Chapter and Class News

Morgan’s Greater Houston Area Alumni Chapter (GHAA) attended and recruited students at the HBCU College Fair held in the city on March 5. Houston area students were provided with a link to information for future students on Morgan’s website and were given an opportunity to explore the University through the virtual campus tour and student life videos posted on YouTube.

GHAA Chapter members celebrated Father’s Day on Sunday, June 19, 2022, by attending a special presentation at Miller Outdoor Theater in observation of Juneteenth. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee and various local and professional artists explained the importance of Juneteenth through dance, music, spoken word and much more.

On Sept. 10, the GHAA Chapter participated in the South Texas UNCF 5K Walk for Education at Tom Bass Park in Pearland, Texas, to help UNCF raise funds to support HBCUs and students. Immediately after the walk, the chapter held a meet and greet at the HBCU Village Tent, sponsored by the Houston HBCU Alumni Association.

To join the Greater Houston Area Alumni Chapter, or to pay fiscal year 2023 GHAA Chapter and MSUAA dues, visit https://msuaaghaa-collection-site-fiscal-year-2023-copy. cheddarup.com.

For more information about the chapter and/or its events, please email msuhoustonalumni@gmail.com.

Howard L. Cornish Chapter Continues 40 Years of Excellence and Service

The Howard L. Cornish Metropolitan Baltimore Alumni Chapter recently celebrated the 40th anniversary of its founding on June 14, 1982. Chapter President Carole Jeffries presided over a luncheon in the food court at the Morgan State University Student Center. Chapter members in attendance reminisced about countless memories of chapter events of the past four decades. MSUAA President Phyllis Davis shared the day with the chapter. The Howard L. Cornish Chapter has been named the MSUAA Chapter of the Year four times and has had a record 15 of its members honored as MSUAA Alumnus of the Year!

The chapter is proud of its history of providing financial assistance to Morgan students. Through its Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Breakfast, the chapter has provided 260 laptop computers and almost $950,000 in scholarships to deserving Morgan students. COVID-19 pandemic restrictions caused a two-year absence in hosting the breakfast as a live, public event, in 2020 and 2021, but the chapter is pleased to announce that it will host its 39th MLK Breakfast on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, in the Calvin and Tina Tyler Ballroom of the University Student Center. Dena Freeman-Patton, Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at Morgan, will be the keynote speaker.

The chapter also encourages academic excellence and connection to students through its annual Dr. Clayton C. Stansbury Academic Achievement Award. The award is presented to a high-achieving, graduating senior who has received assistance from the Howard L. Cornish Chapter’s scholarship fund during their tenure at Morgan. In May 2022, this honor was presented to computer science major Makhya S. Wilridge, who secured employment as a software developer for American Airlines in Dallas, Texas, before receiving her Bachelor of Science from the School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences.

The Howard L. Cornish Chapter continues to exemplify alumni excellence by living up to its theme: Motivate! • Support! • Unite!

The MSU Delaware Alumni Chapter will host its annual Jazz Matinee on Sunday, Sept. 25, from 2–6 p.m. The event will feature live jazz music by Pristine Raeign and a sumptuous meal, including salmon and chicken breast entrees with roasted red skin potatoes, green beans, green salad appetizer, dinner rolls, tea, coffee and dessert. A cash bar will be available throughout the event. The tickets are $60 per person and can be reserved by calling or texting (302) 229-9571. The proceeds benefit the Delaware Alumni Chapter MSU Scholarship Fund.

Students Benefit From Howard County Chapter Fundraising

After another successful year of fundraising, the Howard County Alumni Chapter ended its fiscal year with a Scholarship Awards Dinner on June 6, honoring four deserving students. Scholarships totaling $12,000 were awarded to four deserving students. All were very appreciative!

Before the awards dinner, the chapter held a business meeting and installed new officers for terms beginning July 1, 2022 and extending through June 30, 2024. The officers follow: President Paul Haley, Vice President Keisha Shepard, Treasurer Jackye Malloy Jones, Financial Secretary Pamela Banks, Recording Secretary Harriette Page and Corresponding Secretary Cystale Dunham.

