Bennett College Commencement
About Bennett College
HISTORY
Founded in 1873, Bennett College is the only historically African American women’s college in North Carolina, and one of two such institutions in the country. It is a private, fouryear liberal arts school affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The College’s first sessions were held in the basement of Warnersville Methodist Episcopal Church, now known as St. Matthews United Methodist Church. The Women’s Home Missionary Society and the Board of Education of the Methodist Church re-established Bennett College as a women’s college in 1926 and appointed David Dallas Jones president. Bennett President Suzanne Elise Walsh, JD oversees the Institution, which is actively engaged in preparing women for a complex and competitive world by endowing them with global acumen and communication and leadership skills coupled with entrepreneurial prowess. Bennett looks to the everchanging demands of the present and anticipates the future by recognizing the necessity of educating students to pursue graduate and professional degrees in science, technology, global systems, public policy and executive management of issues related to ecology, environmental justice, health, hunger and poverty. Bennett Belles are resilient, flexible and undeterred in the face of strenuous demands. Bennett provides a caring, nurturing and responsive space for the fulfillment of the dreams of its students and their collective desire to obtain a quality education. Belles are academically prepared, serious about lifelong learning and open to broadening their intellectual horizons. They embrace diversity while remaining steadfast in their commitment to serving humanity.
MISSION
Bennett College prepares women of color, through a transformative liberal arts education, to lead with purpose, integrity and a strong sense of self-worth. Bennett provides educational access to students while promoting inquiry, civic engagement, social justice, lifelong learning and equity for all.
VISION
Bennett College is renowned for its intimate, engaging learning community that produces phenomenal women scholars and global leaders.
Ceremonial Symbols & Traditions
THE COLLEGE MACE
The mace, a ceremonial insignia, dates to ancient Rome to honor heroes and nobility. Maces were later used in the courts of England, during the reign of James I, as symbols of authority. Today, maces are associated with academic and governmental processions. In academic use, it is the symbol of the College or University, as a body of scholars within its own legally constituted authority. The chief marshal carries the mace during all formal academic processions. Approximately 36 inches in length, the mace is made of metal (copper, bronze and brass) with a tapered shaft and an engraved globe at the bottom (symbolic of the College’s international link with the world.) The College seal, which rests atop the mace, is mounted vertically. Beneath the seal, around the top of the “trapezoid” is the College’s purpose (EDUCATION FOR WOMEN). The “trapezoid” bowl section below the posts is embellished with a series of Akuba figurines (West African symbols of womanhood) affixed to magnolia leaf outlines. Magnolia trees are a longstanding symbol adorning the Bennett College campus. The mace, created by Emblem and Badge, Inc., Providence, Rhode Island, was designed by Congresswoman Dr. Alma S. Adams, a retired Bennett professor.
ACADEMIC REGALIA
The history of traditional academic dress may be traced to the 12th century when Oxford University was founded and to the medieval European universities of the 14th century. Although European universities follow varied patterns in cut and color of gown and type of headdress, academic dress at American colleges and universities is fairly standardized. Since the mid-1960s, it has become popular for some in historically African American colleges and universities to wear Kente cloth chevrons, panels, hoods and tam trim on presidential, faculty and student regalia. The traditional academic gown is usually black. The bachelor’s gown has a simple design, with long pointed sleeves as its distinguishing mark. The master’s gown has oblong sleeves with the rear cut square and the front featuring a cutaway arc. The most elaborate academic costume is the doctoral gown, with velvet panels down the front and three velvet bars across the sleeves. The velvet is usually black, but it may be a color designating the discipline to which the degree pertains. The hood of the doctoral gown features velvet trimmings, the width of which designates the level of the degree. The color of the hood indicates the major field of study, and its lining identifies the institution that granted the degree.
OXFORD CAP
During the presidency of Dr. David Dallas Jones, the first president of Bennett as a college for women, the tradition of wearing the Oxford cap instead of the mortarboard was established. Dr. Jones felt that it was more appropriate as academic attire for Bennett women. It is a soft black square cloth hat with sharp corners with a flap in the front which is held up by a button on each side.
The Commencement Speaker
DOMINIQUE MORISSEAU
Dominique Morisseau, an acclaimed playwright, actress, and poetess, was specially chosen by graduating seniors who heard her speak in New York. Her voice, resonating with authenticity and empowerment, aligns perfectly with the ethos of Bennett College and our commitment to nurturing the next generation of community, global, civic, and creative leaders.
