Taylor, who was featured speaker at the annual First-Year Scholars Program on Thursday, Feb. 4, in Lawless Chapel, urged students to “Set the pace” and “Don’t disappoint yourself.” Some 114 students were honored as having grade-point averages of 3.0 or better. Eight of those students had straight-A averages, or 4.0.

Taylor, who came to DU in fall 2008 as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, previously held the position at Morehouse College in Atlanta.

An accomplished historian today who holds numerous awards, Taylor recalled the difference years ago when he started out in undergraduate school at the University as a popular student without a lot of focus. He said that as a result, he graduated with a 2.9 GPA, just enough to get into graduate school. (He received a master’s from the University of Nebraska and returned to Minnesota for his doctorate.) of Minnesota

Taylor said he found his way in graduate school, where he maintained a 4.0 for two years. The change for him, which he advised for others, was to keep sight of your goal and to be disciplined.

“Challenge yourself; that’s where you’ll grow,” Taylor advised. “Challenge your professors, challenge students around you.”

Taylor encouraged students to take advantage of the time you have now. He said for most college students, this is the freest you’ll ever be. Noting he’s now 65, he said it’s amazing how fast time flies.

(David Pittman contributed to this report.)

Eight of the 114 students recognized as First-Year Scholars on Feb. 4 had a straight-A average. Another 22 had a GPA of 3.6 to 3.9 and 84 had 3.4 to 3.5.

GPA of 4.0

Candace Banks

Tandraer Crosby

Lauren Lemonious

Kanitria Mason

Alexandria Moore

Dasha Parker 

Andrew Tadros

Rachel Williams

GPA of 3.6 to 3.9 

Alexandria Broadnax

Dominique Bryant

Monette Buchanan

Jhory Buskey

Lyniece Catalan

Charlie Coleman

Heaven Davis

Misha Ferdinand

Chardai Grays

Raven Hardy

Michaela Miller

Christopher Neal

Paula Ogbevoen 

Cherelle Palmer 

Tanesia Patterson

Ebone Pierce

Felisha Rideau

Michael Sagapolutele

Bridget Sisney

Jazzmin Smith

Mikcal Todd

Nyeisha Warr