UDC Foundation Newsletter Issue #1

FALL 2017

ISSUE #1

RISE TO THE CHALLENGE

DC Masonic Lodges Pledge $400,000 To UDC Foundation in Dedication Ceremony on Dennard Plaza

What’s In This Issue Message from the VP for Advancement........................... 1 A New Face at UDC...................... 1 Donor Spotlight: George “Ty” Simpson.................... 3 Capital One Foundation Strengthens UDCCC..................... 5 Building Bridges Across the River Partnership..................... 5

Dennard Plaza Sacred Space........ 8 Verizon Minority Male Makers Program............................ 9 Rise to the Challenge..................... 7 Regional Businessmen Invest in UDC Students............... 10 Impact of DC-UP......................... 10

Upcoming Events Annual Holiday Concert....... 12/07/17 Founders’ Day..................... 02/15/18 Annual Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony..... 02/16/18

See more online at udc.edu/foundation

Message from the VP for Advancement As a newcomer to the University of the District of Columbia and the DC community, I am thrilled to embark on this fascinating and rewarding journey with my colleagues, alumni, students, board leadership, and benefactors.

I hope to continue to increase philanthropic investments within our outstanding students, faculty, and programs, and elevate UDC’s profile regionally and nationally.

The University of the District of Columbia – the only public institution of higher learning in Washington, DC – is unique in that it opens doors to every Rodney Trapp, Vice President for component of the District community. Advancement UDC continues to offer pathways to workforce training, professional certification, associate degrees, extensive selections of bachelor’s and graduate degrees, law degrees, and more.

The UDC Foundation is an important University partner in cultivating private investments and developing a culture of philanthropy. Promoting a culture of philanthropy isn’t a simple task, for it requires a shift in attitude and mindset among all stakeholders – students, faculty, administrators, staff, alumni, board members, parents, elected officials and DC residents.

Fundraising isn’t just one person’s job or the job of one department.

We all share the responsibility to fund development and must do our part to be engaged and to engage others in this work – building strong relationships with donors and authentic partnerships.

There has never been a better time to engage with the public university in and for our nation’s capital. An investment in UDC, whether it is for student scholarships, academic program support, athletics, or facilities, will ensure that the University honors its commitment to deliver highquality training and an affordable education to all sectors of the District community.

I look forward to our journey together.

Yours in service, Rodney Trapp Vice President for Advancement

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A New Face at UDC

Alexandra Washington, Director of Alumni Affairs and Outreach

The University of the District of Columbia is pleased to welcome Alexandra Washington as UDC’s new Director of Alumni Affairs and Outreach. As Director, she aims to add value to the lives of alumni, future alumni, their home communities, and the UDC community.

Alexandra Washington is a graduate of James Madison University. She comes to UDC after working as the Associate Director of Annual Giving at Georgia Southern University, where she developed the University’s first student and young alumni giving and engagement program. While at Georgia Southern, Alexandra worked to increase leadership annual giving among alumni, created the “For the Love of Blue” student philanthropy education campaign, and developed the University’s first Young Alumni Board dedicated to increasing young alumni engagement.

She says, “People are doing extraordinary work both on and off of UDC’s campus. I hope to be instrumental in building linkages between and elevating awareness of those things. The relationship between UDC and its alumni has a wonderful history and an exciting future.”

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DONOR SPOTLIGHT

George “Ty” Simpson DC native alum gives back with a new student scholarship

1993 alum, George “Ty” Simpson, has over 25 years of combined managerial experience in facility management, property maintenance, and real estate development. As President of Spectrum Management in Washington, DC, Mr. Simpson and his team service both private and public organizations.

Serving the Washington, DC, metropolitan area for over 16 years, Spectrum Management provides a comprehensive array of services that includes construction management, facilities management, and real estate development services.

