Edward Waters College Newsletter November 2014 Edward Waters College Named a NAIA Champions of Character EWC ties for fourth place among 168 institutions The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) named Edward Waters College (EWC) one of the top five schools to receive the 2013-2014 Champions of Character Five-Star Institution Award. Each school is graded on a scorecard. Institutions earned points based on exceptional studentathlete grade point averages and by obtaining zero ejections during competition throughout the course of the academic year.
of 92 points out of 100. The award is granted through the NAIA’s Character Advisory Committee.
Edward Waters College tied in fourth place with Louisiana State University-Shreveport with a total
The NAIA Champions of Character program creates an environment in which every NAIA student-athlete,
Edward Waters College Men’s Basketball team 2014 home opener against Sterling College
coach, official and spectator is committed to the true spirit of competition through the five tenants: integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership. Gold (90-100 points), Silver (75-89 points), and Bronze levels (60-74 points) are awarded. Edward Waters College was one of just twelve schools to achieve a score of 90 or higher. This is the second straight year the NAIA has named Edward Waters College’s Athletic Department one of their top five Champions of Character Five-Star Institutions.
EWC’s Beacon of Hope Shines Nationally
Marie Heath, Executive Director
The Edward Waters College Schell Sweet Community Resource Center has been serving Northwest Jacksonville for 15 years, but its impact is being felt thousands of miles away.
The Schell Sweet Community Resource Center provides senior wellness classes, prevention services and connects residents to a community collaboration network that focuses on health, social and educational services. The resources provided their are so beneficial that the State of Florida named the community center a “Beacon of Hope.”
Marie Heath, Executive Director of the Schell Sweet CRC, is now guiding and instructing advocates in communities all over the country to effectively do the same. Heath shared information about building a “Community of Hope” on behalf of Casey Family Programs, the nation’s largest provider of family and children services. She provided information about the key components of providing community based family support projects and helped centers map their next steps to be able to In This Issue implement those projects and goals. Jacksonville street dedicated to EWC Alumnus ............. Page 2
Marie Heath has previously traveled to Philadelphia, and New York for other Casey Family Programs “Community of Hope” demonstrations.
EWC names the first three Call Me MISTER Scholars .... Page 3 Mural painted of EWC President in local school ............. Page 3
Dr. Anita Mandal Participates in the National Biomedical research Conference “It was an honor to be able to serve as a judge for this particular conference,” said Dr. Mandal. “It is the largest convention for minority students in the nation, and you actually have to compete with many to be chosen to judge.”
President Nathaniel Glover and EWC Biology Professor Dr. Anita Mandal Dr. Anita Mandal, associate professor of Biology, recently served as a judge for a research competition at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) in San Antonio, Texas. Mandal was also awarded the ABRCMS Judge’s Travel Subsidy, which supports first time judges at the conference.
ABRCMS is the largest, professional symposium for minority students to pursue advance training in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), attracting approximately 3,300 individuals, including 1,700 undergraduate students, 400 graduate students and postdoctoral scientists and 1200 faculty, program directors and administrators. Students come from over 350 U.S. colleges and universities.
The conference is designed to encourage underrepresented minority students to pursue advanced training in STEM related fields and provide faculty mentors and advisors with resources for facilitating students’ success. During the four-day conference, over 1,500 students participate in poster and oral presentations in twelve disciplines in the biomedical and behavioral sciences, including mathematics. This conference is sponsored by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), Division of Training, Workforce Development, and Diversity (TWD) and managed by the American Society for Microbiology (ASM).
City of Jacksonville Dedicates Street to EWC Alumnus Walter H. Matthews The City of Jacksonville dedicated a portion of Blossom Drive to Walter H. Matthews, the first African-American contractor bonded by the City of Jacksonville.
since Engine 3 was created in 1886. Mr. Matthews also contributed as a student of Edward Waters College. He earned a two-year degree from the institution and played for the College’s football team until he fractured his ankle. Mr. Matthews’ wife and daughter was at the street dedication.
Mr. Walter Matthews made huge strides in the “River City” as the first African American contractor bonded by the City of Relatives stood in front of the fire station Jacksonville, a former National Walter Matthews was hired to built. President of the Black Minority Contractors Association, owner The station also stands directly across from “This is a moment that I can’t the street dedicated in his memory. and operator of the W. H. really describe in words. He Matthews Construction stood for excellence. He stood Company, and alumnus of for no games. Everything had to Fire Station No. 36, which is still in Edward Waters College. During the use today in District 10. Fire station be perfect, and so it’s befitting that late 1960s, Matthews was this would be a way to recognize 36 became home to the Floradale commissioned by Mayor Volunteer Fire Company, the first that,” said Matthews’ daughter, Hans Tanzler to build all-African American fire company Dr. Wallene Matthews-Bullard. Edward Waters College 2
Attorney Steve Pajcic and Wife Anne Honored for their recordSetting Donation to the College Attorney Steve Pajcic and his wife Anne were honored during the Association of Fundraising Professionals Florida First Coast Chapter National Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon held at the Hyatt Riverfront Hotel in downtown Jacksonville, Florida. The Pajcics have been leaders in the Jacksonville community for many years. In February 2013, the couple made history at Edward Waters College when they gave $2 million, the largest unrestricted gift made by a single source. Prior to supporting EWC, the Pajcics established a million dollar endowment at the University of North Florida (UNF) that pays the full tuition of any Paxon High School graduate, who
the organizer and coach of over 50 teams of disadvantaged youth.
