University’s first Black graduate hands granddaughter her diploma 59 years later

ATLANTA (WANF/Gray News) - Thousands of students walked across the stage on graduation day at Georgia Tech University this week.

And it was certainly a special ceremony for a family who has a long history at the school.

“We’re here with the statue of Mr. Ronald Yancey,” said Georgia Tech junior and biomedical engineering major Azeh Ndifor. “He was the first Black graduate from Georgia Tech.”

Yancey is a story of firsts, so Black students like Ndifor can be next.

“Being the first anything is never easy,” Ndifor said.

Yancey’s statue sits in a foyer, often featured in students’ pictures.

“Seeing this statue when I come through here all the time for class is just a reminder of what I’m working towards,” Ndifor said.

But as special as it is for students like Ndifor, the statue is even more special for Deanna Yancey, Ronald Yancy’s granddaughter.

“He’s broken barriers and he’s opened doors that I will never have to experience opening myself,” Deanna Yancey said.

Deanna Yancey got her undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from Penn State University but couldn’t pass the chance to get her master’s from Georgia Tech.

“Georgia Tech, in my opinion, is just one of the top engineering schools in the nation,” she said.

She walked across the stage Friday.

Deanna Yancey not only got her own picture with Ronald Yancey, but she also got her diploma handed to her by her grandfather.

“I couldn’t thank Georgia Tech enough,” Deanna Yancey said.

Many of the students thanked the university and Ronald Yancey for helping pave the way for them 59 years ago.

“He kind of paved the path, because without this, I wouldn’t be here,” Ndifor said.

Deanna Yancey added, “It’s just beyond me how someone could have been so strong in such a hard time.”

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