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Honoring Our Legacy.

For a century, Bennett College has stood as a beacon of leadership, education, and empowerment for Black women. From its founding in 1873 and its transformation into a women’s college in 1926.

Leading Boldly Into the Centennial

Interim President Dr. Teresa Hardee is leading boldly into Bennett College’s Centennial year with a personal gift of $19,260—an amount that honors 1926, the year Bennett became a college for women, and looks ahead to 2026, the Centennial moment that will define the institution’s next century.

Dr. Hardee’s gift carries deep symbolism: $19,260 reflects both our past and our Centennial future, but its significance extends further. It represents her belief in Bennett’s mission and the extraordinary potential of its students.

Join Dr. Hardee. Lead boldly into the future.

Honoring Our Legacy.

100 Years of Excellence: Celebrating the Centennial of Bennett College

For a century, Bennett College has stood as a beacon of leadership, education, and empowerment for Black women. From its founding in 1873 and its transformation into a women’s college in 1926.

The Golden Giving Belles
The Class of 1976 celebrated its 50th Reunion during Centennial Alumnae Weekend by exceeding its fundraising goal and contributing $50,432.80 in support of Bennett College.
Covid delayed their return, but not their Love for Bennett
The Class of 1970 returned to Bennett College during the Centennial Commencement Celebration and, through their generosity and commitment, contributed $37,602.96 to support future generations of Bennett women.
Small in Number, Mighty in Impact
The Class of 1971 returned to Bennett College during the Centennial Celebration and, through their generosity and dedication, contributed $26,028.66 in support of the College.
Bennett College Alumnae Announce Nearly $500,000 in Support During Centennial Alumnae Weekend
During the Centennial Alumnae Donor Luncheon held on May 16 following Bennett College’s 2026 Commencement Ceremony, alumnae collectively announced nearly $500,000 in gifts to support the College’s mission of educating and empowering women.
A Century of Strength.
A Bold Future.
The Centennial Fund honors Bennett College’s legacy by investing in the women who will shape the next 100 years. Your support fuels student opportunity, academic innovation, and institutional strength.
Invest in the CENTENNIAL FUND
Bennett College was a transformative experience for me. It wasn’t just about academics; it was about building sisterhood, fostering leadership, and preparing us to make a difference in the world.
– Senator Gladys Ashe Robinson, PhD ’71

Women

At the heart of Bennett College’s Centennial Celebration is its identity as a vibrant, women’s institution with a legacy of empowering generations of women through community, courage, and purpose.
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Learn

For 100 years, Bennett has stood as a place of rigorous education and intellectual growth, nurturing scholars who embrace knowledge with curiosity, resilience, and vision.
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Lead

From campus to community and around the globe, Bennett prepares women to lead with confidence, integrity, and impact in every sphere of life.
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Your Legacy at Work:
Developing Women Leaders
in Every Discipline

Leadership at Bennett is cultivated with intention. Across majors, students develop critical thinking, ethical judgment, communication skills, and resilience—preparing them to lead in complex, evolving fields. Donor investment deepens these experiences and broadens their impact.

Living Learning Communities
Bennett College integrate residential life, academic inquiry, and experiential learning, extending education beyond the classroom into shared spaces of discovery. Through mentorship, collaboration, and real-world engagement, the College strengthens connection, accountability, and student success.
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Your Legacy at Work

Developing Women Leaders in Every Discipline

Leadership at Bennett is developed with intention. Across all majors, students build critical thinking, ethical judgment, communication skills, and resilience—core competencies that prepare them to lead in unstructured environments and evolving industries. Donor support strengthens these leadership experiences, expanding opportunity and impact.

Leadership starts here.

Arts, Humanities, and Education

Focused on critical thinking, creativity, communication, and
cultural understanding.
Includes fields such as English, History, Philosophy, Religious Studies, and the Fine Arts.
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Social & Behavioral Sciences

Explores society, identity, justice,
and human behavior.
Includes Sociology, Political Science, Psychology, and related
interdisciplinary studies.
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Science & Technology

Builds strong analytical and
scientific reasoning skills.
Includes Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, and Mathematics, with preparation for graduate and professional programs.
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Business & Entrepreneurship

Prepares students for leadership, entrepreneurship, and
professional careers.
Includes Business Administration, Economics, and organizational leadership pathways.
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Education

Designed for students interested in teaching, advocacy, and educational leadership, with an emphasis on community impact and service.
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Global Studies

Bennett expands students’ intellectual and cultural horizons through international partnerships, study abroad, and globally engaged coursework that prepares Belles to lead across borders.
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Meet Our Team

  • Debra Clark Jones ’84
    Executive Vice President/Chief Institutional Advancement Officer [email protected]
  • Martina Gibbs Dowdy ’11
    Director of Alumnae and Donor Engagement Institutional Advancement Office: (336) 517-1835 Fax: (336) 517-2244 [email protected]
  • Yolande Johnson ’83
    Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship Alumnae Engagement Liaison Institutional Advancement Office: (336) 517-1592 Fax: (336) 517-2244 [email protected]
  • Karen Martin
    Assistant Director of Advancement Services Institutional Advancement Office: (336) 517-2395 Fax: (336) 517-2244 [email protected]

Recent News

Stay informed on the latest stories, announcements, and campus highlights from Bennett College.

Bennett College’s Dr. Claire Heckel Receives General Board of Higher Education and Ministry Exemplary Teacher Award
July 25, 2026

Bennett College’s Dr. Claire Heckel Receives General Board of Higher Education and Ministry Exemplary Teacher Award

Finish What You Started Program Changes Lives at Bennett
July 24, 2026

Finish What You Started Program Changes Lives at Bennett

Two Centennials, One Extraordinary Legacy: Bennett Alumna Edith W. Morris ’47 Celebrates 100 Years During Bennett College’s Centennial Year
June 18, 2026

Two Centennials, One Extraordinary Legacy: Bennett Alumna Edith W. Morris ’47 Celebrates 100 Years During Bennett College’s Centennial Year

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