Randolph-Macon College hosted its third-annual Legacy of Success event on February 22, 2020 in Birdsong Hall. Legacy of Success was created to build a connection between African American alumni and current African American students.

At the gathering, student-leaders from the Diversity Council, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Black Cultural Society, For Women, and Men with a Purpose updated alumni and guests about these campus organizations and shared their perspectives of campus life. Alumni then shared stories about what made their college experiences successful and offered advice for making the most of life at RMC.   

A Profound Impact
Alicia Elms, director of Diversity & Multicultural Affairs, says, “Over the past three years, it has been amazing to watch this event continue to expand, leading to the opportunity for other endeavors. This program has been able to celebrate Yellow Jacket pride with alumni from diverse backgrounds. In addition, it provides our current students with a sense of hope for success post-graduation.”

LaChelle Lewis ’12, development coordinator for athletics at RMC, helped organize the event and serves as the Alumni Office liaison for the Office of Diversity & Multicultural Affairs. In this role, she connects Elms and the students she supports with alumni.

“My goal with this event was to provide a wide representation of alumni, faculty, staff and friends who actively engage with and/or advocate for students from underrepresented backgrounds,” says Lewis. “We are thrilled about the Legacy of Success event, and the other events to come. With the reestablishment of the Multicultural Alumni Association and its Advisory Council, we look forward to providing a stronger community and network for our minority students and opportunities for them to engage with alumni of similar backgrounds.”

The Multicultural Alumni Association
The Multicultural Alumni Association, which promotes and fosters an environment of inclusivity, is open to RMC alumni who see the importance of multiculturalism for the Randolph-Macon community. The members of the Advisory Council work to develop a two-fold program that celebrates and advocates for inclusivity at Randolph-Macon College. Elms and Lewis are the staff liaisons for this initiative. For more information, contact LaChelle Lewis at LaChelleLewis@rmc.edu.

An Empowering Experience  
Nia Banks ’21, a business major and accounting minor, says the Legacy of Success event as an empowering experience. “I was able to hear the stories of black alumni, who encourage community and giving back, and shared tips for a legacy of success at Randolph-Macon College,” she says.

Mansoor Yaboub ’21 (business management major; communication studies and religious studies minors), especially liked hearing about the experiences of alumni.

“I also enjoyed the opportunity to hear from representatives of student organizations and learn about their efforts to make our campus more diverse and inclusive, which helps to give students like me a sense of identity.”

Alumni Voices
Dexter Hurt ’94 enjoyed hearing students talk about their experiences and challenges at Randolph-Macon.

“It was interesting to see what has changed for the better and what still exists,” says Hurt, “and to hear about the different organizations at the college that provide support to the student community.” Events such as Legacy of Success are important, says Hurt, because “bringing together alumni and students allows students access to advice and career guidance. I commend the students on their dedication to promoting and building a diverse community at RMC.”

Taylor Jones ‘15 says, “Seeing current students putting in work to leave their mark on campus is refreshing! They are seeing that everyone has a place and feels comfortable on campus. The fact that everyone in the room has been through similar situations made it feel like we were getting a chance to speak to our future/past selves. I hope that even more students get to experience this next year.”