Benedict College Class of 2024 Rises Above the Challenges of 2020 to Reach Greater Heights

Over the past five years, Benedict College’s graduation rate has increased by 233%.

Columbia, SC, Benedict College celebrated over 320 of its best and brightest students during a spirited Commencement Convocation on Friday, May 3, 2024. During the graduation ceremony, keynote speaker Dr. Michael Lomax, President, and CEO of the UNCF (United Negro College Fund), applauded the Benedict College community of faculty and staff along with the loving parents, grandparents, siblings, and other family members of the students in attendance for their support. “To you, I say, because of your nurturing and unconditional love, these distinguished student scholars have achieved their dreams of earning a college degree,” said Lomax. “They have done so because the Benedict community is strong and has weathered one of the nation’s most devastating periods in our history. Tonight, the community is on full display as we celebrate this esteemed and distinguished class of students.”

One of those esteemed graduates was Mia Douglas (featured photo), a native of Las Vegas, Nevada who as a student had multiple internship experiences, including working with the Small Business Administration, the U.S. State Department – Foreign Press Centers, and as a reporting intern for The Journal located in Dublin, Ireland. During the ceremony, Douglas was named Outstanding Senior Spring 2024, She majored in mass communications along with a minor in political science and committed to attending Georgetown Law School in the Fall. Her participation in the Georgetown University HBCU Program influenced her decision to pursue her law degree in Washington, DC.

Douglas credited Benedict College for helping her to reach this historic milestone in her life. “Benedict College gave me the platform and ability to grow. Benedict College showed me how to thrive in rooms where you are the minority while remaining true to yourself. I believe the Best of BC means being the best version of you!” she further acknowledged.

Computer Engineering graduate Fred Chambers (pictured above) of Walterboro, S.C. is also grateful for the support of the Benedict College Family during his academic matriculation. “Benedict gave me access to many resources which have prepared me for success and allowed me to open new doors,

I could not imagine. I am grateful for the support of the faculty and staff members,” explained Chambers.

Through Benedict College’s partnership with ServiceNow, Chambers interned for three months at the San Diego-based company last summer. He was recently offered a job as a product owner with ServiceNow.

“I feel honored to join a company dedicated to transforming the way work gets done,” said Chambers. “I am excited to contribute to their innovative solutions.

Criminal Justice major Kleopatra Jones (above) from Las Vegas, Nevada acknowledges Benedict College for igniting her passion for law and social justice. “My passion for social justice advocacy inspired me to become an attorney,” explained Jones. “Benedict played a pivotal role in building my network in the Columbia legal community, which I credit for assisting me with great internship experiences.

“I am excited that I have been accepted into Hofsta Law School in Hempstead, New York, and I am looking forward to experiencing the field of law in another area of the country while expanding my network,” notes Jones.

Graduating Burroughs Foundation Scholar Briana Curney (left) of Atlanta, Georgia, will be commissioned into the United States Navy in August 2024. She is excited about her forthcoming journey and her bright future.

“It has always been a dream of mine to go into the military because I was raised by a military family,” explained Curney, a Business Administration major with an emphasis on Entrepreneurship.

“I believe the military will prepare me professionally and mentally to go above and beyond. While enlisted, I intend to pursue a graduate degree. I know my Benedict College education has prepared me for graduate school because of the guidance I was provided which helped me to excel through various challenges.”

Over the past five years, Benedict College’s graduation rate has increased by 233%. “I am extremely proud of the transformation that has taken place at Benedict College. The entire campus community doubled down on increasing student success, and as a result, we have realized significant growth in our graduation rates. The class of 2023 and 2024 are evidence of this commitment,” stated Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, President, and CEO.

At Benedict College, each graduating class walks across the stage with optimism and enthusiasm about the next chapter of their lives. They also carry with them a legacy of academic achievement and extraordinary leadership skills, which embody the BEST of BC.