Two stories of determination reached a happy conclusion last month during Clarion University’s commencement ceremony, when Nathan Griffin and his mother, Phyllis, both received undergraduate degrees in liberal studies.

Both overcame challenges to reach their goal of a college degree—Phyllis, who started at Clarion in 1973 and left to get married; and Nathan, who had to sit out a semester and earn money so he could return to Clarion from his native San Antonio, Texas, and finish his degree.

NATHAN AND PHYLLIS GRIFFIN across from Founders Hall at Clarion University.

by Pharoh Martin
For New Pittsburgh Courier

WASHINGTON (NNPA)—Like thousands of recent college graduates who have marched proudly in their caps and gowns, 22-year-old Nikole Pegues’ plan is to now get a job. But, how that plan is going to pan out is a little bit of a mystery at this point.

The Queens, N.Y., native, upon receiving her bachelor’s degree from Howard University, went from being a college student with high hopes to an unemployment statistic with a six-month countdown to pay back four years of student loans. “I don’t know many people who have paying jobs lined up after graduation,” Pegues said. “I only know of two or three.”

LOOKING FOR WORK—Nikole Pegues is among thousands of graduates who are looking for permanent jobs, but who might have to settle for internships.

Orlana Darkins and Darnell Drewery didn’t know that the many postings on Facebook from teenagers wanting to win Shyne Awards and become successful adults would lead to the first SHYNE Conference Workshop.

The SHYNE Awards recognizes the positive achievements of young adults aged 13-19. The initiative was begun three years ago by Darkins and Drewery.

ORLANA DARKINS AND DARNEL DREWERY

“We kept getting messages from people on our Facebook page who wanted to know how to be successful,” said Darkins. “We kept getting the posts and we said that this could really turn into something.”

(NNPA)—Across the U.S., another group of Black students have earned their college degrees this month, and have progressed to the next stage in their lives. But they do so carrying the burden of greater debt than their White peers, according to a new study conducted by The College Board’s Advocacy and Policy Center.

The study revealed that 27 percent of Black bachelor’s degree recipients in 2007-2008 borrowed $30,500 or more compared to 16 percent of Whites, 14 percent of Latinos/Hispanics and 9 percent of Asians.