The Howard County Alumni Chapter kicks off a new year of fundraising in September with its “Let’s Give Something Back” campaign. (left–right) Howard County 2022–24 Chapter Officers: Keisha Shepard, Jackye Malloy Jones, Paul Haley, Cystale Dunham and Harriette Page. Not pictured: Pamela Banks

Northern Virginia Chapter Celebrates a Year of Accomplishment

The Morgan State University Northern Virginia Alumni Chapter (MSUNOVAAC) held its End of Year Chapter Meeting and Celebration at Quattro Goombas Winery, Brewery & Pizza Kitchen, in Aldie, Virginia, on June 26. The event offered a great atmosphere, good food, outstanding service, wine, beer and lovely scenery. Everyone in attendance had a wonderful time. Although COVID has limited some of the activities of chapter, the meeting was a great opportunity to celebrate the chapter’s accomplishments for 2021–22.

Join the Philadelphia Chapter’s Transatlantic Cruise for Scholarships!

Join the MSUAA Philadelphia Chapter for an exciting scholarship fundraising getaway: a 16-day transatlantic cruise aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Breakaway, in 2023. The ship will depart from New York City on April 20. Travelers will disembark 16 Days, 2023 in Rome on May 6. Passports and COVID-19 vaccinations are required. Departs from

Balcony, Ocean View and Interior cabins are available upon request. The New York City original inventory has been exhausted, therefore, cabins are now based on ship on April 20; availability and pricing. Flights, hotel and insurance are also available. Ship disembark in Rome on May 6 gratuities are $248 per person and can be prepaid or added to your total cost.

A deposit of $250 per person ($150 nonrefundable) is payable by cash, check or money order. A deposit is required for a reservation to hold the quoted price. Final payment is due Nov. 21, 2022.

Prince George’s County Alumni Chapter

The MSU Prince George’s County Alumni Chapter continues to support Morgan State University’s mission. On June 23, the chapter hosted a Freshmen Meet & Greet and welcomed more than 80 incoming freshmen and transfer students as they began the Fall 2022 semester. During the event, the students had a chance to ask questions — related to class enrollment, time management and college life in general — to a panel of Morgan students who provided great personal experiences and recommendations on being a successful student at Morgan. The Freshmen Meet & Greet continues to be a popular annual event for the chapter and is praised by many students and their parents in Prince George’s County.

During the same week, the chapter participated in the Ninth Annual DC Metro HBCU Alumni Alliance 5K Walk/Run, to show its support for all HBCUs. The race was held on Saturday, June 25, at The St. James Sports, Wellness and Entertainment Center in Springfield, Virginia. It provided participants a great opportunity to fellowship with other local HBCU alums during a relaxed race filled with family and friends from the DC Metro area. During this event, the chapter had an exhibit on Alumni Row, where Morgan alumni were signed up as chapter members and to promote Morgan’s mission.

The chapter looks forward to another successful year, as it welcomes a new executive board: President Angela Holmes, Vice President Eboneé Knight, Secretary Nicole AmbroseJones, Treasurer Dawn Ambrose, Financial Secretary Sophia Green and Parliamentarian Kristina Biscoe. Several community service initiatives and fundraising events are being planned, along with the chapter’s annual Homecoming Meet & Greet.

If you are interested in hearing more about the Prince George’s County Alumni Chapter, please contact the group via Instagram at “MSUPGCAC” or via Facebook by searching “Morgan State Univ. Prince George’s County Alumni Chapter.”

MSU Alumni Association Honors Three Classes for Outstanding Giving

The Morgan State University Alumni Association has announced its 2022 awards to the three classes with the highest participation-in-giving rate during calendar year 2021 • Chairman’s Award, for first place – Class of 1969, 34.85% • President’s Award, for second place – Class of 1968, 33.57% • Dean’s Award, for third place – Class of 1966, 33.14%

Giving by classes ending in “2” or “7” since their last reunion, five years ago, was as follows:

Class Gifts – Classes Ending in ‘2’ or ‘7’ (May 6, 2018–March 31, 2022)

1947 .................. $31,280.00 1952 ................... $6,645.00 1957 .................. $45,605.00 1962 .................. $46,037.00 1967 ................. $312,593.00 1972 ................. $141,853.00 1977 ................. $674,752.00 1982 .................. $60,373.19 1987 .................. $35,104.51 1992 .................. $56,837.20 1997 ................. $106,729.00 2002 .................. $23,194.40 2007 .................. $70,494.81 2012 .................. $22,156.72 2017 .................. $13,509.60 2022 ................ Not Calculated

Morgan’s Southern Maryland Alumni Chapter (SMAC), founded in 2005, is pleased to announce the election of its new officers, who were installed on Saturday, June 25, 2022, during the chapter’s annual picnic, which was held this year at the riverside home of Vincent Watson, ’68. The chapter’s new officers are: President – Rochelle Savoy, Vice President – Denise Chapman Barnes, Treasurer – Victor Watson, Financial Secretary – Joan Chapman, Recording Secretary – Janice Cooper, Corresponding Secretary – Gloria Savoy, Chaplain – Delores Countiss Datcher, Historian – Thomas Datcher.

