TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY, AL − (November 9, 2003) − Tuskegee University’s Golden Voices, past and present, reverberated throughout the Chapel, ending in perfect harmony the 2003 Homecoming weekend.

At the Nov. 9 Charter Day/Homecoming Convocation, U.S. Army Col. Sandra V. Richardson, accounting ’78, admonished her fellow alumni to never take life for granted, to know nothing is free, to embrace change, to help others, to have faith, to simply listen to life’s music and "live to dance another day."

"We should always have a dream," said Richardson, whose loss of a sister and dear friend has given her an appreciation for Lee Ann Womack’s song, "I Hope You Dance."

"There is a special dream out there with our names written on it. Know that the obstacles and challenges you encounter are necessary to prepare you to face that dream," said the senior military assistant to the director of Defense Finance and Accounting Service. She is from a family that includes four Tuskegee graduates.

Her life’s journey has taken Richardson far from "Beatrice, Ala., to where I stand today. I recognize truly that I'm just an instrument. Every day that we are allowed to wake up, we have a choice; we can choose to be happy. Until that day comes when I join my loved ones in heaven, I will be forever grateful to dance another day."

"What a wonderful speech," Tuskegee University’s President, Dr. Benjamin F. Payton, said before presenting Richardson with the President’s Distinguished Service Award for exemplifying "the high standards of Tuskegee University."

Watching were hundreds of alumni, including 2003 Alumni Merit Award winners Julia P. Cummings Lewis, ’59, and Joe Carl Thomas, ’58; the 2003 Homecoming Parade marshal and president of the Tuskegee National Alumni Association Solomon L. Banks, ’64; and members of the reunion classes of 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993 and 1998.

Payton said it is always a pleasure to "recognize alumni who have made outstanding contributions to the University and to American society."

Standing ovations honored Lewis, president of the Atlanta-Tuskegee Alumni Club, and Thomas of the Bay Area Tuskegee Alumni Club.

Under Lewis’ leadership, an Endowed Scholarship Fund was established at Tuskegee University to support Atlanta area students. Since 1994, fellow alumni elected Lewis as alumni representative on the Tuskegee University Board of Trustees. She is a Distinguished Life Eminent Presidential/1000 Plus Associate member and worked for more than two decades as a dietician.

Thomas served in the U.S. Army for more than 20 years. The retired executive director of the Economic Opportunity Council of San Francisco is an English instructor at Richmond High School in California. The elected secretary of the Solano County Democratic Central Committee has served Tuskegee as western regional director and TNAA president. He is an Eminent Presidential/1000 Plus Associate.

At the Convocation, Dr. Payton recognized the reigning Miss Tuskegee University, DiAnne Davis of Oklahoma City, Okla., and her court, along with Mr. Tuskegee University, Kenneth DeShields II of Moss Point, Miss., and his gentlemen.

Willie M. Burnett, ’66 and ’68, director of the Annual Fund/Planned Giving, also announced nearly $174,000 in alumni reunion/Homecoming contributions.

George Grace, '71, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.'s Grand Basileus, presented his alma mater with $25,000 on behalf of the national brotherhood. Grace was asked by Omega's Supreme Council to choose a United Negro College Fund school as part of its ongoing UNCF support. "Of course," he said of the three-year commitment to total $100,000, "I chose Tuskegee University."

"This has been a very wonderful weekend" with the Nov. 8 unveiling of the Tuskegee University Legacy Walkway and the 43- 21 win against Clark Atlanta, TNAA’s president, Banks, said.

"I represented all of you as parade grand marshal. Nothing I do takes away from your efforts. Mother Tuskegee needs all of you and your support. Go back to your various communities and recruit students and encourage others to be a part of the Tuskegee legacy," he added.

Consuelo R. Wilson-Pettigrew, ’93, and her husband, Carlos, ’94, challenged new graduates to join an alumni chapter, make contributions if only $10 per month, and to mentor youngsters interested in Tuskegee.

"When I came to Tuskegee, my mom had to stay two weeks after school started because it was such a culture shock," Consuelo Pettigrew said, "but then I joined the band. From then on, it was Tuskegee all the way. Even when I was in graduate school in Pittsburgh, I was very active with the alumni chapter. Always try to give back when you can and what you can."