Posted 05/21/17, 3:20 PM

AUSTIN (AM News Net)  –  It's late May, and for thousands of families in Texas, that means graduation. The University of Texas at Austin, the flagship school for the state, just held its 2017 graduation this weekend, hosting individual college commencements and a university-wide ceremony Saturday night.

Indeed, the time was cause for celebration, unity, and hope. The keynote speaker was perhaps the best candidate: Former Dallas Police Chief David Brown.

Brown served as the police chief in Dallas from 2010-2016, and for 33 years at the department total. The former longhorn became publicly known and hailed as hero for the way he handled the tragic Dallas Police shootings in June 2016, where a gunman targeted and shot at police officers protecting a Black Lives Matter protest.

Brown had transformed his police force to focus on trust, community building, and training officers. His concern for others goes far back, and made part of the point of his address.

When Brown was growing up, he was still dealing with the effects of segregation ending. At one point, he noticed a white boy, Lance, sitting on the bus.

"Lance was on the bus, and I noticed he didn't have anything to eat," Brown said. "I could tell he was hungry. I could tell he didn't have any money. I notice poor when I see it because I was poor."

Brown explained that he befriended Lance and gave him food to eat. Years later, Lance wrote him a letter, asking why.

"The answer happened six years prior to that when I was in sixth grade," he said.

In sixth grade, Brown was the one the sitting alone and poor, dealing with racial prejudice. He was part of the first generation of African-American kids being bused into Dallas after segregation. While Brown sat alone and hungry, waiting for help, it was a white boy who befriended him and gave him food to eat. This inspiring message prompted advice from Brown during the speech.

"Invite someone to dinner who doesn't look like you," he said.

The message of unity was common through out the weekend. Student government president Kevin Helgren gave a speech in front of the tower, listing how all types of people come to the university and work together.

After the speeches, the ceremony ended with the the University of Texas at Austin wind ensemble playing The Eyes of Texas and a grand fireworks show above the tower. However, the conclusion is just the beginning for the now-alumni.

"To today's graduates, and the family and friends who have supported you throughout your lives, congratulations," University of Texas at Austin president Gregory Fenves said. "The university community and I wish you great success as you begin your next journey."

For these graduates, the eyes of Texas are now truly upon them.

More college news can be found here.

Photographer Anthony Mazur was given access to the Frank Erwin Center and 2017 graduation ceremony by the University of Texas at Austin to cover individual college commencements and to document the university-wide graduation ceremony this weekend. The above is photos and a recount of the events.

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