Several SMAC members participated in the 50-Year Anniversary Class Reunions held during the weekend of Morgan’s 2022 Spring Commencement, in May.

SMAC members at Morgan’s 145th Spring Commencement Exercises, in May: (left to right) Victor Watson, ’70; Denise Chapman Barnes, ’72; and Ernest Washington, ’72

SMAC continues to make an impact on the region. Through its Blue and Orange Scholarship Dinner Dance and Awards Program (BODD), the chapter has funded scholarships for numerous MSU students from southern Calvert, Charles, southern Prince George’s and St. Mary’s Counties. Despite the public health crisis, the chapter used its raffle activity to fund more than 15 scholarships in 2020 and 2021.

In September, the chapter resumed its in-person BODD and awarded scholarships to eligible entering and current MSU students.

Kudos to chapter member Shawn Coates (Class of 2003), who was selected as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the College of Southern Maryland.

As the chapter focuses on its continuing contribution to Morgan’s legacy, we encourage and look forward to the participation of recent graduates, including SMAC scholarship recipients.

SMAC is recruiting new members to carry out the organization’s commitment to Morgan, the University’s students and the broader community. Volunteers engaged in SMAC’s award-winning work will gain opportunities to enhance their leadership, organizational development and event management skills in chapter initiatives such as Feeding the Homeless Night, a Scholarship Dinner Dance and Awards Program, an Adopt a Road Clean-Up Campaign, college fairs and other community outreach events.

Please visit www.msusma.org to join the Southern Maryland Alumni Chapter and let the chapter know your areas of interest. The chapter membership fee will be waived for MSU graduates of the last two years.

The Class of 1972 took the traditional place of honor as the 50th Anniversary Class at Morgan State University’s Spring 2022 Undergraduate Commencement Exercises, at Hughes Stadium on May 21. Co-Class Agent Linda Davis reports that 50 members of the class donned gold-colored caps and gowns to lead the Class of 2022 degree candidates into the arena. Approximately 65 Class of ’72 classmates attended a reception hosted by the class the day before at the Morgan Business Center.

Members of the Classes of 1970 and 1971 also participated in the graduation ceremony as 50th Anniversary guests of honor, having missed their opportunity to stand in the spotlight in 2020 and 2021, respectively, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of in-person Spring Commencement events at Morgan in those years.

Class of 1972 Continues Golden Anniversary Service and Celebration

During a regularly scheduled monthly meeting in 2016, the MSU Class of 1972 Reunion Committee decided to design and pursue a multifaceted plan to celebrate the class’s Golden Anniversary by establishing a Class Endowment Fund of $50,000 by 2022; asking all Classmates to become Life Members of the MSU Alumni Association; and establishing the groundbreaking alumni initiative to “adopt” Morgan’s incoming freshmen in 2018, who are now the Class of 2022.

As of May 20, 2022, the Class of 1972 had an approximate Endowment Fund balance of more than $88,000 — $38,000 over the intended goal, thanks in large part to the efforts of their beloved classmate, the late Stephen O. Russell, who established the MSU Class of 1972’s Endowment Fund. The class had also more than doubled its number of MSU Alumni Association Life Members, from 31 to 71, and had mentored students of its “adopted” Class of 2022 since 2018, providing one-on-one tutoring/mentoring, “Living Your Best Life” Workshops and more than $5,000 in book scholarships. Since reading about the University’s Food Resource Center (FRC), the Class of 1972 has supported the Pre-Alumni Council and Food Resource Center’s Community Service Project, by donating toiletry bags and making individual and group donations of nonperishable items. The Class will culminate the celebration of its Golden Anniversary during Homecoming Weekend by attending the Gala on Friday, Oct. 7; hosting a Class Meet & Greet Reception on Saturday, Oct. 8; and attending the Annual Candlelight Memorial Service on Sunday, Oct. 9. For additional information regarding the Class of 1972’s Fall Golden Anniversary Activities, please contact the Co-Class Agents: Linda Davis at idesofmarch@comcast.net or (678) 234-2406 or Celeste Scott at cscott3958@aol.com or (410) 608-1293.

