2022 BAAFSSO Salute to Grads Celebrating NJCU’s Graduates of African Descent
Ceremony Program Processional Salute Graduates 2022 The Occasion & Introduction of Ceremony Host Venida C. Rodman Jenkins, President, Black Alumni, Administrator, Faculty, Student and Staff Organization (BAAFSSO) Ceremony Host Tamara T. Cunningham, Associate Vice President for Global Initiatives Welcome Paul Sunda, Associate Vice President, Business Operations Black National Anthem – Abigail Charles “Lift Every Voice and Sing” Greetings Dr. Sue Henderson, NJCU President Dr. Angel Gonzalez, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Remarks Thyquel Halley, President, Student Government Association Dance Tribute NJCU Dance Ensemble, “Nothing but the Love” Organized by Black Student Union President, Giovania Jones 2
Graduate Reflections Gretchen Clayton, BA Women’s and Gender Studies Honoring the Past Dr. Gloria Boseman, Associate Professor Nursing Guest Speaker Introduction Monica Almonor, Associate Registrar, Office of Registration Services Guest Speaker Rev. Dr. Forrest Pritchett, Senior Adviser to Provost for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Seton Hall University Musical Tribute Abigail Charles, “Rise Up” Recognition of Graduates Courtney Chambers, Academic Advisor and Program Assistant, Art Department Jeff Dessources, Director, Center for Leadership and Engagement Dr. Mary McGriff, Professor, Literacy Education Department Dr. Jermaine McCalpin, Chair, African and African-American Studies Department Graduate Poetry Tribute Imani Betha, Executive Board, Black Student Union Final Remarks Venida C. Rodman Jenkins, President, Black Alumni, Administrator, Faculty, Student and Staff Organization (BAAFSSO) 3
Who We Are The Black Alumni, Administrators, Faculty, Students & Staff Organization (BAAFSSO) arose out of an expressed need for a more comprehensive representation of Blacks at New Jersey City University. Organizational meetings were held in the Fall of 1975 and the following goals were established: 1. To create a viable vehicle through which the campus’s Black community could come together. 2. To communicate ideas emanating from diverse areas and disciplines. 3. To act on specific issues to improve the conditions of Blacks on campus. 4. To eradicate inequities based upon racial and sexual discrimination. 5. To facilitate networking.
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The principal founders of BAAFSSO were the late Dr. Lee Hagan, Phil Littlejohn, Samuel McGhee, the late John Raines, Rosetta Rutledge, Sandra Stohoff, and Ann Tisdale. Diverse leadership has characterized the organization’s strength, providing a rich cross-fertilization of ideas, opinions and perceptions. Sandra Stothoff, former secretary for the Dean of Arts and Sciences, and Melvin Gregory, former counselor in the Opportunity Scholarship Program, have the distinction of serving as first leaders. Dr. Jennifer Jones, Director of Academic Career Planning & Placement; Dr. Lee Hagan, former Chairperson of the African/Afro-American Studies Program; Louis Diaz, Director of College Bound Program; Gayle R. Ford, Assistant to the President; Dr. Shirley Williams, Professor of Criminal Justice; Gloria Boseman, Professor of Nursing; Carl B. Dixon, former Associate Registrar; Dan Wiley, former Director of the Lee Hagan Africana Studies Center; Dr. Pargellan McCall, former Director of Multicultural Center; Adele Douglas, Associate Director of Human Resources; Naomi Wright, Assistant Director of the University Advisement Center; Karen Morgan, Professor of Mathematics; Amani Jennings, Assistant Dean of Students; Dr. Antoinette Ellis-Williams, Director of the Lee Hagan Africana Studies Center, Leah Jackson, Academic Advisor, and Carla Denny-Johnson, also served as facilitators.
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Why have a Salute to Grads? BAAFSSO’s Salute to Graduates is a rite of passage that both recognizes and emphasizes the importance of community in the educational achievement of students of African descent. The reality of adversity faced by students of African descent as the progeny of those who suffered the indignity and inhumanity of enslavement requires a pause to celebrate and commemorate the completion of this educational journey. The Salute to Graduates is celebrated within the context of the Zulu ethos of Ubuntu- simply translated- I am because we are! In other words, our collective humanity is a reflection of our connection. We celebrate graduates of African descent as a reminder that their success rests on the sacrifices of their ancestors and our graduates’ contributions will pave the way for others who will follow them. This celebration therefore honors the past while preparing for the future. Congratulations Graduates! Written by Dr. Jermaine McCalpin, Chair African and African American Studies
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Acknowledgements & Gratitude We are grateful that you joined us for BAAFSSO’s Salute to Grads 2022. Special thanks are extended to Dr. Natoschia Scruggs and the Lee Hagan Center for Africana Studies in their Co-Sponsorship of this event. We would like to thank all the program participants, and everyone who was responsible in helping us organize this joyous occasion. We wish our graduates continued success in all their future endeavors. Keep rising to the top! BAAFSSO Officers
Special Thanks
Venida C. Rodman Jenkins, President Dominque Smith, Vice President Carla Denny-Johnson, Treasurer
Tamara T. Cunningham, Office of Global Initiatives Victor Delvalle, Center for Leadership and Engagement Faith Jackson, Ella Rue, Renee Ramos, Robert Gonzalez, Allison Thornton, Marketing Department Chrystal Mateo and Student Staff, Speicher-Rubin Women’s Center for Equity and Diversity Dr. Jermaine McCalpin, Chair, African and African-American Studies Ronald Lynch, PIC A PHOTOBOOTH LLC Gourmet Dining Housekeeping 7
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