Stillman crowns inaugural Mister Stillman
By WVUA 23 News Reporter A’Leeyah Ponder
Stillman College made history Thursday, Oct. 21, with the crowning of their first-ever Mister Stillman College.
The title this year belongs to Stillman senior Ronnie Williams Jr., and his new leadership role makes him a college ambassador.
Williams said he’ll be focused on Stillman’s Black Male Initiative, a program promoting social and academic wellness for Black men on campus.
There was a reason that I really wanted a Mister Stillman, because I felt it was needed because on campus the men don’t quite flourish as we should,” said Williams. “I felt as if we needed a Mister because the men on campus needed that role model, that leader, someone they could look up to.”
Stillman students have diverse backgrounds, meaning some are lacking in a support system and a leadership-encouraging envionment, Williams said.
He said wants the Black men on campus to know that they too can lead, and they too can be a King.
Williams said he asked Stillman College Student Engagement Assistant Director Moses Hopson why there was always a Miss Stillman, but never a Mister.
Hopson began working on establishing the new royal position on campus with the help of administration and his colleagues. Once they created Mister Stillman, Williams ran unopposed.
But this is just the beginning, Hopson said, because the role was created with the intention of inspiring and motivating Stillman men.
“Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself and find new goals. If you want something, go after it,” said Hopson. “If that’s Mister Stillman or the (Student Government Association) president, anything, if you want it go after it. Don’t be afraid to chase your dreams and chase your goals.”
Hopson said he intends to continue the Mister and Miss Stillman positions, and is encouraging students to dream big and unlock their by serving and leading in the Stillman community.
For now, Mister and Miss Stillman College Destiny Gardner will go on to serve the local community together.
They will also travel and interact with other Historically Black Colleges and Universities’ royal courts throughout the 2021-2022 school year.
