Benedict College Graduates its Largest Class at its 153rd Commencement Ceremony

Benedict College marked a milestone with its one hundred and fifty-third graduation ceremony.

“It makes me feel amazing just seeing the different minorities here graduating and seeing how we can get an education and make ourselves better and have future jobs” said Kasey Cooper, Benedict College graduate.



Heavily involved students like Kasey Cooper among others who made history Friday night as part of the largest graduating classes in the history of the college, a journey student like Cameron McKinney say did not come easy.

Full Commencement Video

Benedict College Celebrates its 153rd Birthday with a Founder’s Day Convocation

During the Founder’s Day Convocation, Dr. Clark Artis reminded guests of how much things have changed, saying, “Welcome to students and faculty and staff — who toil daily on what was once a plantation. But now represents liberation — academically, intellectually, socially, emotionally, and to be sure, spiritually.”

Benedict College Honors Media Sheroes at the 4th Annual In Her Footsteps Luncheon

Pictured above: L-R Cynthia Pryor Hardy, Darcy Strickland, and Judi Gatson

Benedict College honored a few amazing women who have helped to transform the world through their leadership as expert storytellers and service in the media industry. The College was proud to celebrate and recognize four spectacular women who use the power of storytelling to help raise our consciousness about our community and the issues that matter most to us in the world. The honorees included Darci Strickland, Content Manager and Senior Journalist for WLTX; Judi Gatson, News Anchor for WIS; Cynthia Pryor Hardy, Radio/TV Talk Show Host for OnPoint! Media and Alumna Tenikka Smith, News Anchor for Action News in Jacksonville, FL. Smith graciously accepted her award through a pre-recorded video.

The In Her Footsteps Luncheon not only help to celebrate the accomplishments of our 2023 honorees, but it was also an investment in the College’s mission by providing scholarships for talented students who might otherwise be unable to afford college. All proceeds from the luncheon supported The BESTofBC Scholarship Fund.

Pictured above: L-R Darci Strickland, Aailyah Hairston, Cynthia Pryor Hardy, Leandra Hayes-Burgess, Judi Gatson, Kleopatra Jones and Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis. 

Congressman James Clyburn and Congressman Ro Khanna of California Joined Google and TalentSprint Executives for

a Special Celebration at Benedict College

Congressman James Clyburn joined Congressman Ro Khanna, leadership from Benedict College, global tech company TalentSprint and Google to host a special event on April 14, 2023. The special occasion was to celebrate the successful implementation of the TechWise program. Benedict is among the first schools in the U.S. to be included in the TechWise Program, which is offered by TalentSprint and supported by Google.

Congressman Ro Khanna, who represents California's 17th Congressional District in the heart of Silicon Valley, spoke at the event. Rep. Khanna is committed to spreading good-paying jobs and opportunities across the country and is a proud ambassador for the TechWise program. Google along with TalentSprint CEO and Managing Director Santanu Paul will also be speaking during the event.

“I’m thrilled to join leaders from Benedict College, Google and TalentSprint to celebrate the students participating in the TechWise program,” said Rep. Khanna. “HBCU students already have the talent to become leading software engineers, but the disconnect is in recruiting and partnership from the tech companies. This is a chance to help change that and expand good paying jobs and tech opportunities to places outside of Silicon Valley. I’m proud to have worked with Google and the Benedict Administration to help set up this program.”

The TechWise Program was designed to help empower students from all backgrounds to become world-class, entry-level software engineers by the time they graduate college and complete the 18-month virtual program. Students selected for the program receive the entire training at zero cost, along with a $5,000 stipend to offset the additional time commitment required to successfully complete the program. Students have access to one-on-one mentoring from a current Google software engineer that helps them gain valuable experience learning and performing the role of a software engineer.

In its first cohort that was launched in February 2022, 18 Benedict students were selected for this life-changing opportunity to work in the computer science field. The program is designed to create entry-level software developers. While participating in the program, the students developed technical proficiency as they received hands-on learning, confidence, and tech career readiness.

“We are honored to have been selected to participate in this powerful and innovative program,” said Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, President and CEO of Benedict College. “Partnering with Google and TalentSprint in one of the fastest growing fields of computer science and software development gives our students a distinct advantage in the tech marketplace.” 

