It was a moment steeped in history and meaning, as Ronald Yancey, the first Black graduate of Georgia Tech, bestowed a diploma upon his granddaughter, Deanna Yancey, during the university's recent graduation ceremony. Nearly six decades ago, Yancey himself was a solitary figure of resilience, the only Black student to graduate with a degree in electrical engineering in 1965, among a crowd of 300, according to FOX 5 Atlanta. His journey was littered with obstacles, yet Yancey overcame them all, standing as a testament to perseverance for future generations.
Yancey's legacy at Georgia Tech is now immortalized with a sculpture titled "The First Graduate," which serves as a daily inspiration for students passing by. "Seeing this statue when I come through here all the time for class is just a reminder of what I’m working towards," Georgia Tech junior, Azeh Ndifor told WSFA. Ndifor expressed gratitude for Yancey's pioneering efforts, acknowledging that his own presence at the school was made possible by the paths Yancey cleared.
Deanna Yancey, who completed her undergraduate degree in electrical engineering at Penn State University, chose to follow in her grandfather's footsteps by pursuing her master's at Georgia Tech. Reflecting on her grandfather's impact, she told WSFA, "He’s broken barriers and he’s opened doors that I will never have to experience opening myself." Her master's degree in electrical and computer engineering is not just an academic achievement but a personal homage to her grandfather's resilience and strength.
As the Yancey family celebrated Deanna's graduation, her grandfather's presence was a powerful symbol for past and present students alike. "I couldn’t thank Georgia Tech enough," Deanna Yancey said about receiving her diploma from her grandfather, a gesture marking both a familial and institutional milestone. This live testament to progress is a reminder that the university has traversed a long, sometimes arduous path towards inclusivity and diversity, starting with Yancey's own indomitable spirit and determination to be "so strong in such a hard time," as Deanna Yancey added in her commentary to WSFA.
