FISK Focus An Electronic Publication for Alumni and Friends
Volume I, Issue 4
From President Hazel Reid O’Leary ’59
Inside this issue: From the President
I am very appreciative of the continuing support of Regions Bank. Their latest gift of $12,500 shows their commitment to sustaining Fisk.
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STUDENT ENGAGEMENT Lynwood Berry Honored Student Recruitment Fisk Chapel Assistants AESP Hosts First Discipline Dialogue Senior Athletes Honored
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ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE From the Interim EVP 6 CFO Joins Fisk Family 7 New Science Scholarship 7 Lisa Thornton, MD 7 Faculty in the Limelight: 8 Dr. Jessie Carney Smith Corporate Partner 9
ALUMNI RELATIONS Alumni Honors Professor Kennedy’s 90th Birthday Plans Reynaldo Glover Memorial Scholarship U.S. Representative Frederica Smith Wilson
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ADVANCEMENT & FUND RAISING From the Vice President Annual Fund Monthly Cumulative Report Gift Sources Report Coming Events
February 2011
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President O’Leary is presented $12,500 by Regions’ Nashville Area President Jim Schmitz and Senior Vice President/Regional Community Affairs Director Latrisha Jemison (right)
Alumni engagement in the recruitment process is encouraging. The Washington Fisk Alumni Association (WFAA) participated in the Ninth Annual HBCU Recruitment Fair at Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia. We accepted eight highly qualified students and are relying on WFAA’s membership to remain connected to those students. Alumni follow-up is a primary factor in determining whether or not accepted students enroll. With continued support from alumni, we have no doubt that the Office of Admission will meet its enrollment goal of 276 new students for fall 2011.
We have a 21% increase in the number of applications received this year versus last year. To date, we have received 1,802 applications and have offered admission to 564 applicants. The interest pool includes students from 30 states, Nigeria, Jamaica and the Bahamas. Recruitment and scholarship support from alumni and friends is instrumental to meeting our recruitment, persistence and graduation targets. Using Title III carry-over funding, we invested in a University-wide retention model, the Academic Excellence and Student Performance (AESP) Initiative. AESP enables us to identify students in academic difficulty well before mid-term and to implement various interventions including tutorial services, supplemental reading and mathematics instruction, and academic skills workshops. While it is too early to determine definitively AESP’s impact, preliminary data is promising. The average grade point average (GPA) for entering freshmen at the end of fall 2010 is 2.61 versus 2.29 for entering freshmen at the end of fall 2009. This is a significant increase. For sophomore students, the average GPA in fall 2009 was 2.67 while in fall 2010, it increased to 2.81. The retention rate of first time freshmen from Fall 2010 to Spring 2011 was 91%, which is considerably higher than the 84% that we experienced from Fall 2009 to Spring 2010. A comprehensive analysis of data will be completed during the summer and as needed, programmatic modifications will be designed and initiated. This year, we are using Title III funding to develop online courses and train our faculty to design and teach both hybrid and pure distance learning courses. Offering distance education will not only enhance our academic program but will further impact our enrollment, retention and graduation rates. Today’s millennial learners perform better in online courses and nontraditional students prefer online instruction to accommodate their schedules. Fisk online offerings will be held to the same high standards as our traditional courses. Finally, we have $2,368,290 or 76.4% of the March 31 goal of $3.1 million, which is part of the Annual Fund. We only have 31 days left to raise $731,710 to demonstrate to SACSCOC that we are making substantial progress in our annual fundraising efforts. I urge you to send your gifts now. I am confident that with your support, we will achieve our goal, and for this, I thank you immensely.
Have you sent a gift today? Click here to donate online OR phone (615) 329-8710 OR email supportfisk@fisk.edu.
STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
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FISK FAMILY HONORS LYNWOOD BERRY, LONGTIME DIRECTOR OF STUDENT DEVELOPMENT Photo Credits: Angelita Thompson and Adrienne Taylor Latham ’68
Mr. Lynwood Berry was surprised on February 2nd when the Fisk family honored him with a reception in the Appleton Room of Jubilee Hall. Orchestrated by the recently chartered student organization, ―Family Matters‖, the event drew all constituents of the University, from the president, faculty and staff members to friends, students and alumni. The founding president of ―Family Matters‖, Angelita Thompson said, ―Mr. Berry has never been honored and he does more for students than anyone on the campus. He epitomizes what our organization is all about - the importance of the Fisk family.‖ A Pennsylvania native, Mr. Berry joined the Fisk family 28 years ago when Dean Sylvester Dunn hired him as a counselor for the TRiO Upward Bound and Student Support Services Programs. Asked what motivated him to remain so long, he laughed and replied, ―the rich culture of Fisk, the alumni who come back and look for me, the students, past and present - they are my children and keep me motivated.‖
Honoree Lynwood Berry and Professor Emeritus L.C. Collins ’37
Mr. Berry earned his B.S. in elementary education and his M.S. in administration and supervision at Tennessee State University. He completed other master‘s level courses in counseling, guidance and administration at George Peabody College. Fisk is fortunate to have Mr. Berry as a member of the Office of Student Engagement and we wish him many more years with ―his children‖. Mr. Berry with Some Members of “Family Matters” (L. to R.): President Angelita Thompson, Amoya Orr, Timberly Wilson, Mr. Berry, Charlotte McLoud and Alyce Boatwright
(L. to R.): Mr. Berry, Sarah Marshal and James Wardell ’85
Honoree Lynwood Berry Greets Guests
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STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
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Fisk Well Represented at Alfred Street Baptist Church’s HBCU Fair On February 19 –20, the Washington Fisk Alumni Association (WFAA) participated in the Ninth Annual HBCU Fair hosted by Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia. During the event, Dean Keith Chandler ‘95 accepted eight students for fall 2011 enrollment. At the Sunday morning service, Vice President Jason Meriwether ‘07 (M.A.), Office of Student Engagement and Enrollment Management, delivered a powerful and inspiring message. Members of the WFAA‘s Recruitment Committee include Anthony M. Murphy ‘99, Janine Smith ‘84 and Maryann Gay Rozzell ‘57. Fiskites in attendance but not pictured include Stephanie Williams ‘72, Rosalind Brooks ‘85 (member of Alfred Street Baptist Church) and G. Vernon White ‘83. Gloria Johnson Elliott ‘72 is president of WFAA.
Washington Fisk Alumni Association Members with Vice President Jason Meriwether ’07 (M.A.) at Alfred Street Baptist Church on February 20th (L. to R.): Celestine Shird ’82, Janine Smith ’84, Dr. Alfredda Hunt Payne ’70, Vice President Meriwether, Michelle Overstreet ’95, Maryann Gay Rozzell ’57 and Jacqueline T. Harris ’79
Two of the eight newly accepted students, Kamilah Carlisle (left) and Ivory Brown (right) are all smiles as they meet Vice President Jason Meriwether after Sunday services
WFAA Recruitment Committee members Maryann Gay Rozzell ’57 and Anthony M. Murphy ’99 enjoy recruiting
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STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
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CHAPEL ASSISTANTS ACCOMPANY DEAN CURRY TO AMERICAN BAPTIST COLLEGE FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH SERMON On February 1, the president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Fisk Memorial Chapel assistants accompanied Rev. Dr. Jason Curry, dean of the Fisk Memorial Chapel, to American Baptist College. Dean Curry delivered the initial sermon to kick off the college‘s celebration of Black History Month. Dean Curry‘s sermon, ―Divine Inspiration for A Post-Modern Generation‖, was based on Matthew 18: 1-6 in which Jesus speaks of the inherent value of young people. The key points of Dean Curry‘s sermon were: that one must: (1) meet the younger generation wherever they are, (2) recognize the gifts that God has given young people, and (3) invest in young people so that they realize their divine potential. Dean Curry founded the Fisk Memorial Chapel Assistants Program in 2003. The program‘s mission is to provide an opportunity for Fisk students, faculty and/or staff to assist the dean in enhancing the overall religious life of the University community. Chapel assistants fulfill a variety of responsibilities at the 9:30 a.m. Sunday morning services including serving as ushers, announcing the morning hymns, offering prayers, collecting the offering, and assisting with communion. The Chapel Assistants Program is a recognized student organization that meets weekly on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.
Front Row (left to right): Fellowship of Christian Athletes President Phillipe Andal ’13, Chapel Assistants Chelsea Burton ’12, Kelsey Burton ’12, and Beatrice Adams ’12. Back Row (left to right): Adrian Chester, American Baptist College student; Rev. Dr. Forrest E. Harris, President of American Baptist College; Rev. Dr. Jason Curry, Dean of the Fisk Memorial Chapel; and Chapel Assistant LaQuasha Logan ’11.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE & STUDENT PERFORMANCE INITIATIVE HOSTS INAUGURAL DISCIPLINE DIALOGUE As part of the ongoing strategies to impact student retention and persistence to graduation goals, the Academic Excellence & Student Performance Initiative, in collaboration with the academic schools and departments, held the inaugural ―Discipline Dialogue‖ on February 16 in the Appleton Room of Jubilee Hall. Students interfaced with department chairs and discipline coordinators in individualized and small group settings, which enabled them to receive personalized guidance and advice about majors, requirements and other pertinent information.
