Jefferson Student Pens University Alma Mater

Elizabeth Avril Barden began singing in front of crowds at age 2. Her parents, both pastors, encouraged her love of music.

By age 7, Barden wrote her first song, “Forevermore.” Growing up in New York City’s gospel music scene only fueled her passion. After Barden saw jazz great Wynton Marsalis in concert as a teen, she began a steady diet of other luminaries: John Coltrane, Marvin Gaye and Aretha Franklin.

In high school, she won an area songwriting contest, which gave her the chance to meet Grammy-winning R&B singer Jazmine Sullivan. “She told me that I was an amazing songwriter and to keep writing,” recalls Barden, a 2025 grad of Jefferson’s health services management program.

And she did.

The University has proudly named Barden’s song, “Jefferson, How We Adore Thee,” as the official alma mater—the first in the school’s 201-year history.

As part of the recent Bicentennial celebration, the University invited the Jefferson community to write an alma mater. The contest received dozens of entries, but Barden’s standout song won over the judging committee, which included Jefferson leadership.

“I started crying,” says Barden after she heard the news.

The song’s roots sprang at Jefferson Health Plans, where the mother of four works as a customer experience specialist. Her department holds regular “water coolers” on Friday afternoons to catch up. Her colleague, Jenesia Tavera, shared the news of the alma mater competition, knowing Barden’s talent and love for music.

Barden remembers writing the song (see full lyrics at bottom) in her Germantown living room. Inspiration struck quickly, and it only took 25 minutes to write the ode to Jefferson’s innovation, focus on collaboration and history of improving lives.

“When I hear a melody, I can write a song for anything,” she says. “All I hear is music, every second of my day.”

Once selected as the winner, Barden went into the studio and worked with Keegan Myers, owner and producer of Delaware-based KLMusic Productions. After about 10 takes, they had the final cut. Listen below.

The alma mater made its official debut at the Jefferson Gala on Nov. 18 in the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Expect to hear it at many upcoming University events, including Ram Madness, Commencement and Convocation.

“It’s my baby,” Barden says. “It’s about leaving a legacy. The best thing someone could have done was recommend that I attend Jefferson after community college. I earned my degree in a year and graduated at age 31 with four kids. That seemed impossible. The alma mater is a gift to Jefferson because Jefferson gave me a gift.”

Her educational journey isn’t over yet. She’s pursuing her master of social service at Bryn Mawr College.

“I want to create a better future for my family and show my children the power of perseverance, even when life feels overwhelming,” she says. “As a single mom, I want them to see that strength and determination can turn chaos into growth and purpose.”