The pride of high-achieving scholars radiated through the mosaic windows of the DeForest Chapel last Thursday, April 4, 2024, for the Spring 2024 Honors Convocation. The time-honored tradition at Talladega College welcomed students, faculty, staff, and the Dega community to honor outstanding students who were acknowledged for their exceptional academic performance, leadership, and service to the Talladega community.
Senior student leader Kauryn Datcher invited attendees to join in recognizing senior scholars who achieved a 3.0 cumulative grade point average for the Spring 2023 or Fall 2023 semesters. Datcher also highlighted the recognition of the newest Alpha Chi Honor Society inductees.
“Since 1922, Alpha Chi has distinguished itself as one of the top honor societies in the nation, with over half of a million alumni who rank in the top ten percent of juniors, seniors, and graduate students at their respective institutions,” she said. “We want to bring you greetings as we gather here today to recognize the excellence of Talladega students who are ’Dega proud, ’Dega strong,” Datcher proclaimed during her welcome.
The ceremony continued with Helena, Alabama native and chemistry major Damien Jones recognizing the breadth of accomplishments made by the ceremony’s key speaker, Dr. Karla Holloway, during the introduction. “Dr. Holloway has shattered a number of glass ceilings, including her appointment as the first African American woman faculty at Duke University,” Jones acknowledged as he discussed her storied career.
Under Dr. Lloyd Mallory’s direction, the Talladega College Choir inspired attendees with several musical selections, including All Good Things Will Be Added Unto You and Bound for Canaan’s Land. However, it was their timely rendition of This Little Light of Mine that struck a chord with the convocation speaker, Dr. Holloway. She revealed that the special request for the popular hymn mirrored the topic of her address, honoring its usage as a form of inspiration during the times in which being black, let alone educated was an unequivocal crime.
“They sang that back in the day. In the times when they told us that black folks were lesser, incapable, ill-spoken, illiterate. [This was] the very same time they made laws like teaching to read and learning to read subject to cruel punishment. Where carrying a note or writing was worthy of the kind of penalty that chills our souls, even today. But still, in the years after–the first thing we did was build Talladegas, Fisks, Spelmans, and contradicted and beat the expectations of an entire system of slavery,” Dr. Holloway stated. Her poignant words served as a reminder that getting an education is akin to an act of resistance or protest.
However, Dr. Holloway urged scholars to try not to make sense of the hardships of our nation’s complicated past as they forge new paths toward their own futures.
“So today, I especially need you to understand the nonsense of enslavement so that you never spend one bit of your valuable time trying to understand, explain, rationalize, or reason as to why it happened because you can’t make sense of nonsense,” she said.
“You selective and elite few are here today because you have refused to be distracted. You have let your learning be your light. You have made the carefully composed lines from the Negro National Anthem, ‘facing the rising sun’ matter,” Dr. Holloway said.
During her speech, Holloway gifted students with a lapel pin adorned with a golden lantern.
“I’m going to ask you to wear that pin when you can. Keep it in a safe and precious place. It’s a pin with a flame on it. Every once in a while, take it out. Remember who you are. It’s just a little light, but its symbol shines and its legacy lingers. Let your light shine. Then after you have tended to your lamp, pass [the pin] on to the generations to come, to the promise and potential of this place–our Alpha Lyrae Vega, the place that has recognized you today and charged your excellence with the rarest of flames,” she said.
In her conclusion, she encouraged students to embrace the freedom that our ancestors worked so hard to possess and dared them to keep their light shining within.
“So instead, with your already demonstrated excellence, use your extraordinary power and privilege to imagine yourselves free. This is the time, my ‘Dega brothers and sisters, for your imaginations to be fully charged. You need not worry if the task is overwhelming–you are Talladegans. You are always supported by your ancestor’s dreams, your alumni’s excellence, and the experience and expectations of your elders,” Holloway said.
Dr. Pernella Rowena Deams, provost and executive vice president for academic excellence and student engagement, followed the convocation address with a presentation recognizing the honor students and scholarship recipients. “Our students have made academic excellence a priority. Many of them engage in multiple activities beyond the classroom, including Athletics, Band and Scholarly competitions. Today we pause to recognize their scholarship, talents and achievements,” she said.
Concluding the program, Talladega College President, Dr. Gregory J. Vincent recognized Board of Trustee members in attendance, Russell Holloway, ‘70; Dr. Virginetta Cannon, ‘83; and Jevon Tatum, ‘25. He also praised the achievements of the honor students citing that their outstanding academic performances is a testament to their personal commitment which bodes well for the institution across disciplines in post-secondary education.
“It is a joy to recognize our students who make up this community of scholars. As Dr. Holloway said, you all are ‘Degans, and you are independent thinkers, and you demonstrate excellence in scholarship and service. Your accomplishments speak to your determination, intelligence, curiosity and passion. Your work today and in the future reflects on Talladega College helping us build on our reputation as a leading institution in higher education,” he said.
The event also served as a platform to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of faculty members who have played a pivotal role in guiding and mentoring students on their academic journeys. Several faculty members, Dr. Pamela Burns-Bell, associate professor of music, Dr. Angela Walker, dean of the division of humanities and fine arts and Dr. Zibusiso Nkiwane, professor of business and computer information systems, was also recognized and congratulated by President Gregory Vincent for recently acquiring tenure and promotion status during his closing remarks.
“These three outstanding scholars were unanimously and enthusiastically granted tenure and promotion by the Board of Trustees,” Vincent remarked.
Lastly, members of the Chi chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, presented Dr. Karla Holloway with a special presentation before closing out the ceremony.
Check out the full live-stream of the Honors Convocation ceremony here.
