As Darlington prepares to graduate its 100th class, the School is pleased to announce that Hazelle Goodman will speak at the baccalaureate service on May 8, and Jere Drummond (’57) will be keynote speaker at commencement on May 14.
Hazelle Goodman, the 2003 New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship recipient, is often called a one-woman powerhouse. Reviewers praise her unique ability to transform into many different characters, which has propelled her to the forefront as a multi-dimensional actress.
Featured in Vogue, People and Vibe magazines, Goodman’s self-titled HBO Special received unprecedented ratings and was nominated for two Cable Ace Awards – Best Comedy Special and Best Performer. Among her many credits, Goodman starred opposite Woody Allen in the role of “Cookie” in Allen’s Deconstructing Harry; as “Georgia Rae Mahoney” on NBC’s Homicide; and as attorney “Lynette Neal” on ABC’s All My Children. Additionally, her Shakespearean debut as the “Queen” in the Public Theater’s production of Cymbeline won her rave reviews.
The Trinidad-born performer has also joined Oprah Winfrey, Jane Fonda, Glenn Close and others at Madison Square Garden in a performance of the Vagina Monologues. She was last seen on the big screen as “Evelda Drumgo” in the film Hannibal with Anthony Hopkins. Last summer, she presented her one-woman show On Edge at the HERE Arts Theater in New York City.
In addition to her busy performance schedule, Goodman has created an Art & Spirit volunteer program for the inmates of Bedford Hills Correctional Facility. She has also established a life-long scholarship fund at The City College of New York, which she attended, in honor of the slain African immigrant Amadou Diallo – The Amadou Diallo Criminal Justice Award.
Goodman’s son, Brandon, will graduate with the Class of 2005.
Jere Drummond retired as vice chairman of BellSouth Corporation in Atlanta, Ga., on Dec. 31, 2001. He was responsible for public relations, advertising, brand management and regulatory and external affairs, including the Washington, D.C. office. He also led BellSouth’s continued efforts to enter the long-distance market.
A native of Rome, Ga., he graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology and holds a master’s degree from Georgia State University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he was a Sloan Fellow.
Drummond began his communications career in 1962, and served in numerous capacities with BellSouth. He was named president and chief executive officer of BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc., BellSouth’s local telephone service unit and largest subsidiary, in January, 1995. He was promoted to president and chief executive officer of the BellSouth Communications Group on Jan. 1, 1998. On Jan. 1, 2000, he was promoted to vice chairman of BellSouth Corporation.
Drummond’s civic commitments include membership on the boards of AirTran Airways, Borg-Warner Automotive, Centeillium Communications, Inc., Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and nuBridges, LLC. He also serves on the boards of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the Robert W. Woodruff Arts Center. Drummond is a trustee of the Georgia Tech Foundation, Georgia State University Foundation, Atlanta Landmarks and Darlington School.
He and his wife, the former Patsy Couch of Rome, have three children and eight grandchildren.
The baccalaureate service will begin at 7 p.m. Sunday, May 8 in Morris Chapel. Commencement will be Saturday, May 14 at 9:30 a.m. at the Upper School campus. For more information, please call 706-235-6051.