Steve’s son Seth Pajcic and his wife Cathleen accepted the recognition in his father’s absense. is accepted and enrolled at the university. Steve and Anne have also donated an additional $1 million for teacher salary incentives at Annie R. Morgan Elementary School. Steve has also given his time as
You can also help make an impact at Edward Waters College by donating to the EWC Annual Fund. These unrestricted donations help impact every area of the Edward Waters College experience including academic programing, faculty enrichment, technology upgrades, scholarships and financial aid. To make a donation to the Edward Waters College Annual Fund, please contact: The Office of Institutional Advancement Ms. Wanda J. Willis, Vice President wanda.willis@ewc.edu (904) 470-8251
EWC Names First Three Call Me MISTER Scholars, while Continuing to Recruit Potential Candidates
Edward Waters College has named Bernard Agurs, Jacob Thomas and Hurtis Wyche, Jr. the institution’s first three Call Me MISTER Scholars.
only make up two-percent of the 4.8 million educators across the country. Less than one-percent of them teach in elementary schools.
The Call Me MISTER scholarEdward Waters College is ship program is open to African hoping to have at least 15 to 20 American males majoring in Call Me MISTER scholars every Elementary Education and pays spring and fall semesters. for the last two years of course EWC Senior Bernard Agurs is one of three Students interested must be work. Students must also pass admitted into the institution to students who have been named the Florida Teacher Certification qualify for this scholarship. Call Me MISTER Scholars. Exam (FTCE) General System for at least five years. Knowledge Test to qualify for the For more information about the The scholarship program was program. program, please contact Ms. created to help increase the number Charlotte Clark-Rowe with the of African American males who Recipients of the “Call Me Department of Teacher teach in the elementary-level. MISTER” scholarship must teach Education and Urban Studies at in an inner-city elementary school 904-470-8064 or 904-470-8125. According to the Department of in the Duval County Public School Education, African American men Edward Waters College 3
EWC 13th Annual Fine Arts Scholarship Benefit Concert
The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and Windborne Music presents “The Music of Whitney Houston: A Celebration” featuring Broadway sensation, Rashidra Scott for the Edward Waters College 13th Annual Fine Arts Scholarship Benefit Concert. This year’s concert will be held Saturday, January 24th at 8:00 p.m. in the Moran Theater of the Times-Union Performing Arts Center. Join the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra along with conductor Brent Havens, Rashidra Scott and Windborne Music for an evening of hits such as “Saving All My Love,” “How Will I Know?,” “Where Do Broken Hearts Go?” and of course “I Will Always Love You.” The Edward Waters College Fine Arts Scholarship Benefit Concert is held every year in the in the TimesUnion Performing Arts Center. All of the proceeds from the concert go toward funding scholarships for the College. More than 98-percent of our student population depend on financial aid to finance their education. Tickets are available through the Edward Waters College Office of Institutional Advancement at 904470-8251. You can also purchase tickets online at www.ewc.edu.
Office of Institutional Advancement Wanda J. Willis Vice President 904-470-8251 Dee Registre Coordinator of Public Relations 904-470-8050 d.registre@ewc.edu
Mural of Dr. Nathaniel Glover painted in Middle School
President Nathaniel Glover is making an impact on the lives of students long before they apply to college. A mural of Dr. Glover was painted in a hallway at Eugene Butler Middle School. The artwork even includes the President’s “4 P’s to Success.” Eugene J. Butler and Joseph Stillwell Middle Schools began offering single-gender classroom experiences in the 2014-2015 academic school year. Each school is divided into a boys and girls academy, each with its own set of administrators.
President Nathaniel Glover Participates in the 2014 HBCU Summit
President Nathaniel Glover was one of four Florida HBCU Presidents who participated in a panel discussion initiated to help find ways to advance minority student retention. Dr. Glover joined Florida A&M University President Dr. Elmira Mangum, Bethune-Cookman University President Dr. Edison Jackson and Florida Memorial University President Dr. Roslyn Artis for “The State of the Florida HBCU: Pathway to Preeminence to Retention and Graduation.” The event was held in the Rosen Centre in Orlando, Florida November 23rd.