W I N S T O N - S A L E M
S T A T E
U N I V E R S I T Y FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS FA L L / W I N T E R 2 0 1 1 VOLUME 13 NO. 3
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Leveraging Our Resources to Make a Difference
time capsule For the 1961 graduates gathered at this year’s 50th class reunion, there is quite a contrast between the manual typewriters and rotary telephones of their school years and the highly portable laptops, iPads and smartphones used by today’s students.
Project 50 years into the future and imagine what lies ahead …
W I N S T O N - S A L E M
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In this issue
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Student Spotlight: Nneka Nwaifejokwu ’12 This young Brooklyn native has found a welcoming environment at WSSU as she prepares for a career focused on victims of domestic violence.
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How alumni can help Seven ways to extend WSSU’s impact in your own community.
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Cheers, smiles and hugs: Homecoming 2011 The Rams held off Johnson C. Smith’s Golden Bulls, the rain held off for the celebrations, and good times were shared all around as Homecoming 2011 brought the Ram Family back together.
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Alumni of distinction Martin Davis was named the Simon Green Atkins Distinguished Alumnus and four other alumni were honored as part of Homecoming 2011 celebrations.
Departments
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The Power of Engagement Snapshot looks at the many ways WSSU is engaging with local, state, national and global communities to achieve positive outcomes.
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Chancellor Reflects On the Yard Time Out Class Notes Alumni News
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; Rudy Anderson; Jackie Foutz Photographer: Garrett Garms ’07 Design: Cam Choiniere Designs 20,000 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $0.95 per copy.
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chancellor reflects Board of Trustees 2011–2012 Mrs. Debra B. Miller ’78, Chair Mr. Victor Johnson, Jr. ’61, Vice Chair Dr. Vivian H. Burke Mr. F. Scott Bauer Mr. Martin B. Davis ’86 Dr. James C. Hash, Sr. Mrs. Sue Henderson Dr. Karen McNeil-Miller Mr. James R. Nanton Mr. Keith W. Vaughan Mr. Charles F. Wallington Mr. Austin V. Grier 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. F. Scott Bauer Mr. Gerald Hunter Mr. Gordon Everett ’78 Mr. Gordon Slade ’93 Austin V. Grier Emeritus Directors Ms. Florence P. Corpening Mr. Victor Johnson, Jr. ’61 Dr. Steve Martin
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WINTER 2011
four years, Winston-Salem State University has been dealing F orwiththea past reduction in financial support from the State of North Carolina.
With the latest cut of 13.8 percent, or $10.1 million, for 2011-2012, the university is now operating with $31 million less than it had in 2008-2009. We are not alone in dealing with the precarious situation created by the impact of the economic downturn on state revenue collections. The reductions on UNC campuses for this year ranged from 9.9 percent at Elizabeth City State and 10.8 percent at the UNC School of the Arts, to 16.4 percent at Western Carolina and 17.9 percent at UNC-Chapel Hill. The total reduction in funding for the entire system over the past four years is more than $1 billion. The single greatest expense throughout the university system is personnel costs. For WinstonSalem State, salaries and benefits represent 78 cents of every dollar we spend. Therefore, we have had to cut positions and lay off employees in addition to the other austerity measures we have continued to take. In preparation for the latest budget reduction, we have eliminated 115 positions, 31 of which were filled. Eliminating those filled positions was difficult because it affected people on our campus, those who lost their jobs and those who remain and are expected to do more with less. Eliminating the unfilled positions has taken away the flexibility we had to use those funds to support critical needs for the university and our students. We have, however, been luckier in one area than some of our sister schools. Our faculty has stepped up to the plate by taking on more classes and increasing their class size so that we do not have to reduce course offerings. For our students, that means they should be able to get the courses they need when they need them. Like other campuses, however, we are having to tighten our belts. All funds for purchases, travel and training are frozen and our most senior managers are being held accountable for ensuring that only essential operational expenditures are made. This means that the marching band will not perform at every away football game, but only traveling out of town when it is economically feasible. It means that we will use teleconferencing capabilities for meetings whenever possible to reduce travel costs for faculty and staff. Each expenditure becomes important in these economic times and even small reductions begin to add up to significant savings over time. Yet, with all of the necessary budget cuts we are making, we are committed to maintaining our focus on the university’s highest priorities. Those priorities support our efforts to ensure that our students are successful while they are on our campus and, more importantly, that they are able to be successful after they graduate. One of our major achievements is the adoption of our new curriculum. The curriculum that had been in place for 50 years had served the institution well. It used to be that a person would work in a specific field for his or her entire life and our curriculum certainly provided the education necessary to do that. As we know, however, the work world is different today and the changes we have seen require new skills and the ability to adapt to new situations. Therefore, under the direction of Provost Brenda Allen and with the support of our faculty, we are rolling out a redesigned set of courses that expose our students to the body of knowledge they need to survive and thrive in this 21st Century economy. The new course offerings are just as rigorous as in the past, but we are providing our students with a broader education that includes skills that support analytical thinking, written and verbal communication, and the ability to analyze information quickly. With the knowledge and skills provided by this new curriculum, our graduates will be better prepared to compete and succeed in today’s global marketplace. While we continue to face difficult economic times in our nation, our state and on our campus, there are also many things that we can celebrate. Our 2011-2012 freshman class is not only larger than we projected at 820, it is also the best academically prepared class we have seen. The dual admissions program we have with Forsyth Technical Community College has proven to be extremely successful with more than 50 students enrolled. That means we have been able to increase admission standards to improve the probability of student success and, at the same time, not close off access to higher education for those students who may not be as well prepared. So, while these are truly difficult times, they are also exciting times. As alumni, we hope you will join us as we continue to strive to provide the highest quality education possible for our students—and also provide them with a rewarding college experience that will create memories that last a lifetime.
