Archway Summer 2011

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Culture & Pride: The Future of Our History

time capsule

Ram pride has been passed from generation to generation in many WSSU families, including the Hairston family shown on page 3 (Peyton T. Hairston, Sr. with his son Gregory and grandson Morgan).

A 1954 graduate, Mr. Hairston, Sr. shared the photo above from his school yearbook.

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In this issue

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Why we exist: Our students—a major source of pride Whatever their field of study, WSSU students are making their mark in myriad ways. Here is a quick look at just a few of these high achievers.

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Building leaders: Focus on academics and innovation As part of its plan to develop the “whole student,” WSSU is encouraging new approaches to learning and increasing emphasis on high-impact research.

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Our evolving campus: Enhancing student life— and much more Even in a time of unparalleled state budget cuts, WSSU is finding creative and economical ways to move forward with campus enhancements, optimizing resources and emphasizing “green” practices.

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Community engagement: A key part of the WSSU culture Playing an active role in the community has always been a foundational part of the WSSU mission and culture.

Today, the impact is perhaps more visible than ever.

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Alumni step up: Extending the pride Increasingly, alumni are stepping up to expand volunteer efforts, increase financial giving, and spread the word about the good things happening at WSSU.

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Departments 2 16 18 19 20 page 12 page 14

Chancellor Reflects On the Yard Time Out Class Notes From the NAA

ARCHWAY is published by the Office of Marketing and Communications within Winston-Salem State University’s Division of University Engagement WSSU Alumni House, Winston-Salem, NC 27110 336.750.2150; fax 336.750.3150 We welcome story ideas and class notes. Send them to archway@wssu.edu Chancellor: Donald J. Reaves, Ph.D. Executive Director for Marketing, Alumni and Community Relations: Nigel D. Alston Chief Marketing Officer: Sigrid Hall-Pittsley Editorial Team: Jo Hunter, Concentrics Communications; Meghan Corbett; Rudy Anderson Photographer: Garrett Garms ’07 Design: Cam Choiniere Designs 20,000 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $0.93 per copy.

chancellor reflects Board of Trustees 2011–2012 Mr. F. Scott Bauer, Chair Mr. Martin B. Davis ’85, Vice Chair Mrs. Debra B. Miller ’78, Secretary Dr. Vivian Burke Dr. James C. Hash, Sr. Mrs. Sue Henderson Mr. Victor Johnson, Jr. ’61 Dr. Karen McNeil Miller Mr. James R. Nanton Mr. Keith W. Vaughan Mr. Charles “Chuck” Wallington Mr. Austin Grier ’14 Winston-Salem State University Foundation, Board of Directors 2011–2012 Mr. James E. Martin, Chair Mr. Roger Vaughn, Vice Chair Mr. Timothy A. Grant ’80, Secretary Ms. Martha Logemann, Treasurer Dr. Lenora R. Campbell Ms. Peggy Carter Ms. Michelle M. Cook Mr. Tony Ebron Mr. Kelvin Farmer ’86 Ms. Catherine Pettie Hart ’74 Mr. Fred Harwell Mr. Harold Kennedy III Mr. Elliott Lemon ’83 Ms. Cheryl E. H. Locke Dr. Charles Love ’66 Mr. Arthur E. McClearin Mr. J. Walter McDowell Ms. Patricia D. Norris ’93 Mr. Ray Owen Ms. Stephanie L. Porter ’81 Dr. Donald J. Reaves Mr. Curtis Richardson ’76 Ms. Shirley Danner Shouse Mr. Clifton H. Sparrow ’80 Ms. Claudette Weston Ms. Cynthia Williams Ex Officio Directors Mr. Mr. Mr. Mr. Mr.

F. Scott Bauer Gerald Hunter Gordon Everett ’78 Gordon Slade ’93 Austin Grier ’14

this year, I had the privilege of speaking at the 60th Anniversary Earlier of the WSSU Brown Alumni Chapter here in Winston-Salem. I was

truly impressed with the group’s commitment to Winston-Salem State and to each other. The members have continued to support the university through their giving and in helping recruit students to our campus.

I am pleased that the history and heritage of Winston-Salem State University continues to be celebrated through our alumni. Yet, we are faced with a new world order that is requiring us to examine everything we do if we are to maintain that rich tradition of developing students who are prepared to be successful in their careers and in their communities.

Ass your chancellor now for four years, I have brought to the campus a plan for change that is grounded solidly in the belief that we have a firm responsibility to offer our students the best education that we can provide. When I arrived on campus with this agenda, I had no illusions that the tasks at hand would be easy. I knew I would have to persuade some people that what I wanted to do was the right thing, and that there would be others who would not be so agreeable. Yet, all of the difficult decisions that I have made, the development of our Strategic Plan, and the changes that have been implemented thus far all were designed for one reason and one reason alone—and that is to improve the academic outcomes for our students. hat leads us to our current top priority, and that is reforming the curriculum to provide students That with the skills they need to compete against students who emerge from colleges and universities with greater resources than we enjoy. hile the curriculum of fifty years ago did an excellent job of teaching students in order for them to While have a profession that they could follow for a lifetime, that approach is no longer sufficient in the world we live in today. Now, students must have an array of skills to support any subject matter that they may learn. It is having the ability to think, to work in diverse groups and to communicate that will set the stage of a student’s success in the 21st century.

I am pleased with the positive response we have seen to some of the efforts we have made thus far. There has been tremendous excitement from faculty and from students who participated in the new Liberal Learning Seminars that were piloted this past year. These seminars provided students with the opportunity to expand their reasoning and strategic thinking abilities while still learning subject matter.

As we offer more general education classes, our students will find it easier to explore new subjects while still completing their requirements for graduation. ost importantly for the future of curriculum reform, 80 percent of our faculty voted to support the Most changes that were being recommended. This vote shows that our faculty understands that we must make adjustments to what we teach and how we teach. To be successful, we must prepare our future alumni to take advantage of every opportunity and every option that might be available to them throughout their careers. We must ensure that our students can continue to be successful 10 years, 20 years, 30 years after they leave our campus. If we provide them with the skills they need to succeed in 2011 and the understanding that learning is a lifelong process, then they can talk about their successes when they celebrate their 50th class reunion.

Ass we continue to develop initiatives to support the goals outlined in the Strategic Plan, we know there will be challenges. This year, we are facing a reduction in our financial resources due to the shortfall in state funding. Now, we must determine how we can deliver the educational services our students deserve while operating within the constraints of another year of decreased funding. No doubt that will mean more difficult decisions that have to be made over the next several months.

Still, I pledge to you that we will not slow down our efforts to provide our students with the education they need to be successful. I have every reason to believe that as an institution we will work with our alumni, our community, our supporters and our friends to work through this latest challenge. We owe that to the proud history of the university and to the future of our institution and our students.

Emeritus Directors Ms. Florence P. Corpening Mr. Victor Johnson, Jr. ’61 Dr. Steve Martin

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Donald J. Reaves, PhD

To view the university’s Strategic Plan, visit www.wssu.edu/strategicplan.

Culture & Pride:

Future of Our History

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hroughout its history, WSSU has faced dramatically changing times and has responded with adjustments—and advances— ranging from degree programs to curriculum, learning approaches, support systems and use of resources. Through the challenges and opportunities of each decade, these responses have earned respect for the university that extends far beyond its WinstonSalem campus.

