First Project Success Doctorate Speaks at Convocation

As he stood before an audience in an Education and Humanities Theatre packed with freshmen, faculty, staff, administrators and Board of Trustees members, Dr. Jamar Jeffers reflected back to his beginnings in 1998 as a DSU freshman.

“By all statistics, I shouldn’t have been here,” he said.

The keynote speaker for the Sept. 15 Convocation Ceremony that signaled the official start of the 2016-2017 academic year, noted his beginning as a Project Success student – a DSU program designed to enroll underachieving high school graduates and with special attention prepare them for the rigors of a University education.

After completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications/Public Relations with a minor in Marketing in 2002 and a Master’s Degree in Management – both from DSU – the Del State alumnus put an exclamation  point on his academic journey in 2015 by earning  a Doctor of Business from Argosy University in Atlanta. His dissertation was entitled “A Phenomenological Study on Hip Hop Culture as a Marketing Strategy.”

That has made him the first DSU Project Success product to earn a doctorate. As a result of his accomplishments to date, Dr. Jeffers had a lot to share with the class of 2020.

“Be intentional about the classes you take, and be intentional about your extra-curricular activities,” he said. “Also be intentional about your friends and the network you keep. Be intentional about your success.”

Dr. Jeffers emphasized the importance of networking with people who are working hard to succeed and establish a habit of excellence.

“While you are here, build relationships,” he said. “if you are not networking, it means your nets are not working.”

He noted that his current position as vice president of development for 100 Black Men of America involves fundraising, a pursuit that has become a passion for him. He encouraged the freshmen to identify their passions and make them a part of their career plans.

“People will pay you for your passion,” Dr. Jeffers said. “Tap into that passion; that is like God breathing air into your lungs.”

He said while he is enjoying what he is doing now, he has bigger dreams for his future.

“My audacious goal is to come back and be president of this University,” he said. “Right now I am using my passion to fundraise for DSU through my involvement with the DSU Alumni Association.”

Finally, Dr. Jeffers advised the freshmen to be patient with life and the process of achieving success.

“Nothing happens overnight,” he said. “Embrace the journey and learn from it.”

The Convocation, presided over DSU President Harry L. Williams, featured musical performances by the DSU Concert Choir, the DSU Symphonic Band, and words of inspiration by Dr. Alexandra Silver, chairperson of the Faculty Senate, and Jasmine Jenkins, president of the Student Government Association.

The Convocation was directed by Brenda F. Farmer, executive director of University Events and Ceremonies, which is under Institutional Advancement.