Donald J. Reaves, PhD
T he Power of Engagement
Leveraging our resources to make a difference The third goal in Winston-Salem State’s Strategic Plan—right behind Academic Excellence and Student Success—is
Community Engagement. The institution will be recognized as a leading educational, economic and cultural partner that contributes to the human and social capital needs of the region, the State of North Carolina and beyond.
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ere is a quick glimpse at just a few of the ways WSSU and its students, faculty, administration and alumni are engaging with local, state, national and global communities, bringing people together, elevating awareness of key needs, identifying effective, collaborative ways to address those needs and produce sustainable long-term results. ARCHWAY
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T he Power of Engagement STRENGTHENING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Revitalizing neighborhoods, SG Atkins CDC plays leadership role in bringing new life to MLK Corridor events often remark on the exciting changes A taking place on the WSSU campus. Increasingly, lumni returning for Homecoming and other
they are also commenting on major construction and other evidence of business development north and south of the campus. The S.G. Atkins Community Development Corporation, a university affiliate organization, has been a major player in the redevelopment efforts along the Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive corridor. Carol Davis, executive director of the CDC, along with WSSU professor Dr. Russell Smith, spearheaded creation of a zoning ordinance to help ensure that new construction and remodeled structures will adhere to standards that create visual appeal and invite additional development.
The CDC has also created an anchor for those plans with its own Enterprise Center on the southern end of MLK Drive. With the opening of this Enterprise Center, WinstonSalem now has a business incubator again. Not only is the CDC providing space for new businesses, it also is taking advantage of the university’s Center for Entrepreneurship and collaborating with other local support organizations to provide needed resources for small businesses—with a special emphasis on “green” practices. For details, visit www.sgacdc.org or www.wssu.edu. Call Carol Davis at 336-7346915 to schedule a time to visit the center and explore ways you can support its programs.
University and community leaders celebrated the grand opening of The Enterprise Center on September 30.
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WSSU’s School of Health Sciences stateof-the-art Virtual Hospital has relocated to its new 3,400 square-foot space in The Enterprise Center, providing much-needed room.
T he Power of Engagement ENHANCING QUALITY OF LIFE
establishing best practices The Center of Excellence for the Elimination of Health Disparities, one of WSSU’s major public service centers, works to improve minority health outcomes and eliminate heath disparities within the community, state and nation through research, research training and community outreach activities. The center also provides a national initiative to enhance student success in nursing programs at HBCUs. Areas of focus include diabetes, HIV/ AIDS, obesity, breast cancer, hypertension, patient centeredness and e-health. Dr. Sylvia Flack, executive director, was among 54 investigators from major research institutions and universities selected this past summer to participate in a National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities course. For additional information: www.wssu.edu/ centers/center-of-excellence-for-the-elimination-ofhealth-disparities
Maya Angelou Institute for the Improvement of Child & Family Education involves WSSU faculty, staff and students in partnership with local schools and community agencies in initiatives that help children and families thrive educationally, socially, physically and psychologically. Examples include the Historical Context of Development series and the Women’s Symposium, Make a SPLASH, and The Maya Angelou Literacy Project. The Institute also conducts research studies and provides opportunities for clinical internships in the five-star rated Childhood Development Center and Lab School. For additional information: www.wssu.edu/ maya-angelou-institute
The Center for Community Safety provides statistical data for local law enforcement and seeks funds for programs such as a recent gang awareness effort created with community collaboration to help local parents be more knowledgeable about gang culture. The CCS has received national recognition, including: • Recognized by the Executive Office of the President as a “model for the nation in bringing partners together to confront violence and safety.” • Featured by the National Crime Preven- tion Council as a best practice for operating “Project Fresh Start” which offered job readiness, job training and vocational skills to at-risk individuals. For additional information: www.centerforcommunitysafety.org
The Community Garden at The Enterprise Center produced almost 2,000 pounds of vegetables from spring through summer, with most donated to local food banks. Volunteers include WSSU staff, faculty and students and neighborhood residents. For additional information: www.wssugarden. wordpress.com ARCHWAY
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T he Power of Engagement D E L I V E R I N G H E A LT H C A R E S E R V I C E S A C R O S S T H E C O M M U N I T Y
Going where the needs are, Two WSSU students awarded Albert Schweitzer Fellowships Clinton Serafino and Timothy Serrano, students in the physical therapy doctoral program at WSSU, were two of the three physical therapy students in North Carolina to win Albert Schweitzer Fellowships for 2011-2012. They will partner with community-based organizations to develop and implement yearlong, mentored service projects that sustainably address health disparities in communities across the state. Serafino and Serrano will be conducting a project to bring pediatric physical therapy screening services to the underserved populations in the eastern areas of WinstonSalem using WSSU’s mobile unit, Rams Know H.O.W., and the latest iPad technology. “Most children in our target population have access to medical care through Medicaid, but that may not include easy access to the screenings, evaluations and educational efforts our physical therapy students will be providing,” said Dr. Dora Sole, who served as the students’ advisor in developing the project.
“After our first test session, I was hooked,” said Serafino. “I realized that if we can catch problems early, it can make a huge difference in the lives of these children.” “We will be using some of the technology we have at the university such as iPads that will translate for children or their parents who do not speak English,” said Serrano. “It is great because it doesn’t just give you the translation, it actually says it for you so anyone can ask a patient how long their foot has been hurting or if they have an injury. It also will allow us to print instructions for all parents so they don’t have to rely on their memories, and that helps ensure they will follow any recommendations more correctly.”
