Education Secretary Betsy DeVos will deliver the keynote address next week at the commencement ceremony for Bethune Cookman University, a private, co-ed, historically black university in Daytona Beach, Fla.
“Much like Dr. Bethune, Founder of Bethune-Cookman University, Secretary DeVos deems the importance of opportunity and hope for students to receive an exceptional education experience. Her mission to empower parents and students resonates with the history and legacy of Dr. Bethune,” the school said in a statement issued Monday.
“Bethune-Cookman University is a school built on the legacy and the transformation of students. Dr. Bethune’s love for students started with five little girls and grew to over 250 students during her time as university president,” Edison O. Jackson, president of the university, added.
“The legacy of Dr. Bethune is that she was not constrained by political ideology, but worked across all parties to support B-CU.”
The May 10 event will take place at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach.
The college receives $4 million annually through Title III, and students receive financial aid through Title IV.
