By Samantha Bolden | The Selma Times-Journal

Concordia College Alabama started its school year with an inspiring message during Monday’s fall convocation to welcome students and faculty back.

Students, along with their families, filled up the Julius and Mary Jenkins Center Gymnasium to worship and hear some words of encouragement.

The Rev. Dr. Roosevelt Gray, director of African American and African Ministry at The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, served as the keynote speaker.

During the speech, he shared some words of wisdom to the audience, telling students to “surround themselves with people that want what you want out of life.”

“Surround yourself with people who are looking to be somewhere in life and one who wants great things out of life,” Gray said.

Gray graduated in 1988 with a Master of Divinity from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in Printing Production and Management from Alabama A&M University in Huntsville.

He told students to take advantage of the opportunities that the college has to offer as well as learning about the school’s background.

“Learn about the historic values gone before you and consider that those people have died to give you this opportunity for a higher education,” Gray said.

“Here is your opportunity to be the very best that you can be.”

Gray reminded the students to never give up on school as well as God when the going gets tough.

“Here is where God reminds you that no matter how many mistakes you’ve made in life, and no matter how small or large they may be, God has the capacity to forgive all of your sins,” Gray said.

Courtney Twiggs, an 18-year-old freshman education major from Prattville, said that she learned a lot about from listening to the speech.

“I’m hoping that I can get closer to God through being in this school, and I feel like it would help me get through my school year,” Twiggs said.

Director of Public Relations at Concordia Abby Campbell said that she hopes that students felt inspired after listening to the speech, especially the freshmen

“We’re just really hoping that they can start this year off on the right foot,” Campbell said.