Today, in a time of unprecedented state budget cuts, WSSU is again making difficult decisions, guided by a solid five-year strategic plan that ensures focus on the university’s number-one priority: equipping its students for long-term success.

For every student, every class, every generation, there are memories of key people, places and traditions that claim a special place in your mind and heart as you recall your time on campus.

Amid these sweeping changes there has remained an unwavering, steadfast sense of the deep-rooted culture that WSSU students and alumni cherish … and a very visible groundswell of pride in the good things being accomplished by this university as reflected in the leadership and contributions of its students and alumni, in its positive impact on the community, in its growing list of national and international recognitions, and in its impressive list of innovative initiatives and collaborative ventures.

This issue of ARCHWAY will highlight just a few examples of the enduring WSSU culture and expanding points of pride.

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Why we exist: Our students—a major source of pride Since its inception, Winston-Salem State University has been a beacon of hope and the conduit of success for thousands of people seeking a better way of life. Time and again, students at WSSU have taken the opportunities they have been afforded and made the most of them.

Whether in communications, politics, business, healthcare, education or technology, WSSU students are making their mark in myriad ways across the globe and more are on the way.

Whatever their niche, WSSU’s students have been and will continue to be a source of pride for the university and a constant reminder of why WSSU exists.

Largest graduation class in WSSU history

Class of 2011 includes high achievers A graduation ceremony in Winston-Salem State University’s history May 14. Among them

lmost 900 students participated in the largest

were Cornell Jones and Amilca O’Connor.

What a year!

If you ask Mass Communications major Cornell W. Jones, his senior year has been one for the books.

He was named captain of the WSSU 2010 CIAA Champion Cross Country Team and the WSSU Track and Field Team, which achieved a strong second-place finish in the 2011 CIAA Men’s Indoor Track & Field Championships.

The Manassas, Va., native was also selected as Mr. Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) and went on to win the 7th Annual Mr. Historically Black College and University (HBCU) title, marking the second consecutive year that a WSSU contestant has won the national title.

The competition included oratory, talent, ease of manner and projection, as well as a question and answer session. In addition to taking the overall title, Jones was awarded Mr. Talent for having the highest score in that particular competition. He received a $1,500 scholarship and made special appearances and presentations on behalf of HBCUs during his reign.

Make no mistake, Jones was not all show.

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accomplishments, he was a member of WSSU’s Honors College. He was on the Dean’s List for eight consecutive semesters and maintained a 3.49 GPA. As a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., academics were always high on his priority list.

By the way, he also served as a member of the WSSU Student Government Association and president of the Mass Communications Club.

“The development of my character and professionalism is due to the administrators and staff at our wonderful institution as they have taught me the intangible skills that will serve as great assets in my future endeavors,” remarked Jones as he reviewed his years at WSSU. He plans on attending graduate school to “further strengthen the dexterity I acquired at

WSSU.” His career goal is to become an ESPN sports analyst, a dream he sees coming to fruition “due to Winston-Salem State University.”

Cornell W. Jones, an emerging renaissance man that WSSU is proud to claim as her own.

Remember the name—you will probably be hearing a lot more of it in the future.

A work in progress Amilca O’Conner has learned a thing or two about public service. Overcoming adversity, she found her way to what she believes is her calling, as she explained in her blog post with the U.S. Department of Labor as an intern in Washington, DC. In her words: “If you or anyone else would have told me four years ago that I would be living, learning, and working in Washington, DC, I would have shaken my head in disbelief. When I enrolled at Winston-Salem State University, I had my life planned out. I knew that when I graduated I wanted to be a nurse anesthetist. My plan was to move back to my hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina and start my career at a local hospital.

“In the spring of 2008, I received my acceptance letter into the nursing program.

Unfortunately, that same semester I did not successfully pass Pharmacology and was dismissed from the program. Instead of applying

again the following year and graduating a year later than I expected, I chose to explore other undergraduate majors and graduate with my class.

“Rehabilitation studies helped me become sensitive to the needs of others who are physically or intellectually different. As a foundational degree, I believe it allows me to approach political service in a more compassionate and impartial manner.

“Ralph Bunche was the first individual of color to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1950.

As president of the Winston-Salem State Ralph Bunche Society, I encourage minority students to demonstrate interest in global affairs, to become internationally conscious and to stay connected to current political issues regardless of their field of undergraduate study. As an African American female, I would like to encourage more minority involvement in governmental activities and pending legislation, and bring awareness to various issues on hand that will impact lives.

“The Society has given me many opportunities, including my first internship in the summer of 2009 with the United Negro College

Fund Special Programs, Institute for International Public Policy. I also gained the opportunity of studying abroad in the summer of 2010 in Ghana and Benin. Being a member in the Society led me to my current internship with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Emerging Leaders Internship Program.

“The purpose of the program is to create a corps of trained, young leaders with the skills, outlook and contacts necessary to generate and sustain positive change in Washington, DC, and local communities. I am also currently enrolled in George Washington University’s Semester in Washington Program. This program is giving me a combination of hands-on coursework and networking opportunities at some of the most famous addresses in the country.

“The Emerging Leaders Internship Program placed me at the Office of Disability Employment Policy at the Department of Labor. I am hoping to get more students who attend Historically Black Colleges and

Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) involved in the Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP). This is an amazing program that I am passionate about, and I would like to raise awareness about it for the students who attend the underrepresented minority-serving institutions. I am also currently working on other projects and I am prepared to take action wherever I am needed. My personal goal is to build professional relationships that will foster growth and development.

“Upon completion of my internship, I would like to continue to work in the federal government. I am committed to working and promoting the ideals of public service and strengthening America. As a child, my parents told me that ‘the only place you’ll find success before work is in the dictionary.’ I value hard work, commitment and dedication. I entered Winston-Salem State University to learn in August 2007, and I departed to serve on May 14, 2011. I am a proud product of my HBCU.” Amilca O’Conner is a Congressional Black Caucus Emerging Leaders intern with the Department’s Office of Disability Employment Policy.

President Obama: Help is on the way Meet Demetrius Jones (no relation to Cornell), a junior Political Science major with a minor in Economics, by way of Nuremburg, Germany, thanks to military parents serving in the United States Army. Having that kind of background, there is little wonder that he is deeply passionate about building cross-cultural perspectives and working toward improving international relations.

With another year to go before graduation, Jones is clear about his intentions. “I’m going to be the first African-American Senator from the state of North Carolina,” he has said with great confidence.

He could very well achieve that goal, considering his preparation for that arena.

Jones is heavily involved with the student organization, Black Men for Change. He served as a member of the organization’s executive board and has also served as cochair of the “Black Male Symposium,” an annual program that addresses challenges facing young African American men in the United States.

Through his service and advocacy work, Jones has demonstrated outstanding leadership and a willingness to serve his community through various outreach initiatives, boards, student organizations and community programs.

His ability to network and serve as a bridge builder between diverse communities has gained him notice in the wider community.

He is the first college student ever accepted into Leadership Winston-Salem, a prestigious community leadership program that educates, connects and energizes leaders to serve and improve the community. He currently serves as the president of the Young Democrats of Forsyth County.

