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Dr. Noble gave an inspirational message entitled “Serving in Compassion, United in Purpose, Remain Strong in Faith.” He encouraged attendees to reflect on Dr. King’s enduring commitment to justice and equality.

“Think about the commitment and values Dr. King put forward the civil right movement,” Noble urges. “My dear young scholars, you are the embodiment of hope, the torchbearers standing on the shoulders of those who fought and bled before us.” Quoting King, Noble said, “Faith taking the step even when you don’t see the whole staircase,” and inspired the audience to let their voices “rise in a symphony of determination. We can move mountains.” 

Members of the Benedict College Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc. served as hosts for the prayer breakfast. Dr. King was a distinguished member of Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc. 

The MLK Prayer Breakfast was presented by the Brothers and Sisters in Christ Organization (BASIC) and welcomed members of 100 Black Men and the Alpha Phi Alpha, In Graduate Chapter. 

During the January 9th Faculty Opening Session Meeting, President Artis reminded Benedict’s Faculty that they are today’s Pauli Murray. Who is Pauli Murray some may ask? “Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray was the only woman in her class at Howard University Law school. She was the first African American to earn a J.S.D. from Yale Law School and a co-founder of the National Organization of Women and in 1977, Murray became the first African American woman to be ordained as an Episcopal priest,” noted, Dr. Artis. “By the invitation of Dr. Henry Ponder, she became the Vice President of Academic Programming and Planning at Benedict College.”

Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray and her dog, October 16, 1967, on the front lawn of Antisdel Chapel.

“She was a chapter in the history book that is Benedict College, that is our past, that is our foundation, and you are today’s Pauli Murray,” Dr. Artis emphasized. “You are Pauli Murray today; you are Septima Clark today; you are Dr. LeRoy Walker today; you are our luminaries today. Generations after we are gone, someone is going to be having a conversation about you, about the research that you did, about the publications that you wrote, and about the students that you educated, touched, taught, and helped to think differently. Student you taught to think differently about their future, about their scholarship, and their ability to go change the world.”

The BEST of BC Faculty and Staff

This SC Native is One of the

Hottest Names in Comics

His Hit Series is About to Become a Movie

Sanford Greene is a South Carolina native and comic book illustrator and writer who works on projects like "Across the Spider-Verse" and "Bitter Root." 

Jai-Anna Carter/Special to Free Times.

You're Invited to the 2025 Benedict College International Multidisciplinary Conference presented by the Benedict College School of Communication, Arts and Social Sciences

Join us for an insightful two-day conference exploring the challenges and responsibilities of communication in today’s complex media landscape. Engage with thought leaders, educators, and professionals as we delve into strategies for effective writing, persuasive rhetoric, and critical thinking amid an era of rapidly evolving information.

Dates: Wednesday & Thursday, March 12-13, 2025

Time: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and enhance your skills in tackling critical issues of modern discourse. Register today and be part of the conversation shaping tomorrow!

Sending a Heartfelt Thank You to Benedict’s Essential Workers for Ensuring the Campus was Safe during the Snowstorm

Just three weeks into the spring semester, South Carolina experienced its first snowstorm since 2022. Benedict College’s grounds keepers and members of the Physical Plant worked tirelessly spreading salt, clearing walkways, and ensuring our campus was safe and accessible the next day. 

Benedict College is also grateful to Benedict College Police Department and all of our essential workers for their dedication and perseverance during out challenging weather conditions. Lt. Sherman blocked off the icy street in front of Oak Street Dorm. 

The entire Benedict College Family is grateful to these dedicated employees. Their hard work guaranteed our campus remained safe during this critical time.

Photos courtesy of Lt. Jordan Sherman 

The BEST of BC Students Lead

Benedict College faculty and students shared their passion for science, technology, engineering, and math during STEM Saturday on January 25th at Airport High School. STEM scholars spent the day interacting and engaging with local high school students through various scientific experiments. 

Benedict College and Integer were proud sponsors of the STEM Global Action Day at Airport High School as part of the STEM South Carolina STEM FEST. 

The Benedict BOD swept the competition against Allen University in Greenville, SC in January 2025. The Tigers won nearly every category.

Best Horn Line: Benedict College 

Best Color Guard: Benedict College 

Best Dancers: Benedict College 

Best Percussion: Benedict College 

The BC Collegiate presented an interactive program about the life and times of Dr. King at the 100 Black Men of Greater Columbia monthly Lunch Buddies Mentoring Program for middle and high school boys at the Brookland Baptist Church Convention Center. 

