Ernest Boyd stood slowly when they called his name.
As the first African-American graduate from the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, he seemed overwhelmed by the large crowd gathered in support to hear him speak.
The luncheon was in the conference hall of the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences. Susan Tatum, development coordinator, said Ernest was chosen because of a collaborative effort to showcase what Auburn University is doing for diversity.
"Ken Day and Dana Little, who started the African-American scholarship [in the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences] thought, 'What if we honor the first black graduate?'" Tatum said.
Ernest graduated from Auburn in 1976 with a degree in forestry. Upon graduation, he had more than 10 job offers. He began working at Hammermill Paper Company.
"I thought I had my career path all set in stone," Ernest said. "I was going to retire as chief of forest service. Seven months on the job, the army came calling."
Ernest served in the U.S. Army for 18 years before retiring to work as an elementary and intermediate school teacher.
He focused his lecture heavily on what he learned in his time at Auburn and what he taught to others.
"Many in my hometown look at me with astonishment because black people don't go to Auburn and don't graduate in forestry," Ernest said. "I wanted to prove the people that doubted me wrong, and let them know that I was just as good or better than anyone else."
Auburn University Provost Timothy Boosinger gave a few opening remarks on the University's continuing efforts to become a more inclusive, diverse environment. He mentioned the climate survey students were asked to participate in earlier in the semester, which gaged what the University could do to enhance diversity and inclusion.
Ernest attested to the statements from Boosinger and encouraged individuals to take the chance to meet new people.
"When I came here in the '70s, there were no outreach programs, no diversity programs, no one we could turn to for help with problems," Ernest said. "I encourage each one of you to mentor kids. Don't let them leave here broken."
Anika Boyd, Ernest's daughter, said she was proud of her father and learned new details about his life.
"It was surreal because I didn't even know he was the first African-American graduate," Anika said. "I was very proud of his accomplishments, and I had no idea he had 10 job offers when he graduated."
The luncheon was concluded with praise and recognition for all of the hard work being put into creating scholarships for African-Americans in the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences.
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