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The Daily Tar Heel

Black Student Movement sends off seniors, looks to future

Keegan Pullar is an exchange student from New Zealand.
Keegan Pullar is an exchange student from New Zealand.

“These awards are a celebration of the end of a successful calendar year for BSM and celebrating the accomplishments of not only members of BSM, but also people of the University community in general,” said Trey Mangum, former president of the BSM.

“We want to recognize members of BSM for each class, community members and faculty and staff so it’s kind of like a coming together of the school year.”

Mangum was presented with the Black Student Movement Leadership Award, which recognizes the member who strives to fulfill the mission of BSM the most.

“It is good to know that people thought the work that I did through BSM was good,” Mangum said. “I think the most we’ve accomplished this past year is campus visibility. If anything, more people know about BSM and what we’ve been doing this year.”

Chancellor Carol Folt presented the opening remarks for the ceremony and said she tries to take every opportunity to say goodbye to people who are graduating and recognize those taking on new positions.

“I will say this,” said Folt to the graduating seniors. “You’ve made a really big difference in Carolina in the time that you have been here, and we will be turning to you as you leave campus to keep giving us the information and the encouragement that we need to continue to make things even better.”

“I think we’re in a great moment when what we see today may be very different than what we see in two years, three years, five years.”

There were 14 awards given out on Tuesday afternoon. The graduating seniors were also presented with their stoles, and the new executive officers, central committee and subgroup members were inducted into their positions.

Kiyah McDermid and Brandon Napier were named the most outstanding seniors in BSM.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by my peers for the work I have done through BSM,” McDermid said. “BSM is a family and a community that supports its members and celebrates our achievements and history as African-American students.”

McDermid said she believes being a member of BSM is about being proactive when it comes to black ideals and black issues and sharing them with the community at large.

Jeremy McKellar, the new president of BSM, ended the ceremony with his goals for next year.

“I’m definitely looking forward to next year and continuing to move in the right direction. I feel like one of the big things we need to work on is building up that family and that community within our own black community, and that we can continue to move forward together.”

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