Dear Bethune-Cookman University Family,
As we embrace the festive season, I extend heartfelt wishes to each of you. This time of year calls for reflection, gratitude, and anticipation, providing a moment to commemorate our not-so-distant past and to celebrate the promise of a new chapter.
Over the past year, we've encountered both noteworthy accomplishments and formidable challenges. Together, we've sailed through these waters with unwavering resilience and dedication, embodying the enduring legacy of our Founder, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune. Your commitment to excellence has not only fostered a spirit of academic rigor but has also fortified our sense of community.
Highlights from the calendar year include the NASCAR Campus Lab Program, the successful launch of the Master of Business Administration, CNA, LPN, and MSN programs, thousands of dollars in scholarships from 100 Black Men of America, Inc., Halifax Health, and Lucille O'Neal; award-winning grants from the Minority Science Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP) and NASA MPLAN 2023, and a $300,000 HBCU-UP Research Initiation Award to Dr. Albert Hayward; and hosting Dr. Marie Bergelin ’14, Postdoctoral Fellow at the Berkeley Geochronology Center and the University of California, Berkeley, and 2023 Target Book of the Year co-authors Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray.
We also applaud the achievements of our students in the classroom and in the community through their academic and athletic excellence, service, volunteerism, and contributions to the greater public good. From the hardwood to the gridiron, from staffing regular food drives to raising money for Easterseals, you are why we do, what we do. For all of this, we are immeasurably proud.
The holiday season, however, beckons us to reset and rejuvenate. I encourage each of you to seize this opportunity for relaxation, cherish moments with loved ones, and partake in traditions that bring joy and purpose.
May we, in the coming year, carry forward the indomitable spirit of faith, scholarship, and service that defines Bethune-Cookman University. Wishing you a joyous holiday season and a prosperous New Year.
Warm regards,
William Berry, Ph.D.
Acting President