He was one of only four African Americans to represent the United States at the 21st International Youth Leadership Conference in Prague, Czech Republic, in January 2011. The conference was a week-long forum on world politics, international relations and social justice to facilitate an exchange of ideas across an ethnically diverse and socially responsible group of young international leaders. Through

the contacts he cultivated with community leaders, business executives and state legislators during his time at WSSU, Jones was able to raise the funds for the trip to Prague.

“My world perspective has been broadened through new and diverse cultural and professional experiences,” said Jones. “I have gained a new cross-cultural understanding through the intense workshops, forums, and simulations with student leaders from around the world. I hope these efforts will provide cultural and professional opportunities for other undergraduate students as well.”

Jones served as intern with the Congressional Black Caucus in Washington, DC, during the summer.

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Ram business students generate a novel way to give back Sometimes great ideas are born of a sincere desire to just do the right thing. So it was with a group of Business and Management Information majors who settled on a novel idea that some business entrepreneurs thought made sense.

In April, a team of students from the WSSU School of Business and Economics came up with a prize-winning idea to increase alumni giving. The idea won second place in a Business Case Competition sponsored by Nationwide Insurance Company and required student teams to develop a marketing strategy to improve alumni giving to their respective schools. The goal of the competition was for the participating universities to ultimately use the research and strategies in their alumni giving efforts.

Desmond Barnes, senior Marketing major; Sade’ Powell, junior Marketing major; Martha McMurray, junior Management major; and Chris Hopkins, junior MIS major, comprised the WSSU team. Their prize-winning strategy centered around a “25 x 25” campaign to increase the participation of alumni giving 25 percent by the year 2025. The strategy called for WSSU to partner with Nationwide to develop and deliver student and alumni programs that promote a philanthropic mindset and offer Almost 900 students participated in the largest graduation ceremony in WSSU’s history on May 14.

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affinity financial programs that help build financial independence; this in turn, creates the means for greater alumni gift-giving to the university.

The competition was held on the campus of NC A&T State University. In addition to A&T, other participating institutions included Elizabeth City University, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, and Virginia Union State University.

The competition was an experience that Raleigh native Sadé Powell will not soon forget. “For several weeks, my team and I prepared to take on the role of a successful consulting group,” said Powell. “After working tirelessly to accumulate research and develop an outstanding presentation, my team concluded that we could increase gift-giving. By focusing students and stakeholders on wealth creation, we theorized that an environment would be created enabling them to give back to the university. We went a step further by establishing marketing strategies that would guarantee an increase to $600,000 in alumni gift-giving. We called the strategy ‘25 by 25.’

By the year 2025, we anticipated that alumni giving would increase by 25 percent, which equates to $3 million in annual alumni giving.”

She described her experience as challenging, exhausting, and even nerve-racking.

WSSU Business Case Competition Team (left to right) Desmond Barnes, senior Marketing major; Martha McMurray, junior Marketing major; Allyson Francisco, former adjunct instructor in the WSSU School of Business and Economics; Sadé Powell, junior Marketing major; and, Chris Hopkins, a junior MIS major.

But she says she would do it all again. “It was an awesome learning experience that greatly sharpened my oral presentation skills—a skill that is vital not only in the classroom, but also in the workforce. I would participate in 10 more Nationwide Case Study Competitions if possible.”

With the help of faculty advisor Dr. Suresh Gopalan, interim associate dean and associate professor of Marketing, and assistant faculty advisor Alyson Francisco, Marketing instructor, the team earned $6,000 for their effort.

Building leaders: Focus on academics and innovation

As part of its plan to develop the “whole student,” Winston-Salem State University is encouraging greater research involvement by students and faculty with a focus on addressing and solving many of the issues facing us all in the 21st century.

WSSU is answering that clarion call, engaging in research that ranges from the examination of the psychological factors that inhibit people on disability from returning to work to the impact of ultrasound in healing wounds. The process is ongoing, with new young researchers under the watchful gaze of skilled faculty getting step by step closer to breakthroughs.

From the labs of the Biomedical Research Center or the Center for Community Safety in downtown Winston-Salem to the classroom in the WSSU School of Education and Human Performance or School of Health Sciences, research is a large part of what’s going on at WSSU.

A secret no more

Research is what we do at WSSU mid-sized, liberal arts institution is the fact P that a great deal of what goes on here is reerhaps one of the best-kept secrets of this

search. However, WSSU provost Brenda Allen is trying to lift that veil of secrecy to let the world in on what is happening at WSSU. Her establishment of Scholars Day is doing that.

“Scholars Day is the vehicle for highlighting some of the great work that is happening on our campus. It is a celebration of scholarship and the scholars who produce the work,” said Allen. “Presenters included both undergraduate and graduate students, as well as many faculty and staff. The School of Education and Human Performance, the School of Health Sciences, the School of Business and Economics along with scores of participants from the College of Arts and Sciences are represented.”

Joab Odera, a pre-MARC U* STAR program scholar at the Biomedical Research Center (BRIC) at WSSU, was one of more than 80 scholars to make presentations. Working in conjunction with Maamun Jeneby of the Institute of Primate Research, National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya, Odera used a process called Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to study blood parasites of wild-caught baboons in his country. PCR enables researchers to

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produce millions of copies of a specific DNA sequence in just a few hours. This automated process bypasses the need to use bacteria for amplifying DNA. In addition to Odera’s project, the day featured projects in life and physical sciences, allied health, education, social and behavioral sciences and fine arts and the humanities. The presentations were projects that originated in the classroom, as well as those that have or will be prepared for regional, national and international conferences.

WSSU student research garners attention in the state capital WSSU students were among a number of University of North Carolina (UNC) system students who presented their research to North Carolina legislators in April in Raleigh. The students were participating in UNC’s Research in the Capital Symposium. Occurring biennially, the program is an opportunity for students from across the UNC system to travel to Raleigh and demonstrate their undergraduate research experiences to North Carolina state legislators.

One of the presentations by Harvey Long, a WSSU Chemistry major from Yanceyville, on Billing Natural Gas by the Kilowatt-Hour,

Harvey Long (left) and Garrand Taylor (right) discuss their project on billing natural gas with WSSU Chemistry instructor Wyndam Wilkinson.

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seemed to generate a great deal of excitement.

The following is the recollection of instructor Wyndham Wilkerson’s about the events of that day.

“After students Harvey Long and Garrard Taylor and I finished setting up their Research in the Capital poster (Billing Natural Gas in Kilowatt-Hours), we began calling on representatives to ask them to visit our poster in the Legislative Building,” said Wilkerson. “As we were finishing up our visits with senators and representatives, we happened to notice Speaker Pro Tempore Dale Folwell’s office and decided to call on him also.”

Wilkerson and his students were eager to see whether there was any possibility of legislative action. They explained that their project focused on changing the way natural gas is billed to the customer. They theorized “If electricity and natural gas were to be billed in a common unit—the kilowatt-hour (KWH)— instead of the therm used by Piedmont Natural Gas, customers would be able to compare prices for the same amount of energy and use the least expensive fuel.”

