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- Rozovsky wins prestigious NSF Early Career Award
- UD students meet alumni, experience 'closing bell' at NYSE
- Newark Police seek assistance in identifying suspects in robbery
- Rivlin says bipartisan budget action, stronger budget rules key to reversing debt
- Stink bugs shouldn't pose problem until late summer
- Gao to honor Placido Domingo in Washington performance
- Adopt-A-Highway project keeps Lewes road clean
- WVUD's Radiothon fundraiser runs April 1-10
- W.D. Snodgrass Symposium to honor Pulitzer winner
- New guide helps cancer patients manage symptoms
- UD in the News, March 25, 2011
- For the Record, March 25, 2011
- Public opinion expert discusses world views of U.S. in Global Agenda series
- Congressional delegation, dean laud Center for Community Research and Service program
- Center for Political Communication sets symposium on politics, entertainment
- Students work to raise funds, awareness of domestic violence
- Equestrian team wins regional championship in Western riding
- Markell, Harker stress importance of agriculture to Delaware's economy
- Carol A. Ammon MBA Case Competition winners announced
- Prof presents blood-clotting studies at Gordon Research Conference
- Sexual Assault Awareness Month events, programs announced
- Stay connected with Sea Grant, CEOE e-newsletter
- A message to UD regarding the tragedy in Japan
- More News >>
- March 31-May 14: REP stages Neil Simon's 'The Good Doctor'
- April 2: Newark plans annual 'wine and dine'
- April 5: Expert perspective on U.S. health care
- April 5: Comedian Ace Guillen to visit Scrounge
- April 6, May 4: School of Nursing sponsors research lecture series
- April 6-May 4: Confucius Institute presents Chinese Film Series on Wednesdays
- April 6: IPCC's Pachauri to discuss sustainable development in DENIN Dialogue Series
- April 7: 'WVUDstock' radiothon concert announced
- April 8: English Language Institute presents 'Arts in Translation'
- April 9: Green and Healthy Living Expo planned at The Bob
- April 9: Center for Political Communication to host Onion editor
- April 10: Alumni Easter Egg-stravaganza planned
- April 11: CDS session to focus on visual assistive technologies
- April 12: T.J. Stiles to speak at UDLA annual dinner
- April 15, 16: Annual UD push lawnmower tune-up scheduled
- April 15, 16: Master Players series presents iMusic 4, China Magpie
- April 15, 16: Delaware Symphony, UD chorus to perform Mahler work
- April 18: Former NFL Coach Bill Cowher featured in UD Speaks
- April 21-24: Sesame Street Live brings Elmo and friends to The Bob
- April 30: Save the date for Ag Day 2011 at UD
- April 30: Symposium to consider 'Frontiers at the Chemistry-Biology Interface'
- April 30-May 1: Relay for Life set at Delaware Field House
- May 4: Delaware Membrane Protein Symposium announced
- May 5: Northwestern University's Leon Keer to deliver Kerr lecture
- May 7: Women's volleyball team to host second annual Spring Fling
- Through May 3: SPPA announces speakers for 10th annual lecture series
- Through May 4: Global Agenda sees U.S. through others' eyes; World Bank president to speak
- Through May 4: 'Research on Race, Ethnicity, Culture' topic of series
- Through May 9: Black American Studies announces lecture series
- Through May 11: 'Challenges in Jewish Culture' lecture series announced
- Through May 11: Area Studies research featured in speaker series
- Through June 5: 'Andy Warhol: Behind the Camera' on view in Old College Gallery
- Through July 15: 'Bodyscapes' on view at Mechanical Hall Gallery
- More What's Happening >>
- UD calendar >>
- Middle States evaluation team on campus April 5
- Phipps named HR Liaison of the Quarter
- Senior wins iPad for participating in assessment study
- April 19: Procurement Services schedules information sessions
- UD Bookstore announces spring break hours
- HealthyU Wellness Program encourages employees to 'Step into Spring'
- April 8-29: Faculty roundtable series considers student engagement
- GRE is changing; learn more at April 15 info session
- April 30: UD Evening with Blue Rocks set for employees
- Morris Library to be open 24/7 during final exams
- More Campus FYI >>
2:32 p.m., March 7, 2011----More than 500 students and community members sat captivated Wednesday, March 2, by Grammy Award-winner Common as he passionately yet effortlessly presented “Raising Your Consciousness with a Common Sense Lecture.”
“I told you I'm rockin' what and where? Delaware ... I came to UD to talk about greatness.” The presentation began with Common performing freestyle, improvising lyrics infused with UD references that further ignited the audience with enthusiasm and adoration. The tone of the lecture was set, and the theme resonated loudly --greatness.
Throughout the spiritual, intellectual and inspirational presentation, Common referred to childhood memories, past relationships, celebrity friendships with people such as Kanye West and Erykah Badu, and quotes from people and things such as Gandhi and the Bible.
The audience laughed as he lightheartedly told the story of his first Grammy disappointment, grieved as he touched upon death and defeat, and yelled as he exclaimed, “You all want to be great, right!”
Prior to the presentation, Common said, “From a time when I was very young, if I ever got anything, I always wanted to give back to someone else.”
As an actor, artist, author and activist, giving back to the community still remains Common's priority: “My mission is to be a creative artist and use my different facets to add on to this world.” Repeatedly, Common adds to this world by reaching out to youth, college-aged included.
Looking in the eyes of hundreds of students, Common said, “If nobody has ever told you, Common is telling you, you have greatness inside of you. Being great begins with finding your path, believing in your path and living it.”
Asked what he wanted people to feel as they walked away from his presentation, Common thought for a moment and said, “I want them to feel activated and motivated to achieve their goals and aspirations.”
As the lecture came to an enlightening close, Common said, “I want you all to remember greatness is in you, greatness is around you, you will be great.”
Students reacting to the presentation said they were not only “motivated and activated,” but also “invigorated,” “moved” and “finally felt believed in.”
Article by Kayla Codina
Photo by Duane Perry