Written by Alyssa Wilson ~ Editor-in-Chief
The University of Lynchburg held its first Black alumni weekend, which included many events from networking opportunities to a gala for all students and alumni.
This historic weekend was achievable due to the Helen Mundy Witt Society, a society of Black alumni and current students that honors Witt, the first Black student to graduate from the University, then Lynchburg College at the time of her graduation.
On Saturday night, Sept. 24 a gala was hosted with food, music, and a multitude of speakers who spoke on the weekend theme of ‘Accepting the Assignment’.
As this was the University’s first Black alumni weekend, there was a heavy emphasis at the gala about the importance of accepting the assignment and going further than just what was discussed during the weekend, but expanding discussion of what it’s like to be Black at Lynchburg beyond the event.
“Thank you to all of the alumni who put this weekend together,” says President Alison Morrison-Shetlar, “We need to be celebrating our diversity more on our campus and you all have left a legacy, a footprint, for millennia to come.”
President Morrison-Shetlar opened the event with a speech that challenged alumni and students to get to know each other and connect on the reasons why they chose to go to Lynchburg and have the Lynchburg experience.
“This is a historic weekend for us… I ask you to join me in my three pillars to make sure the University of Lynchburg [LC] creates people who will make a difference in the lives of others,” says Morrison-Shetlar.
John Hughes, alum and Assistant City manager of the City of Lynchburg introduced the Society and invited students to join the affinity group.
Hughes says, “It makes a difference when you see people in positions and reverence that look like you. We take that for granted in the world that we live in and when we were here [Lynchburg College] we may not have had a lot of teachers that looked like us.”
Hughes urges students to join the affinity group and know that you do not have to be an alum in order to join.
“Know that you can persevere, know that you can see it through with the help of others that are going through some of the same things that you are going through. Remember Helen Mundy Witt and remember friendship,” Hughes continues.
Awards were also given at the event where members of the society and others were recognized for the work that they are doing for the campus community and alumni community.
Annette Stadtherr received an award for being an outstanding ally to students of color throughout her time at the University.
Rachel Gibson, who presented the award says, “She has put herself on the line to make sure multicultural students have what they need. She is more than an ally, she is an accomplice in the fight for racial equity.”
Tracy Epps, who was one of the founders of the Helen Mundy Witt Society and instrumental in making the alumni weekend happen, won the Black Excellence award.
Gibson described her as being an unsung hero, as she is always doing things in the background for others, but she never wants to be recognized for the good work that she does.
The Gala was well attended by students and alum. A large group of the alumni who came to campus for the weekend and the gala belong to the Divine Nine organizations like Alpha Kappa Alpha, Alpha Phi Alpha, and Phi Beta Sigma.
“Through the affinity groups like our D9 [Divine Nine] organizations or BSA [Black Student Association, it’s only right that those affinity groups, encompassed under the umbrella of the Helen Mundy Witt Society, bring us back home and remind us of everything that we loved about it, so that at the end of the day, we can all truly feel like Hornets and take pride in that,” says Davion Washington, member of Alpha Phi Alpha and a speaker at the event.
Black alumni weekend brought alum and students closer together and the gala served as a necessary celebration of the accomplishments of the Helen Mundy Witt Society and those that are a part of it.
Students that are currently enrolled at the university are welcome to join the Helen Mundy Witt Society and can learn more here.