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JCSU PRESIDENT TO LEAVE NEXT SUMMER Johnson C. Smith University President Dr. Dorothy Cowser Yancy announced Friday that she will leave her post effective June 30, 2008.The announcement came during a Friday morning press conference at which time she also announced the status of the university's $75 million campaign. Under her leadership, the campaign so far has raised $80.6 million. The campaign will end on June 30, 2007. "I am leaving on a high note," Dr. Yancy said. "I have accomplished everything I mentioned in my inaugural address 13 years ago with the help of the JCSU Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni and university friends." Dr. Yancy first came to JCSU in 1960 as a student from a farm in Alabama. She returned three decades later in 1994 as the university's twelfth president. She made history by becoming its first female to be awarded the prestigious post. In 2001, she became the first female to be elected President of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). Through her hands-on management form of leadership, the school's academics and visibility has increased exponentially on both national and regional levels. "The greatest hallmark of this institution is teamwork," she said. "Teams of faculty, staff, and students work extremely well together here. As a result, we have accomplished great things giving us a reputation that's equivalent to any other higher learning institution equal to or larger than our size." In 2000, Johnson C. Smith University became the first HBCU "Laptop" university, issuing IBM Thinkpads to all of its students. Prior to this historic feat, Dr. Yancy led the University during a three-year period of strategic planning in technology and faculty/staff development, resulting in an integrated approach to a liberal arts higher education. This too was nationally recognized by her testifying before Congress in 2000 about the status of technology in higher education. "I feel my greatest accomplishment while at JCSU has been the building and maintenance of our technology infrastructure," Dr. Yancy said. "Without it, we could not have transitioned into the 21st century. Technology impacts everything that we do here at JCSU." Concurrent with her leadership in the dynamic movement in educational reform are the renovation and construction of state-of-the-art facilities. Under her watch, a new technology center, a library, and a track/stadium/academic complex have been constructed. The renovation and restoration of Biddle Hall, the hallmark of the University, was also funded and completed during her tenure along with Phase I renovation of the Carnegie Building. Some academic accomplishments during Dr. Yancy's tenure include increasing the average SAT of entering freshmen by 200 points, a growth in applications for admittance from 1,572 to 5,300. U.S. News & World Report magazine also ranked JCSU as a Top Tier Institution among Comprehensive Colleges that offer bachelor's degrees for the past six years. The latest ranking put JCSU at 30th out of 106 colleges in the south that were ranked. The placement rate of students into graduate school or jobs after graduation also increased under Yancy's leadership from 27.6 percent in 1992-1993 to 85 percent in 2005-2006. JCSU also has completed two accreditation reviews by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), under Dr. Yancy's leadership. Additionally, the Business, and Social Work programs received accreditation under her tenure. These programs received accreditation from the Association of Collegiate Business Schools, and Programs, and the Council on Social Work Education. The Education program received three reaffirmations from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education during her tenure. "I am excited about moving on to the next chapter of my career," Dr. Yancy said. "JCSU made me who I am today and it feels good to know that I have given back by raising the bar to a higher level. I believe the institution is positioned to move to the next level and I look forward to its continued success." Back to top REUNION WEEKEND BLAST! This year's reunion weekend was the best attended weekend in the last three years. The classes ending in 2 and 7 were in reunion. We had standing room only at the alumni banquet and the class of 1977 had the most classmates ever with 92 out of 150. Our goal is to continue to have more alumni participate in the reunion and commencement exercises. The students enjoy seeing alumni come back home. Classes ending in 3 and 8, we will see you next year! Back to top JCSU CLASS NOTES  Class of 1947 The Dora Nelson African American Art & History Museum, Inc. held an event "Conversations with Living Legends Series" in which Ora Mobley-Sweeting was the honored guest. The event was held May 12, 2007 in Perris, California. She was part of the faded Harlem renaissance but the awaking of the Civil Rights Movement, having worked with Malcolm X and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. and