SPRING
MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY • ALUMNI NEWS • SPRING 2021
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Morgan Forever! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Giving to Morgan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 MSUAA Accomplishments. . . . . . . . . 3 Chapter and Class News . . . . . . . . . 4
Alumni on the Move . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 In the News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Golf Tournament . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Necrology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
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CONTENTS
S T RO N G !
Morgan Forever, Forever Morgan Friday, Oct. 22, 2021
Annual Homecoming Gala Morgan State University Foundation, Inc. www.alumni.morgan.edu
Dear Alumni, Last year, we all looked forward to celebrating a number of our regularly scheduled activities, such as our 80th Annual Alumni Awards and Class Reunion Luncheon, Commencement, Homecoming and our Memorial Service. But, unfortunately, none of that was to be. Instead, we had an unwanted visitor known as COVID-19, the worst pandemic since 1918, who decided to pay us an unwelcomed visit. What is so amazing is that this uninvited guest has decided to stick around for more than a year! It is my hope and prayer that you have weathered this storm with an unwavering, unmovable attitude and a strong determination that, no matter what, we will come out on the other side, even better and stronger. To those of us who have lost family
members, friends, coworkers or associates, I extend my deepest, heartfelt sympathy. To all of our classes that are celebrating their reunion this year, I extend a special, “virtual” hug and continued best wishes. Because of the uncertainty surrounding this virus, it deeply saddens me to report that all on-campus activities have been canceled for the spring, except for, possibly, Commencement. This means that we will not be able to host our 81st Annual Alumni Awards and Class Reunion Luncheon, because of the necessity to keep everyone as safe and healthy as possible. Sorry to say, this severely affects those reunion classes of years ending in “1” or “6,” and, especially, our 50th Anniversary Class, the Class of 1971. Our featured class will not be able to mark its special reunion in the normal fashion that it so rightfully deserves. However, I encourage each of us not to dwell on those things over which we have no control but, rather, to reflect on the blessing of having a life.
SAVE THE DATE
Office of Alumni Relations Alumni House 1700 E. Cold Spring Lane Baltimore, MD 21251
MORGAN FOREVER!
I hope that all Class Agents have reached out to your classmates and have considered planning something, virtually, to celebrate your special reunion. Let us remember that every year matters and that under no circumstances can we let COVID steal our joy! Please know I will sincerely miss seeing all of you, in person, this year. In the meantime, until we all meet again, let us please continue to do our part to stay healthy and be safe. See you next year! In the Spirit of Morgan,
Joyce A. Brown, ’86 and ’01 MSU Assistant Vice President for Alumni Relations and Strategic Engagement and Executive Director, MSU Alumni Association
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GIVING TO MORGAN
MSU President David K. Wilson and MSU Vice President for Institutional Advancement Donna Howard
Morgan Receives a Record $40-Million Gift From Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott
Calvin and Tina Tyler
Tylers’ $20-Million Gift to Morgan Is Highest-Ever From an Alum
The giving season began early at Morgan State University in 2020, with the announcement of the receipt of a historic, $40-million gift from author and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, in mid-December. The transformative gift is the largest single private donation in Morgan’s history and the second-largest gift to a public university in Maryland. The unrestricted funds will be used to support the University’s work essential to student success and to advance research and enhance investments in other mission-focused priorities and initiatives. The majority of the gift will be used to seed the newly established “Leading the World Endowment Fund,” the first unrestricted endowment in the University’s history. The fund will be invested using the MSU Foundation’s successful asset allocation strategy, with future interest leveraged to underpin ongoing University initiatives that have a direct connection to Morgan’s strategic plan. Scott’s gift — among the large gifts she made to more than 35 institutions that provide “education for historically marginalized and underserved people” — doubles the endowment at Morgan, establishing a more promising future supporting students and faculty, and improving academic programs for years to come.
Media outlets across the U.S. and overseas trumpeted the announcement in February of a $20-million commitment to MSU from Morgan alumnus Calvin E. Tyler, Jr. and his wife, Tina. The gift from the two nationally known philanthropists increased the $5-million endowment of a scholarship fund the couple established in 2016 to provide full-tuition, need-based scholarships for select students residing in the Tylers’ hometown of Baltimore City. No longer exclusive to students from Baltimore, the scholarship is now national in scope and will benefit generations of future Morgan students seeking a college education. The Tylers’ latest gift is the largest private donation from an alumnus in Morgan’s history and is believed to be the largest contribution of its kind to any Historically Black College or University (HBCU) nationwide from an alum. “My wife and I have become keenly aware of the effect that the pandemic has had on a number of young people trying to get an education, (and) we have the resources to help a lot of young people,” Tyler said. “This is why we are increasing our commitment at Morgan. We want to have more full-tuition scholarships offered to young people so that they can graduate from college and enter the next stage of their life debt-free.”
Bank of America Supports Jobs Initiative With $1 Million to MSU
Whiting-Turner Commits $300,000 to Support Morgan Students’ Construction Dreams
Morgan State University has partnered with Bank of America in a $1-million jobs initiative launched last November, to help students of color complete the education and training necessary to enter the workforce and embark on a path to success in Maryland. The initiative is part of the bank’s recent, $1-billion, four-year commitment to advance racial equality and economic opportunity, and its $25-million commitment to enhance up-skilling and reskilling for Black/African-American and Hispanic/Latino individuals. The partnership builds on Bank of America’s ongoing work to address the underlying issues facing individuals and communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the current public health crisis. The bank provided $1.3 million in grants in 2020 to nonprofits led by or serving People of Color who are connecting individuals to skills and employment in Maryland. Morgan will use the funding and other support from Bank of America to enhance existing programs to meet specific opportunities to create higher-paying, family-sustaining jobs that are in demand. Bank of America will work alongside employers in Maryland to ensure these programs target specific hiring needs and create a clearly defined career pathway to future employment.
Morgan State University has received a $300,000 commitment from The WhitingTurner Contracting Company to provide support to students pursuing degrees in construction management and civil engineering with a focus on construction. The commitment — $100,000 per year over the next three years — came in response to the financial challenges students have faced because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative is part of a proactive effort to keep students who are aspiring for careers in the construction industry enrolled until graduation. Whiting-Turner is a construction management and general contracting firm headquartered in Baltimore with 50 regional offices across the U.S. Morgan’s partnership with the company is longstanding. Whiting-Turner selects interns from the University’s School of Architecture and Planning and School of Engineering each year, developing a career “pipeline” to guide quality workers to its workforce.
Morgan to Launch New Center for Urban Health Equity Morgan State University, Maryland’s Preeminent Public Urban Research University, has announced plans to establish a Center for Urban Health Equity. Housed in the University’s School of Community Health and Policy, the new center will engage in research to address health inequities in Maryland. The launch of the Center for Urban Health Equity at Morgan is being made possible through funds recently received from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott (See the article on page 2.), and the center will be maintained with an annual $3-million appropriation commitment from the State of Maryland to the University’s operational budget. For its part, Morgan is dedicating $500,000 from the historic Scott gift to get the new center started, while the majority of the remaining funds have been placed into an endowment to support other strategic initiatives for future generations. The Center for Urban Health Equity at Morgan will occupy a unique space among the existing State-supported centers. The center will be designed to focus on communitydriven interests, allowing maximum research energy and effort for immediate allocation and response to the root issues that influence — and in many cases, perpetuate — health disparities. The University plans for the center’s research to be transformative, disruptive, innovative and, most critically, impactful. The center will also seek to provide leadership to a coordinated effort committed to bringing diverse thought and perspectives to establishment of a framework for health equity throughout the state and beyond.