“The TechWise program is an awesome opportunity for our students. It enables them to learn from and network with personnel of leading tech companies,” noted Dr. Robert Garner, Dean of the Benedict College School of Science and Engineering. “Upon completion of the program, the students receive a credential that will open doors to exciting employment opportunities. Additionally, this program showcases the talent we have at Benedict College and will be an engine to diversify Silicon Valley.”

In its second cohort, TechWise will have students from eight different partner colleges

across the country. A total of 120 students nationwide – including 7 students from

Benedict – have been selected to participate.

Benedict College Announces Reaccreditation of the

Social Work Program

Benedict College recently announced the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) voted to reaffirm the accreditation of its Baccalaureate Social Work Program through 2027. The Council of Higher Education Accreditation recognizes the CSWE as the only accrediting agency for social work education in the United States.

“I applaud Dr. Eunika Simons and her team for ensuring Benedict College met CSWE’s extensive and rigorous standards,” said Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, President and CEO of Benedict College. “The program successfully demonstrated that our curriculum meets the core social work competencies, which affirms that, upon graduation, our students will be prepared to apply ethical principles and critical thinking to social work practices.”

Benedict College has a 40-year history of graduating competent social work graduates and is the oldest CSWE-accredited HBCU program in South Carolina.

Accredited social work programs must include field experience that connects theory and practice appropriately. Students enrolled in Benedict’s Social Work baccalaureate program complete a minimum of 400 hours of field experience.

$3 million awarded to preserve historic Black colleges

and universities in South Carolina

Three million dollars will be split amongst three schools to preserve and revitalize Historic Black Colleges and Universities in South Carolina.

Rep. Jim Clyburn announced the millions will fund four historic structure repair projects. Benedict College, South Carolina State University, and Allen University are the three colleges set to receive $3 million in the Palmetto State.

The National Park Service awarded $9.7 million for a total of 14 projects across 10 states as a part of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Grant Program.



The Palmetto State received 30% of the total funding and was the only state to receive funding for multiple projects including the Morgan Hall Preservation Extension Project and the Rehabilitation of the Antisdel Chapel at Benedict College.

Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), Living Your Best Life: Financially Informed and Thriving (F.I.T.)

Launch Week Recap

Pictured above: Members of the QEP Leadership Team, Dr. Chasisity Springs, Dr. Verna Orr, Dr. Walletta Johnson, and Dr. Malqueen Richardson.

We are still on a high from our Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) launch in April 2023. For more than 20 months, the Benedict College QEP Committee was intimately involved with meeting, planning, and subsequently receiving a positive 10-year reaffirmation of our accreditation. Our QEP, Living Your Best Life: Financially Informed and Thriving (F.I.T.) is a major part of the accreditation process and has one goal, and that is “to transform students’ financial futures by intentionally developing their competency in money management, debt, and understanding of common financial operations.”

A sincere thank you to our Student Success team, the Office of Financial Aid, the QEP Committee and all others who ensured the success of our official QEP Launch Week Activities.

On Tuesday, April 18^th we hosted our first event at Segra Park. The Inaugural HBCU Night at Segra Park was an opportunity for Benedict students to learn about the business of baseball – from marketing to management to food services. Additionally, Synovus Bank Financial experts gave a workshop to our students on how to save money, how to turn business proposals into concrete plans, and share why it’s important to develop a relationship with a banker.

On Wednesday, April 19^th our partners at the Society for Financial Education and Professional Development (SFEPD) hosted two events – one for students (Mind Over Money) and one for faculty/staff (Know Yourself Grow Your Wealth).

On Thursday, April 20th Our Money Matters, sponsored by Wells Fargo, presented Campus and Coins, the official QEP Launch, where our students heard from financial experts who highlighted the path to financial wellness. Check out highlights from the launch here.

QEP Launch Partners



The Society for Financial Education and Professional Development, Inc. (SFEPD) is a non-profit organization on a mission to enhance the financial and economic literacy of individuals and households in the United States and promote professional development for individuals of all ages. SFEPD has a special focus on reaching African-American young adults and underserved populations to teach them financial knowledge and skills to improve their financial well-being and long-term economic sustainability.

Our Money Matters aims to develop, support, and scale access to financial education and sound financial practices for members of underserved communities. Through a combination of online tools and services delivered in-person, OMM is helping HBCU/MSI students, staff, alumni, and community residents around the campuses get their financial health in order.

Click here to check out the Instagram reel.

