BACCALAUREATE CONVOCATION
FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2024
ANNIE MERNER PFEIFFER CHAPEL
SIX O’CLOCK IN THE EVENING
Suzanne Elise Walsh, JD, President
BACCALAUREATE SPEAKER THE
RYANNE PETERSON
Ryanne Peterson, MS, LCMHC, NCC, Director of Counseling Services at Bennett College and CEO of OIC Counseling and Wellness PLLC, is a prominent figure in the field of mental health advocacy. With a profound dedication to supporting mental health in Black and Brown communities, Ryanne’s selection as this year’s convocation speaker reflects Bennett’s commitment to holistic education and empowerment.
Ryanne embodies the spirit of resilience, advocacy, and excellence that resonates with Bennett Belles. Her tireless efforts in promoting mental health awareness and her dedication to empowering young women align perfectly with the Bennett College mission of nurturing scholars, leaders, and global citizens through a healthy, whole student experience.
Ryanne’s impactful initiatives, including hosting the inaugural Black Mental Health conference, Revive, and founding MastHERpiece, a nonprofit guiding Black teenage girls towards their true potential, resonate deeply with the graduating class of 2024. As students who have diligently managed their academic pursuits alongside their personal well-being and mental health, they requested a speaker who embodies resilience and celebrates their journey.
In addition to her roles in counseling and wellness, Ryanne serves as the dean of the Durham Awesome Foundation, contributing to positive change in her community through monthly grants to projects enhancing Durham’s awesomeness.
BACCALAUREATE SERVICE
Presided by President Suzanne Elise Walsh, JD
Asterisk (*) indicates where the audience should stand.
PRELUDE ........................................ Prayer .............................................................................L. Boellmann
PROCESSIONAL* .......................... God of Our Fathers ............................................ George W. Warren
WELCOME ............................................................................................................ Suzanne Elise Walsh, JD President of Bennett College
INVOCATION .............................................................................. Reverend Gregory Drumwright, MDiv Senior Minister and Establishmentarian The Citadel Church and Campus Ministries
THE GENERAL THANKSGIVING (In Unison)*
Almighty God, Father of all mercies. We, Thine unworthy servants, do give Thee most humble and hearty thanks for all Thy goodness and loving kindness to us. We bless Thee for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all, for Thine inestimable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And we beseech Thee, give us that due sense of all Thy mercies, that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful, and that we may show forth Thy praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to Thy service, and by walking before Thee in holiness and righteousness all our days, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
LESSONS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT Callyce Tucker-Reves ’24
LESSONS FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT .................................................................. Nyjah Ridley ’24
A SPECIAL PRAYER TO SENIORS Reverend Natalie V. McLean, DMin ’80 Assistant Pastor, Providence Baptist Church
REFLECTIONS ................................................................................................................. Marcia Carroll ’24 Senior Class President
LITURGICAL DANCE Jessica Parks ’24
POETIC SELECTION ..................................................................................................... Jasmine Faison ’10 Poet Laureate
INTRODUCTION OF THE SPEAKER President Walsh
MUSICAL SELECTION ....................................................................... Belles of Harmony Reunion Choir
BACCALAUREATE ADDRESS ................................................ Ryanne Peterson, MS, LCMHC, NCC Director of Counseling Services
CLOSING REMARKS .........................................................................................................President Walsh
THE ALMA MATER* ............................................................................. Belles of Harmony Reunion Choir
BENEDICTION* ........................................................................................................ Reverend Drumwright
RECESSIONAL* ................................ Now Thank We All Our God ...................................... S. Karg-Elert
Belles of Harmony Reunion Choir is a choir comprised of alumnae who are former members of the Bennett College Belles of Harmony Gospel Choir.
ALMA MATER
WORDS BY CAROL COTTON AND MUSIC BY EDITH PLAYER BROWN
Bennett now our voices raise, Harmonies of grateful praise; We thy daughters find thee fair, Loyally thy colors bear, Truth and honor in thy halls, Faith and love in thy walls; Ever dear to us thou art, Firm within each loyal heart.
CHORUS
Alma Mater, now we sing, Hail the light that thy dost bring; True we’ve been throughout the past, True to thee while life shall last.
May we never smirch the good, Gendered here in sisterhood; May we ever choose alright, Guided but by honor bright; Ever lovelier shalt thou live, As thy daughters freely give; Ever glorious above, Testimonies of love.
‘Til the evening shadows fall; ‘Til we heed our last clear call Mother, may we offer thee Lives of worth and purity? Go with us throughout the years. Smile on us in doubts and fears; Bless us with thy tender care, Mother, fairest of the fair!
Bennett College
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