[5/19/03]TOUGALOO COLLEGE As former President Bill Clinton addressed the class of 2003 at Tougaloo College, a Vicksburg resident and her daughter both graduates of the small private college attended commencement exercises at the college for the first time.

“We are here, first, because we’re both alumni, and second, to see the 42nd president,” said Vicksburg resident Mildred Davis, who received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the school in 1971, but did not attend her own graduation ceremonies.

Davis and her daughter, Florence Davis Miles, who also did not participate in her graduation ceremonies in 1989, sat side-by-side as nearly 8,000 gathered on the campus lawn to watch as about 150 diplomas were presented.

“It was fashionable to not show up and get your degree when I went to school here,” Davis said, adding that she attended the school at a time of racial strife. Robert F. Kennedy, then a candidate for president, had visited the campus before his 1968 assassination. Civil rights leader Stokely Carmichael and others also visited the campus.

Davis and Miles said they did not want to miss the making of history with Clinton’s visit to the 134-year-old historically black college.

“Clinton, in my opinion, demonstrated himself as a home boy and that he is very supportive of African-Americans and African-American causes,” Davis said. “We are just pleased for him to be a commencement speaker.”

Others greeting Clinton were Gov. Ronnie Musgrove, Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr., U.S. Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, state legislators and other politicians.

After receiving an honorary degree from the college and a key to Jackson, Clinton addressed the graduates, but not before saxophone player Russell Thomas Jr. treated the former president and the crowd to a rendition of “Amazing Grace.”

To laughter, Clinton said Thomas’ music gave him an exemption for missing church.

Repeating a theme, Clinton also spoke against the Bush administration’s tax cuts and use of military might.

“We cannot forever be strong abroad unless we’re getting better at home, forming a more perfect union,” he said.

He encouraged graduates to reach out to others. “I want you to do well, but I also want you to do good,” he said, adding that he knows Tougaloo has planted a seed of service in them and urged graduates to continue serving their communities.