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Clinton Serafino and Timothy Serrano are conducting a project to bring pediatric physical therapy screening services to underserved populations in the eastern areas of Winston-Salem using WSSU’s mobile unit, Rams Know H.O.W., and the latest iPad technology to facilitate communications with non-English speaking families.
T he Power of Engagement EXTENDING OUR REPUTATION FOR LEADING-EDGE RESEARCH
finding a better way Researchers study use of ultrasound to fight cancer Professor and researcher Dr. Teresa Conner-Kerr and her team of dedicated student researchers have worked long and hard to discover a way to destroy dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria that cause open wound infections and claim lives annually. In 2010, finally there came a breakthrough. They discovered that very low frequency ultrasound kills bacteria— including methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Next they turned their attention to testing a delivery system that would be safe for the patient and safe for the caregiver to administer. They determined that low frequency ultrasound (LFU) delivered at 35 kHz through a gentle spray was effective in wound treatment without causing environmental contamination. Conner-Kerr and her research team are now turning their attention to a new focus of discovery using ultrasound therapy: cancer treatment. “We are beginning to look at the effects of low frequency ultrasound on cancer cells and human cells. Early results are promising,” said Conner-Kerr. “We are continuing to study these effects and are quite excited about what we see.”
Expanding career options WSSU researchers were presented the Young Inventors Award at the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care held in Dallas, TX. Tiffany Williams ’08 (below), a Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) graduate and researcher on the ultrasound project, presented at the most recent symposium in April 2011.
“What working on this project did for me was expand my research
capabilities outside my field,” said Williams, who is currently working as an administrative assistant with a local healthcare firm as she prepares for graduate school. “Most people in CLS go into hospital laboratories; this project gave me options for other research opportunities.”
After graduation Williams enrolled
in a post-baccalaureate certificate program in cultural competence at WSSU in anticipation of her next move. “I plan to go for a Master in Public Health degree and continue research in other areas in the community health field,” she said.
“This is revolutionary science they (the WSSU research team) are doing that will have world-wide implications. A new era in cancer treatment may be close because of their research.”
– Dr. Eliaz Babaev, co-founder and CEO of Arobella Medical, one of the world’s foremost authorities in ultrasound research technology ARCHWAY
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T he Power of Engagement C R E AT I N G L O C A L C O L L A B O R AT I O N S T H AT L E V E R A G E R E S O U R C E S
Establishing partnerships, CDI collaboration benefits students from three schools The Center for Design Innovation was established in 2005 by the UNC system as an inter-institutional partnership among WSSU, the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and Forsyth Technical Community College. Collaborations capitalize on CDI’s technologies for motion capture, which have applications for physical and occupational therapy as well as analysis of moving machinery and movements of people engaged in sports and other activities. The CDI’s rapid prototyping techniques support design and development of furnishings, medical devices and other industrial designs prior to manufacturing. A permanent facility for the CDI will be constructed in the South District of the Piedmont Triad Research Park, convenient to WSSU.
Dual admissions program helps open doors As WSSU increases its admissions standards, it continues to seek effective ways to ensure access to higher education for underprepared students.
Thanks to the Dual Admissions Program established with Forsyth Technical
Community College in 2010, students who apply and do not meet the admissions standards at WSSU can apply for admission to both institutions. Once they complete their two-year requirements from Forsyth Tech, they are guaranteed admission into a related baccalaureate degree program at WSSU. In the meantime, they have access to WSSU academic advisers, student activities and facilities, allowing them to establish important relationships in advance.
www.centerfordesigninnovation.org
BRIC Program pairs students with WSSU and WFU researchers Established in 1996, the Biomedical Research Infrastructure Center (BRIC) shares laboratory research space with Wake Forest University School of Medicine in the Piedmont Triad Research Center. It provides a strong biomedical and behavioral research training environment for students, faculty and health professionals focusing primarily on neuroscience, drug addiction, cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease research as related to health disparities. The goal: to equip underrepresented minority students for research careers in the biomedical/behavioral sciences.
Jamil Hopkins, a WSSU BRIC scholar, is a senior majoring in Biology with a minor in Neuroscience. Dr. Sara Jones of Wake Forest University is his mentor. Her research involves measuring dopamine neuro-transmitters in several different models of drug and alcohol abuse. Jamil participated in the Neuro National Science Foundation and Research Experience for Undergraduates at the University of Missouri as part of his summer research experience in 2011. After graduation in December 2012, he plans to attend medical school or graduate school. 8
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T he Power of Engagement E X PA N D I N G L E A R N I N G T H R O U G H I N T E R N AT I O N A L C O L L A B O R AT I O N S
encouraging global travel For student journalists Assignment: Italy In June, four Mass Communications students and a recent graduate were off to Italy for an exciting opportunity to work with Pulitzer-Prize winning faculty on a media project in Urbino with the Institute for Education in International Media. They were in Urbino June 9–July 7 producing stories, photos and design for a digital magazine about the people, culture, life, economy, food and arts of the city and surrounding region of Le Marche. “The global market is becoming more competitive and it is important for our Mass Communications majors to take advantage of the benefits of a study abroad program like this one,” Dr. Lona Cobb, adviser for The News Argus, said of this first such opportunity that also provided classroom credits for her students. Participants were Jordan Holloway, Victoria Staples, and Bianca Pender (left to right in photo at left), Jamie Hunter and recent graduate Jordan Howse, who was the editor-inchief of the Argus for 2010-2011. Read the News Argus online at: www.thenewsargus.com
Bonds formed with French students Cultural immersion—and more The WSSU Summer 2011 Program in France provided opportunities for 13 students to experience French history and culture in ways that went far beyond the typical tourist trip. Participants represented academic disciplines ranging from Physical Education to Business Management, Exercise Science, Psychology, Therapeutic Recreation, Nursing, and Political Science, in addition to Art and Motorsports Management. Faculty leaders were Dr. Travis Teague and Dr. James Hand from the Motorsports Management program and Dr. Alison Fleming from the Art program. Each student identified a research topic in advance. Videoconferences with the Lycee Bremontier in Bordeaux (a school with which WSSU maintains a Memorandum of Understanding) in the spring semester aided in further developing the research topics and established connections with French students. The 12-day on-site program in France included workshops and a variety of cultural immersion experiences in Paris, Normandy, Bordeaux, Chartres and Le Mans, as well as numerous sites connected to the D-Day invasion in Normandy.
