On the campus of Winston-Salem State University there are two things you will hear most, Ram Pride and it’s a family environment. I witnessed both of these, first hand, at the 2017 Student Choice Awards. The atmosphere was electric, students were elegantly dressed and the show itself was full of surprises. This was all organized by the young inspirational student minds here at WSSU. I had the pleasure of seeing just what a taste of student life at WSSU is like but I was in attendance for the man of the hour, James Tate.
“It was a total surprise. If it wasn’t for the students, I wouldn’t be here. I really thank them”
Mr. Tate is a Property Security Officer at C. G. O’Kelly Library and one of his duties is to greet guests at the welcome desk. Now, this may not seem like a big task but the students fully appreciate the greetings that he gives. In fact they appreciate it so much that they voted James Tate to be the recipient of the Ordinary Man Award. When his name was announced at the award ceremony, the students definitely knew the man they voted for. There was an uproar of excitement, praise and cheers that filled the auditorium and at that very moment I experience the Ram Pride and family environment that everyone speaks of. When speaking with James Tate about winning the award, he said “It was a total surprise. If it wasn’t for the students, I wouldn’t be here. I really thank them”. Here at O’Kelly Library, Mr. Tate is not only The Ordinary Man but he is a great friend, co-worker, role model and most of all he is an extraordinary man.
Author: Byron Williams
okellylibrary.wordpress.com 
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