December 2006 - Benedict College

Happy 

Holidays 

Volume 82, No. 1 Columbia, South Carolina December 2006 

Nadia J. Muhammad crowned 

Miss Benedict College 2006-2007 

By Kamilah Fabien 

Editor-in-Chief 

Nadia J. Muhammad received 

her crown as Miss Benedict College 

2006-2007 in an elaborate 

ceremony held in the Benjamin 

E. Mays Human Resources 

Arena on Oct. 20. 

“Now that is a queen!” said a 

member of the audience as 

Muhammad, a senior, Mass 

Communication (Broadcast) 

major, entered the arena to be 

crowned. 

Muhammad was voted the 

new queen of Benedict College 

last semester, succeeding BC 

graduate Tina Ivory Sanders, 

who was also a Mass Communication 

major. 

Dr. David H. Swinton, president 

of Benedict College, performed 

the formal swearing-in 

of Muhammad for the school 

year. 

After she received her crown, 

Muhammad then listened to several 

tributes from her parents 

and other relatives, her sorority, 

AKA, and the faculty. 

First to pay tribute were Timothy 

and Beverly Muhammad, 

parents of the new queen. Her 

mother, who spoke on behalf of 

her family, emphasized the 

theme of the African woman, 

praising her daughter’s decision 

to follow in the paths of her ancestors 

by attending an HBCU. 

Muhammad was then presented 

with a fur coat by her parents, 

much to her and the audience’s 

surprise. 

Next, Muhammad’s grand 

aunt, Dora Aiken Brown, a 1944 

graduate of Benedict College, 

spoke fondly of Muhammad as 

a child, saying “A little doll she 

was and still is.” Brown, who 

was a roommate of current faculty 

member, Dr. Alma Byrd, 

gave anecdotes of college life at 

Benedict College “a little while 

ago” when she was a student 

here over 60 years ago. 

In one anecdote which drew 

laughter from the audience, she 

spoke of the visitation rule of her 

President David H. Swinton formally crowning Nadia J. 

Muhammad as Miss Benedict College 2006-2007. 

age to promise Muhammad, before 

leaving the podium, that as sented her a $1,500 scholarship 

in the department. She then pre- 

long as she was alive, she would award from the Ron McKnight 

be present for all of her suc- 

Foundation. 

cesses, but that if she was not 

alive, that she would still be with 

her in spirit. 

Susan Dugan, professor of English, 

Foreign Languages, and 

Mass Communication department, 

speaking on behalf of the 

faculty, noted how proud they 

were of Muhammad as a student 

days at Benedict when, on Sundays 

evenings, male students, 

dressed in their Sunday best, 

would be allowed to visit the female 

dormitories “for one whole 

hour.” 

Although the program was not 

long enough to permit all of 

Brown’s nostalgia, she did man- 

Miss Benedict College delivering Royal speech 

“First, giving honor and 

thanks to the Almighty God 

who is the head of my life, the 

Beneficent and Merciful for 

each day of my life. I thank you 

for making this night possible. 

To Dr. David H. Swinton and 

our first lady, Mrs. Patricia 

Swinton, for your dedication 

and love for Benedict College, 

I am so honored to be your 

queen. Thank you for your support 

and I will forever honor 

and cherish this evening. To my 

Mom and Dad, I love you for 

the prayers, love, support, and 

guidance. You help me to be the 

virtuous woman I am today and 

what I look forward to become 

in the future, I thank each day 

for you. To my family, the 

Aiken’s, the Harrison’s, the 

Photo courtesy of Susan Dugan 

Miss Nadia J. Muhammad 

Miss Benedict College 2006-2007 

School of Humanities 

holds MARKS Mixer 

for students and faculty 

by Koren Merchant 

Staff Writer 

The School of Humanities, 

Arts and Social Sciences 

(SHASS) held its first MARKS 

Mixer in the lobby of the George 

Ponder Fine Arts/Humanities 

Center building to promote good 

“marks” or grades in school, 

encouraging students to meet 

with their advisors in order to 

know each other in a social setting. 

“We wanted to let the students 

no that we’re here to promote 

them, and we support the 

students in getting good marks”, 

said Dr. Julian Quillian, dean 

of SHASS, whose office organized 

the mixer. 

She said the idea of students 

getting “good marks” was the 

key to them becoming successful 

academically, and the event 

was organized so that students 

and faculty could work tofether 

to achieve “good marks.” 

“MARKS” stands for the following: 

M stands for Meeting 

Classes/Obligations; A for Advising 

Successfully; R for Registering 

On Time; K for Knowing 

Your Advisors; and S for 

Shepherding Academic Performance. 

The overall theme of the event 

was to show that faculty members 

care about their students and 

see MARKS/ page 5 

Evans’s and the Muhammad’s 

for the rich history I am proud 

to be apart of; you as family 

have shown me what it means 

to be a part of a family and I 

will forever love you for that. I 

have always heard about a college 

called Benedict growing 

up, yet it was friends and family 

like Mrs. Mills who accepted 

me with welcome arms. To the 

faculty, staff, family, and friends 

like Mrs. Barbara Moore, Dr. 

Whaley, Mrs. Damara 

Hightower, Mrs. Tondelaya 

Jackson and many more I will 

forever honor you. I will forever 

thank the Mass Communications 

Department for furthering 

my education like Mrs. Susan 

Dugan, Mr. Ron McKnight, 

Mrs. Gladys Shabazz, Dr. 

Momo Rogers and the staff of 

Tiger News and my Dean Dr. 

Linda Quillian and her staff, 

thanks a million, your teachings 

will go far with me. Thank you 

to the dynamic women of Psi 

Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha 

Sorority, Inc. you will forever 

be my sisters, your laughter, 

motivation, support, and sisterly 

relations will forever be 

love. I am so happy to have sisters 

like you. I love you as my 

sisters sincerely. To Student 

Activities - Mrs. Mary Davis 

and Mr. Marion Wright - for 

your dedication and work, your 

advice is always on time and 

appreciated. To Student Government 

Association 2006- 

2007- Ryan, Keisha, Joshua, 

Solomon, Devon, Danielle, and 

Teckla - you are truly awesome 

and student leaders in my eyes. 

You saw what Benedict students 

consist of and that is power for 

good in the 21st century. I love 

you all for believing in me. To 

my Attendants - Nichelle and 

Pam - my court, you are truly 

royalty and my backbone. The 

unity we have is what I have always 

desired. I have learned so 

much from you two because you 

are women from different walks 

of life. I love you two. To my 

glam squad - my hair stylists 

Bad Boy Roy, to Mrs. Karen 

Walker for the styling of my attendants 

and suits and gorgeous 

dresses we wear - your 

hands are truly gifted and to 

Carmen from MAC make-up. 

Overall to Benedict College you 

are Benedict College, shall I go 

how I thank you for being apart 

of an HBCU that is a gem in 

my eyes that will always 

sparkle. Thank you to the Campus 

Queens and Escorts and to 

you for being a part of this 

world of a masquerade - thank 

you for witnessing a tale of 

woman who became a queen, 

that queen by the name of Nadia 

J. Muhammad.” 

Alumni crown Miss BCNNA 

at Homecoming ball 

by Curtis Wilson 

Copy Editor 

Mrs. Rosena Lucas, class of 

1960, was crowned the 2006- 

2007 Miss Benedict College 

National Alumni Association 

(BCNAA) during the Homecoming 

event which took place at the 

Radisson Hotel, downtown Columbia, 

on Bush River Road, 

called “An Evening of Jazz with 

Class.” 

The First Runner up to Miss 

BCNAA was Ms. Zenobia P. 

Simmons, class of 1989, and the 

Second Runner up was Mrs. 

Betty Davis DuRante, class of 

1973. 

Lucas, a native of Hopkins 

South Carolina, graduated from 

Benedict with a B.A. degree in 


French and English. She grew 

up in Columbia where she taught 

at W.A. Perry Junior High 

School. After changing careers, 

she also worked for Planned Parenthood 

and took a position with 

the South Carolina Department 

of Social Services as an Adoption 

Specialist. 

Lucas, who has devoted her 

life to assisting the community 

through her Volunteerism, also 

remains active in the church. In 

the quest to further her education, 

she has also attended the 

University of Nevada and the 

University of South Carolina. 

Also crowned during the 

alumni homecoming event were 

Monisha Johnson and Solomon 

see BCNNA/page5 

After the tributes, Muhammad 

then gave her formal acceptance 

speech as Miss Benedict College 

2006-2007. 

She first started by thanking 

all those who had made the event 

possible as well as those who had 

supported her in other ways, including 

her parents and relatives, 

the Office of Student Activities, 

the SGA, her sorority 

sisters in the AKA, the Mass 

Communication faculty, her 

glam squad, and the rest of the 

Benedict College family. 

She then thanked those present 

at the Coronation for being witnesses 

to “the tale of a woman 

who became a queen.” 

The coronation included two 

entertainment acts. In an AKA 

tribute to the new queen, her sorority 

sisters serenaded the new 

Miss Benedict College, who 

came down from her throne to 

join the group in the sing along. 

That was followed later by the 

dance of the queen’s royal court, 

which was elegantly done. 

Earlier, the Rev. Glenn Prince, 

dean of Chapel/Campus Minister, 

blessed the occasion, calling 

on God’s grace and charging the 

audience to honor the African 

woman and her beauty. 

Besides President Swinton, 

others present included Mrs. 

Patricia Swinton, first lady of 

Benedict College; visiting 

Queens from a few other 

HBCUs; attendants to the queen; 

members of her royal court; administrators, 

faculty, and staff 

members; and many visitors 

from near and far. 

The Master and Mistress of the 

Ceremony, who added grandeur 

to the Coronation, were Curtis 

Wilson, himself a Benedict College 

student and WLTX-TV anchor, 

and his co-anchor, Darci 

Strickland. 

The Coronation was followed 

by a reception at the Swinton 

Campus Center where many students, 

family, and friends of the 

queen enjoyed a night of partying 

with the help of refreshments 

and the music from a DJ. 

SGA launches 3.0 Challenge 

to encourage freshmen’s 

academic achievements 

by Kamilah Fabien 


The SGA has come up with a 

new 3.0 Challenge program, an 

incentive-based academic 

achievement project for the incoming 

2006 Freshman class. 

Speaking during an interview, 

Joshua Stroman, second vice 

president of the SGA, said, “The 

challenge is on,” describing the 

3.0 Challenge as “an incentive 

based program intended to support 

and encourage high academic 

achievement among 

freshmen.” 

Stroman, who is responsible 

for masterminding this project, 

said it is a result-driven project 

that rewards freshmen for meeting 

high academic standards. 

He said the project will compare 

grades after this semester with 

grades of freshmen in previous 

years. 

He also explained that the 

Challenge is not only geared towards 

freshmen getting better 

grades but also towards retention 

of freshmen. 

He said the way the Challenge 

works is that freshmen who earn 

a GPA of 3.0 and above will receive 

certain rewards, including 

being the guests of honor at an 

awards ceremony. Other rewards 

might include a concert 

for the awardees, receiving of 

certificates, and their names being 

displayed on a Freshman 

Honors Wall of Fame. 

Stroman said these rewards are 

intended to instill a sense of academic 

achievement and personal 

pride, adding that there is a need 

for this type of program because 

the college is an open enrollment 

institution. 

Stroman, who said he can 

identify with many of the students 

on the campus because he 

did not complete grades nine 

through twelve, added that he 

initiated the project because he 

wanted to motivate other students. 

He noted that his matriculation 

thus far at Benedict has 

been successful and believes that 

other students will be able to do 

the same. He emphasized that 

even though some members of 

the public may have a negative 

perception of problems at 

Benedict College, he said that 

there are students who see these 

problems and are trying to effect 

positive changes for themselves. 

He said that although the 

Challenge is a student-based 

TIGER NEWS/Kamilah Fabien 

Joshua Stroman, second Vice 

President of the SGA. 

program, it does have the support 

of the College administration, 

noting that “Administrators 

do not have all the answers.” 

Stroman said, in order to 

implement the project, he continues 

to have meetings with different 

departments to make them 

aware of what the program is 

about so that they can correctly 

divulge information to students. 

Departments involved with the 

3.0 Challenge include the Student 

Leadership Department and 

Community Life. 

He added that aside from rewards 

for accomplishments, the 

program will also attempt to offer 

assistance to freshman in the 

form of study tips and classroom 

interaction strategies which will 

be posted around campus in various 

locations. 

INSIDE 

THIS ISSUE 

Carnival 

celebration .....3 

Alumni Career 

Day........................4 

Clyburn provokes 

students 

to vote............5 

Where I am 

now.........................6 

Two BC students 

shoot for 

stardom...........7

OPINION/EDITORIAL 

Page 2 - BC Tiger News December 2006 

our view 

Welcome! - How’s Everything Going 

by Nadia J. Muhammad 

Editorial Page Editor 

The advisor, editor-in-chief, and other members of the editorial 

staff welcome you as you read the first issue of the Tiger News for 

the 2006-2007 academic year. We plan to provide you with the latest 

and important news of what’s happening on the campus of our dear 

Benedict College. 

As students, faculty, staff and administrators, we are all members 

of the Benedict family, and have all faced everyday with tasks that 

will impact our lives at Benedict. As caring members, we should often 

wonder how everything is going with each other. 

Since the beginning of the semester in August, with scheduled 

classes, academic activities, service-learning hours, story deadlines, 

the dedication of the Charlie W. Johnson football stadium, and Homecoming 

week activities, you will have to admit that this semester is 

already full of anticipation for a successful year. For seniors, Benedict 

College will never be forgotten for the motivation it tries to give us 

students to succeed in all that we do. 

We have one of the largest freshmen classes that has enrolled at 

Benedict this semester, and one question that arose was: “Have the 

uppersclassmen taken notice” For instance, Greeks on this campus 

often look at freshmen as student leaders of the future for their 

organizations. However, do members of the Class of 2010 know what 

to ask of the Greeks Some Greeks on campus say that the answer is 

“No.” It’s not enough for these Greeks to say: “Just visit the website 

of your perspective organization.” 

The Tiger News will not only take notice of such questions, but 

hopes to serve as a forum for the presention of issues, current events, 

sports, features, activities of various campus organizations, and all 

things pertaining to our Benedict College community. 

So, as you read this issue of the Tiger News, know that we feel 

obligated to inform you about the latest happenings on campus and 

in the Benedict College community. Expect honesty and fairness in 

our coverage, reporting of news events, and general presentation of 

information in the monthly issues of the Tiger News. 

Feel free to send us notices of your activities and also your opinions, 

about how things are going around campus for publication. 