many others during that time. The event was open to the public. Class of 1948 The Marquis Who's Who publications board certifies that Eva Donaldson is a subject of biographical record in Who's Who of American Women 26th Edition 2007-2008. Congratulations to Bertha Maxwell Roddey, professor at the University of South Carolina at Lancaster, who received the Keeper of the Dream award during the sixth annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Scholarship Breakfast in January. Roddey is the founder of the National Council for Black Studies and co-founder of the African American Cultural Center in Charlotte, NC. Class of 1961 On May 9, 2007, T. Willard Fair's organization, Coalition for the Future of American Workers' presented concern regarding illegal immigrants on Capitol Hill before the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law - Committee on the Judiciary U.S. House of Representatives. Several articles have appeared in the national newspapers. To read more about the organizations visit www.AmericanWorker.orgClass of 1962 Henry (Hank) Simmons was the keynote speaker for the 11th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Breakfast at Jacksonville High School in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Class of 1964 Paula E. Faulkner, the daughter of Paul Faulkner and wife Mary received her Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural and Extension Education at Pennsylvania State University May 2007. Class of 1967 Congratulations to William Person on his position of interim dean of the Office of Graduate Studies of Mississippi State University. Person will work with deans and directors to ensure the growth of graduate programs, as well as overseeing program assessment and providing leadership for graduate studies policies. Class of 1968 Congratulations to Jackie Wilson who was inducted into the 2006 26th Annual Brooklyn USA Hall of Fame. The fundraising event for their student-athlete scholarship program was held at Brooklyn's El Caribe Country Club to a sell-out crowd that included some of the greatest basketball players in the history of the city. Class of 1969 Dave Burch was recently recognized at the Corporate LM21POC Conference in Atlanta for achieving his Master Black Belt certification status. As a certified Master Black Belt, he is responsible for mentoring Green Belts, Black Belts, and coordinating business area direction to meet LM21 (Lockheed Martin System Integration) company and corporate objectives. Class of 1970 An interview of Dr. James Ewers, Jr., with Tony Brown for Tony Brown's Journal will air nationwide on PBS & PBS YOU stations beginning June 22 through June 28, 2007. Class of 1973 A pastoral appreciation in honor of The Reverend Marion B. Robinson for 15 years of service as Pastor of Saint Matthews A.M.E. Church, Raleigh, North Carolina was held at the Wake County Shrine Club in April 2007 and was hosted by the members of St. Matthews. Class of 1978 Eldrenna R. Durham has been named director of school administration and support services for the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System in Charlotte, NC. She was the principal at Schweinfurt Middle School in Germany since 1999. Rita Wray Miller of Richmond, Virginia was promoted to the position of Director of Youth Initiatives for the South Atlantic Division of the American Cancer Society whose home office is located in Atlanta, Georgia. Doug Young was named Financial Advisor for UBS Financial Services in Winston-Salem, NC. He enjoyed a 25-year career in Research & Development at R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., and then served two years as a science teacher for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. Class of 1980 Congratulations to Sharon Risher for receiving her Master's of Divinity Degree from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary May 2007. Risher will begin as one of the staff Chaplains at the Veterans Hospital in Dallas, TX September 2007. Class of 1991 Monika Rhue, JCSU archivist, has been invited to participate in Connecting to Collections: The National Conservation Summit to be held June 27-28, 2007, in Washington, D.C. Only four representatives, two from museums and two from libraries, from each state and the District of Columbia have been selected to attend this invitation-only national conference sponsored by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The event will underscore the risks that endanger America's books, works of art, documents, and other treasures and promote solutions for saving them. Participants in the meeting represent small and medium-sized museums, libraries, and historic organizations with a proven dedication and commitment to conservation. They will be joined at the meeting by national leaders in conservation, government officials, and leaders in private sector support for conservation. Class of 1993 The owner of "Gospel at Its Best", Desi Campbell, will hold a grand opening on June 2, 