“You’re Standing on a Foundation That Others Have Set”
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President Harris with Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Febbie Dickerson (fourth from right), faculty, and graduates of the Class of 2023
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Family and friends joined American Baptist College’s Board of Trustees, administrators, faculty, staff, and students this week to celebrate the Class of 2023 during Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremonies. Graduates heard words and songs of praise, along with inspiring messages from the two keynote speakers and others.
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Left to right: ABC Chief of Staff Phyllis Hildreth; President Forrest Harris; Bishop Anne Henning-Byfield; Senior Chief Advancement Officer Phyllis Qualls; and Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs Febbie Dickerson
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“Some of you didn’t know you would end up here and some of you didn’t know you would stay, but here you sit,” said Bishop Anne Henning-Byfield of the 13th District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the Commencement speaker. “Somebody might have told you that you wouldn’t amount to anything, but here you are.”
During her address, Henning-Byfield noted that her father, the late Dr. Herman W. Henning, was a member of the American Baptist College (then American Baptist Theological Seminary) Class of 1930 and added, “You didn’t get here by yourself. You’re standing on a foundation that others set for you.”
Graduates shared their own journeys, as well.
In her presentation to the Baccalaureate audience, Brittany Fitzgerald-Hill said, “An unknown writer stated, ‘It doesn’t really matter who you used to be; what matters is who you’re becoming.’ I came in unsure of what I was going to do and how I was going to manage. I walked on campus and everyone began telling me about the leadership skills I possessed. I am thankful ABC has nurtured and dutifully groomed these skills, allowing me to stand as a reflection of social justice, equity, advocacy, and leadership (S.E.A.L.).”
Dr. B. LaMont Monford, Sr., pastor of Philippian Missionary Baptist Church in Lima, OH, and president of the ABC National Alumni Association, served as Baccalaureate speaker and also led the alumni induction ceremony during Commencement. He encouraged graduates to remember Hebrews 12:1 – “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,” reminding them that graduation is only the beginning. “You just finished a leg. You still have a race to run.”
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Dr. B. LaMont Monford, Sr., pastor of Philippian Missionary Baptist Church in Lima, OH, and president of the ABC National Alumni Association
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Left to right -- President Forrest Harris, Rev. Dr. B. Lamont Monford, ABC Board of Trustees Chairman Dennie Marshall
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Harmonie Hall delivered the senior address during the Commencement ceremony. “We have been tested and put through the fire, and we have come out as pure gold. To the graduates of American Baptist College: Always stay diligent in the fight for social justice and remember our S.E.A.L. initiatives. Wherever we go, let’s change the temperature in the room. Do it afraid. And do it when no one is looking. Let the flame that was lit here at American Baptist College last forever.”
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Celebrating the Class of 2023
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Congratulations to the Class of 2023!
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Bachelor of Theology
Carol J. Denney — Lebanon, Tennessee
Terrell R. Bell — Paducah, Kentucky
Bachelor of Arts, Bible and Theology
Felicia Fregene * ^^^ — Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Harmonie Cooper Hall ** ^^ — Memphis, Tennessee
Patrick Dlamont Sorrell — Corinth, Mississippi
John L. Lovell, Sr. — Detroit, Michigan
Bachelor of Arts, Behavioral Studies
Brittany Joy Fitzgerald-Hill * ^^^ — Nashville, Tennessee
LaShondria R. Snipes — Jackson, Tennessee
Associate of Arts, General Studies
Floyd D. Searcy — Cookeville, Tennessee
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Dean’s List Spring 2023
Brittany Joy Fitzgerald-Hill
**Magna Cum Laude 3.50 – 3.74
Harmonie Cooper Hall
*Cum Laude 3.25 – 3.49
Felicia Fregene
Brittany Joy Fitzgerald-Hill
Delta Epsilon Chi Honor Society Award
Harmonie Cooper Hall
Theta Alpha Epsilon Honor Society Award
Felicia Fregene
Brittany Joy Fitzgerald-Hill
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Join Us "On the Road to 100 ... 2024"
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Your financial support allows us to offer students a unique opportunity to achieve academic success. As we approach our centennial celebration in 2024, your gift will directly impact their lives, this community, and our world.
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Register Now for Summer Courses at ABC
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Learning is an ongoing activity at American Baptist College and Summer 2023 will bring new opportunities to grow academically. Registration is currently open for the following classes, all of which are three credit hours and will be offered online:
Session I (June 1-30)
MU 210 Music and the Art of Listening
TH 215 Hip Hop Theology
CS 160 Social Justice Internet (Prerequisite for CS 265)
Session II (July 1-31)
SO 201 Introduction to Social Work
LS 350 Foundations for Entrepreneurship
CS 265 Information Literacy and Conspiracy Theories
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July 6
The Nashville Mayoral Debate @ American Baptist College
The Nashville Mayoral Debates are a collaboration between The Tennessean, News Channel 5, Belmont University, American Baptist College and the League of Women Voters of Nashville
August 1 - 4
ABC Welcome Week
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American Baptist College has survived and thrived for 98 years. Established out of a desire to train African American preachers, it now is a full-fledged Historically Black College/University and offers both Associate's and Bachelor's degrees. Nestled on the “Holy” Hill in North Nashville, this College is a treasured institution in teaching, guiding and developing leaders of social change for the 21st century and beyond. Our work places a SEAL (Social Justice, Equity, Advocacy, and Leadership) on the world.
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