AESP director, Ingrid Frazier Collier ‘71 (right), discusses discipline choices with AESP participants
All academic departments and disciplines participated in ―Discipline Dialogue‖
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STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
SENIOR ATHLETES HONORED On February 10, the senior athletes of the University were honored during a Senior Night ceremony following the women‘s basketball game. The cheerleading honorees were Diondra Dukes, a Spanish major from Banning, California; Dionne Wallace, a biology major from Memphis, Tennessee who plans to enter a MD/PhD program concentrating in genetics; Marjorie Williams, a biology major from Jacksonville, Florida with plans to attend Meharry Medical College and pursue a career in research; and Lauren Taylor, political science major from Memphis, Tennessee. Tahisha Desir, psychology major from Boston, Massachusetts and Jessica McDowell, business administration and sociology major from Kansas City, Missouri were recognized for their participation in the Exclusive Dance Troupe. The graduating senior members of RAGE (acronym for Rhythm, Agility, Grace and Essence) dance troupe who were honored were Lindsey Benjamin, a business administration major from Washington, DC and Ayo Thomas, an international business major from Detroit, Michigan. Liban Ahmed who hails from Fresno, California was recognized for his participation in tennis. He is a political science major with a concentration in public administration. The softball honorees were Tiarra Land, psychology major from Chicago, Illinois and Jazmin Wafer, a chemistry major from Martha‘s Vineyard, Massachusetts. Ms. Wafer plans to pursue her master‘s degree in Forensic Science and join the FBI. Lady Bulldog honorees were psychology major, Traveshia Jerry, from Memphis and Reva Brown who is majoring in sociology and hails from Starkville, Mississippi (both pictured below).
(L. to R.) Front Row: Mesheka Hughes, Daveda Adams, Lady Bulldog Honoree Traveshia Jerry, Lady Bulldog Honoree Reva Brown and LaDonna Richardson. Back Row: Anthony T. Owens, Athletic Director and Wendy Mitchell Majors ’85, Lady Bulldogs’ Coach
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ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
FROM THE INTERIM EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND PROVOST, DR. PRINCILLA SMART EVANS MORRIS ’72 I thank President O‘Leary and the Fisk Board of Trustees for their expression of confidence in my work ethic by naming me interim executive vice president and provost. I am excited about the opportunity to serve Fisk at this level. When a young girl becomes ‗infatuated‘ with her first boyfriend, she does not see him with clear vision. Initially, she sees perfection in an imperfect mortal. As time passes, vision becomes more focused and the truth becomes apparent. He has flaws, but she excuses them and pretends these flaws are not his fault. Finally, if the relationship reaches a state of mature ‗love‘, the woman (who once was a young girl) recognizes all the ‗challenges‘ of her man, and just wants to help him become the best person he can be. When I first came to teach at Fisk, I was infatuated with the idea of being here. I lectured in cold classrooms with gloves on my hands, but thought it was wonderful! I thought I would never tire of Photo Credit: Tondaleya Jobe students or teaching, and honestly believed that if I left the classroom, learning in the area of chemistry at Fisk University would be significantly hampered. Of course, this reality was perceived through imperfect vision and now, some twenty-eight years later, I exhibit a mature love for Fisk. I want the very best for her students, faculty, staff and administration. The frosted lens have dropped from my eyes, and I see clearly now. Fisk has many challenges, and I am here to help her move to the next level in this never ending quest for excellence. I believe that Fisk University has done a good job with the resources that have been available. We have produced graduates who have gone on to contribute greatly to society both nationally and internationally. We stretch our resources to provide our customers an education that will serve as a foundation to move to graduate and professional school or careers of their choosing. We are cultivating scholars and leaders one by one. We have many success stories to tell. Each one represents a life that has been positively impacted and has had a domino effect on countless other lives. Our function as a University is vitally important to society. In spite of monetary challenges that have plagued Fisk University since its inception, there are exciting new developments on our campus. In this age of accountability in the 21st century, Fisk is utilizing a web-based application that will serve as a repository of documented artifacts of student progress and growth. LiveText is designed to support student learning assessment for curricular improvements. Our efforts to attain continuous strengthening of the academic programs will also prepare students for a performance-based assessment work world after graduation. The faculty is being trained during this spring 2011 semester to use this tool. It will be an asset for both students and faculty. In an attempt to reach more students and provide additional learning opportunities for our current students, Fisk has directed funds to the development of on-line courses. With a special grant from the Title III Office of the U.S. Department of Education, information technology infrastructure will be enhanced, faculty will be trained to teach blended and pure on-line courses, and students will have more options for completing degree requirements. We continue to receive funding from government agencies and private foundations, and our students continue to be accepted in other Tier I schools and placed in prestigious career positions. We are busy and have many ongoing projects that are infusing energy into our academic programs. With your support, we will continue to make you proud! What is my vision for Fisk? My vision is to have a bustling university teeming with students on campus. The rigorous and relevant curriculum will make Fisk the destination of serious scholars and committed leaders. When administrators, students and faculty share a sense of purpose and they agree on a desired destination, that is when a university rises from historical laurels and repositions itself for the present and the future. I am a ―true daughter‖, serving our alma mater, and I am committed to enhancing and expanding the Fisk legacy of academic excellence.
