TODAYSpring/Summer 2008

north Carolina agriCultural and teChniCal State univerSity north Carolina agriCultural and teChniCal State univerSity

Pomp and Circumstance

INSIDE

Chancellor Stanley F. Battle Believes in n.C. a&t

leadership program awards First doctorates

Bill Cosby entertains aggies

north Carolina agricultural and technical State university

Spring/Summer 2008

TODAY

executive CabinetChancellor - Stanley F. Battle Provost/Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs - Alton Thompson (Interim) Vice Chancellor, Business and Finance - Robert Pompey Jr. ’87 Vice Chancellor, Development and University Relations - Mark KielVice Chancellor, Human Resources - Linda R. McAbeeVice Chancellor, Information Technology and Telecommunications/CIO - Vijay K. VermaVice Chancellor, Research and Economic Development - Narayanaswamy “Radha” RadhakrishnanVice Chancellor, Student Affairs - Sullivan A. Welborne Jr. ’61 Chief of Staff - William A. ClayGeneral Counsel/Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer - Valerie L. GreenSpecial Assistant to the Chancellor, Community Outreach and Special Projects - Wendell PhillipsAssociate Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs/Enrollment Management - Yvette Underdue MurphDirector, Athletics - Wheeler Brown ’79 (Interim) Director, Internal Auditing - Larry R. Kreiser

alumni association Board of directorsPresident - Pamela L. Johnson ’91 First Vice President - Marvin L. Walton ’91 Second Vice President - “Chuck” Burch Jr. ’82 Treasurer - Gerald Williams ’83 Assistant Treasurer - Kristen R. Rutledge ’89Recording Secretary - Charvetta Ford-McGriff ’85Parliamentarian - Randall E. Dunn ’91Immediate Past President - Teresa M. Davis ’89 Executive Director - Deloris C. Chisley ‘73 (Interim)Geographical Area I Director, Seat 1 - T. Roberson Edwards ’73 Geographical Area I Director, Seat 2 - Eugene H. Preston Jr. ’57 Geographical Area II Director, Seat 3 - Deloris C. Chisley ’73 Geographical Area II Director, Seat 4 - Malinda N. Carmon ’73 Geographical Area III Director, Seat 5 - James E. Bridgett Jr. ’53 Geographical Area IV Director, Seat 6 - Irvin Moore ’72 Geographical Area V Director, Seat 7 - Ulysses J. Cozart Jr. ’77Board of Directors (BOD) Seat 8 (School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences) - Arthur Purcell ’67 BOD Seat 9 (College of Arts and Sciences) - James J. Gooch ’67 BOD Seat 10 (School of Business and Economics) - Anthony C. Wright ’92 BOD Seat 11 (School of Education) - Velma Speight-Buford ’53 BOD Seat 12 (College of Engineering) - Anthony “TJ” Jackson ’81 BOD Seat 13 (School of Nursing) - Linda R. Wilson ’75BOD Seat 14 (School of Technology) - Tony E. Graham ’78

editor

Sandra M. Brown

editorial assistants

Samantha V. HargroveNettie Collins Rowland ‘72

Contributing WritersMerl F. CodeLorrie R. Davis-DickSamantha V. HargroveBrian M. Holloway ’97 Pamela L. Johnson ’91 Nettie Collins Rowland ’72Cindy WatersJean Wilson

university photographerCharles E. Watkins ‘03

design Donna M. Wojek Gibbs

printing

P.N. Thompson/Henry Wurst, Inc.

Board of trusteesVelma R. Speight-Buford ’53, ChairFranklin E. McCain Sr. ’64, Vice ChairD. Hayes Clement, SecretarySpence H. BroadhurstPamela McCorkle Buncum ’81 Karen J. Collins ’84Charles C. CornelioWillie A. Deese ’77 Michelle Gethers-ClarkAlbert S. Lineberry Jr.David N. Street, Student RepresentativeJoseph A. Williams ’72 Patricia Miller Zollar ’84

A&T TODAY North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State UniversitySpring/Summer 2008

A&T TODAY is published quarterly by The Division of Development and University Relations North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University1601 East Market Street • Greensboro, N.C. 27411Phone: (336) 334-7582 • FAX: (336) 334-7094

postage paid at greensboro, n.C.

All editorial correspondence should be directed to Sandra M. Brown, University Relations Office, N.C. A&T State University, The Garrett House, 400 Nocho Street, Greensboro, N.C. 27411, or smbrown@ncat.edu.

poStmaSter: Send address changes to Development Operations, North Carolina A&T State University, Dowdy Building, Suite 400, 1601 East Market Street, Greensboro, N.C. 27411. Phone: (336) 334-7600.

Visit us online at www.ncat.edu

ARTICLES

9) distinguished nanoscientist to lead Joint School

12) leadership program awards First doctorates

22) perseverance Sustains aggie Club

FEATURE ARTICLES 14) a twinspirational moment

A&T’s top senior and twin brother surprise mom

at commencement

18) i Believe in north Carolina a&t

Chancellor Stanley Fred Battle’s Installation Address

30) “Funraising”

Alumni use non-traditional methods to

raise funds for N.C. A&T

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is a land-grant university that is ranked by the Carnegie Classification System as “high research activity.” N.C. A&T is an AA/EEO employer, and it is an ADA compliant institution; thus, facilities are designed to provide accessibility to individuals with physical disabilities.

page 16page 12

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical

State University is a learner-centered

community that develops and preserves

intellectual capital through interdisciplinary

learning, discovery, engagement, and

operational excellence.

DEPARTMENTS

2) inside aggieland

5) Campus Briefs

8) research

23) aggie Sports

26) aggies on the move

29) in memoriam

32) mixed Bag

page 14

deansAgriculture and Environmental Sciences - Donald R. McDowell (Interim)Arts and Sciences - Michael PlaterBusiness and Economics - Quiester CraigEducation - Ceola Ross Baber Engineering - Joseph Monroe ’62

Graduate Studies - William J. Craft (Interim)Library Services - Doris Mitchell (Interim)Nursing - Patricia A. Chamings (Interim) Students - Judy N. Rashid ’74Technology - Benjamin O. UwakwehUniversity Studies - Joseph L. Graves Jr.

40,000 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $21,248.00 or $0.53 per copy

page 18

On the Cover:Chancellor Stanley Fred Battle

SPRING/SUMMER 2008 • A&T TODAY 3

n April 5, N.C. A&T’s Society of Women Engineers (SWE) student

chapter hosted a workshop on campus for Junior Girl Scouts from Tarheel Triad Council. Eighty scouts, grades 3-5, participated in three types of engineering activities: (1) liquid chromatography (chemical engineering), (2) bridge building (civil/architectural engineering) and (3) the Toyota Technology Challenge (industrial engineering). The latter was a race to efficiently build the most cars according to supply and demand. “The positive energy in that room was evident as the girls competed and improved the assembly line,” said Cindy Waters, assistant professor of mechanical engineering and SWE advisor. “Representatives from the Toyota Corporation were so impressed that they have generously agreed to sponsor next year’s event.” Waters said this type of event is one of many ways that the SWE chapter helps spark young women’s interest in engineering. “It is essential to introduce young women to the exciting possibilities of engineering and to see what these many fields have to offer. This is a student-run event that requires months of planning,” she said.

Each scout left with a goody bag containing a copy of Engineering-Go for It, a colorful inspiring magazine designed to attract students, counselors, parents and teachers to the exciting world of engineering, an SWE/Girl Scout patch, SWE pens and a t-shirt of their own creation. In addition to Claire jewelry store gift cards, Toyota provided backpacks and book lights as room prizes. “I need to make sure that anyone and everyone involved knows that the workshop

was definitely the best experience that my girls have had,” said Greta Teasdale, leader of Junior Troop 428. “The content of all the workshops was interesting and fun for the girls, and the timing seemed appropriate in every case. … But probably one of the most outstanding and remarkable things was the way that the young women interacted with the girls. They treated them with respect. … You have unlocked a dream in the minds of many young girls who never before even thought about engineering in their future.”

2 A&T TODAY • SPRING/SUMMER 2008

INSIDE AGGIELAND

In recognition of the City of Greensboro’s bicentennial celebration, the North Carolina

General Assembly held a session in Greensboro on the campus of North Carolina A&T

State University, May 22, in Harrison Auditorium.

Rep. Alma Adams, of the 58th district, suggested the legislators hold a special

session in Greensboro. Adams is a resident of Greensboro and an alumna of N.C. A&T.

The session at A&T was the third time the General Assembly has met in a

location other than the N.C. Legislative Building in Raleigh, the second session held

at one of the 16 member institutions of the University of North Carolina, and the first

session held in Greensboro. This was the first time that the General Assembly met on

the campus of a historically black university.

Women Engineering the Future

AggIES RAcE TO TOp 20

Aggie Racing placed 19th among 95

registered teams at the Society of

Automotive Engineers (SAE) Baja event

that was held on May 1-3.

The competition was hosted by

Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville,

Tenn. Daniel Acree, faculty director of

Aggie Racing, and his 14 team members

participated in racing and technical events.

LEgISLATORS ASSEmbLE AT A&T

O

L-R: City of Greensboro Mayor Yvonne Johnson, N.C. Senator Katie G. Dorsett and N.C. Representatives Earl Jones and Alma Adams

INSIDE AGGIELAND CAMPUS BRIEFSFAcULTY & STAFF

SPRING/SUMMER 2008 • A&T TODAY 54 A&T TODAY • SPRING/SUMMER 2008

Professors from six schools and colleges

were recognized as Teacher of the Year

during North Carolina A&T State University’s

annual Honors’ Day program that was held

March 18 in Harrison Auditorium.

manuel r. reyes, a professor in

the department of natural resources and

environmental design, is the recipient of the

Outstanding Teacher Award in the School of

Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. Dr.

Reyes believes that he has been called to be

a teacher and has spent his life answering

that call.

