Celebrating Black Excellence: Highlights from the 31st Annual Phillips-Perry Awards at Elon Today

Elon University celebrated the achievements and contributions of outstanding students, faculty, and staff during the 31st annual Phillips-Perry Black Excellence Awards ceremony on Saturday, April 20. The event, presented by the Center for Race, Ethnicity, & Diversity Education, honored individuals who have made a significant impact on the Elon community.

The ceremony kicked off with an invocation by Kenneth Brown, followed by opening remarks from President Connie Ledoux Book. Awards were presented by various members of the Elon community, including Maleah Proctor, Simone Royal, Kelia Evans, Ruby Thornton Bracy, La’Tonya Wiley, Vice President Randy Williams, Provost Rebecca Kohn, and others.

The event also featured a performance by Kameron Askew and a motivational charge to students by Naomi Washington. Established in 1993, the Black Excellence Awards Banquet aims to recognize, celebrate, and affirm the presence of Black students at Elon University. The event was named in honor of former students Glenda Phillips Hightower and Eugene Perry, who were trailblazers in the university’s history.

Among the awards presented were the Academic Excellence Awards, which recognized students with the highest cumulative grade point averages in their respective classes. Additionally, the Elon Experiences Award celebrated students who participated in experiential learning opportunities, while the Graduate Leadership Award and Community Service Awards honored individuals who demonstrated exceptional leadership and service.

The ceremony highlighted the dedication and talent of the Elon community, showcasing the university’s commitment to diversity and excellence. Congratulations to all the deserving award recipients for their outstanding achievements.