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ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Clancy E. Roberts, Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer, Joins Fisk Clancy E. Roberts is vice president of finance and chief financial officer, effective February 14. Mr. Roberts brings 17 years of experience in financial management, project management, information technology and business administration to Fisk. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Clancy served as chief financial officer for the Environment Department of Santa Fe, New Mexico. There he lead four departments; managed an annual budget of over $100 million; and provided oversight and control of grants with annual expenditures of $25 million. Also reporting to Mr. Clancy were the Purchasing, Contracts and Financial Services functions, which included accounts receivables and accounts payable.
Battelle Award Designated for Fisk Science Student Scholarship In 2001, Fisk University‘s graduate student Gomez Wright and his research advisor, Dr. Arnold Burger, and Dr. Ralph James (at that time a researcher at Sandia National Labs) became co-winners of the R&D 100 Award for the development of a new technique of growing large single crystals of cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) suitable for radiation detectors for national security purposes. In a recent project, the group led by Ralph James and Yonggang Cui at the U.S. Department of Energy‘s Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) in Upton, Long Island, NY, applied the cadmium zinc telluride radiation detector technology to a medical application, for localization of cancerous tumors. For their innovation, the BNL team has won one of the ten inaugural prizes given by Battelle, the world‘s largest nonprofit independent Dr. Arnold Burger, memresearch and development organization. The team received a $5,000 education grant and ber of the award-winning team, which donated its opted to designate the award for a scholarship for science students at Fisk University. prize for a scholarship
Global and Community Engagement Lecture Series Presents Lisa Thornton, M.D. ’83 Dr. Lisa Thornton will deliver the Global and Community Engagement Lecture on Wednesday, March 2, at 4:00 p.m. in the Appleton Room of Jubilee Hall. Dr. Thornton is an assistant professor of orthopedics, pediatrics and rehabilitation at the University of Chicago‘s Pritzker School of Medicine. Her practice is dedicated to the care and treatment of children with disabilities. Currently, she is the medical director of Pediatric and Adolescent Rehabilitation for Kids Rehab, a joint program between Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital and LaRabida Children‘s Hospital, both located in Chicago. Dr. Thornton has appeared on ABC‘s Good Morning America as a medical correspondent and is a frequent guest host on the ABC News Now webcast, Healthy Life, which airs daily on ABCNews.com. She is the co-host and medical consultant of Lifetime TV‘s weekly magazine show, Health Corner, now entering its fifth season. Millions of viewers nationwide tune in for practical health information and interesting interviews with highly respected physicians and celebrities who have important health messages, including Dr. Arthur Agatston, creator of the South Beach Diet, Patti LaBelle, Olivia Newton-John and Leeza Gibbons. Dr. Thornton received her undergraduate degree from Fisk in 1983, and her medical degree from the University of Michigan. She completed pediatric specialty training at Children‘s Memorial Hospital in Chicago and a Rehabilitation residency at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, where she led her peers as chief resident.
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ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
FACULTY IN THE LIMELIGHT: DR. JESSIE CARNEY SMITH She is one of the most well-known and highly regarded academic librarians in the nation. On a regular basis, she is invited to deliver keynote addresses at national and international conferences and for various events at other institutions of higher learning. She is the principal investigator of numerous grants she authored and has been awarded numerous fellowships. She has served on numerous commissions for the state of Tennessee and the Federal governments. She is the William and Camille Cosby Professor in the Humanities. She is a prolific author of articles in refereed journals and books; her latest book brings the number to twenty-three. ―She‖ is Fisk‘s own Dr. Jessie Carney Smith, dean of The John Hope and Aurelia Elizabeth Franklin Library. Born in Greensboro, North Carolina to parents who were alumni of North Carolina A&T State University, Dean Smith and her three siblings (including her twin sister) were instilled with a respect for learning and education, and a strong work ethic by their parents and grandparents. They also influenced her later dedication to the study of African American culture. While studying libraries in black colleges through a fellowship from the former Council on Library Resources, Dean Smith completed her first published work in 1977. This publication, Black