Morisseau’s body of work includes The Detroit Project (A 3-Play Cycle): Skeleton Crew (Atlantic Theater Company/ Broadway, Tony Award nomination for Best Play), Paradise Blue (Signature Theatre), and Detroit ’67 (Public Theater, Classical Theatre of Harlem and NBT). Additional plays include: Confederates (Signature Theatre), Pipeline (Lincoln Center Theatre), Sunset Baby (LAByrinth Theatre, Signature Theatre), Blood at the Root (National Black Theatre), and Follow Me To Nellie’s (Premiere Stages).
She is the Tony Award nominated bookwriter on the Broadway musical Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations (Imperial Theatre) and is currently working on her latest, Hippest Trip – The Soul Train Musical (ACT). TV/ Film includes: Co-Producer on Shameless (Showtime), the film adaptation of the documentary STEP (Fox Searchlight), and consultant on the Netflix animated feature, Tunga.
She has been recognized with prestigious awards such as the MacArthur Genius Grant Fellowship and the Steinberg Playwright Award, as well as a PoNY Fellowship, TEER
Trailblazer Award, Audelco Awards, NBFT August Wilson Playwriting Award, Edward M. Kennedy Prize for Drama, OBIE Award (two), Ford Foundation Art of Change Fellowship, and she is one of Variety’s Women of Impact for 2018. In 2022, Dominique was awarded the key to the city by the Mayor of Detroit.
Commencement Program
PRESIDING
VICE PRESIDENT OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS & STUDENT EXPERIENCE LAURA COLSON, EdD
Asterisk (*) indicates where the audience should stand
PRELUDE Toccata on “Great Day” by A. Hailstork
PROCESSIONAL* ..................................... Pomp and Circumstance ........................................ by Edward Elgar
WELCOME .......................................................................................................................
Suzanne Elise Walsh, JD President of Bennett College
INVOCATION* .....................................................................................................
Reverend Gregory Drumwright Senior Pastor & Establishmentarian The Citadel Church & Campus Ministries
PRESENTATION OF THE COLORS* Girl Scout Troops Providence Baptist Church
THE NEGRO NATIONAL ANTHEM* Lift Every Voice and Sing led by the Alumnae Reunion Choir
SCRIPTURE READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT ................................................................................................. Sinclair Anne Bennett ’24
NEW TESTAMENT ........................................................................................... Maria F. Muñiz Gonzalez ’24
ALUMNAE REUNION CHOIR ........................ Musical Selection ......................................... Valerie D. Johnson Choir Director 1996-2016
GREETINGS..........................................................................................Senator Gladys Ashe Robinson, PhD ’71 Chair, Bennett College Board of Trustees
50TH CLASS PRESENTATION Renee Robison ’74 Class Coordinator, Class of 1974
25TH CLASS PRESENTATION ...................................................................... Willacin “Precious” Gholston ’99 Class Coordinator, Class of 1999
MUSICAL SELECTION .................................................................................................. Alumnae Reunion Choir
LEAVES OF GRASS ......................................................................................... Zakyha Shanta Jones-Walker ’24 Student Government Association President
VALEDICTORIAN ADDRESS ......................................................................................... Samiya Renee Green ’24
POETIC SELECTION ................................................................................................................ Jasmine Faison ’10 Poet Laureate
INTRODUCTION OF COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER ................................................................ President Walsh Na’Kiya Ternae Thompson ’24
COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS ......................................................................................... Dominique Morisseau
