An organization with a long history of celebrating the very best in accomplishments by Black women at The Ohio State University recently honored three members of the Fisher community for their work in the classroom, in the community and in service to students.

Students Jasmine Mathis, Jalyn Hall and staff member Lorraine Pennyman each earned honors as part of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated’s Black Girl Magic Award virtual celebration. Mathis, an international business student, received the Academic Distinction award. Hall, a finance student, received the Girl on Fire service award, and Pennyman, director of Fisher’s Undergraduate Leadership and Engagement Office, was named the recipient of the Living Legend award.

Mathis was honored for her commitment to academics. As the recipient of the Academic Distinction award, she has maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better since enrolling and has earned a semester GPA of 3.5 or better during the most recent term. In addition to her academic achievements, Mathis is involved in the Council of Black Students in Administration, Fisher FIRST, the Honors Cohort Program and she is a Fisher College of Business Ambassador.

“The Black Girl Magic Awards were such a monumental event of greatness, Black girl excellence and power,” Mathis said. “It’s so important to see other Black women excelling in and out of the classroom. I, too, was inspired by all the beautiful and empowering Black women who surrounded me at the event.”

Just a second-year student, Hall has been highly involved in a number of organizations dedicated to service. The Girl on Fire award recognizes a female student who is passionate about making a difference on campus and/or in her community, has made it her mission to do so, and who exhibits selflessness, passion and generosity.

Hall has volunteered for the Buckeye Food Alliance, working to decrease disparities among students who experience food insecurity. She also volunteered with UnC.A.G.ED, an organization dedicated to building a strong educational foundation for low-income minority families. Within that organization, Hall took the initiative to implement a learning session about simple strategies families can use to begin saving for college. At Fisher, she is a member of the Undergraduate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, which is dedicated to building an inclusive community within the college.

Pennyman received the Living Legend award for her outstanding contributions and service to the community, all while enriching the lives of students and colleagues. The award highlights ways in which the recipient has enhanced the lives of undergraduate black women on campus and serves as a leading example of excellence.

In recognizing Pennyman with the award, a nominator noted that she “will always be there to offer a smile and hands-on assistance in anything I need. Her optimism and encouraging personality inspire me to be a light in someone else’s life every chance I get.”

The Theta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated was chartered at Ohio State in 1921 by five women — Grace Boyd, Bertha Harrington, Mildred Henson, Thelma Moorman and Eva Jane Smith. The sorority is currently celebrating 100 years of serving as pioneers and innovative history-makers at Ohio State.