Forever Dean
Mary R. Scarlette
Biography
A Legacy of Loving, Learning, Leading
Endowed Professorship Established for Forever Dean Mary R. Scarlette
Loving. Learning. Leading. Three words used to describe the legacy of “Forever Dean” Mary Ann R. Scarlette throughout her time at Bennett College. Considered a campus legend, Dean Scarlette spent much of her life preparing young women for success in the field of Education. She once said, “I am the faculty person that would go to the residence hall, if you missed my class, and get you out of bed, then wait for you to get your clothes on and walk you back to class.”
Since her birth, Dean Scarlette’s life has been connected to Bennett College. Her mother and father worked at the college; she was raised on the campus, graduated from the college in 1954; she later returned to fulfill a career and a commitment to education; she married James J. Scarlette, who also worked at the college for over 40 years and she raised their daughters on the campus.
February 4, 2022, Dean Scarlette celebrated her 90th birthday with family, friends, students, colleagues, and Bennett College alumnae in the Bennett College Global Learning Center. During this monumental event, planned and hosted by her daughters Barbara Scarlette, Frances Scarlette, and Mamie Patterson, and the Institutional Advancement Staff, President Suzanne Walsh made a historic announcement, “It gives me tremendous pleasure to announce today the creation of the Endowed Professorship in Education named for James J. and Mary R. Scarlette.”
Bennett College is where Black women become global leaders, including in education. This endowed professorship supports the faculty that prepare future educators who will carry forth the Scarlette Spirit of Excellence. In her remarks, Dean Scarlette said, “God has given me an opportunity to be a wife, a mother, a person who would listen and not judge, but listen and try to figure out how I can help.” She added, “I ask that whatever I have contributed to your life that you would share with others and continue to move forward.”
The first pledge of $10,000 was made by Rev. Dr. Sam Moore and his wife, Mrs. Marya Moore. Rev. Moore is formerly of Bennett College’s home church, St. Matthews United Methodist Church. The Greensboro Bennett Belles followed with a donation of $1,900. If you would like to support the James J. and Mary R. Scarlette Endowed Professorship, please scan the QR code below or call Institutional Advancement at (336) 517-2248.