Ceremony of African Origin to Also Feature Students from Special Ethnic, Indigenous and International Cultures
President Trevor Bates shared a lesson he learned from his mother and grandmother when he was an African American child believing that persons-of-color are inherently limited in what they can accomplish and aspire to.
PICTURED: Chip Murdock (LEFT) and President Trevor Bates (RIGHT) confer a kente cloth stole upon graduating senior Donovan Hayes during the College's annual Tyehimba ceremony. Earlier in the program, WC's chief of staff, Dr. Erika Goodwin, presented the traditional African kente cloth to the president.
"These were powerful voices in my life, two powerful women," he said, noting his grandmother told him the Holy Bible says, "All things are possible" and his mother said, "Why not, you?" Today, he holds a doctorate and is president of Wilmington College. Bates challenged those soon-to-be graduates-of-color attending the College's Tyehimba ceremony April 27 to look to the future and answer that question, "Why not you?" by responding, "All things are possible."
Tyehimba is a Nigerian word that means “we are a nation” and, during this program sponsored by the Office of Diversity + Inclusion, the College honored its multicultural and international graduates, and their families.
"So many of us at WC help our students to the finish line," said director Chip Murdock. "Many of these scholars have faced and overcome various challenges and statistics to make it to this point and we annually celebrates these individuals."
One of those celebrated was Donovan Hayes, a star high school football player from Columbus who, after a serious auto accident, lost college scholarship offers. "No one seemed to be interested anymore."
That is, until he visited Wilmington College.
"The campus has an atmosphere I couldn't resist — Wilmington is known for family," Hayes said. "People here kept me motivated and organized. Getting such care was shocking. I appreciate all the relationships I made here."
Several College officials shared their joy with seeing those students-of-color on the verge of graduation. Mikah Mills, associate men's basketball coach, told them their diplomas represent "all the responsibilities and tools they've gained and the struggles they've overcome" — these will make them successful.
Dr. Erika Goodwin, chief of staff and professor of athletic training, believes "one of the best things about WC is celebrating diversity." Indeed, she was the College's first female president, an interim position she held in 2020, and was succeeded by Bates, the institution's first African American president.
Dr. Cole Dawson, associate vice president for academic affairs, said members of the Class of 2021 are part of a very exclusive group. In fact, only one percent of the world's population are college graduates. He also lauded those African American and Latino graduates for beating the odds, as statistics indicated that only one in four students-of-color who enter college will graduate.
"Many of you are the first in your families to attend college," Dawson said. "You overcame obstacles, you persevered and triumphed. Moms and dads, aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters, teachers and friends, they walked with you and believed in you more than you'll ever know.
"They have loved you across the finish line."
The D+I Office presented Diversity Impact Awards to Dr. Marlaina Leppert-Wahl, associate professor of political science, and Trip Breen, head swimming coach and director of aquatics. The award recognizes special support and service offered to minority student communities.
"Trip has been there for me in the best of times and darkest of times," senior Darron Crump said about Breen while another senior, Julio Olivarez, lauded Leppert-Wahl for how her "passion for learning and love of all peoples" inspires him.
Those participating in the ceremony included students-of-color, as well as students from special ethnic and international backgrounds. Each received a stole or sash such as the African kente cloth, a Native American stole or a sash emblazoned with the flag colors from their nation of origin.
They are: Ariana Riccardi, Ipsilan Castillo, Darron Crump, Jalen Douglas, Nikolai Rowe Dunlap, Carly Fitz, Soukaina Fram, Jorge Herrera, Donovan Hayes, John "Jese" Shell, Brian W. Kajuna, Kelly Johnson, Kendra Nelson, Tiffany L. Kim, Mackenzie Leon, Chyann R. Martin, Jules Mushumba, Ellen Maria Nilback, Julio Olivarez, Thomas D. Sousa, Sarah Streets, Stormi Terrell, Frederick J. Todd and Karmiela O. White.
