Sept. 27: Duke University Presents Dr. Mary Schmidt Campbell with an Honorary Degree

Spelman President Receives Honorary Degree From Duke University

Mary Schmidt Campbell, Ph.D., president of Spelman College, received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Duke University during the Class of 2020 Commencement ceremony. The original May 2020 ceremony was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Acknowledged for her distinguished academic career and advocacy work in the arts and humanities, Dr. Campbell was honored alongside physician turned actor and comedian Ken Jeong, Katalin Karikó, Ph.D., and Drew Weissman, M.D., Ph.D., two scientists whose discoveries laid the foundation for the mRNA vaccines against COVID-19.

As Spelman’s 10th president, Dr. Campbell expanded the College’s strategic partnerships, deepened its excellence in the arts and STEM, expanded its signature academic programs, launched several new academic programs, and completed the largest comprehensive campaign in its history enabling the College to improve its physical plant with new and renovated facilities.

Prior to arriving at Spelman, Dr. Campbell served as executive director and chief curator of the Studio Museum in Harlem. Under her leadership, the organization was recognized as a linchpin in the economic revitalization of New York City's 125th Street corridor, and became a major center for the study of the visual arts of the Black Atlantic. She served as the Cultural Affairs Commissioner in New York City before becoming Dean of the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU, a post she held for 23 years. In 2009, President Barack Obama appointed Dr. Campbell vice-chair of the President’s Committee in the Arts and Humanities. She retired from her position as dean at NYU in 2014.

Spelprenuer Fosters Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Spelpreneur recently kicked-off a year of virtual and in-person events.

This year the co-curricular entrepreneurship education initiative, open to all Spelman students, will feature a series of workshops designed to help young business leaders develop their entrepreneurial pursuits.

From the Alumnae Entrepreneur Chat, to the "What's Your Big Idea?" workshop presented by The Home Depot, the Spelprenuer slate of events and resources will provide students with the fundamentals needed to advance their knowledge and practice of entrepreneurship.

Other events include a speed mentoring session, where participants will mingle with successful entrepreneurs and the annual Spelpreneur startup competition, which will award $10,000 in educational stipends this year.

To learn more about Spelprenuer, or to register for events visit Spelman.edu.

Senior Publishes Children’s Book

Blanca Burch, C'2022, recently published her first book, "Who Has Hair Like Mine?"

Co-authored with her mother, Michelle Burch, "Who Has Hair Like Mine?" takes readers on an exciting journey as they join Sophie, the main character, on a cultural adventure with her mom around her neighborhood. Along their journey, Sophie learns about the different hair textures and styles found in the Black community, and learns to love her hair.

A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Burch is passionate about entrepreneurship. As founder of the Spelman Entrepreneurship Club, her goal is to help others access resources and expand their network throughout Atlanta.

Burch, an international studies major, management and organization minor, also hopes to impact the children's book industry through Culturally Kreative, a publishing company founded by the Burch family.

Alumna Honored by the American Academy of Political and Social Science

Marian Wright Edelman, C’60, will receive the 2022 Daniel Patrick Moynihan Prize.

The American Academy of Political and Social Science awards the Moynihan Prize annually to a leading policymaker, social scientist, or public intellectual whose career demonstrates the value of using research and evidence to improve the human condition.

In 1973, Edelman founded the Children’s Defense Fund, a non-profit child advocacy and research organization with a mission to ensure that every child has a safe and healthy start to life.

As president of CDF for more than 40 years, Edelman positioned the organization as one of the nation’s fiercest voices on behalf of children and families, building bipartisan support for laws and policies that have helped millions of children.

AAPSS plans to present Edelman with the award in the spring of 2022.