Black Alumni Celebration and awards
On Saturday, March 1, the Saint Mary's Alumni Association celebrated the end of Black History Month and the beginning of Women's History Month by honoring two distinguished alumnae. Sylvia (Marquis) Harper '75 and Dorothy (Benjamin) Jones '89 were both recognized for significant achievements in their respective fields.
The evening started with a mass in the chapel honoring the late Dr. John Dennis, and then moved over to the Soda Center for dinner, where Gina McCray '98 offered the invocation.
After a history of the Women's Resource Center at SMC was presented by staff members Sharon Sabotta and Joanna Snawder, former dean of Advising Services, Tom Brown and Halima Marshall '96 introduced this year's honorees.
Sylvia Harper was recognized for her climb through the ranks of the San Francisco Police Department (she is currently the commander of the Parking and Traffic Unit). She attributed much of her success to her educational foundation at Saint Mary's. She also said that SMC instilled in her a Christian spirit to serve.
Dorothy Jones was being honored for work as the dean of Admissions at Saint Mary's where minority enrollment has increased dramatically during her tenure. "My association with the college has been a blessing," Jones mentioned in her acceptance speech. She also recalled her junior year at SMC when there were only nine African-American women living on campus. In spite of that, there were several influential faculty and staff that helped to keep her "eyes on the prize."
Following the awards portion of the night, a special moment was set aside for a tribute to Dr. John Dennis by Chris Major '83, Karis Stoudamire '98, and Frank Knight '99.
A special thanks goes out to the planning committee and supporters whose hard work made this event possible: Rushell Gordon '96, Gina McCray '98, Karis Stoudamire '98, Chris Major '83, Denise Bradley '79, Tamika Workmon '99, Halima Marshall '96, Tom Brown, Elia Moreno EMA '06, Dan Rott, Joan Cube, Matthew Milton '08, Arthor Curley '08, The Women's Resource Center, BSU, Mission and Ministry and Sodexho.