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Morgan’s Economic Impact Expands to More Than $1 Billion Annually An independent analysis of impact indicators and fiscal contributions released in January affirmed that Morgan remains a key economic driver in the region, generating $1.1 billion in annual financial impact on Maryland and $640 million within Baltimore City. The new findings reveal an 11.1% increase in statewide impact and an 11.5% increase in citywide impact since the University’s last commissioned economic impact study, in 2018. The fiscal year 2021 study, conducted by the national economic consulting firm Econsult Solutions, Inc., also found that Morgan is responsible for supporting 6,900 jobs statewide, nearly 4,200 within the City, accounting for $558 million in wages in Maryland and $188 million in Baltimore. Among other important findings of the report: Morgan produced invention disclosures, new patent applications and other key innovation outputs at rates two to nine times higher than the U.S. average, per $10 million of research expenditures; 17% of Morgan alumni are employed in STEM fields, compared with 11% for all Maryland institutions of higher education; and 60% of the University’s economic and employment impact occurs in Baltimore City.
Morgan State University Alumni Association 2019–2020 Accomplishments Capitalizing on IT advancements and tools to remain relevant, operational and connected to our alumni, the University and students
Newsworthy
Striving and Excelling
• HBCU Coalition settlement for Maryland institutions of higher learning. The Maryland legislature reached a settlement of $577 million for a case that spanned more than a decade. Morgan was instrumental in leading this effort, and the MSUAA was active from the beginning in planning and support. The MSU Alumni Association sponsored buses to Annapolis, appeared before the hearing committees, attended rallies and supported efforts in a unified show of solidarity with fellow coalition members. Gov. Hogan initially opposed the measure, which has now been passed by the General Assemby and was signed by the Governor on March 24!
The Association has entered unchartered territories as we and the world have faced the everpresent pandemic of COVID-19. This pandemic has changed how we function as individuals, families, a community and a nation. Yet, we will remain vigilant and ready to do the work of the Association. We have stepped forward in remaining operational and relevant in these changing times. We have done what is necessary in serving our alumni, the University and our students. Our actions have been instrumental in keeping alumni informed and active as we forge ahead in seeking more opportunities to excel and grow. As Morganites, we stand ready to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.
Operational Achievements
• Conducted a full revision of the Association governing documents (Bylaws) in outlining how we function and operate as an organization. The Bylaws Committee did an exceptional job in planning and coordinating this massive undertaking. The changes made were critical in ensuring our continued operations during the pandemic and in the future. • Embraced technology in seizing the advantages afforded to us by having continuous contact and interactions with the alumni in conducting business. The IT team researched, explained and provided us with state-of-the-art IT tools and applications. IT systems made it possible to host numerous virtual meetings, including our Homecoming business meeting with the University President, e-voting on several critical business needs, and social events in forging unity and camaraderie. • Delivery of the first Chapter Development Training Program, during a chapter workshop highlighting key areas of interest to chapters in support of their operational success. Topics covered a spectrum of areas from budget to parliamentarian procedures, all targeting chapter requirements and operations. Briefings were informative and relevant, and presenters were both knowledgeable and experienced. Participants were pleased and gave the committee high marks and accolades for a job well done. The success of this endeavor resulted in an established program to be held every two years with training materials available on a permanent basis. • Completion of the first-ever MSUAA Strategic Plan (“Plan”) in establishing the vision and goals of the organization for the next five years (2021–2026). A plan that showcases our strengths, opportunities
and threats in meeting the demands and challenges ahead. The Plan and vision define our mission and our commitment to the alumni, the University and students. It is a plan of action, accountability and motivation to push forward to a new and more focused future. The Plan belongs to all alumni, and its success rests with us all as we commit ourselves to the Association.
National Alumni Association of the Year Legacy of Leaders Award
The Board of Directors of the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc., selected the Morgan State University Alumni Association as the recipient of the National Alumni Association of the Year Legacy Award 2020. This award showcases contributions to the University, students and alumni. The award honors the legacy of alumni leaders, alumni chapters and national alumni associations who make tremendous and oftentimes uncelebrated, unsung and unappreciated contributions to their institutions. This award recognizes demonstrated leadership qualities of integrity and trustworthiness, as well as the ability to communicate a vision and lead others to take effective action to achieve a goal. Associations will have a track record of having made a positive impact on their alma mater and/or their alumni association, as well as having improved the quality of life in their community. We are proud recipients of this award. We give honor and thanks to Joyce Brown, Executive Director of the MSU Alumni Association, for her insight, actions and commitment in nominating our Association for this prestigious award. It was a labor of love, dedication and commitment on her part in sharing our story and our success. The virtual Legacy of Leaders Ceremony was held on Sept. 25, 2020.
• Participation in the first-ever HBCU Week with Maryland Public Television (MPT), in December 2020. The network highlighted the rich history of Morgan for more than 1.1 million viewers in the greater DMV region; shared alumni and University news and the reasons why students choose to attend HBCUs; and showcased the culture and experience of attending an HBCU. The program was a success, and MPT has started planning for 2021 with additional program features (student involvement and open discussions). • Association donation of $10,000 to the MSU Foundation’s COVID Emergency Fund, in support of students during the pandemic. Support of students included technology assistance to operate in a virtual classroom setting; tuition support; and funds to assist with room and board and moving expenses during the campus shut-down and to pay for other necessities to increase student success. The Association, individual alumni and corporations stepped up to the challenge and ensured deserving students were given the opportunity and resources necessary to reach their goals of matriculation and graduation at Morgan State. • Association President’s Roundtable, Chapter Night Out, a quarterly open forum for Chapter Presidents. The event, a candid and honest discussion about concerns, challenges and solutions, provided an opportunity to learn from each other, increase understanding and leverage what works well. It was a setting to share successes and information about upcoming events and activities, in an informal venue for business, fun and games. All accomplishments are the result of the work of fellow alumni who led efforts and supported MSUAA initiatives, and the continuous and steadfast support of the Alumni Relations Office. Thank you one and all for your support and commitment!
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CHAPTER AND CLASS NEWS Dallas Fort-Worth Chapter Served Hundreds for Christmas The Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Chapter volunteered with its community partner Mercy Street Dallas to serve low-income residents of West Dallas last December, during their Christmas Co-Op. Donations of time, money and more than 200 boxes of food provided gifts for 200 families at the event. The chapter has been very active in 2020–2021, with other activities such as its joint virtual mixer with the Greater Houston Chapter and a virtual art gallery fundraiser featuring African-American and abstract art highlighting Morgan, HBCUs, the “Divine Nine,” Black Lives Matter and more. The chapter welcomes Morgan alumni who are new to the Dallas-Fort Worth area. For more information, please contact msuaa.dfwchapter@ gmail.com to learn more about the DFW Chapter and fellow MSU alumni nearby.
NJ, which is the largest anti-hunger, anti-poverty organization in New Jersey. Hosted by the HBCU-NJ Consortium for the eighth year, the NJ Chapter joined 15 other HBCU alumni chapters for the activity, which raised more than $4,800 for the food bank. As participants were not able to meet in-person, a Zoom get together was held with other members of the HBCU-NJ Consortium during the hours that would normally be spent at the food bank.
