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Chapter and Class News
For the second consecutive year, the COVID-19 pandemic caused the Howard L. Cornish Metropolitan Baltimore Chapter to cancel its Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Breakfast. However, the prolonged impact of this global public health crisis could not prevent the chapter from continuing its stalwart tradition of awarding much-needed financial assistance to students at their alma mater.
The chapter implemented its second direct-mail support campaign and asked its many resolute members and friends to, again, contribute whatever level of support they would normally give when attending the MLK Breakfast in person — whether that was purchasing an admission ticket, placing an ad in the event’s souvenir journal, participating in one of the Special Contributions giving categories, or other support. As a result of the unbelievable dedication of its chapter members, fellow Morgan alumni and the general public, the chapter awarded $33,000 in scholarships to 20 deserving students at the University. The funds were applied to the students’ Spring Semester tuition payments. Five of the scholarships were awarded in memory of chapter members who passed away during the year: Bernice McDaniels, ’43; Sarah Montgomery, ’53; Benjamin Holmes, ’53; Spurgeon Washington, ’60; and Janet Briscoe, ’74.
Holiday Raffle
Baltimore County Chapter Has a Productive Winter
The Baltimore County Chapter continues to grow. In December, the chapter hosted a Paint and Sip Party and Holiday Raffle, both centered on the theme of Morgan: participants in the Paint and Sip Party created renderings of MSU’s newest bridge, Legacy Bridge, across Hillen Road, and the Holiday Raffle prize was a blue wagon full of Morgan paraphernalia. Both activities were a success. During the holidays, chapter members were encouraged to make financial donations to the on-campus food pantry. In February, the chapter sponsored the Morgan vs. North Carolina Central basketball game. A donation was made to the MSU Athletics Department. Over the past four years, the chapter has provided tuition scholarships to four students who are on track to graduate this spring.
The chapter is looking forward to spring! A tour of the campus is being planned, and members are looking forward to attending games of the chapter’s sponsored Little League Baseball team.
Chapter meetings are held via Google Meet the first Wednesday of the month. You can contact the chapter on Facebook by searching for “Morgan Alumni Baltimore County.
MSU Alumni Association Establishes a Chapter in Kenya
Morgan reached an historic milestone last October with the launch of a Kenyan chapter of the MSU Alumni Association — the first international chapter chartered by the association. The ceremony to mark the event took place in the capital city of Nairobi, in mid-December, after more than a year of collaboration between Morgan’s Office of Alumni Relations and Morgan alumni in Kenya. Yacob Astatke, D.Eng., Morgan’s Assistant Vice President for International Affairs, attended the ceremony and reported that the chapter would be vital to the University’s effort to open a virtual or satellite campus in Nairobi. Chapter President Margaret Mukira, ’94, anticipates that the chapter will become a major force in student recruitment for Morgan in Kenya; expansion of the MSUAA to other countries; and development of partnerships between Morgan and universities and communities in Kenya. New Jersey Chapter Keeps the Fire Burning
The New Jersey Alumni Chapter kicked off 2021–22 with a successful outdoor “Meet and Greet” event. Participants were thrilled to see one another in person, after a long separation because of COVID-19, and took full advantage of the opportunity to renew bonds forged at Morgan many years ago. Although the chapter has not been able to meet in person since, it has kept the “Blue and Orange” fire burning, with regular virtual meetings on Zoom and planning of several special events for the second half of the chapter year. The chapter held a virtual event centered on the NCAA Basketball Tournament (“March Madness”), in March, and an event at the Crossroads Theater launched its membership drive for 2022–23, in June.
New Jersey Alumni Chapter
Join the Philadelphia Chapter’s Cruise to Fund Scholarships! Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Breakaway Join the MSUAA Philadelphia Chapter for an exciting scholarship fundraising getaway: a 16-day transatlantic cruise aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Breakaway in 2023! The ship will depart from New York City on April 23 next year and return from Rome, its 11th port of call, on May 6. Balcony, ocean view and interior cabins are available. Flights and hotel packages will be offered. A current passport is required for travel. A deposit of $250 per person ($150 nonrefundable) — payable by cash, check or money order — is required for reservations and to guarantee prices. Final payment is due Nov. 21, 2022. Gratuities are $248 per person and can be prepaid or added to the balance due for the cruise.
The ship will depart from New York City on April 23, 2023.
For more information, please contact: Andrea Gaskins-Battle at (215) 545-7460 or amgbpooch0828@gmail.com; Janice Mann at (609) 877-4041 or jejmann70@hotmail.com; or Carolyn Wade, Roeder Travel Agent, at (410) 667-6090, (410) 984-2515 (cell) or achyent@verizon.net.
1962 1969
Class of 1962 Sets Target for 60th Anniversary Giving
To continue its support of alma mater, the Class of 1962 surveyed its members to set a target level of giving to the University to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the class. The choices were $50, $100, $500, $1,000, $1,962 or $2,000, but donations of any amount were very much appreciated. The goal of the class is to make a significant financial contribution, so Morgan can continue preparing the younger generations to lead the world.
