Bennett College Commencement Program Spring 2024

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Bennett College

Commencement C L A S S

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Contents About Bennett College | 3 Ceremonial Symbols & Traditions | 4 Commencement Speaker | 5 Commencement Ceremony | 6 The Honor Class of 1974 | 8 Candidates for Degrees | 9 Latin Honors Designations | 10 Senior Composite | 11 Board of Trustees and Leadership | 12 Commencement Committee | 13 Lift Every Voice and Sing | 14 The Alma Mater | 15

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About Bennett College H I S T O R Y

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.

M I S S I O N

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.

V I S I O N

Bennett College is renowned for its intimate, engaging learning community that produces phenomenal women scholars and global leaders.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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The golden class of 1974 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

Renee Robison Starlett Lee-Jefferson Cynthia McCaskill-Aminger Geraldine Rouette Linda Rousseau Debra McFadden-Bryant Dasretta Sapp Linda McNeill Lacine Small Katrina Moore Lillie Stone Karen Oldham Ralieghetta Varnedoe Debra Palmer Shirley Walton M. Janet Payne Richetta Webb Jeanette Perkins Sylvia White Cheryl Phipps-Kornegay Marva White Gloria Pritchett Parepa Williams Anita Rankin Brenda Wilson Doris Rann Deborah Withers Sharon Reid Johanna Wright Denise Roberts

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

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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

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

JOURNALISM AND MEDIA STUDIES

Sinclair Anne Bennett La’Sha James Kyra Noelle Owens Miranda Alexandria Wise +

Taylor Moore

PSYCHOLOGY

BIOLOGY

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

MATHEMATICS Tyffani Kiara Royal

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

+ Indicates Fall 2023 Graduates

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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

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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 B EN N ETT CO L L EG E

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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

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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

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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.

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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!

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