Hosted in the "Spelman After Dark" dining area in the Beverly Daniel Tatum, Ph.D. Suites, the intimate celebration organized by the Office of the Provost staff, featured reflections and remarks from Interim President Roz Brewer, C'84, and Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Pamela Scott-Johnson, Ph.D., C'82, who praised the honorees for their unwavering commitment to academic excellence, the College's mission, and social impact.
Your work has been more than a profession — it has been a calling,” said Dr. Scott-Johnson. “You have shaped this institution and the brilliant minds within it. Your impact will echo in classrooms, laboratories, stages, and hearts for years to come.”
Faculty recognized during the retirement ceremony included long-serving educators from the arts, humanities, natural sciences and mathematics, social sciences, and psychology.
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Dr. Veta Goler, associate professor of dance and performance, retired from Spelman in 2021 after 33 years of service. Her scholarship on the intersection of dance and spirituality, as well as her commitment to contemplative practices, enriched Spelman’s understanding of education as a holistic and transformative endeavor. A longtime mediator and facilitator of national retreats, Dr. Goler held numerous leadership roles at the College, including department chair, division chair, president of the Faculty Council, and co-director of the Teaching Resources and Research Center. In 2020, she received the Spelman College Presidential Award for Excellence in Service, a testament to her lasting contributions.
Dr. Ayoka Chenzira, professor emerita of art and visual culture, is a groundbreaking filmmaker, digital media innovator, and revered educator. She joined Spelman in 2001 as the inaugural William and Camille Cosby Endowed Professor in the Arts and went on to establish the Digital Moving Image Salon (DMIS)—a pioneering research and production course that empowered students to create bold, innovative stories through media. Dr. Chenzira earned her Ph.D. in Digital Media Arts from Georgia Tech, and her work has garnered national acclaim, including the Cultural Innovator Award from Cartoon Network and the Sony Innovator Award. As department and division chair, she brought both artistic vision and academic rigor to Spelman’s arts curriculum.
After retiring in 2023, Dr. Chenzira returned to campus in April to celebrate a landmark moment made possible in part by her visionary leadership: the opening of the Mary Schmidt Campbell Center for Innovation and the Arts.
Division of Humanities
Dr. Johnnella Butler, professor emerita of comparative women’s studies and former provost, joined Spelman College in 2004 and served with distinction as the institution’s chief academic officer for a decade. A nationally recognized scholar of African American and Ethnic Studies, Dr. Butler’s work has centered on identity, interdisciplinarity, and the civic purpose of liberal education. Prior to her tenure at Spelman, she guided 25 Ph.D. students at the University of Washington and held key leadership roles within its graduate school. At Spelman, she was instrumental in securing grant funding to advance multicultural pedagogy and curriculum development. Her exemplary career has earned numerous accolades, including the NAES Lifetime Achievement Award and the Educational Visionary Award from the Association for Program Administrators in STEM.
In 2025, Dr. Butler was featured in "The HistoryMakers" in recognition of her 55 years of transformative contributions to higher education — a legacy that continues to inspire.
Dr. Geneva Baxter, assistant professor of English, joined Spelman College in 1987 and devoted her career to advancing student success. As associate dean of undergraduate studies, she played a critical role in shaping academic standards, policies, and programs. Dr. Baxter collaborated with multiple campus offices to provide comprehensive academic support services, coordinated advising for first-year students, and developed individualized academic success plans. She also led the College’s First-Year Experience Program and partnered with LEADS to support the implementation of Spelman’s first-generation student success initiative. Dr. Baxter holds a Ph.D. in American Literature and Rhetoric from Georgia State University, a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin, and a bachelor’s degree from Spelman College.
Dr. Donna Akiba Sullivan Harper, professor emerita of English, is a Danforth Fellow, founding member, and past president of the Langston Hughes Society. A nationally recognized scholar of African American literature, she has received numerous honors, including the Langston Hughes Prize, Spelman’s Distinguished Teaching Award, and the Spelman College Presidential Award for Excellence in Scholarship in 1995. Dr. Harper joined the Spelman faculty in 1987 and served as Dean of Undergraduate Studies from January 2003 to December 2004. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College and both her M.A. and Ph.D. from Emory University as a Danforth Graduate Fellow. She served as vice president of the College Language Association from 2016-2018, and was president of CLA from 2018-2020.