We only ask that you too show a sense of honesty in dealing with us, 

remembering that we are Benedict College and whatever appears in 

our newspaper reflects us. 

Finally, on behalf of the editorial staff, we proudly welcome our new 

advisor, Dr. Momo Rogers, Sr. Along with his guidance and the 

enthusiasm of all of us on the editorial staff, we anxiously look forward 

to putting out another issue of your Tiger News before the end 

of this semester. 

Editor in Chief 

Kamilah Fabien 

News Editor 

Marquita Watson 

Entertainment Editor 

Sherell Watson 

Photography Editor 

William Sledge 

Advertising Manager 

Janael Ceasar 

Circulation Manager 

Chaquain Meyer-Boone 

Staff Writer 

Kentrell McGrier 

Staff Writer 

Koren Merchant 

Photographer 

Zachary Smith 

Benedict College 

Tiger News Staff 

Assistant Editor 

R. Nathaniel Roberson 


Nadia J. Muhammad 

Features Editor 

C. Dante Winstead 

Sports Editor 

Kimberly Webber 

Copy Editor 

Curtis Wilson 

Staff Writer 

Thomas Hunter 

Staff Writer 

Reginald Tisdale 

Staff Writer 

Adreinne Williams 

Advisor 

Dr. Momo Rogers, Sr. 

For News tips and Advertising, contact us at (803) 705-4645 

or send an email to: bctigernews@yahoo.com 

Editorial Policy: As a student-run newspaper, we strive to be fair and 

unbiased in our reporting, and provide a forum for open expression 

and discussion to develop campus and community awareness. 

Samuel J. Vance 

Made in America 

For many years a public service 

commercial was run in this country 

that said “If you want to get a good 

job, you have to get a good education”. 

During that time our nation 

was emphasizing the importance of 

a high school diploma. A high 

school diploma is still the bedrock 

of American employment, and I 

would never encourage anyone to 

do anything less. I also strongly 

encourage black Americans to get 

some type of advanced training 

and/or higher education. 

I am not saying anything now nor 

will I say anything in the future that 

is intended to demean or discourage 

education. Education is the 

super glue of the super structure 

that we refer to when we say the 

“American Dream”. We need more 

people with two year and four year 

degrees. We need more people with 

masters and PhD degrees. Indeed 

PhD should stand for “Preach 

Higher Dreams”. It is, after all, one 

of the highest educational dreams. 

Today, I am addressing a threat 

that is being presented to Americans 

of all educational levels, even 

PhDs and medical doctors. 

Our nation is being attacked by a 

dream thief that goes by the name 

of globalization. It has manifested 

itself through what is known as 

outsourcing. This is a process that 

has been underway for quite some 

time. Unfortunately the people that 

were able to oppose it were the 

people that tended to do the least 

to fight it. Many of them felt smug 

and insulated from the ravages of 

outsourcing. They thought that 

their level of education would protect 

their income and therefore their 

standard of living. 

Martin Luther King said “That 

injustice anywhere is a threat to 

justice everywhere”. How naive is 

a man that thinks that his rights are 

not connected to the rights of others 

If the rights of the weak have 

been abridged, the rights of the 

strong will surely follow. 

Many years ago I picked up the 

expression that “The life that 

you save may be your own”. 

Me, myself personally, I have 

been following outsourcing for 

quite some time but the final 

straw for me came when I began 

to call for airline ticket 

prices. I noticed that every time 

that I called Delta; I got a person 

with an East Indian accent. 

Were there not enough people 

in the United States with high 

school diplomas for these jobs 

Taking airline reservations has 

traditionally been a good entry 

level job. It was always the type 

of job that was considered to 

be a great stepping stone for a 

person that desired a starting 

position with a major corporation. 

Less than a week after this 

happened I was talking about 

this to a friend of mine from the 

medical field and my friend said 

that she had been informed that 

Blue Cross has outsourced its 

customer jobs to the Indian 

subcontinent. Once again we 

have a major corporation with 

entry level jobs that are being 

denied to Americans. 

I have tried to sort this out in 

my mind and the more that I 

think about the ramifications of 

the economic flight of America, 

the more confusing this gets. 

Many years ago I read that 

Henry Ford said that he wanted 

his employees to make $5.00 a 

day so that there would be 

somebody that could afford to 

buy his cars. 

I decided to try and sort this 

through with someone who had 

more knowledge and experience 

with this than I did. How bad 

was this really I decided to 

speak to Bob Baugh because 

he is the National Executive Director 

of the AFL-CIO Indus- 

From The Editor’s Desk 

Hello, Fellow 

Students! 

My name is Kamilah Fabien 

and I’m the new editor of the Tiger 

News. This semester, we have 

a new staff and we’re really excited 

about bringing you all the 

news and entertainment that you 

want in your campus newspaper. 

(Meet members of our editorial 

staff below in the sidebar!) 

We’ve worked hard to cover 

most of the events since the semester 

started in August, but for 

technical reasons, we weren’t 

able to come out with an issue till 

now. However, we hope you’ll 

still enjoy reading our first issue. 

Sections we wish to feature 

in our paper will include Campus 

News, Opinion/Editorial, Campus 

Life, Features, Art & Entertainment, 

and Sports. As we think of 

other areas of interest to you, 

we’ll add them. If you think of an 

area that we can add, please let 

us know. 

We would like for you to really 

feel that the Tiger News is 

your newspaper. We’re even willing 

to try answering any questions 

you might have about the 

school. There’s just one problem 

Advisor’s Notes 

I’ve been a faculty advisor to a 

student newspaper at three other 

colleges, but I must admit that, 

for the first time, I’m having the 

kind of editorial staff members 

I’ve dreamt of. A staff that is not 

only enthusiastic but also very 

diligent and reliable in carrying 

out its task. 

Were it not for the lack of equipment 

and other facilities, this issue 

of the paper would have been 

out at least a month ago. However, 

our lack of equipment has 

not dampened the spirit of my 

students who continue to write 

their stories and to show up for 

our copyediting and layout labs. 

Thus, I can truly say that this 

group at Benedict College is also 

the first that has made my work 

almost stress-free and also fun. 

Their willingness to work with 

what is available certainly demonstrates 

the school’s slogan of 

trial Union Council. He started off 

the conversation by telling me 

that “manufacturing is the canary 

in the coal mine”. It turns out that 

we have lost 3.5 million manufacturing 

jobs since 1998. 

In the new millennium we have 

expanded our job losses into research, 

engineering, design, and 

professional technical jobs. We 

even have companies that are 

outsourcing the reading of X- 

rays (do we really need this one) 

GE has outsourced tens of thousands 

of financial service job in 

particular. And just in case you’re 

thinking that what we need are 

more major American companies 

with major contracts, you had 

better think again. 



though…we don’t know what 

your questions are! 

This is therefore an invitation 

to you to write letters to me for 

inclusion in our “Letter to the 

Editor” column on this page. If 

you want to ask a question, or 

just want to make a statement 

about something; either way, feel 

free to write your letters and email 

them 

to 

bctigernews@yahoo.com. 

We’re really excited about 

hearing from you and serving 

you better. 

Sincerely, 


Dr. Momo K. Rogers, Sr. 

Faculty Advisor 

preparing students to be powers 

for good. 

I thank the staff for putting their 

all in getting out this first issue. I 

hope you enjoy reading it, knowing 

that much time and efforts 

were put in getting it to you. 

Finally, I would also like to 

thank my colleagues, Susan 

Dugan and Donald Holmes, for 

being there with their assistance 

whenever I called on them. 

Boeing got a new Aerospace 

contract to build 787 jets. Boeing 

turned around and outsourced 

more than 70% of the labor that 

was needed to build the 787s. 

Meanwhile they have laid off 

25,000 machinists and 25,000 engineers. 

They thought that these 

jobs should go to some very deserving 

people in places such as 

China, Japan and Italy. As we 

went through these facts, Bob 

Baugh pointed out something 

that we have heard many times. 

“The last hired are the first to be 

fired”, so this job destruction 

does not bode well for Black 

America. 

see AMERICA/page 3 

M 

e 

e 

t 

o 

u 

r 

S 

t 

a 

f 

f 

Marquita Watson 

News Editor 

Kimberly Webber 

Sports Editor 

Curtis Wilson 

Copy Editor 

Thomas Hunter 

Staff Writer 

Adrienne Williams 

Staff Writer 

Nadia J. Muhammad 




Janael Ceasar 


Reginald Tisdale 

Staff Writer 

Koren Merchant 

Staff Writer 

R. Nathaniel Roberson 

Assitant Editor 

C. DanteWinstead 


William Sledge 

Photo Editor 

Chaquain Meyer- 

Boone 


Kentrell McGrier 

Staff Writer 

Zachary Smith 

Photographer

COMMUNITY/SOCIETY 

December 2006 BC Tiger News - Page 5 

Students say ‘not 

enough’ vendors at 

2006 HBCU Job Fair 



Nearly 70 vendors participated 

in the 2006 HBCU Job Fair held 

Sept. 26, at the Brooklyn Baptist 

Church, sponsored by Sen. 

Lyndsay Graham, Benedict College, 

and other local HBCUs. 

Because not all of the 70 registered 

vendors showed up, some 

students said there were not 

enough vendors in their various 

fields. 

“I would have like to see more 

medical people there,” said 

Michelle Booker, a senior, biology 

major. 

Booker added the lack of vendors 

was not so much of a problem 

as was the lack of variety 

among the vendors present. 

Another student, Amanda 

Mackey, a senior, Computer Science 

major, said she was not impressed 

with the vendors who 

showed up. “I felt as though I 

was being rushed,” Mackey said. 

However, Mackey had a different 

impression of the workshops 

provided during the fair. She said 

she found the “Resume Writing” 

workshop helpful. “They exposed 

you to a lot of different 

formats,” she said. 

Other workshops included 

“Business Etiquette/Dress for 

Success,” “HR Benefit Package/ 

Credit Worthiness,” and “Starting 

Your Own Business.” 

Many other students said the 

highlight of the job fair was the 

‘freebies’ given out by the participating 

companies. 

The fair was open from 10 a.m. 

to 3 p.m. Students were shuttled 

to and from the event location 

and provided with lunch. 

Saturday Academy needs 

volunteers for K-5 program 

by Janael M. Ceasar 


If you love volunteering your 

time for a positive event and you 

love working with children and 

are full of life and energy, you 

may be a great choice for the Saturday 

Academy Program for 

Youth. From the month of October 

through December, the Saturday 

Academy will be held in 

five participating schools across 

the state, involving more than 350 

students every week. 

There are an array of activities 

to choose from including tutoring, 

character lessons, sports, 

computer training and cultural 

An Official Letter 

to 

Benedict 

College Students 

from President 

David H. Swinton 

Dear Benedict College Students: 

arts. Children participating will 

range from kindergarten through 

5th grade, (K-5). Volunteers can 

also serve as personal mentors 

for the youth that participate. 

On Saturday, Oct. 21, the Saturday 

programs kicked-off with 

volunteer training. The training 

was held at Harbison West Elementary 

in Irmo starting at 8:30 

a.m. until noon. Other training 

dates are as follows: Oct. 28, Nov. 

11, Nov. 18, Dec. 2, and Dec. 9. 

All training dates are Saturdays 

which makes it convenient for 

most, according to the Academy. 

If you are interested in becoming 

a volunteer contact Justin 

Grant or Kevin Sampson at (803) 

561-0060. 

Now that Halloween is over and all of the ghosts and 

goblins have disappeared, it is time for you to buckle down to the 

serious business of finishing this semester on a positive note. You 

are nearly two-thirds of the way home. It is absolutely crucial that 

you redouble your efforts to assure that you are progressing 

smoothly towards your various degrees. 

The importance of completing your college education can 

not be over stated. According to the Southern Regional Education 

Board, a college graduate can expect to earn more than twice as 

much per year as a high school graduate ($23,657 vs. $47,100). The 

report also noted that college graduates are less likely to be 

unemployed. Indeed, the economic benefits of completing college 

are common throughout the country and well known. On average, 

throughout their working lives college graduates will earn about $1 

million more than high school graduates. 

Indeed, the economic benefits of a college education are 

strong. However, of equal importance is the positive impact of a 

college education on the social and community status of the 

individual. People who achieve a college education live wellrounded 

lives by every social indicator. College graduates are 

generally more informed citizens and have a greater participation in 

civic and community affairs. Individuals with college degrees are 

sought out for leadership positions in hopes of making the world a 

better place. College graduates have a greater understanding about 

how the world works which makes it easier for them to make 

connections in society. 

Each of you is on the pathway to becoming college 

graduates with the possibility of achieving all the benefits that a 

degree entails. However, whether you achieve this goal or not is up 

to you. Your effort and desire will determine your success. Of 

course, some level of college education is better than none; but, the 

real prizes come with graduation. Moreover, your achievements at 

Benedict will determine your success after you graduate. Do not be 

content to merely skate by, but try to achieve as much as you can 

while you are here. The more you achieve the better off you will be 

and the more you can do for yourself, your family and your 

community. 

I also encourage each of you to learn how to present 

yourself in a positive way in public. You never know who is watching 

and as they say, “you never get a second chance to make a first 

impression.” You should always care about yourself and take pride 

in your appearance and the way you speak. If you think less of 

yourself, then so will every one else. I would encourage each of 

you to look at some of the old photos of Benedict College students. 

You will see a sense of pride and respect projected in the photos 

which would be good for all of us to emulate today. 

Finally, although we do not require attendance at Chapel 

service, I would encourage each of you to attend Chapel or some 

church service each Sunday. You will be surprised how a little 

spiritual food will prepare you for the rest of the week. Each of you 

has my best wishes for the rest of the semester. Remember, your 

success will be directly proportionate to your effort. 

Sincerely, 

David Holmes Swinton - President and CEO 

Congressman Clyburn provokes 

Benedict College students to vote 

Clyburn promises 

lower interest rates to 

Benedict College students 

by Thomas Hunter 

Staff Writer 

District 4 South Carolina 

Congressman Jim Clyburn excited 

students with promises at 

an All College Assembly. 

At 10:30, the students, faculty, 

and members of the community 

began to pour into the 

Benedict College’s historic 

Antisdel Chapel as they eagerly 

awaited to hear the voice of 

Congressman Jim Clyburn, who 

was the guest speaker of the 

day. 

The program began with Jim 

Claude, Vice President of Membership 

Affairs. He opened the 

program by stating the purpose 

of the event as well as the Student 

Empowerment Initiative. 