Jothi v. Kumar, professor of

chemistry, is the Outstanding Teacher for

the College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Kumar

comes from a family of educators and her

lifelong goal has been to become a great

teacher.

Kumar was chosen by N.C. A&T as its

representative for the University of North

Carolina Board of Governors’ Award for

Excellence in Teaching. The winner receives

a citation and one-time stipend of $7,500.

One recipient is selected by each of the 16

constituent institutions of the UNC system.

isaiah o. ugboro, professor in the

department of business administration, is

the Outstanding Teacher for the School of

Business and Economics. He considers

teaching a unique privilege and an

opportunity to enhance human value by

selflessly sharing and imparting knowledge.

trent r. larson, associate professor in

the department of human performance and

leisure studies, is this year’s recipient of the

Outstanding Teacher Award in the School

of Education. Dr. Larson acknowledges

that all students can absorb information

disseminated through lectures, readings

and other pedagogical methods. However,

he believes that truly effective teaching

occurs when students learn to see patterns

among the concepts, theories and behaviors

discussed in the classroom and then

recognize them again in the real world.

paul m. Stanfield, professor and chair

of the department of industrial engineering,

is the College of Engineering’s recipient of

the Outstanding Teacher Award. Dr. Stanfield

says that effective teaching requires

professors to first know and care about the

student and then know and care about the

academic subject – a teaching philosophy

that he tries to live up to each day.

devang p. mehta, associate professor

in the department of graphic communication

systems and technological studies, is this

year’s recipient of the Outstanding Teacher

Award in the School of Technology. Mehta

strongly believes that discipline, dedication,

determination, effective problem solving

and respect for cultural diversity are keys to

student success in the 21st century.

More than 2,000 students were

acknowledged for academic achievement

during the Honors’ Day program. Alumnus

Harold L. Martin, senior vice president for

academic affairs at the University of North

Carolina General Administration, gave the

keynote address on “The Transformative

Powers of Education.”

olen Cole Jr., professor and chair of the department of history,

recently discussed his book, The African American Experience in the Civilian Conservation Corps, at the Greenbelt Museum in Maryland. The museum sponsors a bimonthly lecture series with topics focusing on the

period of the Great Depression to World War II and dealing with racism, history, material culture, social studies and art history.

Kathryn dobie, professor of transportation and supply chain management and director of the Transportation Institute in the School of Business and Economics, is executive director of the Small Business Transportation Resource Center for the South Atlantic Region.

timothy a. minor has been appointed associate vice chancellor for development and university relations. Minor has over 14 years of experience in institutional advancement. He most recently served as director of development for centers and institutes at the University of North Carolina

at Chapel Hill, his alma mater. In the mid 1990s, Minor worked as director of annual giving/telefund programs at Emory University.

pedro m. nino, a lecturer in the foreign languages department, participated on the language panel at the Foreign Service Institute in Washington, D.C., May 9. Panelists discussed issues pertaining to the enhancement of foreign language instruction. He also

participated in the Foreign Language Program Evaluation Workshop at the Center for Applied Linguistics in Washington, D.C., May 29-30.

Nino recently chaired the state committee that drafted the Standards for Second Language Teacher Education Programs aligned with the new 21st century schools in North Carolina as mandated by the State Board of Education. The panel met at the North Carolina Center for School Leadership in Chapel Hill. Currently, all of the standards are being reviewed by North Carolina colleges and universities with teacher education programs in second languages, Latin and teacher leadership.

Kimberly J. Sowell has been appointed assistant vice chancellor for enrollment management and auxiliary services in the Division of Student Affairs. Sowell formerly served as university treasurer and has worked on special projects within the Division of Business and Finance.

Sowell joined the staff at N.C. A&T in 1994 as assistant treasurer. Before that, she was a staff auditor with the public accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP.

teresa Jo Styles, professor in the department of journalism and mass communication, presented a paper, “Media Executives Assessment of the Changing World,” at the 8th World Media Economics and Management Conference held in Lisbon, Portugal, May 21-24. The

conference brings together scholars worldwide to reflect on contemporary issues in the economics and management of media industries and companies. Previous meetings have been held in Sweden, Switzerland, England, Spain, Finland, Canada and China.

Chemistry professor Jothi V. Kumar is N.C. A&T’s pick for the UNC Board of Governors’Award for Excellence in Teaching.

SIx REcEIVE UNIVERSITY’S OUTSTANDINg TEAchER AwARD Professors Trent Larson, Manuel Reyes, Jothi Kumar, Devang Metha, Isaiah Ugboro and Paul Stanfield (inset) are recipients of the 2008 North Carolina A&T State University Outstanding Teacher Award.

Six students were winners of the Chancellor’s Installation Essay Contest, “We Believe in North Carolina A&T State University.” Janae d. Brown and akimi Sinclair were the first-place winners and each received a $500 cash prize. Brown and Sinclair are majoring in journalism and mass communication.

porsche Farr and Krisinia hope each won a second-place prize of $300. Farr is an accounting major and Hope is a psychology major. ashanti Jai and marvin Q. Jones Jr. each won a third-place prize of $200. Jai is a biology major and Jones is a mathematics major. The essay winners were recognized at the April 24 board of trustees meeting.

Judges representing the National Association of Black Journalists and CNN selected journalism and mass communication major latoya

hopkins as a first round winner in a competition among students at HBCUs, as part of the CNN “Black in America” series (July 23 and 24). Hopkins submitted multimedia slideshows and TV packages to CNN’s iReport website. Students from eight HBCUs participated in the project that was part of CNN’s HBCU tour/contest designed to promote the upcoming documentary.

CAMPUS BRIEFSSTUDENTS

Students from the School of Nursing at N.C.

A&T participated in the 12th Annual Mental

Health Conference that focused on resiliency

and helping children and adolescents bounce

back and overcome adversity to succeed.

Resilience is a strengths-based model

that incorporates providing the supports and

opportunities which promote life success,

rather than trying only to eliminate the factors

that promote failure. The conference was

attended by mental health providers, parents,

school personnel, families, and adolescent

focused community agencies.

Junior mental health nursing students

from A&T volunteered throughout the

conference including as greeters to bilingual

translators for the Latino community audience.

The students also created brochures and fact

sheets that focused on new beginnings and

tools for families parenting the adolescent

teen.

A prescription for resiliency and

interventions for strengthening families was

delivered to attendees in 140 prescription

bottles donated by a local Walgreen’s

pharmacy. Students researched five

evidence-based practice interventions that

included confrontation of issues, setting

boundaries, installing rules, handling conflicts

with anticipatory guidance, and taking a

proactive approach to help teens make better

relationship-forming decisions.

This is the second year A&T’s junior

nursing students have participated in the

conference and yielded a positive response

from the mental health community.

6 A&T TODAY • SPRING/SUMMER 2008

NEw bEgINNINgS AND RESILIENcY IN ThE mENTAL hEALTh cOmmUNITYBy Lorrie R. Davis-Dick, R.N., M.S.N., B.C.

Hopkins’ story about the impact of the faltering economy on a black-owned business in Greensboro, N.C., received more than 4,000 hits. She will receive a digital video camera to do stories related to the documentary and participate in the next round of the competition against the other winners. If she wins the grand prize, Hopkins and a guest will attend this year’s Essence Music Festival in New Orleans. Kelli uitenham, a junior journalism major, was a runner-up in the contest. To view all of the entries, go online to www.cnn.com/hbcutour.

Jasmine l. mcinnis is the winner of North Carolina’s first Mr. Black North Carolina pageant that was held April 4, in Garner. He also received the award for the highest interview score. Six contestants were judged on questions and answers, talent, interview, and formal wear. McInnis’ platform was based on a program he

created called “M.A.N. U.P.: Maturing and Acquiring Nobility Unleashing Potential,” which educates young men ages 13-18 on the responsibilities of maturing and becoming responsible young men and viable citizens of North Carolina. McInnis is a native of Greensboro, N.C. He is a senior majoring in professional English and women’s studies with plans to pursue graduate studies at Columbia University in New York City.

The A&T Register, the weekly campus newspaper at North Carolina A&T State University, won honors at the 2007 HBCU Excellence in Journalism Student Newspaper Contest. the staff won first place for Best Use of Photography. Sports editor malcolm eustache won third place in the Best Sports News or Game Story category for “Heartbreaker,” a story on the Aggies’ loss to the N.C. Central Eagles. Eight Register staff members also attended the College Media Advisers conference in New York City. A page designed by Editor-in-Chief mike mcCray was among those featured in a session on news page design. The page also was featured on www.newspagedesigner.com. Advisor Emily Harris presented two sessions at the conference.

Hopkins

Uitenham

Brown Farr Hope

Jai Jones Sinclair

These junior mental health nursing students and professor from N.C. A&T’s School of Nursing participated in the 12th Annual Mental Health Conference: (l-r) Grace Nganga, Karin Williams, Tanesha Underwood, Lorrie Davis-Dick (clinical assistant professor) and Tomeka Tuck.

SPRING/SUMMER 2008 • A&T TODAY 7

RESEARCH

n March 18, the Division of Research and Economic Development presented the University’s awards for

outstanding research to four individuals during the 2008 Honors’ Day program. The Rookie of the Year Award was implemented three years ago to recognize an assistant professor in her/his second year of appointment who has shown extraordinary research initiative and has displayed outstanding promise for future research activities. The award carries a $1,000 cash stipend. nathan huynh is the 2008 Rookie of the Year. Dr. Huynh is an assistant professor in the department of civil and architectural engineering, College of Engineering, who is rapidly distinguishing himself in the area of transportation engineering. He is specifically known for his expertise in the area of intermodal freight terminal design and operations. Now in his second year at the university, Huynh has submitted seven papers for publication and six research proposals. Of those six, two were funded in excess of $500,000. The Outstanding Young Investigator Award is given annually to junior, tenure track or research faculty in their third or fourth year at the University, and it carries a $2,000 stipend. The recipient of this award must have demonstrated outstanding capability and exceptional promise for significant future achievement as evidenced by distinctive contributions to his or her discipline. He or she must be an innovator who has unlimited potential for new discoveries. The Outstanding Young Investigator for 2008 is Salil

desai, an assistant professor in the industrial and systems engineering department of the College of Engineering who has distinguished himself in cutting-edge interdisciplinary research in nanotechnology. In his three and one-half-year tenure, Dr. Desai has established an interdisciplinary research program and initiated the Integrated Nano and Bio Manufacturing Laboratory at N.C. A&T.