Rep. Folwell thought it was a good idea but had an even better idea. Wilkerson said Rep. Folwell suggested that rather than submit

Amber Simmons presents her project on a health initiative and learns more about the workings of the state legislature.

a bill and push it through legislation with no assurance it would be passed, why not go directly to the lobbyists from Piedmont Natural Gas Co? “He said that lobbyists from the energy companies routinely walked the legislative halls, and he would give us some names to telephone,” Wilkerson recalled.

“So the students got on their cell phones and began calling. They reached one lobbyist who said he’d be right over, and, sure enough, he showed up right away and even liked the idea. He wanted his supervisor to also see the poster. Shortly afterwards the second lobbyist, John Monaghan (Senior Legislative & Community Affairs Manager—NC Legislative & Community Affairs) made an appearance around noon. He really liked the idea and asked us to email the poster to him so that he could present the concept to PNG.” Wilkerson’s students are currently reviewing electronic versions, so that they can email the poster and PowerPoint presentation to PNG and to legislators who expressed an interest in seeing the information.

The goals of the symposium are to highlight the important role of research in undergraduate education and the ensuing benefits to the state.

WSSU professor of Sociology Dr. Edward Dapaah discusses the research project of Yvette Owusu.

Bat motion and dance: Liberal Learning Seminars inspire creative problem-solving

in the Department of Life Sciences and a D researcher in the Center for Design Innovation. r. Nickolay Hristov is an assistant professor

Dr. Scott Betz is a professor of Art. Their academic backgrounds might lead one to think the two have little in common. Not so. Hristov and Betz combined their disciplines to fashion a new initiative, a new learning pathway called a liberal learning seminar. The focus of this seminar, named SciVis 2010, was scientific visualization.

“We had to look for commonality between our areas of expertise and fashion a learning path for the students,” said Betz. “The goal was to bring students with diverse backgrounds (such as biology, fine art, computer science and digital animation) into an open learning environment, where science and art work hand in hand,” added Hristov.

SciVis 2010 was not your typical classroom setting.

For example freshman Exercise Science major Akeadra Bell of Elizabeth City and Apu Seyenkulo, a freshman Exercise Science major from Chicago, used the art form of dance to emulate the movement of bats and moths. In using this format, the two, through scientific visualization, were able to demonstrate the relationship between form and flight.

“This was a studio-based seminar where there were no grades, no scantrons, no academic titles, no podium for the teachers and desks on the other side of the room for the students, no dress codes,” Hristov recalled.

“We encouraged students to bring their computers and cell phones and use them in class to learn. We did not oversee, control or correct; we tried to inspire!”

“Once in the Center for Design Innovation (CDI) space in downtown Winston-Salem, the learning environment itself looked different than most university lecture halls,” Betz said.

“It was an active lab, with brainstorming session notes on white boards, 3D printers building complicated structures, and the team of

instructors sitting next to the students and discussing a dizzying array of design solutions.”

With students bringing their existing skills and interests into this learning environment, using Hristov’s knowledge of scientific design technology and Betz’ artistic eye, they explored new ideas, hybrid products, and new ways of thinking. The subject of the exploration in this seminar was the motion of bats. Betz said there was a “new frontier” spirit in this class. Students and faculty articulated their reactions to the science through discussions, video “vlogs,” wiki blogs, spreadsheets, drawings, 3D virtual spaces, interactive programming (based on MIT’s Scratch software) and visits to art and science centers.

“Developing problem-solving and criticalthinking skills that could be used in the real world is what we are hoping to accomplish through these seminars,” said WSSU provost Brenda Allen.

“The reality today is that students can expect to have at least 10 jobs in their careers.

You don’t have to be a business major to be a top person in business. You have to have the soft skills that allow you to be trained. What we’re (WSSU) asking is, ‘How do we take the resources we have and get those best practices in our environment?’”

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Our evolving campus: Enhancing student life— and much more The look of a campus, its architecture and landscaping, how well the grounds and buildings are cared for, evidence of new construction … all convey much about the school’s energy, its resources and its commitment to providing positive student experiences.

In recent years, major expansions and enhancements on the WSSU campus have communicated clearly that this is a school where good things are happening.

Even in a time of unparalleled state budget cuts, WSSU is finding creative and economical ways to provide students with a campus, and a total college experience, they can be proud of for the rest of their lives ground-breaking was held for T hisonespring, of the most exciting additions in re-

cent history: the new WSSU Student Activities Center. Located beside the Thompson Center, the 96,000 square-foot center is scheduled to open in 2013. It will feature a campus hall that will accommodate up to 600 people, an expanded food court with popular franchise restaurants, and a seating design that is conducive to informal meetings, socializing and studying.

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There will also be an indoor track, a game room, attractive lounge space on multiple levels, two basketball courts, fitness space with equipment that exceeds the size of a typical basketball court, and shower facilities for those who want to work out before going to class or to work.

“Planning for the center began several years ago and included proactive efforts to obtain student input,” said Theo Howard, assistant vice chancellor for student affairs and chair of the planning committee for the new

student activities center. “One of the things we learned from our student survey was the need for activities and amenities that will keep students on campus, promote a sense of community among the students, and create an environment that promotes learning. The center has been designed around those goals.”

Optimizing resources In addition to new construction, WSSU is committed to optimizing existing structures

to preserve the history of the campus while keeping up with changes in energy efficiency requirements. Though faced with stringent budget cuts like all other state universities, WSSU is embarking on a $7 million renovation to transition some of the existing buildings on campus into “green” buildings.

“The project is possible because contractor Siemens Industry Inc. has agreed to guarantee that enough money will be saved in lower energy bills to cover the cost of the loan the school will take out to pay its bill,” said Owen Cooks, associate vice chancellor.

In other words, being “green” will pay for itself and improve the campus without putting

any strain on the students or taxpayers. “By law, we have to show that the money put in will generate lower utility bills,” said Dick Kabis, director of sustainability. “We are looking at energy efficiency all around. We are going to use all utilities more wisely by replacing faulty components, making sure windows are sealed properly, installing energy-efficient motors, fixing cracks and making sure systems like air conditioning are operating properly.”

Students are stepping up to take an active role in the sustainability initiatives. Many participated in an Earth Day-inspired, week-long promotion to educate themselves on what it takes to be green, from water conservation to recycling.

“We had such a great response during the green week that we decided to set up some programs for the students to participate in when they come back in August after summer vacation,” said Kabis. “We have a great committee, and we want to build on the momentum to involve even more students. In a very real way, we are helping them develop a focus and practices they will apply throughout their lives.”

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Community engagement: A key part of the WSSU culture Playing an active role in the community —through service projects and through proactive sharing of resources, energy and expertise —has been a foundational part of WSSU’s mission and culture since its origin.

Today, the impact is perhaps more visible than ever, because the number of WSSU representatives engaged in community initiatives is larger than ever. Increasingly, the nature of the outreach has the potential to impact entire neighborhoods, communities and populations for years to come.

Cutting-edge research is one example. But only one. More and more, WSSU is responsible for initiatives that are enhancing neighborhoods, opening the door to economic development, improving quality of life for underserved populations. In the process, WSSU is quietly but steadily changing perceptions, building a reputation for expertise and leadership —and being actively sought as a valued partner in collaborative, high-profile ventures.