For the Motorsports Management students in particular, attending the 24 Hours of Le Mans race was a once-in-a-lifetime event that will help shape their development in that field. The Le Mans event, one of the most prestigious races in the world, serves as a showcase for new automotive technology and endurance racing strategy. “The students and faculty at the Lycee Bremontier in Bordeaux were extraordinarily generous with their time and welcomed us wholeheartedly,” said Dr. Travis Teague. “This had a great impact on our students—they got to know their French counterparts well, working together closely on research projects, and establishing solid friendships. “For many, this trumped the cultural riches of Paris. This aspect of the trip is one that could not be replicated by an ordinary tourist visit, and the students understood this readily. In every way, they made the most of the opportunity to interact with the Bremontier students, and this was one of the great successes of the program.” WSSU students and faculty visited Notre Dame and other key sites. ARCHWAY
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T he Power of Engagement ENGAGING ON A PERSONAL LEVEL
Nneka Nwaifejokwu A native of Brooklyn, this young woman is pursuing a career focused on helping battered women and their children.
major, was born in Brooklyn, NY, to parents N from Nigeria. She began her collegiate career,
neka Nwaifejokwu ’12, a junior Psychology
in her words, at Shaw University to improve her GPA so she could transfer to Winston-Salem State to pursue what she wanted to do—earn a doctoral degree in Child Psychology. Why this specific area? She explained, “I want to open my own clinic and start a non-profit organization for battered women and children.” She plans to call her shelter Haley’s Home, honoring a friend who was a victim of domestic violence. She said Haley’s Home would always be a non-profit, community strengthened organization whose mission would be to provide safe shelter and support services for victims of domestic violence, their children and survivors of sexual assault. Nneka said that while she has had a wonderful life, growing up in Brooklyn opened her eyes to what some of the kids in her neighborhood were going through. “At home I was surrounded by love and care with my mother. However, around me I could 10
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“My primary goal is not only to provide an environment of encouragement, compassion and support for all those whom we will service, but to promote community awareness and education to help prevent and break the cycle of domestic violence.” see pain, suffering and chaos,” she recalled. “As a senior in high school I volunteered at a battered women’s home and immediately felt like I had to help these young women and their children. Some of these women were parents of my friends, beat up emotionally and physically, left with no hope in their voice and hurt in their eyes.” She recalled her first day at the shelter, “I could not believe that these women allowed themselves to get hurt like this.” As she became a more active volunteer, she started to see a
pattern in the stories of the women the shelter served. “Most of them had no father, had low self-esteem and grew up in a home where domestic violence was prevalent. Abuse to them became the norm and something that was accepted in their own relationships. I want to stop this revolving door,” said the Dean’s List scholar. For her, coming to WSSU was the right choice. It provided the nurturing environment that she needed. “My time at Winston-Salem State University has been incredible. I came here as an out-of-state student and was welcomed with open arms,” she said. “The Campus Life Marketing Committee was the first organization I joined, and it is now my family. Chelli Broussard has been a great advisor and an incredible mentor for me. Through CLMC, I have been able to become a well rounded student and give back to the community. “I want to make sure that the students coming into this university understand that this is more than a school. Winston-Salem State University is a place of higher education, of family, of community, of leadership.”
ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT
How can you help extend WSSU’s impact
in your community?
Help us communicate with you We need your email address to forward frequent alumni news and updates. Of the more than 17,000 WSSU alumni, we have emails for about 4,000. To add yours, call Alumni Relations at 336-750-2125 or email snipesc@wssu.edu or hairstong@wssu.edu. You may also join our Facebook community. Simply search for Winston-Salem State University Alumni Relations. Check out our page for updates and meet up with friends from the past. For past issues of “Ram Bits” alumni email, go to www.wssu.edu/rambits or use your smartphone to scan this QR code. (Download a QR reader for your smartphone.) Follow us on: www.wssurampages.com
Connect with other alumni Check out the WSSU National Alumni Association website (www.wssunaa.org) for a list of local chapters. See the National President’s letter on page 19 for recent news. Be a S.T.A.R.! The S.T.A.R. (Specially Trained Alumni Recruiters) program was introduced in 2001 as a way to involve alumni in recruiting talented students to WSSU. See the list of this year’s honorees on page 19. For details on how to participate, contact Cheryl Pollard Burns at 336-750-2256 or email pollardcd@wssu.edu. Engage your company The Advancement Office and Career Services can help you connect with your employer about partnership opportunities that benefit the company as well as the university. Ask about Matching Gift programs … recruiting fairs … internships and sponsorships. Contact Dr. Kenneth Chandler at 336-750-3002 or email chandlerk@wssu.edu. Volunteer Contact Dana Walker at 336-750-2129 for opportunities that match your interests. Give to WSSU in ways that touch your heart Contact the WSSU Advancement Office at 336-750-2184, give online, or check out the Text to Give campaign (see back cover). Be ready to spread the word! If you had just a moment or two to tell a potential donor why WSSU is worthy of their support, what would you say? (Limit to one word or a sentence or two.) Email us at allensh@wssu.edu and look for a summary of responses in an upcoming issue of Ram Bits!