Dr. Pushpa Parekh, professor of English, joined the Spelman College faculty in 1990 and has been a leading voice in postcolonial and diaspora literatures. During her tenure, she served as director of both the Honors Program and the African Diaspora and the World (ADW) program, enriching the College’s interdisciplinary curriculum and global perspective. A respected scholar and campus leader, Dr. Parekh has received numerous honors, including the Outstanding Honors Director Award from the National Association of African American Honors Programs and multiple Spelman Presidential Awards for Excellence in Scholarly Achievement, Service, and Teaching. She earned her Ph.D. from Louisiana State University, an MPhil and B.A. from Panjab University, and a master’s degree from Madras University.
Dr. Dalila de Sousa, associate professor of history, served Spelman College with distinction for more than 30 years before retiring in 2021. A respected scholar of African Diaspora History and the History of Medicine, her academic work explored topics ranging from Brazil and intellectual history to the intersections of race, class, and gender. Dr. de Sousa twice served as chair of the History Department and was widely admired for her commitment to mentoring students with both care and intellectual rigor. She holds a Ph.D. in History from Bowling Green University, a master’s degree in English, and bachelor’s degrees in English and German from the Universidade de Coimbra.
Estelle Finley, senior instructor in the Department of World Languages and Cultures, retired in 2023 after nearly five decades of dedicated service to Spelman College. Since joining the faculty in 1974, she introduced generations of students to the richness of Spanish literature and culture. Professor Finley was the founding advisor of the Lambda Nu Chapter of the Sigma Delta Pi Spanish Honor Society and also served as senior advisor to the Mortar Board Honor Society. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and History from Fisk University and a Master of Arts in Spanish Literature from Purdue University, with additional training in Spanish and Education from Georgia State University and Emory University.
Dr. Cleveland Johnson, associate professor of Spanish in the Department of World Languages and Cultures, retired in 2021 after more than three decades of impactful service. He joined the Spelman faculty in 1985 and distinguished himself through his research on gangs in Central America and his commitment to global education. A dedicated mentor, Dr. Johnson supported generations of students through his leadership in the Spanish Honor Society and helped expand Spelman’s global learning initiatives. He earned his Ph.D. from Columbia University.
Dr. Rosetta Ross, professor emerita in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, joined Spelman College in 2003 and is widely recognized for her pioneering scholarship on religion and Black women’s activism during the U.S. Civil Rights Movement. An early proponent of womanist theology, Dr. Ross’s research has explored a range of critical topics, including religion and women’s social action, the meaning of Black religion, religions in the lives of Africana women, and Christian ethics and society. She has been honored as a Womanist Legend by the Black Religious Scholars Group and received the Alumna Centennial Medal from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. Dr. Ross earned a Ph.D. from Emory University, a master’s degree from Howard University, and a bachelor’s degree from the College of Charleston.
Dr. Mark Maloney, professor emeritus in the Department of Biology, joined the Spelman College faculty in 1994 and made significant contributions to both research and academic leadership. His scholarly work focused on immunology, bioinformatics, and B cell development, with a particular emphasis on the glycosphingolipid Gb3 (CD77) and its roles in apoptosis and cell adhesion. In addition to his research, Dr. Maloney provided steadfast service to the College, having served as chair of the Biology Department and as president of the Faculty Council. He earned a Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts and a Bachelor of Science degree from Tufts University.
Dr. Andrea Lawrence, professor emerita in the Department of Computer and Information Sciences, joined Spelman College in 1985 and served as a cornerstone of the department for nearly four decades. She held the role of department chair for more than 15 years and also served as director of academic computing, helping to expand the College’s technological infrastructure and curriculum. Dr. Lawrence’s research interests span human-computer interaction, Antarctic ice data, and algorithm visualizations, areas in which she has mentored and inspired countless students. In 2012, she was recognized with the prestigious Science Maker Award. Dr. Lawrence holds a Ph.D. from the Georgia Institute of Technology, a master’s degree from Atlanta University, and a Bachelor of Science from Purdue University.