Academic Libraries and Research Collections: An Historical Study, has been used heavily in determining fiscal support for those college libraries. By 1980, she had published two dozen Dr. Jessie Carney Smith, Professor, educational pieces and bibliographies. A few years later, encouraged by her colleagues and Author and Dean of The John Hope and professional peers, Dean Smith embarked on an initiative to document the lives of notable Aurelia Elizabeth Franklin Library African American women. This effort resulted in the publication of an award-winning volume, Notable Black American Women, in 1992. Dean Smith‘s approach of incorporating vignettes of lesser-known African Americans, women whose contributions to American life and society were no less significant than those by more well-known names, earned her critical acclaim. Like several of her other publications, her latest endeavor, the four-volume Encyclopedia of African American Popular Culture, contains contributions of several Fisk faculty: Dr. Lean‘tin L. Bracks, Dr. Adenike Davidson, Ms. Cheryl Jones Hamberg ‘62, Ms. Beth Madison Howse ‘65, Dr. Sheila Peters, and Dr. Anthony Williams. A complete list of Dean Smith‘s books is provided below. Dean Smith was the first African American to earn a Ph.D. in library science from the University of Illinois. She earned her M.A. in child development from Michigan State University, M.A. in library science from George Peabody College, and B.S. from North Carolina A&T State University. When she is not at work or at her home computer writing, Dean Smith walks, jogs, gardens and naturally, reads biographies. Black Academic Libraries and Research Collections: An Historical Survey (Contributions in Afro-American and African Studies, 1977 Ethnic Genealogy: A Research Guide,1983 Images of Blacks in American Culture: A Reference Guide to Information Resources, 1988 Notable Black American Women, Book I, 1991 Epic Lives: One Hundred Black Women Who Made a Difference, 1992 Statistical Record of Black Americans, with Carrell Horton, 1992 Historical Statistics of Black America (2 Volumes), with Carrell Horton, 1994 Black Firsts: 2,000 Years of Extraordinary Achievement, with Casper Leroy Jordan and Robert L. Johnson, 1994 African American Reference Library, with Jay P. Pederson, 1994 Notable Black American Women, Book II, 1995 Powerful Black Women, 1996 Statistical Record of Black America, with Carrell Horton, 1996 Black Heroes of the 20th Century, 1997 The African American Almanac, with Joseph M. Palmisano, 1999 Notable Black American Men, 1999 Reference Library of Black America (5 Volumes), with Joseph M. Palmisano, 2000 Black Heroes of the 20th Century, 2001 Black Firsts: 4,000 Ground-Breaking and Pioneering Historical Event Notable Black American Women, Book III, 2003 Notable Black American Men, Book II, 2006 Encyclopedia of African American Business (2 Volumes), 2006 Freedom Facts and Firsts: 4000 Years of the African American Civil Rights Experience, with Linda T. Wynn, 2009 Encyclopedia of African American Popular Culture (4 Volumes), 2010
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ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Corporate Partner Spotlight: Volkswagen Group of America, Chattanooga Operations, L.L.C. In June 2009, Fisk University and Volkswagen Group of America, Chattanooga Operations, L.L.C. embarked on a multi-year collaboration as part of the corporate Partners in Education Program. Volkswagen‘s decision to locate a production facility in Chattanooga several years ago brought to Tennessee the corporate commitment to education in the regions they serve. Fisk is proud to be a recipient of their philanthropic commitment to education and excited as students, faculty, and administration at Fisk engage with representatives from Volkswagen in this effort. The four year $480,000 commitment to the Fisk partnership supports high-achieving students who are engaged in community service by establishing a Volkswagen Fellowship in which students combine elements such as environmental studies, service learning Alok Hota projects, andNashville globalFisk business projects. This program Club president Antonio Meeks ’__and provides funding which enables Fisk to attract and retain exceptional students ensure that they are engaged, wellStephenie Smith ’01 catch their breaths afterand running. prepared, and successful in their college experience. Each Volkswagen Scholar/Fellow is selected from superior applicants dedicated not only to high achieving high academic standards, but also to producing constructive outcomes for others through service learning, research, or internship. The Volkswagen Scholar/Fellowship Program annually provides eight Fisk students with $15,000 each in scholarship funding. By design, each year two students from each class who are from the state of Tennessee are awarded funding on a competitive basis and selected based on grade point average. These students must also major in a course of study compatible for automotive industry employment. These selected students who comprise the Volkswagen Scholars at Fisk University, engage in an annual project whose outcomes are beneficial to the community and to Volkswagen. Because Fisk is a Partners in Education Program school, all students at Fisk are eligible for a two year competitive based internship program. This program involves a first year internship at Oak Ridge National Laboratories and a second year internship at Volkswagen‘s Chattanooga Operations center. The 2010-2011 Volkswagen Scholars/Fellows are mentored and directed by faculty advisor, Dr. Linda Wynn, and include: Thomas Caruthers, Glenise Davis, Darrell Miller, Q-Vaughnia Hornbeck, Alok Hota, Tiana Lloyd, Angelita Thompson, and Maxwell Tsatsu. Q-Vaughnia Hornbeck