HOMECOMING
2011 provided special times
for reconnecting and sharing memories...
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... and INSPIRED many alumni to become more ACTIVELY INVOLVED in supporting the future of
WSSU.
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Martin Davis named 2011 Simon Green Atkins Distinguished Alumnus Technology Integration Office, which is accountable for overseeing technology inteA gration efforts for Wells Fargo, ensuring the highest level of security for customer data, n executive vice president for Wells Fargo & Company, Martin Davis is head of the
continuing the availability of systems, and minimizing transition risk for the $1.2 trillion asset corporation. He has been recognized as one of the 50 Most Important African Americans in Technology by US Black Engineers and one of the 75 Most Powerful African Americans in Corporate America by Black Enterprise. Previously the Chief Information Officer at Wachovia Corporation, Davis played a key role in integrating Wachovia’s IT platforms with those of Wells Fargo following the merger of the two financial institutions. During his 25-year career, he has served as Corporate CIO, Chief Information Officer in Commercial Technology, Chief Technology Officer in Wealth Management, and has supported various businesses including Information Services Architecture & Administration, Capital Markets Technology, Bankcard Technologies, Application Development & Management, and Systems Development. He serves as Co-Chair of the CIO Executive Summit. Davis earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from WSSU in 1986 and is also a graduate of the Young Executives Institute and the Wachovia Executive Leadership Program at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He serves on the WSSU Board of Trustees.
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Dr. Rita L. Barrett ’84 WSSU College of Arts and Sciences
Frankie Moffett ’99 WSSU School of Business and Economics
Dr. Rita Lynne Barrett became a member of the faculty at Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD, where she won the Outstanding Research Faculty Award in 1998. She joined the University of Arkansas, Fort Smith in 2007, where she currently serves as an associate professor and department head. Dr. Barrett has numerous publications in highly regarded journals in neuroscience, which have greatly contributed to an enhanced understanding of how nicotine impacts the brain. She has also conducted substantial research into the addictive properties of cocaine. She is currently conducting research related to depression in college students. She received her undergraduate degree in psychology at WinstonSalem State University in 1984. She earned her PhD in General Experimental Psychology with emphasis on behavioral pharmacology from the University of South Carolina in 1995. After receiving her PhD, Dr. Barrett became a postdoctoral research fellow in psychobiology at Harvard Medical School. She also served on the junior research faculty at Yale Medical School.
Frankie Moffett ’99 is an information technology manager with Altria Client Services in Richmond, VA. He manages a staff of technical analysts that develop and maintain computer hardware and software for five manufacturing facilities. He consults with multiple project managers to maintain a high level of security and governance for all IT products for the Operations Department. His contributions to Altria have been substantial. He retired 20 legacy applications through the installation of a Manufacturing Execution System; provided automation to deliver quality documentation required by pending FDA regulations; provided on-the-job training to junior staff in the areas of Windows scripting, SQL and C# programming; upgraded plant floor PCs to a Thin Client architecture utilizing VMWare and Microsoft Terminal Server to avoid a $900,000 extended support charge to the company; and consolidated 10 quality test station applications into a single enterprise solution, reducing license and maintenance costs by $50,000 per year. Moffett is a 1999 cum laude graduate with a BS in Management Information Systems.
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Alumni return to serve as mentors As part of 2011 Homecoming, successful graduates of Winston-Salem State University came back to their alma mater to share their work experiences with current students during a program called “Alumni Return to Serve Day.” During the day, alumni met with students in all academic areas, sharing tips on how to prepare for employment by developing and refining the skill sets needed to be successful in today’s workplace. Other areas of emphasis included effective resumes and interviewing, proper office attire, networking, internship and graduate/professional school opportunities. The program is sponsored by the WSSU Office of Career Development Services, Office of Alumni Relations and the WSSU National Alumni Association. For more information about this program and how you can support it in the future, call LaMonica Sloan Singleton, WSSU director of Career Development Services, at 336-750-3240 or email her at singletonls@ wssu.edu.
Lillian Walker Ruffin and Samuel Foster present a $50,000 check for scholarships to Chancellor Reaves.
50th class reunion gift Often, college class reunions are only about people coming together to talk about the “good old days” and share stories from the past. This year, the Class of ’61 came to Homecoming for their 50th reunion with much more on their minds. The theme for their celebration was “Reminiscing the Past, Embracing the Future” and that is exactly what they did. Under the leadership of Mary Catherine Reese Buford and Samuel Foster, the Class of ’61 made a $50,000 gift to Winston-Salem State to provide scholarships for students majoring
in nursing or teacher education. The class also committed to continue to make contributions to enhance their scholarship fund. The Class of ’61 did a great deal of reminiscing about the past while enjoying a reunion banquet and campus tours, participating in the Founder’s Day Convocation processional and luncheon, and having reserved seats to watch their Rams win the Homecoming football game. Yet, they remained true to their theme by not only embracing the future, but by making the future much brighter for the students who will benefit from their generosity.
