Deaweh Benson is Valedictorian of the Spelman College Class of 2012

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Deaweh Benson - Valedictorian, Spelman College Class of 2012

ATLANTA, GA (05/21/2012)(readMedia)-- Deaweh Benson is the valedictorian of the Spelman College class of 2012. A psychology major, English minor, with a 3.99 GPA, Benson leaves her mark at Spelman College as a Phi Beta Kappa inductee with a dedication to both academics and campus leadership. She was among 550 students who received their diplomas on May 20 during Spelman's 125th commencement, which featured Oprah Winfrey delivering the address.

A graduate of Northwestern High School in Hyattsville, Md., Benson served as a residential adviser, Writing Center tutor, executive editor of the Spelman Spotlight, and public service chair of the Eta Kappa Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. at Spelman. She also interned with Coca-Cola Refreshments, BET and Exxon Mobil Community Summer Jobs Program; was named a national winner in the Executive Leadership Council's "Wealth of Diversity" essay contest; and participated in The PhD Project, a program designed to encourage minorities to pursue business doctoral studies. She is a Vicki R. Palmer Scholarship recipient and sixth-place winner in the Executive Leadership Council National Essay Competition.

Benson, a native of Washington, D.C., said her support system at Spelman played an integral part in her academic success. "My support system was my closest Spelman sisters and my professors. I had a lot of faculty members in the English department and the LEADS Center who were my mentors." She added, "I also came to understand the importance of determination and the importance of setting goals and striving for those goals."

Benson has accepted a position as a management trainee with McMaster-Carr Supply Co. She also plans to pursue a doctorate in strategic management and utilize her skills to advance minority business development.

About Spelman College

Founded in 1881, Spelman College is a highly selective, liberal arts college widely recognized as the global leader in the education of women of African descent. Located in Atlanta, Ga., the college's picturesque campus is home to 2,100 students. Outstanding alumnae include Children's Defense Fund founder Marian Wright Edelman; Sam's Club CEO Rosalind Brewer; JPMorgan Chase Foundation President Kimberly Davis; former acting Surgeon General and Spelman's first alumna President Audrey Forbes Manley; Harvard College Dean Evelyn Hammonds; author Pearl Cleage; and actress LaTanya Richardson Jackson. For more information, visit www.spelman.edu.