May 17, 2010

To quote one of the nominators, our second recipient "personifies the best aspirations of our college and town. She is patient, wise and caring, and her quiet strength and sense of purpose has won her the respect and admiration of all sorts and conditions of people." Members of African American communities often bestow the title of "Mother" on dynamic, nurturing and stabilizing members of their church or community.

In recognition of her tireless efforts on the Westside of the town of Davidson, she is affectionately known as Mama Bunt. Her understanding of what it means to be a devout Christian has lead her to give constantly and selflessly to a wide range of responsibilities associated with the mission of the Davidson United Presbyterian Church and to work generatively and productively with a variety of other churches in the area.

0So, too, she has given much of herself in support of the Ada Jenkins Center, the Child Development Center, The Pines, and the Aging in Place Task Force. Over many decades she has been an effective but gracious leader in the struggle for civil rights in Davidson and stands up for what she feels is best for everyone in this town. That there is affordable housing within the economic and ethnically diverse community of Davidson is due to large extent to her tireless efforts with the Davidson Affordable Housing Coalition. A lifelong learner, Mama Bunt is a great role model for young people in her neighborhood. Not only does she encourage them to take education seriously, she actively supports them.

She has served as a mentor for numerous children, buying school supplies and clothes, attending school programs, driving them to school when they miss the bus, or being their advocate when others have given up. She approaches and receives all people with a similar sense of dignity. As one nominator has said, "Mama Bunt does not discriminate in helping others. Whether they are members of the town council, the clergy, or someone recently released from prison, she gives them the respect of listening closely to their concerns. If Mama Bunt is unable to offer sound advice, then she offers prayer and encouraging words."

With this award, Davidson College offers its recognition for one who, as one nominator has said, "believes that we must all come together to create reunion, reconciliation and hope in our congregations, our community, and the world." Today we celebrate a community treasure -- Bernice Houston.