Northern Virginia Chapter Continues Work and Celebration
Howard L. Cornish Chapter’s Direct-Mail Campaign Raises $52,000 for Scholarships
The work and celebration of the Northern Virginia Alumni Chapter (MSUNOVAAC) have continued apace. When the pandemic prevented Morgan’s in-person Homecoming last year, the chapter decided to show its “Bear Pride” by hosting a Virtual Homecoming Celebration/Happy Hour on Oct. 23, via Zoom. Later last fall, six chapter members participated in the Sixth Annual HBCU Showcase. More than 400 students registered for the virtual event, which gave the Morgan alumni — including retired U.S. Army Gen. William E. (“Kip”) Ward, ’71 — opportunities to talk with prospective MSU matriculants about the University and the benefits of attending an HBCU. In December, after a short business meeting, chapter members and their families celebrated an afternoon of fun, virtually, at MSUNOVAAC’s Annual Holiday Celebration.
Like many other charitable, fundraising events since the spring of 2020, the Howard L. Cornish Metropolitan Baltimore Chapter’s 36th Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Breakfast, scheduled for Jan. 9, 2021, was canceled because of COVID-19. However, the chapter would not let the pandemic stop its annual tradition of awarding much-needed financial assistance to students of its alma mater. Last year, concerned that its perennially sold-out fundraiser would be preempted by the coronavirus, the chapter implemented a direct-mail campaign to ask its many dedicated supporters to donate the amount they would normally give to the MLK Breakfast. As a result of the dedication and unprecedented response of Cornish Chapter members, fellow Morgan alumni and the general public, the chapter has awarded $52,000 in scholarships to 26 deserving MSU students. The funds will be applied to the students’ Spring and Fall Semester tuition this year. Many students now face the stress of additional financial pressures because of the economic impact of the pandemic on their families. These scholarships were welcome assistance!
Pershing Angels Alumnae Stand Strong Amidst COVID-19
Class of 1949’s Giving Reaches a Milestone
The MSUAA Pershing Angels Alumnae Unit (AA-8-5) stood strong for Morgan and the broader community from fall 2020 through winter 2021. After performing a virtual salute on Facebook for Morgan’s Homecoming, sisters of the unit “Zoomed” in to support Morgan and Coppin undergraduate Pershing Angels during the Veterans Day program at Coppin State University, in November. In December, the unit shared the love of giving as Pershing Angels Elves in Baltimore City, partnering with Rosemont Interfaith Coalition to distribute adult winter care packages at Rosemont Towers and distribute Christmas toys and school supply bags to Youth of Rosemont Community. The kickoff of a High Tea Fellowship in February gave the sisters and their friends the opportunity to don fine linen and long white gloves to share the unit’s history and accomplishments. A few days later, the unit was well represented at the virtual Founders’ Day celebration of The National Society of Pershing Angels Sorority, Inc., which was founded on Morgan’s campus in 1965.
The Class of 1949’s contribution to MSU Foundation, Inc., for the Class of ’49 Alumni House Maintenance Endowment Fund has passed the $50,000 mark! Giving is an ongoing tradition for the Class of 1949, which has also made major contributions to the Harold Blackwell, Sr. Endowment Fund and the Dr. Effietee M. Payne Endowed Scholarship Fund and donated $1,949 to the University Memorial Chapel in 2019. The class extends its thanks to the family of Alfonso Owens, ’49, for the memorabilia they donated to the Beulah M. Davis Special Collections, housed in Morgan’s Richardson Library. Thanks also to the Class of ’49 from the Class Agents, Marie Bessick and Elaine Blackwell, for making the 70th Anniversary Class Reunion a success. As it continues its accomplishments in the present, the class acknowledges the work and cherishes the memory of three of its classmates who have passed on since 2019: Dr. Nancy Arnez, Dr. Edward James and Constance B. White.
Delaware Alumni Chapter Holds Raffle to Support Students The Delaware Alumni Chapter is sponsoring a raffle to raise money for the chapter’s MSU College Scholarship Fund. The first prize is a new Vizio 55-inch Smart TV, the second prize is $250 cash, and the third prize is $100 cash. The raffle tickets are $10 each. The drawing of the raffle tickets will be live on Zoom. The prizes will be mailed or delivered to winning ticket holders. Tickets can be purchased by emailing the Chapter President, Howard Sharps, at hesharps@yahoo.com.
Howard County Chapter Pushes Forward Through Pandemic
The Howard County Alumni Chapter has adjusted to the “new normal,” finding creative ways to push forward with its business during the pandemic. Although unable to hold its annual scholarship awards dinner, the chapter awarded scholarships to six deserving Howard County students enrolled in Morgan. Short videos of the students — in which they introduced themselves and expressed what the scholarship meant to them — were viewed during the October chapter meeting. The chapter’s annual Thanksgiving and Christmas donations to the Howard County Food Bank were accomplished this year via an outside “drive-by/ drop-off ” that yielded $1,350 in cash and 844 pounds of food. In lieu of in-person activities, fundraising to support the chapter’s scholarship fund was accomplished with a “Let’s Give Something Back Campaign.” Chapter members were asked to donate or pledge a certain amount and have already pushed past the halfway mark en route to the Fundraising Committee’s goal! Donating a certain amount gets the donor a custom MSU Howard County facemask, which is also available for purchase for $20. Another proud moment for the chapter was the creation of its website. Visit the group at MSUAA-hcc.org!
New Jersey Chapter Remains Active in the State The New Jersey Alumni Chapter has remained an active presence in the state despite the social restrictions enforced during the COVID-19 pandemic. In November 2020, the chapter sponsored its first-ever virtual wine tasting fundraising event. Hosted by “Love, Cork, Screw” of Chicago, the event had almost 30 alumni and friends as participants. It was a unique, fun and educational evening for all — one the chapter hopes to repeat this spring. In February, the NJ Chapter participated in its annual community service activity for the Community Food Bank of THE ALUMNI NEWS The Alumni News is published biannually by the Office of Alumni Relations and the Office of Public Relations and Communications. Any questions or concerns about this publication can be directed to: Office of Alumni Relations, Alumni House, Morgan State University, 1700 E. Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore, MD 21251, (443) 885-3015.
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chapter benefited students in grades 11 and 12 during the Washington, D.C. Metro HBCU Alumni Alliance College Admissions Readiness Virtual Workshop, which focused on STEM, and chapter members helped organize and lead the first-ever Alumni Chapters Workshop, which focused on training to increase awareness and guidance for MSUAA chapters’ operation and management. MSUPGCAC also continued supporting Morgan students with scholarship fundraising and the award of two $1,500 scholarships to incoming freshmen. The University Memorial Chapel likewise benefited from the chapter’s giving: Chapter President Phillip David, ’87, presented a $500 check during an Embrace-the-Chapel service.
