Project MOST celebrates academic achievement at annual “MOST in Black” awards

By Victoria Brown
 
Project MOST members and honorees at the 2024 Project MOST awards ceremony Feb. 21, 2024. 
Project MOST members and honorees at the 2024 Project MOST awards ceremony Feb. 21, 2024. 

Project MOST held its 12th annual “MOST in Black” awards ceremony on Feb. 21, 2024 at the Macon Cove Campus, recognizing 71 students for their academic achievements and service to the Memphis community.

Project MOST, funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, is a Southwest organization that helps first-year students adjust to the college environment and reach their academic goals. 

Keynote speaker Benjamin Musheer Bilal addresses the audience at the Project MOST awards ceremony. 
Keynote speaker Benjamin Musheer Bilal addresses
the audience at the Project MOST awards ceremony. 

The keynote speaker for the awards ceremony was Benjamin Musheer Bilal, chief executive officer of NuNetics Institute, Inc. Bilal has several years of experience working as a linguist, instructor, author and motivational speaker. 

The theme of Bilal’s speech was “Focusing on the True Human for a Better Tomorrow.” In his speech, Bilal encouraged students to strive for excellence and think critically when making choices for their futures.

Dr. Carol Ash, vice president of academic affairs, also spoke to students at the event, congratulating them on their success.

"To the students, know that this is just the beginning,” Ash said. “Your family here at Southwest is here to support you in every way that we can. We’re here to help you when times get hard and we’re here to celebrate you for every goal that you achieve.”

Each student recipient received an honors certificate for their academic achievement during the ceremony. 

The award recipients are as follows:

Academic Achievement 2.5 G.P.A. and above

Landon Claxton   Kaelin Johnson Jordan Swift   Derrick Jones
LeGerald Collier Timothy Rivers Kadien Coe  Terry Mack
Abdikadir Dure   Cameron Rhodes Jean Lafleur  Stanley Payne
Jordan Gardner Johnathan Jones Taurus McDaniel  Daveonne Warfield
Jerry Taylor Jayden Monger  William Farris Tarik Wilkins
Korey A. Webb Ryan Chenault  James Ambrose  Ikenna Ugwuanyi
Aly, Chouaibou Moore, Trevion  Dorian Turner Darius Garrett
Cameron Brown  Temitope Olowookere Antonia Crawford Jr. Alex Vandenburgh
Mateo Santiago  Jaylon Leake Roddric Hill Kylan A. Williams
Jasim Muhammad  Emerson Marin Mitchell Jones Wundeh Edokat Eno
Samuel Harris  Ryan Tashie  Jonathan McKinzie  Cameron Donegan
Dax Alfane  Tyrek Gatewood Brandon Smith   Cedric Redmon
Deven Walls   Tracy Hardin  Sadian  Sylla  Devon Oakley
Jaycob Jackson   Roroekus Bean  Gabriel Kincy  Michael Slaughter
Kylan Jackson Connor Heath Derrick D Jones Jr.  Jamar Futrell
Jhylil Jones  Thomas Mango  Antonio Hill  Yusef Salem
Daniel Webster Patrick Wolf  Marino Bailey  

Black Diamond 4.0 G.P. A:
Shandon Roberts
Keaton Jones
 Laramie Bougard Jr.
 Oumar Toure

The MOST 2024 Grit Award winners:
Kylan A. Williams 
Korey Webb
Tramond Vaughn
Tarik Wilkins

The MOST 2024 All-MOST Award Recipient:
Robrecus “Rico” Parker

MOST 2024 Faculty Teamwork:
Mahmuda "Annie" Sultana

MOST 2024 Staff Teamwork:
Kimberly Weddington

Special Recognition for Center of Access Student (Scheduled to Graduate on May 8, 2024):
Terry Isaiah Mack

For more information about Project MOST, click here or email MOST@southwest.tn.edu.