For the purpose of supporting and retaining black students, the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA) held its inaugural Scholarship Gala on Sunday, Feb. 24 in the Morris University Center’s Meridian Ballroom. The Gala raised more than $4,000.
“The purpose of our Scholarship Gala was to engage black faculty, staff, alumni and community leaders in assisting to raise scholarship funds for black students in need,” said Lakesha Butler, PharmD, BFSA president, and clinical professor in the School of Pharmacy. “The mission of BFSA is to provide support and advance the interests of black faculty and staff at SIUE, and an important interest of BFSA is to support our black students.”
SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook agreed and congratulated the BFSA in its efforts to assist black students. “SIUE’s Black Faculty and Staff Association is an important constituency group on campus,” said Pembrook. “SIUE’s ongoing commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion is evident in the recent diversity and inclusion accomplishments, including granting constituency status to the BFSA.”
The event started with a VIP reception, where guests networked and listened to the smooth and melodious vocals of SIUE academic advisor Danita Mumphard, of DTM Music Group. Guests also participated in a silent auction. Providing remarks were Butler and Pembrook.
Following the dinner, additional remarks were given by Amelia Williams, a senior majoring in biology and SIUE Black Heritage Month CAB chair; Arielle Weaver, BFSA treasurer and assistant director of Community Standards in Housing; and Dominic Dorsey II, director of Accessible Campus Community and Equitable Student Support (ACCESS).
“I sincerely would like to thank the BFSA Scholarship Gala committee and the BFSA leadership for making this inaugural event a tremendous success,” said Tarsha Moore, BFSA vice president for staff, BFSA Scholarship Gala co-chair with Weaver; and assistant director of SIUE’s Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion (CSDI). “I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside so many talented professionals that are dedicated to helping our students excel at SIUE. I am also grateful that the Scholarship Gala will assist with our institutional goals and mission to recruit, retain and graduate a diverse population of students.”
“I am proud to say that BFSA’s Scholarship Gala was a great success, because of our supporters on campus and in the community,” added Butler. “We look forward to an even bigger and better gala next year.”
Photos:
Lakesha Butler, PharmD, BFSA president, and clinical professor in the School of Pharmacy, talks about the importance of financial assistance to black students in need at BFSA’s Inaugural Scholarship Gala.
SIUE academic advisor Danita Mumphard, of DTM Music Group, provided enthralling vocals at the Scholarship Gala.