A Legacy That Lives on The Ave
From the moment we step onto The Ave, the legacy of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune surrounds us. Her spirit is in the classrooms, in the chapel, in the band rehearsals that stretch late into the night, and in the quiet moments when a professor reminds us of who we are destined to become. The Golden Honors Awards are an extension of that legacy—a way to hold up the mirror and remind ourselves and the world of the brilliance that comes from this institution.
Dr. Bethune once wrote in her Last Will and Testament: “I leave you love. I leave you hope. I leave you the challenge of developing confidence in one another. I leave you a thirst for education. I leave you faith. I leave you racial dignity. I leave you a desire to live harmoniously with your fellow men. I leave you finally a responsibility to our young people.”
The Purpose of The Golden Honors
These words are not simply a part of history; they are a charge. The Golden Honors is about celebrating the alumni who embody these values—not in theory, but in action. Those who live out love through service, hope through innovation, and racial dignity through leadership in every corner of the globe.
Black visionaries throughout history have echoed the same call. James Baldwin reminded us that “The world is before you and you need not take it or leave it as it was when you came in.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. urged us to recognize that “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’” These guiding words align perfectly with the mission of Bethune-Cookman University and serve as a reminder that our purpose is not just to succeed individually, but to lift communities and futures with us.
For us as Wildcats, the Golden Honors is a way of saying: we see you, we honor you, and we are grateful for the way you’ve taken Dr. Bethune’s vision and made it your own. We are naming the names of those who refuse to let her dream fade, who prove with every step that the mission she planted here is still alive, still growing, and still roaring strong.
Carrying the Legacy
In many ways, the Golden Honors is not simply a celebration. It’s an answer to Dr. Bethune’s call. When she charged us to leave behind hope, education, faith, and racial dignity, she left us a roadmap. The alumni we recognize are the proof that we’ve been following it, and that the Wildcat legacy is not just surviving, but thriving.
Our mission is clear: to celebrate the significant contributions of Bethune-Cookman University alumni across every field of study. Recipients of this award have proven to uphold the values and characteristics of our founder—entering to learn, departing to serve, and carrying her legacy forward.
The purpose is to ensure that those contributions are acknowledged, honored, and uplifted. The Golden Honors Committee will review nominations and select the 2025 honorees based on notable success, leadership, and impact in their careers and communities.
Meet the Committee
The Golden Honors Selection Committee is made up of accomplished B-CU alumni who have each blazed their own trail of leadership and service. This group will carefully review nominations and select honorees who truly represent the Wildcat spirit.
Michele A. Holmes (Elementary Education, Class of 2008) – Owner of Skye Confections, Michele is inspiring joy and creativity across Atlanta through her confections, baking classes, and volunteer work. She is also a 2x competitor on Food Network’s The Big Bake.
Adam Brooks (Music Education, Class of 2003) – A 23-year veteran of Atlanta Public Schools, Adam is an Instructional Coach for Fine and Performing Arts and former Director of Bands at North Atlanta High School. His career is a living reflection of “depart to serve.”
Tiffany Spencer (Computer Information Systems, Class of 2004) – Founder and CEO of Tech Forward, Tiffany is breaking barriers in the tech industry, equipping underrepresented communities for high-growth careers, and leading as a Salesforce MVP and Golden Hoodie recipient.
Chantel Pelsey (Business Administration, Class of 2002) – A Claims Manager with 17 years of experience, Chantel is known for servant leadership. She actively mentors and empowers youth, dedicating her time to programs focused on education and career readiness.
Darnell L. Walker (Speech Communication & Theater Arts, Class of 2005) – Emmy-nominated children’s television writer, author, and death doula, Darnell uses his creativity to help communities process grief and heal while inspiring joy through storytelling.
Dennis Murphy (Accounting, Class of 2011) – An accounting and operations professional, Dennis is also a proud alumnus of the Marching Wildcats. His commitment to family, community, and B-CU pride is evident in every aspect of his life.
Closing Call to Action
The Golden Honors is more than an award—it is a promise kept. A promise that Dr. Bethune’s
vision will never be forgotten, that her values will always be lived, and that every Wildcat who
dares to lead with love, courage, and service will be seen. With their head, hand, and heart! As
we lift up these honorees, we lift up ourselves, our community, and the generations still to come.
So let us honor our legacy by honoring each other. Nominate the Wildcats who have carried Dr.
Bethune’s torch into the world and set it ablaze. Because when one Wildcat shines, the whole
pride roars.
