Â鶹´«Ã½

Skip navigation
Kelcie Bolden

Kelcie Bolden

Page Content

Kennard Scholar
BA in public relations/advertising, 2023

Madison, Mississippi


What type of career do you want to pursue?

Public relations specialist 

Knowing how dedicated Kennard was towards integrating what we now know as Â鶹´«Ã½, and how much pushback he received, makes me more aware of just how much my education is a privilege. 


How did receiving the Clyde Kennard scholarship impact you? 

The scholarship reminds me of how special it is to be a Black scholar at an institution that did not always accept people who looked like me. The Clyde Kennard scholarship allows me to be more connected with the Â鶹´«Ã½ campus, as well. Knowing how dedicated Kennard was towards integrating what we now know as Â鶹´«Ã½, and how much pushback he received, makes me more aware of just how much my education is a privilege. The values of the scholarship also extend beyond education for me: They encourage me to challenge systems that I deem to be unfair for the sake of others and myself. I am learning how to become a more aware social justice advocate, and I am pleased to know that I am mirroring some of Kennard’s sentiments in advocacy work that I pursue.  


How do/did your academic pursuits or journey honor Kennard’s legacy?

I am learning more each semester that, while striving to get the highest grades that I can is important to me, it is becoming more important to me to accept that I may not always achieve this goal. The education that I am receiving in my classes, even in my non-major classes, is more valuable to me than getting a perfect grade. I first had this realization during the first semester of my freshman year, and I am becoming better at truly accepting it. I believe that I am honoring Kennard’s legacy by simply appreciating the opportunities that I have at Â鶹´«Ã½ and working to better myself academically. Even though I have made mistakes along the way, I know that it is all a part of a learning process that will be worthwhile in the end.

➤ To comment on this spring 2021 article, visit the on Facebook.
➤ To give and support the Kennard Scholars, visit the .



Go back to The Unheard Word page

 

Center for Black Studies logo

Contact Us

Center for Black Studies

118 College Dr. Box #5037
Hattiesburg, MS 39406

Campus

Campus Map

Email
blackstudiesFREEMississippi

Phone
601.266.4068

SCHOOL OF ISPD 

Contact Me

Scianna Hall

Hattiesburg

Email
testingFREEMississippi

Phone
600.600.0000

Areas of Expertise

Rocketships