Trayvon Martin aspired to be a pilot before he was senselessly gunned down by George Zimmerman five years ago. Martin would have been 22, the age of graduation for many students, so Florida Memorial University decided to honor Trayvon’s memory by awarding him a degree in Aeronautical Science.
Here is more from miami.cbslocal.com:
Martin’s parents, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, accepted a degree in Aeronautical Science on his behalf during a graduation ceremony at Florida Memorial University on Saturday. In a statement, the university said it was honoring the steps the 17-year-old took toward becoming a pilot before his death.
“Because your son has come to mean so much to so many, his story has resonated across the nation. Because as Dr. Martin Luther King once said, ‘Truth crushed to earth will rise again,’” said the school’s Vice President & Provost, Dr. Michelle Howard-Vital. “While we cannot restore the loss you have suffered, please accept this small token as a monument that Trayvon is loved and that his life matters to us.”
Martin’s parents were touched by the gesture and had the following comments:
“To say that we’re thankful is an understatement,” said Tracy Martin. “I think this shows what this community, how they feel, how they believe in our family, believe in our foundation, how we’ve worked together, it was a heartfelt moment when they called Trayvon’s name to accept the degree for him, it was very touching. This was a day that we planned for as parents, we just wish that we would have watched him walk across the stage.”
Trayvon’s mother Sybrina Fulton is an alumnus of Florida Memorial University, an HBCU in Miami Gardens Florida. Flip the page for video of Trayvon’s parents accepting his aviation degree on his behalf.