The BEST of BC Athletics

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Benedict College men's and women's indoor track and field teams competed in the Carolina Challenge on Friday at the South Carolina Indoor Track and Field Complex, and had a record-setting day.

The men's 4x400-meter relay team of Javel Best, Matthew Paul, Terrel Alexander, Jesaiah Jones won with a school-record time of 3:15.83, currently the 17th-fastest time in NCAA Division II.

Chase Ransom won the men's weight throw event with a personal record throw of 17.24 meters (56 feet, 6 ¾ inches).

Darian Clarke won the men's 60-meter dash with a personal-record time of 6.82. David Smith also set a personal-record with a 6.87, finishing fourth overall. Clarke also set a personal-record in the 200-meter dash with a second-place finish time of 21.58.

Jacobie Sims advanced to the finals of the men's 60-meter hurdles, finishing sixth with a time of 8.45.

Zach Washington finished third in the long jump with a mark of 6.98 meters (22 feet, 10 ¾ inches).

The women's team also set some records. Shantel Williams set a personal record in the women's 60-meter dash with a time of 7.85, good for 10th place.

Jada David finished second in the triple jump with a season-best mark of 11.79 meters (38 feet, 8 ¼ inches).

Santiona Freeman advanced to the finals of the 60-meter hurdles, finishing seventh with a time of 9.25.

The Benedict teams will next compete in the inaugural SIAC Indoor Track & Field Championship, Feb. 20-21 in Louisville, Ky.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Benedict College Tigers built a 14-point second-half lead and then held off a late Central State rally to defeat the Marauders 70-67 in a SIAC men's basketball contest on Thursday night in the Benjamin E. Mays HRC Arena.

A jumper by Donte Whymns gave the Tigers a 51-37 lead with 11:02 left in the game. A three-point play by Cehki Hill gave Benedict a 59-48 lead with 4:14 remaining. The Marauders used a three-point play, a 3-pointer and a pair of free throws to cut the lead to 59-56 with 2:50 remaining. Whymns scored a layup to snap the Central State run, and Jordan Butler added a layup.

Central State hit a pair of 3-pointers around a Whymns layup to trim the lead to 65-62 with 49 seconds left. Caleb Hymon scored on a layup and Cadarius Baggett sank two free throws with 17 seconds remaining. Central State scored the next five points to get within 69-67 with just six seconds remaining. Tariq Shepherd sealed the game with a free throw with five seconds remaining.

Shepherd led the Tigers with 15 points, while Hymon and Whymns added 14 points each. Benedict improves to 3-9 overall and 3-3 in the SIAC. Central State falls to 5-10 overall and 2-5 in the SIAC.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Taylor Christmas made a layup with two seconds left to lift the Benedict College Lady Tigers to a 74-72 victory over Fort Valley State in a SIAC women's basketball contest on Saturday afternoon in the Benjamin E. Mays HRC Arena.

Fort Valley State had a 72-68 lead with 15 seconds left after sinking a pair of free throws. Alaysia Nash scored on a driving layup with 10 seconds remaining, then stole the ball with eight seconds left and scored a layup to tie the game with seven seconds left. Benedict forced another Fort Valley State turnover with four seconds remaining, setting up Christmas' game-winning shot.

Nash led the Lady Tigers with 19 points, while Ciara Hardy added 18 points. Christmas scored 12 points and Aaliyah Lawrence chipped in 11 points and grabbed a team-high nine rebounds.

Fort Valley State had a 14-10 lead at the end of the first quarter, but Benedict rallied in the second quarter to take a 30-26 lead at the half. Benedict built as much as an eight-point lead, 47-39, in the third quarter before the Lady Wildcats cut the deficit to 50-49 heading into the final quarter. Fort Valley State had a 68-62 lead with 3:31 left to play, but Benedict scored the next six points to tie the game with under two minutes remaining.

Benedict improves to 6-8 overall and 4-5 in the SIAC, while Fort Valley State falls to 6-10 overall and 3-7 in the SIAC.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Benedict College Tigers have announced their 2025 football schedule, which will feature six home games and two Classics.

Benedict opens the 2025 season on Aug. 30 in a non-conference game against Fayetteville State in a 5 p.m. Labor Day Classic in Charlie W. Johnson Stadium. Fayetteville State went 4-5 in the CIAA last year.