Prince George’s Alumni Chapter Gives Back to Alma Mater and Community Despite the pandemic, the Prince George’s County Alumni Chapter (MSUPGCAC) raised its high standards for service with a number of successful activities. The chapter kicked off the giving season with its financial support of the Washington, D.C. Metro HBCU Alumni Alliance’s Hunger Initiative, providing dinner boxes for families on “A Soulful Thanksgiving.” Next, the chapter collected $350, and $200 worth of toys, clothes and toiletries, in December, for the Ronald McDonald House Charities Annual Toy and Supply Drive. Later in the month, chapter members donated $1,050 to Morgan’s Food Resource Center, to help support the approximately 65 students on campus who were unable to return home during the winter break. Volunteer service by the
Class of 1961’s 60th Reunion Will Honor Achievement and Legacy The Class of 1961 will hold a virtual meeting for its 60th reunion, on Friday, May 21, 2021. The class honors Morgan for giving it the tools to make a difference in the world: the tools to legislate, govern, heal body and soul, build financial wealth, teach, write, and create world ambassadors and musicians. At the reunion, the class will honor its own and acknowledge that the classmates have “fought the good fight.” For more information, contact wilsongoodesr@gmail.com. The Class of ’61 asks its members to continue their group legacy by contributing to the class endowment fund. Please make checks payable and mail them to: Morgan State University Foundation, Inc., 1700 E. Cold Spring Lane, 201 Truth Hall, Baltimore MD 21251. Write “Class of ’61 Endowment Fund” on the memo line of your check.
DUES RENEWAL
GIVE A GIFT TO MORGAN
Dues renewal begIns on July 1, 2021.
We are always told, “It is better to give than receive.”
Enjoy all of the benefits of being an alumnus or alumna on an annual basis, for $35 per year: our easiest and most convenient way to contribute to the Morgan State University Alumni Association! Membership dues cover the fiscal year July 1, 2021–June 30, 2022. We look forward to your continued support!
So, on your birthday, anniversary, graduation, holiday or any other significant day in your life, honor your alma mater by giving a gift to Morgan State University! Visit www.givetomorgan. com, and click on “Give Now,” or make your check payable and mail it to: MSU Foundation, Inc., 201 Truth Hall, 1700 E. Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore, MD 21251.
Class of 1969 Continues Its Giving
Class of 1973 Moves Toward Its 50th Anniversary Goal
The Class of 1969 appreciates its members’ generous financial and other support of Morgan’s 2020 Homecoming Virtual Gala. Many classmates purchased bricks and MSU facemasks, filled virtual tables and became sponsors of the event. Financial contributions totaled $8,000, which will help MSU Foundation, Inc., respond quickly to the urgent needs of Morgan students and ensure their success in the future. The class also continues to generously support the Class of 1969-sponsored funds: the 1969 Endowment Scholarship Fund and the Food Resource Center Fund (FRC). During the 2020 school year, the class awarded need-based scholarships to five students, one of whom reported that she was “overjoyed to be a recipient of the scholarship and will not take this responsibility lightly. Thank you for believing in me and investing in my future. This scholarship means more than the world to me.” Class members may continue to make an annual gift to the 1969 Endowment Fund (#6147) or the MSU Food Resource Center (FRC) Fund (#2635) and send gifts in support of Morgan and its vision of “Growing the Future, Leading the World,” as part of their 2021 annual giving plans. Donations can be made online at https://givetomorgan.org/give, or checks may be made payable to MSUF, Inc. and mailed to P.O. Box 64261-4261, Baltimore, MD 21264-4261. Be sure to type the name of the fund you have chosen to support in the comment section online or in the memo section of your check. A special “Thank You!” to classmates who have already given! Class support is greatly appreciated. Please continue your support today to assist Morgan students as they build on Morgan’s legacy of excellence. Contact Nellie Maskal, Class Agent, at (301) 445-1433 or orblue6947@gmail.com for more information.
The Class of 1973 is moving ever closer to its 50th Anniversary and its goal of raising $50,000 or more for its Class Endowment Fund before the 50th Anniversary Reunion celebration. The request remains the same: for every member of the class to pledge a tax-deductible gift of $100 per year before Jan. 1, 2023. Please make checks payable and mail them to: Morgan State University Foundation, Inc., 1700 E. Cold Spring Lane, 201 Truth Hall, Baltimore, MD 21251, and write “Class of ’73 Endowment” on the memo line of the check. The class sends “Kudos!!!” to the “Change Makers ’73” classmates who have been consistent with their giving. For additional Information, please contact Denise Smith at denise.smith@morgan.edu or (410) 440-0281, or Gail Robinson-Brown, ’73, at g_robinsonbrown@msn.com or (410) 961-5916.
Class of 1975 Launches an Endowment in Honor of Its 50th Anniversary The Class of 1975’s virtual Holiday Party this past December included more than fun and fellowship. The class members also voted on launching a class endowment to support students at Morgan State University. Special guest for the evening was Denise Smith, Major Gift Officer for MSU, who provided updated information on establishing a class endowment, during the Zoom event. The 27 class members in attendance voted to create an endowment of $10,000 before the Class of 1975’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, to fund scholarships for Morgan students. Several class members pledged $100 during the event to make the initial $2,000 payment.
As the Class of 1971’s 50th anniversary quickly approaches, we regret that class members and friends will miss the opportunity to meet on “The Yard” this year for a 50th Anniversary Reunion. Nonetheless, the celebration continues! The class extends its thanks to all who have continued to give back to Fair Morgan, and it sends the following message as a call to action:
Class of 1980 Maintains Digital Connections The Class of 1980 is making good use of the internet to bring classmates together. A virtual gathering was held via Zoom on Saturday, March 27, and the Class of 1980 Newsletter is now available electronically. Classmates who have not received the newsletter should email morganstate1980classagentteam@gmail.com to request a copy. Contributors to the newsletter are welcomed! If you have a talent for writing or have article suggestions, please contact the editors at the email address above.
Class of 1981 Forges Ahead The Class of 1981 has a primary goal: to assist Morgan students as they, too, embark upon a quality education at Fair Morgan. As the class moves toward its 40th Anniversary Reunion, current circumstances have made it necessary to do things a little differently this season. But the goal of the class has not changed, nor has its determination to make a monetary commitment in the name of the Class of 1981. During the Homecoming season last year, the class asked each member to make a donation of $100 or more to the University, and it is renewing that call once again. Classmates unable to make the $100 commitment are asked to give what they can! Please give through the MSU Foundation (Class Giving) online at https:// givetomorgan.org/give, or make checks payable and mail them to: Morgan State University Foundation, Inc., 1700 E. Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore, MD 21251. Please write "Class of 1981 Endowment" on the subject line of your check, as the class has created an endowment and would like the monies to go toward it. The class is $5,000 shy of its goal. Have you moved? If so, contact the Alumni Relations Office at (443) 885-3015, or send an email to alumni@morgan.edu (subject line: "Updated Contact Information"). Do you have any fundraising ideas? Reach out to one of your Class Agents: Lolita A. Kelson at lolitaakelson@yahoo.com; Karen Gilmore at kgilmore1959@gmail.com; Marsha Worrell at mdworrell1@aol.com; or Vanessa Grey at vmgrey1958@ gmail.com.
The Class of 1991 is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year! Classmates should join the “Morgan State University Class of 1991” Facebook group to stay in the know about preparations for the 30th Anniversary Reunion. The class is still accepting contributions to the class gift that will be presented during the reunion this year. Please make your gift online, on or before May 7, 2021, by visiting https:// givetomorgan.org/give and specifying “Class of 1991.” For more information, or to make suggestions, email Tisha Lynton Rose at msu91pres@gmail.com.
