Barry C. Black, U.S. Senate Chaplain, to Deliver
Keynote Address at NSU Fall Commencement
Norfolk, Va.—Barry C. Black, U.S. Senate Chaplain, will deliver the keynote address at Norfolk State University’s commencement ceremony, scheduled for 10 a.m., Saturday, December 9, at Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall. The procession will begin at 9:30 a.m. This year approximately 600 students will participate in the commencement exercises.
Elected as the 62nd Chaplain of the Senate, Rear Admiral Black (Ret.) started his work as chaplain in July 2003. Prior to Capitol Hill, Black served in the U.S. Navy for more than 27 years, ending his distinguished career as the chief of the navy chaplains.
As chaplain, Black opens the Senate each day in prayer. He provides counseling and spiritual care for senators, their families and staff, a constituency of more than 7,000 people. He also meets with senators about spiritual and moral issues, assists with research on theological and biblical questions and facilitates discussion and reflection among senators and staff. He also conducts marriage counseling, officiates weddings, funerals and memorial services. Additionally, Black initiates and participates in special and seasonal observances, leads interdenominational prayer gatherings, and cultivates relationships with local clergy and leaders of humanitarian agencies.
Commissioned as a Navy Chaplain in 1976, Black’s first duty station was the Fleet Religious Support Activity in Norfolk. Subsequent assignments include the Naval Support Activity, Philadelphia, Penn.; U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md; First Marine Aircraft Wing, Okinawa, Japan; Fleet Chaplain, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, Norfolk; as well as a host of other duty stations.
A native of Baltimore, Md., Black is the author of the autobiography The Rise from the Hood to the Hill. His personal decorations include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals and numerous unit awards, campaign and service medals. He has also been selected for many outstanding achievements including the 1995 NAACP Renowned Service Award to his contribution to equal opportunity and civil rights.
An alumnus of a number of U.S. colleges and universities, Black earned master of arts degrees in divinity, counseling, and management. He also has a doctorate degree in ministry and a doctor of philosophy degree in psychology. He is married to the former Brenda Pearsall of St. Petersburg, Fla. They have three sons: Barry II, Brendan and Bradford. For more information about NSU’s commencement exercises, call 823-8373 or visit
www.nsu.edu.
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