Desai holds an international patent in the field of medical product design and has two U.S. patents pending. He has authored four book chapters, published over 15 journal articles and 21 conference proceedings, and has averaged writing nine proposals per year. His grant production totals $11.2 million dollars. The Senior Researcher Award is given annually to the most outstanding researcher. The recipient must be tenured and must have demonstrated sustained research productivity through submission of proposals; proposals that have been funded; refereed publications; citations received; intellectual property disclosures; patents and/or copyrights and other pertinent contributions. In short, the Senior Researcher of the Year must have made outstanding contributions to the enhancement of the University’s research capabilities, formed internal and external partnerships through interdisciplinary teams, and enhanced the curriculum for both undergraduate and graduate students. This year there was a tie for the Senior Researcher honor. The recipients will share the $4,000 stipend. numan dogan is a professor in the electrical and computer engineering department in the College of Engineering. An accomplished researcher, Dr. Dogan has generated $4.5 million in research funding. He is the author of one book chapter and 55 refereed papers in international journals and conferences. He is also a reviewer for several prestigious refereed journals. During his tenure at A&T, Dogan has established the VLSI Design Laboratory and the RF Microelectronics Laboratory. The VLSI Design Lab provides training to undergraduate, graduate and doctorate level students in electrical and computer engineering. Doogan’s accomplishments and capabilities have positioned A&T to be the lead HBCU in RF Microelectronics Research – especially in wireless transceiver integrated circuit design. Kofi obeng, professor of economics in the School of Business and Economics, is a respected scholar in the field of transportation economics. He has authored two books on transit economics, a guide to research for junior faculty, and over 40 peer-reviewed articles. And, he has made over two dozen select professional presentations at major conferences and has numerous citations of his work appearing in scholarly journals. Dr. Obeng has secured almost $2 million in competitive grants during his tenure at the University. This is especially significant because business is a discipline in which there are very few government programs to fund faculty research.

O

SPRING/SUMMER 2008 • A&T TODAY 98 A&T TODAY • SPRING/SUMMER 2008

Desai Dogan Obeng

DESAI, DOgAN, hUYNh AND ObENg hONORED FOR OUTSTANDINg RESEARch

JameS g. ryan, a professor and

administrator at one of the world’s

leading colleges of nanotechnology and a

researcher with 47 U.S. patents, will be

the founding dean of the Joint School of

Nanoscience and Nanoengineering (JSNN),

which is being created by North Carolina

Agricultural and Technical State University

and The University of North Carolina at

Greensboro.

Since 2005, Ryan has served as

associate vice president of technology and professor of nanoscience

in the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) at the

University at Albany. Small Times, a magazine devoted to micro

and nanotechnology, in 2007 named CNSE the world’s top college

or university in the field. He has served as principal or co-principal

investigator for contracts totaling more than $1.7 billion while at CNSE.

As founding dean, Ryan will guide JSNN’s creation, from the

hiring of its faculty to the design of its building at the south campus

of Gateway University Research Park. Until its permanent home is

completed, the joint school will lease space at the research park in the

U.S. Department of Agriculture building, which will be completed this

summer.

“Dr. Ryan’s background, experience, and expertise will be of

historical proportion for Greensboro and will provide the kind of synergy

for future economic development opportunities for both North Carolina

A&T and UNCG,” said N.C. A&T Chancellor Stanley F. Battle. “Through

this initiative the two universities are charting new pathways in the

areas of nanotechnology, nanoengineering and research; and through Dr.

Ryan’s leadership, the institutions will reach new heights of excellence

in those and related fields of study and discovery.”

Ryan said, “I am honored to be selected as the founding dean

of the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering of North

Carolina A&T State University and The University of North Carolina at

Greensboro. I want to take this opportunity to thank the legislature, the

community of Greensboro and the leadership of both universities for

their vision and commitment in the establishment of the JSNN.

“Although I’m sure that there will be many challenges along the

way, the JSNN model will help Greensboro and the Triad lead the way in

the knowledge economy of the 21st century.”

The provosts of both universities expressed enthusiasm for Ryan

and for the Joint School’s potential for the city and the region.

“N.C. A&T State University and UNCG are classified by the Carnegie

Foundation as ‘research universities with high research activity,’”

said Janice G. Brewington, provost at A&T. “The Joint School for

Nanoscience and Nanoengineering will capitalize on the strengths of

both institutions to offer interdisciplinary graduate programs and to

strengthen the foundation for economic development in the Triad and

the state. This partnership is one of the most innovative in the history of

this area and will serve as a national model for collaboration.”

“Dr. Ryan is eminently qualified to serve as founding dean of the

JSNN,” added David H. Perrin, provost at UNCG. “His experience as

associate vice president of technology and professor of nanoscience

in the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering at the University

of Albany will be invaluable in launching the JSNN. Dr. Ryan is an

inventor of national and international repute. He has established industry

relationships that will immediately translate to support and recognition

for the JSNN. He is known as a tremendous motivator of people. His

interpersonal skills and communication style are perfectly suited for

coalescing faculty of science and engineering from the two universities

with the new faculty of the JSNN.”

The N.C. General Assembly already has committed $58 million for

the school’s capital needs and $1.4 million in annually recurring funds.

The two universities hope the state will provide an additional $4 million

in start-up money and boost recurring funds to $6.9 million by 2011. The

research park, itself collaboration between the two universities, has its

south campus off East Lee Street near I-40.

The joint school, which has been in its initial planning stages for

the last two years, will train students to conduct basic and applied

research in nanoscience and nanoengineering, and will offer a master’s

degree and a doctorate in nanoscience. The research conducted by

school faculty will have a high potential for technology transfer to

pharmaceutical, biotechnology and nanotechnology companies in North

Carolina. Nanotechnology has tremendous potential to change the way

we live; new discoveries could reduce auto emissions or lead to more

effective cancer treatment.

Ryan’s duties at CNSE include development of strategic

relationships and managing operations of the institution’s clean rooms

and consortia. His research interests include thin film deposition,

interconnection technology, semiconductor manufacturing technology

and radiation hard nanoelectronics.

He worked for IBM from 1979 until 2005 in labs in New York

and Vermont. He created or collaborated on more than 100 papers,

presentations and technical disclosures, and was designated an

IBM Master Inventor. Among numerous laurels, he received 17

Invention Achievement Awards, an IBM Patent Portfolio Award and

two Outstanding Technical Achievement Awards for interconnection

technology innovations.

Ryan earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1977, a master’s

degree in chemistry in 1978, a master’s degree in biomedical

engineering in 1980 and a doctorate in chemistry in 1988, all from

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y.

DistinguisheD nanoscientist to LeaD a&t, uncg Joint schooLJoint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering will train students to conduct basic and applied research in nanoscience and nanoengineering,

and will offer a master’s degree and a doctorate in nanoscience.

Commencement

2008Left: Senior Class President Kendra Arrington addresses her peers – reminiscing about the past and anticipating the future.

Inset: Ella Grimes (seated) receives a degree that was given posthumously to her son Willie Grimes, an A&T student who was killed in a race riot May 22, 1969. Also pictured are the decedent’s brother George Grimes, A&T Chancellor Stanley F. Battle and Faith Community Church Pastor Nelson Johnson.

Top right: Christine Barrett (center) is congratulated by Board of Trustees Chairwoman Velma R. Speight-Buford ’53 and Chancellor Battle prior to the ceremony. Four years ago, Barrett appeared on CBS’s “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” when she was a 75-year-old freshman.

Bottom right: The senior class presents its gift to the University: a painting of various aspects of Memorial Student Union.

10 A&T TODAY • SPRING/SUMMER 2008

More than 1,100 graduates received degrees during the spring commencement ceremonies that were held May 10, at Greensboro Coliseum. Here are some of the highlights.

SPRING/SUMMER 2008 • A&T TODAY 11

University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Her dissertation topic was “Satisfaction and Service: A Study of Servant Leadership, Role Inversion and Employee Job Satisfaction.” Jenkins is a director with Moses Cone Health System in Greensboro. Lineberry grew up in Saxapahaw, a rural mill village in southern Alamance County, N.C. His dissertation topic was “Change Agent States in the Land-Grant Universities: Changing a System – Impacting a Nation.” He is currently employed by N.C. State University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, as assistant dean for personnel. Nichols, a native of Aruba, Netherland Antilles, attended the State University of New York at Buffalo and earned her undergraduate degree. Her dissertation topic was “Responding to Fiscal and Societal Imperatives: Comparison of Leader Skills and Perspectives in Nonprofit and For-profit Organizations in the United States.” She is the CEO and director of InnerVision, Inc., a nonprofit organization in Mecklenburg County, N.C. Robinson, a native of Columbus,

Ga., resides in Pleasant Garden, N.C. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Bennett College and a master’s degree in education from A&T. Her dissertation topic was “Capacity Building in a Third World Country: Toward a Relational Model for Supporting and Sustaining Change.” Robinson is executive director of Piedmont Health Services and Sickle Cell Agency, and she currently serves on the University of North Carolina Board of Governors. Wilson, a native of Greenville, Ala., has a bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University and a M.Div. degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. His dissertation topic was “The Impact of International Service Experiences on Adult Development in Moral Reasoning and Cultural Intelligence.” He currently works as a guest services representative at Caraway Conference Center in Asheboro. Leadership studies graduates were involved in training from the Center for Creative Leadership and they traveled abroad to Singapore, Ghana, Malawi and Burma as part of their research projects.