Student Empowerment Initiative, 

which also sponsored the 

program is an effort to provide 

Benedict College students the 

opportunity to register as voters; 

to motivate students to 

Representatives of the 

Republican and Democratic 

parties were on hand for a voter 

empowerment rally hosted by 

Benedict College on Nov. 2, in 

the Anitsdel Chapel. 

Harry White, Chief of Staff of 

the Republican Party and Bakari 

Sellers (D), State Representative 

were the platform speakers for the 

rally. 

Curtis Wilson, student and 

WLTX Channel 19 anchor, kicked 

off the program with welcome 

remarks. Wilson was followed by 

student Roderice Gilliam who did 

the purpose and said, “We as 

Benedict College students need 

to be well informed.” 

White, who serves as Chief 

Staff to the Republican governor 

of South Carolina, Mark 

Sanford, focused on statistics 

which bolstered his point that the 

governor has helped minorities 

by attempting to put money back 

into their hands. 

vote in the upcoming election; 

and to provide students with the 

opportunity to meet candidates 

for the upcoming election. 

After the purpose was given, a 

powerful, and thought provoking 

prayer was given by Glenn 

Prince, dean of chapel. 

Following prayer, members of 

the award winning gospel choir 

added an extraordinary moment 

with “Imagine Me”. 

Next, Alexandra, a junior political 

science major, introduced the 

man of the hour, congressman 

Clyburn. 

She noted his many achievements 

which included that he 

raised 350,000 to fund education 

for black students, he has membership 

to the NAACP, Mason, 

Omega. 

He is a graduate of SC Executive 

Institute. He has been 

awarded honorary doctorate degrees 

from 16 different colleges. 

Greeted with a standing ovation 

from the audience, Clyburn 

travels to the mic. 

First, he began to reminisce, the 

last time he was here was the 

graduation of his 3rd daughter, 

where he was the commencement 

speaker. He was awarded an 

Students attend voter 

empowerment assembly 

Representatives of the Republican and Democratic 

parties rallied students to vote on Nov. 7 

by Bobbie Love and Johnathan 

Randolph 

Contributing Writers 

BCNAA from page 1 

Hill as Mr. and Miss Pre-Alumni 

2006-2007. 

Other queens in attendance for 

the Crowning Ceremony were 

Ms. Thelma Whitney, Class of 

1960; Miss BCNAA 2003; Mrs. 

Lula Yeargin Williams,Class of 

1965; Miss BCNAA 2005-2006. 

Many returning alumni and 

guests were present for the event 

with entertainment 

featuring Kindred Spirit Band and 

show. 

DATABASE from p.3 

Database Newsletter is also in 

development to highlight various 

graduate and professional school 

academic and cultural programs. 

Since its announcement, the database 

has been averaging 30-40 

submissions per day. Submitting 

your information to the National 

Minority Student Database is 

free and goes directly to graduate 

and professional programs 

interested in recruiting more minority 

candidates. 

See more online at 

www.shropshiregroup.org or 

contact The Shropshire Group at 

info@shropshiregroup.org. 

Graduate and Professional 

schools can gain access to the 

National Minority Student Database 

by becoming a member of 

The Shropshire Group. Membership 

includes subscription to the 

database, prominent listings in all 

print and online publications, 

and disbursement of academic 

White said that there had been 

a 13 percent rise in taxes, but only 

a 5 percent increase in earnings 

by the average South Carolinian. 

He added that the $6 million that 

resulted from the tax increase is 

basically controlled by “old 

white men.” 

Sellers, the youngest official 

elected to the State House of 

Representatives in South 

Carolina, spoke about the state’s 

education system, asking, “Why 

do we tell the children that 

minimally adequate is good 

enough” 

Sellers also discussed the 

ambitions of governor hopeful 

Tommy Moore as it deals with 

healthcare. 

Other students involved in the 

program included Bertrand Boyd 

who did a spoken word piece. 

Joshua Stroman, 2nd vice 

president of SGA, introduced the 

speakers. There was also a 

performance by the Benedict 

College Concert choir, singing 

the Negro National Anthem in its 

entirety. 

Elections were held on Nov 7. 

ALUMNI from page 8 

that’s pre-season,” said Watson 

as an afterthought. 

Last season Benedict’s 

basketball team won the 

conference championship with a 

24 -3 record and Watson sees big 

things for this season as well. 

“I’m blessed to have the team 

I have,” Watson said, noting that 

all his players are talented, but 

that Lamont Robinson and 

Martinis Woody seemed to be 

exceptionally so. The team also 

has returning starters Bennie 

Lewis, Leslie Brown, and 

Zachary Barron. 

The only thing Watson 

believes that he has yet to see is 

how the team will come together 

as a unit. The first home game 

was scheduled against Augusta 

State on Nov. 15. 

This year’s team lineup include 

Darius Lane, Leslie Brown, 

Marcus Carroll, Lamont 

Robinson, Bennie Lewis, David 

Wine, Kenneth Thompson, 

Charles Gibbs, Zachary Barron, 

Eric Priester, Jamal Nuh, Corey 

Myers, Lamar Owens, Martinis 

Woody, Rickey Shipp, Stephon 

Myers, Antiniel Oliver, and 

Robert Booker. 

material during the Shropshire 

Group National Minority Applicant 

Recruitment Tour. Membership 

dues are used to provide 

scholarships, academic counseling, 

and an extensive minority 

mentor program. 

honorary doctorate degree from 

Benedict College. 

November 7 could make a significant 

change in the country, 

stated Clyburn. 

He introduced his good friend, 

C.K. Butterfield, North Carolina 

congressman. Although he was 

white, Clyburn called him a 

‘brother’, due to his promise to 

keeping that seat in the Congressional 

Black Caucus. 

Clyburn goes on to explain a 

typical Election Day. “I start my 

day at the polls in Columbia,” he 

stated. “Then after 7p.m. I go to 

Sumter, Florence, and then 

Orangeburg. He was not able to 

do travel two years ago due to a 

disturbance that was taking place 

in the Benedict College campus 

center. On Election Day 2004, 

students were not able to vote. 

“Some goons out of the state 

tried to disrupt the voting process” 

stated Clyburn. “I am here 

to make sure that this doesn’t 

happen again”. 

He began to talk about the issues 

that plague our society in 

the 1960’s. “We fought for the 

right to vote” he stated. 

He added that today, due to the 

lack of black voting, people who 

MARKS from page 1 

want their students to be successful. 

“In order to achieve these good 

marks,” explained Linda Kershaw, 

professor of music, “we have to 

be shepherds as teachers, and 

you have to be shepherds as students.” 

Addressing the immediate effect 

of having such an event, 

Dean Quillan said, “The mixer 

was an excellent opportunity for 

the students to communicate 

with their advisors, and to receive 

pertinent information about their 

audits.” 

Did the idea of students getting 

to meet and know their advisors 

and other faculty members 

in a social setting work 

“I think it was a wonderful 

are not in our best interest have 

slipped into office. 

He explains how we have 

found ourselves having to fight 

again. “We would not be in Iraq 

if we voted in 2000” he stated. 

“We must vote and we must 

vote in big numbers so that we 

can dismiss any disruption”. 

His plan if he’s elected again, 

is to cut the interest rate of on 

student loans in half from 8.1% 

to 4.1%, which was followed with 

a standing ovation from a house 

full of students. 

“The interest loans have been 

increased to 8.1%, which is more 

than the interest of a mortgage” 

stated Clyburn. “We will make 

college tuition tax deductible for 

your parents”. 

In his closing statement, he 

challenged all the college fraternities 

and sororities to get involved 

with getting their peers 

to the poll. 

The house warmly accepted 

Clyburn’s plea to go to vote on 

November 7, which was obvious 

by their response to his speech. 

On November 7, Clyburn was 

elected congressman for the 12 

executive year. 

idea,” said Emmie Davis, professor 

of English. “The social situation 

allowed us to blend.” 

Kevin Christie, a senior, psychology 

major, said, ”It was fabulous, 

I really enjoyed the food, 

and the opportunity to meet with 

my advisor. It made me feel good 

to see students and faculty together.” 

Many students, who attended 

the event, met and ate with their 

advisors, having fun and taking 

care of business at the same time. 

“I believe it made students 

more comfortable in approaching 

their advisors,” said Alecia 

Lawerence, secretary of the English, 

Foreign Language and 

Mass Communication department. 

College Students: How’s Your Credit 

Grade 

With college students receiving 

so many unsolicited credit offers, 

it’s important to study up 

on handling credit. 

(NAPSA)-Though you may be 

hoping for an “A” in biology this 

semester, what do you think your 

grade will be in managing your 

credit Both are important, but 

your school grade will only last 

for a semester, while your credit 

score stays with you a long time. 

For college students receiving 

all those unsolicited credit offers, 

it is especially important to have 

an understanding of how to 

handle credit early so they can 

avoid problems later on. This may 

account for the interest in a campaign 

designed to increase 

awareness and understanding of 

automotive financing, unlock the 

mysteries of personal credit and 

help consumers decide whether 

buying or leasing a new vehicle 

is right for them. 

The campaign, now in its second 

year, is called SmartEdge by 

GMAC. 

“SmartEdge is a wonderful and 

straightforward way to educate 

consumers about personal credit, 

as well as vehicle financing options,” 

said Barbara Stokel, executive 

vice president, GMAC 

North American Operations. “We 

are encouraged to be significantly 

expanding this successful 

campaign in 2006. We expect to 

host nearly 1,500 SmartEdge activities 

this year, estimated to 

reach more than 500,000 consumers.” 

SmartEdge by GMAC has 

hosted, and will continue to host, 

financial literacy events throughout 

the country, specifically targeting 

Atlanta; Chicago; Cleveland; 

Dallas; Houston; Miami; 

Sacramento; San Antonio; San 

Diego; St. Louis; Charlotte, N.C.; 

Memphis, Tenn.; and Tampa, Fla. 

In addition, consumers can access 

GMAC SmartEdge program 

information online at 

www.SmartEdgebyGMAC.com 

and learn more about activities 

around their city. 

The program focuses on teaching 

consumers how to establish 

good credit, manage a budget and 

evaluate vehicle-financing options. 

The program and consumer 

tips are free to everyone with 

absolutely no strings attached. 

“Buying a vehicle is usually a 

person’s first big financial decision 

and going about it isn’t always 

easy. That’s why GMAC 

has created SmartEdge,” said 

Don Ferguson, director of Minority 

Dealer Development, Relationship 

Marketing and Diversity. 

“It’s an education tool that 

brings vehicle-financing information 

to consumers in a fresher, 

more engaging way that gives 

people the flexibility to learn at 

their own pace.” 

The company also introduced its 

Get the Edge Instant Win and 

Sweepstakes, which gives 2006 

seminar attendees a chance to 

win a 2007 Chevrolet HHR or 

Chevrolet Cobalt and other 

prizes.

CAMPUS LIFE 

Page 4 - BC Tiger News December 2006 

Bertrand Boyd and the Ladies of Zeta 

Phi Beta win Capital City Classics’ 

Step Show and Party Hop Competition 

by Marquita A. Watson 

News Editor 

The Palmetto Capital City Classics’ 

Step Show and Party Hop 

Competition showcased the talents 

of Benedict College students, 

and Bertrand Boyd and the 

ladies of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, 

Inc., proved to be the most talented 

as winners, each receiving 

a prize of $500. 

This event, originally scheduled 

as a Greek step show, was 

held on Aug. 31, in the Benjamin 

E. Mays Human Resource Arena 

on campus. 

Zeta Phi Beta, the only participating 

sorority, was up against 

the men of Phi Beta Sigma, Alpha 

Phi Alpha, and Kappa Alpha Psi 

Fraternities, Inc. However, it was 

Boyd, a spoken word artist, who 

competed with the local rap 

group, “Pickett Fence,” the 

dance group, “Wanted,” and a 

Bertrand Boyd , one of the winners of the Palmetto 

Capital City Classic’s Step Show and Party Hop Competition 

Psi Chapter of Alpha Kappa 

Alpha sponsors six events to 

kick-off 2006-2007school year 



The Psi chapter of Alpha 

Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., began 

the 2006-2007 school year 

with a series of events to raise 

school spirit. 

On Aug. 15, the sorority held a 

Freshman Female Drop-in in 

Mather Hall, giving out academic 

and scholarship information and 

door prizes to the new freshman 

students who attended. 

In the hopes of promoting 

school spirit, the sorority also 

sponsored “A Splash of Pink, A 

Puddle of Green: AKA Supports 

Our Tiger Football Team,” which 

coincided with the first football 

game against Morehouse College 

on Aug. 26. During this event, 

members of the Psi Chapter provided 

face painting to spectators. 

The ladies of the Psi Chapter 

also participated in the first pep 

rally of the semester, not only 

joining in the cheers but also giving 

prizes out. 

Dennis Taylor, a junior, majoring 

in Therapeutic Therapy, 

and member of the Tigers football 

team, won the “In Support 

of our Tigers” raffle gift. This gift 

includes pink and green Gatorade 

drink, mouth guard, ice pack, 

green hand towels, and candy elegantly 

placed in a lime green gift 

bag. 

President David H. Swinton 

and the first lady of Benedict College, 

Patricia Swinton, along with 

several alumni, who were present 

during the pep rally said they 

were pleased with the sorority’s 

participation in the pep rally. 

Speaking about why the group 

decided to participate in the pep 

rally, Ebony Howard, a junior, 

Criminal Justice major, who is 

also Psi Chapter Community Service 

Chairman, said, “For our 

football team we wanted to express 

our gratitude towards their 

hard work along with the face 

paint to promote school spirit 

and esteem.” 

On Aug. 28, members of the Psi 

Chapter presented the seminar. 

“Safety and PEARLtection, A 

Safety Awareness Seminar.” The 

seminar included safety and protection 

strategies for the 

Benedict College campus and the 

surrounding metropolitan community. 

Lt. Beverly L. Flemming of 

Benedict College’s Department 

of Campus Safety, who was the 

guest speaker, informed the participants 

of crime statistics for 

their awareness and safety tips 

to remember as helpful hints. 

“We must be watchful at all 

times especially when walking at 

night by yourself,” Flemming told 

students in the audience who 

seemed interested in her presentation. 

After the seminar, one student, 

Khristanna Nelson, a sophomore, 

majoring in Early Childhood Education, 

said, “I loved the safety 

seminar because I never thought 

of taking it [safety] into consideration 

and by coming here tonight 

I felt cautions about what 

our community faces.” 

The Psi chapter held another 

event, “Skee-Week,” on October 

2-7, which included several activities, 

including the Miss Emerald 

Ecstasy pageant. 

