Commencement Weekend 2025

Bennett College proudly announces Tammi Mac, acclaimed broadcaster, actress, playwright, author, and proud Bennett Belle from the Class of 1994, as the 2025 Commencement Speaker.

The ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 11:00 am. Eastern Standard Time on the Bennett College campus, with a livestream available at bennett.edu/live.

Voted Best Radio Personality in Los Angeles by the Los Angeles Times, Mac has built a remarkable career spanning radio, television, film, and theatre. She is a three-time NAACP Theatre Award winner and a Gracie Award recipient for her contributions to broadcasting. Personally selected by Stevie Wonder, Mac hosts The Tammi Mac Show, the top afternoon radio show on Los Angeles’ 102.3 KJLH, with her broadcasts set to be archived in the Library of Congress.

Mac extends her voice to the digital space as host of The Business of Being Black with Tammi Mac on Fox Soul. She has appeared as a guest host on Dish Nation alongside Da Brat, Tamar Braxton, Sherri Shepherd, and more. Her on-screen presence includes recurring roles in Lee Daniels’ STAR, Partners in Rhyme on WeTV, and the Bel-Air reboot. She currently lends her voice to the popular television game show Pictionary, hosted by Jerry O’Connell.

This year, Mac will also appear on Fox’s 911, starring Angela Bassett, and CBS’s NCIS, continuing her momentum as a force in entertainment.

A gifted writer and performer, Mac’s award-winning one-woman show Bag Lady earned Best Writer, Best Producer, and Best One-Person Show honors. The critically acclaimed show also inspired a spin-off web series, Bag Lady, which garnered multiple awards. Her debut book, Black Women Are Too Loud, Yet Not Loud Enough: A Medley of Poems, is available on Amazon, further amplifying the voices and stories of Black women.

Mac continues to create space for meaningful conversations through her podcast Happy with Tammi Mac, where she has interviewed notable guests such as Tabitha Brown, Tiffany Haddish, and Judge Mathis. The podcast, which she executive produces, is available on YouTube and social platforms. Follow Happy with Tammi Mac on Instagram and TikTok @HappyWithTammiMac, and follow Mac herself @TheTammiMacShow.

Mac holds a Doctor of Theology with honors from Next Dimension University, an MFA in Theatre from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and dual Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees from her alma mater, Bennett College, Class of 1994. Both the Baccalaureate Convocation, on Friday, May 9, and the 2025 Commencement Ceremony, on Saturday, May 10, are open to the public.

Bennett College is pleased to welcome Rev. Dr. Arnetta E. Beverly as the 2025 Baccalaureate Convocation Speaker.

Born in Greensboro, North Carolina, Dr. Beverly is a woman of deep conviction, public service, and enduring faith. A proud valedictorian of Dunbar High School, she went on to earn a degree from the Winston-Salem State University School of Nursing and later graduated from the McAlister Institute of Funeral Service in New York City.

She made history as the first African American elected to the Lexington, North Carolina, City Council, and has served in numerous pastoral roles across the state. From 2007 to 2016, she was the Senior Pastor of St. Matthews United Methodist Church. She also served on the Bennett College Board of Trustees, offering thoughtful guidance and unwavering support.

Now retired from full-time ministry, Dr. Beverly continues to serve at St. Stephen United Methodist Church in Lexington and resides in her hometown of Greensboro.

The Baccalaureate Convocation will be held on Friday, May 9 at 6:00 pm in Annie Merner Pfeiffer Chapel.

A livestream will be available at www.Bennett.edu/LIVE.

Baccalaureate - Friday, May 9, 2025

WATCH HERE

Commencement - Saturday, May 10, 2025

WATCH HERE

Please be advised of the following street closings and parking assignments for Commencement on [insert date here]. Gorrell Street will close (Sampson St. to Bennett St.) at [insert time here] and open after the commencement.

Parking locations are as follows:

Guests with disabilities

• Washington Street Lot (Behind Annie Merner Pfeiffer Chapel)

General Public

• Maintenance Lot (Facilities) (Washington Street)
• Medley Street Grass Lot (across from Johnnetta B. Cole Honors Hall)
• Gorrell Street Lot
• Wells Memorial COGIC Lot (Overflow) pending

Staff/Faculty

• Black Hall, Merner Hall, Pfeiffer Science Lots

Graduating Seniors/Marshalls

• Goode Gymnasium Lot
• Black Hall
• Union Drive

President's Guest/Board of Trustees

• President's Driveway

Any vehicles parked on the public streets are subject to tow - at the owner's expense - by the Greensboro Police Department.

Parking Staff (Show Pros) will be available to direct all authorized parking.

In case of rain, the 2025 Commencement Ceremony will be moved indoors to the Annie Merner Pfeiffer Chapel on campus. Tickets will be required. Each graduating senior will be issued tickets that they distribute to their guests. Due to capacity limitations inside the Chapel, only those guests with tickets will be admitted. Please plan to arrive early should inside seating be required. Overflow seating will be available in the Little Theatre for non-ticket holders and late arrivals once the program starts. Live Streaming will be available at www.Bennett.edu/LIVE. The link is also above on this page or via the Watch Live link on the homepage.