Post from Community: Alverno College’s Bestowing of the Kente will celebrate 25 Years | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Alverno College
December 5, 2019
(Photo courtesy of Alverno College)
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Alverno College’s Bestowing of the Kente is one of the oldest ceremonies of its kind in Wisconsin, and will be celebrating its 25th anniversary on December 8.
The Bestowing of the Kente is a rite of passage recognizing African American students who are graduating seniors, earning a master’s degree, or completing a certification program. Each honoree is presented with a Kente cloth – a hand-woven ceremonial stole featuring bright colors that honor West African heritage. During the ceremony, the students honor and thank the loved ones who have supported them on their educational journeys. The event is a way for African American students and their families to celebrate their heritage as well as their achievement. To date, more than 750 people have taken part in the ceremony. A reception in honor of the 25th anniversary will take place immediately following the ceremony.
Alverno is one of only a handful of colleges in the U.S. that recognize African American graduates with the Bestowing of the Kente ceremony separate from graduation. In all, 18 women will be honored at this semester’s Bestowing of the Kente ceremony.
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About Alverno College
Founded in 1887 by the School Sisters of St. Francis, Alverno College promotes the academic, personal and professional development of its students in a collaborative and inclusive environment. Undergraduate programs for women are offered in more than 60 areas of study, and graduate programs in education, nursing, community psychology, school psychology, music therapy, music and liturgy, and business are open to women and men.
A leader in higher education innovation, Alverno has earned international accolades for its highly effective ability-based, assessment-as-learning approach to education, which emphasizes hands-on experience and develops in-demand skills. The college, Wisconsin’s first Hispanic-Serving Institution, ranks among the top schools in the Midwest for its commitment to undergraduate teaching and innovation by U.S. News & World Report. For the past two years, The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education named Alverno the country’s most inspiring college.
Based in Milwaukee, Wis., Alverno College is a four-year independent, Catholic, liberal arts college.