Responding to why the Psi 

chapter is holding so many 

events this school year, 

Tondaleya Jackson, advisor to 

the Psi chapter, said, “Service to 

all Mankind since 1908 is what 

Psi Chapter here strives to hold 

true to its sorority model.” That 

model, she noted, will continue 

to be their service on “our historically 

known campus of 

Benedict College.” 

few other local steppers, who defended 

the pride of the male students. 

The only downside of the competition, 

according to many 

people in the audience, was that 

there were too many talented 

acts, making the show very long. 

“They were taking up too much 

time and needed to cut some of 

the acts,” Cierra Proctor, a junior, 

majoring in Mass Communications, 

said. 

Preston Simmons, a sophomore, 

Mass Communication major, 

added, “The show could’ve been 

better if tryouts were held to select 

the talents instead of letting 

everyone participate.” 

Despite this shortcoming, other 

students thought that going 

through the many acts allowed 

them to find a few “favorite acts” 

that made long duration of the 

competition worthwhile. 

Simmons said Boyd’s poetry 

was his favorite showcased talent. 

“He brought us something 

fresh,” said Simmons. “Everybody 

rapped, sang, and danced.” 

Ryan Hickman, a Mass Communications 

major, said his favorite 

act was “Wanted,” the dance 

group formerly known on campus 

as “II 2 NUN.” 

“They never cease to amaze 

me,” Hickman said, explaining 

why he chose the group as his 

favorite. 

Proctor disagreed with both 

Simmons and Hickman, arguing 

that her favorite group was the 

“The Diamonds,” a group of 

Lower Richland High School 

steppers. 

“They had passion and were 

fun to watch,” Proctor said. 

Although there was disagreement 

about who really was the 

best during the talent show, there 

was no argument about which 

group was the winner of the 

party hop competition. 

“The Zeta’s deserved to win,” 

Simmons said. “They were on 

point and prepared.” 

Proctor agreed. “They were the 

only group who didn’t mess up,” 

he noted. 

“They were organized and had 

the best moves,” Hickman added. 

Sherell Watson, a senior, English 

major, and a member of the 

winning group said the Zeta Phi 

Beta ladies worked hard to be the 

winners. “We appreciate the fact 

that the audience loved our party 

hops,” said Watson. “It was hard 

work and a lot of practice!” 

Vote to put Tigers 

Marching Band in 

2006 Charlotte 

Pioneer Bowl IX 


Copy Editor 

The 2006 Charlotte Pioneer 

Bowl IX, where bands of the Central 

Intercollegiate Athletic Association 

(CIAA) and the Southern 

Intercollegiate Athletic Conference 

(SIAC), will battle it out for 

national recognition, takes place 

on Saturday, Dec. 2, at 2 p.m. in 

the American Legion Memorial 

Stadium, Charlotte. 

In order for any school band to 

be invited to participate in the 

national championship of 

HBCU’s marching bands, students 

of each school and their 

supporters are required to go 

online to www.pioneerbowl.com 

and vote for their favorite school 

band to get registered for this 

competition. The bands with the 

most votes will receive invitations 

to compete in this year’s Pioneer 

Bowl IX. 

The deadline for voting your 

school band into the competition 

is Nov. 27. 

The Pioneer Bowl is the only 

NCAA-sanctioned bowl game 

for HBCU’s. Tickets to attend the 

Pioneer Bowl IX are $15 in advance 

and $20 on the day of the 

event. 

For further information and 

directions, call (757) 865-0071. 

Alumni present ‘real world’ 

situations to students 

during Alumni Career Day 



Homecoming week at Benedict 

featured a lot of events, including 

the chance for students to interact 

directly with alumni at 

Alumni Career Day presentations. 

Each major had a designated 

area and its own speakers. 

The Mass Communication and 

English majors were met by Benefit 

Councilor, Maria Romero; 

School Administrator, Damera 

Hightower and Housing Program 

Manager, Jamie Divine. 

Romero, who graduated in 1969 

with a business administration 

degree, was disappointed when 

she graduated and was not met 

with an immediate job offer. 

When she did get hired though 

she broke records and served as 

the first African-American 

woman to be employed by General 

Motors account department 

worldwide. 

Romero urged students to visit 

the career development office on 

a regular basis and to apply for 

internships from as early as their 

freshman year. Romero, who does 

work with the National Urban 

League, is appalled by the low 

numbers of African-American 

college students who apply for 

internships. 

Divine, who had a six year matriculation 

at Benedict from 1993- 

1999, now develops housing for 

low-income bracket people. 

Divine insisted that students 

not get carried away with work 

like he did. “College is your job,” 

he told students while warning 

that it is easy to get carried away 

with making money rather than 

focusing on your academic endeavors. 

Damera Hightower a December 

1995 graduate left college intending 

to be an English teacher. She 

Library staff holds Information Literary seminar for students 

by William Sledge 

Photo Editor 

The Library staff conducted 19 

sessions for freshmen and two 

sessions for Sophomores of its 

Information Literacy Seminar 

from Sept. 11 through Oct. 2, at 

the Benjamin F. Payton Learning 

Resouce Center. 

Bridget Sledge, reference librarian, 

said the seminar sessions 

are designed to ensure that students 

are equipped with knowledge 

and skills to effectively utilize 

all the resources available in 

the library. 

Sledge added, “This also gives 

us the opportunity to have all the 

new students enrolled in the 

library’s computer system, so 

they can check books out.” 

She said the seminar also provided 

information about the 

library’s policies and procedures. 

Jacnita Kennedy, a Social 

Work major, who attended one 

of the sessions, said, “This is a 

good way to get new students 

into our library.” 

did teach for a while but soon 

found herself as a dean and a 

school principal while still in her 

twenties. 

Hightower now serves as an 

administrator at Benedict’s Office 

of Institutional Effectiveness and 

is also pursuing her doctorate at 

the University of South Carolina. 

Hightower’s advice to students 

included a warning not to get into 

debt with credit cards. She also 

was very concerned with the ineffective 

way that students 

sometimes communicate in professional 

settings. 

“Communication is your social 

currency,” said Hightower and 

expressed that Mass Communication 

and English majors were 

expected to be able to communicate 

more eloquently than other 

students. 

Student and WLTX anchor, 

Curtis Wilson, also spoke at the 

meeting. He briefly addressed students, 

letting them know that a 

good personality could sometimes 

open doors for you. Wilson told of 

when he worked solely at radio station 

The Big DM and was called 

unexpectedly one day and offered 

the position of anchor at WLTX. 

He now works in both capacities. 

Students were given the opportunity 

to ask questions and many 

had fears of entering the work 

force. The speakers offered words 

of encouragement and more helpful 

advice before the meeting came 

to an end. 

CAU Game 

from page 8 

it more difficult for the other to score. 

With a hard hit from the Tiger’s 

defense, CAU fumbled again in the 

fourth quarter, giving the Tigers a 3 

point lead (18-21). The Tigers continued 

to fight their way to victory 

as Jeffery Nobles scored a long 

touchdown run with a little over two 

minutes left in the game. 

Benedict’s alumni, students, and 

fans stood up and cheered for the 

effort that the players put forth and 

the hard work they did to defeat the 

Clark Atlanta University Panthers 

on their own turf! 

The Benedict College Marching 

Tigers Band ended the night by 

playing the school’s Alma Mater. 

Students sang and football players 

held their helmets high. This win 

gave the Tigers a record of 2-1. 

FREE Money - No! 

FREE Education - Yes! 

African American 

Students Are 

Not Applying 

Even if you do not have a 

college-aged child at home, 

please share this with someone 

who does, pass this scholarship 

information on to anyone and 

everyone that comes to mind. 

Though there are a number of 

companies and organizations 

that have donated monies for 

scholarship use to African 

Americans, a great deal of the 

money is being returned because 

of a lack of interest. 

No one is going to knock on 

our doors and ask if we can use 

a scholarship. 

Take the initiative to get your 

children involved. There is no 

need 

For money to be returned to 

donating companies because we 

fail to apply for it. 

Please pass this information on 

to family members, nieces, 

nephews, friends with children 

etc. We must get the word out 

that money is available. If you 

are a college student or getting 

ready to become one, you 

probably already know how 

useful additional money can be. 

Our youth really could use these 

scholarships. 

(If clicking on the link doesn’t 

work, then type in the Web site 

address manually.) 

1) BELL LABS FELLOWSHIPS 

FOR UNDER REPRESENTED 

MINORITIES 

 

http://www.bell-labs.com/ 

fellowships/CRFP/info.html 

2) Student Inventors 

Scholarships http:// 

www.invent.org/collegiate 

< http://www.invent.org/ 

collegiate> 

http:// 

www.invent.org/collegiate/ 

3) Student Video Scholarships 

 

http://www.christophers.org/ 

vidcon2k.html 

4) Coca-Cola Two Year College 

Scholarships 

 

http://www.cocacolascholars.org/programs.html 

5) Holocaust Remembrance 

Scholarships 

 

http://holocaust.hklaw.com/ 

6) Ayn Rand Essay Scholarships 

 

http:// 

www.aynrand.org/contests/ 

7) Brand Essay Competition 

< h t t p : / / 

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IBLEssayContest-2002Rules.ht 

m m > h t t p : / / 

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IBLEssayContest- 

2002Rules.htm m> 

8) Gates Millennium 

Scholarships (major) 

http:// 

w w w . g m s p . o r g / 

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read.dbmID=12 

9) Xerox Scholarships for 

Students 

 

http://www2.xerox.com/go/xrx/ 

a b o u t _ x e r o x / 

about_xerox_detail.jsp 

10) Sports Scholarships and 

Internships 

 

http://www.ncaa.org/about/ 

scholarships.html 

11) National Assoc. of Black 

Journalists Scholarships (NABJ) 

 

http://www.nabj.org/html/ 

studentsvcs.html 

12) Saul T. Wilson Scholarships 

(Veterinary) 

 

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/mb/ 

mrphr/jobs/stw.html 

13) Thurgood Marshall 

Scholarship Fund http:// 

www.thurgoodmarshallfund.org/ 

sk_v6.cfm 

14) FinAid: The Smart Students 

Guide to Financial Aid 

scholarships) http:// 

www.finaid.org/ 

15) Presidential Freedom 

Scholarships 

http://www.nationalservice.org/ 

scholarships/ 

16) Microsoft Scholarship 

Program 

http://www.microsoft.com/ 

college/scholarships/ 

minorityasp 

17) WiredScholar Free 

Scholarship Search 

http://www.wiredscholar.com/ 

paying/scholarship_search/ 

pay_scholarshipsearch.jsp 

18) Hope Scholarships &Lifetime 

Credits http://www.ed.gov/ 

inits/hope/ 

19) William Randolph Hearst 

Endowed Scholarship for 

Minority Students 

http:// 

www.apsanet.org/PS/grants/ 

aspen3.cfm 

20) Multiple List of Minority 

Scholarships 

http:// 

gehon.ir.miami.edu/financialassistance/Scholarship/ 

black.html 

21) Guaranteed Scholarships 

< http://www.guaranteedscholarships.com/>http:// 

www.guaranteedscholarships.com/ 

22) BOEING scholarships (soma 

e HBCU connects) 

 

http://www.boeing.com/ 

companyoffices/ 

educationrelations/scholarships 

23) Easley National Scholarship 

Program

December 2006 

CAMPUS NEWS 

BC Tiger News - Page 3 

Fighting ends SGA’s Glow Party, 

Campus Safety Officers order 

students out of HRC Arena 



Campus safety officers ordered 

students attending the SGA’s 

Glow Party to vacate the HRC 

Arena early Saturday morning, 

Sept. 9, when a fight broke out 

among students. 

The theme party, which required 

party-goers to wear white clothing, 

started late Friday night, 

Sept. 8, and was scheduled to 

end at 2 a.m. Saturday morning. 

However, it ended prematurely 

because of the fight around midnight. 

“I said it would end at 12 and it 

was over by 12:15,” said Monica 

Peterson, a sophomore, who 

stood outside the gym because 

students were being compelled 

by campus safety officers to vacate 

the premises and return to 

their rooms. 

The fight, though minor, sent 

many students running through 

the stands of the gym and to the 

outskirts of the dance floor, even 

though the DJ urged them not to 

run. Soon after, campus safety 

Tiger News/Kamilah Fabien 

Students leaving the gym after campus safety officers forced them 

to leave the gym and to return to their dorms. 

declared the party over and many 

reluctant and incensed students 

left the gym grudgingly. 

“The good suffer for the bad,” 

said Fiaz Mohammed, a senior, 

chemistry major, reacting to the 

school’s non-tolerance policy towards 

violence. Mohammed said 

he believes that “the non-tolerance 

policy is good, because if 

students act like children, then 

they should be treated like children.” 

However, he noted that the majority 

of students at the party 

were not fighting, but that the 

party had ended for them all just 

the same. 

Speaking before the party took 

place, Ryan David, president of 

the SGA, said he wanted the 

party to serve as a demonstration 

of the SGA’s event planning 

skills, hoping that the party 

would encourage students to attend 

other SGA activities. 

David also added that he hoped 

the party would end at the intended 

time, 2 a.m., perhaps 

awared that last year the Glow 

Party ended early due to the students 

fighting. His hope was not 

realized, as again, this year’s 

party also ended early due to students 

fighting. 

Despite this setback to its first 

activity of the school year, David 

said the SGA, though faced with 

budget cuts, still plans to carry 

out its major activities for this 

semester: the coronation of Miss 

Benedict, and events of the 

Homecoming Week. 

David therefore urged other 

campus organizations to take up 

the slack and also host events 

that would encourage socialization 

and boost student morale. 

Students seen dancing moments before the end of the party. 

Students socialize and display school 

spirit at Dutty Wine Carnival celebration 

With everyone from freshmen 

to seniors and all of the different 

campus organizations present, 

Benedict College’s Dutty Wine 

Carnival Celebration gave students 

the opportunity to socialize 

and display school spirit. 

Opening the carnival on the activity 

field, on Oct. 26. Ryan 

David, president of Student Govby 



ernment Association, said, “The 

goal of this event is to fellowship.” 

David added, “We predict a 

nice turnout and hope everyone 

has a good time.” 

With DJ Lucky Leon entertaining 

the crowd of about 200 

students, playing hits ranging 

from rap to reggae, the students 

were able to visit several display 

tables. 

Display tables were set up by 

members of Alpha Phi Alpha 

International students learn 

of legal options to stay in 

the U.S. after graduation 



TIGER NEWSKamilah Fabien 

Attorney Larry J. Needle recently 

met with international students 

here at Benedict College to 

discuss their legal options for 

staying in the U.S. after graduation. 

