Dear Southernites and Friends:

Happy Fourth of July!  This is a big week for all of us as we celebrate our nation’s independence, and host our 2017 Southern University Alumni Federation Leadership Summit on July 7th and 8th.  Given some of our recent challenges at the University, many alums have had much to say about the on-goings of the University.  Indeed, many of us have exercised our freedom of speech in so many ways:  in letters, in email, in the press, and on social media.  This is one of the many freedoms that makes our country great.  We have the ability to challenge authority without fear of persecution.  Our freedom to openly question the establishment exposes the strengths and weaknesses of our country, and our university in much the same manner.   Our fundamental freedoms as a nation allows us to evolve and better serve the greater good.  I’m proud to be an American and a citizen of the greatest country on the planet.