Class members who are subject to filing Maryland State income tax returns may derive a tax deduction benefit. The State of Maryland recently passed legislation that provides for a tax deduction of 25% of donations to an endowment fund of a Maryland HBCU. Members may be allowed to deduct their donation up to the amount allowed by law.
Please make your check payable to Morgan State University Foundation, Inc. (MSUF, Inc.); write Class of 1962 in the memo section; and mail it to: Morgan State University Foundation, Inc. P.O. Box 64261, Baltimore, MD 21264-4261
Note! This is not intended as financial or legal advice. Consult with a financial advisor for more information about tax-deductible donations. Class of 1969 Continues Investing in the Leaders of Tomorrow
The Class of 1969 continues to support its class-sponsored Endowed Scholarship Fund and Morgan’s Food Resource Center through class donations. During the Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 semesters, the Class awarded need-based scholarships totaling $6,300 to three scholars to ensure their highquality education and academic success. The class extends a special thanks to everyone who invested in our leaders of tomorrow.
The Class of 1969 will continue to monitor COVID-19 safety protocol as it moves forward with planning for its in-person, on-campus activity, the 13th Annual Homecoming Brunch, this year on Oct. 8. Stay tuned for detailed information. Classmates are welcome to join the MSU Class 1969 Facebook group to get more information about upcoming class events and activities. Also, you may contact Nellie Shields Maskal, Class Agent, at orblue6947@ gmail.com, for additional information or to make suggestions for the Class of 1969’s 55th Anniversary event in 2024. The class looks forward to gathering this year for fun and fellowship during Homecoming!
Class of 1972, Moving Forward While Giving Back 1972
The Class of 1972 is moving forward to its Golden Anniversary, while giving back to the Class of 2022. With assistance from Morgan’s Office of Student Success and Retention, members of the MSU Class of 1972 established a groundbreaking alumni initiative in 2018 by “adopting” the incoming freshmen/future Class of 2022. Over the past three years, support for the undergraduate class has taken many forms:
• One-on-one tutoring/mentoring; “Living Your Best Life” Workshops covering such topics as Total Body Wellness, Vision Boards, Financial Literacy, Public Speaking/Public Appearance, to name a few; and weekly, interactive “Cooking for Fun” sessions. • Book scholarship awards to qualified Class of 2022 applicants during their sophomore, junior and now senior year. These scholarships are needed more than ever, as students face additional financial pressures from COVID-19.
The Class of 1972 is moving closer to its goal of raising $50,000 for the Class of 1972 Endowment Fund and is anxious to present the gift to “Fair Morgan” when members celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the class, during the weekend of Spring Commencement, May 20–22, 2022.
The Class of 1972 also sends “Kudos!!!” and a big “Thank you!!!” to the classmates who are Life Members of the Morgan State University Alumni Association. The numbers would not have increased without the unfaltering support of Joyce Brown, Morgan’s recently retired Assistant Vice President for Alumni Relations and Strategic Engagement, and her exceptional staff. Most recently, her successor, Heidi Bruce, met with the Class of 1972 Reunion Committee, via Zoom, to pledge her commitment to the Emeritus Class and all alumni involvement when and where feasible, as the pandemic continues to dictate day to day life.
For additional information about how to make tax-deductible donations to the Class of 1972 Endowment Fund or how to make non-tax-deductible gifts to the Class of 1972 Golden Anniversary Celebration activities, please contact the Class Agents: Linda Davis, at idesofmarch@comcast.net or (678) 234-2406, or Celeste Scott, at cscott3958@aol.com or (410) 608-1293.
Class of 1973 ‘Change Makers’ Plan 50th Anniversary Gift 1973
As the Class of 1973 moves closer to its 50th Anniversary, it is also approaching the time to fulfill its commitment to donate $50,000 to the Class Endowment Fund. The target date to achieve the goal is on or before Jan. 31, 2023. The class encourages its members to continue to donate. Please make your check payable to “Morgan State University Foundation, Inc.”; write “Class of 1973” Endowment in the memo section; and mail it to:
Morgan State University Foundation, Inc. P.O. Box 64261, Baltimore, MD 21264-4261
Reminder: if you have moved recently or changed your email address, please contact the Alumni Relations Office with your updated information. The contact information for the office follows:
Morgan State University, Office of Alumni Relations 1700 E. Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore, MD 21251
Email: alumni@morgan.edu • Tel: (443) 885-3015
The class is researching ideas for virtual fundraisers and will send information when arrangements have been made. The class looks forward to an outstanding and memorable 50th Anniversary Class Celebration in 2023!
The Class of 1983 is moving toward its 40th Anniversary goal of raising $83,000 or more for the Morgan State University Scholarship Fund. The class is asking each of its members to pledge to make a tax-deduction gift of $400 before April 30, 2023.
1983
Please make checks payable and mail them to:
Morgan State University Foundation, Inc., 1700 E. Cold Spring Lane,
Truth Hall, Room 201, Baltimore, MD 21251.
Write “Class of 1983” on the memo line of the check. To donate online, apply your donation to “Class Giving,” and in the “Instruction About My Donation” section, specify “Class of 1983.”