The BEST of BC Faculty and Staff

Benedict College Welcomes Dr. Leon Geter to the Role of Interim Dean, School of Communication,

Arts and Social Sciences

Benedict College proudly announces the appointment of Dr. Leon Geter as Interim Dean for the School of Communication, Arts and Social Sciences. He currently serves as Chair of the Department of Criminal Justice Administration and Social Sciences and Director of the Center for Cybersecurity. 

“I congratulate Dr. Geter on this administrative appointment,” said Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, President and CEO of Benedict College. “His appointment provides a meaningful opportunity to amplify existing institutional strengths.”

A Snapshot of the 2nd Annual

Coffee & Pancakes with Cops

The Benedict College Marching Tiger Band of Distinction Band Director, H. Wade Johnson and Assistant Director, Ronald Green have been invited to participate in the 21st Annual Jazz at Lincoln Center's 2023 Band Director's Academy. The Academy will be held in New York City at Frederick P. Rose Hall June 22-25, 2023. Johnson and Green received full tuition and travel scholarships for the four-day professional development session.

The BEST of BC Students Lead

L-R Crysele Evans, Ashton McDonald, Skye Bonaby, Charles Gauthier, and Devontae Deveaux 

Benedict College environmental engineering majors recently attended the South Carolina Environmental Conference in Myrtle Beach with Dr. Lesley Joseph and Dr. Jessica Furrer. The students were able to make great professional connections and present their science posters. Crysele Evans won and placed 4^th in the overall competition in the graduate and undergraduate category. Skye Bonaby, Devontae Deveaux, and Ashton McDonald placed 3^rd in the undergraduate category.

Dr. Furrer and Dr. Joseph presented a talk titled "Benedict College- Home of SC's Newest ABET-Accredited Environmental Engineering Program. The audience for this talk was water and wastewater professionals from firms across SC and potential partners and employers of our graduates.

The journey to the 34^th Honda Campus All‐Star Challenge (HCASC) National Championship Tournament is underway for the team of scholars from Benedict College. HCASC, America’s premier academic competition among HBCUs, annually brings together more than 250 HBCU students, coaches, presidents, and institutional representatives for a tournament that uniquely combines educational and personal development experiences beyond the classroom. After advancing in the HCASC National Qualifying Tournament in February, Benedict College is one of 32 teams that will compete in April on the corporate campus of American Honda in Torrance, Calif., for the HCASC National Championship title and a $75,000 institutional grant from Honda.

The Propel Center, a global HBCU technology and innovation hub committed to strengthening the Black talent pipeline, this Tuesday will make Benedict College the fifth stop of a seven-city tour to HBCUs across the country that received Propel Impact grants last year.

The $200,000 grants, generously provided by Apple– one of Propel’s founding partners– were awarded to 20 HBCUs whose submissions exhibited extraordinary innovation and equity in the Arts & Entertainment, Agri-Tech and Health industries.

With a portion of its funding, Benedict College produced an exciting graphic novel entitled “The Wonders of An HBCU” that tells the institution’s story. Under the creative direction of Marvel award-winning comic artist and Benedict alumnus Sanford Greene, art students composed individual scripts that showcased their most impactful real-life experiences and then illustrated them to visualize their stories.

Nearly forty percent of African Americans have Irish ancestry, according to some researchers, and African Americans share many other cultural, historic and social justice affinities with Ireland. Starting this year, the AAIDN/CIEE Intern Scholars in Ireland Program will provide a life-changing opportunity for Scholars to explore their heritage, provide international business experience, and polish tangible work skills that will aid them in their future career. Benedict College Mass Communication major, Mia Douglas is looking forward to studying abroad to Ireland.

In this inaugural year of the program, three exceptional African American college students will attend CIEE’s Summer Global Internship in Dublin program that includes an eight-week work placement, housing, and a three credit academic course. During the students’ eight-weeks in Ireland, CIEE will provide the academic and work experience for each intern, while AAIDN will provide each student with a stipend to offset travel and living expenses.

The students selected for the first cohort of AAIDN/CIEE Intern Scholars in Ireland are:



Benedict College: Mia Douglas (’24), Mass Communication and Media Studies

Delaware State University: Dapria Fell (’26), Mass Communication and Media Studies

Sacred Heart University: Jayla Vyent (’25), Psychology

“We are honored to partner with AAIDN to help build bridges between African American and Irish communities through people-to-people exchange,” said James P. Pellow, Ed.D., president and CEO of CIEE. “The AAIDN Internships in Ireland program will allow African American college students to prepare for the global job market, develop intercultural communication skills, and embrace Ireland’s well-known hospitality, rich culture and natural beauty.”