A native of the District of Columbia, Mr. Simpson came to UDC in 1989, where he majored in political science, ran track all four years for the UDC Track Team, and was inducted into Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., in 1991. After UDC, his talents took him to Atlanta, where he completed certification programs at Emory University and Clark Atlanta University. In addition, Mr. Simpson completed graduate coursework at Georgia State University. Before starting Spectrum Management, Mr. Simpson was Director of Youth

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Services for the City of Atlanta, where he managed all aspects of operating the City of Atlanta’s youth service programs.

Mr. Simpson is a socially conscious and civically engaged citizen, whose return home was greeted with joy. His commitment to UDC and the District of Columbia has been unwavering. Not only has he been active in his community serving as PTA President at Hyde-Addison Elementary School, Board Member of Run Hope Work, a workforce development program, and ACHIEVE, an inner city youth triathlon program, Mr. Simpson has also been a staunch supporter of UDC and its commitment to making sure our students have the tools necessary for success through a named scholarship for students majoring in political science at the College of Arts and Sciences.

Mr. Simpson is a role model for alumni paying it forward, and we could not be more proud of all he has accomplished or more grateful for his continued support.

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George “Ty� Simpson on the right with radio legend Tom Joyner

From left to right: Rodney Trapp, Ward 4 Councilman Brandon Todd, and George Simpson of Spectrum Management.

George Simpson is president of Spectrum Management

You Can Make a Difference Making an impact in the District of Columbia, within communities across the country and in society is at the core of what UDC students, faculty, and alumni do every day. Your contribution help sustain the unique qualities of UDC and provide much-needed

scholarship support to deserving students. Every gift, no matter how large or small, has a real impact on the quality of education offered at UDC. Visit udc.edu/foundation to donate today.

Capital One Foundation Strengthens UDC Community College Workforce Program

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DC Community College is committed to reducing unemployment and underemployment in the District of Columbia by enhancing the skills of its residents. As a partner in that effort, Capital One Foundation made a $50,000 Workforce Development Grant which UDC Community College uses to uplift people through training and employment.

In addition to receiving grant funds for workforce development planning, UDC Community College also was selected to consult with a number of other community colleges and Capital One Foundation to address the question of how a community college goes about positioning itself as a leader

in local economic development.

During an initial 9-month planning phase, community college leaders collectively crafted a vision for future cohort work by refining this question and sharing promising practices to grow and achieve grander scale in our local communities.

The community colleges participating in the Community College Workforce Development cohort include: Montgomery College, Northern Virginia Community College, Prince George’s Community College, Queensborough Community College, Borough of Manhattan Community College, Bronx Community College, Collin County Community College, Dallas County

The UDC-CC Division of Workforce Development and Lifelong Learning provides D.C. residents with job skills training to pursue local employment opportunities.

Community College District, Delgado Community College, Guttman Community College, Hostos Community College, Kingsborough Community College, and LaGuardia Community College.

UDC and Building Bridges Across the River Partnership Enhancing Healthy Choices UDC has always had a firm belief that the District of Columbia is not just our city; it is our campus. UDC’s student and faculty impact within the city and their contributions to all eight wards are unmatched.

Last year, UDC and the staff at the 11th Street Bridge, a project of Building Bridges Across the River (THEARC) began working together with other nonprofit organizations east and west of the Anacostia River to enhance deserted spaces with urban gardens. Supported by the Kresge Foundation, the goals of the project have been to provide access to fresh food in areas that have been deemed food insecure, health and nutrition education, and to create 6 | UDC Foundation Newsletter 5

safe spaces in the community. This partnership has been a unique opportunity for Wayne Place, a transitional housing facility for young adults who grew up in the foster care system, to express themselves and build social capital.

In addition, cooking demonstrations are used to pair garden crops with health and nutrition courses offered

by UDC. In these classes, students share stories about food and tell personal accounts of cooking on their own. They explain what the garden means to their community and how they would use this training to tackle chronic disease prevention, economic empowerment, and

Che Axum, Director of Urban Agriculture and Gardening Education teaching a course on “Bio Intensive Food Production”

exploration of new foods. UDC is committed to fostering growth through education, training, and capacity building so that these partnerships grow to be selfsustaining.