ALUMNI BUSINESS DIRECTORY Do you own a business? We are inviting you to join our Alumni Business Directory, where you can post information about your business online and gain support from other alumni. Log on today, and be connected at alumni.morgan.edu!
We all have been affected in some way by the current circumstances, but many of us have endured. Some have even flourished. The work of providing for and giving back to our Morgan students never ends. Although we can’t be together this year, we need to always be there for our students and our alma mater. So, please consider making a donation to our Morgan “Class of 1971 Endowment,” or think about giving to your department or maybe the University Memorial Chapel or MSU Athletics. Whatever your choice, just give to Morgan! Here's how... By Check: Make checks payable and mail them to: MSU Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 64261, Baltimore, MD 21264-4261. Designate the recipient of the funds in the memo section of your check. Online: Visit www.givetomorgan.org, and follow the prompts. Please contact: Denise A. Smith at (410) 440-0281 or denise. smith@morgan.edu for answers to questions or for other assistance.
Our memories of Morgan will last forever, so let’s make sure the lifetime blessing of education is there for our students!
Class of 1982 Grows Its Endowment Hard work by the Class of 1982 and its eight-member Steering Committee is paying off: funding for the $82,000 class gift to be presented at the group’s 40th Anniversary Reunion in 2022 is at the halfway point! This endowment will not only help current and future students but will leave a lasting legacy from the class. Classmates wishing to give to Fair Morgan should follow these steps: • Go to https://givetomorgan.org/give. • Select “Other” (specify your desired area) from the dropdown menu to earmark your donation. • In the “Instruction about My Donation” box directly below, indicate and type: “Please apply my donation to the pending Class of 1982 Endowed Scholarship Fund”. • After completing all required information, click “Donate Now”.
Class of 1991 Preps for Its 30th Anniversary
Progress continued during the Class of 1975 virtual Business Meeting, in February. The class is happy to report that $3,200 was collected for the initial endowment payment and was mailed to MSU Foundation, Inc. The last class of Morgan State College is on the road to its 50th Anniversary Celebration! Other fundraisers by the class are being planned.
A Message From Morgan’s 50th Anniversary Class
• Print out the receipt for your tax-deductible gift.
Or, make the check for your donation payable and mail it to: Morgan State University Foundation, Inc., 1700 E. Cold Spring Lane, 201 Truth Hall, Baltimore, MD 21251. Please write “Class of 1982 Endowed Scholarship Fund” in the memo section of your check. You will receive your taxdeductible receipt in the mail from MSU Foundation, Inc. For more information, please contact Class Agent Dorothy Scott Blakely at (410) 302-1264 or Class Agent Gregory T. Pinn at (917) 861-7242.
MSU EMBROIDERED FACE COVERING Four-ply face coverings embroidered with the MSU logo are still available for purchase! The masks are available online at the following page, for $20 per mask: https://givetomorgan.org/face-mask Help Stop the Spread!
Photo by Rebrand Cities from Pexels
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ALUMNI ON THE MOVE Erstwhile MSU Spokesman reporter Devon Ashby, ’19, has published his first book, “PG vs MoCo: A Memoir of High School Football in the Shadow of the Nation’s Capital.” The volume presents dynamic football talents from the public schools of the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Area, including parts of Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. The collection of stories raises the question of whether Maryland’s presence as a football state should be acknowledged as much as its basketball presence. Ashby earned his bachelor’s degree in multimedia journalism from Morgan. He cut his journalistic teeth in interviews with MSU President David K. Wilson, who often called him a “future award-winning journalist.” Tyson J. Beale, Ph.D., ’10, has been selected as the new Vice President of Student Services at Coker University, in Hartsville, South Carolina. In his new post, Dr. Beale is responsible for providing leadership, management and supervision for student services programs, student services personnel, student financial aid, recruiting and retention, enrollment management, response to student needs and fostering of institutional development. Among his previous posts in higher education, Dr. Beale served as the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at Fayetteville State University. He received his Ph.D. in higher education administration from Morgan. Lt. Col. Michael L. Bell, U.S. Army (Ret.), ’76, has been selected as the Morgan State University Department of Mathematics and Math Club (Mu Alpha Tau) 2020 Alumnus of the Year! Lt. Col. Bell, who earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Morgan, is Second Vice President of the MSU Alumni Association and a member and past President of the association’s “Bear Battalion” ROTC Alumni Chapter. He is an inductee in the MSU ROTC Hall of Fame. N’bare N’gom, Ph.D., Dean of Morgan’s James H. Gilliam, Jr., College of Liberal Arts, has appointed Jesse J. Bennett, Jr., ’69, as Chairman of the college’s Advisory Committee. His two-year term ends in 2023. Bennett — the husband of Sheila C. Bennett, ’69 — is a retired education professional, having worked for 24 years in public and institutional schools in the Baltimore area and for 23 years as an education union field representative in Pennsylvania and Maryland school districts. He brings years of experience in volunteer service to the committee, including as Chairman of the 50th Anniversary Committee for the MSU Class of 1969; as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the historic Mount Auburn Cemetery, in Baltimore; and in other positions. He earned his Bachelor of Science in health education at Morgan. A recently released memoir by Elizabeth I. (“Liz”) Best, ’86, “Chosen: Only by His Grace,” is the latest of seven nonfiction books she has published. The prolific author and book publisher is the Founder and President of Best Writing & Consulting Services, Inc., a company dedicated to helping its clients overcome writer’s block and meet their writing goals and objectives. In her former work as an independent correspondent for several local and national print media outlets, she was able to hone her craft and complement it with a master’s degree from the University of Baltimore. Best earned her bachelor’s degree in business at Morgan. Her memoir is available for purchase on her website, www.lizbest1.com. Morgan State University alumni Tracy Vontélle Green, ’92, (top photo) and Nancey Harris, ’93, have launched Vontélle, LLC, a company that targets consumers aged 25–65 with its unique luxury eyewear and matching facemasks, displaying ethnic patterns that reflect African, Caribbean and Latin cultures. Vontélle’s mission is to empower customers to, “walk confidently in this world: for every occasion.” Green earned her Bachelor of Arts in political science at Morgan, and Harris holds a Bachelor of Arts in telecommunications from MSU. 6
Louisiana State University (LSU) has tabbed longtime collegiate and National Football League coach and former Morgan Bears scholar-athlete Daronte Jones, ’01, as the Tigers’ Defensive Coordinator. Jones spent the past five years coaching in the NFL and came to LSU from a post as Defensive Backs Coach for the Minnesota Vikings. He has also been successful at the college level, with the University of Wisconsin, the University of Hawaii, UCLA, Bowie State University, Nicholls State University and Lenoir-Rhyne University. The former Bears defensive back began coaching at the high school level in Louisiana soon after earning his bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from MSU. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has appointed Rachel Jones, ’07, to the Maryland House of Delegates, representing District 27B in Calvert and Prince George’s Counties. Jones, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Morgan, had served as Southern Maryland Field Representative for U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin since 2016 and, before that, as an assistant to U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski and Maryland State Sen. Nathaniel McFadden, ’68 and ’72. Her appointment fills a vacancy created when Delegate Michael A. Jackson was elevated to the State Senate in January, after the passing of longtime Maryland Senate President Thomas V. (“Mike”) Miller. Jones has been active in humanitarian work in the U.S. and abroad for more than a decade, as Chair of the Missions Ministry of her church and as Vice President of the board of Farming 4 Hunger. Delaware native Micaiah Latimer, ’15, has joined the full-service architecture, interior design and landscape architecture firm Bernardon, as a Designer in the company’s West Chester, Pennsylvania, office. Latimer previously worked for five years as a Graduate Architect with Harris-Kupfer Architects, Inc., in Baltimore, Maryland, after earning his bachelor’s degree in architecture and environmental design from Morgan. The life and work of writer, artist and educator Maurice (“Raheem”) Mander, ’95, was recently featured on the website of HBCU Buzz. In the article, Mander recounted the socioeconomic challenges of his upbringing in Trenton, New Jersey; his experiences as a student at Morehouse College and Morgan State University; and how they fed the creativity that gave birth to his