“The program truly met its mission and that was to prepare leaders for tomorrow. These (graduates) represent the interdisciplinary approach to leadership. Their experiences cover the areas of nonprofit through corporate leadership, and their internships have provided the application of leadership theories,” said, Alexander Erwin, program director. William Craft, interim dean of graduate studies, added: “Since its inception in 2005, this program has already attracted a great deal of attention from the community. It has attracted a diverse set of students in diverse occupations. Enrolled students have experiences as diverse as university administration, nursing, counseling and business. “Quality leadership is key to the success of any organizational entity involving the collective cooperation of people to achieve a set of goals,” Craft continued. “In an increasingly global society, outstanding leaders and executives do understand that leadership is an important key to success. Our graduates learn important principles of leadership and participate in case studies as part of their educational preparation.” Interdisciplinary in its scope, the program is designed for persons who desire positions of leadership in agriculture, business, industry, science, engineering, education, the military and medical fields, and who are interested and committed to conducting research in the field of leadership studies. The program enhances students’ scholarship in the field of leadership and contributes to the accumulation of new knowledge through research and application in the study of leadership. It fosters a scholar/practitioner approach in the preparation of leaders. The mission is to expand the knowledge base of concepts and theories of leadership through application of research and experiences acquired in the program. For more information about leadership studies and other graduate programs at A&T, call (336) 285-2366.

By Samantha V. Hargrove

he Leadership Studies Program at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical

State University made history May 10 when seven doctoral candidates walked across the stage to receive their degrees. The first graduates of the program are Jacqueline L. Greenlee, Tonya R. Hargett, Marjorie Jenkins, Harvey L. Lineberry III, Cheryl Nicholas, Gladys Ashe Robinson and Charles E. Wilson. Greenlee, a native of Atlanta, Ga., holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from N.C. A&T and master's degrees in adult education and industrial technology from A&T. Her dissertation topic was “Lessons of Experience for Community College Leaders.” Greenlee

is currently the director of organizational development at Guilford Technical Community College. Hargett, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., living in High Point, is also a graduate of A&T. Her dissertation topic was “The Effects of Physical Crowding on Job Satisfaction in Laboratory Animal Technicians.” She is a training coordinator in the Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Jenkins has a B.S. degree in nursing from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and an M.B.A. from the

The first students to graduate from the Ph.D. program in leadership studies include (l-r) Tonya Hargett, Harvey L. Lineberry III, Majorie Jenkins, Charles E. Wilson, Cheryl Nichols, Jacqueline Greenlee and Gladys Ashe Robinson.

T

12 A&T TODAY • SPRING/SUMMER 2008 SPRING/SUMMER 2008 • A&T TODAY 13

UNC Board of Governors member Gladys Ashe Robinson (center) is one of the first graduates of the leadership studies doctoral program at N.C. A&T. Also pictured are Provost Janice G. Brewington ’70 and Chancellor Stanley F. Battle.

Commencement

2008 continued

Leadership Program Awards First Doctorates

14 A&T TODAY • SPRING/SUMMER 2008 SPRING/SUMMER 2008 • A&T TODAY 15

eleventh hour.

“It was by the grace of God, that I received a call of

affirmation from Dr. Brewington,” she said. “I wanted

to jump out of my skin from the excitement. It was very

difficult for me to contain myself.”

Brewington said that granting approval for Christina’s

brother to participate in the commencement exercise at

N.C. A&T was the right and compassionate decision for the

administration to make in this instance.

“We are pleased that their mother had an opportunity

to attend graduation for Christina and Doug without

making the difficult decision of which ceremony to attend,”

Brewington said.

Doug also was elated when he heard the news.

“I felt excited mostly for my mother and for my sister

as well,” he said. “It was my gift to my mother to march

because she put in an overwhelming amount of money,

support, love and motherly guidance to get me to that

point. It was all for her.”

Christina and her brother decided not to tell their

mother the good news.

“Boy was I right about my brother when it came to

graduation,” she said. “As I watched him from graduation

morning until that evening, he was like a little boy in a

candy store grinning from ear-to-ear. Doug

is not a very emotional person, but any

stranger could have read the pride and

happiness in his face on that day.”

Bernadine Yourse Minor,

a 1980 graduate of A&T,

had no clue that her son

and daughter would have

the opportunity to march

together. When she arrived

at the graduation ceremony

and didn’t see Doug (who

was traveling from Winston-

Salem) sitting with the family,

she became upset. According

to family members, she fussed

the whole time wondering his

whereabouts.

“I felt sheer and utter joy to see my children walk

across that stage together,” she said. “I heard Dean Plater

making a special announcement, and my first thought

was, ‘Oh my God, they’re talking about my children.’ I just

started crying because I didn’t think that I was going to

be able to see my son graduate. It was truly an answered

prayer. Aside from the birth of my twins, seeing them both

on that stage together was the proudest moment of my

life.”

While on stage, Christina thought about her dad,

Warren Douglas Minor, who passed away at the age of 39

from a massive heart attack. The twins were 11 at the time.

“As a result of our father’s influence and the

philosophy of excellence that he instilled in us in

addition to our mother’s teaching, guidance, support,

encouragement and unconditional love, I finished this

chapter of my life as valedictorian of N.C. A&T and my

brother finished his chapter graduating with honors form

Winston-Salem State University.”

Doug, who is pursuing a career in Christian counseling

exclaimed, “I felt it was God-sent. My sister had a dream

that we would graduate together and it came to fruition.”

That wasn’t the only dream Christina had achieved.

She explains, “In high school, my French teacher,

Mrs. Lisa Rollot, in a casual conversation

mentioned to me that she graduated

with a 4.0 and that greatly

impacted me. It was the driving

force behind me wanting to

reach that same goal when I

came to A&T.”

Christina will be

relocating to Jacksonville,

Fla., to work at Bank

of America’s corporate

office. She plans to obtain

an MBA and one day open

a nursing home.

Christina Minor is an

example that if you believe

and apply yourself, dreams can

become realities.

is quite an honor to be graduating from

college at the top of your class, but it can

dampen your enthusiasm when your twin

brother is scheduled to receive his diploma

from another university in another city

on the same morning.

That was the dilemma confronting Christina

Yourse Minor, A&T’s number one student for the class

of 2008, as she prepared for her commencement

ceremony on May 10.

Minor, 22, the older of the siblings by two

minutes, was very disenchanted to learn that the

ceremonies were being held simultaneously. However,

her twin, Warren Douglas “Doug” Minor II, a business

administration major with a concentration in marketing

at Winston-Salem State University, had a solution to

the problem. He would do the honorable thing and not

participate in his graduation ceremony, but attend his

sister’s instead.

“I did not want to split up family and friends, and I

did not want my mother to have to choose between the

two of us,” he said. “In addition, marching was a lesser

priority to me than receiving my diploma. I had earned

my diploma, and in my mind walking didn’t signify that

accomplishment.”

Doug’s family members weren’t astounded by his

reasoning because they know that he cares a great deal

for his sister.

“I wasn’t surprised because of their close

relationship and because of how much he admires his

sister,” cousin Earla Dorsett said.

Christina, a straight “A” student who hails from

Alpharetta, Ga., refused to accept her brother’s decision.

She explains, “Even though my brother said he

didn’t want to march, I knew deep down inside he did.

In my opinion, a graduation signifies the culmination

of hard work, dedication and discipline of a person who

seeks higher education.”

A month before graduation, Christina had a dream

about Doug and her marching together. A week later,

the young intellect who graduated with a double major

– a B.S. in business administration with a concentration

in international business and a B.A. in romance

languages and literature-French – began to actively

pursue the matter.

In conversing with Minor’s professor, Chi Anyansi-

Archibong, you get the feeling that this student

possesses great skills in problem solving.

“Christina was an outstanding student,” Anyansi-

Archibong said. “A student who was always on top of

everything: did her assignments on time, participated

effectively in class discussions, came to class on time

and never missed class.”

She added, “(Christina) is focused, intelligent, a

leader, and team player; a holistic and enthusiastic

learner, humble and very respectful.”

These attributes would be extremely helpful to

Minor as she set out on her mission.

Minor, who also received a certificate in global

studies, indicated that she wasn’t familiar with protocol

and encountered some setbacks.

“I was told by four individuals it was highly unlikely

that my request would be honored,” she said.

That didn’t deter her. Minor finally discovered

that the person she needed to talk with was Janice

Brewington, provost and vice chancellor for academic

affairs. But, there was a major problem. Dr. Brewington

was out of town and time was running out.

Somehow, but largely due to prayers from family

and friends, Minor maintained a sense of tranquility.

Winston-Salem State University had already agreed to

allow her brother to have his degree conferred at A&T.

Patience and faith proved to be the winning

combination. During the late afternoon of May 9,

her prayers were answered. Minor describes it as the

By Nettie Collins Rowland ’72

N.C. A&T’s Top seNior ANd her TwiN broTher

surprise Their moTher AT CommeNCemeNT CeremoNy

It

A TwiNspirATioNAl momeNT

16 A&T TODAY • SPRING/SUMMER 2008

ntertainer, author and philanthropist William H. “Bill” Cosby Jr. performed,

delivered a speech and received a degree during a recent visit to Greensboro. On May 9, Chancellor Stanley F. Battle hosted “An Evening with Bill Cosby” to raise money for academic scholarships at North Carolina A&T State University. During a special reception prior to the event, Battle and Cosby – pictured below with artist George Carlson and student leaders Amina Cliette and Marcus Bass – unveiled Carlson’s bust of Cosby at age 40, “A Humorous Thought,” which is a gift to the University. The evening featured a performance by jazz trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis (pictured left) of the renowned New Orleans family of musicians, followed by Cosby’s hour-long show that was filled with his signature brand of humor. A&T professor Frankie Day (center) was mistress of ceremonies. During commencement exercises the next morning, Cosby delivered a

sincere message to the class of 2008 about personal sacrifice, black America’s legacy, negative influences of hip hop, and the need for family. “I know where the bridge is out,” said Cosby. “I’m pointing you away from it.” Later in the ceremony, Cosby was awarded an honorary doctorate. The bestselling, award winning humorist and author began his career performing in night clubs while attending Temple University. He has had hit comedy albums, television shows and books including, “Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids,” which ran for 12 years, and “The Cosby Show,” which had an eight-year run and is now in syndication. His interest in education and youth motivated him to earn a master’s degree

and doctorate in education from the University of

Massachusetts.