Mrs. Shirley Clavon Kindle ’68 WSSU School of Education
Ms. Lelita McIntosh ’87 WSSU School of Health Sciences
Shirley Kindle has lived a life of service to education, to children, to WSSU and to the community. Along the way, she has been responsible for a number of innovations. That spirit of leadership was evident as a WSSU student during the late 1960s. She helped organize the Health and Physical Education Club and was the first African American recipient of a scholarship sponsored by the North Carolina Association of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. A 1968 graduate in Health and Physical Education, she completed her graduate degree in 1973 at North Carolina A&T University. Over the next 35 years, she served as a PE instructor, coach and athletic director for schools in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County. In 1984 she was named girls’ varsity basketball coach at Reynolds High School—the first female African American high school basketball coach in the school system. Three times during her career she was named Teacher of the Year. Now retired, Kindle continues to work with at-risk children. As a proud Ram, she is a long-time mentor of student teachers and scholarship supporter.
Lelita McIntosh has achieved success in clinical laboratory science as well as in the field of higher education. A 1987 graduate, she began her professional work with Rowan Memorial Hospital in Salisbury, NC, where she performed complex chemical, biological, hematologic, immunologic, microscopic and bacteriological tests for over four years. She continued work in a variety of laboratory settings with DeKalb Medical Center in Decatur, GA, and Spectrum Laboratories in Greensboro, NC. McIntosh joined the WSSU faculty in Fall 2004 as an adjunct professor teaching CLS professional courses and mentoring students. As clinical coordinator, she supervises the clinical experiences (practicums) of all CLS professional students in more than 25 clinic education sites, evaluating performance and ensuring compliance with national accreditation standards. She also participates in strategic planning for the CLS program, including curriculum development, teaching methodologies and classroom instruction. In 2009, she gained her Master of Arts degree in Education/ Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix.
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on the yard
campus news & events
WSSU elects new Board of Trustees Chair Debra B. Miller, executive director of New Hampshire’s More Than Wheels (formerly Bonnie CLAC), a nonprofit that helps people get the best deal on a reliable and fuel-efficient car, has been elected chair of the WSSU Board of Trustees. Miller, who had been secretary, replaces Scott Bauer, chairman and chief executive officer for Southern Community Financial Corporation, who had served as chair since 2009.
Vargas named School of Education and Human Performance dean Dr. Manuel P. Vargas has been appointed dean of the School of Education and Human Performance, reporting to Dr. Brenda Allen, provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs. Vargas, who has served as interim dean of the school since July 2010, has more than 29 years experience in education.
Kluttz-Leach named an ACE Fellow Camille Kluttz-Leach, general counsel for WSSU, has been named an American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow for 2011-2012 academic year. The ACE Fellows Program was established in 1965 to identify and prepare promising senior faculty and administrators to advance into major positions in academic administration. Kluttz-Leach was one of 50 people selected in a national competition for this year’s class after having been nominated by the presidents or chancellors of their institutions.
Dr. Powell elected to National Honor Society Dr. Esther S. Powell, director of non-traditional adult student services in the Division of Lifelong Learning, has been elected vice president of the national Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society (ASL). ASL was founded in 1945-46 to honor those dedicated adult students who have adroitly handled their life responsibilities, achieved and maintained high scholastic standards. The WSSU chapter of ALS was established by Dr. Powell in 2002. 16
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WSSU receives grants for scholarships and research For the second consecutive year, WSSU has been selected to receive a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) grant to attract diverse nurses into the profession. The $90,000 New Careers in Nursing Scholarship Program award will fund $10,000 scholarships for nine students entering WSSU’s accelerated nursing program for the 2011-2012 academic year. WSSU has received a $296,340 grant from the National Science Foundation to develop game-like instructional modules in the school’s core computer science classes. “The recent increase in demand for programmers who can develop applications for mobile devices has created a great opportunity for minority computer scientists,” said Dr. Jinghua Zhang, assistant professor of computer science. “This project is designed to attract minority and female students to the major.” WSSU and Virginia Tech researchers recently received a joint three-year $375,000 U.S. Department of Defense grant to work with students to study ways using algebra can predict networking activity of molecules which ultimately can lead to curing diseases and other benefits. The students will work to understand how organisms function and their possible connection to many disease processes, such as cancer, which stem from a malfunctioning of a regulatory network.
Focus on Diggs Gallery Diggs Gallery was recently featured in a video commissioned and promoted by the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development. It will be distributed through North Carolina’s local and national marketing efforts. Don’t miss In the House: Selections from the WSSU Permanent Collection, which features more than 100 works by artists from Europe, Africa, America, and Asia. Free and open to the public, the exhibit will be on view through March 3, 2012. www.wssu.edu/college-arts-science/diggs-gallery Follow us on Facebook–Diggs Gallery.