comic book series, “Surian Seed: HBCU Superheroes,” which, he reported, is being made into an animated film. Mander holds a master’s degree in AfricanAmerican history from Morgan. The Public Relations Society of America Maryland Chapter (PRSA Maryland) has elected David Marshall, Ph.D., ’87, as its 2021 President. Dr. Marshall earned his Bachelor of Science in religious studies from Morgan and is Professor and Chair of the Department of Strategic Communication in MSU’s School of Global Journalism and Communication. As a member of PRSA Maryland’s board of directors last year, he recruited and on-boarded the chapter’s first diversity, equity and inclusion co-chairs. He has also been active with PRSA National and The PR Council on plans to create career pipelines for diverse talent by encouraging agencies to increase their recruitment efforts at HBCUs. As President, he is seeking to enhance his skills to help boost the career success of strategic communication majors at Morgan. Wall Street veteran Tiffany McGhee, ’00, has joined the business news TV channel CNBC as a Contributor. McGhee is also Founder and CEO of StocSavvy, a weekly email publication addressing the needs of women investors, and is a former Partner and head of Institutional Investment Services at Momentum Advisors, a New York City-based investment advisory firm launched by another Morgan graduate, Allan Boomer, ’99. McGhee established her own investment firm, Pivotal Advisors, in 2020. A native of Baltimore, she began her career at Merrill Lynch in 2003 and has long been committed to engaging experts and educating novices on the workings of Wall Street and investing.
Traci McKenzie-Knight, ’02, has been appointed as Deputy Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). McKenzie-Knight is an established cybersecurity leader with nearly two decades of experience in the federal and private sectors, including a recent position leading Cyber Operations for GSFC. Before taking that position, she served as Senior Cybersecurity Advisor for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. She holds a Bachelor of Science in information systems from Morgan and is a Certified Information Security Manager. Muriel Giles Mitchell, ’69, has joined the Board of Directors of the Howard County (Maryland) Arts Council as a Community Liaison. A veteran educator with a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from Morgan and a Master of Education from Northeastern University, Mitchell bring a wealth of experience and expertise along with new perspectives to the board. After moving to Howard County from Boston in 1973, she enjoyed a 38year career with the Montgomery County Public School System, working as a reading specialist, Title I specialist and special education coordinator. She now serves as the coordinator of Howard County’s annual Black History Expo and in a number of volunteer posts in her community. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed Stephanie Nellons-Paige, ’81 and ’85, to the Texas Southern University Board of Regents. Her term runs until Feb. 1, 2025. Nellons-Paige, a native of Baltimore City, is CEO of the Houston-based consulting firm Nellons-Paige Group, Inc., and recently served as a Managing Director of the $25-billion Texas Central High-Speed Rail project, leading its business and workforce opportunity policy. Influential in the public and private sectors, she has been active in numerous initiatives, among them Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Minority and Women Business Ecosystem Assessment and COVID-19 Health Equity and Response task forces and the Houston Fund for Social Justice and Economic Equity. She earned a Bachelor of Science in urban studies and a Master of Science in transportation management at Morgan. New York University (NYU) has appointed Aisha Oliver-Staley, ’02, as the institution’s General Counsel and University Secretary. She began serving in the position in January. A magna cum laude graduate of Morgan, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in business management, Oliver-Staley has a J.D. from Howard University and served as Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer and Deputy General Counsel at Georgia Institute of Technology during her 10-year tenure there, before taking her current post at NYU. Oliver-Staley is deeply involved in community service, having worked as a pro bono immigration attorney, a reading mentor, a trustee of her local church, a volunteer with L.E.A.D. Atlanta and in other volunteer positions. Tenyo Pearl, ’93, was named to the Daily Record’s 2020 Maryland’s Top 100 Women Circle of Excellence. Pearl, recipient of a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Morgan, is Director of Coppin State University’s NonProfit Leadership Alliance. She was selected for the honor by the statewide business and legal publication because of her leadership achievement demonstrated through professional accomplishments, community involvement and mentoring. The Circle of Excellence recognizes Top 100 Women honorees who have won the award for the third and final time. In the 25-year history of the award, 337 women have joined the Circle of Excellence. Carl S. Perkins, Ed.D., ’80, has been appointed to the Board of Trustees of Howard Community College (HCC) by Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan. Dr. Perkins is serving a six-year term, through June 30, 2025. Now an adjunct faculty member at McDaniel College and a Professional Development School Liaison and Supervisor and adjunct faculty member at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), he previously served in the Howard County Public School System for 35 years as a teacher, new teacher recruiter and Assistant
Principal. He also served on the Advisory Council for Gifted and Talented Education for the Maryland State Department of Education. Perkins holds a master’s degree in educational supervision and administration from Morgan. Sports journalist and author William C. Rhoden, ’73, has been voted into the National Sports Media Association (NSMA) Hall of Fame. Rhoden, a native of Chicago, was a scholar-athlete at Morgan, where he was a member of the Bears’ football team; served as Assistant Sports Information Director; and earned his Bachelor of Science in speech communication. After graduating, he worked for the Baltimore Afro-American, the Baltimore Sun and Ebony magazine, before joining The New York Times staff as a sports columnist, a position he held until his retirement in 2016. Rhoden published his first book, “Forty Million Dollar Slaves: The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of the Black Athlete,” in 2006. Now a writer and editor-at-large for ESPN’s The Undefeated, he also assists the next generation of journalists as the head of The Rhoden Fellowship, a two-year program sponsored by ESPN that trains aspiring African-American journalists from HBCUs. RCA Records has named Samantha (“Sam”) Selolwane, ’00, as Head of Promotion, overseeing the company’s hip-hop, R&B and mixshow formats. A 20-year music industry veteran with 15 years at RCA’s parent company, Sony Music, Selolwane had served as Senior Vice President, Urban Promotion for the record label since 2017. She began her career in radio as an intern, programmer and on-air personality before becoming a promotion executive with Jive/RCA Records/Sony. Known as an innovative, passionate advocate for artists, she has worked closely with countless talents, including Chris Brown, Usher, Miguel, Jazmine Sullivan, Alicia Keys and others. She earned a Bachelor of Science in telecommunications at Morgan. Internationally renowned opera singer and voice professor Kevin Short, ’84, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Baltimore Concert Opera (BCO) for a three-year, renewable term. Short is on the voice faculty at the University of Maryland and serves as an adjunct professor at the Curtis Institute of Music. He received his training at the Curtis Institute of Music (master’s degree, voice); the Juilliard School of Music Opera Center; and Morgan, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in music education with a concentration in vocal studies. Short maintains homes in Maryland and Switzerland and thrills audiences around the globe with his performances as a versatile bass-baritone in a wide range of repertoire. Inspired by his own success at losing weight with a healthier diet, Raymon Simpson, ’10, has launched The Crestlyn Kitchen, a carryout restaurant located about a mile from Morgan’s campus, near the Alameda. The restaurant’s menu seeks to address common health problems of Black Baltimoreans by featuring lower-sodium, lowerfat meals and low-sugar, vegan, vegetarian and ketogenic options. Customers are also allowed to make special dietary requests. Simpson holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture and environmental design from Morgan. His new venture was highlighted in the Feb. 4, 2021 issue of the Baltimore Sun. Jamil White, ’05, has been named Controller of New Energy Equity (NEE), a solar developer and financier based in Annapolis, Maryland. White, a Certified Public Accountant, has more than 15 years of experience in various accounting fields, including assurance, corporate accounting, financial reporting and tax compliance, and has a reputation for building strong teams and delivering timely results in fast-paced environments. His past employers include high-profile companies such as Ernst & Young (EY) and Washington Gas, and his most recent post before arriving at NEE was at Howard University, where he served as the Senior Director of Accounting and Reporting. White earned his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Morgan.