Angelita Thompson
Fisk University looks forward to this partnership with Volkswagen as this program provides key support for our future scholars and leaders. For Volkswagen, they get a head start on identifying and developing relationships with exceptional graduates who are their corporate leaders of tomorrow, and reap the rewards of the research capacity and global competitiveness of Fisk‘s scholars. Volkswagen gains a highly visible outlet in the form of Fisk and its students to showcase their corporate responsibility and commitment to education to consumers, vendors, potential employees and the general public. To find out how your corporation may engage in a mutually beneficial relationship with Fisk University, please contact Marcus Stamps, Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving, by phone at 615-329-8852 or by email at mstamps@fisk.edu. Maxwell Tsatsu
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ALUMNI RELATIONS
ALUMNI HONORS The Honorable John L. Lewis ’67 (D-GA) received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor for contributions to society. A product of the 1960s civil rights movement, Lewis was chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and helped organize sit-ins at segregated lunch counters in the South. In 1965, as he led a peaceful march for voting rights from Selma to Montgomery, Ala., Congressman Lewis and others were severely beaten by Alabama state troopers in what became known as "Bloody Sunday." The event is credited with helping to spur passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. President Barack Obama, who awarded the medal at a White House ceremony, said Lewis had taken to heart a quote that asks, "If not us, then who? If not now, then when? Generations from now, when parents teach their children what is meant by courage, the story of John Lewis will come to mind: an American who knew that change could not wait for some other person or some other time," President Obama said.
Cheryl J. Beard ’83 received the 2011 Ruby R. Wharton Outstanding Woman in Youth & Delinquency Award given by Memphis Mayor A. C. Wharton, Jr. and Mrs. Ruby Wharton. A native of Augusta, Georgia, Beard is the executive director of the Urban Youth Initiative, Inc. (UYI) in Memphis. Since 1993, the Urban Youth Initiative has invested over $25 million into funding and training more than 250 urban youth workers in Memphis. The current network of 45 UYI partner ministries reaches over 10,000 youth annually. After completing her undergraduate degree at Fisk, Ms. Beard earned the Master of City and Regional Planning degree from the University of Memphis. She completed additional graduate work at Reformed Theological Seminary. A licensed minister with Olivet Fellowship Baptist Church, Ms. Beard has been a leader in youth ministry for 20 years, having served in both church in-reach and outreach capacities. She serves on several boards in service to the Memphis and Shelby County community.
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ALUMNI RELATIONS
Fisk to Celebrate 90th Birthday of Professor Emeritus Matthew W. Kennedy ’47 On March 10, Professor Emeritus Matthew W. Kennedy will celebrate his 90th birthday. In celebration of his 90th birthday, alumni and friends are asked to send a birthday card and to contribute $90, $900 or a combination of 9s to the Anne Gamble Kennedy/Matthew W. Kennedy Endowed Scholarship, which supports a sophomore, junior or senior music student at Fisk. Checks should be made payable to Fisk University with ―Anne Kennedy/ Matthew Kennedy Scholarship‖ in the memo section. Please send cards and gifts to the Office of Alumni Affairs. Donations may be made online by clicking here. To make a one-time or recurring gift through automatic deduction, you may access the form at: http://www.fisk.edu/Libraries/General_Documents/Alumni_Automatic_Deduction_Form.sflb.ashx.
Reynaldo Preston Glover Memorial Scholarship Following his death, classmates and friends of Reynaldo Preston Glover ‘65 established an endowed scholarship in his memory. The scholarship fund still needs slightly more than $10,000 to be fully endowed. Scholarships will then be awarded from the interest earned annually. Donations to the Reynaldo Preston Glover Memorial Scholarship should be made payable to Fisk University with the memo section notation ―Reynaldo Glover Scholarship‖. Contributions may be made online by clicking here. To make a one-time or recurring gift through automatic deduction, you may access the form at: http://www.fisk.edu/Libraries/General_Documents/Alumni_Automatic_Deduction_Form.sflb.ashx.
