First Student Cohort Sets Up Residence in Brooks MVP House

Pictured in front of the Art Brooks MVP House are, from the left, Mamadou Barry, Anesu Zviiteyi, Art Brooks, and Olive Iragena.

WILMINGTON, Ohio (September 19, 2025)—Wilmington College recognized a trio of students for their dedication to service and civic engagement by selecting them as the inaugural cohort to reside in the Art Brooks MVP House. MVP stands for mission, values, and purpose, characteristics that reflect the dedication to student success espoused by the facility’s namesake, Art Brooks, the College’s founding director of multicultural affairs.

Senior Mamadou Barry, junior Olive Iragena, and sophomore Anesu Zviiteyi successfully went through an application process for living in the Brooks MVP House this year. It included high academic standing and a demonstrated understanding and appreciation of the College’s mission, values, and purpose. The trio is responsible for leading individual and group projects undertaken to benefit the College and community. Also, they can use the house for gatherings of students who share similar commitments to service.

Brooks retired in 2012 after 19 years at the College. He worked with campus organizations promoting diversity that included Concerned Black Students, Multicultural Student Union and Black Student Initiative (BSI), the latter of which used to meet at what became the MVP House at 275 Linton Drive on the periphery of campus.

He congratulated the students on their selection. “I’m confident that Olive, Anesu, and Mamadou are committed to the College’s mission, values, and purpose as student leaders, and they will uphold the principles of diversity, service, and civic engagement in their work,” said Brooks, noting he already was familiar with the two women, who have often attended his church.

He also expressed his appreciation for being the MVP House namesake. “I feel honored, blessed, and humbled that the College would give me this recognition,” he said in giving special thanks to President Corey Cockerill, Sigrid Solomon, vice president for student affairs/dean of students, and Chip Murdock, assistant vice president for student affairs. “During my tenure at WC, I tried to reflect the College’s mission, values, and purpose through my work with students, faculty, staff, and the greater Wilmington community.”

Solomon said Brooks remains a valued member of the campus and Wilmington communities. “Art Brooks was the founding staff member entrusted with the responsibility of leading the College’s efforts in multicultural affairs, inclusion, and belonging, all while using the College’s mission and values as a guiding compass.”

The trio of students came into the new school year with an impressive resume of service.

Barry is a pre-med senior majoring in biology with a minor in chemistry. He’s been involved with service projects as a student mentor and through his association with BSI, Scholars of Promise, and Tau Kappa Beta fraternity. “I wanted to be part of a space where students can support each other while also working to make a difference on campus and beyond,” he said.

Zviiteyi is a sophomore majoring in chemistry and mathematics with a concentration in data science. Her service resume includes work at Hope House and Sugartree Ministries, as well as serving at soup kitchens and food pantries on WC service trips to Detroit and Chicago. “Living in the MVP House is an opportunity for me to cook with my friends and also a place to spend time with people who are somehow similar to me,” she said. Indeed, all three students are from African nations.

Iragena is a junior majoring in biology with minors in chemistry and data science. She, too, is a veteran of out-of-state service trips, while she has also been active with Quaker Leaders Scholars’ work at Hope House and Faith in Action’s service to Sugartree Ministries and the Clinton County Homeless Shelter. A special focus has been her work with the TWEENS Tongogara organization to empower youth in Zimbabwe.

“I was drawn to living in the MVP House because of its unique blend of community, sustainability, and intentional living,” she added. “The house's focus on shared values and more peaceful and collaborative living aligns with my own priorities and passions. This living experience will allow me to grow both personally and academically.”

The students expressed their admiration for Brooks and their appreciation for being a part of his legacy at the College. “I understand how important he was in shaping multicultural life at Wilmington College,” Barry said. “Being part of a house that carries his name feels like a responsibility to continue his legacy of inclusion, leadership, and advocacy for all students.” Iragena added, “Art Brooks is a special person in the College's history as its founding director of multicultural affairs. It is about embracing the Quaker values and living a purposeful life.”

Article Submitted by Wilmington College