PHOTOS: U.S. Senator Katie Britt Delivers Remarks at Tuskegee University’s Homecoming Convocation, Receives Honorary Doctorate
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) recently delivered remarks during Tuskegee University’s Homecoming Convocation. She also received an honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) degree from Tuskegee’s Board of Trustees.
Norma B. Clayton, Chair of Tuskegee’s Board of Trustees, Senator Britt, Dr. Mark A. Brown, CEO and President of Tuskegee University, and Richard T. Jones / Photo: Stefan Smith
Excerpts from Senator Britt’s remarks are below, and her full remarks can be viewed here.
Senator Britt noted, “It’s fitting for this week’s theme to be ‘Tuskegee’s Renaissance Era’ appreciating rich history, but recommitting and looking forward (to the) renewal, innovation, transformation that will come. The history and legacy here in Tuskegee is evident. You can feel it when you drive on to campus, right? So when I was traveling the state campaigning, I came here and it was undeniable what I felt when I met with students, met with faculty and met with the administration here at Tuskegee. It’s one of the reasons that I made a commitment that day to always be your partner, because I believe you don’t just represent the future, you all represent the now ….
“The incredible standards that you all said are evident in Doctor Brown, your first alumnus serving as the President. The work that he’s doing, the energy you feel here on campus—this is the only university in the nation to be designated as a National Historic Site by the U.S. Congress. As a proud member, myself, of the HBCU Caucus in the United States Senate, I not only remind my colleagues that we have more HBCUs than any other place in the nation, but that we have the best,” she continued.
After highlighting Tuskegee’s history and legacy, as well as how its students today are making a mark on the college’s future, Senator Britt offered advice, saying, “One thing I can guarantee you is that the world will knock you down, it happens. And what you have to do, and what we need you to do, is to stand back up. Because as the first female elected in the state of Alabama to serve in the United States Senate, I am well aware that the world does place limitations on us. And if I stood up here and told you anything different, I wouldn’t be being honest with you. But what I have found in life, that it is the ones that we place on ourselves that do the most damage.
“So believe in what is possible. Know that these men and women are pushing you to stretch to your limit, because they know that God has a purpose and a plan for you. And everyone’s skills and gifts and talents that the Lord has given you are different, but it is incumbent upon you to use them to continue to build off of the incredible legacy that we have here and contribute to the continued success of this incredible institution. It is an honor to be here with you all today. It is an honor to have gotten this doctorate and to officially be part of the Tuskegee family,” she concluded.
Senator Britt speaks to Tuskegee University students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members / Photo: Stefan Smith
Dr. Brown and Chairwoman Clayton present Senator Britt with an honorary LLD / Photo: Stefan Smith
Dr. Brown introduced Senator Britt prior to her remarks, saying, “Today, we continue to benefit from the political savvy of a modern-day political tycoon, a congressional leader, and public servant to her community—Senator Katie Britt. Senator Britt has served her community in every imaginable way … And she does so with courage, intellect, grace, and I believe, myself, driven and shaped by her faith and her upbringing in Enterprise, Alabama … She has consistently championed families, advanced economic opportunity, and upheld the dignity of public service. Beyond her professional accomplishments, the Senator is grounded by faith and family …
“Senator Britt’s actions, as a friend of Tuskegee, it’s not just talk. She has successfully launched the successful Aviation Science Program in our College of Engineering as a result of her support. Ma’am, your instrumental support and $6.7 million is transforming the future of flight education and honoring the proud legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen …
“Mother Tuskegee remains grateful for your actions, and pride and gratitude for your extraordinary contributions to public service, your lifelong commitment to Alabama’s people, and your embodiment of Tuskegee University’s enduring value of leadership, integrity, excellence.”
Senator Britt, Wesley Britt, Dr. Brown, Mrs. Gwen Brown, and Tuskegee University aviation students / Photo: Stefan Smith
Senator Britt has championed efforts to strengthen Tuskegee University’s aviation education. Last year, following Senator Britt’s efforts to secure $6.7 million in funding, Tuskegee announced its plans to launch a new flight school degree program. Senator Britt also directly secured $5.29 million to expand the program in the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Act which has advanced in the Senate.
Earlier this year, following the announcement that Alabama’s Tuskegee Airmen had been temporarily removed from the U.S. Air Force’s basic training curriculum, Senator Britt intervened immediately to ensure this Alabama and American history was restored. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth thanked Senator Britt for pointing out the “malicious compliance” and acted swiftly to reinstate the Tuskegee Airmen to Air Force curriculum.
Senator Britt also took immediate action when the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) briefly suspended the 1890 Scholars Program, which provides federal scholarships to agriculture students at 1890 Land-Grant Institutions. Her support prompted USDA to reopen applications just one week later.
Alabama is home to the most historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the country—Senator Britt remains a champion for our 1890 institutions that promote career opportunities for students in critical fields like agriculture, food science, and natural resources. Later in the year in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, Senator Britt secured $60 million to fund the 1890 Scholars Program going forward.
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