African American Studies Program

Thirteenth Annual Multicultural Sankofa 
Friday, May 2, 2014, at 7:00 P.M.
Student Union Theater

CLASS OF 2014

Valdosta State University’s African American Studies Program celebrated the Thirteenth Annual Multicultural Sankofa on Thursday, May 8, 2014, at 7:00 P.M. in the Student Union Theater. 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.

Other program participants included:

• Mr. Kendrick Dyer – AFAM Teacher of the Year – 2014
• Mr. Jeremiah Wiggins & Ms. Erica Adams– AFAM Students of the Year – 2014
• Malynda M. Dorsey and Dr. Deborah S. Davis – AFAM Community Servant  of the Year
• Ms. Brianna Matchett & Ms. Veatrice Harper (Claydon H. Barron Scholarship Recipient -- 2014
• Mr. Louis Cureton & Mr. Jeff -- (AFAM Sankofa Drummers)

The African American Studies Program also recognized the 2014 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 2014:

 

 

2014 AFAM Student of the Year Award:
Mr. Jeremiah Wiggins & Ms. Erica Adams

2014 AFAM Teacher of the Year Award: Dr. Kendrick G. Dyer 
Professor African American Studies Program

2014 Multicultural Sankofa Award:
Mr. Will C. Jimerson

 

2014 Community Servant of the Year Award:
Malynda M. Dorsey and Dr. Deborah S. Davis

 

 

Claydon H. Barron Scholarship Recipient(s) -- 2014

Ms. Brianna Matchett                                                 Ms. Veatrice Harper

 

Program Coordinators for Sankofa 2014

Mr. Derrick L. Carter, Sr., Ms. Jacqueline Robinson, Mr. Ryan Brinson