Words to Live By

Students receiving undergraduate degrees at this year’s Commencement ceremony in May heard from civil rights pioneer and education advocate Skip Griffin, who grew up in Farmville, the son of local civil rights leader Rev. L. Francis Griffin. Skip Griffin and his sisters were plaintiffs in the landmark 1964 desegregation case that forced Prince Edward County to reopen its public schools after five years. “Sixty years ago, we in this community struggled against each other. For the last 10 years or so, we have struggled together to find a way forward to reconcile with one another and to move this community, this commonwealth and this nation toward a more perfect union,” Griffin said. “I challenge you to continue what your university has done here.”