After an open date, the Tigers take to the road to face SIAC opponent Central State on Sept. 13.

Benedict returns home on Sept. 20 to face Tuskegee, followed by a trip to Atlanta to take on Clark Atlanta on Sept. 27.

Benedict will host the South Carolina HBCU Classic against rival Allen University on Oct. 4 at 2 p.m., followed by another home game on Oct. 11 against Fort Valley State.

The Tigers travel to face Edward Waters on Oct. 18, then return home to face Albany State on Oct. 25 at 2 p.m.

Benedict will celebrate Homecoming on Nov. 1 in a non-conference game against Virginia University of Lynchburg with a 2 p.m. kickoff.

The regular season will end on Nov. 8 with a road trip to Savannah State.

Benedict went 4-6 in 2024 in head coach Ron Dickerson Jr.'s first season with the Tigers.

All dates, times and locations are subject to change.

Season tickets and individual game tickets will be on sale later at Benedict's official ticket portal, www.benedicttickets.com

2025 Benedict Football Schedule

Sat. Aug. 30 – Fayetteville State, 5 p.m. (Labor Day Classic)

Sat. Sept. 6 – Open

Sat. Sept. 13 – at Central State

Sat. Sept. 20 – Tuskegee – Community, Business, Greek Day, TBA

Sat. Sept. 27 – at Clark Atlanta

Sat. Oct. 4 – Allen (S.C. HBCU Classic), 2 p.m.

Sat. Oct. 11 – Fort Valley State – Church / Law Enforcement / First Responders Day, 2 p.m.

Sat. Oct. 18 – at Edward Waters

Sat. Oct. 25 – Albany State – Take a Kid to the Game Day, 2 p.m.

Nov. 1 – Virginia University of Lynchburg (HOMECOMING) Senior Day, 2 p.m.

Nov. 8 – at Savannah State

*Dates, times, locations subject to change

Alumni Spotlight

(Left to Right) Attorney I. S. Leevy Johnson and his son, Attorney George Johnson, at the South Carolina Supreme Court's President Reception. Johnson is only the second recipient of the South Carolina Court Lifetime Achievement Award in the award's history. 

Congratulations to Benedict College Board of Trustees Counsel, Attorney I.S. Leevy Johnson, who recently received the South Carolina Supreme Court Lifetime Achievement Award. Chief Justice John Kittredge presented the award for outstanding legacy of service and commitment to the legal profession. Attorney Johnson was the first Black President of the South Carolina Bar in 1985.

The Chief Justice described Attorney Johnson as “Undaunted, an infectious personality, quick wit, superb intellect, an unwavering commitment to bridge building, I.S. Leevy Johnson has been a unifying force in bringing people together.”

During his acceptance speech, Attorney Johnson, who graduated from Benedict College in 1965, referenced a group from Jackson, Mississippi, that recorded a song that guides his life every year and every minute. “The song’s name is ‘Don’t Look Down on Man Unless You’re Are Lifting Him Up.’ As we celebrate this 50th Anniversary, we are obligated to never look down on man unless you are lifting him up.”

Zakiyah Morris had no idea what a community health worker does when she applied for the job two years ago. But the 26-year-old East Point resident has since become the face of public health in the city just south of Atlanta. Morris works for a Morehouse School of Medicine project focused on improving health equity in East Point, which has a population of about 38,000. She’s so closely associated with the project that residents call her “Miss Morehouse.”

Morris makes it a point to be visible in the community, setting up tables at events to ask people about their health challenges and pointing them to resources that can help. By forging personal connections as a neighbor, she works to help build trust with the Morehouse School of Medicine research project. “I’m like the glue that is sticking between community and the health care system,” she said.

Part of that work entails helping people understand the myriad factors that contribute to health – access to nutritious food, safe housing, and equitable access to care. About one-fifth of East Point residents live in poverty, and the majority Black city faces a history of structural racism, poor health outcomes, and a lack of access to healthy food.

Community

Tickets for the 36th Annual Harambee Festival are now on sale! This iconic event will take place Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Charlie W. Johnson Stadium with outstanding stage performances, a Children’s Learning Village, a Women’s and Men’s Village, free health screenings, continuous stage performances, merchandise vendors, and the best food found anywhere. 

This year’s festival also includes a special concert on Sunday, April 27, 2025, with the Harambee Festival Community Choir and the Benedict College Alumni Gospel Choir, celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the hit Gospel song, "Say the Word."