tuskegee University related to aviation education by helping secure $6.7 million for launching a new flight school degree program last year; more recently,she secured an additional $5.29 million through appropriations legislation advancing in Congress.
Earlier this year,Britt responded after learning about Alabama’s Tuskegee Airmen being temporarily removed from basic training curriculum at U.S.Air Force.She acted quickly,resulting in Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reinstating coverage about these airmen following Britt’s intervention.
She also intervened when USDA briefly suspended applications for its 1890 Scholars Program supporting agriculture students at land-grant institutions.Her advocacy led USDA officials reopen applications within one week.Later,Britt secured $60 million via federal tax legislation for future funding for this scholarship program supporting historically black colleges including those based in Alabama—the state with more HBCUs than any other.
