July 20: Spelman Announces Plan for Virtual Learning for All Students in Fall 2020

Spelman Announces Plan for Virtual Learning for All Students in Fall 2020

Due to the increase of COVID-19 cases in the nation and Atlanta, Spelman College announced today that the College will move to a virtual instruction model for all students during the fall 2020 semester.
The announcement comes nearly three weeks after the College decided to invite first-year students back for on campus instruction.

"When we published our plan, we fully anticipated that, as summer progressed, the virus would subside," said Spelman President Mary Schmidt Campbell, Ph.D., in a letter to the community. "Quite the opposite has been the case. An honest appraisal of the facts compelled us to change course."
Spelman joins its counterparts in the Atlanta University Center Consortium (AUCC) — Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse College— in its decision to move to virtual instruction for all students during the fall 2020 semester.
Please visit Spelman.edu to learn more about the College’s decision and plans for virtual learning.

Spelman Honors the Life and Legacy of Social Justice Warrior John Lewis

In a statement to the community, Mary Schmidt Campbell, Ph.D., president of Spelman, shared her condolences with the family and loved ones of civil rights champion Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), who recently passed away from complications related to pancreatic cancer. He was 80.

In honor of his legacy, the College intends to create a scholarship that carries his name. Once endowed, the College will annually select five Social Justice Fellows, led by Dr. Cynthia Neal Spence, C'78, to receive a one-time tuition contribution of $10K.

"As we navigate today’s turbulent waters, we draw inspiration and courage for our challenges from the congressman’s decades of selfless sacrifice, ardent advocacy and steadfast commitment for not just racial equality, but equity for all," wrote Dr. Campbell. "Spelman was blessed to have him on our campus, engaging with our students, numerous times over the years. Just last spring he encouraged our social justice fellows to stay vigilant in the fight for truth and righteousness when the College joined the UNCF in honoring congressional lawmakers who have served as true champions and strong advocates for HBCUs and their students."

Lewis held his first political office in Atlanta City Hall as an Atlanta City Council member in 1982. In 1986, Lewis was elected as the representative for Georgia’s 5th Congressional District, which encompasses the entire city of Atlanta, and parts of Fulton, DeKalb and Clayton counties. A co-founding member of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee and one of the 13 original Freedom Riders, Lewis is recognized as one of the "Big Six" leaders of the Civil Rights Movement along with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Whitney Young, A. Phillip Randolph, James Farmer and Roy Wilkins. In August of 1963, he helped organize the March on Washington, and was the youngest person to speak during the historic event where Dr. King gave his "I Have a Dream" speech.

Spelman to Host A Black Lives Matter Discussion Series

Spelman Speaks, a new discussion series seeking to bring an impactful intersectional analysis to conversations about social justice, kicks off at 5 p.m., Tuesday, July 21.
The discussion series will offer a scholarly space where faculty, staff, students and alumnae and the public can connect with national and community experts to disentangle the suppressive tactics and ideological frames constructed by white supremacy.
"As a Black women’s institution, we urge an intersectional analytical framework to disaggregate how identity markers inform our analysis of the impact of structural inequalities," reads the Spelman Speaks mission statement. "We seek to join with others to problem-pose and share reflections on how we can achieve equity and equality within our local, national and global communities."

Marian Wright Edelman, C’60, Named ABA’s 2020 Thurgood Marshall Honoree

Marian Wright Edelman, C'60, founder and president emerita of the Children's Defense Fund, will be honored by the Civil Rights and Social Justice section of the America Bar Association with a 2020 Thurgood Marshall Award. Alumnae, faculty, staff and friends of the College are able to join the virtual ceremony, which will take place on Friday, July 31, by registering for ABA’s annual meeting.

Valerie Jarrett, former senior adviser to President Barack Obama, is expected to give remarks during the awards celebration.
Edelman has been an advocate for disadvantaged Americans for her entire professional life. In 2018, she took on the role of president emerita at CDF. During her tenure as president, CDF became the nation’s strongest voice for children and families.
"Our mission has never been more important than it is today during these perilous times for children and for our nation," said Edelman at the time. "I am proud of CDF’s groundbreaking work over the past 45 years and the significant progress we have made for children and families—but there is still so much work to be done."