Student awarded baccalaureate degree posthumously

The passing of an individual that is part of someone’s family serves as a very traumatic event, especially when that event is unexpected.
Desiree’ Jamel Turner, 22, a member of the Southern University family passed this semester after succumbing to Acute Myeloid Leukemia and probable Meningitis on Oct. 24. Turner was a marketing major in the College of Business.
“Everyone at the service seemed to be happy as if it were more of a homecoming celebration in lieu of just a normal funeral,” said Courtland Broussard, a senior therapeutic recreation major from Arnaudville, LA and a family friend.
The services for Turner were held in Tampa, FL at Mount Tabor Missionary Baptist Church.
Dr. Beverly Wade, the SU Honors College dean, was quite shocked at the passing of her niece.
“This death weighs heavily on my heart because she was so young and vibrant and had decided that she would stay here and continue with her post baccalaureate studies among her friends and make a life among her friends,” said Wade.
Turner was a star pupil in the department of mass communications and the proof is evident in the commentary of those in the department.
Dr. George Kirk, professor of marketing who was an instructor of Turner said, “She was so alive and bigger than life…she seemed to have an energy that surrounded her that made you happy when she was around.”
Dr. George M. Neely, chairman of the department of management, marketing and e-business, recalls that although many of the students took to the downside of his arrival and pushed toward excellence that Turner still continued to strive toward her degree.
“She and I were friends; we used to joke about us using canes, she used to take my cane and I took hers and we would ask one another who’s cane are we using today.”
Turner was fondly remembered in these exchanges with Neely because of her presence within the department.
Terrye Braden, administrative assistant for the marketing department, said, “She was a very happy student, always stopping by to speak to the department; and it seemed as though she was there everyday with a very cheerful spirit.”
The general consensus from many of the students was that Turner served as a very vibrant person amongst friends and many times as a motivation in a time of need.
“She was such a determined person, a motivator and an encourager, and it seemed that although I was older than she was she would always give me that extra added push that I needed when I wanted to give up,” said Nyoka Bethley, a senior finance major from Baton Rouge who was a friend of Turner since 2003.
Southern University and the Southern University Board of Supervisors have approved the posthumous (occurring after death) awarding of her Baccalaureate degree in marketing.
According to Donald Andrews, dean of the College of Business, this degree will serve as a token of Turner’s hard work at her tenure at Southern and also as a possible comfort to her family.
Wade praised the College of Business for their hard work in ensuring that Turner was awarded the degree and thanked the friends for their support.
“The family cannot say enough in gratitude to the students that came and supported the family in their time of loss, and we [the family] also cannot say how appreciative we are to Dean Andrews, the faculty and staff for acknowledging her passing in the manner in which they did,” said Wade.
The degree will be awarded on Friday, Dec. 7, at 10:30 a.m. to the parents of Turner, Mr. & Mrs. James (Charlene) Turner, according to officials working with the university.
“I have the deepest sympathy for her family. I have spoken with her mother today and informed her that the degree will be awarded at commencement,” said Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Johnny Tolliver. “I am pleased that we can do this for her family.”