Why I Give to Bethune-Cookman University: Reverend John Douglas

Reverend John Douglas, c/o 1966

Bethune-Cookman taught me to put God first and all wonderful things would come behind them, and they have. The rich cultural experiences tie us to an eternal legacy of our past and connects our current students to the future. It is vitally important to keep the doors open for all so that they generations to come will have a remembrance of the rich history of education and the close connections that we maintain.

The University has a special niche, especially for African Americans. You simply can't receive the experience at a predominantly white institution that you get at an HBCU. Whatever success that you have in life, your alma mater is a part of that. B-CU is part of our lives and we must do all we can do give back to that legacy.

Undoubtedly, I may have been successful if I had not attended BCC, but I am more successful because I did. I have benefitted from lifelong friendships and business associations and been blessed to help fellow alumni.

Mrs. Bethune with her faith, $1.50 and five little girls — that's a lot of hope to preserve. She was determined and did not let things get in her way. We must also do the same. While we are in a struggle now, alumni must rally for the preservation of our school.

We must all work consistently so that things are better than they were yesterday but not as good as they will be tomorrow. I continue to give because I love seeing the young people graduate. I can feel proud knowing that I was a part of that it is vitally important to keep this legacy alive.

A 1966 alumnus, in the past Reverend John Douglas has served as a member of the Board of Trustees; Hillsborough Chapter Alumni Association president; Hillsborough Chapter Alumni president; Hillsborough County Booster Captain and National Alumni Association vice president. He was a member of the Wildcat football and track teams for four years. Douglas enjoyed a successful career in insurance and in ministry and credits lessons learned at Bethune-Cookman College with both.