Awards, Exhibits, and Graduating Seniors
By Dakota DiBenedetto
LLP Social Media Intern
To cap off a successful year, the Languages, Literature, and Philosophy Department hosted an End of the Year Celebration. Many students were awarded certificates for
their achievements over the year. The department launched two publications, starting what will become an annual tradition of spotlighting student writing:
- Tigritude: A Journal of Student Writing, highlighting the best student writing in LLP classrooms and
- Blue Ink: A Literary Arts Journal, the first volume of a new and annual publication.
Both of these journals feature LLP student writing and artwork by TSU art students. This celebration was held in The Space for New Media room in Elliot Hall, a black box theatre with the works of LLP poets and art students on the walls.
Awards were given to students for different accomplishments like most improved, rising star, academic achievement, and more. Accolades were also given to students graduating this spring. Professors like Dr. Zeba Shabhaaz, Dr. Heidi Williams, and Prof. Rebecca Bornac were also awarded with memorabilia for their hard work and committment to go above and beyond.The whole program concluded with LLP's Soul Fire Poetry group performing poems from their upcoming "200 Unacceptable Words" collection. They also gave out copies of a gorgeous Soul Fire Women's History Insert.
This was a great way to end the year for the LLP Department while also highlighting the two new student publications. This gives students the chance to become published before leaving campus, which is a great opportunity for those looking to join the publication world. Personally, I look forward to seeing more of what LLP will do in the future.
The Following Students Were Honored at this Year's
Celebration:
- Blakemore, Nickcolus - Excellence in Creative Writing Award (Fall 2024 Graduate)
- Boykin, Ahlillian - Rising Star Educator (Class of 2026)
- Childress, Caleahs - Outstanding Student Employee
- Cole, Amiya - Promising Young Educator (Spring 2025 Graduate)
- DeBardelaben, Evan - Aspiring Author Award I for Demonstrated Excellence in Creative Writing (Fall 2024 Graduate)
- Jackson, Madelyn - Rising Star Educator Award
- Mathis, Aniyha - Excellence in Civic Engagement (Spring 2025 Graduate)
- McGuire, Brianna - Academic Achievement Award (Spring 2025 Graduate)
- Rainer, Destini - Career Exploration and Innovation Award (Spring 2025 Graduate)
- Stone, Eleana - Promising Young Educator (Fall 2024 Graduate)
- Sutton, KenDasha - Most Improved Student (Spring 2025 Graduate)
- Smith, Chandler - Career Exploration and Innovation Award (Class of 2026)
- Watkins, Jasmine - Rising Star Educator Award
- Wilson, Chandler - Outstanding LLP Alumni Award (Class of 2018)
- Wilson-Richardson, Tori - Excellence in Professional Writing (Spring 2025 Graduate)
Recognition of LLP Minors
- Anikwe, Frank - Excellence in Philosophy Studies
- Simmons, Kara - Excellence in Spanish Studies
- Agoziri Mgbeke - Excellence in French Studies