Dennis Brownlee, founder and chairman of AAIDN, stated: “We are delighted to work with CIEE to offer this transformative international learning and career development opportunity in Ireland to a group of outstanding students. These are the kinds of experiences that will help broaden their perspectives and advance their careers.”

The AAIDN/CIEE Intern Scholars will be encouraged to share reflections of their time in Ireland through written blogs and weekly posts on social media. They will serve as mentors for the next class of AAIDN Intern Scholars, thereby extending the African American Irish family network to future decedents of Africa and Ireland.

The BEST of BC Athletics

The Benedict College athletic department honored its student-athletes at its annual athletic awards banquet on Monday evening.

A pair of standout athletes received the John E. Brown Award, Benedict's top student-athlete award. The award is named after the former legendary coach and athletic director who spent 32 years serving Benedict College, where he coached football, baseball and basketball for the Tigers. This award is given to the most outstanding student-athlete.

Megan Thompson from women's cross country and track and field, and men's football player Loobert Denelus were this year's recipients.

The Benedict College women's tennis team captured their second straight SIAC championship with a 4-2 victory over Albany State on Sunday in the championship match of the 2023 Cricket SIAC Women's Tennis Championship.

Benedict earns the SIAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

The Lady Tigers, who entered the tournament as the fourth seed, upset top-seed Clark Atlanta in Saturday's semifinals, then knocked off third-seed Albany State on Sunday.

Albany won the No. 2 and No. 3 doubles matches to earn the doubles point.

Benedict College freshman triple jumper Rajaun Ricketts finished in 10th place at the NCAA Division II national championship on Friday night.

Ricketts' best jump was 14.73 meters (48 feet, 4 inches), on his third attempt in the first heat. The top nine jumpers advanced to the finals.

He jumped 14.33 meters (47 feet, ¼ inch) on his first attempt, and improved to 14.54 meters (47 feet, 8 ½ inches) on his second attempt.

Two Benedict College baseball players have been selected to participate in the Minority Baseball Prospects All-Star Game, which will be played June 3 at Coolray Field, home of the Triple-A Braves affiliate, Gwinnett Stripers.

Outfielder Isaiah Canty and utility player Justin Murray were selected to participate.

Canty finished third in the SIAC and 44^th in the nation in slugging percentage (.720), fifth in the SIAC and 57^th in the nation in RBIs per game (1.18) and ninth in the SIAC in runs scored per game (1.12). He also ranked third in the SIAC and ninth in the nation in stolen bases per game (0.82). He was a second-team All-SIAC selection.

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The Benedict College men's tennis team defeated Morehouse 4-1 on Sunday in the consolation match of the 2023 Cricket SIAC Men's Tennis Championship to earn third place.

Benedict captured the first and second doubles matches to earn the doubles point. Mark Chigaazira and Jaylon Bokknight won 6-3 over Michael Griffin and Santiago Soto at No. 1 singles, and Divgurjot Singh and Richard Ngwarwi took a 6-1 victory over Da'rian Mallory and Emmett Hill at No. 2 singles.

In singles action, Mark Chigaazira defeated Soto 6-1, 6-1 at No. 1, while Singh defeated Mallory 6-0, 6-0 at No. 3. Jason Chigaazira had a 3-1 lead over Griffin at No. 2 singles when Griffin retired for Benedict's fourth point.

Mark Chigaazira was named to the All-Tournament team in singles, while Singh and Ngwarwi were named All-Tournament in doubles.

The Tigers finish the season with a 9-8 record.

With a 13-2 overall and 10-1 in the SIAC, Chigaazaria was in the #1 position for singles in the SIAC Men’s Tennis Championship!

The Benedict College men's volleyball team closed out the regular season with a 3-2 victory over Fort Valley State on Saturday.

Benedict won the match 25-22, 14-25, 21-25, 27-25, 15-9 to improve to 11-7 overall and 7-4 in the SIAC. Fort Valley State drops to 7-19 overall and 4-6 in the SIAC.

Ras Jesse Delancy led the Tigers with 29 kills, while Zion Beckford added 14 kills. Kendersley Marcellin had 46 assists. Four Benedict players had double-figure digs, led by Clint Forbes and Marcellin with 15 each.