time out ram sports
WSSU basketball teams
serve communities during the off-season
and Lady Rams basketball TheteamsWSSUtookRams time to build, both literally
and figuratively, this fall as they prepared for basketball season. The Lady Rams spent Saturday, September 10, at the Potter’s House Community Resource Center in Winston-Salem in conjunction with the HandsOn NWNC Project, helping to enrich the lives of the less fortunate. The Potter’s House Community Resource Center’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for individuals and families by investing in their education, welfare, and improvement of living conditions. The Lady Rams spent the afternoon performing many duties from house cleaning to room organization to landscaping and gardening. “Today was an empowering day for our young ladies,” said WSSU head women’s basketball coach Stephen Joyner, Jr. “To be able to assist in the Winston-Salem community is always an added asset to the community and the WSSU family.” On October 11, the men’s basketball team also reached out to the community when
“One of our main goals is to make sure our players are aware of how fortunate they are and what they must give back. Life is not always about what you can get out of it, but what you can give to someone else,” said Coach Collins. they visited the The Children’s Center in Winston-Salem to read books to students during their after-school program. Players and coaches spent time engaging in fun reading and conversation with the pre-school and elementary school aged children. Director of Volunteers, Toni Reed, complimented the team on the warm, gentle, and caring nature of their interaction. “I have worked around many college students and I realize that sitting and reading or playing one on one with a child with special needs is not always easy and comfortable for all young
people. But your guys just jumped right in ... they looked at ease and happy sharing their time with our children.” Head Coach Bobby Collins provided reflection with his team following the event by raving about how much fun he had with the children and emphasizing with his team the importance of community service. The Rams basketball program also is no stranger to the Kernersville Family YMCA as WSSU assistant coach Theo Howard has been volunteering his time to manage the Basketball Academy since 2007. “It is very rewarding to assist with the development of these young beginners,” Howard said. “I understand the power of service to the community.” The work is far from done, for the Rams and Lady Rams basketball teams will continue various community service projects throughout the year as the teams look to share their winning ways both on the court and in the community.
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class notes ’40s
’70s
’47 Bernice Howard Davenport was recently awarded the Susie B. Hill Award and the Service Award in appreciation of her commitment, dedication and loyal service to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the communities of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. Davenport, a long-time admirer of the legendary Placido Domingo, considered one of the world’s greatest opera voices, had the opportunity to meet him in person during a trip to New York City to see Domingo in the opera, “Simon Boccangra.” Meeting Domingo had been a lifelong dream for Davenport.
’71 Ms. Sarah Williams recently published “Backside of the Country, a book of historical fiction.” Williams is in the process of completing two more books. She also has completed a book of fiction, which has not been published to date.
’60s ’65 Mozelle Williams, Miss Alumni 1990, was honored at her 5th Annual 2011 Highland High School Grand Reunion in Gastonia, NC. Mozelle was crowned the “Grand Reunion Queen” for 2011-2013. The high school honored its graduate classes of 1960, 1961 and 1962. ’68 Rev. James P. Beatty was recently appointed Presiding Elder of The PortsmouthRichmond-Roanoke District by Bishop Adam Jefferson Richardson, Prelate of The Second Episcopal District African Methodist Church. This position is tasked with supervisory duties over 35 churches. Elder Beatty is married to Regenia Beatty, and they have three children; two are WSSU grads. They also have three grandchildren.
’77 Mr. Willie Cutter, Jr., after retiring from years of being a professional road musician and traveling across the country, has settled down and is now a special education teacher’s assistant at Lowrance Middle School in WinstonSalem, NC. He still finds time to play keyboards, brass instruments and write songs. Cutter hopes to find a part-time jazz group to play with in the future.
’00s ’01 Mr. Robert E. Harvey, III has been appointed Assistant Principal at Elm City Middle School in Wilson, NC. Harvey holds a BA from the College of Arts and Sciences in Liberal Arts. He also holds a major in History. ’02 Mr. David P. Dawson recently received his North Carolina Marketing teaching license to teach Marketing Education. Dawson currently teaches Sports Marketing at Independence H. S. in Charlotte, NC and is also pursuing his masters in Sports Administration at Wingate University. ’03 Mrs. Latoya Ross Harvey received her masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoneix this summer. She was also recently inducted into the Delta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society
International, a professional honorary society of women educators. ’06 Mr. Timothy R. Pulliam, II is a 2011 winner of the National Association of Black Journalists Salute to Excellence Award. He won “Best General Assignment News Story” for his in-depth report on the lack of Black male teachers in the classroom. Pulliam holds a B.A. in Mass Communications with a concentration in Radio and Television. He is a reporter at WIS News 10 in Columbia, SC. Pulliam received his plaque Saturday, August 6, 2011 at a gala celebration during NABJ’s 36th Annual Convention and Career Fair in Philadelphia, the largest gathering of minority journalists in the country. The awards show honors the work of journalists from print, television, radio, online, photojournalism and public relations. Entries were judged on content, creativity, innovation, use of the medium and relevance to the Black community. ’10 Ms. Rena P. Church was recently hired as a Family Nurse Practitioner in Jacksonville, NC. Church, who relocated from Catawba County, is enjoying her new position and the Jacksonville community. ’11 Mrs. Christy Gadson Blackwell was recently accepted into Georgia Baptist College of Nursing at Mercer University in Atlanta, GA. She will be completing the Family Nurse Practitioner Nurse Education dual degree.