Needle of the Ogletree, 

Deakins, Nash, Smoak and 

Stewart agency has a lot of experience 

dealing with immigration 

law and took the many questions 

of students, even dealing with 

individual scenarios. 

Needle maintained his main 

point throughout his discussion, 

which was to urge international 

students that no matter what, 

they should remain in status. 

“Use it or lose it,” said Needle 

of the OPT (Optional Practical 

Training) opportunity that international 

students are given after 

graduating from a degree pro- 

TIGER NEWS/Kamilah Fabien 

Attorney Larry J. Needle 

gram. This is a one year-time period 

that international students 

are allowed to work in the U.S. in 

their field if they obtained their 

degrees in the U.S. 

Needle advised students to 

apply early for OPT to ensure 

that the process was as smooth 

as possible. Because travel outside 

the U.S. for international students 

after graduation has 

proven to be difficult in the past, 

Fraternity, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi 

Fraternity, Inc., The National 

Council of Negro Women, Alpha 

Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Sigma 

Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., 

BCARTI, Pre-Health Club and the 

Senior Class, where food, drinks 

and other items were sold and 

given away. 

Nadia J. Muhammad, Miss 

Benedict College, who attended 

the carnival, said the carnival 

theme of school spirit was being 

shown. “The event is going very 

well, with all of the different organizations 

coming out, and selling 

different items in support of 

Benedict College, the carnival 

theme tradition is being shown,” 

Muhammad said. 

Immediately following the carnival, 

all students were invited to 

the Benjamin E. Mays Gymnasium 

to attend the alumni basketball 

scrimmage game and to meet 

the members of the Benedict 

College’s Men and Women’s Basketball 

teams. 

Needle suggested that the best 

situation for travel would be for 

students to have their valid student 

VISAS, a letter from their 

employer and their EAD (Employment 

Authorization Document) or 

receipt of it. 

He said that aside from the OPT, 

international students and professionals 

would still be in status 

if a change of status occurred. 

He added that a change of status 

from F-1 (student VISA) to 

H1-B (professional or specialty 

status) would allow international 

students to work in the U.S. for 

up to six years, and can eventually 

lead to those individuals being 

sponsored by their employers. 

This change of status is employer-based 

and the employer must 

first test the market to ensure that no 

willing and qualified American could 

be employed in that position. 

Needle said he has noticed the 

recent trend for the cap on H1- 

B’s to be filled very early. Only 

65,000 H1-B’s are issued every fiscal 

year, 7,000 of which are reserved 

for nationals of Chile and 

Singapore because of special 

agreements between the U.S and 

these countries. Needle attributes 

see OPTIONS / page 7 

President Swinton refers to Benedict 

College as ‘the best’ during Fall Convocation 

by Adrienne Williams 

Staff Writer 

Dr. David H. Swinton, president 

of Benedict College, told the college 

family at this year’s Fall Convocation 

that students at 

Benedict College are the “best in 

the world.” 

President Swinton, speaking 

Thursday, Sept. 14, in the Human 

Resources Center Arena, during 

the One Hundred Thirty-Seventh 

Fall Convocation, said he also 

believes that “our college is the 

best in the world.” 

Noting that “we should have 

faith in God and make no excuses” 

about who we are, he 

added, “We also must understand 

the value of education and 

the commitment must come from 

the heart.” 

Addressing the students directly, 

he said, “Value your education 

and be a power for good 

in society.” 

Dr. Swinton also encouraged 

the students to be “ambitious, set 

high goals, and aim to be more 

successful than the average person.” 

Speaking about problems in the 

world, Dr. Swinton pinpointed the 

AIDS epidemic in Africa as a major 

problem, but noted that “we 

have our very own epidemic here 

in the states, partly because we 

have a lack of dignity, self-respect, 

and privacy.” 

Concluding, Dr. Swinson said, 

“We must love ourselves in order 

to love someone else.” 

Earlier, Dr. Rudy W. Watts, executive 

vice president at 

Benedict College, who served as 

master of ceremony, opened the 

convocation by ensuring students 

of the college’s “full support” 

to their education and said 

they should enhance “unity to 

make this fall semester a positive 

experience.” 

Nadia J. Muhammad, Miss 

Benedict College (2206-2007), 

brought greetings from the student 

body, and told her fellow 

students, “As future leaders, we 

must set the example to those 

who will come after us.” 

Ryan David, president 

of the Student Government Association, 

introduced the occasion, 

telling the audience that 

“The air on campus is filled with 

excitement and the beliefs that 

with an optimistic mind and an 

enthusiastic heart anything is 

possible.” 

Teckla S. Womack, the student 

member of the Board of Trustees, 

introduced the Convocation 

orator, President Swinton, assuring 

him of a “warm and inviting 

Benedict College welcome” as 

this year’s speaker. 

Throughout the ceremony, the 

Benedict College Wind Ensemble, 

conducted by Dr. Sean 

E. Daniels, and the Concert 

Choir, conducted by Linda L. 

Kershaw and accompanied by 

pianist Ronald H. High, performed 

musical renditions, including 

“Total Praise” by the 

Ensemble and “Patriotic Medley” 

by the Choir. 

Library gets new computers, 

upgrades students’ access to Internet 

by William Sledge 

Photo Editor 

About 24 new computers will 

be installed in the Benjamin F. 

Payton Learning Resources Center, 

the College’s library, to provide 

additional computer workstations 

for student access. 

Bridget Sledge, reference librarian 

at Benedict College, said 

the new computers are a collaborative 

project between the Office 

of Scholarships and the Library. 

She added that students, faculty, 

and staff will be able to access 

the Internet and do word 

processing using Microsoft 

Word. 

She also said that students still 

Benedict’s Recreation and Services 

program receives national accreditation 

The National Recreation and 

Park Association (NRPA) and the 

American Association for Physical 

Activity and Recreation 

Council on Accreditation granted 

accreditation to the Health, 

Physical Education and Recreation 

Department for the baccalaureate 

degree in recreation and 

leisure services during its recent 

meeting in Seattle, WA. 

The program is accredited 

through October 2011. 

“The recreation and leisure services 

program has a solid track 

record and produces graduates 

who quickly rise to leadership 

positions in the field and who go 

on to pursue graduate studies,” 

said Dr. Janeen P. Witty, Dean for 

AMERICA from p. 2 

Just in case something in this 

article has disturbed you, you’ll 

probably sleep better tonight 

knowing that the average CEO of 

a Standard and Poor’s Company 

made $11.75 million in total compensation 

in 2005. I’ve concluded 

that we need to look at 

Homeland Security in a new way. 

Homeland Security isn’t just 

about being safe in your home. 

Homeland Security is also about 

being able to afford a new home 

to be safe in. 

This election cycle and every 

election cycle hereafter we need 

to pay close attention to anything 

and everything that our 

future leaders have to say about 

outsourcing. If we don’t ‘Made 

in America’ will be just a memory 

that is made in our minds. 

Samuel Justiss Vance 

is a columnist for BlackNews.com 

and is the C.E.O. of 

Talkinggreen.com which produces 

the syndicated radio segment — A 

Positive Moment. Samuel Vance 

may be reached for public 

engagements, interviews and 

column syndication at 

714-210-7337. 

A student using one of the new computer workstations. 

the School of Education. “This 

accreditation is the external validation 

that Benedict’s program 

and our graduates meet national 

standards.” 

Benedict College will be included 

on the list of accredited 

programs in recreation, park resources, 

and leisure services education. 

This list is published in the 

February issue of Parks and Recreation 

magazine and the NRPA 

website. 

Dr. William F. Gunn, Jr., program 

coordinator, led the efforts of the 

faculty, students, alumni, and 

community partners through the 

accreditation process. Additionally, 

Dr. Ifeanyi Emenike, chair of 

the HPER department, provided 

Education Nonprofit Creates 

National Minority Students Database 

BC Office of Public Relations 

Dr. David H. Swinton, 

President of Benedict 

College. 

need to use their usernames and 

passwords to access the new 

computers. 

Noting that the new computers 

are a “welcomed and well deserved 

upgrade” that will be 

beneficial to Library Services, 

Sledge said, “I am excited about 

the upgrade because it will bring 

more students into the library.” 

leadership for the initiative 

through the allocation of resources. 

Dr. Emenike has faculty 

and students who enjoy their 

work and service with others. 

The recreation and leisure services 

program joins two other 

nationally accredited programs 

in the Benedict College School 

of Education, the teacher education 

program, accredited by 

NCATE and the social work program, 

accredited by CSWE. 

For more information, you may 

contact Dr. Janeen Witty, Dean 

of School of Education at 803- 

705-4761. 

(From Press Release, Office of Public 

Relations, Benedict College.) 

Los Angeles, CA 

(BlackNews.com) - The Shropshire 

Group, Inc., a nonprofit 

aimed at increasing minority interest 

in graduate and professional 

school, has created the 

National Minority Student Database 

(NMSD). The main purpose 

of the database is to provide a 

link for minority students seeking 

academic and financial information 

about graduate and professional 

schools. 

A student can fill out the inquiry 

form located on the main 

page 

of 

www.shropshiregroup.org and in 

turn receive updates on scholarships, 

academic interests, and 

application information from an 

extensive list of graduate and professional 

school admissions officers. 

“This is a method of centralizing 

the minority recruitment process,” 

says Sonel Y. Shropshire, 

the organization’s President & 

CEO. “The more graduate and 

professional schools see minority 

students as interested applicants, 

the more attractive they 

become to their academic institution. 

I have been overwhelmed 

by the student response.” 

Shropshire, who was Dean of 

Admissions for such universities 

as UCLA, Loyola (CA), 

Texas Wesleyan, and Stetson 

over ten years, knows how vital 

the minority recruitment market 

can be in diversifying higher 

education. “There are so 

many instances where schools 

do not know where to find interested 

minority applicants. This 

database will provide students 

and universities with viable options.” 

Shropshire will also be 

conducting professional development 

workshops for colleges 

and universities interested in 

achieving faculty, staff, and student 

diversity. 

A National Minority Student 

see DATABASE/page 5

FEATURES 

BC Tiger News - Page 6 December 2006 

B.C.A.R.T.I. Encourages 

Creative Arts at Benedict 

by Chaquain Meyer-Boone 


“Bacardi,” the popular alcoholic 

drink, sounds like a club at 

Benedict. However, here it has a 

totally different meaning. At 

Benedict, B.C.A.R.T.I stands for 

the Benedict College Art Intelligentsia. 

It is a club that caters to 

all of the arts including poetry, 

painting, drawing, singing, dancing, 

acting, rapping, sculpting, 

writing, and etcetera. 

Originally established in 2002, 

B.C.A.R.T.I has been the longest 

running open MIC venue at 

Benedict College, frequented by 

poets, artists, musicians and actors 

across the southeast. It was 

created by Omari Fox, whose ability 

to think outside the box encouraged 

him to create 

B.C.A.R.T.I. The club aims to foster 

community pride and enlightenment 

through intelligence and 

awareness of the arts, and also 

be a creative and uplifting voice 

not only for Benedict but for every 

person according to Eboni 

Epps, B.C.A.R.T.I president. 

Intelligentsia is defined as being 

intellectual or learned people, 

collectively, especially those capable 

of thinking for themselves. 

Therefore the club intends to 

operate under the assumption 

that its members symbolize the 

principles of this definition and 

will treat them as such. 

Members of B.C.A.R.T.I are 

encouraged to bring their individual 

talents and abilities to the 

organization; ideas and innovations 

are welcome from all members. 

The club intends to assist 

in the growth of individual members 

through the collective talents 

and abilities of the entire 

group. 

B.C.A.R.T.I seeks to offer 

support to other campus organizations 

. In addition to raising 

campus awareness of local artists 

and artworks, B.C.A.R.T.I’s 

intention is to assist in the development 

of all-round intellectual 

growth and to carry this 

learning into the world. The club 

also has numerous events on 

campus like a, talent showcase 

called “Hot Spit,” and hosting a 

Haunted House for children under 

twelve. The club frequently 

takes trips to poetry slams, museums, 

galleries, plays, as well as 

other activities. 

Contrary to popular belief, the 

club is not limited to art majors; 

the club welcomes anyone who 

is interested in joining, said 

Epps. So the next time you hear 

Bacardi, instead of thinking 

about indulging in activities that 

you may regret the next day, 

think about engulfing yourself in 

a more positive B.C.A.R.T.I, the 

Benedict College Arts Club. 

To join and/or learn more 

about B.C.A.R.T.I, attend their 

weekly meetings on Thursday at 

7:00 p.m. in Room 108 in Fine Arts 

or contact Ebony Epps at (803) 

840-4060. 

Tiarra Johnson wins Miss 

Phi Beta Sigma 2006-2007 

talent and beauty pageant 

by Sherell Watson 


After displaying poise, talent 

and beauty Tiarra Johnson was 

crowned Miss Phi Beta Sigma 

2006- 2007, beating off her competitors 

Sheena Smith, Wandtez 

King, Ramla Aden, and Tori 

Howard. 

With a promising night ahead 

for each contestant, the audience 

gathered into the Henry Ponders 

Fine Arts Building in the Little 

Theatre to watch as they captivated 

the judges with original 

dances, piano medleys, song solos, 

and many other performances. 

“The pageant was very successful 

and the contestants 

worked very hard and were truly 

dedicated,” said Randall Brown, 

senior, and member of Beta Mu 

chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, 

Inc. 

While the contestants prepared 

for the evening gown presentations 

the audience was entertained 

with the poetic stylings of 

Bertrand Boyd, also known as Da 

Youngsta, and Kristen Williams 

who gave an enthusiastic and 

spirited performance of “Lord I’m 

Available to You.” 

Giving her impression of the 

overall show, Shanae Gooch, junior, 

biology major, said, “I enjoyed 

the talent portion the most, especially 

when she [Tiarra 

Johnson] danced to ‘Smooth 

Criminal;’ the evening gowns 

were also nice, especially 

Sheena’s[Smith].” 

After modeling various dresses 

Tiarra Johnson crowned Miss 

Phi Beta Sigma 2006-2007. 

that showcased the style and 

glamour of each contestant, the 

ladies next prepared for the question 

and answer section. The 

questions asked varied from the 

greatest issues in society today 

to “What would you change 

about yourself” Each contestant 

answered to the best of her 

ability. 

Besides the coveted title of 

“Miss Phi Beta Sigma,” various 

other awards were given out to 

the contestants. Sheena Smith, 

senior, psychology major, received 

the Sigma Spirit award for 

the most ad sales; Wandtez 

King, freshman, business major, 

received the award for Most 

Photogenic; and Tori Howard, 

freshman, received the award for 

Miss Congeniality. 