BILL COSBY Entertains Donors, Addresses Grads and Receives Honorary Degree

E

18 A&T TODAY • SPRING/SUMMER 2008

vicinity of answers.

Four young men – Franklin McCain,

Ezell Blair (Jibreel Khazan), Joseph

McNeil and David Richmond – needed

answers. They questioned the validity of

a segregated lunch counter. On February

1, 1960, they did something about it.

While that was an awesome display of

courage – a “down payment on (their)

manhood,” McCain called it – it was only

the beginning.

The February One sit-in was not an

event on a day involving only four young

men but rather a movement involving

hundreds … a six-month movement that

included Belles from Bennett College

and students from UNCG. The seemingly

simple act of these young freshmen sitting

down allowed all of us to stand up.

At this year’s February One Breakfast,

Rev. Dr. William J. Barber referred to it as

the clarion call for our nation and the world

to “Sit up … and pay attention!” Most

would have given in or given up … but they

had a vision. It took discipline, commitment

and a belief in what they had learned here

at A&T.

The following year, a young woman

from Willow Springs, North Carolina,

who had come to us with questions of

how to help people, received her B.S.

degree in nursing from this wonderful

institution. For her, just getting through

secondary school took a tremendous

amount of determination. She and her

nine siblings worked the tobacco farm of

their sharecropper parents. Though she

very much wished to attend class, the

opportunity was a rarity; so much so that

the only way young Clara Adams-Ender

could make up her missed schoolwork was

to have her classmates send it home with

the bus driver.

Even with all that Adams-Ender had

to contend with, she managed to finish

second in her class. Adams-Ender said that

A&T represented “freedom to get away

from the tobacco farm.” She was so happy

to be able to go to school and actually be

present in class that she rarely missed a

day. After graduating from A&T she went

on to receive advanced degrees and to

serve our country in the United States

Army as one of the first African-American

women to reach the rank of brigadier

general. Most would have given up …

but she had a vision. It took discipline,

commitment and a belief in what she had

learned here at A&T.

In 1971, just 10 years later, a young

man from Lake City, South Carolina, graced

this campus in an unassuming manner.

Graduating (from A&T) magna cum laude,

the late Dr. Ronald McNair had questions

about space travel. He went on to MIT to

receive his Ph.D. in physics, but it was not

that simple. The story goes that near the

end of his doctoral program, he lost all of

the data for his thesis, an accumulation of

two years’ findings. Despite this setback, he

started again and produced a second set of

data in less than a year. Most would have

given in or given up … but he had a vision.

It took discipline, commitment and a belief

in what he had learned here at A&T.

The late Rev. Dr. Samuel DeWitt

Proctor, in his memoir, The Substance

of Things Hoped For, tells the story of a

young man who used to hang around his

office waiting to “snatch a few words with

(him) between appointments” when he

was president here at North Carolina A&T

State University. The young man had come

as a transfer student from Illinois seeking

admission and financial aid. Dr. Proctor’s

public affairs officer begged for him to

intercede on this young man’s behalf,

saying “We need him here!”

Proctor went on to explain that he

never knew what the young man said

to the public affairs officer but whatever

the young Jesse Jackson Sr. said, it was

“immediate and indelible.” Dr. Proctor

Thanks to the generous donation of 14 acres

of land and $11,000 from a visionary group

of citizens from the Greensboro community

– such as Dr. DeWitt, a black dentist, C.

Benbow and Charles H. Moore – we all

stand on this sacred ground today. This

land-grant institution, founded in 1891 as the

Agricultural and Mechanical College for the

Colored Race, was originally established for

African- Americans because there was no

other public institution of higher education

that existed for us in North Carolina.

Some 24 years later, in 1915, we

became the North Carolina Agricultural and

Technical College, and in 1967 we reached

university status. By 1972 we had come

full circle. The once “pulled apart” and

“separated from” “College for the Colored

Race” was now embraced and incorporated

into the University of North Carolina

system.

Those 14 acres have now multiplied

more than 40 score. With a 220-acre main

campus and a 600-acre farm, North Carolina

Agricultural and Technical State University

is Greensboro’s crown jewel. North Carolina

A&T State University invites all who step

upon its beautiful grounds to dream and

dream big and it goes one step further by

offering the opportunity to realize those

dreams.

With careful and deliberate preparation,

thoughts are challenged, skills are honed

and ideas are unleashed. Students, in the

words of the late Dr. Warmoth Gibbs, are

not taught what to think but rather how to

think – and how to do so critically. In a world

full of questions it makes good sense to be

in the vicinity of answers and North Carolina

A&T State University is the epicenter of the

Believing in north Carolina a&t Chancellor Stanley Fred Battle’s Installation Address (Abridged)

i Believe We are all on halloWed ground.

SPRING/SUMMER 2008 • A&T TODAY 19

Above: Stanley F. Battle is installed as 11th chancellor of N.C. A&T State University by District Court Judge Lawrence C. McSwain (right) as UNC System President Erskine B. Bowles, Battle’s daughter Ashley and wife Judith watch.

Below L-R: Stewart C. Battle, the chancellor’s twin brother, performs during the Battle Brothers and Friends Concert.

Rachel Williams Battle, Judith Rozie Battle and Ashley Lynn Battle, the chancellor’s mother, wife and daughter, respectively, arrive for the Battle Brothers and Friends Concert.

Rabbi Fred Guttman, Temple Emanuel, provides the invocation at the Installation Brunch.

Connecticut State University System Chancellor David G. Carter Sr. gives remarks during the Installation Ceremony.

These students and their families

deserve a chancellor and an administration

of integrity and honesty. They deserve a

chancellor and an administration that is

committed to the entire A&T family, and

that includes the alumni. As long as I hold

the reigns for this institution you can rest

assured that I will deliver those things daily.

The world is changing daily and even

by the second hour. The distance between

countries on opposite ends of the earth is

merely the length of your fingertip: you

can communicate virtually anywhere in

the world with the press of the “send” or

“enter” button on your computer keyboard.

In fact, information moves so fast that

before we leave this room somebody who

isn’t here will already know something

of what I have said. Text messaging and

e-mail have become the latest tools in this

“instant” society.

In his book, The 2010 Meltdown:

Solving the Impending Jobs Crisis, Edward

E. Gordon notes that at best only one-third

of all U.S. students are at the 12th grade

reading level upon graduation from high

school and up to 50 percent of current

students will drop out altogether. Three

weeks ago, on this very campus, South

Carolina Congressman James Clyburn

stated that in some of our large cities

the high school graduation rate is just 25

percent! The small number of U.S. students

who are prepared is too small to offset

competition from students from other

nation in the skills race for tomorrow’s best

jobs.

Between 2010 and 2020 the U.S.

teen population – Generation Y (also

referred to as “Millennials”) – will swell

to 44 million. The millennial population is

constantly exposed to a barrage of media

and cultural icons that define their attitudes

toward life. Millions of young Americans

are either unwilling or unable to speak

proper English. And reading a book or a

newspaper? Forget it!

The question then becomes, how

will this generation be able to survive?

How will they compete in an information

driven world? Gordon says the sad answer

is “millions of Millennials will become

the latest recruits to the ranks of techno-

peasants doomed to a low-wage, low skill

existence.”

The answer for me is simple. We must

begin to grow and groom our own students

and we must do so NOW.

As I move about this campus listening

to our students during our Desserts with

the Chancellor, I listen and respond to their

concerns but I also remind them of their

part in this relationship. They need to know

that they must come prepared to learn and

to reach beyond their grasp. Students must

make themselves available to all that is

available to them. They must talk to their

professors (who are some of the most

innovative professors in the country).

When I began my tenure last July,

I hit the ground running – I did not have

any choice. The pace has not yet slowed.

Our partnerships are continuing to prove

beneficial, relevant and timely.

With these trends in mind, two of the

first meetings I had when I came to A&T

were with the superintendent of Guilford

County Schools and the president of

Guilford Technical Community College to

share a part of my vision, The Cosby Kids

at N.C. A&T State University and GTCC

program. This program will follow a cohort

of children from the 4th, 6th and 8th grades

through completion of high school. There

will be a mentoring component, an after

school component and a full scholarship

to A&T upon completion of high school,

if they are academically prepared. If they

are not quite there, they can go to GTCC,

firm up their abilities and then come over

to A&T. During the process, should we

find that parents need to complete their

education, GTCC is prepared to pick up that

mantle as well.

Yes, it is aggressive. The state of most

of the nation’s public school systems,

coupled with the perilous road ahead for

those without a proper education, calls

for nothing less than solutions with equal

amounts of understanding, determination

and an aggressive compassion for the

betterment of our students, the state of

North Carolina and ultimately, the world.

This world of ours is getting smaller.

The globalization of which President

(Erskine) Bowles speaks of in UNC

Tomorrow is, in many ways, right here on

this campus. Look at our diverse faculty.

Look to our partnership with the Indian

Institue of Technology in Mandras, India.

We already are working to that end.

The world is becoming more diverse.