PRESENTATION OF THE DEGREE CANDIDATES Vice President Colson
CONFERRING OF DEGREES President Walsh
HOODING CEREMONY
WELCOME GRADUATES AS ALUMNAE............................................................................. Yolande Johnson ’83 Donor Relations and Stewardship Director & Alumnae Engagement Liaison
PRESIDENT’S CHARGE TO THE CLASS President Walsh
ALMA MATER* ................................................ by Cotton/Brown ..........................led by the Alumnae Choir
BENEDICTION.................................................................................................................... Reverend Drumwright
RECESSIONAL* ........................................ War March of the Priests .................................... by F. Mendelssohn
Lizzie Alston-Reeder
Veita Bland-Spencer
Gwendolynn Boykin
Natalie Caldwell
Joan Chalmers-Quick
Faye Chatma
Constance Clark
Evelyn Cohens
Cynthia Fulmore
Marilyn Gore
Joyce Goss
Phyllis Greenlee
Cynthia Hardy
Deborah Harris
Linda Herring
Gwendolyn Hill
Duanne Hoffler-Foster
Ruby Holmes
Lula Howard
Sandra Hunter Lawrence
Lois Isley-Byrd
Deborah Jackson
Dianne Jackson
Barbara Jeffries-Spencer
Nancy Jimerson
Barbara Johnson
Sherry Johnson
Valerie Knight
Jessie Leak
Sharon Leath
Starlett Lee-Jefferson
Cynthia McCaskill-Aminger
Debra McFadden-Bryant
Linda McNeill
Katrina Moore
Karen Oldham
Debra Palmer
M. Janet Payne
Jeanette Perkins
Cheryl Phipps-Kornegay
Gloria Pritchett
Anita Rankin
Doris Rann
Sharon Reid
Denise Roberts
The golden class of 1974 The silver class of 1999
Mariska Adams-Cadogon
Starr Allen-Pettway
Nettie Almada
Demetria Anderson
MicKelle Arnold
Dionna Banks
Naima Barbour
Kizzie Barnes
Tywanda Bates-Holley
Shanquetta Blackmon
Latoya Bonner
Lakisha Bradley
Sydney Brown
Yolanda Butler
Shanika Choo-Ying
Tonya Copling
Jessica Covington
Brandi Crawley-Williams
Dionne Dawkins
Valeria Day
Tirshatha Derricks-Bey
Robin Doby
Latonia Ford
Tennille Francis-Drummond
Tyneeka Freeman
Keya Gaston
Hadijat-Kubrat Gbajabiamila
Willacin Gholston
Nadirah Goldsmith
Yolanda Green
Farrah Grooms
Shamilah Harris
Jamie Harris-Fullman
A. Monique Hunt
Brandi Hunter-Davenport
Hope Iglehart
Marci Ivy
Ayisha Jefferson
Tonya Johnson
Lauren Jones
Jamila Jones
Tarin Jones
Jennifer Jones
Marcene Kelly
Makila King
Dyora Kinsey
Doretha Labogin
Valerie Lewis
Erisha Lipford-Speigner
Kelley Lockard
Dina Lovell
Dywana Lynch
Gabrielle Mallory-Phillips
Robyn Maultsby
Tamarian McIntyre
Marisa McMillan Weaver
Raena Mitchell
Keante Montgomery
Delanissa Moody
Renee Moore
Elise Moragne
Amina Morrison
Maonei Mutamba
Lakeesha Neal
Rhonda NewKirk Ushry
Nicole Newsome
Sean O’Day
Candle Hudson Oden
Trinette Oliver
Kristy Owens
Tiffany Posey
Natashia Privette
Kimberly Reid
La Wanda Riddick
Stephanie Ross
Renee Robison
Geraldine Rouette
Linda Rousseau
Dasretta Sapp
Lacine Small
Lillie Stone
Ralieghetta Varnedoe
Shirley Walton
Richetta Webb
Sylvia White
Marva White
Parepa Williams
Brenda Wilson
Deborah Withers
Johanna Wright
Khalilah Saleem
Kenya Samuels-Gray
Tiffany Scurlock
Lavita Sellars
Darlene Simmons
Camilla Smith
Allison Smith-Holness
Bethany Smith-Moore
Nikia Steele-Hammie
Shelree Stevenson
Ronda Stingley-Davis
Philippa Stuart
Dorthea Taylor
Myeshia Troy-Harmon
Tanya Wagstaffe
Kisha Ward
Millie West
Jamika Whatley-Phillips
Tangela Williams
Juanita Williams
Ellisha Willis
Charmaine Wilson
Iva Wright
Mecca Wright
Kafi Zahra
Candidates for Degrees
EDUCATION STUDIES
Sinclair Anne Bennett
La’Sha James
Kyra Noelle Owens
Miranda Alexandria Wise + PSYCHOLOGY
Assatta Aaliyah Blount Palmer
Shamarie Bullock + Marcia Carroll
Martha Alexandra Hallmon
Zakyha Shanta Jones-Walker
Camryn Alexandria Lewis
Jaziah Alexandria Thomas
INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES
Olivia Eve Chisholm
Trinity Michayla Cromwell
Jaiyah-Shalon Aaliyah Gordon
Najae M Henderson +
Dareyon A Lanear
Kial Alexis Wiley Little + Angela Nicole Nettles
Jessica Marie Parks
Nyarika Penick
Audry Rhodes
Sydney Simone Snow
Jasmine Kiara Syffus
+ Indicates Fall 2023 Graduates
JOURNALISM AND MEDIA STUDIES
Taylor Moore
MATHEMATICS
Tyffani Kiara Royal
BIOLOGY
Damara Alicea Carter
Maria F. Muñiz Gonzalez
