This letter serves to nominate the Celebration of Inclusion committee at Valdosta State University for the University System of Georgia’s Service Excellence Award for a Team.
In 1963, Drewnell Thomas and Robert Pierce walked on to the campus of Valdosta State College as its first two African American students. They were scared. They were alone. They were isolated.
This time in the history of Valdosta State paved the way for racial diversity and cultural appreciation. Today, more than 50 nationalities are represented at the university, and African Americans make up 33% of the campus’ students..
Charged by VSU President William J. McKinney, a committee was assembled in late 2012 to develop a yearlong Celebration of Inclusion to commemorate 50 years of integration on Valdosta State’s campus. The committee consisted of VSU faculty, staff and students as well as members of the community. Members include the following: Dr. Maggie Viverette, Dr. Michael Black, Malynda Dorsey, Deborah Davis, Dr. Shirley Hardin, Will Jimerson, Selenseia Holmes, Rebecca Taylor, Juwan Andrews, Sage Archer, Sam Allen, Thressea Boyd, Keith Warburg, Airy Hall, Kelli Williams, Micah Howell, Crystal Hamilton, Lauren Braun, Ryan Brown, Abria Bonner, Erica Adams.
The first question at hand was “What could be done to celebrate something that was so uncelebrated at the time that it took place?” This was the task of the Celebration of Inclusion committee.
The committee got off to a late start, and it seemed to doom efforts. However, the energy from the students created an indescribable synergy among all committee members and this kept the committee going. The committee also faced many hurdles to secure funding for events held during the celebration, so members approached deans and departments as well as companies for financial support. Ultimately, the committee was able to secure funds from the university’s College of Business, College of Arts and Sciences, Odum Library, several student organizations and the law office of Attorney William Boddie to host events. It seemed that whatever obstacle arose, the committee found a way to overcome it.
A website was also created and includes a series of stories on diversity milestones at Valdosta State University, such as the establishment of the Center for International Programs and the establishment of the African American Studies Program. ( ). The website also includes names of African Americans at Valdosta State who achieved a variety of accomplishments and recognitions over the past 50 years. The list was compiled by Kelli Williams, then as senior psychology major, and Dr. Shirley H. Hardin, director of African American Studies and professor of English. ( )
The celebration kicked off on September 18, 2013, exactly 50 years to the day that Thomas and Pierce entered Valdosta State College, with a heritage cookout, which included a joint proclamation from the City of Valdosta and Lowndes County Board of Commissioners – the first joint city and county proclamation ever prepared in Lowndes County. ( )It also included historical displays in buildings and across campus. Later that day, the students hosted an event titled “A Look 50 Years Back and a Look 50 Years Forward.”
The celebration also included a pioneer’s brunch during VSU’s homecoming, after which the first two black students served as the grand marshals during the VSU homecoming parade. During the celebration, there were three symposiums: a political symposium, sponsored by my office; an academic symposium; and a social symposium, as well as an art gallery opening that featured nationally recognized artist AmaliaAmaki. See the links below for information about the symposia.
The culmination of the celebration included a visit from bestselling author and actor, Hill Harper. This event was held to celebrate the establishment of the Thomas/Pierce Scholarship, which honors the institution’s first two African American students, Drewnell Thomas and Robert Pierce. The scholarship benefits first generation college students from South Georgia who maintain a 3.0 grade point average and remain in good academic standing at Valdosta State.
Finally, while working with the president of the university and VP of advancement, committee members were able to identify a donor who is affiliated with the well-
known project, Let Us Make Man, which is a two-day seminar geared toward the educational and social development of young minority males. The committee worked with various offices on and off campus, several dignitaries from Atlanta and State Rep. Dexter Sharper to publicize and coordinate the event on VSU’s campus for the first time.
A documentary of the Celebration of Inclusion is now being produced and will be housed in university archives.
The committee has accomplished so much from the celebration. During the culmination event, more than315 tickets were sold and the donors committed more than $3,500 to raise money for the Thomas/Pierce Scholarship. In addition, the university has seen a more active minority affairs council, and a minority affairs resolution requesting more diverse faculty hires has been drawn by the Student Government Association. The celebration has also resulted in the following awards: Collegiate Women of VSU Staff Award (presented to Deborah Davis), African American Studies Community Servant of the Year Awards (presented to Deborah Davis and Malynda Dorsey), Valdosta Metro’s 4 Under 40 Award (presented to Malynda Dorsey).
The enthusiasm that everyone brought to the committee and the respect across all levels was phenomenal. New cooperative teams were formed across races, generations, and rank. Everyone was competent and respected for carrying their big loads and at the end of the celebration, the committee members held a big party.
The committee is now tasked with managing the future and success of the Thomas/Pierce Scholarship. This requires new criteria for a new year and a personal commitment from committee members to ensure that inclusion efforts continue.
Important Links:
Gallery Opening:
Gallery Opening:
Political Symposium:
Social and Academic Symposiums:
Videos: