“Go Back and Get It.” 

That’s the meaning behind the Twi word “Sankofa” — native to the Akan Tribe of Ghana — and the main takeaway from the Multicultural Student Celebration and Sankofa ceremony that took place Thursday, April 10, to honor senior students of diverse cultures.

“When you look at the eagle, you notice it’s looking back,” said Professor of Education Patrick Coggins, PhD, keynote speaker for the event. “It has to look back to see if anybody is messing with it and then turn around to decide what direction it is going to go. So, we always have to look back to determine the direction in which we are going to go.”

Such is the case of senior Wenxena Spencer, a nontraditional student from Saint Kitts and Nevis who is majoring in World Languages and Cultures with minors in English, History and Asian Studies. 

“I’m from the Caribbean, probably the biggest melting pot ever,” she said. “That’s really where my interest in world languages and cultures started. I’ve always been fascinated by other people’s cultures and how different each culture is from my own.”

Through an array of study abroad programs to choose from, Spencer traveled to Japan in summer 2023 and to Aix-en-Provence, France, during the Fall 2024 semester. 

“I loved having the opportunity to go to those countries, take classes there and familiarize myself with their language and their culture,” she said.  

With graduation rapidly approaching, Spencer has looked into a few options that will help her further her studies and her career. She applied to Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California, as it offers a Master of Arts in Translation and Localization Management that she would like to pursue if accepted. Her other option would be to do a Peace Corps program. 

“I do have a Peace Corps certification that I got through Stetson,” she said. “That’s another avenue I’m willing to explore and that I’m passionate about because it’ll help me engage with those cultures and those languages as well, and just help people doing foreign service work.” 

Celebrating the Seniors and the Organizations

During the Multicultural Student Celebration, 38 seniors were recognized. All were part of the donning of the stoles ceremony and presented with a stole of their choosing, representing their country of origin or culture. 

“Some students have a parent from one country and a parent from another country, so they got half and half on one stole,” said Erin Doggette, PhD, director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. “Or, if they had one country and then they happen to be first generation as well, then they got two stoles. Some students even had three stoles. … The stoles are our gift to the students, in addition to other senior gifts we gave them.” 

In addition to the seniors being recognized, the Multicultural Student Council also commemorated the different student organizations for their community outreach efforts during the 2024-2025 academic year. 

“The exciting part about this event is not even the food, it’s the fact that the students get to show where they are from,” Doggette said. “And then, it also is a competition of the organizations.” 

MSC Organizations Awards

Most Visible Organization Award: This award is given to an organization that has consistently shown a strong presence on campus and in the community through impactful programming and engagement. 
• Black Student Union (BSU) 

Most Outstanding MSC Organization Program of the Year: This award honors an organization that hosted impactful, well-attended events while promoting its mission and values.
• Brazilian Student Association (BRASA)

Most Outstanding MSC President: This award recognizes a true leader who goes beyond guiding their own organization — who uplifts others, foster collaboration and create lasting impact. 
• Jaimy Lee de Jesús

Organization of the Year: This award recognizes an MSC organization that has gone above and beyond in bringing people together and making a lasting impact on campus. 
• Latin Student Union (LSU)

The Pinnacle Award: This award honors a graduating senior whose dedication to diversity and inclusion has left a lasting mark on campus and the community. 
• Kayla Jordan 

Cecil P. Chick Award: This award recognizes a faculty or staff member who goes beyond expectations to support, uplift and inspire students in the Cross-Cultural Center. 
• Erin Doggette, PhD.

MSC Legacy Award: Introduced this year to honor Professor of Education Patrick Coggins’ legacy, the MSC Legacy Award is a recognition given to those who, like Coggins, PhD, have demonstrated outstanding leadership, dedication and a lasting impact on MSC. This award is not just a tribute but a promise to carry forward the vision he started, ensuring that diversity and inclusion remain at the heart of everything it’s done at the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
• Patrick Coggins, PhD.