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Strong Are Thy Walls, Oh Salem

My four years at Salem have granted me the privilege of living in the beauty of our community. Of course, dealing with our global pandemic for more than a year has shifted the way that this community has been able to function. Fortunately, this past weekend, I was once again able to experience a glimpse of that communal beauty during one of my last and most memorable moments as a Salem student.

Saturday’s Commencement Ceremony, after over a year of being away from some of my favorite people, was a day riddled with emotion. Firstly, because I was graduating and now embarking on a truer version of adulthood. But also, because Commencement doubled as a space to grieve the loss of my senior year, where time and traditions with my peers would have made the transition to post-grad feel more gradual and real. I could have never expected to have a senior year like this. But somehow, returning to Winston-Salem and seeing my fellow graduates felt so natural. I think this speaks to the strength of our Salem.

Honestly, this was a difficult year to graduate from college. But I am so grateful for my last moments as a Salem student to be spent amongst you all, once again. Wishing us all greatness as alums. Congratulations, Class of 2021!

Khadija Bangura, C’21

1893 Class Ring
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Graduation Artifacts from Years Past

Your Salem Academy and College Archives had the privilege of displaying some of our artifacts from “graduations past” for the Post-Commencement Campus Walk held immediately after this year’s graduation on Saturday, May 8. Staffed by Access Services Supervisor Kenny Arnold, the display included items associated with past graduations along with photographs of the students who owned (or were awarded) the items.

The earliest item displayed was the 1880 diploma awarded Miss Sarah (Sally) Vest, who began her long teaching career at Salem the year following graduation. The white graduation dress worn by Miss Birdie Goslen (Mrs. H. E. Vogler) in 1889/1890 also was displayed. In two pieces, both garments were covered with matching lace and embroidery. Nancy Miriam Spoon’s cap and gown from her 1920 graduation were displayed, along with the 1920 Sights and Insights yearbook, which pictured her wearing the gown. The final item, and the one that generated the most interest, was the 1893 class ring owned by Miss Ella B. Anderson from Cedar Grove, NC. This small, gold-toned class ring simply formed the number “93” in the center.

The Archives is full of memorabilia that details various aspects of student life and school events through the years. Once campus re-opens, we invite you to make an appointment to tour archives and examine our treasures firsthand. In the meantime, please visit the Archives Facebook page for continued glimpses of “how it used to be.”

Donna Rothrock
Archivist and Acquisitions Librarian
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Hats Off to Our Salem Education Graduates

Congratulations to the Class of 2021! The Department of Teacher Education and Graduate Studies in Education extends a special salute to our teachers and school counselors who graduated from Salem this year. Education is a noble profession, and we are proud to welcome you as our colleagues.

Educators are incredibly creative people, and our undergraduate and graduate students have created a tradition of decorating their caps to reflect their passion and commitment to education. This year was certainly no exception. Here we spotlight a few examples of their creativity. Please visit us on Facebook and Instagram to see more photos.

 

Pontillo - Elementary Teacher graduate cap

Kaylee Pontillo who completed her degree in December with a BA in History and Elementary Teacher Licensure. Her cap includes the names of her students.

 

Simmons Future School Counselor graduation cap

Candace Simmons graduated with a BA in Teaching, Schools, and Society and will enter our MEd in School Counseling program this fall.

 

Allman School Counseling graduation cap - impossible until done

Ashly Allman graduated with an MEd in School Counseling and is already employed as a school counselor.

 

Sheryl Long
Director of Teacher Education & Graduate Studies in Education

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On-Campus Admissions Event Saturday, May 15

Happy summer break! We are so proud of all the hard work everyone in the Salem Community has put in this year. We have been amazed by the flexibility and creative problem solving of our students, faculty, and staff.

We are still recruiting the incoming class of Salem College students, so if you know of anyone who might be a good fit here at Salem, send the prospective student our way! We are also offering an on-campus event on Saturday, May 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. During this event, students will have the opportunity to meet with an admissions counselor, talk with financial aid, tour our beautiful campus, chat with students, and have their application reviewed on the spot! The Admissions Office and campus partners from Athletics, Student Life, Financial Aid, and Residence Life will be available during this event.

If you know of seniors who haven’t locked down their college plans yet, or sophomores and juniors who would like to start their college search, this is the event for them! To make sure we are adhering to COVID-19 and social distancing guidelines, students can choose a time that fits their schedule to see campus in person.

Interested students can sign up here. 

Ray Celeste Tanner
Assistant Director of Admissions and Communications 

This Week on Your Salem Campus

campus yellow blossoms early summer

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