In Memoriam Mr. Sylvester Dickson Mrs. Cleester C. Hickerson, ’44 Mrs. Sarah Matthews Robinson Mr. Gary Barker, ’92 Ms. Gloria L. Alston Mr. Rex L. Holder, Jr. Mr. Roy Lee Davis, ’51 Mrs. Loree Harris Anderson, ’52 Mrs. Margaret Graham Landon, ’56 Mrs. Ursula Brombach Benson, ’87 Mrs. Julia McCain McCullough Wilson, ’64 18
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March 19, June 6, July 1, July 2, July 5, July 15, July 21, July 21, July 23, July 27, July 31,
2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011
Mrs. Ruby Turner Epperson, ’39 Mrs. Wanda McRae Evans, ’79 Mrs. Lauretta Battle Porter, ’81 Mr. Michael Williams Ms. Virginia J. Kimbrough Mrs. Rosa Thornton Fox Mr. Charles J. King, ’74 Miss Ethlyn Carnette Braswell Mr. Noel E. Livengood Mrs. Juanita Duncan Beasley Mr. Joseph A. Swain, ’47 Mrs. E. Virginia Pledger Bailey
July 31, August 1, August 3, August 5, August 19, August 21, August 27, August 31, September 1, September 3, September 6, September 9,
2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011
alumni news Exciting things are happening in the WSSU National Alumni Association! Congratulations to Janice Brodie Perry ’81, Miss Alumni 2011, and to Carlton Eric Nettles ’06, Mr. Alumni 2011. Janice represented the Vance County Alumni Chapter, and Carlton represented the Kimberley Park Alumni Chapter. Thanks to both for stepping up to the plate and to the challenge of vying for Miss and Mr. Alumni respectively. As you know, this contest is one of the major fundraising events for the Association. Any alumni interested in being contestants for 2012-13 should submit their application forms by the January 15 deadline. The form is accessible from the association website, www.wssunaa.org. The S.T.A.R. banquet was held in April. Each year, the Admissions Office recognizes alumni chapters that have been instrumental in presenting scholarships and recruiting students to attend WSSU. Congratulations to this year’s chapter winners: Top honor went to Charlotte-QC Rams; first runner-up was Raleigh-Wake; second runner-up was Brown; third runner-up was Rocky Mount. Honorable
mention awards went to Durham and Kuandelea chapters. The Shining Star awards were presented to Bridgette Taylor and Mary Buford. The S.T.A.R. (Specially Trained Alumni Recruiters) program was implemented in 2001 and is very successful in recruiting talented students to attend WSSU. Our Fall Board Meeting was held in Elizabeth City in September. We wanted to support our winning football team and to allow alumni from the eastern part of North Carolina to participate in a board meeting. Attendance at both events was great! Congratulations to our 2011 Hall of Distinction honorees, Mary Steele Woods ’57 and Dr. Patti Sanders-Smith ’76, who were recognized during Homecoming. This honor is bestowed upon alumni who have provided exemplary service to the community, in their professions and to the alumni association. Deadline for submitting nominees is July 1 of each year. We invite alumni to join us at the Winter
Board Meeting on January 21, 2012 in Wilmington, NC. Don’t forget the 2012 CIAA basketball tournament in Charlotte February 27–March 3. The headquarters hotel for WSSU fans and alumni is the Marriott City Center. We’re on the web at www.wssunaa.org. All forms mentioned above are available there. You may also reach us at the office at 336-750-2122. We alumni truly are linked together in unity. We also serve together with purpose. Gordon G. Everett
Gordon
National President Class of 1978
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WSSU Alumni Relations Attn: Class Notes OR S. G. Atkins House Winston-Salem, NC 27110
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What’s in a name? Identity!! That’s what!
The City of Winston-Salem recently changed the name of Stadium Drive to Rams Drive. The idea was inspired by N.C. Representative Larry Womble, a WSSU alumnus, and was supported by other community leaders including WSSU Chancellor Donald J. Reaves, Winston-Salem City Councilman James Taylor, Winston-Salem City Councilman and Mayor Pro Tempore Dr. Vivian Burke, N.C. Representative Earline Parmon, Winston-Salem City Councilman and WSSU alumnus Derwin Montgomery, and Forsyth County Commissioner Everette Witherspoon.
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Across 2. WSSU mascot 4. First name of the school’s founder 6. Early name for WSSU 7. Last name of the school’s founder 9. Requested during annual Phone-A-Thon 10. At WSSU, Real Men do this 13. “Enter to Learn, Depart to _____” 14. Name of highly acclaimed WSSU art gallery Down 1. Name of WSSU’s athletic conference 3. Twin landmarks on WSSU campus 5. One of the majors WSSU is known for 8. WSSU offers a PhD in Physical ______ 11. Took place this year on 9/25-10/2 12. WSSU school color
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Thanks to Second Chance Scholars Program
Five returning students receive degrees
T
he phone call caught the young man completely by surprise. The caller was from Winston-Salem State, and the question was straight-forward: “We know you had to leave school before graduating, with just one semester left. If funds were available to pay 90% of your tuition for that remaining semester, would you come back and finish?” His answer: an enthusiastic yes. That phone call took place last fall, and the young man returned to school in January, continuing to work while he finished his remaining courses. In May, he walked proudly forward to accept his diploma and is now attending graduate school at Howard University. Thanks to a new initiative called Second Chance Scholars, he and four summer graduates became the first in what will hopefully be a long list of students who return to WSSU to complete their degrees. Initial funding was provided by individuals in the Winston-Salem community who heard Michelle Cook, Vice Chancellor for University Advancement, express a heartfelt wish that such a program could be started. Among them was Carol Connolly, a senior faculty member at the Center for Creative Leadership, who specializes in leadership training and coaching. “I remember my own college days and how confusing it was to need help and not know how to access it. I wouldn’t want my child—or anyone’s child—to be in that position, to have worked so hard and be so close to getting their degree and absolutely just run out of money. “I decided this was an investment I wanted to make. It directly impacts a student’s earnings potential and opportunities for long-term success. Another donor stepped forward, and the result was a highly successful pilot. Hopefully, alumni and other friends of WSSU will ensure that this is an ongoing initiative.”
HELP SHAPE
A STUDENT’S FUTURE
If you would like to contribute to the Second Chance Scholars program or explore other opportunities to support WSSU students, contact the Advancement office at 336-750-2184. ARCHWAY
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