In the key fourth set, Benedict had a 24-22 lead, but the Wildcats scored back-to-back kills to tie the score. After trading points, the score was tied at 25. The Tigers took the lead on a FVSU attack error, then clinched the match on a kill by Beckford to force a fifth set.

In the fifth set, Benedict used a four-point run to pull away from a tie score and take an 11-7 lead. The Wildcats scored the next two points, but then the Tigers sealed the match with four straight points, getting three of those on kills by Delancy.

Justin Murray had a pair of home runs and drove in five runs to help lead the Benedict College Tigers to a 15-2 victory over Tuskegee in the second game of a SIAC baseball doubleheader on Saturday.

Tuskegee scored five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to rally to take a 12-8 victory in the first game.

Benedict moves to 12-16 overall and 7-14 in the SIAC. Tuskegee is now 7-31 overall and 6-19 in the SIAC.

Benedict pounded out 16 hits in the second game. Isaiah Canty went 4-for-5 with four RBIs. Murry had a two-run homer in the first inning as the Tigers jumped out with four runs in the first inning, and then added a solo shot in the sixth inning. Canty had a two-run triple in the fourth inning.

Jayden Jordan went the distance, scattering seven hits and allowing two walks while striking out four.

In the first game, the score was tied 6-6 before Tuskegee took the lead with a run in the sixth inning. The Tigers scored two runs in the top of the seventh on a two-out, two-run homer by Fareed Mizelle. Tuskegee scored five runs in the seventh, scoring all the runs with two outs and after back-to-back Benedict errors.

Benedict College sophomore outside hitter Ras Jesse Delancy was named the 2023 NCAA Division II National Player of the Year for men's volleyball by Off The Block.

No one put up offensive numbers this season like Ras Jesse Delancy – and no one could top the Benedict outside attacker for a prestigious national award.

Off the Block announced Friday that a nationwide voting committee selected Delancy as the 2023 Division II National Player of the Year.

The Division II National Player of the Year is awarded to the nation's best player on a NCAA Division II men's volleyball team during the regular season. While Division I and Division II schools compete for the same national championship and individual awards, this award is the only national player of the year solely for Division II players.

Alumni Spotlight

Graduates of Benedict College’s newly accredited Environmental Engineering Program walked away last weekend with much more than just a degree, they were taken out of the classroom and gained hands-on training to prepare them for the future.

It was a collaboration between South Carolina Water Utilities (SCWU) and Benedict where students were asked to design a conceptual wastewater treatment plant.

Dr. Lesley Joseph is a Professor of Practice at Benedict College and says he wanted to give his students a real-world opportunity to actually see what engineering is, and what it looks like in the field.

Benedict College Trustee and Alumni Honored by the Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention of South Carolina 

During the 2023 Presidential Educational Banquet of the Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention of South Carolina, several BEST of BC supporters were honored as South Carolina Shining Stars. Dr. Hilda Gadsden, Benedict College Trustee; Dr. Charles B. Jackson, Sr., Benedict College alumnus; and Dr. Sarah Simmons, Benedict College alumna, were recognized among nine banquet honorees. Benedict College proudly salutes these faithful leaders for their service to the community.  

Above, Dr. Hilda Gadsden, Benedict College Trustee, pictured with Dr. Donald E. Greene, President of the Baptist E&M Convention of South Carolina.

Pictured above: Dr. Charles B. Jackson, Sr., Benedict College alumnus, with Dr. Donald E. Greene, President of the Baptist E&M Convention of South Carolina.

Above, Dr. Sarah Simmons, Benedict College alumna, pictured with Dr. Donald E. Greene, President of the Baptist E&M Convention of South Carolina.

'No More Guns, We Want Peace:' Community gathers for 7th Annual Anti-Gun Violence Walk

“No more guns, we want peace.”

It’s the chant coming from dozens of community members and law enforcement officials on Thursday as they march the Annual Anti-Gun Violence Walk at Benedict College.

The purpose? To fight for an end to gun violence… and advocate for safer action in the city of Columbia and around the state of South Carolina.



This marks the 7th year that the group has gathered for the walk.

The Honorable Daniel Rickenmann, Mayor of Columbia, Chief Skip Holbrook, City of Columbia, and Sheriff Leon Lott support Benedict’s effort to bring attention to the victims of crime at the annual event.