Sankofa-Ceremony-2025-Celebrates-Legacy-Resilience-and-Achievement-at-RVC.php

Sankofa Ceremony Celebrates Legacy, Resilience, and Achievement at RVC

• Events
• 05/14/2025

Since 2009, RVC has annually hosted the Sankofa Ceremony and Celebration. This year's event occurred on Friday, May 9, 2025, at the Stenstrom Student Center Atrium on RVC's main campus.

 

RVC President Dr. Howard Spearman emphasized the importance of community support in fostering confidence and perseverance in students, suggesting that commencement ceremonies serve as a call for students to demonstrate their skills and eagerness to work. "Students, you have to have a mindset to say 'Put me in, coach'. But once you get in the game, you need to have the mindset to be successful." He urged the community to help build these qualities in students, who are expected to succeed and inspire others. The community college is acknowledged as a vital part of this cycle, celebrating the students' success and expressing gratitude for their contributions.

Sankofa is a rite of passage ceremony that honors past achievements and resilience. The event recognized the 2025 graduates regardless of their presence and emphasized inclusivity, drawing parallels to cultural practices like Bar Mitzvahs. The ceremony paid tribute to ancestors, particularly Nikki Giovanni and Reverend Charlene Bowles Mills, highlighting their contributions to civil rights and community support. Rockford’s 2024 Poet Laureate Trinity Rucker was invited to share a poem by Nikki Giovanni, symbolizing the legacy of the honored ancestors. The ceremony also included a libation ritual to honor past, present, and future generations.

The following awards were presented to students during the Sankofa Ceremony:

Professor Caryl Brown Award

Professor Caryl Brown was a distinguished and highly respected member of the Rock Valley Faculty in the Communications and Humanities Divisions from 1990 until her sudden death in 2001. She created Humanities 115, which she loved teaching, published textbooks and articles, lectured and consulted nationwide, and judged nationally recognized speech competitions, including the Land of Lincoln Speech Tournament of Rock Valley College.  

Charles Taylor - Recognized for amazing Academic Achievement 

Professor Charles Lee Anderson Award

Dr. Charles Lee Anderson, professor emeritus of Psychology, was employed at Rock Valley College for over 25 years, from 1971 until his death in 1996. Dr. Anderson was committed to helping his students succeed in his classes. He was known for using a variety of innovative methods to motivate his students to achieve higher grades, grades which he believed they could achieve. This award is typically given to scholar athletes due to Mr. Anderson love for athletics.

Alisha Bell - Recognized as an Academic Scholar and RVC Women’s Basketball player

Dr. Florence Cephas Award

Dr. Florence Cephus, Counselor and professor emerita, was the first African American professional hired at RVC in 1968; she retired in 1998 after serving the college for 30 years. She founded the Focus on Women program and established the Adult Life Planning Center. She was an advisor to the Black Student Alliance and the Adults on Campus organization, which she co-founded. In her honor, the Black History and Culture Committee annually presents the Florence Cephus Award to a deserving Adult on Campus. 

Devonte Joe - Perteete - Recognized as an outstanding Non-traditional student

Dr. Arnold "Les" Ross Award

Dr. Arnold "Les" Ross, professor emeritus, counselor, and director of counseling, was employed at Rock Valley College from 1972 until his retirement as Director of Counseling in May 1995. Dr. Ross was a model director, expanding the Counseling area while maintaining the quality of its programs and work. In retirement, he is actively involved with Alpine Kiwanis, where he has continued his lifelong love of music. The committee annually presents this award to a deserving student worker on campus. 

Demarion Price - Recognized as an outstanding student worker

Dr. Lamata Mitchell Award

Dr. Lamata Mitchell serves as vice president and chief learning officer for AdventHealth. Dr. Mitchell is the first to serve in this role and leads the organization’s learning strategy across four communities – leaders, team members, future talent and clinical talent – through educational resources and opportunities offered by the AdventHealth Leadership Institute, the AdventHealth Learning Network, AdventHealth University and other educational partners. Dr. Mitchell's began her teaching career as an adjunct with the English department at Rock Valley College and later became a tenured professor.

Shellese T. Burns (Aviation Maintenance Major) - Recognized for their persistence and triumph in pursuit of their degree.  

Congratulations to all who were recognized during the Sankofa celebration.