Jovonavan Baldwin, junior and 

also a member of Beta Mu chapter 

of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, 

Inc., said, “It was a great pageant 

and all the women were 

beautiful.” 

From the crowd’s reaction, the 

pageant seemed to be entertaining 

and an overall success. 

AKAsino kick-offs 

annual Skee-Week 

by Koren Merchant 

Staff Writer 

The ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha 

kicked off this year’s annual 

Skee-Week (Oct. 2 – 6) with 

“AKAsino Night,” an event that 

focused attention on breast cancer 

awareness while providing 

something for students who attend 

Benedict College to do 

during their leisure time. 

“We are attacking leisure time, 

and we want to promote fellowship 

and unity among students 

through fun and games,” said 

Nadia Muhammad, current Miss 

Benedict College, and a member 

of the Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) 

sorority. 

For this event, the David H. 

Swinton Center was transformed 

for one night into a Mini-Casino. 

The decorations and gaming stations 

made the Center to look as 

though students were really in 

Las Vegas or Atlantic City. There 

were Checkers, Spades, Connect 

Four, Sorry, and other games and 

fun things to do. 

As students entered the makebelieve 

casino, they received 

Breast Cancer Awareness Kits, 

wrist bands, bracelets, and Mary 

Kay products as prizes, given 

out by members of AKA . 

Ebony Howard, Community 

Service chair of the AKA’s, one 

of the key organizers the Skee- 

Week activities, said she was 

pleased with turnout for the 

event. 

“Everyone had a great time, 

student’s won prizes, and they 

had the chance to get to know 

some of the ladies of AKA,” 

Howard, a senior, Criminal Justice 

major, said. 

Asked why casino-like entertainment 

was chosen, she said, 

“I wanted something different 

because students don’t always 

have the opportunity to interact 

with each other.” 

Students attending the event 

also thought it was different and 

fun. Shondraya Francis, a junior, 

Mass Communication major, 

agreed that the AKAsino night 

was a fun and enjoyable night to 

be with other students. 

“It was just a nice environment 

to be in.” Francis said. “And it 

allowed me to speak to people 

that I’ve never spoken to on a 

regular basis, and now I have different 

feelings about some of 

them.” 

Approximately 46 students attended 

AKAsino night, which 

began a week of events hosted 

by the ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha 

Sorority. 

Coronation of Miss Benedict College - A Masquerade World 

by C. Dante Winstead 


The coronation of Miss 

Benedict College 2006-2007, in 

the Benjamin E. Mays Human 

Resource Arena was “A World 

of Masquerade.” That was the 

theme for newly crowned Miss 

Nadia J. Muhammad who entered 

her themed masquerade in a sequined 

mask complementing a 

gold gown with a long and elegant 

purple train. 

“She looks like a baby doll,” 

said Amber Davis, a senior, mass 

communication major, who is also 

a campus Queen and Nadia’s Alpha 

Kappa Alpha sister. 

Tina Sanders, now an alumnus 

of Benedict College and last 

year’s Misss Benedict College, 

turned over her rein and crown 

to Nadia. “She looks so nice,” 

said Sanders later. 

Muhammad and her royal 

court, consisting of first attendant, 

J. Nichelle Wimbush, a senior, 

biology major, and second 

attendant, Qwanteria Pamela M. 

Hall, a senior, Studio Art major, 

entered the Arena before her and 

sat on the special stage built for 

the occasion. 

Hall, who is confined to a wheelchair, 

was carried on a throne and 

placed in her royal chair. 

The royal entourage of queens 

and escorts represented organizations 

on campus was also in 

attendance, and each entered the 

arena majestically, in support of 

the new Miss Benedict College. 

Where I am now 

Editor’s Note: This story is a follow-up article to the one printed last semester in the Tiger News by and about HIV-positive student Tawain Kelly. This is Part 2, giving an update of his condition. 

by Tawain Kelly 

When the article came out in 

March I was scared because even 

now there are still people who 

judge people with HIV as being 

nasty or think that they deserve 

what they got, especially in the 

black community. I told myself that 

people are going to judge me and 

look at me funny, but I knew that 

the article could help someone if 

only one. So I decided to pass the 

article out myself. One of the first 

students that saw me, looked at 

me and said , “That’s the guy who 

has AIDS,” I read lips well. So 

instead of running away I ran to 

her. She apologized for staring and 

I told her that it was ok because 

what that meant to me was that 

she was curious and it was my 

chance to openly talk to someone 

on campus about HIV/AIDS. 

Another person was a basketball 

player who just look at me in 

amazement. I guess because he 

has been in some of my classes 

and was shocked to know I was 

positive. 

I remember saying that Magic 

Johnson was not the face of HIV, 

but that I was the face. I had a 

reality check, when someone told 

me that I was not the face. I realize 

that there are so many faces to HIV/ 

AIDS and that Magic and myself 

are just two faces of this disease. 

Everyday, like me, he wakes up 

knowing he is HIV positive, but 

makes an effort to make a 

difference in someone else’s life. 

Because Magic Johnson decided 

to be open about his status, I think 

people in general are better off 

because he has allowed people to 

say, “It’s ok and I can live.” From 

the littlest children born with the 

virus to the oldest woman living 

with the virus, HIV does not 

discriminate. That is why a support 

system is great to have and why I 

want to say thank you. It’s one 

thing to know your family loves 

you, but when people you just met 

circle themselves around you and 

hold you like Benedict College 

students have, especially those 

creative souls in the Mass 

Communication Department, it 

really makes a difference. 

When I was in so much pain and 

so sick that something as crazy as 

a bag of Salt N Vinegar chips made 

me sicker, it was good to have 

people like Mr. & Mrs. Hopper, Ms. 

Shabazz, Ms Meetz, Mr. 

McKnight, and my on call parents 

Ms. Susan Dugan and Lorraine 

Dunbar to protect me as if I was 

their own child. My pain became 

their pain and when I wanted to 

quit because of the pain they 

encouraged me not to quit. Don’t 

tell me I don’t have an excellent 

support system. 

After the article came out, I 

started getting phone calls. People 

asked me how much I would 

charge, like I said it was never 

about money but all about 

educating the youth. One thing 

that did happen was all the prayers 

I got from people I didn’t know. I 

tell you they had prayers going 

up for me and boy this summer I 

needed them all. 

The first part of the summer I 

was placed back in the hospital 

with Pneumocystis carinii (PC) 

pneumonia. It was bad because I 

knew that back in the day that a 

lot of people died from PC 

pneumonia. So in my mind I felt 

like I was getting ready to die, 

until I talked to my mom and my 

niece who gave me the strength 

to get up and move. 

I was invited to a planning 

commission to do something 

about the rise in HIV/AIDS in 

South Carolina. I was pulled to 

the side and told by this 

gentleman, “nobody cares about 

your mother or your niece,” 

when I felt sick and wasn’t strong 

enough to take on the job; so 

they fired me. The fact of this 

person coming and saying that 

my mother, my niece and all the 

people who support me didn’t 

matter, made him the fool. If it 

wasn’t for those people who 

openly supported me, I would 

be like so many other African- 

American people who are HIV 

positive, staying with strangers 

and looking for support in the 

wrong places. Next year on 

September 12, 2007 between 4 

and 4:30 p.m., I would have been 

knowingly positive for 10 years and 

I will celebrate because I am still 

here. If I am not here, then celebrate 

for me because I made it, because 

of my support system. 

During the summer I got 

depressed. My cousin lost his 

triplets the day I got out the hospital 

and a week and a day after they 

buried the triplets, my cousin James 

Cuthbert Jr. was shot in the head 

three times and then I was placed 

back in the hospital with PC 

pneumonia in both lungs. I was 

down to 101 pounds; my face had 

sink in and I was turning gray. 

When I went in the last time I was 

hooked up to the oxygen machine, 

put on morphine and asked what I 

wanted them to do if I became nonresponsive. 

I remember Ms. 

Goodwin who is like to a second 

mom, who has always been one of 

my biggest supporters, rushing to 

the hospital and I just collapsed in 

her arms. The doctors and nurses 

came in the room trying to at least 

make me comfortable. Ms. Goodwin 

brought her granddaughters up to 

the hospital because they wanted 

to see me and they lost it. If I ever 

wanted to know how HIV/AIDS 

affects a child that was my chance. 

If they were affected like that then I 

knew my niece was not ready for 

me to die, so I told myself, ‘it’s time 

to fight and fight hard.” I made it! 

I decided that whatever came my 

way I was going to fight as hard as 

I could. I was placed on a new 

medicine called Atripla, a one-a- day 

pill and it was working, at least I 

thought it was until I got out of the 

hospital and found out that one 

part of the medicine wasn’t 

working, so I was taken off and 

put on several other pills. Right 

now I am battling bad anxiety 

attacks, when sometimes I cry, am 

unable to move and shake badly. 

The other day I had fever of a 103.3 

degrees but it’s ok because I am a 

believer. I mean so many people 

have prayed for me to it becomes 

overwhelming. 

I am so appreciative of not only 

Benedict College because I am a 

name, not a number; I am 

somebody at Benedict. I 

appreciate the help of the staff at 

the MCC Clinic, my doctors and 

nurses, Hawthorn Pharmacy, my 

other mother Thelma Cornish and 

her husband and kids, Mr. and 

Mrs. Goodwin and the entire 

Goodwin clan because I am their 

child, Curtis Wilson, my mentor 

who has allowed me to be myself , 

Chris, Darci, Nat, Wendy and the 

WLTX family, River of Life my 

church family who allowed me to 

stand in front of the alter and give 

my testimony, Richland Memorial 

Hospital, Wilbur and Frankie 

Tucker, Kim, Gino and Shannon 

(Nett), Nicole, Keisha, LeRoy,, 

Cynthia, Boom, Lamile, the 

McMillan Family, Black, the 

Bouknights, Folks all of you, Gwen 

and my Tamika-Goodwin Maddox 

who, for over 19 years has been 

my best friend the one who stuck 

by me when I gave up. She prayed 

for me and protects me when I 

didn’t want to protect myself. 

see Taiwan page 7 

After the ceremonial entrance 

of the royal court, Dr. David H. 

Swinton, president of Benedict 

College, then formally crowned the 

new Miss Benedict College, to 

make her reign official. After the 

crowning, Muhammad’s parents, 

Timothy and Beverly Muhammad, 

and other family members spoke, 

giving the new queen a fur coat 

from the family. Speaking on behalf 

of the family, Mrs. Muhammad 

expressed her deep compassion 

and pride in her daughter, saying, 

“ I knew Nadia was destined for 

success at Benedict College, and 

I’m glad that Nadia is carrying out 

the legacy we and family members 

started when we attended 

Benedict College ourselves.” 

The new queen also received a 

$1,500.00 scholarship to continue 

her education at the graduate 

school level from Ron McKnight, 

her advisor and professor in the 

Mass Communication program, 

and the check was presented on 

his behalf by Prof. Susan Dugan. 

After the remarks and presentation, 

the new Miss Benedict College 

embraced the student body 

in her royal speech, first giving 

praise to God and her family. Expressing 

her gratitude for being 

elected Miss Benedict College, 

she said, “I have a rich history 

coming from Benedict College, a 

lot of whom only wish me the 

best and only want to see me do 

good work for the school.” (See 

full text of her royal address on 

page 1.) 

After her speech, the Campus 

Queens and Kings performed an 

elegant ballroom dance in honor 

of the new queen. “It looked 

good,” said Christina Cason, a 

senior, mass communication major. 

“The choreography was well 

put together.” 

Two local celebrities served 

as master and mistress of ceremony 

for the coronation. They 

were Curtis Wilson and Darcie 

Strickland, co-anchors of WLTX, 

Channel 19. Wilson is also a 

classmate of the new Miss 

Benedict College.

ENTERTAINMENT 

December 2006 BC Tiger News - Page 7 

Two Benedict students 

shoot for music stardom 

by Marquita Watson 

News Editor 

Listening to one of his creations 

in the audio recording studio 

located in Benedict College’s 

Broadcast Center, Charles “Ali” 

Jones smiles and nods his head 

to the beat, giving his tunes 

much approval. 

Jones, a senior, mass communications 

major, from Atlanta, 

has been writing everything 

from hip-hop to R&B since 

his junior year in high school. 

He is also a performer and has 

been a member of the group 

“Tre’ South” for three years. 

Jones, 23, also known as Nation 

Boy when he’s on stage, has 

produced hits for Dem Franchise 

Boys, a rap sensation out of Atlanta, 

who are also his childhood 

friends. 

“We grew up in the same 

neighborhood, you know, so I’ve 

been working with them since 

childhood.” said Jones. 

Over the summer he also did 

some work with Miami’s own 

Slip-N-Slide records, which has 

recorded hits for artists like 

Trina and Trick Daddy. 

When asked what his music 

is about, Jones explained,“My 

music is about what’s going on 

today, what happens in day to 

day life. I write about situations 

I face and what most people can 

relate to.” 

Naming songs he’s produced 

such as “She was 17”, “We gotta 

stand up”, and “Down Low”, 

Jones explained how his writing 

ranges from young love to his 

political views, and secret affairs. 

Jones has performed in clubs 

in Atlanta, and local clubs here 

in Columbia. He has opened 

shows for Dem Franchise Boys 

and other local hip hop artists. 

Though the group gets a lot of 

play time, they have not yet 

signed to a record label. 

“We’re not signed yet, but I’m 

just doing me, you know” said 

Jones. 

Playing one of his tracks, 

“Down Low,” he explained what 

the song was about. 

“You gotta man, I gotta girl 

but they don’t have to know, 

that’s the Down Low.” 

Just as the song was finishing, 

Reginald Tisdale, also a 

member of the group, Tre’ South, 

walked in. 

Tisdale, a senior, mass communications 

major, from 

Kingstree, S.C., had been with 

the group for four years. 

Tisdale, 21, whose stage 

name is Reggie Da Kidd, has 

been performing since the age of 

8 and described his style as 

‘country slang.” He has performed 

in many talent shows, local 

clubs, and with the group, he 

has also performed at Power Fest 

in Augusta, Ga. 

Neither Jones nor Tisdale has 

performed with any other group. 

When asked if they plan to take 

their music mainstream or let it 

go underground for a while, 

Jones replied, “I wanna go mainstream 

because I do music for 

other people.” 

Tisdale added, “We’re gonna 

go mainstream eventually, if 

you’re hot that’s what happens, 

but I don’t want to be completely 

mainstream because I don’t want 

people in all of my business. 