Samiya Renee Green
Najar’ye Ivey
Khalanni Janelle Key +
Sarah Mason
Nyjah Monique Ridley
Jayla White
SOCIAL WORK
Melissa Ross Gray
Monteria Antonasia Reaves
Na’Kiya Ternae Thompson
Callyce Tucker-Reves
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Damisha Fraser
Janna Ella Lindsay
Mikaelia Raejine Mosley
Aaress D Moyd
CHEMISTRY
Deja Ayana Rogers
2024 Latin Honors Designations
VALEDICTORIAN
Samiya Renee Green, Biology
SALUTATORIAN
Trinity Michayla Cromwell, Interdisciplinary Studies
SUMMA CUM LAUDE
Trinity Michayla Cromwell, Interdisciplinary Studies
Jaiyah-Shalon Aaliyah Gordon, Interdisciplinary Studies
Samiya Renee Green, Biology
La’Sha James, Education Studies
Dareyon A Lanear, Interdisciplinary Studies
Angela Nicole Nettles, Interdisciplinary Studies
Kyra Noelle Owens, Education Studies
Deja Ayana Rogers, Chemistry
Na’Kiya Ternae Thompson, Social Work
Callyce Tucker-Reves, Social Work
MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Sinclair Anne Bennett, Education Studies
Maria F. Muñiz Gonzalez, Biology
Zakyha Shanta Jones-Walker, Psychology
Monteria Antonasia Reaves, Social Work
Nyjah Monique Ridley, Biology
Sydney Simone Snow, Interdisciplinary Studies
CUM LAUDE
Assatta Aaliyah Blount Palmer, Psychology
Najar’ye Ivey, Biology
Jasmine Kiara Syffus, Interdisciplinary Studies
Jayla White, Biology
Miranda Alexandria Wise, Education Studies
Not pictured: Shamarie Bullock, Olivia Eve Chisholm, Kial Alexis Wiley Little, Nyarika Penick, Khalanni Janelle Key, Damisha Fraser, Tyffani Kiara Royal and Miranda Alexandria Wise
Bennett College Board of Trustees
OFFICERS
Senator Gladys Ashe Robinson, PhD ’71, Chair
Pamela Jolly, EdD, Chair-Elect
Mark Milliron, PhD, Vice Chair
Debra Clark Jones, ’84, Secretary
Suzanne Elise Walsh, JD, President
MEMBERS
Senator Gladys Ashe Robinson, PhD ’71
Jermon Bafaty
Ronald Carter, PhD
Debra Clark Jones, ’84
Mignon Espy Edwards
Dr. Charlene Green
Anna Harrison, EdD
Cassandra Jones Havard, JD ’78
Reverend Rodvegas Marc Ingram, Sr. Pamela Jolly, EdD
Melba Goode McCallum, EdD
Mark Milliron, PhD
Natalie Renee Parker ’01
Cheryl Parquet
Melani (Walker) Dziire, CPA
Zakyha Jones-Walker ’24, SGA ex-officio
Suzanne Elise Walsh, JD
Nicole Washington
Madieu Williams, JD
BENNETT COLLEGE LEADERSHIP TEAM
Suzanne Elise Walsh, JD President of Bennett College
Laura Colson, EdD Vice President, Academic Affairs & Student Experience
Elizabeth Waugh Chief Financial Officer
Phanalphie Rhue Chief Global Communications & Experience Officer
Commencement Committee
Chair: M. Yvette Wimberly, PhD
Teisha Brown
Seria Bullen-Sata ’21
Jevon Carter
Susan Christopher, MA, MS
Chelsea Crenshaw ’23
Jasmine Faison ’10
Marsha Francois, MBA
Sam L Grogg, PhD
Elizabeth Hartwig
Aaron Huntley, MDiv
Yolande Johnson ’83
Tom Lipscomb, MFA
Rachel Pridgen, MA
Phanalphie Rhue
Lift Every Voice And Sing
WORDS BY JAMES WELDON JOHNSON AND MUSIC BY JOHN ROSAMUND JOHNSON
Lift every voice and sing, Till earth and heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of Liberty; Let our rejoicing rise
High as the list’ning skies, Let it resound loud as the rolling sea. Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us, Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us; Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, Let us march on till victory is won.
Stony the road we trod, Bitter the chast’ning rod, Felt in the days when hope unborn had died; Yet with a steady beat, Have not our weary feet
Come to the place for which our fathers sighed? We have come over a way that with tears has been watered. We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered, Out from the gloomy past, Till now we stand at last Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.
God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way; Thou who hast by Thy might, Led us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee, Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee; Shadowed beneath Thy hand, May we forever stand, True to our God, True to our native land.
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 within 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!
