NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Norfolk State University's President Javaune Adams-Gaston visited Christopher Newport University in Newport News on Thursday.
There, she gave a speech to students and faculty about the importance of following MLK's footsteps in a speech she called “Walking with an Audacious Faith in the Future."
"We must be audacious in moving forward," Adams-Gaston said. "Dr. King calls on us to be better, do better, we know better - we can do this together, because we all matter!"
She entered the room to a standing ovation and touched upon subjects that have both pushed and brought setbacks to the path of education and minority students.
This includes the Supreme Court's decision to effectively end affirmative action in student admittance for universities and colleges.
"These decisions narrowly eliminate protections to fundamental rights even from our highest courts," said Adams-Gaston. "We must not lose hope."
Christopher Newport University's President, William Kelly, also took the podium thanking Gaston-Adams for coming and announcing a path forward for his university.
Kelly said CNU remained dedicated to becoming a diverse state university and pledged to learn about the past of not only their institute but that of Virginia as a whole.
"Our goal is audacious," said Kelly. "We are committed to becoming the most inclusive university in Virginia, ready to serve and support all students from Virginia and beyond."
This keynote speech ended the near week of events held at Christopher Newport University that were held in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.