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JCSU
Hires New Director of Bands
Johnson C. Smith University has hired William
M. Johnson as its new Director of Bands. Johnson comes to JCSU from
Florida A&M University where he served as the Interim Director
of Lower Brasswinds for the FAMU “Marching 100.” Also, he served as
a graduate assistant with the Florida State University Marching
Chiefs.
Johnson C.
Smith University President Dorothy Cowser Yancy said the new
appointment “will allow JCSU to move into the next level of
outstanding band performances.”
Johnson said, “I am excited
about the opportunity to make Johnson C. Smith University’s band the
best it can be. The one thing I like about the University is that it
has a family environment. This is very important, especially when
you are overseeing a collegiate band program.
As the
university’s new Director of Bands, Johnson is responsible for
conducting the Golden Bulls Marching band, University Jazz band, and
Symphonic band. Also, he will be teaching applied music
courses.
Johnson is
a PhD in Music Education candidate at The Florida State University.
He has a Masters of Music Education degree from Northern Illinois
University and a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Music Education
from Florida A&M University.
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Congratulations
Alumni
 It is our
great pleasure to tell you that JCSU alumni exceeded their goal!
JCSU alumni reached 24% Alumni Participation and raised over
$620,000. We will also take this time to thank you personally for
your support. It was because of you and your fellow alums that we
enjoyed such great success this year*. Alumni gifts provide the
financial resources necessary to keep JCSU strong. This year’s
alumni gifts supported everything from athletics to scholarships, to
operating expenses to technology, to faculty development to the band
and choir and everything in between. This is a great achievement and
one which we hope gives you great pride! So pat yourselves on the
back and congratulate each other.
Thanks
again,
Institutional Advancement Staff
*Includes
all alumni gifts received between July 1, 2004 and June 30,
2005.
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Did
you Know
*
John Edward Rattley
(1855-1946) was a graduate of Charlotte's Biddle
Institute and the first principal of Myers Street
School.
* Dorothy Counts ('64) at 15
years of age became the first African-American student to attend an
all white school, Harding High School, September 4, 1957.
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JCSU
Class Notes
*
Floretta Gunn ('39)
celebrated a century when she turned 100 years old on August
4th.
* Marcus S. Scurry ('05) was
recently appointed to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations
Advisory Board for a three-year term expiring July 2, 2008. The
Community Relations Committee is a 45-member board appointed by the
County Commission, the City Council and the Mayor.
* Cadet Dwayne H. Robinson ('05)
was commissioned by the University of North Carolina, Charlotte ROTC
49th Battalion in conjunction with JCSU on August 8th. Robinson
received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States
Army and will serve his initial duty assignment as the Gold Bar
Recruiter at UNCC prior to attending the Officers' Basic Course at
Aberdeen Proving Ground (AAF Phillips) in Aberdeen, MD in January
2006.
* Dr. Melva Wilson Costen ('52)
will be distinguished Professor of Liturgical Studies
this fall semester at Yale University Institute of Sacred Music and
Yale Divinity School. Melva married Smithite the late James "Omaha" Costen ('53) on
Baccalaureate Sunday in 1952, is the mother of Cheryl Costen Clay ('81) and is
a current JCSU Board Member. She will teach courses on “The Ritual
and Music of African American Worship, and on The Exegesis of Black
Hymnody, Spirituals and Gospel Songs.” Until her retirement in June
2005, Dr. Costen was the Helmar Nielsen Professor of Music and
Worship at Johnson C. Smith/ Interdenominational Theological Center
in Atlanta, GA, where she was chair of the Worship and Music
Department and director of the program in African American Worship
Traditions.
* Dashia Price-Meeks ('92)
received her Master's of Education degree in Divergent
Learning from Columbia College, August 2005. Dashia plans to pursue
a Doctorate of Education.
* Stuart E. Moore ('92) was
recently promoted to a Loss Mitigation Supervisor with Wells Fargo
Home Mortgage after serving 3 ½ years as a collector on the phone
team.
* Sharon Wright Jackson ('00)
participated as a member during the Family Expo in
Atlanta, GA held at the World Congress Center, August 3rd - August
6th. Ms. Jackson assisted with the Book signing and PR event for
renowned greats such as the Bishop T.D. Jakes, Juanita Bynum, J.
Moss, Mary Mary and Kiki Shepard.
* Steve Jarrett ('81) recently
met with Kappa Brother, "Cedric the Entertainer" at the 77th Kappa
Alpha Psi Conclave held in St. Louis, MO. Steve is a VP at
IBM.
* Shava
Jamal Lewers and Maurice Meadows were married on August 6th in the
JCSU Church. The bride is the daughter of Mr. Calvin Lewers ('68) and
Mrs. Vera Wallace Lewers ('69)
of Charlotte, NC.
* Keitra Manigault ('01) received
a dual Master's in Business Administration and Health Administration
from Pfeiffer University on August 6th.
