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GREENSBORO — Triad businessman and chair of the UNC Board of Governors Benjamin S. Ruffin mingled humor,

Benjamin Ruffin, chair of the UNC Board of Governors, delivers the  commencement address to the UNCG Class of 2002 Sunday.

practical advice and words of inspiration in his stirring commencement address Sunday for graduates of The University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

“Your future is in your hands,” he repeatedly told them, in an address, which was largely extemporaneous but which included quotes from great orators and poets, including Langston Hughes, Benjamin Elijah Mays and hymn-writer Charles Wesley.

“I tell you, the future is in your hands, because of your parents, and your guardians and the people who supported you,” Ruffin said. “It doesn’t matter so much today whether you graduated magna cum laude, summa cum laude or just ‘thank you lordy.’ Your future is in your hands.”

Ruffin congratulated the graduates, and asked them to remember those who had made their education possible. His words, spoken to an assembly of approximately 1,600 graduates and their families and friends gathered at the Greensboro Coliseum, elicited cheers, applause, and a standing ovation from the Class of 2002.

“I tell you today I’m proud of you but never forget the contributions of you parents and those supporters who wore old clothes so you could have new dignity. Who worked two jobs, so you would only have to work two jobs. Who did without so you can have today. Your future is in your hands because people love you,” he said.

He also advised them to save for their futures, pay their debts, support UNCG and “keep your hand in the hand of the Man.”

Chancellor Patricia A. Sullivan welcomed graduates and their families. Stephanie Cuadrado of Fort Bragg spoke on behalf of the Class of 2002 and Russell W. Bailey Jr. of Winston-Salem served as tassel-turner. Though the day was devoted to celebration, the mood of many speakers was at times somber. There were several mentions of the difficult year that lay behind them, which included the terrorist bombings of Sept. 11, an off-campus apartment fire on Feb. 15 that claimed the lives of two UNCG students, and the death in March of a beloved member of the UNCG family, Pamela Wilson.

Ruffin alluded to the looming state budget cuts, and urged the graduates to write to their state representatives and request support for higher education in North Carolina. He also encouraged them to give back to their communities. “To whom much is given, much is required. You have been given much. You have been given a great education here at UNCG,” he said. Ruffin, president of The Ruffin Group, a Winston-Salem management and consulting firm, had to work hard for his education at N.C. Central University, and has built a distinguished career in the public and private sectors.

Altogether, approximately 1,600 degrees were conferred during the 110th commencement exercises. Of these, there were approximately 1,100 bachelor's degrees, 500 master's degrees, and 39 doctoral degrees. Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees were presented to Greensboro businessmen Michael B. Fleming and Stanley Frank, who have been long-time civic leaders and UNCG supporters.

A graduate of N.C. Central University, Ruffin earned a master's degree from UNC-Chapel Hill. He has received honorary degrees from NCCU, N.C. A&T State University, Elizabeth City State University, Winston-Salem State University, Livingstone College and Edward Waters College.

In conclusion, Ruffin encouraged the graduates to aim high in their careers and in public service, and never to forget the poor, the sick and the disadvantaged. “There are people of high potential who are depending on you because they know you hold their future in your hands," he said.

“Don’t be ordinary. Don’t settle for just average. Be the best at what you can be,” Ruffin said.