Classes Ending in ‘3’ or ‘8,’ Get Ready to Celebrate in Spring 2023!

MSU classes ending in “3” or “8”: prepare to celebrate your anniversary reunions in spring 2023, at Alumni Day! After a two-year hiatus, the luncheon will return to the Calvin & Tina Tyler Ballroom, on the second floor of the University Student Center.

The Class Agents for classes ending in “3” or “8” are listed below. Commit now to making your 2023 Alumni Day Anniversary Reunion a grand success!

Class of 1943

80th Anniversary Class

No Class Agent* Class of 1948

75th Anniversary Class

No Class Agent* Class of 1953

No Class Agent* Class of 1958

Mary Bunn Jones mejones7@comcast.net

Benjamin Mason graymatter1637@verizon.net Class of 1963

Sonja E. Swygert seswygert@gmail.com Jennette Wade jet2lag@aol.com Class of 1968

Carolyn Jasmine cajasmin@aol.com Class of 1973

50th Anniversary Class

Gail Robinson Brown g_robinsonbrown@msn.com

Wilhelmina Frieson wilhelmina2001@aol.com Class of 1978

Dr. Jerome Boyd jboyd16@verizon.net Joanne S. Mack msualumna78@gmail.com Dr. Addie Perkins Williamson addie@pwassoc.com Class of 1983

Lt. Col. Annette Brown bighat42@yahoo.com

Shelia Peters Lee sheliaplee26@gmail.com Class of 1988

No Class Agent* Class of 1993

Cindy Hooper dsthooper@yahoo.com Class of 1998

Tanya D. McDuffie, Esq. tanya.mcduffie98@alumni. morgan.edu

*Call the Alumni Relations Office at (443) 885-3015. Class of 2003

Jarrett L. Carter jarrett.carter@gmail.com

Natasha T. Brown Watson natashatbrown@gmail.com Class of 2008

Latrice Chess-Story latticecs@outlook.com

Natoya Mitche natoyamitchell@gmail.com Class of 2013

Beulah M. Lewis ladylewis24@yahoo.com

Tiye C. Lewis tiye.lewis@yahoo.com Class of 2018

No Class Agent*

Class of 1973 Closes In on Its 50th Anniversary Endowment Goal

Each day is bringing the Class of 1973 closer to its goal of contributing $50,000 to its class endowment by its 50th anniversary year, 2023! So, the Class of ’73 “Change Makers” are pushing for “50 by 50”: seeking to reach and surpass the $50,000 goal by having every member of the class commit to making a lump sum or monthly donation to the endowment over the next nine months.

Are you up to the challenge? If so, make checks payable to “MSUF” and mail them to: MSUF, P.O. Box 64261, Baltimore, MD, 21264-4261. Write “Class of 1973 End” in the memo section of the check. You may also donate by credit, debit, wire or automatic bank draft to the “Class of 1973 End”.

For more information about the endowment, contact Denise Smith at denise.smith@morgan.edu or (410) 440-0281. For 50th Anniversary Reunion information, contact Gail Robinson-Brown, at g_robinsonbrown@msn.com or (410) 961-5916. Please update your contact information with the Alumni Relations Office to stay informed about the Class of ’73 50th Anniversary plans.

Class of 1968 Plans Its 55th Anniversary for 2023

The members of the Class of 1968 have begun planning activities for their 55th anniversary. A number of fun, fundraising activities are being considered or planned. The first of these is a bus trip from Baltimore County to the Sight and Sound Theater in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to see the Biblical musical production “David,” which features Psalm 23. The cost of the trip, which is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022, is $165.00 and includes a luncheon buffet at Shady Maples Smorgasbord. Tickets for the trip are limited and must be purchased no later than Sept. 30, 2022. Checks should be made payable to “MSU, Class ’68” and mailed to Carolyn Jasmin, 6716 Fox Meadow Road, Baltimore, MD 21207. All are welcome to join the class to see this inspirational production.

1968

For ticket information, contact

Gloria Griffin at (410) 241-2889,

Phyllis Reese at phylliseva@msn.com,

Jackie Wilson at jacchris@verizon.net or

Martena Wylie Clinton at wylieclinton@aol.com.