Dr. Brown: Grit is the Secret to Academic, Professional Success

Dr. Brown: Grit is the Secret to Academic, Professional Success

August 19, 2025

Contact: Thonnia Lee, Office of Communications, Public Relations and Marketing

Dr. Brown pins student at Rites of Passage Ceremony.

New students and their families filled the university Chapel on Sunday for the 2025 Rites of Passage Ceremony, introducing them to the responsibilities of being a Tuskegee University student.

The message from Dr. Mark A. Brown, President and CEO, was clear: "Of all the things I work and pray for you while here, grit is the single greatest factor in success, and we all need to nurture it in our children if we want them to succeed."

He told the sea of students dressed in black and white that the biggest persistence of success is lifelong effort. "Put differently, don't ever quit. More importantly, are you willing to put forth the effort and learn not to quit?

"Whatever it takes to get it done, figure out how to build grit and you have an advantage," he said. "You don't teach grit, you practice it in everyday action."

The ceremony was created by a former Miss Tuskegee University as a way to bring the students together and welcome them to the university. The ceremony included candle lighting by representatives of every class and messages of inspiration by Associate Vice President of Student Affairs Abena Myers-Taylor, Dr. Rolundus Rice, Vice President of Student Affairs, along with Miss Tuskegee University Zion Hunt, who led the students through the history and the Rites of Passage. Student Trustee Carrington Thompson led the students through the responsive reading with Dean of Students Tameka Harper before the freshmen and new students pinned each other.

Grit is a very personal matter, Dr. Brown said. "I understand the challenge of failure. I've failed many more times than I have succeeded. It's what you do when no one is watching. Grit is what you will need to get through this university."

Dr. Brown told the students he wanted them to succeed, but they needed to prepare to fail, but be willing to get back up from the stumble.

"My hope, my prayer is you have the grit to get up," he said. "Fall down if you will, but make sure you get back up."

© 2025 Tuskegee University