Students garner honors at 12th annual Black Scholar Awards
Jeff Sullivan
Issue date: 4/8/09 Section: News
Cynthia Hamilton, former director of African-American studies at URI, was recognized with an honorary award for her achievements. She has been a professor at URI since 1992, and in that same year she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She has been an inspiration to many students during the years, to the extent that some credited her with their college degrees later that night.
"To the students being recognized, you have a wonderful environment that you are now a part of with the first African-American president of the United States, that has, in fact, made service and excellence a priority, so that all the time you have spent studying and working will be put to good use. We have miles to go, this is just step one," Hamilton said.
Assistant Dean of Arts and Sciences Earl Smith III presented some of the awards and offered his insights to the students.
"I am already blessed to be in your company," he said. "It's hard to be black, particularly a black scholar. You may not know the implications of those concepts right now, but you will surely learn."
Olubukola Babalola and Joseph Godrey won the Estes Benson Award for Academic Achievement. Babalola moved from Nigeria to the United States when she was 14 years old, and has since participated in many extracurricular academic and volunteer programs in her community, as well as URI.
Hunter presented Brandy Derogene with the Harvey Robert Turner Award for Outstanding Service to the URI Black Community. Hunter said he first met Derogene in a Tim Horton's shop, and their teacher-student relationship grew from there.
"I witnessed truly the maturing of an incredible young man who has great things ahead of him," Hunter said. "The world is looking for intelligent, talented, creative and innovative persons to tackle the persistent challenges that we face. Here comes one."
Smith presented Gessie E. Belizaire with the William Gould Award for All-Around Outstanding Achievement. Smith discussed her many achievements, including her political advocacy, leadership in many fundraisers and the publication of her research under her major.
"She chose a different path, and that's what it's all about," Smith said. "She chose a major in African-American Studies, and since that time, she has soared high."
"To the students being recognized, you have a wonderful environment that you are now a part of with the first African-American president of the United States, that has, in fact, made service and excellence a priority, so that all the time you have spent studying and working will be put to good use. We have miles to go, this is just step one," Hamilton said.
Assistant Dean of Arts and Sciences Earl Smith III presented some of the awards and offered his insights to the students.
"I am already blessed to be in your company," he said. "It's hard to be black, particularly a black scholar. You may not know the implications of those concepts right now, but you will surely learn."
Olubukola Babalola and Joseph Godrey won the Estes Benson Award for Academic Achievement. Babalola moved from Nigeria to the United States when she was 14 years old, and has since participated in many extracurricular academic and volunteer programs in her community, as well as URI.
Hunter presented Brandy Derogene with the Harvey Robert Turner Award for Outstanding Service to the URI Black Community. Hunter said he first met Derogene in a Tim Horton's shop, and their teacher-student relationship grew from there.
"I witnessed truly the maturing of an incredible young man who has great things ahead of him," Hunter said. "The world is looking for intelligent, talented, creative and innovative persons to tackle the persistent challenges that we face. Here comes one."
Smith presented Gessie E. Belizaire with the William Gould Award for All-Around Outstanding Achievement. Smith discussed her many achievements, including her political advocacy, leadership in many fundraisers and the publication of her research under her major.
"She chose a different path, and that's what it's all about," Smith said. "She chose a major in African-American Studies, and since that time, she has soared high."
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