Bowie State, County Executive-Elect, Offer Recognition at Awards Banquet

Sometimes it's important to recognize people doing good amidst all the negative news we're constantly being given on the multitude of platforms and devices it's now available on. Bowie State University hosted an event to recognize individuals making a difference for African Americans, including a soon-to-be retiree with almost 40 years of service to the university.

The program was emceed by ABC 7 News anchor Maureen Bunyan, who holds an honorary degree from the university. She introduced the night's keynote speaker, Rushern Baker III, who will be sworn in as the County Executive for Prince George's County on Monday.

He began jokingly saying, "I couldn't get in to Bowie State, so I had to settle for Howard," where Baker completed both his undergraduate and law degrees.

Baker continued with how grateful he is to be in his current position after seeking it for eight years, and said, "I look at Prince George's County and the potential that we have, and I'm looking forward to being the next county executive.

"This is the moment, this is the time that I want to be county executive," he said.

He said while he has a lot of issues to deal with coming in as executive that he is confident and that this is his time saying, "I would not trade time or circumstances. It will only make us stronger."

He spoke briefly about his plans for the new administration, and his hopes for the county, as well as on the current situation saying, "I don't think that anybody would disagree, all eyes are on us."

Before Bunyan introduced the next guest, she made a comparison between the media in America and the media overseas saying, "In other countries the media tells you what does work, because most things don't," and that here the opposite is true, because most things work.

The awards are given to individuals for their "contributions to the social progress of African American and their contributions to society as a whole."

The recipient of the Founders' Promise Award was Timothy J. Adams. It is given to an individual or organization that has "demonstrated outstanding service to the community without being limited by resources or mindset. "

The Torch of Truth Award was presented to Senator Douglas J.J. Peters, who represents District 23 in the Maryland Senate. His award acknowledges "an individual who has been a change agent in the progress of African Americans or society as a whole, and is engaged in the innovation, leadership, and policy development that is important to the African American community or society."

This year's Flame of Faith recipient is Judge William D. Missouri, and the award is given to a Bowie State alumni who "extends the legacy of the University through personal actions, and are actively involved in events or institutions that have had or continue to impact the African American community or society."

The President's Medallion was awarded to Ms. Dorothy Holland, the assistant vice president for student affairs at Bowie State University. This award is given to an individual that has demonstrated "extraordinary service to the University, region, nation, or global community as a whole." Holland served various positions with the University for over 39 years. 

Holland said it was happenstance that she ended up at Bowie State, and after almost 40 years at the school, has not missed a single commencement ceremony. She will participate in her last on later this month, along with many other final occasions, but says she's looking forward to her retirement.

She said that while the students would sometimes challenge her, "I love our students, we have some of the brightest students in the nation."

For more photos from the event, check out