IN THE NEWS Morgan Graduate’s Film, ‘Jingle Jangle,’ Was a Holiday Hit Writer, director, producer and Morgan graduate David E. Talbert, Class of 1989, has added to his long list of popular, creative successes, with “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey,” a film released by Netflix last December to critical acclaim and a hugely positive audience response. Talbert worked as a talk show host for Morgan’s WEAA Radio, and wrote his first script, en route to receiving his bachelor’s degree in marketing at the University. Since his first stage production in 1991, Talbert has written and produced 14 hit plays and three feature films and has penned three novels. Set in a Victorian village and featuring a star-studded cast composed mainly of Black actors, “Jingle Jangle” is the story of a once-joyful toymaker who finds redemption through his granddaughter.
Class of ’91 Member Leads Capitol Police Yogananda D. Pittman of Morgan’s Class of 1991 has been appointed Acting Chief of Police for the United States Capitol Police (USCP), the law enforcement agency responsible for protecting the members, employees, visitors and facilities of the United States Congress. Chief Pittman also continues to serve as the USCP Assistant Chief of Police for Protective and Intelligence Operations, a position she took in 2019. Chief Pittman joined the Capitol Police in 2001 and has achieved a number of firsts during her rise up the ranks, becoming one of the first African-American female USCP Captains, the first woman to hold the rank of Assistant Chief and, now, the first woman and first African American to head the agency. Last October, Pittman received the 2020 Women in Federal Law Enforcement’s (WIFLE’s) Outstanding Advocate for Women in Federal Law Enforcement award. She earned her Bachelor of Science in psychology from Morgan.
Morgan Entrepreneur Wins Big on ‘Shark Tank’ A company headed by Morgan graduate Duane (“Myko”) Cheers was a big success on the Feb. 26, 2021 episode of ABC-TV’s Shark Tank. Everything Legendary, a new, plant-based meat company, netted a deal with businessman Mark Cuban on the long-running, popular show, which gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their products or services to a panel of investors. Cuban offered $300,000 for a 22% stake in the company to Cheers, who is Everything Legendary’s CEO, and his partners, company President Danita Claytor (also an HBCU graduate) and Chef Jumoke Jackson.
“This gives us the resources that allow us to position our brand against any competitor, where I know we will win on the flavor and quality,” said Cheers, who received his Bachelor of Science in marketing from Morgan in 2009. “For me, this investment is extremely personal. It is validation of my ‘never give up’ philosophy. I heard ‘no’ 1,000,001 times over the years, but this one ‘yes’ moment changes everything.” Everything Legendary had more good fortune immediately after the show’s airing, as the company sold $250,000 worth of burgers within 24 hours.
Duane (“Myko”) Cheers (left) with business partners Danita Claytor and Jumoke Jackson
Stanley Black & Decker Taps MSU Alumnus as Head of Diversity Stanley Black & Decker has named Morgan graduate Joe Simms as the company’s Chief Diversity Officer, responsible for championing a broad approach to diversity, equity and inclusion to accelerate company performance, optimize organizational culture and enhance transparency. Simms is also serving as co-chair of the company’s African Ancestry Network and contributed to the company’s “10 Commitments to Racial Equity and Social Justice.” Stanley Black & Decker is a $14-billion/year industrial organization with 61,000 employees in more than 60 countries. Simms comes to his new role after 18 months as Vice President of Human Resources for the company’s $10-billion/year Global Tools & Storage business, the largest in the world. He began his career at the company in 2013 as Vice President of Human Resources for U.S. Sales & Marketing. Before joining Stanley Black & Decker, he worked in a variety of human resource leadership roles at PepsiCo. Simms earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Morgan in 1993 and holds a Master of Arts in labor and industrial relations from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Nontraditional Students…Opportunities for You at MSU! The Morgan State University Center for Continuing and Professional Studies offers a program designed to assist individuals, especially parents, in obtaining a bachelor’s degree. Learn more about the Improved Opportunities for Parents (IOP) Program, and view the new video about the program, by entering “IOP” in the search field of MSU’s website, www. morgan.edu! The Center for Continuing and Professional Studies also offers online personal enrichment and career training courses that cover a wide variety of topics. Consider using this time to gain professional or personal skills from home. Search for “Online Career Training” or “Online Personal Enrichment” on www.morgan.edu for more information.
Help Us Stay Connected! Let’s stay in touch! Please let us know of any changes to your profile, including your name, address, telephone, email, etc. You may notify us by email at alumni@morgan. edu, by telephone at (443) 885-3015 or through our Online Community (www.alumni. morgan.edu). We would also love to know of any other MSU alumni who are not receiving our mailings. Please check with your MSU family members and friends, and contact us by phone or email if you hear of any missed connections. Keeping the information in our database current will ensure that you and all of our alumni will continue to receive Morgan Magazine, Alumni News and other Morgan publications and important email messages. In addition to housing your profile, the Alumni Online Community provides important alumni information and updates, and we encourage you to log on there on a regular basis. If you have never accessed the Online Community before, you will need a Constituent ID Number. Just reach out to us, and we will provide it to you. The site includes great features such as an alumni Business Directory, where you can post your business online and gain support from other alumni, and a chapter map, which gives you the capability to search for an MSUAA chapter in your region. It also has other useful tools that enable you to locate your classmates and friends, post pictures and class notes, and much more. Sign up TODAY, and be informed! Of course, you may also stop by the Alumni House, if you are in the area, to make your updates! We hope to hear from you, and we would love to keep you up to date on all of the great things happening here at Morgan and throughout our alumni community.
