The Scientific Village at Benedict College©
Each member of the Scientific Village has a role and responsibility for the success of the School. We’ve taken a few respectful liberties in modification of the traditional structure and social organization of the Akan kingdom which is based on matrilineal descent. The roles and responsibilities of the members of the Scientific Village at Benedict College © are as follows:
Queen Mother (Ohemaa)
The Queen Mother is the co-ruler and has joint responsibility with the Chief for all affairs of the village (state). She is believed to have knowledge and wisdom in important areas such as tradition, history, legal and political matters. When the Queen Mother and the Chief sit in state together, the Chief is seated to the right of the Queen Mother. Traditionally the Queen Mother is the sole responsible person for nominating the Chief when the Chief’s office, the royal stool, becomes vacant.
Chief (Ohene)
Once the Queen Mother presents her nomination to the Elders and Advisors, he is confirmed, and the Chief is then ‘outdoored’ to the entire village. Traditionally the Chief governs over the religious, social, administrative, judicial and political matters of the village. He is required to uphold high standards.
Linguist (Okyeamen)
The Linguist is the Queen Mother and Chief's counselor, confidant, orator and diplomat. At public functions, the linguist may carry a staff (or mace) of authority. He, as a diplomat, is authorized to convey on behalf of the Queen Mother or Chief. Traditionally, the Linguist is the communicator at all public functions since the Chief generally does not speak directly to the public.
Nyansapo – . Symbol of wisdom, ingenuity, intelligence and patience. An especially revered symbol of the Akan, this symbol conveys the idea that "a wise person has the capacity to choose the best means to attain a goal. Being wise implies broad knowledge, learning and experience, and the ability to apply such faculties to practical ends."
Elders (Empanyinfuo) and Advisors
Back Row - left to right: Dr. Fouzi Arammash, Dr. Ming Yin, Dr. George McCoy, Dr. Samir Raychoudhury, Dr. Negash Begashaw
Front Row - left to right: Dr. Rush Oliver, Ms. Vivian Counts, Ms. Feresteh Zahed, Mr. Milton Morris, Dr. Taan ElAli
The Elders and Advisors are traditionally selected from both the royal family and the general village family. Citizens who have shown expertise over the years in a particular profession and/or skill are invited to sit in council and serve as advisors to the Queen Mother and the Chief in running the village. The Elders are our tenured faculty and our Advisors are other select senior members of the faculty. Together they comprise the council that ensures that the plight and welfare of the citizenry is always known to the Queen Mother and the Chief. The Elders and Advisors may be called upon by any member or unit of the village to address important matters – especially those matters that have the potential of significant impact on the success of the village.
Families (Ebusua)
Each unit is led by a leader (Ebusuapanyin) who is particularly involved with the peoples’ welfare. S/He is selected by the people or volunteers, to lead a cohesive unit that integrates faculty mentoring and advising, peer-to-peer mentoring and tutoring, and team building in a manner that promotes student success in the sciences and provides a support system for each student. S/He is also the link between the unit and the council of Elders and Advisors. There are cordial inter family relationship which manifest as interdisciplinary exploration of areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics and the sharing of resources. Unit members may include combinations of the following:
- faculty and/or staff unit leader
- undergraduate students
- undergraduate student peer mentors (generally juniors or seniors)
- graduate students affiliated with advance degree granting institutions
- Unit partners which may be combinations of
- Advanced degree granting institutions
- Corporations, firms, or other industry
- Professional, non-profit or civic organizations
- Government agencies, national laboratories or divisions
Royal Family or Family of Royal Intelligence (Nyansa Adesheae Ebusua)
Each academic year, the village will recognize its royal family which is deemed the Royal Family of Intelligence. This honor will be bestowed upon the unit that has represented the purpose, goals, and values of the Scientific Village in an exemplary manner throughout the academic year. The Royal Stone will be passed each year to the succeeding Royal Family of Intelligence, forever …
The Royal Stone
Adinkra Symbols, NCSU Africana Studies : Copyright 2004
