The members of the Afro-American Alumni Association honored three members of the BSU family at the organization’s annual dinner.
Recognized for their contributions to the institution were: Dr. Anna Martin-Jearld of the department of social work; Dr. Carolyn Petrosino of the department of criminal justice; and Dr. Alan Comedy, who retired last summer as assistant to the president for affirmative action, equal opportunity and minority affairs.
“It is truly an honor for us to recognize and applaud these three individuals who individually and collectively have done so much to promote and advance goodwill and understanding throughout our campus community,” said Nanette Baines, president of the Afro-American Alumni Association and assistant director in the office of undergraduate admissions.
More than 200 people were in attendance at the event, held in the Campus Center Ballroom. They were welcomed by Dr. Brenda Molife, vice president of university advancement, who congratulated the honorees and also shared with the audience news of recent campus developments.
Also delivering greetings was Luis Rosa, ’05, emcee for the event and past-president of the Afro-American Alumni Association, and Dorie AuCoin, who is the current vice president of the organziation and assistant director of the Academic Achievement Center.
Among those in attendance was Jeanne Oliver Foster, ’77, who founded Bridgewater’s alumni organization for African-American students nearly a quarter century ago, who said, “Each year this dinner gives us an opportunity to express our gratitude and appreciation for the work of those who have helped make Bridgewater such a welcoming and supportive institution for all students, and certainly Dr. Comedy, Dr. Petrosino and Dr. Jearld are among those who have earned our lasting thanks for their efforts in this regard.” (Story and photo by David K. Wilson, ’71, University News)
