Miss Winston-Salem State Forced to Step Down

Photo credit: Winston-Salem State University Stephanie Robinson is the new Miss Winston-Salem State University

Miss Winston-Salem State University has been stripped of her title because her grade-point average dropped below 2.5.

Tiffany Richmond, 22, a senior mass communications major, is not alone: Thirteen students who held key titles or positions on campus were told to vacate their posts.

"After the official posting of semester grades, the Office of Student Activities verified all the grade-point averages of the Student Government Association (SGA) and the organization presidents," said Melody Pierce, vice chancellor of student affairs.

"According to the SGA constitution, all members of the executive committee must maintain a 2.5 grade-point average. All students who did not meet the qualifications, we asked to step down and select a replacement immediately.

"There were many students that did not meet the qualifications," Pierce added, "but Miss WSSU is such a public position that it seemed to many students that she may have been singled out. She was not."

Stephanie Robinson, a 21-year-old psychology major, replaced Richmond as Miss Winston-Salem State.

It was the first time in the school's history that a Miss Winston-Salem State University had been stripped of her title. The school was founded in 1892.

Robinson said she wants students to accept her not as a replacement, but as a role model who felt humbled to step into the position.

"I hope students do not put emphasis on this specific situation," Robinson said. "I would prefer that students understand that this situation merely illustrates that academic performance is the first priority of student leaders at WSSU.

"Leading by example is not the best way, it is the only way," she added.

Richmond, who won election to the position last spring, said she was informed that she had to relinquish the title on Jan. 8.

"I am still in school, I will still graduate on May 6, and I am looking forward to the rest of the school year like everyone else," Richmond said.

"I understand now that you don't necessarily need a title to be a student leader . . . I am grateful because no matter what, when I graduate from State, I will know how to handle different obstacles I will face."

Pierce said three of the 13 students who failed to keep their positions were from SGA -- Miss WSSU, the vice president for external affairs and the treasurer. "Ten were from other organizations, including key organizations such as yearbook and the Campus Activities Board," Pierce added.

Robinson said, "I hope to fulfill all expectations to the fullest and even exceed them. I want my peers to understand that I am honored to continue to represent WSSU in a more public capacity."

Lisa R. Boone, a student at Winston-Salem State University, writes for the News Argus.

Posted March 6, 2006