Al Duncan Keynotes Savannah State GEAR UP Program Summer Awards Luncheon

SAVANNAH, GA—Savannah State University GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) held its summer awards banquet on Friday, July 8, 2012 at Johnny Harris Banquet Hall. In addition to musical selections, poems, and dance performances by the program participants, students were given special awards and recognition for outstanding achievements in their core and elective classes.

Internationally renowned youth advocate and publisher, Al Duncan, was the keynote speaker. Duncan proved to be very adept at keeping the students engaged with his Duncan Nuggets®. "Failure is only permanent if you quit," he told the students as he shared his story of growing up in a socio-economically disadvangeted neighborhood in North Philadelphia to becoming a professional musician and giving it all up to raise his 12 yr. old brother.


Program Director, Mrs. Tamara Waterman congratulated the students, praised her staff for the incredible effort they put forth and she thanked the parents for allowing GEAR UP to be part of their children's lives.

View pictures from the event here:
Savannah States GEAR UP Program at Johnny Harris | savannahnow.com: