Through Zora’s Eyes

Mission accomplished. Dr. Giselle Jones-Jones, a professor at Bennett College, wrote her dissertation on the anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston, and after seven years, it has been published. Her book “Through Zora’s Eyes” is about Hurston’s autobiography and how her story should inspire today’s youth.

“The original title was ‘More Than a State of Being: The Process of Actualizing “Self” in the Midst of Limitations and Contradictions: Establishing a Pedagogy of Self-Actualization and Survival Through Zora’s Eyes.’ Kind of long right?”

Jones-Jones says that it took her so many years to publish the book because she was nervous about what the outcome would be. She didn’t know if people would accept it or reject it.

After the book was published, she had a conversation with her 13-year-old daughter who helped her articulate the purpose for writing the book.

“She asked me questions like ‘What makes Zora so interesting and relevant?’ and ‘Why should people care?’ She made me think about my purpose for publishing this book, so that when people ask me ‘What is your purpose?’ I will have something to say and not look crazy.”

“The purpose of this book is to show how much of a pioneer she was and how she believed in herself when nobody else would. I wrote it for the younger generation, especially young women, so they know that they have the power to do anything they put their minds to. It’s about self-actualization and self-worth.”

Dr. Jones-Jones held her first book signing in the Steele Hall Art Gallery on Bennett College’s campus.

You can find more information on the author and how to purchase the book by clicking on this link.

By: Keonna J. Scott

One-on-One Interview: Dr. Malveaux’s Post Resignation Reflections

Author, columnist and economist Dr. Julianne Malveaux closes the chapter on Bennett College for Women. She resigned from the historically black all-women’s college in Greensboro, North Carolina, February 28, at a town hall meeting. With doors shut to the public, this bittersweet moment was shared strictly amongst faculty, students and staff. 

Dr. Malveaux granted the Bennett Banner, the Bennett College online newspaper, a one-on-one 20-minute interview eight days after making the announcement. 

The Boston College and MIT alumna started off the interview with why it was time to leave. 

“I always tell people that God brought me to Bennett, and God is taking me from Bennett. There’s a sense in my soul that it was time. It’s been five years. I probably never really planned to stay more than five years, but then I really got into it and said no I can do this a little longer. But, then I’ve had some health challenges that have been complicating factors as well as the fact that I’m tired.”  

Bennett College released a statement highlighting the president’s accomplishments like breaking the 28-year span without any construction on campus by completing a $21 million dollar capital improvement campaign. The money helped build four new buildings and renovate others. 

“The opening of this Global Learning Center was a really high point of last year. It’s been full of proud moments.” 

The Board of Trustees also credits the president with increasing enrollment and alumnae involvement.

 “I think that changes I made at Bennett will withstand the test of time.” 

The outgoing president also says she put in five years of 100% into Bennett College, and she had a great time becoming a fixture in the Greensboro community. 

“I did get to be a part of many things in the community like the Board of Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, the Board of the Greensboro Partnership, things that really allowed me to bring Bennett to the broader community table.” 

Dr. Malveaux uses an economic term, “compensating differentials,” to discuss some of the challenges she faced as a college president. 

“It just basically means you can’t have everything, so you give up one thing to get another.” 

Malveaux says being a college president has restrictions, and she called herself “Malveaux Light” because she began editing herself more. She gave an example using the national column she writes. 

“I was going to write something the other day, and it was pretty harsh on [Mitt] Romney. Then, I said you know what I have Republicans on my board. He may well be the nominee. That’s the kind of thing [where] you find yourself editing yourself. On one hand you’re going to be yourself, but what I describe myself as sometimes is ‘Malveaux Light.’ When I’m here it’s sort of like ‘Malveaux Light.’” 

One challenge the college faced under Dr. Malveaux’s presidency occurred last summer. In June of 2011, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools [SACS] placed the college on a 6-month probation for financial instability. The college was taken off probation by December 2011, and its accreditation was reaffirmed for 2014 after SACS finished its evaluation. 

The outgoing president wishes she could’ve focused more on the students during her five-year tenure. 

“I think another big challenge we’ve attempted is to really be responsive to students. Now students may have different opinions about that, but we really try to be responsive to students in terms of improving our student activities. The theme used by the college is ‘Students First,’ but of course everything often here boils down to dollars. We haven’t provided students with everything I wish we could have.” 

Dr. Malveaux says on top of the normal issues a college president faces, she began battling health issues. She suffers from diabetes. 

“Some of you have seen a sense of fatigue in me sometimes. Usually I’m a firecracker-peppy but I’ve had an overwhelming sense of fatigue.” 

Battling the disease has brought on some deep regrets. 

“I wish that my health had been better this year. I wish that I had been more on top of my game. I think there were occasions when I really and visibly wasn’t, and you know obviously as a strong black woman you want to project that strength at all times.” 

President Malveaux says the disease has gotten out of control partly because of stress. She says it’s easy to spot when she’s stressed and not feeling well.

“I turn pale, my shoulders are a little hunched, [and] and sometimes I speak slowly.” 

Malveaux says she was hardheaded because she thinks she could have dealt with her health issues earlier. 

“I’m like, well it’s going to be okay. You have a great day; you think okay everything’s okay.” 

The president says resigning her position will allow her to focus on her health. 

“Obviously this is something that I need to manage better. Those things could be managed while I do the job, but I thought about it and said, ‘You know my health comes first.’” 

Speculations arose from students regarding her resignation. 

“This, in some ways, has been bittersweet. It’s certainly my decision to leave. No one said, ‘You have to go’ or anything. You’ve been doing something for five years, and you look up and you’re saying ‘Okay, what’s next?’“ 

She responds to the notion that her presidency was short-lived.  

“My line is nobody likes change but a wet baby, and even the wet baby cries. So, what I want to say to my students, to my successor and even to me, is the only constant in life is change. A bittersweet moment is sweetened by the notion that change is constant.” 

The immediate change taking place on campus is that the Board of Trustees announced that Dr. Esther Terry, the current Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, will assume the role as the Chief Academic Officer. She will be named the Interim President once Dr. Malveaux’s tenure ends after the upcoming commencement ceremony. Dr. Terry is also an alumna of the college, class of 1961. 

Dr. James Dixon, the current Chief of Staff, will serve as the Chief Administrative Officer. 

Dr. Malveaux will continue to fundraise for the school as her time as president comes to an end, and she had a message on this subject for her full-time replacement.

 “My successor will have to be far more focused on fundraising than I was.” 

She also left one other message for the 16^th President of Bennett College. 

“Your students deserve the best. Know it and insist on it and push for it with vigor.” 

She reminisced on some of her proud moments while at Bennett College. 

“Certainly my installation, the first graduation…was just tremendous. When we were able to find the matching funds to renovate the JMS [Journalism and Media Studies] building. That was amazing. Our Women’s Leadership Conferences have been proud moments. We’ve brought people to campus. It’s been great to be able to host my friends like the Dysons [Dr. Michael Eric Dyson & Rev. Marcia L. Dyson], and Rev. [Jessie] Jackson, Cornell West, Susan Taylor. I mean the list goes on. To host them and kind of show off and brag about Bennett…a lot more people know about Bennett than they did before.” 

Malveaux says she’s also changed in a number of ways over the last five years. 

“I’m kinder-gentler; some say I am and some say I’m not. I think that I’ve become more measured. Early on one of the reporters wrote that my style was ready, fire, aim. I didn’t like that very much, but it may well have been the truth. But, I think I’ve calmed down. I think I’ve softened.” 

She says she also learned a lot from her students. 

“I think I see the value of teens a lot more. Being here has not only made it more important for me to listen to young voices but also more imperative. The young people are indeed our future.” 

The outgoing president says she’s excited to figure out what’s next for her. 

“I’ve gotten in conversation with a couple folks about a book [and] conversations about some other writings. I’m boogieing at the Essence Music Festival, and you know I will say waiting to see how life happens. I’ve got a web page that I’ve had for years that we’re going to keep current, and we’ll have columns on it and other stuff.” 

Dr. Malveaux says she would also look at the possibility of working with President Barack Obama’s 2012 presidential campaign. She also talked about continuing to help young women. 

“I mentor a lot of young women both here at the college and other places, and as I leave Bennett I’ll step that up. I need to do a little bit more of that.” 

President Julianne Malveaux says she’s going to miss the Bennett College students, and left them with the following charge. 

“Love Bennett and always lift her up. This is a tremendous place. I think the young people who study here are special and deserve the best. Always know you deserve the best and insist on it.” 

Share your thoughts and comments below.

By: Dominique Mackey

Ms. Malicious Negativity Gossip Buried

She was scandalous, vicious and terrorized Bennett College for 104 years, but her reign of negativity has come to an end.

The Office of Campus Life at the all-women’s institution decided that it was time for faculty, staff and students to change the way they view the college through a special Academic Cultural Enrichment Series (ACES). 

“The timing of the of the event was divinely orchestrated. The date fit perfectly because it was still in the first month of the New Year, which is symbolic of change and aiming to better ourselves,” says Kimberly Drye, resident director and coordinator of this event. 

She continues, “Our staff felt that it was necessary because we continue to see negativity displayed amongst the Bennett College family. There have been numerous speeches and chats about sisterhood, but we wanted to try a different approach.” 

This past Tuesday, January 31, members of the Bennett College community gathered for the homegoing service of Ms. Malicious Negativity Gossip. Her sister, Ms. Vicious Gossip, preceded her in death and was buried twice. Ms. Vicious Gossip’s tombstone is located near the chapel in front of the Bennett Bell. 

Students say the agenda of Ms. Malicious Negativity Gossip was not apparent at first glance. She made people feel comfortable around her and then used her twisted and tainted words to inflict pain upon those who believed in and trusted her. Ms. Malicious Negativity Gossip presented herself to be “Ms. Positivity,” says junior, social work major Brielle Kenney. 

In an effort to take back their campus, Campus Life staff believed a funeral would be the only way to regain what had been taken away from them so long ago — school spirit and positivity. 

Ms. Malicious Negativity Gossip was involved in all aspects of campus life. Students say she majored in every field of study, and participated in every club and organization. Students say her favorite activities included preventing her fellow peers from reaching their goals in life as well as causing strife on campus.

The Office of Campus Life used theatrics, with the assistance of Tenille Foust, a visual arts instructor, to make the ACES program a memorable and meaningful one. Some students were initially turned off at the idea of the college having a funeral for Ms. Malicious Negativity Gossip. 

“When I first saw the email notification, I thought it was going to be about how to handle it [negativity] and that it would be for the freshwomen. I did not know what to expect, I thought I wouldn’t like it,” said sophomore, Business Administration major Unique Edwards. 

Edwards was not the only student that questioned the motives of the program. Many more had their doubts, but were happy that they decided to attend, like Biology major Sharneice Kenley. 

“It was an innovative way to gather my sisters together to fight all of the negativity and gossip.” 

The ACES program had all the makings of an actual funeral. An organist was present, scripture and eulogies were read, an obituary was distributed and members of the Bennett College community gave reflections. Campus Life says the twist was that it was a funeral of renewal. The funeral was supposed to mark a new day for life at Bennett College. Students say the funeral forced everyone present to take a good, long look at themselves and the alter call allowed students, faculty, staff and guests of the college to lay their burdens into a real casket. This symbolized that those burdens were dead and taken care of. 

Students say the themes they got were that sisterhood is priceless and should not be weighed down by negativity and gossip. Students also say one message was to never give up under any circumstances. Many of those messages came from the eulogy preached by the director of student activities, Rachel Pridgen. 

“She really spoke and ministered to me, we need to start within before we can heal the rest of the campus,” says sophomore Unique Edwards. 

Edwards says that Pridgen’s eulogy taught her a very powerful lesson and was the highlight of the entire program. 

Students suggest more activities that allow students and the community, as a whole to bond will help keep Ms. Malicious Negativity Gossip buried. Students’ hopes are high that the funeral will change things on campus.   

“I think it was the best ACES program, we buried negativity,” says Megan Lawrence. 

By: Shanima Parker

“The Game” Pays for College

A Bennett Belle uses “The Game” to attain a free education. Senior Briana Barner, Journalism and Media Studies and Africana Women’s Studies major, traveled to Duke University in Durham, North Carolina on November 11 to present research that she is conducting on how the media controls the image of black women. 

Barner’s 50-page research paper is not titled yet, but it uses the Black Entertainment Television (BET) network show “The Game” to highlight ways black women are portrayed on television. 

“I wanted to focus on controlled images of black women in media because it is a touchy subject that students aren’t discussing often,” she explains. “’The Game’ is the perfect example of that.”

“The Game” is a popular sitcom with a predominantly African American cast.  It focuses on the relationship of two characters, Derwin and Melanie, as she finishes medical school and he begins his career in professional football. The show is in its’ fifth season on BET.

Barner is conducting this research because she is a United Negro College Fund Mellon-Mays Fellow.  

Barner always looks for more funding options

This unique program pairs students with mentors to focus on a research topic that is relevant to them. The program also serves a dual purpose.  It prepares fellows for graduate school and covers the cost of their undergraduate and doctoral studies. All students must agree to pursue a Ph.D. to participate in the program.

“The Mellon-Mays Fellowship is beneficial to students because it eases some of the burden of covering expenses,” Barner says. 

Yvonne Welbon, Ph.D., the Journalism and Media Studies Department Chair serves as Barner’s Mellon-Mays mentor. She thinks the program is beneficial for all students interested in pursuing a Ph.D.

“All students should apply for Mellon-Mays,” she says. “I have done research on black women in media so I had experience in this. I was a great match for Briana. Students have to find a mentor who they will be compatible with and meet the deadlines for the program.”

The Mellon-Mays Fellowship is open to sophomores majoring in specific programs. The program has put more than 50 students through Ph.D. programs, but it is still relatively unknown. This hasn’t kept some Bennett students from expressing interest in applying.

Sophomore Ife Madzimoyo, Interdisciplinary Studies major, attended Barner’s research presentation at Duke. She is applying to the Mellon-Mays program this year.

“I am really excited to apply for Mellon-Mays,” she says. “I haven’t figured out what my research project will focus on, but seeing Briana’s success in the program has encouraged me to apply.”

The UNCF Mellon-Mays Fellowship deadline is in late January. For more information, contact Fodina Henderson, the Office of Financial Aid scholarship coordinator at fhenderson@bennett.edu or (336) 370-8625.

By: Evette Brown

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