Dr. Colm Mulcahy, professor emeritus of mathematics, joined the Spelman College faculty in 1988 and retired in 2020 after more than three decades of distinguished service. A scholar of number theory and geometry, Dr. Mulcahy is also widely known for his dedication to mathematical outreach and storytelling. He served as chair of the Mathematics Department from 2003 to 2006 and founded the Archive of Spelman Mathematicians, preserving and celebrating the legacy of Black mathematicians in the academy.
In 2024, he was honored with the Maths Week Ireland Award for public engagement. Dr. Mulcahy also serves on the Advisory Council of the Museum of Mathematics in New York City and is the creator and curator of the Annals of Irish Mathematics and Mathematicians. He earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematical science from University College Dublin and a Ph.D. from Cornell University.
Dr. Bernice J. Scott, associate professor of economics, joined the Spelman College faculty in 1989 and retired in 2020 after more than three decades of service. Her scholarly work focused on women in the economy, economic development, environmental economics, and international economics—areas in which she inspired countless students to pursue careers in policy, research, and global affairs. Dr. Scott served as chair of the Department of Economics from 1995 to 2000 and later as vice chair from 2016 to 2017, helping guide the department through periods of growth and curricular innovation.
A committed educator, she was recognized for teaching excellence with both the Jaguar Teacher of the Year Award and the AMOCO Award for Teaching. Dr. Scott earned her Ph.D. in economics from Howard University and her bachelor’s degree from York University.
Dr. Jeanne Meadows, associate professor in the International Studies Program, began her remarkable career at Spelman College in 1968 as an instructor in the Department of Political Science. A proud Spelman alumna, Dr. Meadows went on to become the founding chair of the International Affairs Program, laying the groundwork for generations of students to think critically about global issues and engage with the world beyond Spelman's gates. Her visionary leadership helped position the College as a leader in international education among liberal arts institutions. Dr. Meadows retired in 2020 after an extraordinary 52 years of service, leaving behind a powerful legacy of global awareness, civic responsibility, and academic excellence.
Dr. Karen Brakke, professor emerita of psychology, is a developmental psychologist whose research focuses on the development of manual skill during infancy and toddlerhood. Since joining the Spelman College faculty in 1999, Dr. Brakke has been a leader both in and outside the classroom, serving as chair of the Department of Psychology, special assistant to the provost, and co-director of the Teaching Resources and Research Center. Nationally, she has been an active contributor to the broader teaching and learning community, serving as president of the Southeastern Psychological Association and holding various leadership roles within the Society for Research in Child Development and the American Psychological Association. In 2024, she was honored with one of the highest recognitions in the field: the American Psychological Foundation’s Charles L. Brewer Distinguished Teaching of Psychology Award. Dr. Brakke earned her doctoral degree from Georgia State University and her bachelor’s degree from Carleton College.
Dr. Gloria Wade Gayles, professor of psychology and founding director of the SIS Oral History Project, is an eminent scholar, educator and activist whose career has profoundly shaped Spelman College and the broader intellectual community. Her pioneering work bridges personal history with collective liberation, offering deep insights into the cultural and social contributions of African American women. Dr. Gayles earned a B.A. in English from LeMoyne College, an M.A. in American Literature from Boston University as a Woodrow Wilson Fellow, and a Ph.D. in American Studies from Emory University. Her distinguished career has been recognized with numerous honors, including an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Meadville-Lombard Theological School of the University of Chicago and the CASE Professor of Teaching Excellence for the State of Georgia. She is also the recipient of the Emory Medal, the LeMoyne-Owen DuBois Scholar’s Award, and the Malcolm X Award for Community Service in Atlanta, in recognition of her early activism in the Civil Rights Movement and ongoing commitment to justice. Additionally, she has held prestigious fellowships, including the DuBois Fellowship at Harvard University and the Eminent Scholar’s Chair at Dillard University. Through her scholarship, teaching, and activism, Dr. Wade Gayles has left an indelible mark on the cultural and academic fabric of Spelman College.
To each and every one of you,” Provost Scott-Johnson concluded, “we offer our deepest respect, admiration and love. Thank you for leaving Spelman better than you found it.”
Each honoree will receive a Spelman Catalog to select a retirement gift, including the coveted Spelman rocking chair. The College encouraged all retirees to update their contact information before departing.