WSSU partner agency leads high-impact initiative

Business incubator now open as a Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club, Fproviding nurturing and mentoring for young

or years, this two-story brick building served

people. Now fully renovated and refurbished, it provides nurturing and mentoring for young companies.

Known as The Enterprise Center, it is the result of the extraordinary vision and collaborative work spearheaded by a WSSU partner agency, the S.G. Atkins Community Development Corporation.

Phase one for the center is the 10,000square-foot business incubator, where startup businesses and emerging companies can obtain beautifully renovated office space plus access

to a comprehensive array of support services from business professionals and organizations.

In June, tenant associates and partner agencies began moving in to the second-floor incubator. “Our CDC staff relocated here from Winston Towers,” said Carol Davis, executive director of the S.G. Atkins Community Development Corporation. “Joining us are staff members from The Center for Entrepreneurship. Other partners who will offer on-site services include Forsyth Tech Small Business Center, Wake Forest Community Law and Business Clinic, the Micro-Enterprise Loan Program, and North Carolina Central University.”

On the first floor, the former gym will

be a multi-purpose space that will serve as a community learning center with training spaces and can be used as a conference center.

By mid-summer, the WSSU School of Health Sciences will open its new 3,400 square-foot space featuring a state-of-the-art simulation lab.

The center has applied for LEED certification and will emphasize sustainability in its practices and processes. “This is the only facility of its kind in Winston-Salem,” said Davis. “It is a carefully planned and well-appointed facility that will serve the community in many ways, both immediately and long term.”

“We encourage alumni to visit, to volunteer and to help us spread the word to business owners.”

For additional information on The Enterprise Center, visit www.sgacdc.org

The Enterprise Center is attracting established companies as well as new businesses. Among the initial tenant associates are Mrs. Gloria Faulkner, president of J.L. Redford, Inc., (left) and Mrs. April Witherspoon, owner & director of Zoe Behavioral Health Services, LLC (seated). The Center’s support staff includes Jarrett Stephens, student intern, senior Political Science major at Wake Forest University.

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In addition to supporting small businesses, The Enterprise Center is quickly becoming a focal point for green initiatives that benefit the community. In April, a group of staff and students from WSSU approached Carol Davis about the possibility of establishing a Community Garden there. Within days, land behind the center had been tilled and a variety of vegetables planted.

To track the garden’s progress, visit http://wssugarden.wordpress.com/

WSSU helps open doors for foster children

TEAM-UP receives statewide recognition Teens Engaged in Aspiring Mentorships: an Uplifting Partnership—better known as TEAMUP—recently received a Best Practice award from the North Carolina Association of County Directors of Social Services. And with good reason. Through it, foster children have an opportunity each summer to attend a weeklong overnight camp at WSSU where they are encouraged to set goals for themselves and have opportunities to gain skills that will help them be successful on their own when they age out of the foster care program.

“In a survey conducted between 2002 and 2008 of 149 youth ages 18-23 who had aged out of foster care in Forsyth County, only 20 percent were able to maintain the same job for six months, almost half had experienced homelessness in the past year, nearly one-third were single parents, and fewer than one-third had support systems in place,” said Dr. Notis Pagiavlas, associate professor of Marketing at WSSU’s School of Business and Economics and the director of the Center for Entrepreneurship, which runs the TEAM-UP program along with the Department of Social Services for the counties involved.

“It’s a significant problem,” said Pagiavlas.

“If these kids had an alternative plan for the

future, these statistics would improve. That’s our goal with TEAM-UP. We teach life lessons like how to manage money in a fun way. For example, we took a trip to Concord Mills and gave the children money to spend on whatever they wanted. We were able to teach them that they could buy one pair of really nice shoes or make a more economical decision to get an entire outfit for the same money. We make it fun, and we make it non-threatening, which is important because of the background many of these children come from.”

Spending time on a university campus gives the participants an inside look at where hard work can take them. Most of the instruction is from WSSU professors. The children eat in the cafeteria, meet in classrooms and sleep in the dorms. At the end of the week, they can see themselves on a college campus, and they know this is a place where they will be encouraged and supported. “We’re thankful to WSSU, area businesses and the community,” said Pagiavlas. “As awareness has grown, so has financial support. Now we are reaching 30 young people each year. Hopefully that will continue to grow.”

For additional information, visit www.WSSU.edu <http://www.WSSU.edu> and search TEAM-UP.

Spreading the word to the community Chamber of Commerce after-hours event attracts more than 200 “WSSU is an example of the jewel the Triad has in its colleges and universities. The WSSU expo that was a part of the Business After Hours gave me a much better understanding of the caliber of programs and community initiatives at the University. I’m glad I had this opportunity—it’s a beautiful campus, and I was impressed with all I learned.”

That’s how Doug Copeland, president and publisher of The Triad Business Journal, expressed his positive reaction as a participant in the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event hosted by WSSU March 24 in the Anderson Center. Some 200 business men and women attended.

Chancellor’s Breakfast Briefings Sponsored by the WSSU Foundation, a series of Chancellor’s Breakfast Briefings began in November 2010 to help build new relationships and strengthen ties with business and community leaders in support of the university’s Strategic Plan. Four additional briefings are scheduled for the coming academic year in Winston-Salem, Raleigh and Charlotte.

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Alumni step up: Extending the pride There are some 16,000 of you, primarily in North Carolina, but literally in states across the nation.

Again and again, in countless ways, you are spreading the word about WSSU, encouraging other alumni to connect, to sign up for communications, to come to homecoming. Encouraging them to get involved, engaged, inspired … to know what’s happening and why … to understand the current challenges and future opportunities … to give financially … to give of their time and their talents.

Increasingly, you are stepping up to fill the gaps, working to ensure that the WSSU you knew and loved retains the strengths that made it special to you … and working to ensure that the WSSU of the future will meet the needs of tomorrow’s students in equally special ways.

In your numbers, your strength and your commitment, you are making a difference —a major difference —in shaping the future of this outstanding university. Following are just a few examples.

Hopefully, they will spark even more involvement.

Class after class responds: “We can do it!”

50th reunion classes accept Madge Haynes challenge the mid-1990s, Madge Haynes issued a I nchallenge to alumni preparing for their 50th

class reunion. Because of it, literally thousands of WSSU alumni have stepped up their financial support—and WSSU students are benefitting.

A 1954 graduate, Haynes and her husband Charles (class of 1953) felt great pride for their alma mater. “My husband and I have always supported WSSU,” she said. “When I graduated and started my first job in Charlotte, I connected with the alumni association immediately. WSSU had given us such a great boost in our lives, and we wanted to get involved in something that would give us pride.”

After several years of brainstorming and planning, she created the Madge Moore Haynes 50th Class Reunion Giving Plan to motivate alumni to give back generously to celebrate their 50th reunions. The goal was for each class to raise $50,000 to commemorate 50 years as WSSU graduates.

“I worked out the details with the university and presented it to the class of 1950.” Response was very positive, and the challenge has been passed from class to class since. In 2005, the class of 1955 became the first to meet and exceed its goal of $50,000 under the leadership of reunion coordinator and classmate, Alice McNeil.

“We were very organized,” said McNeil.

“I sent out a letter explaining what we wanted

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to do as a class, which was to raise $50,000 for our alma mater. I sent it out four years before our 50th anniversary, and we decided to each give $250 a year, so by the fourth year, we would each have given $1,000.”