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Innovative and diverse research portfolio.

The University of the District of Columbia is the nation’s only exclusively Urban Land-grant University. Our research is steeped in our urban context; focused on finding solutions that improve the quality of life and economic opportunity for DC residents and urban populations all over the world. Our research collaborations extend to businesses, non-profit organizations, and public sector partners including the U.S Department of Defense, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, Air Force Office of Scientific Research and the Center for Applied Linguistics. Our location in the nation’s capital provides a unique setting for successful research programs that showcase:

• A diverse portfolio that includes cancer, biology, biomedical engineering,

water resources management, food security, urban sustainability, resilience, and urban health.

• Collaborations at every level from undergraduates to graduate students, faculty and research specialists.

• A commitment to relevance that spans the entire research spectrum from advancing theory to community engagement and application.

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UDC President Ronald Mason receives check in the amount of $990,774 from Council of the District of Columbia Chairman, Phil Mendelson, for the 2016 match campaign.

Rise to the Challenge UDC Annual Giving Campaign

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n 2016, UDC alumni, parents and friends gave nearly $2 million in private donations that were then matched by the Council of the District of Columbia, providing scholarships and funding support to UDC. This year the City Council has issued another challenge with a MultiMillion Dollar Match Campaign. The effort allows supporters of the University to make donations as part of our continuing Annual Giving Program. Every two dollars raised will be matched by one from the Council to provide millions of dollars for student scholarships and other University needs.

and innovative learning opportunities that prepares students for the practical demands of any workplace.

UDC leads the Washington, DC, metropolitan area in college affordability.

The University continues to obtain an open admissions policy, that promotes universal access to comprehensive, accredited programs that provide quality

Thank you for your continued support. For more information on how you can rise to the challenge and make your gift to the UDC Foundation, please visit udc.edu/ foundation.

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We need you to rise to the challenge with your gift to support the MultiMillion Dollar Match Campaign today!

Whether providing a scholarship for a student in need, producing new research opportunities or aiding in the renovation of classroom space, your giving helps make UDC remain accessible. No matter how big or small, your impact on our students’ ability to aspire, accomplish and take on the world is crucial.

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The Cleveland Dennard Plaza was dedicated in 2012 to honor the legacy of Dr. Cleveland Dennard, the founding president of Washington Technical Institute.

Dennard Plaza Provides A Sacred Space

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ennard Plaza provides a pleasant environment for campus enjoyment and a memorable place for you to leave your mark and invest in the University’s future with a paver or illumination pillar.

The Plaza Deck features “green” areas with an enhanced lighting and new water fountain feature. The Plaza also features an eco-friendly stormwater management system to help reduce the runoff entering the city’s storm sewers, and has increased planting areas.

As you walk across the plaza, you will notice that several alumni, students, faculty members, staff, local businesses and friends of the University have chosen to support UDC’s future and be etched in its history through the Pave Your Legacy Campaign. This taxdeductible donation supports student scholarships and academic programs through the UDC Foundation Annual Fund. The purchasing of pavers has become a great way to wish someone a happy birthday, anniversary or congratulations on graduation. Your paver may honor a friend, a loved one, or define your connection to UDC in some other meaningful way. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, continuing their legacy as pacesetters, recently launched a pledge campaign to purchase one of Fall 2017 | Issue 1

Dennard Plaza during the day.

the plaza pillars in commemoration of Soror Dr. Marjorie Holloman Parker. As the first to reserve one of the plaza pillars, the women of Alpha Kappa Alpha are real trailblazers in showing how fraternities, sororities, alumni from specific schools, and individuals can leave their legacies and cultivate a culture of philanthropy at UDC. For more information on reserving a paver or pillar, please visit udc.edu/foundation.