HBCUs aren’t just for African Americans

anymore. We are no longer the schools we

go to because we couldn’t go anywhere

else. While that is and will remain a strong

part of our identity and history, we are

quickly becoming more and more attractive

to people from all walks of life because

we have proven ourselves to be worthy

and just as capable of delivering a quality

education as any other university – bar

none.

i Believe in a&t.

This is a fantastic time and we are a

dynamic university. We have the ability

to walk with one foot firmly in a historical

past and the other stepping onto a new

horizon full of opportunity and promise. …

Everywhere I go, I hear of the greatness of

North Carolina A&T.

Ironically, this great institution of

higher learning, this proving ground

for young scholars, was born from the

ignorance of racism and segregation. But

in spite of the environment that existed

then, despite the monetary net worth of the

families who belonged to this A&T family,

we knew that we had the ability to be great

and we deserved – at the very least – the

opportunity to explore and declare our

greatness.

North Carolina A&T State University,

like many of its students, has grown where

it has been planted. Our roots have spread,

and our fruit is now ripe for the picking.

explained that when Jesse interviewed for

admission he was even more impressive

and they made some very special

arrangements to have him admitted and

they “never regretted it.”

These are only a few of the stories that

are not only testimonies of the strength of

the human spirit but they also illustrate how

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical

State University has made a difference in

a student’s life and that student made a

difference in the world.

I am quite sure my predecessors

realized – as do I – that the biggest part of

our job, as Dr. Proctor put it, is “trying to

develop a faculty and an academic program

strong enough to propel (black) students

into a demanding future.”

And though the future is always

challenging, and the vicissitudes of life are

inevitable, our future here at North Carolina

A&T is extremely bright. Without question

we will continue to need support from the

UNC system and the legislature and I want

to thank them for what they have done thus

far.

Our students are lucky. They don’t

have to look far for shining examples of

dedication and excellence.

If you came here today looking for

my vision for North Carolina A&T State

University, please listen. I am thoroughly

and completely convinced that if we focus

all of our energies on building the student,

the student will build the University.

prioritieS

North Carolina A&T is a student-centered

university – students are the heart. With that

in mind we must support our faculty, staff

and alumni in response to our mission.

North Carolina A&T must continue

to excel and build on principles of

academic excellence through the Dowdy

Scholars program and support exceptional

undergraduate, graduate and new doctoral

programs.

We must expand global education

by providing opportunities for students to

study abroad throughout all majors at North

Carolina A&T. Use the Cosby Kids program

as a model to encourage young children to

explore the world.

North Carolina A&T will provide

academic support programs designed to

retain and graduate students in no more

than six years. We will provide financial

assistance to selected students in their

second year with GPA’s between 2.50

and 2.90.

North Carolina A&T will continue to

expand research through public/private

ventures by taking a very aggressive

position to support and encourage all

faculty to participate. Our gateway to the

future rests with our ability to generate new

knowledge.

North Carolina A&T must reinforce

the principles of UNC Tomorrow with our

nationally recognized collaborative efforts

with UNCG and GTCC. The Gateway

University Research Park is our hedge for

the future and the Cosby Kids initiative

is designed to help us grow our own.

In the process of setting an agenda, like

the Joint School of Nanoscience and

Nanoengineering, North Carolina A&T will

respect its neighbors.

North Carolina A&T is a Gateway to

the world. As a result we will work with the

leadership in Greensboro, the Piedmont

Triad, and the State of North Carolina. We

will help others understand our unique

contributions, history and make sure

everyone realizes you cannot live without

AGGIES.

North Carolina A&T will provide

resources to strengthen nursing and

education to help meet the workforce needs

of this State and the country.

North Carolina A&T is known for

outstanding academic programs in

agriculture, business, engineering, sciences

and increased efforts in applied research.

We will continue to support these programs.

In addition, we will place a special focus on

the arts: visual, theater, vocal, dance and

band. The brain and the soul must be fed.

There will be a clear focus to support

students, faculty and staff. All senior

managers will be tested to make sure we

fulfill our promise.

The students are the reason that every

last one of us is here today. No students, no

university. No university, no chancellor. No

chancellor, no installation.

20 A&T TODAY • SPRING/SUMMER 2008 SPRING/SUMMER 2008 • A&T TODAY 21

Chancellor Stanley F. Battle (center) is pictured with student leaders David Street, student government president, 2007-08; Marcus Bass, student government president, 2008-09; TaNisha Fordham, Miss N.C. A&T, 2008-09; and Candace Johnson, Miss N.C. A&T, 2007-08.

Wade Henderson, president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, responds during the Academic Lecture Series.

22 A&T TODAY • SPRING/SUMMER 2008

AGGIE SPORTSBy Brian M. Holloway ’97

n the almost four years since its official dedication, North Carolina A&T’s Irwin Belk Track and Field

facility inside Aggie Stadium has hosted some of the most premiere events in the country. The trend continued this spring with the International Friendship and Freedom Games that were held April 18-19. At a press conference held at the Greensboro Coliseum’s Carlyle Room April 17, event executive director Brooks Johnson announced the return of the International Friendship and Freedom Games to A&T. In the process of

introducing the event, Johnson introduced prep stars, local collegiate standouts, Olympic hopefuls and Olympians who would compete at Irwin Belk. “Even if people don’t understand track and field, they understand the word Olympian,” said A&T director of track

and field programs, Roy Thompson. “People want to see the best in the world compete and we have the best in the world coming to A&T.” The event was broadcast live on www.iamsport.com. The meet is designed to bring special recognition to the February 1, 1960, non-violent sit-in at the F.W. Woolworth lunch counter in downtown Greensboro by four A&T freshmen – Ezell Blair Jr. (now Jibreel Khazan), Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil and David Richmond. As blacks, they were refused service despite sitting at the lunch counter until closing. The next day, the four men returned with 25 more protesters, sparking peaceful “sit-in” movements all over the country. Today, the men are known as the Greensboro Four and the A&T Four. “We want to make it clear to athletes, the community and the nation that what the A&T Four did in 1960 is more than just a footnote in history,” said Johnson. “It was a catalyst for non-violent civil rights protest around the world. Athletics can’t take place in a vacuum. It has to have an impact on life. The more athletic events you have that have a real meaning and significance beyond just running, jumping and throwing, the more impact it has on everybody.” The Old School Systems Management group brought a similar event to Texas Southern University, another historically black college or university. The organization wants to bring significant track and field meets to HBCUs with first-class facilities and a rich heritage. Elite athletes from all over the country competed, including Olympians. The International Friendship and Freedom Games is one of many outstanding meets A&T has hosted. Irwin Belk Track was dedicated on July 25, 2004. Among the meets conducted at A&T since that time include the 2006 NCAA East Regional, the Nike Outdoor Meet and the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Track and Field Championships.

n 2004, the torch of leadership for the North Carolina A&T State University Aggie Club was passed to James A. “Jim” Pender.

The organization’s membership numbered approximately 258 and its revenue stream was around $63,000. During the past four years, the number of Aggie Club members has risen to approximately 750, with revenue in excess of $150,000 annually. In 2003, the Aggie Club made a $1 million commitment to Aggie athletics to be paid over a 10-year period. When asked about his tenure, Pender said that it has been an interesting four years. “Aggies and friends have been overwhelmingly responsive to the idea of financially supporting athletics at North Carolina A&T State University,” said Pender. “I am extremely appreciative and thankful for the support that everyone has given me and the Aggie Club during my tenure as vice president and the last four years as president. “We have made monumental achievements and reached financial landmarks that we were told we could not attain.” Under Pender’s leadership, cash donations of over $670,000 have been given to athletics while the Aggie Club works toward its $1 million commitment. The donation that will be given this fall will mark the organization’s seventh year of giving. The Aggie Club saves North Carolina A&T’s athletics department $10,000 to $15,000 each year by providing volunteers for basketball and track and field events. All of this has been made possible because of individual support of and belief in supporting athletics and student athletes at North Carolina A&T State University. “I’m leaving the office of president but not the organization,” Pender says. “I will be working as hard as ever to support the new president and to lend my continued support in moving the Aggie Club to even higher levels. “We are the largest athletic booster club among Historically Black Colleges and Universities; we have the potential of being even larger because the ground work has already been laid by Aggies and friends of Aggies who continue to support athletics. Thank you for all you have done to support athletics at North Carolina A&T and lets keep the momentum moving forward.”

Leadership, Perseverance Sustain Aggie Club By Jean Wilson

AggIES hOST FREEDOm gAmES

SPRING/SUMMER 2008 • A&T TODAY 23

I I

AGGIE SPORTS

orth Carolina A&T men’s basketball players Austin Ewing and Steven Rush, and football

players Oritz “Trey” Green and Davion Hemphill, were named 2008 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars for their academic and athletic accomplishments. The players were first, second or third team according to their respective sports. Inspired by the tennis legend’s commitment to education, Diverse: Issues In Higher Education magazine established the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars Award to honor undergraduate students of color who have made achieving both academically and athletically a winning combination. Ewing was the only Aggie to earn first-team honors in his sport. Ewing, who completed his eligibility after the 2007-08 season, compiled a 3.50 grade point average during the 2007 fall semester. The psychology major has a cumulative GPA of 3.86. Ewing was a two-year starter for head coach Jerry Eaves. He averaged 10.6 points during his 65-game career. He hit 138 career 3-pointers and his 83.9 free throw career percentage is second best all-time. Rush, Ewing’s backcourt mate the past two seasons, was a second-team sports scholar selection. He ended

a superb two-year career. He hit 193 career 3-pointers, third all-time in school history. He was a two-time All-MEAC performer and owns school records in career free throw percentage (.855), 3-pointers made in a season (115) and 3-pointers made in a game (10). In the classroom, he was just as efficient. He earned a 3.61 GPA in the fall of ’07 and he graduated in 2008 with a cumulative 3.38 GPA. On the football side, Green took second-team honors. Like the other three selections, Green’s eligibility as an Aggie has ended. Green, an electrical technology major, compiled a 4.0 GPA during the fall semester and has a cumulative GPA of 3.39. On the field, he was a four-year starter for the Aggies at fullback. He helped pave the way for two different backs during his tenure to rush for more than 850 yards in a season. Green also scored five career touchdowns. Hemphill was a third-team selection. He made 90 career tackles with his best season coming in 2006 when he made 55 tackles, which ranked him fourth on the team. He also made four tackles behind the line of scrimmage that season. A journalism and mass communication major, Hemphill has a cumulative GPA of 3.20 and had a fall semester GPA of 3.66.

