Nov. 1 : Spelman College No. 1 Producer of Gilman Scholars

Spelman College was recently recognized by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs for having produced the most Gilman Scholarship recipients over the past 20 years in the category of Small Institutions with less than 5,000 Students.

Since 2001, more than 200 students from Spelman have received a Gilman award.

“We are very proud of our accomplishment. As the top producer of Gilman winners, Spelman has been very intentional in promoting the Gilman Scholarship as an important financial strategy for increasing access to study abroad among under-represented students," said ‘Dimeji R. Togunde, Ph.D., vice provost for global education and professor of international studies. "In addition to supporting our mission to engage students with the many cultures of the world, students who become Gilman scholars gain intercultural skills that are needed to be successful in a competitive global society."

Throughout its 20 year history, the Gilman Program has reshaped study abroad to make it more accessible and inclusive. Since the program’s inception in 2001, more than 34,000 Gilman Scholars from all U.S. states, Puerto Rico, and other U.S. territories have studied or interned in more than 155 countries around the globe.

Spelman College and Morehouse College students met peers from their respective institutions during the annual Sibling Exchange Ceremony, held Saturday, October 23 in Sisters Chapel.

Created to encourage unity and fellowship, the annual ceremony encourages first year students to support each other throughout their matriculation and beyond.

The class of 2025 is the first to participate in a ceremony since the beginning of the pandemic.

"We're excited to bring this tradition back to campus for the incoming class," said Darryl Holloman, Ph.D., vice president for student affairs. "Through the building of cross-institutional bonds, first year students are able to create a network of support that extends beyond Spelman."

View more images from the 2021 Spelman and Morehouse Sibling Exchange on Spelman.edu.

“Nostalgia after Apartheid” Wins Margaret Mead Award

Amber R. Reed, Ph.D., assistant professor of international studies, is the recipient of the 2021 Margaret Mead Award for her recent book, "Nostalgia after Apartheid: Disillusionment, Youth, Democracy in South Africa," published by Notre Dame Press.

In her book, Dr. Reed provides a new perspective on South Africa’s democracy by exploring Black residents’ nostalgia for life during apartheid in the rural Eastern Cape.

The Margaret Mead Award is presented to scholars for a particular accomplishment such as a book, film, monograph, or service, which interprets anthropological data and principles in ways that make them meaningful and accessible to the public.

Recent Graduate Makes her Directorial Debut

Jasmine McCaskill, C'2021, a member of the first cohort of graduates to earn a bachelor's degree in documentary film from the Department of Art & Visual Culture, made her directorial debut this fall.

Her thesis documentary, "A Homecoming I'll Remember," explores the intersectionality of politics through race, class and privilege by creatively retelling the story of a young African American woman running for Homecoming Queen.

The film was selected to screen during the Indie Memphis Film Festival at Crosstown Theatre in the Hometowner Documentary Shorts Competition.