B-CC woos actor Reid, who counsels grads
Shaq also on hand to watch mom graduate
By RYAN JUSTIN FOX
Staff Writer
Last update: 28 June 2003
For a usually low-key summer graduation ceremony that barely fills an aging gymnasium, Bethune-Cookman College's commencement Saturday featured some high-profile participants.
Actor-director Tim Reid delivered the address and basketball and film star
Shaquille O'Neal watched his mother graduate.
Perched directly behind the podium in the front row of honored guests was Reid, whom older generations might recognize as the outlandish Venus Flytrap on the hit television series "WKRP in Cincinnati." Younger people might know him as the uptight single father, Ray, on "Sister, Sister."
Behind Reid was his long-time business partner and wife, actress Daphne Maxwell Reid, whom most of the summer graduates probably would know from her work on TV's "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" as Vivian Banks -- the second one.
Tucked in the back corner of the stage, as inconspicuous as possible, sat 7-foot-1 NBA megastar O'Neal, on hand to support his mother, Lucille, who received a bachelor of science degree in business administration. "Mama Shaq" graduated cum laude. 
The college played host to a luncheon for the Reids at a beachside resort Friday, partly in hope of cultivating an ongoing relationship with them.
"We're excited to have (the Reids) here," said B-CC's social science chairwoman, Dr. Sheila Flemming, during the luncheon. A group headed by Flemming is courting Tim Reid and his production company to film a documentary in honor of the college's centennial and founder, Mary McLeod Bethune.
Friday's luncheon featured B-CC's top brass as well as Volusia County officials, Daytona Beach Mayor Bud Asher and West Volusia Film Authority President and Lake Helen Mayor Mark Shuttleworth. .
"Having (the Reids) here is very gratifying," Shuttleworth said. "Filmmaking in Volusia County has struggled the past couple of years."
Shuttleworth recently donated a few props to B-CC from the acclaimed 1997 movie "Rosewood," which was shot in West Volusia.
Reid, who said his New Millennium Studios in Petersburg, Va., is the only black production studio in the country, has made it his agenda to mold a new generation of filmmakers.
"Today's filmmakers are probably the worst filmmakers in the history of filmmaking," Reid said during the luncheon. "We're trying to get them to be responsible for the images they perpetuate."
Saturday, however, belonged to the 81 graduates, who waited years for the day. After they listened to Reid preach about the importance of dreaming, the annoyance of constant whining, and the proper way for younger men to wear their pants, they received their diplomas. Some paused the procession to pose for quick snapshots for future family photo albums.
ryan.fox@news-jrnl.com