A new day: Livingstone College recognizes presidential, international scholars
Published 12:00 am Thursday, September 12, 2024
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Livingstone College President Anthony J. Davis addresses a crowd of presidential and international scholars. - Submitted
Pictured, from left, Professor Felix Adusei-Danso, Afia Owusu-Agyeman and Livingstone College President Dr. Anthony J. Davis. - Submitted
Local AME church representatives chip in to help with incoming international students at Livingstone College. - Submitted
Livingstone College News Service
SALISBURY — Livingstone College celebrated its Presidential Scholars and international students with two welcome receptions hosted by senior leadership. Students, honors advisors and administration gathered in the college’s event center to recognize students with a record of academic achievement and welcome international learners to Blue Bear Country.
Honors Program Director Dr. Da’Tarvia Parrish greeted students reiterating the mission of Livingstone College with a collective oral recitation by sophomore level Presidential Scholars. Parrish encouraged the Class of 2028 to be inspired by the forerunners who established national and world stages and challenged them to create their own legacies.
Referencing Livingstone’s international contribution to the global economy, Parrish said, “Livingstone’s first graduate John A. D. Bloice was of the British West Indies, Solomon Carter Fuller of Liberia made pioneering discoveries in Alzheimer’s disease, and James Aggrey’s leadership influenced the independence of three nations. What will you do with your passion and purpose?”
Vice President for Academic Affairs Dawn McNair motivated students to transform the learning environment as over 30 percent of the freshmen class are students with a 3.8 grade point average and higher. Also within the class is perhaps Livingstone College’s youngest student in history, 14-year-old Afia Owusu-Agyeman of Ghana.
Adding to the college’s new direction of academics, President Anthony J. Davis rendered an anecdotal bird flight or fate tale affirming to students, “the future is in your hands.”
Professor Felix Adusei-Danso who also serves as the Ashanti Chief of the Carolinas for Ghana lent words of wisdom and shared his nation’s anthem that heartened countrymen and united the audience.
Local AME churches pitch in
With Livingstone College welcoming a record number of international students as members of the 2028 cohort of learners, the burst has warranted the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Churches on the Salisbury District of the Western North Carolina Conference to reaffirm their commitment to global mission efforts.
Ardis Chapel, Cedar Grove, Marable Memorial, Moore’s Chapel, New Hope, Soldiers Memorial and Southern City AME Zion churches committed support to the everyday life and residential needs of Livingstone College’s international students in efforts to enhance their transcontinental journey and undergraduate collegiate experience. From room-sized refrigerators to room bedding and decor, the congregations gave cheerfully of their resources granting a transition of comfort, necessity and dignity.
Freshman Computer Information Science major Hasana Maltiti of Ghana said, “I am so grateful for the hearts of the AME Zion churches. I thank God each night for the people I am meeting here and I know God has sent me to the right place. “
As Davis has been intentional with his commitment to diversity and inclusion, Livingstone has welcomed approximately 40 new international students and more than half are Presidential Scholars.
