Baccalaureate Convocation | May 2024

BACCALAUREATE CONVOCATION FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2024 ANNIE MERNER PFEIFFER CHAPEL SIX O’CLOCK IN THE EVENING Suzanne Elise Walsh, JD, President

THE

BACCALAUREATE

SPEAKER

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.

2 | BACCAL AUREATE CONVOCATION

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.

BACCAL AUREATE CONVOCATION | 3

ALMA MATER WORDS BY CAROL COTTON AND MUSIC BY EDITH PLAYER BROWN

Bennett now our voices raise,

May we never smirch the good,

Harmonies of grateful praise;

Gendered here in sisterhood;

We thy daughters find thee fair,

May we ever choose alright,

Loyally thy colors bear,

Guided but by honor bright;

Truth and honor in thy halls,

Ever lovelier shalt thou live,

Faith and love in thy walls;

As thy daughters freely give;

Ever dear to us thou art,

Ever glorious above,

Firm within each loyal heart.

Testimonies of love.

CHORUS

‘Til the evening shadows fall;

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.

‘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

900 East Washington Street Greensboro, NC 27401 www.Bennett.edu @BENNETT_COLLEGE