McNeil’s class raised $50,500 in 2005.

“WSSU is one of the best HBCUs in the nation, and I am so grateful for the education I got as a student,” said McNeil. “It gives me a lot of pride.”

The tradition lives on Thankfully, the tradition of giving has continued, and each 50th anniversary class seems to do even better than the one before.

The class of 1958 raised $64,000 for WSSU.

William Harris remembers the anniversary as one of celebration, happiness and laughter just like old times. “When we entered WSSU, one of the instructors said there was something very special and cohesive about our class,” said Harris. “We entered as rather vulnerable individuals, first-generation college attendees with enormous potential. WSSU helped us focus in such ways that we could become productive citizens. Because of what WSSU did for us, my wife and I have set up an endowment, The William U. and Clara E. Harris Endowment.”

With the bar set high, the class of 1960 was determined to reach its goal as well.

Barbara Manning encouraged her class to set a lofty goal to honor their graduation year.

“We had great participation,” said Manning.

“We established our endowment and set our goal at the end of our 45th reunion for $60,000 because we graduated in 1960. We went way above $60,000 and raised $82,000 in time for our 50th reunion.

“We were elated at what we were able to accomplish. Following our class reunion, we decided to keep the momentum going, increasing our goal to $100,000 because we are so close!” WSSU gave Manning the opportunity to achieve her goals, and like many before her and many who will come after, she takes great pride in helping extend that opportunity to current and future students.

Phone-A-Thon transforms alumnus from non-donor to donor The call came out of the blue, and it caught James Pittman by surprise. The caller was a student from WSSU, who very politely asked if he would be willing to make a financial contribution to the university. His response was an enthusiastic yes. He smiled as he hung up the phone.

“I’ve actually intended to give for some time,” said Pittman, a native of Jacksonville, N.C., who now lives near Birmingham, Ala. “You hear about larger schools receiving $100,000 or $1 million or more from a single donor, and you know that Winston-Salem State has to depend on smaller gifts from more people. I’m extremely proud of my school and appreciate the foundation it gave me. I’ve gone from being an officer in the U.S.

Army to a successful executive in corporate America, and now own two fast-growing corporations with an international client base.

“WSSU equipped me, and God has blessed me. That phone call was just the incentive I needed, and now I intend to be an ongoing supporter.

“I graduated in 1989 and because of my military career and travels, I had not been back until I stopped by for a visit last summer. It’s a totally different place—the campus is just beautiful. I’m very proud of what the school is accomplishing.”

Give online, visit www.wssu.edu and select Donate Now at the top of the homepage.

“Add A Zero” campaign inspires recent grads to support WSSU It happened not long ago. A member of the Young Alumni Council came up with an idea to encourage financial support by recent graduates. The concept was simple, yet catchy: Just add a zero to the number of years you have been graduated, and contribute that amount.

For or Candrice Nolan, Class of 2008, that translated into three years, or $30.

A very reasonable amount—yet it was $30 more than she had been giving.

Top 10 things WSSU alumni can do: 10. Help recruit future Rams and encourage a prospective student to visit the campus.

9. Mentor current students.

8. Support WSSU Athletics. Attend and show your RAM PRIDE! 7. Attend a WSSU Young Alumni Council event in your area, and take a fellow RAM with you.

6. Update your mailing address, email address, job information, birth of children, etc. by visiting the WSSU Alumni Relations web-site or call 336-750-2125.

5. Stay educated about WSSU, share what you know with others.

4. Visit the campus. Wear WSSU Ram Scarlet and/or display WSSU paraphernalia at home or work.

3. Visit the WSSU Alumni Relations website.

2. Join the WSSU National Alumni Association.

And the number one thing WSSU Alumni can do . . .

1. Make an annual gift to WSSU. Every gift, regardless of size, helps.

See an interview with some of our 2011 graduates Visit http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=DHWyT4VXMX0

“I had always thought I would wait until I could contribute a larger amount, but now I realize that if many people give small amounts, the impact can be significant. Whoever came up with the idea, it’s a great one!”

How can you be part of the “Add a Zero” initiative? Visit www.wssu.edu and select Donate Now at the top of the homepage.

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on the yard

campus news & events

Harp recognized for excellence in teaching chemistry at WSSU, has been selected as a D recipient of an Award for Excellence in Teachr. Jill J. Harp, associate professor of Bio-

ing presented annually by the University of North Carolina’s Board of Governors.

Harp received a commemorative bronze medallion along with a $7,500 cash prize during WSSU’s Spring Commencement ceremony on May 14. The Awards for Teaching Excellence were established in 1994 to underscore the importance of teaching and reward good teaching across the University system. Annually, a tenured faculty member from each UNC campus is recognized for his or her accomplishments by the Board of Governors.

Harp has served as a faculty member in the College of Arts and Sciences at WSSU for the past 14 years. She spent the first seven years in the Department of Chemistry and the last seven in the Department of Life Sciences. In

addition to teaching, she also trains high school and college students in her research lab throughout the academic year and in the summer.

Harp is known for using her own classroom action research to improve her teaching and student learning. She also requires her students to demonstrate their understanding of course content and application of that knowledge through writing papers and making presentations in class and at professional conferences.

A graduate of York College, City University of New York, Harp earned her Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Maryland. Her publications and research focus on cocaine abuse drug treatment, and she also has received several grant sub-awards from the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Health.

Justin D. McKenzie named associate provost and chief information officer “Justin’s background in higher education and the private sector has certainly prepared him to take on the role of leading our information technology area,” said Dr. Brenda A. Allen, provost. “Over the past six months, the university has made great strides in creating a more efficient and cost-effective operation

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through our IT Transformation Project. Justin understands what has been done and what needs to be done to ensure that IT is providing the direction and the infrastructure necessary to support students and the administration, as well as faculty teaching and research activities.”

McKenzie was the associate vice president and chief information officer for the Florida Institute of Technology and previously had spent six years at the University of Southern Mississippi, where he served as director of information and technology and as chief technology officer. Prior to entering higher education, he had been an engineering manager with Howard Technologies in Laurel, Miss., and a lead client support engineer with Andersen Consulting in Bay St. Louis, Miss.

A graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, he holds a B.S. degree in engineering technology and information systems and an M.S. degree in engineering technology from there. He also earned an MBA in IT management from William Carey University and is currently working on a Ph.D. in human capital development.

Grants will support WSSU research and scholarship fund WSSU recently won a $600,000 National Science Foundation grant to support highly qualified, economically disadvantaged students to study computer science and information technology.

A $100,000 grant has been received from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It will be used to fund a study to more meaningfully assess cardiovascular disease risk in lower income, multi-ethnic adults in Forsyth County.

WSSU has received a $120,000 grant from the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation in Atlanta to be used for general scholarships during the upcoming 2011-2012 academic year.

WSSU names new vice chancellor for student affairs Dr. Trae T. Cotton has been appointed vice chancellor for student affairs and will report to Chancellor Donald Reaves.

