Perry honored at Benedict

First black federal judge receives honorary degree at commencement

By DEVON COPELAND - dcopeland@thestate.com

Under a beaming Carolina sun Saturday, Benedict College’s fresh crop of 197 graduates were reminded repeatedly to go forward and be a “power of good.”

They were reminded not only through speeches given by peers, lawmakers and Benedict President David Swinton.

They also were reminded by example. Senior U.S. District Court Judge Matthew J. Perry, the state’s first black federal judge, received an honorary degree, designating him a Doctor of Laws. The degree recognizes those who’ve done a service to the state, learning and mankind, according to the school’s officials.

“You are one of the most accomplished jurists in South Carolina,” said Ruby Watts, Benedict executive vice president. “(You have) played a role in almost every case that integrated public schools, hospitals, golf courses, restaurants, parks, playgrounds and beaches.”

The onetime civil rights attorney began his legal career in 1951 in the second graduating class of S.C. State College’s all-black law school.

He served as chief counsel of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People for two decades before being named, with the backing of U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond, the first black federal judge from the Deep South.

In 2004, the state’s federal courthouse was named in his honor.

Students Saturday said they were ready — albeit a little nervous — about stepping out to make their mark in the world.

“It’s an intense emotion,” said Emmanuel Baker, 20, of Columbia. “(You’ve got to) make Benedict proud. Make your family proud. Make yourself proud.”

Michelle Johnson, 24, of Irmo, said she’s ready to fight the butterflies in her stomach and move forward in her life. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in health administration at Webster University.

She said, like her peers, that she could feel a chapter of her life closing during the graduation ceremony. But she could also sense the possibilities and opportunities that lie ahead.

“It’s just exciting. It’s a ‘Mama, I made it’ moment,” Johnson said.

Reach Copeland at (803) 771-8485.