Reynaldo Preston Glover served his alma mater graciously and with distinction in myriad roles — student, scholar, leader, athlete, advocate, board member and board chairman. As a spirited and brilliant leader of Fisk, he unified the Fisk community worldwide. Glover grew up in Gary, Indiana where he was a basketball star at Roosevelt High School. He graduated from Fisk in 1965. Besides his family, he was proudest of his basketball career at Fisk. Glover the led the Bulldogs in scoring with 2,230 career points, the highest single season scoring average of 30.2 points per game and the team‘s highest single game total of 105 points. His lifelong love of the sport motivated Glover to play pick-up games throughout his life. In addition to basketball, he loved scuba diving and archery. He was a member of the American Skin Divers Association and Chicago Archery Association. He earned his law degree from Harvard Law School in 1968. While at Harvard, the intransigence of racial prejudice was made clear to him when an examiner with Selective Service refused to believe that he was a student at the prestigious university. That experience led him to take a position with the Law Student Civil Rights Research Council in New York City. He became national executive director of the organization. By 1976, Glover had left New York City for Chicago, and was a general partner at the law firm of Isham, Lincoln & Beale where he remained until 1987. He left to become a partner at Jenner & Block, and in 1991, joined the firm of Miller, Shakman, Hamilton. He became counsel to Piper Rudnick. Glover left Miller, Shakman, Hamilton in 1994 and became vice president and general counsel to TLC Beatrice International Holdings in New York, and in 1999, became president of the renamed TLC-LC. Under Glover‘s leadership, TLC-LC saw substantial profit growth and he was responsible for all of the firm‘s worldwide legal activities. Glover aggressively pursued the advancement of higher education as a leader and mentor to young people. His contributions included his service as chairman of the Board of Trustees of The City Colleges of Chicago from 1988 to 1991 and as chairman of the Board of Trustees of Fisk University from 2003 until his death at the age of 64 on November 27, 2007.
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ALUMNI RELATIONS
Congresswoman Frederica Smith Wilson ’63 (in one of her trademark hats) with her family after swearing-in ceremony by House Speaker John Boehner (left)
FISK ALUMNA AND EDUCATOR FREDERICA SMITH WILSON ’63 ELECTED TO CONGRESS Photo Credit: Office of Congresswoman Frederica Wilson and U.S. House of Representatives
Congratulations to Fisk alumna, educator and former Florida State Senator Frederica Smith Wilson ‘63 who was recently elected as United States Representative for Florida‘s Congressional District 17. ―My years at Fisk prepared me well for a career in public service. Fisk taught me the value of maintaining a standard of excellence and equipped me with the knowledge and skills necessary to give back to our community,‖ Wilson said. ―I am proud to be a part of a legacy that includes my brother Thirlee Smith, Jr., the first African American reporter at the Miami Herald, Congressman John Lewis, Board of Trustees member Donna Rice, and many others. I applaud Fisk for continuing this tradition for a new generation of young leaders.‖ As state senator, Wilson worked with Governor Charlie Crist to grant voting rights to individuals convicted of nonviolent felonies after completion of their full sentence. She also worked with former Governor Jeb Bush to reform the implementation of Florida‘s Comprehensive Assessment Test ( FCAT.) As an educator, Wilson has served District 17 as a principal and school board member. During her tenure with the school board, she founded the initiative ―5000 Role Models of Excellence‖, a drop-out prevention and academic excellence program, which has awarded over $5 million in college scholarships to graduating high school seniors among underrepresented populations. The program currently operates in 110 Miami-Dade County schools and assists over 6000 youth.
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ADVANCEMENT & FUND RAISING
FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT Dear Alumni and Friends, Thank you for your support of Fisk University. The end of February 2011 sets Fisk University within the final five-week window to demonstrate substantial progress in fundraising to the SACSCOC by March 31. Fisk has raised $2,368,290 or 76.4% of the $3.1 million goal to date. Fundraising efforts continue on course to replicate the University‘s FY 2009 fundraising performance or our latest successful fundraising year. As indicated by the graph on the following page, March 2009 fundraising made a steep increase fueled by a large bequest gift. In an effort to meet the $3.1 million goal, we must generate $731,710 or an average of $146,342 each week. An assessment of constituent giving during February 2011, as compared to February 2010, shows strong increases in Trustee gifts at 55.79% ($642,502 in FY 11 vs. $412,405 in FY 10) and Foundation gifts at 63.17% ($674,925 in FY 11 versus $413,639 in FY 10). A sharp decrease of 44.45% ($134,701 in FY 11 versus $242,502 in FY 10) in donations from Civic, Social and Religious Organizations is disappointing. The number of Alumni donors continues to show a decrease, currently at 13.86% (690 donors in FY 11 versus 801 in FY 10), as well as a 2.94% decrease in the number of alumni gifts (1,463 in FY 10 versus 1,420 in FY 11). The average alumni gift size, however, continues to be significantly larger, with an increase this month of 51.66% ($1,066 in FY 11 vs. $703 in FY 10). For those who are interested in the level of alumni giving versus that of other sources, e.g., trustees, corporations, foundations, etc., I invite you to review the table on page 15, which provides these data for the past two years. I thank you, in advance, for your support and urge all alumni and friends to send gifts now. Please remember, the clock is ticking... Sincerely, Shirley Q. Range
CORRECTION Vol. I, Issue 3, January 2011, page 9, photo of Houston Fisk Alumni Association: Byron Cobbin was incorrectly identified as a member of the class of 1969. Mr. Cobbin is a member of the class of 1989. We extend our sincere apologies to Mr. Cobbin for the error.