* Gwendoline Young Fortune, Ed.D. ('48)
continues her second career, following 30 years as
teacher and Professor of Social Science - History. Her essay on
ageism among African-Americans is included in the Encyclopedia of
Ageism, edited by Palmore, Branch and Harris, The Haworth Press,
2005. She will participate in the San Antonio, Texas Writers Fair,
November 3-5.
* Dr. William E. Beavers III
('49) was recently reelected to his second term as
Chairperson of the Danville-Pittsylvania (VA) Community Services
Board of Directors. Danville-Pittsylvania Community Services
provides public mental health, mental retardation, substance abuse,
and prevention services to the citizens of the City of Danville and
Pittsylvania County, Virginia.
* Melissa Eades ('00) graduated
with a Master's in Counseling from Michigan State University. Ms.
Eades is currently working as a high school Guidance Counselor for
Grand Rapids Public Schools in Grand Rapids, MI.
* Terrence Ford ('02) and Harriet
Taylor were married on June 25th at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in
Greenhaven, NY. Terrence and Harriet met and began dating as
freshmen at JCSU in 1998.
* Elizabeth Carrothers ('55)
recently visited the Lake Mendenhall Glacier near Juneau, Alaska.
* Donald Quarles ('81) has been
appointed Assistant Principal at Butler High School in Augusta, GA.
Mr. Quarles is also chapter president for the Augusta Alumni
Chapter.
* In the
July 24th edition of The Charlotte Observer, Atty. Charles Jones ('58), Rev. Dr. Raymond Worsley ('50)
and Dr. Darius Swann ('45)
tell their stories of the voting rights movement 40 years
ago. In summer 1961, Jones, SNCC's (Student Non-violent Coordinating
Committee) voter registration director, was in McComb, MS to help
register blacks. Swann, Worsley and former JCSU seminary professor
and chaplain Rev. Calvin Hood
('51) organized a busload of JCSU students to go to
Alabama to participate in a march led by Martin Luther King,
Jr.
* Catrina Brown ('00) has been
placed on a waiting list at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte to
receive a kidney and pancreas. Catrina has a 3-year old daughter
,Chaniah, and because of her illness she has not been able to pursue
a career in the computer science field since graduating. Family
members are planning fundraisers to assist with Catrina's medical
expenses. Donations may be made to: Catrina Brown Kidney Foundation,
Provident Community Bank, P.O. Box 866, Union, SC
29379.
* Brian Harrison ('00) is
currently enrolled at the University of South Carolina in the
Master's of Arts Counseling Program.
* Maxie C. McRae ('80) and Willie
Childress were united in wedded bliss May 21, 2005 at the Oak Grove
Missionary Baptist Church, Pineville, NC. Rev. Mack L. McRae ('72)
officiated. Maxie is Coordinator of Advising Services at Central
Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, NC. Willie is a driver for
Glen Moore/Yellow Freight Systems. The couple resides in Charlotte,
NC.
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Deceased
Alumni
*
Alphonso Smith ('77) May 15, 2005
* LaNelle Jackson Samuels (’37)
July 25, 2005
* Arthur Johnson, Jr. (N/A) July 31, 2005
*
Frank James Sadler ('84) August 11, 2005
* Albertha B. Jones ('63
) September 4, 2005
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Chapter
Information
*
The Charleston, SC Chapter sponsored their annual "Cruising on a
Sunday Afternoon" Harbor Cruise on Sunday, September 4, 2005.
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Save
the Date
 * Palmetto Capital City
Classic
September 10, 2005 - JCSU vs. Benedict in
Columbia, SC 5pm
* Homecoming 2005
October 28,
2005 - October 30, 2005
Adam's Mark Hotel
704-348-4100 or
800-444-ADAM
www.adamsmark.com
Rate: $92.00 + 13.5% tax
* Black College Hoops Classic
2005
December 27 - 29,
2005
http://www.blackcollegehoopclassic.org/home.php
It brings
the best in Men's Black College Basketball to Southern California!
The Classic will feature eight powerhouse teams from Bowie State
University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of
Missouri, Morehouse College, Virginia Union University, Wilberforce
University, Wiley College, and Xavier University. It also includes
other attractions that are entertaining, multi-cultural,
informative, and educational.
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Alumni
News
*
Former graduates of Highland High School in Gastonia, N.C (now
Highland School of Technology) celebrated a Grand Reunion.
Classmates from 1931-1966 came together to reflect on how well the
parents, teachers and preachers of the community worked together to
produce the legacy of great achievements. William Partlow (’56) and
Claude Sanders (’55) were students at the original all-black high
school which held its last graduation in 1966.
*On
Monday, August 22, 2005, the Third Annual Johnson C. Smith
University Scholarship Golf Tournament was held at the beautiful
Marlborough Country Club in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Participating
players came from as far away as Pennsylvania, but most came from
the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia area. For our event,
the format used was a four man scramble with a captain’s choice.
*Glenn
Chavis (’63) received the High Point Convention & Visitors
Bureau Chairman’s Award during a recent ceremony. The annual award
is given to an individual or organization for developing
partnerships with the tourism industry. Chavis, a local writer and
historian, was recognized for his involvement developing the CVB’s
African-American heritage tourism guide.
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Thanks,
see you soon!
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