UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Black Law Students Association (BLSA) at Penn State Law in University Park held its annual Donning of the Kente ceremony on April 22 to celebrate its 2023 graduating members. The ceremony, which prompts both a reflection on the graduates’ law school experience and a look forward to future success, was attended by faculty, staff, family, friends, and peers.
“The theme of the 2023 BLSA Donning of Kente was Black Excellence. The donning (or putting on) of the Kente stole is a rite of passage for BLSA students,” said Wende’ Ferguson, co-interim associate dean for diversity, equity and inclusion and assistant dean for student services. “The Kente stole is a symbol of achievement and overcoming hardship. It pays homage to their ancestors’ sacrifices, reunites them with Africa, and asserts their hope and confidence in the future.”
BLSA members in the Penn State Law Class of 2023 are Oluwatomi Ajimatanrareje, Alicia Armstrong, Leilani Brown, Ronald Dorville, Michelle Miles, Raphael Ogbonna-Amu, Taylor Washington, and Christopher Wright.
“The Donning of the Kente ceremony is always a joyful celebration of the BLSA graduates, and I particularly enjoy the heartfelt tributes from family and friends who have tirelessly supported them,” said Victor Romero, interim dean of Penn State Law in University Park and the School of International Affairs, Maureen B. Cavanaugh Distinguished Faculty Scholar, and professor of law. “The Class of 2023 has much to be proud of during their time at Penn State Law, both as individuals and as members of BLSA, and we will continue to support them as they take the next step in their career journeys.”
KEYNOTE
The keynote speaker for this year’s ceremony was LaWanda Ward, assistant professor of higher education at Penn State, associate director of the Center for the Study of Higher Education, and program coordinator of the residential master of education in higher education program. In her address to the graduates, Ward emphasized the importance of organizations such as BLSA as a source of support, especially while law schools remain predominantly white spaces.