With many shows under their 

belts, the group plans to continue 

Museum of Afro-American Artists 

exbition in Ponder Fine Arts Gallery 



Six Decades of Fine Art an 

exhibition recently opened in 

the Henry Ponder Fine Arts 

Gallery featured pieces from the 

Museum of the National Center 

of Afro-American Artists. 

Artists featured included 

African American artists such 

as: Charles White, Hale 

Woodruff, Calvin Burnett, Roy 

Deserve, Richard Yarded, 

Walter Williams, Aaron Pore 

Pitts, Evangeline Montgomery 

and Mahler Ryder. 

The exhibition also featured 

artists from other areas in the 

African Diaspora including 

Sudanese painter Khalid Kodi, 

Jamaican painter Kofi Kayiga 

Student looks at mixed media 

ditych entitled Two 

Months by Calvin Burnett 

and Marline Phipps a Haitian 

painter-poet. 

Of the works on loan from the 

Center are Two Months, a large 

ditych, which is when two 

independent pieces are hung 

together as one piece. 

Aaron-Pore-Pitts a musician 

and print making artist from 

Detroit, and also friend of 

Benedict professor Napoleon 

Jones Henderson, is scheduled 

to be on campus next semester 

to do a master class with 

students enrolled in Henderson’s 

printmaking class. 

The museum is one of the 

earliest featuring the work of 

African-American artists and is 

considered by many to be the 

first African-American museum 

in the country; it was established 

in 1968 by Dr. Elma Lewis. 

The exhibition opening 

reception was held on Nov. 9 

and will run until Dec. 8. 

Negro USA - Lithograph - 

by Charles White 

Homecoming bonfire and pep 

rally unite entire campus 

by Keisha Braxton 

Contributing Writer 

Homecoming bonfire and pep 

rally , which took place the Tuesday 

of Homecoming Week, 

hyped up the spirits of the entire 

campus not just students. 

Chatter, laughter, stomping, 

and music filled the air as the 

Benedict family got ready to 

cheer on the football team before 

the 2006 Homecoming Football 

game against Stillman College. 

The chill in the air did not stop 

those present from participating 

in multiple activities, including 

dance contests and party hopping 

conducted by the fraternities 

and sororities. 

“It was the first time the entire 

campus united without a 

single fight breaking out,” noted 

a student who asked not to be 

identified. 

The rally allowed the football 

players to get acquainted with 

their fans who wanted the team 

to bring them a victory. 

doing what they do best, make 

hits! Want to know more about 

this dynamic group, catch them 

on Nov. 11 at the Township Auditorium 

(WHICH CITY) 

where they will be performing 

live at the Apollo! 

Taiwan from page 6 

didn’t want to protect myself. 

My family has always been my 

greatest support system; I have the 

type of family that people want 

to be a part of. All my aunts and 

uncles love me and to them I am 

still the one to come to if they want 

to know what is going on in the 

family. Also, cousins that love me 

because I belong to them and 

nothing can ever stop that not 

even death. When I am sick they 

are sick, because my family loves 

me. My brother who had to go to 

the store and buy pampers the size 

of a six month old for his brother 

and he didn’t do it because he had 

to; he did it because I am his baby 

brother and he loves me. He knew 

me nine months before I knew 

myself and he always said he 

would take care of me and he has. 

The sad part is with HIV/AIDS, 

he can’t stop some things I go 

through from happening, but 

because he lets me know it’s 

already all right. My sister-in-law 

who has fought for my survival 

and will not let me give up. And 

that niece of mine who tells me 

she loves me and she tells her 

friends when I am sick, “You can’t 

be around my uncle his immune 

system is low,” is my protector. 

And that woman who didn’t know 

anything about HIV/AIDS, who 

told me and my brother to wear a 

condominium so we don’t bring 

any babies home; she would get 

up before I got up and have my 

medicine ready, have my food 

ready, and put my medicine in the 

feeding tube. My momma is my 

rock, because it is her love, and 

the love of the Almighty that got 

me here. 

And first and last in my life the 

Almighty where would I be if I 

wasn’t safe in His Arms. I have 

been told by so many I should 

have been dead. But He told me 

to live; I will fight until I can’t 

fight any more. This is hard and I 

tell you I go through it, but if I 

can help someone, so that they 

won’t go through what I do, then 

it will be worth it. Your lives are 

so important and some of you 

don’t realize it, you don’t get it. 

Peer Networks/Education about 

HIV/AIDS and other STD’s are 

needed in every community, but 

especially in the black 

community. Instead of saying 

somebody should do something, 

why not say, “I am somebody so 

let me do something.” If one of 

us has HIV/AIDS we all have it. 

We need peer networks/education 

on HBCU campuses or my story 

won’t be the last story. 

OPTIONS from page 3 

the cap being filled quickly to the 

fact that employers can file for 

an H1-B up to six months before 

the start of the fiscal year in October. 

Needle said there is a proposal 

in Congress to raise the cap of 

H1-B’s, but he is not hopeful for 

a response until after the November 

elections. 

When asked what he thought 

were the odds of a blanket amnesty 

being granted to illegal immigrants, 

Needle responded, 

“No chance!” In fact, he blames 

the current debate over illegal 

immigrants for the slow processing 

of legal immigrant cases. 

Needle’s visit to the Benedict 

College campus to discuss immigration 

matters was sponsored 

by the Office of International 

Programs, headed by Dr. Norma 

Jackson. For further immigration 

information, visit website 

www.lawrencejneedlepa.com. 

Concert Review 

Hip Hop artists ‘didn’t disappoint’ 

restless fans at Columbia concert 

by Chaquain Meyer-Boone 


When you hear the names 

Lil Wayne and T.I., you think 

of Hip-Hop. Now throw in 

Young Dro, Lloyd, and U.N.K 

and you basically have an 

abundance of talent. So it is no 

surprise that having them in 

concert is a momentous occasion. 

This occasion is even 

larger, because it is happening 

in South Carolina, a state not 

known for hip-hop concerts. 

The anticipation of the concert 

was evident, and the artists 

didn’t disappoint. 

Although the crowd grew 

restless due to the unfamiliar 

opening acts, when U.N.K hit 

the stage the crowd erupted. 

Performing the hit single 

“Walk it Out”, the group 

quickly turned an impatient 

crowd into a hectic audience. 

The next star up was Lloyd 

and he made sure he didn’t 

miss a beat by crooning to the 

ladies with his ode “Hey Young 

Girl”. “I’d rather keep my 

thoughts to myself, but you can 

tell by how I’m sweating how 

I feel,” said freshman Brittany 

Patterson referring to her affection 

for Lloyd. Lloyd also 

caused an uproar when he 

brought out his guest Lil 

Wayne and they performed 

their single “I want you”. It 

seemed like every person in 

the arena was on their feet 

singing along to every word. 

Although Lloyd and 

U.N.K provided stellar performances, 

the highlight of the 

night was undoubtedly the performance 

by Lil Wayne. After 

assisting Lloyd he performed 

a number of hits including “Go 

The Making of a Music Star 

by T.J. Hunter 

Staff Writer 

DJ”, Fireman”, “Earthquake”, 

and “The Block is Hot” just to 

name a few. “Weezy shut it 

down point blank”, said sophomore 

Norvell Gadson. Lil 

Wayne put a smile, on many 

of the female viewers’ faces by 

taking off his shirt. “Lil Wayne 

is my husband I’m going to see 

him after the show”, said 

freshman Mia Holliday. 

The finale saw T.I. and 

Young Dro ‘shoulder leanin’ 

and caused an even greater 

uproar. T.I. performed an array 

of his hits including “What 

You Know” and “Why You 

Wanna”. However the crowd 

was infuriated when T.I was 

unable to perform some of his 

classic hits due to time restrictions. 

Nevertheless the audience 

left knowing that they enjoyed 

a remarkable concert, 

one that will not be soon for- 

‘Fame Comes and Goes - Stars Rise 

and Fall But Dreams Live Forever’ 

Benedict College staged ‘Dreamgirls’ November 15-18 (see Story in our next issue) 

Columbia, SC - While powerhouse 

performers Beyonce 

Knowles and Jamie Foxx have 

teamed up for the motion picture 

launch of Dreamgirls in December 

- Benedict College is ahead 

of the game as it gears up to 

bring this musical alive on the 

local stage this month. 

Benedict College Fine Arts 

Theater Ensemble did produce 

its version of the Dreamgirls 

musical running from Nov. 15- 

18 (each night beginning at 7 

p.m.). Director and Assistant 

Professor of Theater Charles D. 

Brooks III brings this Broadway 

musical phenomenon to the 

Henry Ponder Fine Arts/Humanities 

Center Theatre with Dr. 

Sean Daniels, chair of fine arts 

and musical conductor for the 

production. 

Flashing back to the original 

script, Dreamgirls is about the 

dreams of a female singing 

group likened to the Supremes 

winning an amateur talent contest 

in the early sixties that leads 

them on a phenomenal journey 

to stardom. At the hands of their 

manipulative manager, Curtis, 

the group inevitably breaks up, 

because Effie, the singer who is 

the most vocally talented but is 

overweight and dealing with issues 

is pushed in the background 

so that the more attractive Deena 

can take front stage. 

Dreamgirls is a show about a 

time in American musical his- 

tory when what is called rhythm 

and blues blended with other 

styles of popular music creating 

a new American sound. Act One 

is set in the fabulous sixties - a 

time when we were still screaming 

at Elvis and listening to the 

Beatles, but were dancing to the 

new beat of countless girl and 

boy groups like the The 

Supremes, The Marvelettes, The 

Temptations, and The Shirelles. 

Act Two shows the creation and 

the arrival of disco - though the 

word is never used in the script. 

Dreamgirls is not just about 

singing, dancing and performing, 

the play is about the behindthe-scenes 

reality of the entertainment 

industry - the business 

part of show business that made 

possible the cultural phenomenon. 

“The message entrenched 

in this musical is what happens 

off stage and what pains come 

with working in this business,” 

said Mr. Brooks. 

Awards: 

(1981-82) Six Tony Awards for 

Book, Choreography, Lighting 

Design, Actor, Actress, and Featured 

Actor.Best Female Performance, 

R&B (Jennifer Holliday- 

And I’m Telling You I’m Not 

Going) - Winner 

Four Drama Desk Awards for Set 

Design, Lighting Design, Actress, 

and Featured Actor. 

History: 

Dreamgirls, created by the legendary 

Michael Bennett, opened 

December 20, 1981 and played 

an amazing 1,521 performances 

in New York City’s artistic 

Mecca, Broadway, at the Imperial 

Theater and again in 1987 

the production was received for 

177 performances at the Ambassador 

Theater starring an all star 

cast: Ben Harney, Jennifer 

Holliday (R&B chauntese), 

Loretta Devine (Waiting to Exhale), 

Sheryl Lee Ralph 

(Moesha). 

Benedict College Fine Arts Theatre 

Ensemble of Dreamgirls 

musical show is produced by arrangement 

with, and the music 

and dialogue material furnished 

by TAMS-WITMARK MUSIC 

LIBRARY, INC., 560 Lexington 

Avenue, New York, NY 10022 

in association with 

DreamWorks, LLC and its affiliates. 

Dreamgirls features music 

by Henry Krieger and lyrics and 

book by Tom Eyer, and it was 

originally directed by Michael 

Bennett, produced by Bennett, 

Bob Avian, and Geffen Records, 

and choreographed by Bennett 

and Michael Peters. 

Media Contacts: 

Kymm Hunter, Director of 

Public Relations, 803-705- 

6654, 803-253-5132 or 

hunterk@benedict.edu. 

Natalie Brown, Assistant 

Director of Public Relations, 

Tips that will help move you along in the music industry 

You have recorded your 

songs, what next – you 

may be asking that question 

if you’re pursuing a career 

in music. 

Many people go as far as 

recording their songs. 

However, they don’t know 

the journey, or the necessary 

steps that will move them 

further along in pursuing a 

music career. These are 

some tips that will aid in 

obtaining your dreams. 

Step Out First Class 

No one is going to take you 

seriously, especially an 

industry executive with a 

burnt CD with marker 

writings, and a black and 

white printed cell phone 

picture. 

You should let them know 

that you are serious enough 

to put money into your 

project. Don’t just put 

together a CD and hand it out 

– give it to your friends. 

Remember that you are 

competing with hundreds or 

even thousands of aspiring 

musicians. If you’re the best, 

you should look like the best. 

Create a Press Kit 

Every professional musician 

has a press kit. A press kit 

basically gives the DJ’s and 

music executives an overview 

of who you are, and what type 

of music you have created. 

When presenting your demo, 

have a press kit along with it. A 

press kit includes a cover letter, 

bio, glossy black and white 

8.5x11 photo, calendar, and 

newspaper clippings of yourself. 

You should present this in a 

folder – preferably a black glossy 

folder. 

Remember to put your contact 

information on everything. If 

you don’t like to pay your cell 

phone bill, I wouldn’t 

recommend putting it in your 

press kit 

Build a Fan Base. 

Music executives only pay 

attention to people who already 

have a strong following. They 

must trust that your music will 

sell. 

You build a fan base by doing 

shows in your hometown and 

selling your demos. 

Create a Buzz 

Neek, Music Director of 

WWDM 101.3, told me “don’t 

come after me wanting to get 

your music played on the radio. 

Let me find you.” 

It is better for music executives 

to know who you are versus you 

knowing them. Music 

executives do not find interest 

in someone who does not have 

a buzz of their own. A buzz is 

usually passed through word of 

mouth. 

Don’t Give Up 

Persistence is always the key 

to success. Many of today’s 

top artists have spent years 

following their dreams. 

Preparation is Key 

Always be prepared. You 

never know when an 

opportunity of a lifetime 

might approach you. If you 

don’t have your stuff together, 

it could pass you by. It’s 

important to always stay on 

point. Remember, 

Preparation + Opportunity = 

Success 

The music industry consists 

of more than making songs, 

and beats and getting your 

songs on the radio. It’s all 

about what will sell. Music 

executives are nothing more 

than business people who 

rather sell music than 

groceries, or cars. 

They are more concerned 

about hits than giving 

anybody a record deal. It 

costs a record company close 

to $100,000 to release an 

artist. 

They are extra careful about 

whom they invest their 

money in. If you are not a 

person in the industry, see 

yourself as a product. Either 

you will be in demand, or not.

SPORTS 

BC Tiger News - Page 8 December 2006 

Charlie W. Johnson Football Stadium Dedicated 

as New Home for Bendedict College Tigers 

Pep Rally, Parade, and Speeches 

highlight opening day activities 


Copy Editor 

Saturday, September 23, 2006 

will go down in Benedict 

College’s history as a remarkable 

day in the College’s life because 

it was the day all those who love 

the Purple and Gold of Benedict 

College had a reason to be more 

than proud. It was the day on 

which the formal opening of the 

multi- million-dollar, brand new 

Charlie W. Johnson Football Stadium 

took place under a bright, 

beautiful, and sunny sky. 

