"Carry with you a life of gratitude, a life of service, a life of determination," the members of the Claflin University class of 2003 were told Saturday shortly before receiving their diplomas.

In his commencement address, the Rev. Dr. William H. Gray III said he, the graduates and the other two individuals awarded honorary doctorates were not the only ones in the audience receiving degrees.

"Before the celebrations, there are some things you need to do," Gray said. "Parents, grandparents, or other relatives received Ph.T. degrees Saturday morning, and they need to be thanked for their making graduation possible."

A Ph.T. degree stands for putting him (or her) through, Gray said.

The president and CEO of The College Fund/United Negro College Fund used that bit of levity to remind the graduates they owed a debt of gratitude to a lot of people.

After inviting the class of 2003 to acknowledge those receiving Ph.T.s, Gray said, "Just as you acknowledged those who helped you," acknowledge those who helped pave the way so you could be here today.

"You are always standing on the shoulders of someone else," no matter what you are doing, Gray said.

Gray used as an example the civil rights work done by Matthew J. Perry Jr., U.S. District Judge for the District of South Carolina, who received an honorary doctorate of laws degree.

When they entered Claflin as freshmen, those graduating would not have become seniors without commitment, Gray said. In order to succeed, you are going to have to maintain that commitment, he reminded the graduates.

"You should strive to achieve excellence," he said. "You owe it to those whose shoulders you're standing on."

Final exams may be over, but "the learning process is just now beginning," Gray told the members of the graduating class.

Reminding them to be good stewards of what they had received, Gray said, "This degree is not simply about you."

Gray told graduates they have a choice to make about what's important in their futures. They could either pursue a life of good or the so-called good life where amassing wealth or power is the only thing of importance.

"Make a life as well as a living," he implored them.

For Gray, the important role models today are those who give back to society. "Give back as much as you can," he told them. "Make this place (the world) a better place as you travel through it."

Gray claimed membership in the class of graduates by virtue of the honorary doctorate of humane letters he received during the exercise.

Gray has held his position with the UNCF since Sept. 11, 1991.

Dr. Henry Tisdale, president of Claflin University, said Claflin receives about $1 million from the College Fund. This money is used for a variety of purposes, Tisdale said.

"Much of what you see happening at Claflin is the result of Dr. William H. Gray," Tisdale said.

Gray has been pastor of the 5,000-member Bright Hope Baptist Church in Philadelphia for more than 25 years, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. He has been in the ministry since 1964.

As head of America's oldest and most successful black higher education assistance organization, Gray has led the UNCF to new fund-raising heights while cutting costs and expanding programs and services.

Before becoming president of UNCF, Gray served in Congress and was known for his support of education. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1978.

Perry, one of the others receiving an honorary degree, graduated from South Carolina State College and from its law school in June 1951.

President Gerald Ford nominated Perry as a a judge on the U.S. Court of Military Appeals in Washington, D.C., in 1975 and he was unanimously confirmed by the Senate.

President Jimmy Carter nominated him as a U.S. District Judge for the District of South Carolina. He took senior judge status on Oct. 1, 1995.

Dr. Leo Twiggs, artist-in-residence at Claflin, received an honorary doctorate of humanities.

Twiggs received the Ph.D. in art education from the University of Georgia while employed at South Carolina State College.

In September 1973, the first students were admitted to the Art Department at South Carolina State College, which was designed by Twiggs. He is known as a pioneer of the art medium known as batik. His artwork has been featured in numerous publications, on magazine covers and in newspaper and has been exhibited in galleries across the country.

During the awards portion of the ceremony, Dr. Don L. Powell received the James E. Hunter Faculty Excellence Award.

Claflin awarded a record 283 baccalaureate degrees at its 133rd commencement.

T&D City Editor Byron Tindall can be reached by e-mail at btindall@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5570.

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