Have you sent a gift today? Click here to donate online OR phone (615) 329-8710 OR email supportfisk@fisk.edu.
ADVANCEMENT & FUND RAISING
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The graph below depicts Fisk‘s fund raising progress on a month-by-month basis and compares it to each of the previous three fiscal years. It shows progress toward the FY 11 goal of $8.4 million as compared to the same point in time in FYs 08, 09 and 10. As of February 28, 2011, 28.19% of the overall FY 11 goal has been reached. We have reached the 76.4% mark toward attainment of the March 31 goal of $3,100,000.
Source: Office of Institutional Advancement, February 28, 2011
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ADVANCEMENT & FUND RAISING
GIFT SOURCES
Designation
Difference Total Difference FY YTD Goal FY YTD to Goal Total 2010/2011 FY 2011 2011 FY 2011 YTD FY 2010 Total YTD
Alumni
$
502,629 $2,000,000 $
(1,497,371) $
437,530 $
65,098
Corporations
$
305,665 $1,000,000 $
(694,335) $
277,540 $
28,124
Foundations
$
674,925 $1,500,000 $
(825,075) $
413,639 $
261,286
Civic, Social, Religious Organizations
$
134,701
$700,000 $
(565,299) $
242,502 $
(107,801)
Trustees
$
642,502 $2,100,000 $
(1,457,498) $
400,905 $
241,597
$ 2,368,290 $ 8,400,000 $
(6,031,710) $
1,867,565 $
500,725
TOTAL
# of donors
# of gifts
Avg. gift/donor
Alumni participation
YTD FY 10 Alumni Donors
801
1463
$703
10.17%
YTD FY 11 Alumni Donors
690
1420
$1,066
8.90%
-14%
-3%
52%
-1.27%
increase/decrease
Source: Office of Institutional Advancement, February 28, 2011
Have you sent a gift today? Click here to donate online OR phone (615) 329-8710 OR email supportfisk@fisk.edu.
Cultivating Scholars & Leaders One by One
FISK UNIVERSITY
Office of Institutional Advancement 1000 17th Avenue North Nashville, TN 37208 (615) 329-8530 - Telephone (615) 329-8627 - Facsimile
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COMING EVENTS Nashville, TN. Wednesday, March 2, 2011. Global and Community Engagement Lecture Series. Lisa Thornton, M.D., Lecturer. 4:00 p.m., Appleton Room of Jubilee Hall. Dr. Thornton is an assistant professor of orthopedics, pediatrics and rehabilitation at the University of Chicago‘s Pritzker School of Medicine and a 1983 graduate of Fisk. Nashville, TN. Thursday, March 24-Sunday, March 27, 2011. Annual Spring Arts Festival. Fisk University.
We’re on the Web! www.fisk.edu
Nashville, TN. Wednesday, April 7, 2011. 13th Annual Fisk University Research Symposium. Appleton Room of Jubilee Hall. The symposium promotes research and interdisciplinary collaboration, and provides Fisk students the opportunity to share the results of their recent research efforts with their peers and the Fisk community. Students from all disciplines are invited to submit their abstracts and posters. The deadline for submissions is March 14, 2011. Nashville, TN. Friday, April 29-Monday, May 2, 2011. Reunion Weekend. Fisk University. The Loews Vanderbilt Hotel, 2100 West End Avenue, is the Official Headquarters Hotel for the 2011 Fisk Alumni Reunion. A block of rooms has been reserved for Fisk Alumni. The special group rate is $185 (single and double); $205(Triple); $225 (Quad) and will be effective until April 1, 2011. The availability of rooms is on first come, first served basis. Be sure to indicate you are ―Fisk Alumni‖ to obtain special rates. H
Keep in touch with Fisk— Listen to WFSK (88.1 FM) streaming on the internet at www.wfsk.org. If you did not receive the FISK Focus directly, we are missing your current e-mail address. Please send it to alumni@fisk.edu.
Nassau, Bahamas. Friday, July 22-Monday, July 25, 2011. G.A.A.F.U. Planning Conference. Memphis, TN. Friday, September 15– Sunday, September 17, 2011. G.A.A.F.U. Southern Regional Conference, Peabody Hotel. Nashville, TN. Thursday, October 6, 2011, 10:00 a.m. Jubilee Day. Fisk Memorial Chapel. Nashville, TN. Friday, October 7-Sunday, October 9, 2011. G.A.A.F.U. Biennial Convention. Appleton Room of Jubilee Hall.
Have you sent a gift today? Click here to donate online OR phone (615) 329-8710 OR email supportfisk@fisk.edu.