“Trae will be responsible for providing the programs, services and opportunities necessary to support the academic and personal success of our students,” said Reaves. “He will lead the University’s Division of Student Affairs and have responsibility for all aspects of student life including academic support systems, leadership development, community involvement, social activities, student housing, judicial affairs, the student health center and much more. I am certainly pleased that we were able to recruit someone with his depth of experience to fill this vital role on our campus.”

Cotton comes to WSSU from Radford University where he has served as associate vice president and dean of students since October 2007. Prior to Radford, he was involved in the start-up of California State University Channel Islands beginning in 2002 and served in a variety of positions there including interim dean and associate dean of student life. His experience also includes serving as associate director for the Office of Student Enrollment at Walden University and he was involved in the start-up of Florida Gulf Coast University from 1997 until 2000.

Cotton earned his B.A. degree from the University of North Texas, his M.A. from Eastern New Mexico University and his Ph.D. in education from Walden University. He is a member of the Association of American Colleges and Universities, the Association on Higher Education and Disability, the Association of Student Conduct Administrations, the American College Personnel Association and the National Association of Student Personnel.

WSSU police chief named state association president Patricia D. Norris, chief of police and director of public safety at WSSU, has been named the first female and first African American to serve as president of the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police, a professional organization dedicated to the support and encouragement for all police chiefs in the state.

Norris has been at the university since 2008. She previously served as chief of police for the City of Winston-Salem for four years and was on the force for 31 years. A life-long resident of Winston-Salem, Norris graduated from R. J. Reynolds High School, earned her undergraduate degree from Winston-Salem State, and is a graduate of the Administrative Officers’ Management Program at N.C. State University.

Norris was also recently appointed to the North Carolina Governor’s Crime Commission.

The commission serves as the chief advisory body to the Governor and the Secretary of the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety on crime and justice issues.

WSSU student newspaper receives awards The News Argus, the official student newspaper of Winston-Salem State University, received four first-place awards in the 13th Annual Black College Communication Association (BCCA) Awards competition, including being selected as the best student newspaper published weekly or less.

“Through BCCA’s annual Excellence in Journalism competition our students are able to compete against peer institutions and to be judged by notable journalists from across the country,” said Dr. Lona Cobb, Journalism professor and adviser to The News Argus. “Participation in the contest also encourages the newspaper staff to strive to be the best and when we win awards, staff members are in recognition of that effort.”

Brandon Coley, online producer and graphics editor, and Jaye Cole, copy desk chief, won first place for best informational graphic or news illustration for the 2010 Homecoming issue. Other first place awards went to Coley for best editorial cartoon and for the best online audio story, which was a question and answer session with Chancellor Donald J. Reaves by Jordan Howse, editor-in-chief, and Coley.

Natalie Davis, assistant editor, won a second place for best spot news story.

The newspaper also received third place awards for editorial/opinion section, online site and news series, investigation or in-depth story.

The awards were presented Feb. 12 at the 13th Annual HBCU National Student News Media Conference in Columbia, S.C. The event was sponsored by the BCCA, a nonprofit organization established through a grant from the Freedom Forum that works to strengthen communications program at HBCUs. Judges included representatives from the Associated Press, the Chicago Tribune, The McClatchy Company and the New York Times.

Congratulations are also in order for The News Argus staff because the Argus was recently included in Best of Show for Online News along with the online student newspapers from N. C. State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Appalachian State University and East Carolina University.

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time out ram sports

Return to glory

WSSU athletics generates excitement and trophies remember—with a big Fsmileyearandwasa lotoneoftopride.

“Taking six CIAA

or WSSU Athletics, the 2010-2011 school

championships certainly shows the quality of our athletics program and the hard work of our coaches and team members,” said Chancellor Donald Reaves. “I’ve also been pleased with emphasis on academic achievement that has been led by our athletics director, Bill Hayes. Of course, being back in the CIAA also has been a sweet homecoming for our campus and for our alumni. I think you can say that this year is truly the start of our Return to Glory.”

Of 16 possible championships, WSSU won top honors in baseball, softball, women’s tennis, men’s cross-country, women’s crosscountry and women’s indoor track. The men’s tennis and golf teams and the women’s outdoor track team all claimed second-place finishes. The WSSU football team had a stellar 8-2 season, with four Rams named to the 2010 CIAA All-Conference team.

In basketball, the Lady Rams finished

18

SUMMER 2011

their season at The WSSU Rams took home award after award at the CIAA annual spring 17-11—a major meeting May 24. Among them: the C.H. Williams and Loretta Taylor improvement over all-sports trophies for top overall men’s and women’s programs; coach the previous season’s of the year awards for Inez Turner, men’s and women’s cross country two wins. The men and women’s indoor track; John Martin, women’s tennis; and LaTaya posted a 19-8 overall Hilliard-Gray, softball. Athletics Director Bill Hayes won the Jeanette A. record and claimed Lee Athletic Administrator of the Year Award. a CIAA Southern Division title. Guard Shelton Carter and forward Paul Davis were chosen to play in the 8th Annual Historic Black College All-Star Classic April 23, 2011 in Columbus, Ga. The game showcases the nation’s top 24 men’s basketball seniors from HBCUs.

“My staff and my coaches all did a treAs a 1000$ Horns member, you will have free mendous job this year, and I couldn’t have parking at Bowman Gray Stadium with your been more proud of what we’ve accomplished,” name on your parking space. Those numbered said Hayes. “We had a plan from the start, parking spaces will be striped and numbered and we were just thrilled at how the kids by the city of Winston-Salem during the all performed. Alumni support was great,” month of September and you will be assigned he added. “I can’t say enough about what it a numbered parking space with your name means to have you attend our events and on it. Visit wssu.rams.com for details on joining support our fundraising efforts.”

1000$ Horns!

Did you know?

1000$ Horns members receive free VIP parking

class notes ’00s

’90s ’94 Mrs. Joyce Dove Leak recently received her certification for Six Sigma Green Belt from Villanova University. Six Sigma is a business management strategy that seeks to improve the quality of business processes by using

’11 Mrs. Christy Gadston Blackwell was recently accepted into Georgia Baptist College of Nursing at Mercer University in Atlanta, Ga. She will be completing the Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Education dual degrees.

specific quality management methods to organize and complete projects intended to reduce costs or increase profits. Leak graduated from WSSU with a BA in Management Information Systems.

Homecoming 2011 (9/25-10/2) class anniversaries Class Year

Anniversary

1951

60

1956

50

Contacts

Mr. Samual A. Foster, 301-384-8454 Mrs. Mary Catherine Buford, 301-499-1881 mcbuford13@acninc.net WSSU Class of 1961, c/o Mary Reese Buford (Lillian Walker Ruffin or Samuel A. Foster, Jr.) PO Box 60033, Washington, DC 20039

1971

40

Mrs. Pat Chasten Hall, 704-588-3444 patchall28278@yahoo.com Mrs. Sallie Standback Mayfield, 704-947-5441 Scorpio258@bellsouth.net

1976

35

Dr. Pattie Sanders-Smith wssudst@suddenlink.net

Class Year

Anniversary

Contacts

1981

30

Ms. Angela Simmons, angieg7@att.net 919-744-4225 – cell 919-855-2171 – home Ms. Viretta Vann, vvann12@gmail.com 252-395-2675 – cell 252-306-6878 – home

1986

25

Mr. Kelvin Walton, 404-798-6128 klwalton35@aol.com

1991

20

Mr. James D. Flowers, 206-723-6372 wssuclassof91@gmail.com

2001

10

Mr. Victor Isler isler.victor@gmail.com

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What’s new with you? Your friends and fellow alumni want to know! Please send news about your personal and professional life to include such items as new career appointments, promotions, births, marriages, retirements, memorials to alumni, etc. to: WSSU Alumni Relations Attn: Class Notes SG Atkins House Winston-Salem, NC 27110 New Address?

