A college experience extends beyond the classroom into the hearts of each student at Bennett. Sisterhood, community, and resilience are on display in this touching story of 2025 graduate, Miriam Richardson.
Source: Fox 8
GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) — A picture of Miriam Richardson was carefully placed on Bennett College’s campus ahead of the school’s class of 2025 commencement.
“It’s surreal, but it’s exciting … I’m ready,” Richardson said.
She wasn’t always planning to go to college.
“I was just going to work, but my dad was like, it would be a good idea for me to go to college, so when I started applying, I was just applying to anywhere that would…accept me.”
The psychology major didn’t turn back once she was accepted into Bennett College.
“I’m not very much outspoken, so kind of being here really gave me a sense of voice and just a community and a lot of women just pouring into me to be more confident in myself. That really taught me a lot here,” she said.
Richardson’s parents were so proud to know that she was well on her way to becoming a first-generation college graduate.
“They were so excited,” she said.
“It was very exciting for them, especially my dad. He made sure every year to drop me off here and move me in even if it was just me and him. He made sure to take me anywhere I needed to go. Whatever I needed, he was there, and then my mom was just, even though she couldn’t move around much, she was very much just calling me, anytime.”
Richardson’s perseverance would continue even while missing a huge part of her support system.
“Last year, my junior year, I lost both of my parents back-to-back, so I lost my father in January and my mother in February,” she said.
She says it was hard to process having both parents pass away just weeks apart.
“I was just very confused on how they’re gone so quick, and I was just talking to them… I felt lonely more than like angry.”
Richardson’s thankful for the many ways her Bennett College sisters stepped up during that time.
“They were calling me nonstop when I was back at home, and during my mom’s funeral, they actually showed up there and supported me.”
Although people would have understood had Richardson wanted to take time off and put her studies on hold, she says some of her mother’s final words kept her motivated.
“It was actually the day that I came back home from my dad’s passing, and she told me while I was in the living room that there’s no choice for me to kind of come back to Durham. She said what I need to do is just kind of keep on moving forward and kind of stay focused and college is the best choice for me to kind of keep my mind on that.”
Richardson capped off her undergraduate journey by walking across the stage to receive her degree during Bennett College’s Class of 2025 Commencement held on May 10th.
“There’s no limit in your dreams to just kind of keep pushing forward and that even though you may not see your purpose, everybody else may see your purpose and your purpose might be bigger than what you think.”
Richardson is in the process of applying to graduate schools.
She wants to work in law enforcement with a focus on mental health.
