Graduates-to-Be Honored with Stoles to Wear at Commencement
Graduating senior Brittany Montgomery’s godmother saw a sea of black, brown and white faces, along with various ethnicities as she viewed the audience of students, family members, faculty and staff at Wilmington College’s April 26 Tyehimba ceremony.
PICTURED: President Jim Reynolds looks on as senior Marquis Jackson's grandmother, Gilda Wahid, presents his Kente stole at the Tyehimba ceremony.
“This is a mixed crowd and that’s how life should be,” Belinda Sewell exclaimed.
Indeed, Tyehimba is a ceremony with Swahili African roots that recognizes the heritage of those that are on the verge of accomplishing a significant milestone in their lives. While typically an Afrocentric event, the College, in recent years, has expanded it to also include self-described graduates-of-color, international students and others who possess a strong global perspective or represent historically marginalized groups of Americans.
Some 40 graduating seniors participated in the ceremony, which culminated with each having a stole presented to them by a family member or a WC faculty/staff member with whom they’ve had an especially positive relationship. Stoles ranged from the colorful African Kente to ones depicting the colors of Sweden and Brazil, and others emblazoned with a globe. They will be worn at Commencement May 12.
“Tyehimba also celebrates the families and friends of those graduates who will soon be walking across the stage,” said Chip Murdock, whose Office of Diversity and Inclusion presented the event.
While the Black Student Initiative and International Club have long been mainstays at WC, recent years have witnessed the emergence of student associations highlighting Latino, Native American, Jewish and LGBTQ students.
“Regardless of what color you are on this campus, you are supported by a plethora of persons,” Murdock added. “This time of year is our payday — your success represents our emotional and psychological salary.”
President Jim Reynolds expressed his pleasure in seeing the McCoy Room packed to the brim at an event that, in its formative years, featured a relatively small attendance.
“I’m incredibly proud of all of you and I’m thankful you’ve been on our campus and part of the life of the College,” he said. “It’s meaningful to me to be a part of your lives.”
Reynolds asked the soon-to-be graduates to consider granting him three requests: “Carve out some quiet time for reflection on how this place has changed you, spend time with the people you love and express gratitude toward persons that have played a meaningful role in your lives.”
After senior Catreece Tatum sang a gospel number, her mother, Neatra Lockett-Foreman, shared the memory of dropping off her daughter for the Multicultural Overnight admission event when Catreece was still a senior in high school. She shared a mother’s pride in her daughter’s accomplishments and advised her to, “Go into the world and make a difference. Be generous with your time, your friendship and your talents. Always go the extra mile and pursue what you love.”
Sigrid Solomon, vice president for student affairs, received the inaugural Art Brooks Award of Diversity Excellence, which recognizes outstanding support for diverse student populations at WC. A separate Brooks Award will be given to a student who’s heavily invested in both their preparation for success and in the campus, as determined by a diversity committee.
Brooks, who was in the audience, served as WC’s first director of multicultural affairs from 1993 through 2012, and was known for providing extraordinary support for WC students and members of the greater Wilmington community.
Solomon, who presented the keynote address, noted her belief in the concept that it takes a village to raise a child. “Just look around you — we are your village!”
She spoke about how leaders transcend popularity and are committed to seeing beyond themselves. Indeed, leaders create a vision and translate that into a reality. Solomon said leadership includes such components as how one treat others, taking risks and challenging the status quo, fostering collaboration and expressing gratitude, humility, respect and enthusiasm.
“After you finish baking this cake of inclusive visioning, you get to taste that cake.”