SPRING/SUMMER 2008 • A&T TODAY 2524 A&T TODAY • SPRING/SUMMER 2008

he awards and honors continue to come Jennifer Luper’s way. With her latest honor, she joins

North Carolina A&T softball teammates Yahamma White and Lillian Bullock on the 2008 North Carolina Collegiate Sports Information Association University Division All-State Softball Team. Luper, who was a freshman pitcher for the Aggies this past season, also was named MEAC Rookie of the Year and first-team All-MEAC. In 2008, she became the first Aggies pitcher to win 20 games in a season, posting a 20-5 record. She tossed 20 complete games with three shutouts, struck out 102 batters and had a 2.41 ERA. She was also the Aggie Club Award recipient at the 2008 N.C. A&T All-Sports Banquet. White is making her second consecutive appearance on the All-State team. She is the only repeat honoree on the 2008 All-State team. The sophomore from Lancaster, S.C., put together another superb year at the plate, batting .404 with 49 runs scored, 24 RBIs and one home run. She ranked seventh in the nation in runs scored per game a year after leading the nation in that category. White also stole 22 bases and had 22 multiple-hit games. She is a career .414 hitter, has scored 111 runs

in her career, and is a two-time first-team all-conference performer. Bullock, a sophomore, earned her first all-state honor. She continued to be the Aggies’ biggest home run threat, hitting seven home runs on the season. She also batted an impressive .368 at the plate with team-leading 38 RBIs. Bullock was also one of the best in the nation at hitting triples – ranking fifth in the nation in triples – she helped the Aggies rank second in the nation. Already the Aggies all-time home runs leader with 24, Bullock had a .714 slugging percentage, scored 42 runs and earned second straight first-team All-MEAC honor in 2008. Luper, White and Bullock led the Aggies to a 31-17-1 record, tying the school record for wins in a season and breaking the school record for best winning percentage in a season. NCCSIA selects all-state teams in the university (NCAA Division I) and college (Division II, III, NAIA) divisions for women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, and men’s and women’s soccer, softball and baseball. More than 500 student-athletes have been recognized on all-state teams since 2003.

Bullock Luper White

bULLOck, LUpER AND whITE mAkE ALL-STATEWhite earns second straight first-team honor FOUR AggIES hONORED FOR AcADEmIcS

Ewing Green Hemphill Rush

T N

26 A&T TODAY • SPRING/SUMMER 2008 SPRING/SUMMER 2008 • A&T TODAY 27

AGGIES ON THE MOVE

n 1970sharold l. martin Sr. ’74, who earned his doctoral degree in electrical engineering from Virginia Tech in 1980, is a 2008 inductee into Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering Academy of Engineering Excellence. Martin joins a select group of 80 engineering alumni in the academy. Martin received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in electrical engineering from N.C. A&T. His career path in higher education has taken him from classrooms to administration to chancellor. He currently serves as senior vice president for academic affairs at the University of North Carolina, a 16-campus university, where he leads the development and implementation of the academic mission of the University, including teaching, research, international programs and student affairs, and he advises the president and provides leadership for the president’s council.

mitchell a. martin ’75 was one of 20 organizers of Georgia Primary Bank, which is located in the Buckhead area of Atlanta. Martin has a B.S. degree in accounting from N.C. A&T and an M.B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is a certified public accountant in

Georgia and North Carolina. Martin is the managing partner in the accounting firm of Martin, Harps, Syphoe & Company. He is the founder and officer of Global Concessions, Inc., and he is a minority owner of several salons/spas in the Atlanta area.

n 1980sCoach Steve davis ’81 led Greensboro’s Dudley High School Panthers to victory as the Class 3-AA North Carolina High School Athletic Association Football Champions. Davis played football at N.C. A&T.

theodore a. Wood Jr. ’81 is a director at Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox in Washington, D.C. A member of the electronics group, Wood earned his J.D. degree from the University of Dayton. He has an M.S. degree in electrical engineering from Northrop University and a B.S. in electrical engineering from North Carolina A&T State University. Wood counsels clients in various areas of patent law including due diligence investigations and pre-litigation analysis. His work before the United States Patent and Trademark Office includes patent application preparation and prosecution, reissue, and reexamination involving several areas of technology including electronics, digital communications, computer graphics, and computer networks. Wood is a retired United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel.

orlando Sutton ’83 of the U.S. Forest Service is a member of Leadership South Carolina’s Class of 2008. Now in its 29th year, Leadership South Carolina is the state’s oldest and most respected leadership development program. Approximately 50 individuals who have demonstrated commitment to their community and strive to reach a higher level of service to the Palmetto State are selected each year.

david robinson ’86, program manager of the CAD department at Randolph Career and Technical High School in Detroit, Mich., was among 75 outstanding educators from across the nation presented with a Milken Educator Award check of $25,000 during a gala that was hailed as the “Oscars of Teaching” by Teacher magazine. Held March 30, at the Westin Bonaventure in Los Angeles, Calif., the awards ceremony marked the culmination of one of America’s premier education events, the Milken National Education Conference. First presented in 1987, the Milken Educator Awards represent the largest teacher recognition program in the U.S., having bestowed more than 2,300 exceptional educations with over $58 million in unrestricted cash awards.

ALUMNI NEWS

continued on page 28

Above: Harold L. Martin Sr. (center) receives an award for his induction into Virginia Tech’s Academy of Engineering Excellence from James Thorp (left), professor and head of the aerospace and ocean engineering department, and Richard Benson, dean of the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech.

Right: Michael McKenzie Grant (center) receives the ITT Technical Institute National Chair of the Year Award.

Memoriam

ALUMNI NEWS

SPRING/SUMMER 2008 • A&T TODAY 2928 A&T TODAY • SPRING/SUMMER 2008

continued from page 27

alumni

dorothy Jean alston ’61, April 24

arnold eugene Bryant ’72, March 11

William Baxter dewberry ’68, April 30

margaret Boykin gill, April 2

thomas everett harris ’82, April 27

paula mason Jeffries ’79, May 3

Florine Sturdivant matthews, April 15

luther martin montague Sr., March 2

Connell moone, May 2

earle orr ’55, March 12

matthew m. patterson ’49, April 7

dewey glynn pearson ’50, April 4

agnes W.h. roseboro ’78, March 7

Steven landis Sessoms Sr. ’86, April 13

n 1990stanya Ballard Brown ’95 is an editor for NPR.org, working out of the Washington, D.C. office.

n 2000smichael mcKenzie grant ’01 of Seneca, S.C., recently won ITT Technical Institute’s National Chair of the Year Award. Grant is chairman of digital entertainment and game design at ITT Tech Greenville. In 2006, he won the coveted National Program Chair of the Year at the corporate managers meeting in Fort Myers, Fla., competing with over 400 chairs throughout 87 campuses nationwide.

Joseph C. Crosby Jr., CEO and president of

Coach’s Low Country Brands and owner of T-60

Grill Restaurant, is the recipient of the 2008

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State

University Alumni Excellence Award. He was

presented the award during the university’s spring

commencement exercises held May 10, at the

Greensboro Coliseum.

A native of Charlotte, N.C., Crosby received

his Bachelor of Science degree in business

administration from N.C. A&T in 1977. After

graduating, he joined the management trainee

program at City National Bank and soon rose to

the position of personal banker.

In 1979, Crosby joined the American Football

Association as the defensive captain and team

representative for the Carolina Storm Professional

Football for Wachovia Bank and Trust Company.

This position initiated his coaching career that led

to positions at several universities as defensive

coordinator, assistant coach and head coach.

After 30 years of coaching and playing

football, Crosby retired in 2001 and he and his

wife Kristina relocated from Atlanta to Fairplay,

S.C., in a home on the shore of Lake Hartwell. On

Mother’s Day 2003, they opened the T-60 Grill, and

four months later added the Low Country boil to

the menu.

Crosby had the seasonings used in the

Low Country Boil developed and packaged for

restaurant/foodservice wholesale buyers and retail

sales. Today, Coach’s Low Country Boil seasoning

can be found on the shelves of Wal-Mart and Bi-Lo

grocers and in the products of Cargill, McClancy

Seasoning Co., and Naturally Fresh dressings,

sauces and dips.

In 2006, the couple created The Joe and

Kristina Crosby Education Foundation, a non-

profit, 501(c)3 corporation. The foundation is

committed to supporting students and teachers in

K-5 programs and in providing tuition assistance

to post secondary students studying in culinary,

hospitality, and business or management

programs.

Greetings on behalf of the organizing committee for the 40-year reunion of the

1968 Black National Co-Champion Aggie Football Team!

A website has been created to better communicate with all those interested

in participating in the festivities. Please visit www.68aggiefootball.com for

complete details. Any photos or articles you wish to contribute to the website are

welcomed.

The 1968 team and year were very special to all of us. We sincerely hope you

will return to our alma mater to rekindle old friendships, swap football stories,

remember the deceased, smile and laugh at recalling the football experience.

After 40 years, it is time to do this. See you October 25, 2008.

