Commencement Speaker

Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole Director, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution

Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole has had a distinguished career as an educator and humanitarian addressing racial, gender, and all other forms of inequality and is recognized for her leadership and service. She has served as director of the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art since 2009 and was previously president of Spelman College and Bennett College for Women.

She made history when she became the first African American woman to serve as president of Spelman College in 1987. At her inauguration, Drs. Bill and Camille Cosby donated $20 million to the college; and during her presidency, Spelman was named the number one liberal arts college of the South. During her presidency at Bennett College for Women, an art gallery was opened, and programs were initiated in women’s studies and global studies.

As a scholar, Dr. Cole has conducted research in Africa, the Caribbean and the United States, authoring and editing several books and scores of academic articles. She is a fellow of the American Anthropological Association and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She is also Professor Emerita of Emory University, where she retired as Presidential Distinguished Professor of Anthropology, Women’s Studies and African American Studies.

She holds 61 honorary degrees and numerous awards, including the Alexis de Tocqueville Award for Community Service from United Way of America, the Joseph Prize for Human Rights from the Anti-Defamation League, the Uncommon Height Award from the National Council of Negro Women, the John W. Gardner Leadership Award from Independent Sector, and the Lenore and George W. Romney Citizen Volunteer Award from Points of Light Foundation.

In 2010, Ebony listed her among the 100 most influential African Americans, and in 2011 Washingtonian listed her among Washington, D.C.’s most powerful women. In 2012, in Uturu, Nigeria, an Igbo Chieftaincy title of ADAOHA (Daughter of All) was conferred on her by His Royal Highness as Eze Cyril Ibe, EzeOgbonnaya Uwadiegwu and Eze Chimezie.

Her leadership roles include chair of the board of the National Visionary Leadership Project and member of the Advisory Committee of America’s Promise and Points of Light Foundation. She is on the Scholarly Advisory Board for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, which is set to open on the National Mall in 2016.

She is also on the Board of Trustees of the American Association of Art Museum Directors and Gregory University in Uturu, Nigeria and a member of the Toni Morrison Society, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., The Links, Inc., and the National Council of Negro Women.

Dr. Cole holds a bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College, as well as a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in anthropology, with a focus on African studies, from Northwestern University.

She is married to James D. Staton, Jr. and has three sons, one stepson, and three grandchildren.