The day began at the Dust 

Bowl on campus, also known as 

the HRC Activity Field, with a 

Pep Rally, led by Ronald Davis 

of Benedict College who got everyone 

fired up for the dedication 

of the new stadium and the 

first game the Benedict Tigers 

football team was scheduled to 

play against Lenior-Rhyne of 

North Carolina. During the pep 

rally, Davis also recognized various 

campus organizations, including 

the Junior Class and the 

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity as the 

“Most Spirited” class and fraternity 

respectively. He praised the 

Benedict College Cheerleaders 

and the Pep Squad for doing a 

great job of firing up students 

for the home team. 

Following the pep rally, the 

parade to the new stadium on 

Two Notch Road was organized 

and began moving from the main 

campus on Harden Street 

through the streets of Columbia, 

and finally through Read Street 

towards Two Notch Road. 

The parade route was filled 

with lots of smiling faces and 

hand waving from those in the 

parade and people watching the 

processional as it made its way 

through the local community towards 

the new Charlie W. 

Johnson Stadium. The parade, 

comprised of several floats, faculty 

members, cheerleaders, students, 

and vehicles carrying dignitaries, 

such as, Mr. and Mrs. 

Charlie W. Johnson the stadium’s 

namesake, Dr. and Mrs. David H. 

Swinton (the President and First 

Ladyof Benedict College), Dr. 

Leroy T. Walker (for whom the 

whole area around the stadium 

was also named), and members 

of the Board of Trustees, added 

to the grandeur of the occasion. 

The dedication ceremony, 

held on a podium erected on the 

field of the new stadium, was an 

elaborate affair highlighted by 

various speeches and the turnover 

of the key of the stadium to 

the Athlectics Director and the 

coach of the football team, who 

was preparing the Tigers for 

the first game on their new football 

field against Lenoir-Rhyne 


The whole ceremony was designed 

to unite the Benedict College 

Family with all of its many 

supporters, including the local 

community, the city, and the state. 

It included a performance by a 

Mass Choir, comprising of the 

National Award-winning 

Benedict College Gospel Choir 

and various high school and 

church choirs from the community, 

all directed by Minister 

Darryl Izzard, director of the 

Benedict College Gospel Choir. 

The mass choir rocked the stadium 

with voices that truly 

moved the hearts of many. 

Several platform dignitaries, 

including local and state officials, 

were called by Dr. David H. 

Swinton, president of Benedict 

College, who served as master of 

ceremony, to address the crowd, 

and most did, bringing greetings 

and paying tributes to Benedict 


Palmetto Capital City Classic 

features ‘Battle of the Tigers’ 

bands during halftime show 

by Sherell Watson 


The halftime show at this year’s 

Palmetto Capital City Classic featured 

the talents of Savannah 

State University Marching Tigers 

and Benedict College’s own 

Marching Tigers who entertained 

the crowd with their musical talents, 

precision drills, and energetic 

dancers. 

The Savannah State 

University’s band first performed 

with such hits as “Shoulda Lean” 

by Young Dro and Young Joc’s, 

“It’s Goin Down,” giving the eyes 

and ears of the audience plenty 

of sound and motion to work with 

as the hypnotic colors of the flag 

team and the graceful moves of 

their talented dancers were displayed. 

Then the Benedict Marching 

Tigers took the field, playing 

their melodic renditions of Gap 

Band’s classic, “Yearning for 

your Love,” and Beyonce’s latest 

chart topper, “Déjà vu.” 

Reactions from the audience 

indicated that they liked what 

they saw. 

Sheriee Watson, Benedict 

College alumni called the show 

“very entertaining and fun!” 

John Stewart, a student of 

Savannah State University, said, 

“I like the different formations 

and the moves of the female 

dancers of both SSU and BC’s 

band.” 

Fred Walker, a Benedict College 

supporter, said, “I really enjoyed 

the Young Joc song because 

the beat is catchy.” 

The halftime program ended 

with the introduction of Aliyah 

Saulter, the winner of the Miss 

Palmetto Capital City Classic 

Pageant, along with her court. 

Others introduced were Nadia J. 

Muhammad, Miss Benedict College, 

as well as her First Attendant, 

J. Nichelle Wimbush, and 

Second Attendant, Pamela Hall. 

Tigers volleyball team faces 

tough competition this season 

by Kimberly Webber 

Sports Editor 

The volleyball season is well 

underway and the Benedict College 

Tigerettes have already 

faced some tough competition, 

with a record of 4-5 in October. 

With this record, the Tigerettes 

are ranked third in the (give name 

of conference here) conference, 

but they hope to fight their way 

to the top of the ranks by the end 

of the season, to place themselves 

in a position to win the 

conference championship. 

Asked how she is preparing 

the team to win a championship, 

head coach Gwendolyn Rouse 


President David H. Swinton (left), Dr. LeRoy T. Walker (center), and 

Charlie W. Johnson (right) looked over the Dedication and Grand 

Opening brochure during the press conference held at the new stadium. 

Tigers beat Clark-Atlanta 

Panthers in away game 

by Marquita A. Watson 

News Editor 

Benedict College Tigers Football 

team continued its winning 

streak with a win against the Clark 

Atlanta University Panthers in Atlanta 

on Sept. 9, following their 

victory against Savannah State 

University at home on Sept. 2. 

However, the streak ended a 

shaky start for the Tigers who lost 

their opening game to Morehouse 

College at home on Aug. 26. 

The Clark Atlanta game was surprisingly 

packed with Benedict’s 

fans who came out in large numbers 

to support their team, packing 

the visitors’ stands and 

proudly wearing the school’s colors 

of purple and gold. 

The enthusiasm of the Benedict 

fans was soon tested when Clark 

Atlanta not only won the coin 

toss but also scored the first touchdown 

of the game, although they 

missed the extra point. After that, 

the Tiger’s offense struggled, but 

was not able to complete its 

passes or score any points. 

When the Tigers’ defense came 

on the field, they could not hold 

back the Panthers, who dominated 

the first half. However, luckily for 

the Tigers, the first half ended with 

the score 6-0, with the Panthers 

ahead. 

At half time, both bands gave 

exciting performances that lifted 

the spirit of fans from both 

schools. Benedict’s band was up 

first and played, “Ain’t No Stopping 

Us Now” by McFadden and 

Whitehead and the crowd sang 

along. Benedict’s Sweet Sensation 

dancers and Divine Silk color 

guard team gave the crowd more 

to cheer about. Clark Atlanta’s 

band next performed, entertaining 

the crowd with the latest hit, 

“Morris Brown,” from Atlanta’s 

own Outkast. 

Despite the entertainment, 

Benedict fans did not forget what 

explained that her coaching techniques 

are based on developing 

discipline. She said, “Discipline 

is the key to a winning team.” 

She added that her team fights 

for every point and every play. 

Asked about the “rocky” start 

of four wins and five losses, 

coach Rouse said, “We could 

have easily been 7-2 if we could 

have cut out some of the mental 

mistakes.” 

Coach Rouse emphasized that 

the team has a strong bond and 

the players function with the belief 

that they will win together 

and lose together as a team. 

She said this year’s team is being 

built around five returning 

players, four of whom are seniors. 

The team also gained two 

transferred students and a freshman 

who, she said, “really mesh 

well with the team structure.” 

Talking about team leadership, 

she said the team is led by two 

team captains, Cylenia Noriss 

and Cheryse Rolle. “They keep 

the team together with their great 

leadership,” she said. 

Coach Rouse said Rolle has a 

great impact on every game, and 

the team’s success is centered on 

her performance. She noted that 

the team is also powered by its 

great setter, Britney Rouse, along 

with other key players such as 

Aniska Rolle and Latesia Davis. 

“When this team is playing at 

their best they are a force to be 

reckoned with,” she said. “They 

play hard in every game and 

never give up.” 

seemed like an upsetting first half, 

and many had already started to 

lose hope. However, when the second 

half began, the game suddenly 

became a reverse of the first 

half. Benedict’s Martin Degazon 

kicked off to the Panthers to open 

the third quarter, and it was a great 

kick that landed in the end zone, 

where the Clark Atlanta’s catcher 

was tackled and he fumbled the 

ball, giving the Tigers a chance to 

recover it and score a touchdown. 

The crowd went wild, the band 

played loudly, and the kick for the 

extra point was good. The Tigers 

now had a one-point lead, 7-6. 

However, the excitement did not 

last for long as the Panthers next 

had the ball and the Tigers defense 

once again struggled to 

hold them back, but could not, allowing 

them to score another 

touchdown. At the end of the 

third quarter, the score was 12-6, 

with the Panthers again leading. 

With an upsetting first half, Tiger 

fans started to lose hope. The 

game suddenly reversed at the 

beginning of the third quarter. 

Martin Degazon kicked off to 

Clark opening the second half with 

a great kick into the end zone. 

Clark’s catcher was tackled and 

fumbled the ball giving Benedict 

a chance to recover it and score a 

touchdown. 

The crowd went wild as the 

band began to play and the kick 

for the extra point was good. This 

gave the Tigers a 1 point lead. Afterwards, 

Benedict’s defense 

once again struggled to hold the 

Panthers back, allowing them to 

score. The scoreboard showed 

12-7, with the Panthers up. 

The rest of the game was extremely 

exciting and had fans sitting 

on the edges of their seats 

with anticipation. The Panthers 

scored, and then the Tigers 

scored, 18-14. Each team played 

as hard as they could and made 

see CAU GAME/ p. 4 

The $13.6 million Tigers’ New 

Home seats over 11,000 fans 



As the Benedict College family 

assembled on Saturday, Sept. 26, 

to dedicate its new Charlie W. 

Johnson football Stadium, students 

were pleased about the stadium 

but had questions about the 

complex called the LeRoy Walker 

Health and Wellness Center, of 

which the new stadium is one of 

its premiere features. Because 

the student body wants to know 

more, here are some facts about 

the complex that should allay the 

students’ anxiety so that the new 

facility can continue to be supported 

by all. 

The new football stadium was 

not just opened for one game; it 

is now our football stadium, our 

own home field, moving us from 

the Dust Bowl to an 11,000-seat 

stadium. It is housed within the 

LeRoy Walker Health and 

Wellness Center complex, situated 

on 61 acres of land. The 

stadium, with the capacity to seat 

a maximum of 17,000 fans, features 

state-of-the-art accommodations 

and amenities on three 

levels, according to the official 

Dedication brochure. 

The first is comprised of a main 

ticket office, four concession 

stands, eight restrooms, three 

ticket booths, an information 

desk, a novelty room, a first-aid 

room, a security room, and an 

equipment storage area. A field 

house at the south end of the 

field also contains home and visitors’ 

lockers and showers, a separate 

room for game officials, a 

storage room, a laundry room, 

and the home coach’s office. 

The hospitality and presidential 

suites are located on the second 

level, including a catering 

room with dumbwaiter and 

restrooms. The third level has 

classrooms and press suites. 

One side contains a room each 

for home coaches, communications 

and home radio, while the 

other side contains a room for 

each official, visitor radio personalities, 

and visiting coaches. 

As we are known to say: 

GO TIGERS! 

New team gets bragging 

rights during homecoming 

alumni basketball game 



Coaches encourage football players to focus 

on final exams despite poor season 

by Jocelyn Young 

Contributing Writer 

Coaches of the Benedict College 

Tigers football team have 

told the players about the importance 

of their academic study, 

explaining that with final examinations 

approaching, they 

needed to start a time management 

strategy to enable them to 

study well and to be focused. 

The coaches spoke during a 

football meeting, held on Nov. 9, 

in the school gym located in the 

Benjamin E. Mays Human Resource 

Center on campus. 

Speaking about how many 

people see football players, Assistant 

football coachTrimmer 

The alumni basketball game 

culminated the events of 

Homecoming Thursday with 

much enthusiasm from students. 

The game followed the Dutty 

Wine Carnival which was held 

earlier that evening and most 

students present at the carnival 

stayed on for the basketball 

game. 

The new lineup of basketball 

players for the 2006 season took 

on alumni players in a match 

where bragging rights were at 

stake. 

The tipoff went to forward 

guard Bennie Lewis, giving the 

new team possession of the ball. 

The baskets came quickly as 

both teams fought to prove their 

ability and by the end of the first 

quarter the score was tied 28 to 

28. 

Several three pointers and 

excellent two-point shots later 

the enthusiasm of the crowd 

KAMILAH FABIEN/TIGER NEWS 

Homecoming basketball game featuring 2006 Benedict Tigers team 

players against alumni players in Benjamin E. Mays Human Resources 

Center arena gym. 

said, “Outsiders think that athletic 

players get away without 

putting effort into school work, 

when we know that’s not the 

case.” 

Coaches also talked about the 

upcoming season, and what 

changes needed to be made in 

order to improve their games. 

“Physicals will be given periodically 

to insure that the players 

remain in good shape,” said 

Coach Trimmer. He added that 

practicing harder will help the 

players achieve a goal that they 

will be proud of. 

Meanwhile, Benedict College 

President David H. Swinton held 

a short meeting with the coaches 

on November 4, to inform them 

escalated even more when 

alumni player Malick McCullogh 

came on the court. 

With eight minutes and eight 

seconds left in the 2 nd and final 

quarter (the game was only 2 

quarters long) the score of the 

close game was tied again at 41. 

Both teams made use of their 

available time outs coming 

toward the end of the game, but 

it was the new line up who 

prospered and the final score 

was 55 for the new lineup and 52 

for the alumni team. 

Basketball Coach Fred Watson 

said that this year’s line up is 

comprised of predominantly new 

players, but also that this is 

“probably the most talented 

team” he has had. Watson feels 

confident about the season 

which began on Oct. 15. “I see 

the potential, I see the promise,” 

said Watson of the team judging 

from their practices so far. The 

team was picked to finish third 

in the SIAC conference, “but 

see ALUMNI/page 5 

that the coaches were not living 

up to the school standards as far 

as games were concerned and 

that the coaches may be released 

from their positions. 

President Swinton said, “Overall 

we have had a losing season, 

and only won three games, and 

lost seven games, which is ridiculous.” 

STOP THE PRESS! 

Just before going to our 

printers, we learned that 

Mr. John Hendricks, head 

football coach of the 

Benedict Tigers has been 

fired by President David 

H. Swinton. 

See full story in our next 

issue!

December 2006 - Benedict College

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