Edward Waters College Newsletter October 2014
Florida Supreme Court Justice James Perry Visits EWC Justice James E.C. Perry served as the guest speaker for the Community Advocacy and Civic Responsibility Forum Florida Supreme Court Justice James E.C. Perry spoke to Edward Waters College (EWC) students during the institution’s “Community Advocacy and Civic Responsibility” forum. During his speech, Justice Perry emphasized the importance of being active in our democratic government. “Democracy is not a spectator sport. You need to be an active participant which begins with voting in your local elections,” said Perry. Justice Perry was appointed to the 85th Justice of the Florida Supreme Court by Governor Charlie Christ in March of 2009. Prior to his
After his remarks, a panel discussion was held about the evolution of community advocacy and where it now stands in our society. The panel included EWC students, Attorneys Rhonda Peeples-Waters and Robert C. Rivers, and representatives from the American Civil Liberties Mr. EWC Jose Bennett, Edward Waters Union (ACLU) and the Southern College President Nathaniel Glover, Christian Leadership Conference Justice James Perry, Executive Vice President (SCLC). Dr. Anna Hammond and Miss EWC Ashley Williams.
appointment, he served as a circuit judge of Florida’s Eighteenth Judicial Circuit as appointed by Governor Jeb Bush in March 2000. Justice Perry also served as a Chief Judge of the Circuit for a two-year term (2003–2005).
The program’s objective is to support students through responsible community engagement and inspire them to serve as lifelong thoughtful citizens and advocates for social change.
EWC’s enrollment Is “On The Rise” with the Class of 2018 Edward Waters College has grown to 929 registered students in the Fall 2014 semester, a seven percent increase over Fall 2013. Meanwhile, enrollment at many of the historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) around the country continues to fall. Higher tuition fees, which rose by 41 percent in the past five years, and tighter rules on the federal Parent Plus Loan has negatively effected enrollment at many HBCU’s. 2014 Fall Convocatum Est. Ceremony
“We did lose some students due to our tuition increase this year, but we were able to off-set those numbers with new students,” said Director of Admissions, Joel Walker. “The EWC Office of Admissions utilized a more concentrated recruiting strategy this past year mainly focusing our efforts on students from Florida and Georgia.” Eighty-seven percent of our students are from Florida. The majority or the College’s out-of-state students come from Georgia, Alabama, Maryland and New York.
In This Issue EWC Mass Communication Program Expands ....... Page 2 EWC Junior Faculty Develop Research Skills ............ Page 2 EWC Alumni Attend HBCU Week ................. Page 3