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$1 Million Gift from New York Philanthropists Clears Balances for Nearly 50 Graduates
Nearly 50 members of the 2020 graduating class will benefit from a $1 million gift to Spelman. Due to the generosity of New York-based philanthropists and business owners Frank and Laura Day Baker, the tuition balances of these seniors will be cleared. The gift will also establish a scholarship to support future high achieving, rising seniors. Graduate Gabrielle Sumpter was one of the first students to receive news that she would be a recipient of the new scholarship. "It means a lot that someone was willing to pour into me" she said. "I don’t think people realize just how much of an impact this will have on my future." Frank Baker, co-founder of Siris Capital, a leading private equity firm, said he hopes the gift will lessen the financial burdens of the graduates and encourage them to persevere as they move to the next stage. "We are all aware of the headwinds that people of color - especially women - face in our country, the challenges of which are made even more apparent by the economic and health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic," said Baker.  "We believe it is critical that talented women finish college and confidently enter –free of undue financial stress –the initial stage of their professional careers."

This summer, students within the Atlanta University Center can enroll in classes ranging from STEM to the arts and humanities through Spelman's virtual learning platform. More than 50 online classes are available for students who are interested in keeping up with their coursework requirements or earning credits toward an early graduation. Classes are scheduled in synchronous (at the same time each day) and flexible asynchronous formats. The deadline for courses beginning on June 15 is Friday, June 5. For a full list of course offerings, descriptions and fees, visit Spelman.edu.
Presidential Award Honorees Announced
During the May 19 virtual town hall, President Mary Schmidt Campbell, Ph.D., announced the winners of the 2020 Presidential Faculty Awards. Dr. Campbell presented
Veta Goler, Ph.D., associate professor of dance performance and choreography with the Presidential Award for Distinguished Service. In addition, Dongfang Wang, Ph.D., associate professor of biology earned the Presidential Award in Scholarly Achievement; Anastasia Valecce, Ph.D., associate professor of Spanish, earned the Presidential Award in Mentoring; and Shanya Cordis, Ph.D., assistant professor of sociology and anthropology, was presented with the Vulcan Materials Company Teaching Excellence Award.

Campus Highlights
A Third Year Computer Science Major Lands Major Tech Fellowship
Zuri Levene-Harvell, C’2021, has been selected to participate in a highly selective program focused on supporting emerging Black and Latinx collegiate tech talent from around the country. As a Code2040 fellow, Levene-Harvell will have an opportunity to engage with various tech companies and organizations based in San Francisco and Silicon Valley. In addition to an internship, Code2040 Fellows participate in a series of career building sessions and engage in racial equity advocacy work. A computer science major, Levene-Harvell was a 2019 Spring Semester Google Tech Exchange Scholar. She plans to establish a footprint for Black women in data science through her involvement with top corporations in the music industry. She intends to become a leader within a Fortune 500 company and challenge the status quo of successful Black women in technology.
Alumnae Highlights
Members of the Classes of 1970 and 2020 Reflect on Spelman’s Legacy in Video Tribute
Due to the postponement of 2020 commencement and Reunion celebrations, two alumnae produced a video in tribute to the classes of 1970 and 2020. The Spelman College C'70 Legacy Project, produced by Shaleisa Brewer, C'2012, and Jacqueline Jones Royster, C'70, features fond memories from members of the Reunion class and 2020 graduating class. "Our desire was to share conversations between a few members of the two classes that would be affirming to all of us in the face of such an unexpected challenge," said Royster. "The message that we seek to convey is that, regardless of the challenges that we face, Spelman women are strong, resilient, dedicated to excellence and determined to carry our Spelman spirit forward."
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