Bennett loses sociology professor, role model
By Brooke Walker
Banner Reporter
“We will miss her,” said President Gloria
Randle Scott about Dr. Gloria J. Wentowski.
Wentowski, assistant professor of soci
ology died March 7, from complications from
multiple sclerosis.
Wentowski is siirvived by her husband,
Dr. David M. Johnson; two daughters Merrit
Jean and Marcyanna; her parents, Roger and
Corinne Wentowski; three brothers, one sister,
and a host of friends, colleagues, and admirers.
“It really came as a shock to everyone,”
said Victoria Burke, acting director of the soci
ology and social work department.
“When I talked to her, she was very
positive about her illness and what she was
Continued on page 4
INSIDE TODAY
Editorial
Why do students can the Ban? Page 2
Campus Security
"Bad Boys' at Bennett criticized Page 3
Belle ambassadors
114 students work at Model UN Page 4
More than 100 honored
Belles and brains, too Page 7
The Bennett Banner
"Student Newspaper of the Phenomenal Women of Bennett College'
March 29,1994
Bennett College Greensboro, North Carolina 27401
Vol. XVI, No. 5
Freshwomen protest calls
decisions, policies into question
V
photo by Phanalphie Rhue
The impact of a black woman
Dr. Dorothy Height, president of UCNW speaking to seniors, faculty and others at the Charter
Day Convocation March 20.
Height speaks at Charter Day celebration
By Kim Hall
Banner Editor
“I have a good feeling about
Bennett College.”
These words were only the
beginning of what was addressed to
the Bennett family and community
by Dr. Dorothy Height, president of
the United Council of Negro Women,
on Charter Day March 20.
Charter Day which celebrates
its 105th year is a traditional cer
emony conducted at Bennett CoUege
where prominent African American
women receive honorary doctoral de
grees and officially become a Bennett
Belle.
One of the objectives proposed
in her speech was to someday create
a national center for African Ameri
can women. Height said that she
wants to showcase the history ofwhat
our women are doing.
“The way we have achieved
and organized all make a great part
of American history that is too sel
dom told,” Height said
“Black women seldom do what
we want to do but we do what we have
to do.”
Height also presented many
analogies within her speech, specifi
cally pointing out Mary McLeod
Bethune, her friend and mentor.
“What each of us does helps
move us ahead. If you have the ben
efits of education you have the re
sponsibility to help others.”
Besides focusing on women’s
issues she also touched on violence in
America.
“KKKno longer stands for the
Klan,” Height said. “It stands for Kill
Kids KiU.
“We simply cannot allow our
selves to destroy ourselves v?ithin our
own commxmities.”
Height also stated that she
was bothered by gangsta rap because
it creates a negative image about
women, despite the fact that some
rappers argue its a form of expres
sion.
“Any message that calls us
Continued on page 2
By Kim Hall and Christine Lewis
Banner Staff
Rumors and confusion
sparked a protest among approxi
mately 100 members of the
freshwomen class March 23, at 8 p.m.
The protest resulted when the
freshwomen were informed that their
March 26 party was cancelled and
the Zeta Xi Chapter of Alpha Kappa
Alpha Sorority, Inc planned party,
was to be followed as scheduled.
According to Samantha Dow,
president of the freshwomen class.
The party had been cancelled late
Wednesday, March 22 because the
freshwomen class didn’t go through
the right procedures to have one.
“All we asked was for the ad
ministration to treat us equally, to
have a party and not be pushed aside,”
Dow said.
Protesters formed at the flag
pole where they proceeded to form
four lines, each separating to join in
By Yvette Burton
Banner Reporter
The Bennett College’s choir
conducted its annual Springtour sing
ing in several major cities in the East
Coast March 4-13.
The choir performed in Vir
ginia, Pennsylvania, New York, New
Jersey, and Washington, D.C.
The group was accompanied
by Dr. David Pinnix, music depart
ment chair, Karla Scott, choir direc
tor, EUease Coltson, alumnae affairs
director, and Josepha Bethea, admis
sion recruiter.
“Traveling with so memy
people for so long was like having a
big slumber party,” said Miss
Preshwoman, Jori Johnson.
“It was like we were a huge
family, but the constant moving about
from city to dty was draining,” she
added.
front of the president’s house and end
their march outside of Goode gym.
“We are BeUes too. Give us
what is due,” they chanted .
Along with their chants some
carried signs marked, “What is really
going on?”
After thirty minutes the pro
test began to filter out.
Police were called to the scene
but no arrests were made.
“We stress, that our protest
was done orderly and professionally.
The freshwomen were loud so that
our voices may be heard, but in no
way were we rowdy. We just wanted
to be counted equally.”
Dr. Tiajuana Mosby, vice
president and dean of Student Devel
opment insisted that the freshwomen
were treated fairly, but they failed to
apprehend the coirect procedures.
“I treat everyone the same,
my staff, my friends and the stu-
Continued on page 2
While in New York City, the
choir performed for UNCFs 50th
anniversary banquet.
President Clinton, the
banquet’s key note speaker, made
favorable comments to Dr. Scott after
the choirs performance.
“Singing for Bill Clinton was
one of the highlights of this tour,”
said Karla Scott.
Other tour highlights in
cluded the choir’s performances in
Philadelphia, at Bright Hope Baptist
Church and Beaver Middle School.
According to Scott the choir
set an example through song.
“This was a positive tour,”
Karla Scott said.
“They had a good series of
performances and they proved them
selves to be disciplined. I was very
pleased.”
Continued on page 2
Choir tour features audience witli Clinton