Valdosta State University’s African American Studies Program celebrated the Eleventh Annual Multicultural Sankofa on
Thursday, May 3, 2012, at 7:00 P.M. in the Student Union Theater. 

classof2012

Graduates, their families and friends, VSU administrators, faculty and staff were in attendance to celebrate the individual achievements and collective triumphs of those students whose academic achievements may not be acknowledged in the traditional commencement ceremony called "Sankofa". Sankofa is a West African word that means “looking back in order to move forward.” According to African proverbs, the Sankofa bird symbol symbolizes going back in time to remember what has been forgotten so that progress can be made. Sankofa celebrations are held in various settings as a way of highlighting spiritual consciousness and experiences within African and African American cultures that have helped to shape them.

Hosted by VSU’s African American Studies (AFAM) program, the celebration will include a presentation of the Spring 2013, Summer 2013 and Fall 2013 VSU graduates. The AFAM program will then recognize the AFAM Teacher of the Year, AFAM Student of the Year, AFAM Mentor of the Year and Sankofa Award recipient.

Other program participants included:

  • Dr. Thomas Aiello – AFAM Teacher of the Year – 2012
  • Mrs. Samara Bunion – AFAM Student of the Year – 2012
  • Mr. Aaron Henson – AFAM Student Mentor of the Year – 2012
  • Ms. Mary Barron – AFAM Community Servant  of the Year – (Creator of the Claydon Hayward Barron Scholarship Award which was officially Endowed in July 2011)
  • Ms. Chardonnay Watson --  The Coveted “Multicultural Sankofa” Award
  • Mr. Jeremy C. Hardin (Claydon H. Barron Scholarship Recipient -- 2012
  • Mr. Omotayo A. Ikuesan (Claydon H. Barron Scholarship Recipient -- 2012

The African American Studies Program also recognized the 2012 recipients of the Claydon Hayward Barron Scholarship. Officially endowed at VSU in 2011, the scholarship honors the memory of the late Barron, a humanitarian and business entrepreneur who was the first African American appointed to the Valdosta Board of Education, on which he served ten years. Established by Mary Barron, wife of the late Barron, and Lawanna Barron, daughter of Claydon Barron, the scholarship is awarded once annually to  sophomore, junior or first semester senior AFAM minors who have demonstrated academic excellence at VSU. Dr. Shirley Hardin, Director of African American Studies, presided over the program and presented the following Sankofa Awards for 2012:

thomasaiello 

2012 AFAM Teacher of the Year Award: Dr. Thomas Aiello, Professor
Department of History & African American Studies Program

 

samarbunion

2012 AFAM Student of the Year Award: Samara Bunion
Graduating Senior, and African American Studies Minor

 

aaronhenson

2013 AFAM Student Mentor of the Year Award: Mr. Aaron Henson
Graduating Senior, and African American Studies Minor

 

 

chardonnaywatson

The Twelfth Annual Multicultural Sankofa Award: Ms. Chardonnay Watson,

 

marybarron

2012 Community Servant of the Year Award: Ms. Mary Barron
Presented by Dr. Shirley H. Hardin

 


Program Coordinators for Sankofa 2012
Mr. Derrick L. Carter, Sr., Ms. Candace Myrick, Ms. Jaccqueline Robinson, & Mr. Ryan Brinson