U P YO U R WO R K W E A R G A M E Appearance is the first impression a student makes when sitting for an interview. It tells the interviewer how serious the candidate is about the job or internship. At The Career Closet, we believe that every person should have a good suit! Buying a new suit doesn’t start in the stores. It starts with your goals. Morgan’s Center for Career Development seeks to equip students with valuable resources they can take into the future. Toward this end, Earlene Goodson, ’82, partnered with the MSU On-Campus Alumni Chapter and Target to open The Career Closet. The Closet provides professional career clothing for all current Morgan students for occasions such as interviews, career fairs, internships, networking receptions and other career-related events. The Closet is generously supported by donations from Morgan alumni, community organizations, students and local employers. Come visit us! You may also schedule an appointment at (443) 885-3110. morgan.edu/careerdevelopment
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The Office of the Registrar Is Ready to Serve! The Office of the Registrar comprises several areas, including student records, registration, enrollment/degree verification and veterans affairs and engagement, and the team offers a myriad of other services. The goal of the office is aligned with the University’s mission, which is to be an effective resource for students, faculty, staff and alumni. To access the forms for the services the Office of the Registrar provides, you can visit www.morgan.edu/onlineforms. The page includes instructions for all services as well as processing times. As Morgan alumni, you are able to request an official transcript of your work completed, provided you have cleared any and all outstanding accounts with the University. You can visit morgan.edu/transcripts to place an order for your records if you need them. If you require additional assistance or have questions, visit www.morgan.edu/ enrollment_management_and_student_success/office_of_the_registrar/contact_ us.html for a list of all of our contact areas. The staff looks forward to assisting you!
GIVE A GIFT TO MORGAN
Coming Soon! Morgan’s 31st Annual Golf Tournament and Virtual Fundraiser The Morgan State University Foundation, Inc., in conjunction with the MSU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, will hold its 31st Annual Golf Tournament, at Turf Valley Resort on Monday, May 10, 2021. Every year, this special friendraising and fundraising event provides critical financial assistance to our outstanding scholar-athletes and the Athletics Department. Your contribution to the tournament will truly make an impact. This year, the fundraising goal for the event is $50,000. The University invites you to participate as a sponsor or golfer, or to create a virtual golf cart fundraiser team in this year’s tournament, to become a part of the legacy that continues to make this a great event. Given the spread of the COVID-19 virus in Maryland and around the globe, Morgan and Turf Valley are employing a number of new features and protocols designed to keep tournament participants safe. For more information, visit the golf tournament website at www.MorganAnnualGolf.org. Golfers will check-in at 8 a.m., and the shotgun start is at 9 a.m.
Build a Pathway to the Future With a Commemorative Brick! Create your lasting mark on Morgan’s history by naming a brick in Morgan’s Sesquicentennial Brick Plaza. Bricks on the path “Morgan Way” are available for $150 each. By naming a brick, you may create a memory of your time on campus or memorialize a friend, your class or an organization. Bricks will be installed twice a year: in the spring before Commencement and in the fall before Homecoming. Commemorative bricks are available through July 1, 2022. Bricks ordered before July 1, 2021 will be installed in September 2021. To order and design a brick, go to www.givetomorgan.org, and click “GIVE”, or go directly to https://givetomorgan.org/brick.
NECROLOGY Deceased MSU Alumni, Faculty, Staff & Students ‘Gone But Not Forgotten’ Harold W. Adams, ’64. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/13/2021 Brenda S. Anderson-Wade, ’74. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11/25/2020 Gloria Austin, ’63. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9/29/2020 Ammon G. Barksdale, ’57. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11/14/2020 Cassandra Barnett-Goodwin, ’63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9/5/2020 Deborah Bethune-Mickey, ’77. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11/4/2020 Calvin M. Beverly, ’81. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12/24/2020 Lee Bostic, ’57. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9/4/2020 Lloyd Bowser, ’72. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10/8/2020 Arkelga L. Braxton, Jr., ’87 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9/28/2020 Ethel Louise Brewer,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9/9/2020 George G. Brown, ’51. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12/15/2020 Roger Bryan, Jr., ’48. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10/21/2020 Celia V. Carr, ’65. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/14/2021 Clementine Carr, ’67. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10/24/2020 Forrest Carver, ’72. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11/15/2020 Frank Coakley, ’83. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2/23/2021 Walter W. Cole, ’61. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9/10/2020 Ruby Alma Keyes Couch, ’45. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11/20/2020 Robert J. Darden, ’53. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10/22/2020
Loretta Drummond, ’76 (Former Staff). . . . . . . . . . . . 12/9/2020 Cora L. Dungee, ’66. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10/7/2020 Godwin C. Duru, ’82. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12/28/2020 Anne O. Emery, ’71. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8/19/2020 Loyal Evans, Jr., ’59. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3/23/2020 Edith C. Gibson, ’57. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2/11/2021 James T. Gorman, ’80. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12/26/2020 Gaynor W. Greenage, ’51. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11/16/2020 Vernon A. Greene, ’78. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10/27/2020 Crystal Hardy-Flowers, ’86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12/31/2020 Bruce W. Harrell, ’94. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12/30/2020 McClinton Hatton, Jr., ’71. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9/12/2019 Shirley T. Hill, ’80. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11/27/2020 Benjamin Arthur Holmes, ’53. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2/19/2021 Mark A. Horne, ’79. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10/6/2020 Jacquelyn M. Jackson, ’61. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2/15/2021 Bryant Jenkins, ’81. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12/1/2020 Hilder D. Jenkins, ’75. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10/31/2020 Gloria M. Johnson, ’51. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8/31/2020 Ronald L. Johnson, ’82. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3/14/2020
SHOW YOUR MORGAN PRIDE!
Mable F. Jones, ’43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9/25/2020 Maurice C. Jones, ’00. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9/11/2020 Raymond W. Jones, ’69. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11/7/2020 Vivian Kernes, ’55. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8/31/2020 Charles Klein, ’99. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12/25/2020 Juanita M. Lewis, ’84. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11/27/2020 Mary D. McGee, ’79 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9/12/2020 Dr. Samuel L. Meyers, Sr., ’40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/8/2021 Sarah E. Montgomery, ’57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2/24/2021 Howard H. Moss, Jr., ’63. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/28/2021 Norman Carl Neverson, II, ’09. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12/16/2020 Barbara Newman, ’10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10/8/2020 George Nock, ’68. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10/22/2020 Elias O’Neal, ’76. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9/2/2020 Tonya D. Pinchback, ’19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2/2/2021 Ralph T. Portee, ’70. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10/1/2020 Helen R. Ray, ’72. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10/2/2020 David E. Robinson, ’80. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10/26/2020 John Ruffin, Jr., ’63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7/24/2020 James R. Schreier, ’78 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10/6/2020
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Ernest Silversmith (Former Faculty). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9/4/2020 Marshall B. Simmons, ’72. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12/28/2020 Howard E. Stevens, ’73. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/1/2021 Beverly J. Tabron, ’78. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10/27/2020 Beulah B. Wallace, ’53. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/19/2021 Chester Washington, ’75. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9/26/2020 Rodney M. Watts, ’67. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8/7/2020 William K. Webb, ’71 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10/23/2020 Constance Bivins White, ’49. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10/22/2020 Col. James R. White (Ret.), ’54. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12/1/2020 Acie L. Williams, ’52. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10/17/2020 Doris Sylvia Williams, ’57. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9/3/2020 Margaret R. Williams, ’83. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11/10/2020
*Cecil Bond, Jr. was listed in the Fall 2020 issue as deceased, in error. This list includes notices received on or before March 1, 2021. Any notices received after that date will be published in the next issue of the Alumni News.
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