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C O R P O R AT E S P O T L I G H T

Verizon Doing Their Part to Boost Black and Hispanic Males in STEM

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oo often, African American students, particularly boys, receive negative feedback about their ability to succeed in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). As a consequence, their excitement and participation in STEM suffers. What we do know is that African Americans received just six percent of all STEM bachelor’s degrees and less than half of those went to African American males. The Verizon Innovative Learning (VIL) Minority Male Makers Program at the University of the District of Columbia is working to change that.

VIL offers a free all-expenses-paid year-round program designed to engage 6th – 8th grade African American and Hispanic males in high quality, hands-on learning in STEM in hopes of increasing access to STEM-focused careers and higher education.

The program has two mandatory components: A summer enrichment program where students participate in a 2-week summer camp, and the STEM Gentlemen’s Academy, where students partake in Saturday entrepreneurial and life skills workshops. In addition to the Summer Enrichment Program and the Gentlemen’s Academy, students 10 | UDC Foundation Newsletter 9

Verizon’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Vice President, Tony Lewis, shares remarks at the Verizon Minority Male Makes (STEM) Program within the College of Arts and Sciences.

receive a mentor and participate in STEM workshops during the academic year at UDC and host sites across the District.

The curriculum covers a wide range of STEM disciplines: app design and development, 3D modeling, design and printing, and robotics.

The program aims to enable minority middle school males to become creators and makers through 3D design and app development. In addition, UDC is committed to empowering a new generation of minority men by giving them lifelong technology and entrepreneurship skills to build the innovations of tomorrow and to create brighter futures for themselves and their families.

Students of the Verizon Innovative Learning Minority Male Makers program explore opportunities in the STEM field.

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How DC-UP is Changing The Lives of DC’s Young People

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ometimes the single factor of a young person attending college or not is affordability.

UDC is proud of its DC-UP recruitment initiative, launched in 2016, which offers scholarships to valedictorians and salutatorians from DC Public Schools and DC Public Charter Schools.

UDC scholarships provided by the UDC Foundation, Inc., allow students to receive access to valuable resources and instructors on campus.

The program provides these students a full four-year scholarship and an annual $6,000 housing allowance. In addition, the program

Regional Businessmen Make New Investments in Our Students Washington area businessmen Earl Stafford and George Tyrone Simpson are on a mission to make college affordable for UDC students.

Their support ensures access to the exceptional resources of a UDC education, propelling young people to lead in their communities and around the world. We are excited to announce these brand new scholarships to support our students in their endeavors:

Stafford Foundation “Make-A-Way” Scholarship The Make-a-Way Scholarship was established by Earl W. Stafford, Sr., founder of The Stafford Foundation.

The scholarship is open to students who demonstrate a tenacity to succeed in life regardless of economic status. The recipient of the scholarship will receive $9,600 per academic year for four years,

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provided the student maintains his/ her eligibility. The awardee will be known as a “Stafford Scholar.”

George “Ty” Simpson Scholarship The George “Ty” Simpson Scholarship was established by 1993 UDC alum, George Simpson, President of Spectrum Management, LLC, a DC-based company specializing in real estate development and facility management.

The scholarship supports students pursuing a degree in political science, which Mr. Simpson majored in during his time at the University.

UDC applauds the successes of our scholarship recipients and extends sincere appreciation to the generous donors who make it possible for our students to achieve their fullest potential.

A UDC alum with her two children, both second-year students in the DC-UP program.

offers merit-based scholarships for other students with a 3.0 grade point average and above. Since the program was launched, it has grown by 233% -- from 48 scholarship recipients in 2016, to 112 in 2017.

As more DC residents choose to make UDC their college of choice, full-time freshman status at our flagship campus and Community College campuses throughout the District continues to rise. In addition, first-generation college student enrollment has doubled since the launch of the program.

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Place Postage Here UDC Foundation, Inc. 4200 Connecticut Avenue NW Washington, DC 20008

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CONTACT US

Phone: 202.274.5312 | Email: foundation@udc.edu | Web: udc.edu/foundation

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