A00405 - Further Reflections on the May 31, 2025, Amherst College Black Alumni Memorial Service

 

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• One of the stalwarts of the May 31, 2025, Black Alumni Memorial Service was Wayne Wormley, Class of 1972. I asked Wayne to appear by phone because I like for him to recite the prayer written by his classmate Greg Domingue because I consider Greg to be my spiritual brother.  I also like to have Wayne at the service because I consider Wayne to be the person most familiar with Gerald Penny since he served as the Green Dean from 1972 to 1973 and was active in the recruitment of Gerald to Amherst College.  Wayne is also very knowledgeable about other Black students during the late 1960s and early 1970s.  He is a solid source of information, and I am happy that this memorial service was recorded so that Wayne's comments could be preserved.

  
  

  Before the service, I also met, for the first time, Scott Burwell, Class of 1990.  Scott's father, Lawrence Burrell, Class of 1959, was a new addition to the List for this Memorial Service.  Scott took some pride in the number of Burwells that have attended Amherst College.  He listed five members.  I commented that as many though they maybe they still may be overshadowed by the Drew Gregorys.  As it turns out, both the Burwells and the Drew Gregorys are outnumbered by the Cooks. Please see the list of Drew Gregorys, Cooks and Burwellls set forth below and contemplate just how much of the Dunbar legacy continues even though Dunbar of segregation days no longer exists. In a separate post, I expect to comment on the continuing legacy of Dunbar High School that does appear to undercut the arguments made by Thomas Sowell.  But for now, simply meditate on the rather remarkable familial connection of these three African American families to the College on the Hill.

    

   

  
  

  • James Francis Gregory 1898
    
  • Charles Drew '26

    • Fred Gregory '62
    • Kendall D. Price '92
    • Rachael L. Abernethy '16
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  • W. Mercer Cook 1925, H'65, P'51,'67, G'82,'12 (d)
  • Mercer Cook III, '51
  • Jacques H. Cook '67, P'12
  • Janice Cook Roberts '82
  • Ariana L. Hull '12
  • Avery Cook '26

  
  

  Lawrence Burwell '59

  • L. Scott Burwell (Scott) '90
  • Steven R. Burwell (Steve) '93, P'27
  • Leigh M. Beal '03
  • Ellis H. Burwell '27

  Peace,

  Everett "Skip" Jenkins (June 13, 2025)

  ----- Forwarded Message -----

  From: skipjen2865@aol.com <skipjen2865@aol.com>

  To: 

  Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2025 at 01:39:07 AM PDT

  Subject: Reflections on the May 31, 2025, Amherst College Black Alumni Memorial Service

  
  

  
  

  As time marches on, I have begun to reflect on the Amherst College Black Alumni Memorial Service that was held on May 31, 2025.  The first and foremost reflection is that somehow God had enabled me to live long enough to make it to my 50th Year Reunion and that somehow God had led me to performing a memorial service for the now 215 individuals on the Memorial List.  In so many ways, my heart is filled with gratitude to be able to serve in this capacity and, perhaps, to bring some solace to those who attended. 

  
  

  As always, I first give thanks to Katie DeBeer of the Alumni Office staff for facilitating access to the Gerald Penny Cultural Center for the services.  As I made clear during my welcome address, the Gerald Penny Cultural Center has a very special spiritual significance for me.  And being able to conduct the service there was a blessing.

  
  

  I also thank Katie for printing out the latest edition of the Memorial List, a list that according to William Parker, Class of 1977, now contains some 215 names. I also commend Amina Merritt, Class of 1980, for her stirring libation ceremony accompanied by Bob Bellinger, Class of 1977, on a drum.  And of course, Junius Williams, Class of 1965, for his Game of Thrones influenced Memorial Address. All of this was memorable.  But what stunned me the most was to have Janice Denton in attendance along with her daughter, her son, and her grandson. After the ceremony, the elegantly attired Mrs. Denton graced Bill Parker, Bob Bellinger and me by having us join her in a photograph that should be one for the ages.  A very special moment indeed.

  
  

  There is more to report, but I am getting sleepy now. We shall see what remains to be said tomorrow.

  
  

  Peace, 

  
  

  Everett "Skip" Jenkins

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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