- Deaweh Benson, Valedictorian, Spelman College Class of 2012
Spelman College’s class of 2012 valedictorian Deaweh Benson is achieving her dream. With roots in Liberia, Benson is the first in her family to be born in America. Having majored in psychology and minored in English, the girl whom her Delta Sigma Theta Sorority sisters call their support system, leaves her mark with a 3.99 GPA and as a Phi Beta Kappa inductee with a dedication to both academics and campus leadership.
Rolling out caught up with Benson, a Vicki R. Palmer Scholarship recipient and national winner in the Executive Leadership Council’s “Wealth of Diversity” essay contest, at the eighth annual Spelman College Women of Color Leadership Conference to discuss her journey.
–yvette caslin
Hometown: Washington, D.C.
Study Habits:
I prioritize. As soon as a I receive the class syllabus, I study it. I really make sure I am comfortable with the syllabus. My first semester, as a freshman, I didn’t understand the concept of the syllabus [she laughs]. By the end of the semester, I received an A-minus because I missed something in the syllabus. I am a student leader and participate in a host of organizations. I love to make A’s.
Social Life:
I am very well-rounded. I have many different networks through all of my organizations and I really like to enjoy myself. Spelman encourages us to be holistic and well-rounded. I wouldn’t have the Spelman experience if I was stuck in the library. I was a social media intern at the alumni affairs office. I loved it because I learned so much more about Spelman.
Did you participate in sports?
I ran track for 10 years.
Organizations:
I was a part of the newspaper staff [executive editor of Spelman Spotlight], a tutor and research assistant. I am member of the Eta Kappa chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. I wear a lot of hats but I enjoy wearing those hats because I have so many different friends and I have an active life.
Where to next?
I will be a manager at McMaster-Carr Supply Company.
Postgraduate Goals:
I would like to earn my Ph.D. in strategic management at the University of Pennsylvania to ultimately be a management professor and conduct research on minority business.
