New Black Student Union president strives to create a family environment for Black Terps

Members of the Black Student Union Executive Board Therman Hawkings III, Areana Holder and Kyon Winston-Bey tabling at the University of Maryland First Look Fair. (Nina Wilson/The Black Explosion)

The new Black Student Union president is focused on making a difference here at the University of Maryland and creating a family for Black Terps.
Therman Hawkins III, a junior marketing major from Bowie, Maryland, is the new president of the Black Student Union Executive Board. 

As soon as Hawkins stepped foot on campus, he knew he wanted to make a difference.

Hawkins’ leadership in BSU started with him running for president of the Freshman Council. Although he didn’t become president, he was elected as marketing and communications Chair. 

He speaks of his time on the council fondly, describing how eager everyone was to make a difference. 

“We all had that passion and that drive to want to make a difference,” Hawkins said. 

While he was on the council, he started thinking of what more he could do for his community and what impact he could make on the future of Black students.

“I think that family aspect was missing,” Hawkins said in previous years. 

In the spring of his sophomore year, Hawkins ran for president and was selected by a board of Black student leaders, according to Julion Harris, BSU Speaker of the House.

During his first week as president, he met with the new executive board to perform a full 180 for BSU. The hashtag “BSUisback” was created as Hawkins explained his ultimate goal for BSU to be known as the most engaging, fun group with the most community-oriented events, which his board is working towards. 

Hawkins describes the difference between past executive boards with the current one as a difference in mindset. He states how the previous executive board had a constant mindset of greatness, while the current board constantly thinks of the future and what they can do next for the community. 
“They’re freaking amazing people… inside and out, they’re hardworking, they’re dedicated, they assist me when needed,” he said about the current executive board. 

When asked about the future of BSU after he graduates, Hawkins replied, “I want to leave a legacy. I want people to look back and say, ‘wow, when Therman was president, that was one of the best couple of years the Black Student Union has ever seen.’” 

Hawkins is excited about the planned BSU events including Welcome Week, Black Love Week, the Homecoming Pageant and most passionately, the Big-Little mentorship program. 

The program's purpose, as described by Hawkins, is to help those new to campus by pairing them with someone who can serve as a mentor, guide and friend. He states that the program can create potential life-long bonds. 

“The Big-Little mentorship program was a big thing that I wanted to implement and bring back because it’s so important and so needed just to, again, establish that community.” The Bowie native excitedly said. 

Hawkins says there are currently over 100 participants in The Big-Little mentorship program.

The first meeting for the Big-Little mentorship program was on Sept. 3. Everyone received an envelope with their pairings. Hawkins excitedly gave a big announcement to open the envelopes and everyone met with their pair. The meeting ended with a group picture where everyone smiled and cheered, “family bonding!” 

There is some excitement from members of the Black community at this university about BSU and the Big-Little mentorship program. 

Brandon Quainoo, a sophomore computer science major, was involved with BSU last year. This year Quainoo says that the energy within BSU has changed in a positive way. 

He says the executive board, “works more cohesively, (there is) more publicity, more planned events.” 

Quainoo is also a part of the Big Little program. He says, “it’s great for freshmen and sophomores to interact in a natural way and build community.” 

Desmond Jordan, a senior government and politics major, was only slightly involved with BSU in past years but is now a more active member this year. Jordan says that the social media presence is bigger, more constant and that BSU has more consistent events. 

“This year has been a really good experience with BSU,” he said when asked about comparing to previous years.

Jordan also made sure to outline Hawkins’ character, saying the president was “a good dude, hardworking. He’s always gonna have your back.” The two know each other from the National Pan-Hellenic Council. 

Dane Wallace, a senior economics major, also knows Hawkins from NPHC. 

“Therman already knows everybody, so a lot more people come out. He’s made it really fun so far and I’m happy for the future of BSU,” Wallace said about the president. 

Wallace also described the Hawkins’ Big-Little program as a smart idea. 

“At a [predominantly white institution], there are a lot of new experiences,” he said. Wallace was a transfer student and can relate to Black students new to the campus. 

Ashley Taupyen, a junior information science major and cyber security minor, is not actively involved in BSU but goes to some events. Taupyen described that in previous years,  “everybody knew BSU but nobody felt inclined to go.” 

She then spoke about her experience with Hawkins, who motivated her to start her own lash extension business.

“He is a really good role model, leader and mentor,” She said. 

Both Hawkins and the executive board are excited and hopeful about the future of BSU and building a community that feels like a family.

“‘To be a Black Terp is a blessing,’” Hawkins quotes Speaker of the House, Julion Harris. “It really is and I’m going to make each and every person feel that way.”