PINE BLUFF, Ark. — The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff hosted its 166th commencement ceremony on Friday and renowned civil rights activist and attorney Benjamin Crump sent the graduating class out with a powerful speech.
“If you remember nothing else I say today, I want you to remember that education is no good if you just keep it among the educated,” Crump said. “You have to take this education back home… back to the people who couldn’t come get an education. This education is not just for you. It’s for all of us.”
166 graduates received bachelor's and Master's degrees this semester across five schools: School of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Human Sciences; School of Arts and Sciences; School of Business and Management; School of Education; and University College. Two graduates received the first degrees conferred by the university in Hospitality/Tourism Management, and one was commissioned into the Army National Guard.
Crump was also awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree and Dr. Stephen Broughton was honored as Trustee Emeritus after serving 10 years on the University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees.
Crump shared a personal story with graduates about his journey through law school.
“When I was in law school, they taught us people remember ten percent of what they hear, twenty percent of what they read, and eighty percent of what they see,” Crump said. “And every day, you have to let them see that you will not be denied, that you refuse to lose.”
Crump is the founder and principal owner of Ben Crump Law and has successfully battled to protect constitutional rights at the local state, and federal levels. He is one of the nation's foremost lawyers and advocates for social justice and is listed among the Most Influential People of 2021 by TIME100, Ebony Magazine’s Power 100 Most Influential African Americans, and The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Lawyers.
Crump has represented clients in high-profile cases, including the deaths of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Danny Ray Thomas, and Stephon Clark. In Arkansas, he represents the family of Terrance Caffey, who died in police custody in Little Rock in 2021.
Crump also represented the family of Hunter Brittain in their lawsuit against the Lonoke County sheriff's deputy who shot and killed an unarmed teen last year.
"We don't forget our brothers and sisters who were taken from this earth too soon because their lives mattered," Crump said.
The ceremony is available to view via UAPB’s YouTube channel.
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