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alumni news Message from the President, WSSU National Alumni Association Dear Fellow Alumni, I travel around the country a great deal.

At just about every stop, I come in contact with someone from the Winston-Salem State University alumni community. As National Alumni President, I make it a point to try and check in on some of our Rams when I can.

Recently I met with Mr. Al Mitchell ’75 in Chicago, Mr. Andrew Jones ’08 in Kansas City and Ms. Shirley Simms ’56 in Raleigh. It doesn’t matter what era the fellow alumni attended our beloved institution, or what their field of study or even what part of the country they now live in. What is universal is the excitement and attitude that I sense among all of us that our school is on the move, going from great to greater.

In the past few years, we have witnessed a lot of change at WSSU and as with all change, some of it requires sacrifice and may extract a small amount of pain. But that is a small price to pay for bold, strident moves to prepare our school and students to meet the needs of a dramatically changing world. I believe we have a brighter future than ever before and we must ensure our leadership, our alumni, our students and the greater Winston-Salem community are united in one vision to put us on an unprecedented course for success.

What has excited me besides the tangible progress is that even with all the transformation that has taken place starting with Dr. Harold Martin and now through Chancellor Donald Reaves in the past few years, Winston-Salem

State has managed to protect its unique culture and spirit. To alumni, that is very important, as it is the common thread that connects all of us who have come through these doors across the chasm of time. This culture and spirit is what we pass from one generation of students to another at WSSU. Perhaps we have gone through the greatest period of change in the university’s history. But we faced two choices: we could choose to lead change, or be led by change.

I believe I join all of our alumni in saying that we feel like with the tough, but bold choices WSSU has made in recent years, our students are leaving campus among the best-prepared across the country. We are laying the path toward the future rather than simply following a path laid by others. We are a pioneering university. That’s what attracted so many of us to the campus in the first place.

I believe our progress can be tracked to three key factors. First, the University has truly invested in our students. They have handled our resources and the allocation of those resources as an investment in our students’ future. Every dollar that has been appropriated and expended has answered the central question about our University’s vision: what does this mean for our students? Secondly, the University has been strategic about planning the future. The puzzle pieces are coming together from years of smart strategic planning.

Our University community is to be commended

for developing a blueprint and following it.

Thirdly, we are reaping the rewards of bold expectations. WSSU has chosen to challenge itself by reaching beyond the pedestrian and striving higher for game-changing goals that, while difficult to reach, are in step with our very high standards and keep the University on the path to achieving a “best in class” status in many areas of academic measure. We can’t just be good—we have to aim to be great!

You can continue to assist the University in its progress with your financial investment and support through the WSSU National Alumni Association Scholarship Endowment.

All contributions can be made through the WSSU Foundation with the WSSUNAA Scholarship Endowment noted in the memo line.

It is a great time to be a WSSU student, and certainly a wonderful time to be an alumnus of this great University. I have never been more proud of where we are today and where we are going tomorrow, with change as our friend and the wind at our backs.

Gordon G. Everett

Gordon National President Class of 1978

www. wssu n a a . o rg

In Memoriam Mr. Marvin E. Swimpson, ’75 Mrs. Olivia Fulp Hairston, ’47 Mr. Harry H. Rogers, ’57 Mrs. Mazie Roberson Rogers Mrs. Ada Joan Eaton, ’53

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November 14, February 24, February 24, March 1, March 4,

2010 2011 2011 2011 2011

Mr. Earl W. Jones, ’40 Mrs. Lowretha Tomlinson Bohannon Ms. Esther Blackwell Hensley Mrs. Mable Marrow Walker, ’53 Mr. Cedric O. Hooper, ’11

March 26, May 29, June 1, June 19, June 20,

2011 2011 2011 2011 2011

Bill and Lorraine Miller establish “Dress for Success” scholarship for senior business students Bill Miller has a lot of great memories from his years as a student at Winston-Salem State University.

He also has at least one painful memory from his senior year as a business administration major with a concentration in Accounting.

“I

was fortunate to be one of the top business students in my 1983 graduating class,” said Miller, now a successful executive with a Chicago-based corporate real estate investment firm. “I had good references and some solid leads as I began looking for a job. What I didn’t have was the right business attire to go on a corporate interview, or the money to buy a suit and tie and dress shoes.”

Today, Bill Miller and his wife, Lorraine, also a WSSU graduate, are ensuring that at least two seniors will not have that concern as they begin scheduling job interviews.

Together they have established the Bill and Lorraine Miller “Dress for Success” Scholarship Fund.

Thanks to this fund, each fall one female student and one male student from the School of Business will be awarded $500 each to purchase business attire for use in interviews. “There are several criteria,” said Miller. “They must be high-performing students with demonstrated financial need, and they must be actively participating in interviews through the Office of Career Services.”

WSSU is working with selected local retailers that will provide discounts and help the students with their selections.

“Hopefully other alumni will pick up on this idea and provide this kind of advantage for even more WSSU seniors,” said Miller. “I know from personal experience how important it can be to a young person’s confidence—and we want our students to have every possible advantage as they compete for good jobs.”

HELP SHAPE

A STUDENT’S FUTURE

Bill Miller has also established a fund to provide two need-based scholarships in the amount of $1,250 per semester, applicable for books or tuition for one male business student and one female student with a 3.0 minimum grade point average.

Based on your WSSU student experiences and field of study, is there a special cause you would like to support? If so, please contact the Office of University Advancement at 336-750-2184.

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WSSU 2011 Rams Football Schedule Sept. 3

at Elizabeth City State

Sept. 10

at Virginia Union

Sept. 17

at Chowan

Elizabeth City, NC Richmond, VA

Murfreesboro, NC

Sept. 24* Fayetteville State Hall of Fame

Oct. 1*

Johnson C. Smith

HOMECOMING

HOMECOMING

2011

Homecoming this year is scheduled for September 25 – October 2.

The WSSU National Alumni Association headquarter hotels are the Marriott Hotel and Embassy Suites in downtown Winston-Salem. The Association rates are listed below. These rates are good until our room block is full or until August 29. Please do not delay making your reservation.

Oct. 8

at Saint Augustine’s

Oct. 15

at Livingstone

Oct. 22*

Edward Waters

Marriott Guest Room $139 1-800-320-0934

Shaw

Embassy Suite $159 (one-bedroom suite includes a full breakfast buffet) 1-800-696-6107

Oct. 29*

Raleigh, NC

Salisbury, NC

Community Day/Bike Rally Sponsor Appreciation Day Senior Day/1000 HORN$

Nov. 5

at UNC-Pembroke

Nov. 12

2011 CIAA Championship

Pembroke, NC Durham, NC

*Denotes home game

Watch for additional details from the Special Events Committee.

www.RamHomecoming.com