Aggie Pride,

Merl F. Code ’68

cROSbY ’77 REcEIVES ALUmNI ExcELLENcE AwARD

minnie ray Bryant Stevens ’66, March 22

elizabeth m. “lovie” West, May 1

Joseph F. Weston Jr. ’68, Dec. 19, 2007

georgia Wharton

others

Charles l. hayes, retired professor, March 15

derek hodge, student, April 26

allitia Smith isaac, retired food service, May 10

Wyatt douglas Kirk Jr., retired department

chairman, April 16

rayfield Smith, shuttle driver, March 26

Chad Wiley, student-athlete, May 27

1968 Football Reunion Plannedmark October 25, 2008, on your calendars and make plans to return to North carolina A&T for the festivities.

www.68aggiefootball.com

Ballard Brown

ALUMNI NEWS

30 A&T TODAY • SPRING/SUMMER 2008

hree alumni in different parts of the country had the same goal in mind:

raising scholarship donations for North Carolina A&T State University students. How they would accomplish their goals was not traditional, but FUN. Sonja Matthews-Mooney and I (Pamela L. Johnson), both class of 1991, hosted a “Party with a Purpose, Part II” at my home in Upper Marlboro, Md., on March 7.

Hosea Butler ’58 hosted and celebrated his 80th trip around the sun with family and friends from across the country in sunny Miami, Fla., March 28-30. Although both parties were purposed for different reasons, both events were successful and proved beneficial for N.C. A&T. Originally scheduled for Feb. 22, but changed due to the weather to March 7, Matthews-Mooney and I hosted a traditional party with a nontraditional twist! Each guest had to bring a donation to A&T designated for the Carla Macon Granville Engineering

Scholarship (CMGES) and/or a new African American Children’s book to enter the party. Although this was a nontraditional way to have a fundraiser, we wanted to continue to make a difference in the lives of the A&T engineering students as well as the local Maryland public school students. As always, our friends responded graciously and $2,720 was raised for the scholarship fund and over 200 African American Children’s books were donated at the party. The books will be given to a public school library in Prince George’s County. Matthews-Mooney and I have started the process of identifying the deserving public elementary school by first scheduling meetings with 28 principals. One elementary school will be the recipient of these great literary items because of its apparent need, commitment to education, and desire to increase its library shelves with books for us about us! The donations for the CMGES will be added to the scholarship’s account that we – 15 industrial engineering graduates – founded in 1998. It was named after our dear friend, Carla Macon Granville ’88, an industrial engineering graduate who succumbed to breast cancer in 1995. Granville’s family, especially her mother, Mabel Taylor ’59 of Powellsville, N.C., and her aunt, Beverly Macon of Washington, D.C., have been extremely instrumental in helping the original founders raise more than $40,000 to date. The scholarships have been awarded EVERY homecoming since 1998. This year will mark the 10th year of recognizing engineering students for their academic prowess.

Hosea Butler ’58 and Pamela L. Johnson ’91

Hosea Butler’s event began Friday evening March 28, with educating members of the South Florida Chapter of the North Carolina A&T State University Alumni Association, Inc. on A&T’s student recruitment processes and pertinent financial aid information. The information session appeared to enlighten all in attendance who will serve as the “billboards” of alumni excellence in the South Florida area to recruit outstanding students for A&T. Personnel from the university assisted with ensuring the success of this event as well. On Saturday morning, Butler and friends gathered for a competitive day of golf. They enjoyed the Aggie spirit and exuded much pride while demonstrating their golf skills. At the end of the outing it was concluded that their commitment to A&T would bear more rewards than their valiant attempts to be more like Tiger Woods. The celebration did not end there. Saturday evening was a night to remember. Butler’s 80th birthday celebration had two requirements: white attire and a donation to A&T designated for the Butler/McKee

Scholarship. Only gifts for A&T were accepted on that beautiful evening in the Miami night. Butler, a native of Greensboro, N.C., and now a Hialeah, Fla., resident, is president of the Alumni Association’s South Florida Chapter. At his party, it became even more evident how much Butler is committed to A&T and how much he will forever be indebted to the university for all that was afforded him as a child, as a student and as an alumnus. Many guests saluted Butler on his commitment, love and dedication, listened to good music and shared his passion for A&T. Over $5,000 was raised for A&T students, which was added to an existing scholarship account that now exceeds $10,000.

When asked why he deemed it so important to change the traditional course of an 80th birthday party celebration, he replied simply by stating, “God has given me 80 years and that is a great gift within itself. So I wanted to give what I could to young people at A&T who have yet to meet that milestone.” Butler and friends culminated the festivities by attending service at his church on Sunday morning and again celebrating his life in the afternoon. These were two separate successful events sponsored by three alumni who had the same goal in mind – to help someone else! Their nontraditional fund raisers showed their love and commitment to A&T’s students. This is the reality of Aggie Pride. Ultimately, they showed in

nontraditional ways that fund raising can be FUN and beneficial to our youth.

“FUNraising” Alumni use non-traditional methods to raise funds for N.C. A&T

By Pamela L. Johnson ’91, N.C. A&T National Alumni Association President

Pamela L. Johnson ’91 (right) and the late Carla Macon Granville ’88

SPRING/SUMMER 2008 • A&T TODAY 31

T

MIXED BAGhe concept was simple. Create a forum where alumni could reconnect

with one another to share their stories, experiences and lives. TheAggieNation, www.theaggienation.com, was founded by North Carolina A&T State University and Howard University alumni who wanted to help improve the traditionally poor rates of alumni participation at their alma maters, especially among younger graduates. Four months and more than 4,000 members later, the foundation for that vision has been laid. TheAggieNation launched Jan. 23, 2008, and has grown steadily since that date. One of our goals for the Web site is to connect with the thousands of A&T Alumni around the world – reunite them with past classmates, teammates, friends and faculty and keep them knowledgeable about the issues that are currently affecting A&T, the community and their friends. The mission of TheAggieNation is to improve the relationships between A&T alumni and the National Alumni Association and Aggie Club, i.e. increase awareness – especially among younger graduates; improve the way alumni view giving back to A&T; address the way the media portrays/categorizes people of color; and address the way corporate America addresses people of color in the media. We also hope to establish a virtual mentoring mechanism between alumni in similar career fields to assist in our attempts at climbing the corporate ladder. Another reason the website was developed is because alumni were not aware of a central online meeting place for them. There were several splinter groups, e.g. MySpace, Facebook, Yahoo groups, MSN groups, alumni association pages,

Aggie Club pages, hardcore football fans, etc., but there was no one place for “all things Aggie.” We Believe TheAggieNation fills that void. Alumni also wanted to reestablish the networks that were established while they were in school and on campus to benefit the growth of black businesses. Most of us had a vast network of friends while in school and we essentially threw that network away when we walked across the stage by allowing ourselves to fall out of touch. With TheAggieNation, alumni have every reason to reconnect and stay connected! Last, We Believe that we can help improve our support of the National Alumni Association and the Aggie Club through TheAggieNation. (Did you know there is a difference between the two organizations? I didn’t until I joined the Aggie Club, which is the principal fundraising arm for the athletics programs at A&T.) The National Alumni Association’s goal is to provide a forum that will unite alumni and, in turn, ensure the future

growth of A&T. We are already in the process of establishing collaborative efforts and We Believe those efforts will result in “win-win” situations for the National Alumni Association, the Aggie Club and TheAggieNation. Only 15 percent of alumni of record made a gift to the university last year. We can improve upon that – and we should! Yes, we have student loans, children, car notes and mortgages, but we don’t have to start an endowment to give back. ;o) TheAggieNation asks alumni to make a monthly donation in the amount of the year A&T was founded ($18.91) or the year you graduated ($19.96 for me). Or, if it’s more convenient, contribute on an annual basis. If all of us donated just $18.91 ANNUALLY, we would give the university over $750,000 each year. If we each gave $18.91 monthly, we could give the university over $9 million annually! Our contributions are important because of the reasons: 90% of our students are on financial aid; the state provides less than 30% of the funding needed for a quality education; HBCUs make up about 3% of all colleges in this country, but 30% of black college graduates come from HBCUs – therefore, we MUST support our own; and corporate sponsors often look at how many alumni give back when deciding if they will donate funds to a school. If the alumni do not show they value the school by giving back, why should the company give to the school? Reunite with old friends, make new ones and start to make North Carolina A&T State University a priority. I have. See you on TheAggieNation (www.theaggienation.com)!

T

32 A&T TODAY • SPRING/SUMMER 2008

thursday, oct. 9

Fall Convocation

Miss A&T Coronation

Friday, oct. 10

Richard E. Moore Memorial

Golf Tournament

Vending

Aggies “NO TAP” Annual

Scholarship Bowling

Tournament

Chancellor’s Donors Reception

Alumni Concert

Saturday, oct. 11

Parade

Vending

Homecoming Football Game

N.C. A&T Aggies vs.

Morgan State Bears

Alumni Dance

Sunday, oct. 12

Vending

www.ThEAggIENATION.cOm Web site aims to reconnect alumni By Dwayne Meekins ’96

A&T alum Dwayne Meekins ’96 (right) and Howard alum Bryndan Moore are the brains behind TheAggieNation.com

THE GREATEST HOMECOMING on EARTH

October 9-12, 2008 For updates and lodging, visit www.ncat.edu/~alumni or call (336) 433-5570.

____________________

Non-Profit Organization____________________

US Postage PAID____________________

Greensboro, NC____________________

Permit Number 47____________________

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

1601 East Market StreetGreensboro, NC 27411

REMEMBERING THE PAST

n.C. a&t students Barbara gore

(far left), antoinette morris (front

row, right) and Floria askew

(far right) pose with exchange

students from the university of

Wisconsin. the Wisconsin coeds

– ann hauser, patricia Spring,

tamara Stark and Julie lindley

– studied at n.C. a&t during the

1967-68 school year. not shown

are Kent Smith and darleen leean.

February 7, 1968

www.ncat.edu

Photo courtesy of Bluford Library Archives