By Shannon West
Staff Writer
Chernice Miller, a senior journalism and mass communications and theater major, has been named the 2016 recipient of the Dr. Mary A. Hamilton Woman of Promise award.
The award is named after Mary A. Hamilton, Ph.D., who was a professor of journalism and mass communications at St. Bonaventure University. The award honors a female, senior journalism student who excels in and out of the classroom and sets a good example for her peers, according to a St. Bonaventure news release.
Miller, a student in the HEOP program, has directed, stage managed and has written a film, among many other successes. She has made success through “her charismatic perseverance” and the belief that “smiles, laughter, and a helping hand can change the world,” according to a brochure from the ceremony.
At the ceremony, Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., stated that Miller’s resume of work describes her as the “renaissance woman” of her particular generation.
“I believe that we are in a long procession of wonderful women of wisdom and wit, passing onto next generations the power of being a ‘Bona Donna,’” said Sr. Margaret.
Pauline Hoffmann, Ph.D., dean of the Jandoli School, introduced guest speaker Deb Henretta, a senior advisor to SSA & Company, who had previously been the global president of e-business at Proctor & Gamble. Henretta offered insight for Miller and others in the audience, such as focusing on doing jobs well, being wary of the push to be perfect, finding balance, and taking the time to enjoy life.
Henretta stated that a woman’s greatest strength in life is her passion because it is her greatest success and gives the ability to see the potential in difficult situations and that Miller “has clearly used [her] passion to make positive contributions.”
“We are at a point in our history where progress for women has never been greater,” said Henretta, a 1983 alumna of Bonaventure. “In every facet of work and industry, women are making great strides… this is a time where there is possibilities for women to succeed, but even with that progress there is still a long way to go.”
After Hoffmann and Hamilton presented the award, Miller expressed her story on how she wanted to inspire people, whether she would be a director, writer, screenwriter or CEO because she “promised herself to do the things that made her happy. She accepted the award, thanking her friends and professors, and said she felt sincere appreciation for those who have challenged her to a “greatness that is worthy of the world”.
“Who would we perform for if there was no audience?” asked Miller. “Who would be appreciative if there was no one in the audience? Who would be inspired if there was no one on the other side of this podium? Don’t forget the catalyst for greatness because we all impact one another.”
Miller encouraged the audience to make change in the world.
“There are reverberations of that inspiration that manifest in people like me and all of my friends,” Miller said. “The way I inspire people is through smiles and through laughter and through pushing people the way they pushed me. Memories and things like that are all so temporary in their actions but the influence doesn’t die within the moment. You see the ripples, and we are the ripples, so let us continue inspiring one another, and
I will carry this promise legacy to my last dying breath.”
westsm14@bonaventure.edu
