Bennett College

www.bennett.edu

Dr. Julianne Malveaux President of Bennett College

David Dallas Jones, the ninth President of Bennett College for Women was known for walking up to young women on campus and asking them, “Young lady, what is your purpose.” It is our intention to help young women discover their purpose, embrace their dreams and possibilities, and move forward, with distinction, into our ever-changing world. And it is our intention to create a space that is safe, wholesome, supportive and sisterly, an oasis in our rapidly changing society.

Dr. Willa Player, the iconic leader who succeeded Dr. Jones, was known for her embrace of the civil rights movement, and for her strong support of students. When a group of Bennett women were arrested for protesting segregation in Greensboro, a police officer who arrested several Bennett women harshly told them, “We thought you girls had a lot of culture, but you don’t know your place.” Well, our place is every place! We should have a place in the boardroom, in the courtroom, in the halls of international adjudication, on the floor of Wall Street. We should be everywhere, excelling, and that standard of excellence is our foundation. We, Bennett women, are phenomenal women.

Our academic program fits the needs of students with both academic promise and academic prowess. Our dynamic faculty and dedicated staff work together to create a phenomenal experience for those women who chose Bennett as their academic home. This year, we are excited to announce the creation of a new writing lab, and a focus on writing through our Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) that will emphasize writing in an increasing number of our classes, especially for new students. The ability to communicate, an essential part of the ability to negotiate the contemporary workplace, is an aspect of the curriculum that is being strengthened at Bennett.

Additionally, this administration has chosen to emphasize global understanding, leadership and entrepreneurship as important parts of the curriculum. We believe that an exploration of these areas will enhance students’ ability to navigate the future. To that end, critical faculty are working on these areas, and we are expanding our global reach to provide opportunities for students to work and travel abroad.

For all our work on the curriculum, Bennett is not only an academic space. For many, it is truly an emotional anchor, an oasis. When I travel the country, I am pleasantly affirmed by the strong attachment that Bennett alumnae feel toward their school. Whether they were part of the class of 1958 or the recently graduated class of 2008, Bennett alums care passionately about their college, and about their sisters. Many form endearing relationships that have endured through the years, bonds of sisterhood, caring and cooperation that provide Bennett College for Women with a strong foundation of support.

Bennett is important to alumnae, but it should also be important to all people. One of two historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) that focus solely on women, Bennett College has a special role in our nation’s civil rights history, as Bennett Belles were jailed when lunch counters were integrated in Greensboro. President Player visited students in jail, taking them their assignments, supporting their decision to be both scholars and activists.

I call upon friends and colleagues, in the spirit of Bennett’s contribution to the world, to embrace our history and tradition, and to invest in our movement from good to great. I’m on FIRE for Bennett, for our energy and possibilities, and for the many things that our students will accomplish in years to come.

On behalf of the faculty, staff, students and trustees of Bennett College for Women, I welcome you to visit us anytime and take the opportunity to explore our outstanding and historic institution.

On fire for Bennett,

Dr. Julianne Malveaux
President

Bennett College Choir

Bennett College, celebrating its 135th year as an historically black college, is one of eleven predominately black United Methodist Church-related institutions of higher learning in the country. The Bennett Choir continues an unusually high profile of performances at regional, national, and international activities of the United Methodist Church and community-related events.

One of the most illustrious directors of the Bennett College Choir was the distinguished composer, conductor and educator, Dr. R. Nathaniel Dett. Dr. Dett was Director of Music at Bennett College from 1937 until 1942. Under his leadership, the Bennett College Choir received national acclaim during its extensive travel itinerary, including a national CBS appearance. The choir was especially noted for the unusual range of voices which Dr. Dett encouraged and promoted. During his tenure at the College, Dr. Dett wrote several compositions for the choir and arranged others from his catalog of works for mixed voices which continues to be an important segment of the Choir’s repertoire.

In 1994, the Bennett College Choir performed for President Bill Clinton during the 50th Anniversary Gala of the United Negro College Fund Annual Meeting and also performed at the opening of Africa University, the first United Methodist University in Africa. In the spring of 2002, the choir performed in Las Vegas, Nev., at the VEIB, Vocal Extravaganza in Black, in which other historically-black college choirs joined for preparation and videotaping of a program to be aired on PBS. The renowned Georgia Mass Choir joined the Choir on its spring 2004 tour of the Southeast. In 2006, the choir’s "Sharing Our Gift of Music" tour provided them an opportunity to sing to those affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. In 2007, the choir recorded their third compact disc recording Raising Our Voices In Celebration featuring Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole reading the poetry of Mari Evans. The choir has performed for Oprah Winfrey, Coretta Scott King, Bill Clinton, Bob Dole, Andrew Young, Jessie Jackson and Judge Glenda Hatchett to name a few.

The choir is directed by Ms. Valerie Johnson and accompanied by Ms. Rochelle Joyner.

Miss Bennett College

Each year, Bennett College for Women crowns a "Miss Bennett College" and our queen for 2008-09 is Miss Janine Quarles (far right), a senior Mass Communications major/History minor from Boston, MA.

She is accompanied by members of her royal court (left to right): Miss Khadeijah Palmer-Rhodes, Miss Sophomore, Business Administration major from Baltimore, MD; Miss Dianne Wellington, Miss Junior, English Education major originally from Jamaica, West Indies and now residing in Perth Amboy, NJ; Miss Roderica White, Miss Senior, Social Work major from Washington, DC; and Miss LaVonda Davis, Miss Royal Blue and White, a senior Business Administration major from San Bernardino, CA.