As we prepare for our commencement next week, with our great guest Janelle Monae, I am reminded of all the great visitors we host EVERY year at Dillard University. While what takes place in the classroom is important, out of class learning experiences can be just as important for overall student learning. Years ago when Bill Maxwell of the St. Petersburg Times spoke for our faculty-staff institute at Philander Smith College, he really emphasized the need for HBCU students, especially those who might not have the same exposure as other students, to be exposed to a range of ideas and people to provide texture for their learning.
So meet some of our guests that provided texture this academic year.
Lee Mazin & Audra the Rapper, Hip Hop artists (VH1’s “Sisterhood of Hip Hop”)
Brandan “BMike” Odums
Therese Badon, UNCF Vice President
Chef Kevin Mitchell, Culinary Institute of Charleston (SC)
Chef Pierre Thiam (left), King of New African Cuisine
Dr. Christopher Emdin, Columbia University; author “For White Folks Who Teach In the Hood”
Dr. Dawn-Elissa Fischer, San Francisco State University
Derrick Edwards, New Orleans attorney
Dr. LaKisha Simmons, University of Michigan; author “Crescent City Girls”
