An Interview With Marcus Kennedy – Dean Of Student Life At Stillman College

Black Facts.com

By Staff

Tell us about your role as the Dean of Student Life at Stillman College?

  • In my role as Dean of Student Life, I oversee student development programs that enhance the student experience and support the institutional goals. Additionally, I provide leadership, strategic vision, and management to the student residence program as well as lead strategic planning for housing. 

What was the reaction at Stillman when the Weber grills arrived?

  • We were extremely grateful and filled with excitement when we got the news that Weber had provided the grills. At Stillman, we have a lot of campus activities where we eat together. Having additional grills on campus to be able to ensure those opportunities remain available with quality grills was an extreme blessing.  We dedicated nine grills to the fraternities and sororities and they were excited.  They were surprised when they received them, not knowing that they were grills with amazing quality and dependability.   Just at the end of the Spring 2021 semester, we had decided to make upgrades to the Greek Stones.  Historically, each fraternity and sorority has to purchase, rent, or borrow a grill should they have an event on their organization’s plot. This helps us begin to reimagine our standard of excellence as we continue to make upgrades to our student engagement areas on campus.  

Tell us about the energy surrounding the Divine 9 cook-off?

  • The announcement was made in October during our monthly NPHC meeting. The date was centered around the college’s annual Founder’s Week, which we thought would be the best time to come together and fellowship. From that moment on the competition was set in motion.  Often our greeks can be seen frequently firing up the grill.  This competition would give them bragging rights on who has the best burger on the grill.  Of course, our Greeks love bragging rights.  In addition, we wanted the entire campus to be able to witness and engage in this event, so we moved dining services outside to greek lane.  In doing so, we asked our dining service provider, Metz Culinary, to host the lunch hour outside as well, and we named the event the Founders Week BBQ and Greek Cook Off.  

What was the vibe like having actor William Bryant, Jr.  there to judge the cook-off?

  • Adding William Bryant, Jr.  as a guest judge was the icing on the cake.  Having guests on our campus to share this experience with us was great.  When he was announced as a guest judge for the competition, the buzz of excitement came.  As soon as he arrived on campus, it was refreshing to see how he engaged with our campus community.  He interacted with students, faculty, and staff.  He was very down to earth and he definitely scored major points rocking Stillman Gear. 

Who won the cook-off and share the recipe?

The Ladies of the Delta Sigma Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Incorporated were named the winners of the Greek cook off.  The Greeks were judged on preparation, presentation, the inspiration of their burger, the seasonings, the name, and the taste.  

Their recipe is listed below

The patties:

1.5 lbs 80/20 ground beef

2 tbsp Minced Garlic

Garlic salt

Pepper

Tony Chacheron 

1 tbsp Soften Butter

Toasted Bun:

Sweet butter buns

Garlic butter

Toppings:

Bacon

Blue cheese crumbles

Caramelized

Mayo

A-1 Steak Sauce

Romaine Lettuce

Tomato 

Cook bacon until crispy. Pour off bacon fat, but do not clean the skillet. Use the remaining drippings to sauté onions. Combine all patty ingredients. Make meat mixture into patties. Press them until almost flat and put a thumbprint in the middle. Cook on the grill once it has properly preheated. Assembly burgers and enjoy!

Stillman Social Media

Linkedinhttps://www.linkedin.com/school/stillman-college/mycompany/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/OfficialStillmanCollege
https://www.facebook.com/StillmanStudentLife

Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/officialstillman/
https://www.instagram.com/stillmanstudentlife/

About Marcus

Marcus Kennedy is the Dean of Student Life and Housing at Stillman College.  He provides leadership, strategic vision and management for student residence programs and oversees student development programs that enhance student experiences and support institutional goals. 

As a campus collaborator and promoter he supports and manages student services such as: Student Engagement, Community Engagement, Student Health, Student Government Association, Clubs & Organizations, Fraternities and Sororities, Spirit Groups (Cheer & Dance), Housing, Residential LIfe, Campus Dining, and Student Conduct. He is committed to engaging the whole student, focusing on the advocacy for students and student development particularly the inclusion and success of first generation college students.

He holds membership and involvement in several national organizations such as, Association of College Personnel Administrators (ACPA), The National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), National Orientation Directors Association (NODA), and National Association of Student Affairs Professionals (NASAP). 

Marcus Kennedy

Kennedy’s commitment to service and community involvement is demonstrated through his affiliations as well.  He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity, Incorporated, The Alabama Possible youth board, a statewide non-profit organization that breaks down barriers to prosperity through advocacy, education, and collaboration. Additionally he serves in Young Tuscaloosa a networking organization that engages and serves the Tuscaloosa community, and develops leadership and professional skills in its members.

Kennedy is a certified cheer judge trained tumbling/stunt coach, instructor, and judge.  He enjoys traveling, competitive cheer, reading, and has a strong interest in history, health, and wellness.

Kennedy is from Little Rock, Arkansas. He holds a bachelor’s of science in Business Management and a masters of science in Sport Administration from Grambling State University in Grambling, Louisiana.

Social Media

Linkedin-

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-kennedy-222353102?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BnI0HbwIsQpikcckHX02HgQ%3D%3D

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/mkennedyark/

Black Facts.com