2007 in Savannah Georgia. Campbell is also releasing two CDs. One will be released on May 15, 2007 with the National Collegiate Choir called "Get Ready for the Outpour". The other will be released on May 22, 2007 with The Perfecting Praise Chorale called "Arise". Both CDs will be distributed nationwide. Campbell was also nominated for New Artist of the Year for the 2007 WSOK Gospel Music Awards. Class of 1998 Congratulations to Sherrie T. Mayo who graduated from Strayer University with a Masters in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources. Class of 2002 Congratulations to Aaron White who received the 2007 Rattler Pride Award as an outstanding graduate student at Florida A&M University. White is now a second year Doctoral student at Florida A&M University. Class of 2004 Regina F. Neal received her Master of Social Work from the University of NC at Chapel Hill in 2004 and has worked for Self-Help, a Community Development Financial Institution, in Durham, NC for the past 2 years. Neal recently accepted an invitation to serve as a volunteer in the United States Peace Corps as an advisor in the small business development program in the country of Togo, West Africa. Her primary focus will be to conduct a needs assessment of the community and work with local savings and loans organizations, individual entrepreneurs, youth groups, and/or women's groups to help strengthen small businesses. Ms. Neal leaves the U.S. in June 2007 and will return in August 2009. On May 12, 2007, Rashanda Lynette Butler graduated with a Master's in Social Work from Howard University, where Oprah Winfrey was the Commencement speaker. "I am really excited about what God has in store for my future and career" says Butler. Congratulations to Tanya Hamilton on her promotion from Marketing Project Coordinator to Director of Corporate Communications at INTERLINK Health Services in Portland, Oregon. She also received her MBA degree from the University of Portland. Class of 2005 Congratulations to Alana Miller and Nathanael Steward ('04) who were wed on April 20, 2007 at the Islamic Center of Charlotte in Charlotte, North Carolina. The newlyweds met on the campus of JCSU in 1999. Congratulations to Deandra Phillips on her new position as a computer technician for the information technologies department with Spartanburg Community College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Class of 2006 Shani Provost graduated with her Master of Arts, Communication: Journalism and Public Affairs from American University, Washington DC on May 13, 2007. Shani's internship is currently with NBC Nightly News. Class of 2007 Back to top CHAPTER NEWS DC Alumni Chapter DC Alumni Club 5th Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament, June 4, 2007, 7:30 am registration and driving range. Marlborough Country Club, Upper Marlboro, MD. Tickets $90-Contact: Mr. Willie Davis at 202-726-8177
The chapter experienced their largest attendance at the April meeting in a long time with six of the alumni being graduates between the years 1993 and 2003. Thanks so much to their corresponding secretary, Angela McClain, for doing a wonderful job in updating the directory of area alumni. For information on all of these events, contact Gretel James at (301) 449-6636. Philadelphia Chapter Join the Philadelphia Alumni Chapter on a Fundraiser Caribbean Cruise on October 14-21, 2007. The cruise is on the Carnival Valor, visiting the western Caribbean islands of Grand Cayman, Isla Roatan, Belize, and Costa Maya. We will be leaving from Miami and the price includes cruise, meals, shipboard gratuities, entertainment, activities, taxes, fees, roundtrip air from PA, NC, NY, NJ, and CT AND a donation to JCSU. Please join us! Contact Pat Owens, powens1292@aol.com or 856-727-4331.Back to top ALUMNI GIVING UPDATE  Help JCSU Meet the Challenge! This year's alumni giving goal is 26% alumni participation and $670,000. JCSU has not missed its participation goal in 6 years. Please let us not ruin our record. Remember that participation refers to the number of alums who support, so all gifts of any amount count towards the goal. Please support. Click here to make your donation now http://www.jcsu.edu/friends.htmBack to top NEWLY ELECTED JCSU NAA OFFICERS FOR 2007-2009
Back to top YOUNG ALUMNI CLUB (YAC)  On April 21 - 28, 2007, the class of 2004, along with two members of the class of 2002 and 2003 took a trip on Carnival Cruise Lines to Half Moon Cay, Bahamas; St. Thomas, VI; San Juan, PR and Grand Turk. The class had a wonderful time on their seven day vacation. Back to top DECEASED ALUMNI Catherine Elizabeth Morris Wilson ('47), May 2007 Corneida Davidson Garcia ('52), May 22, 2007 The Reverend Bryant George ('50), May 8, 2007 Letha Jane Torrence Caldwell ('44), May 3, 2007 Ronald Wheeler ('70), April 30, 2007 Lavenia Smith Young ('50), April 29, 2007 Louise Gomillion Dean ('50), April 12, 2007 Shirley Bernice Gormley Manigo ('43), April 2007 Nettie Mae Hutchison Myrick ('42), September 20, 2006 Back to top 100 CLUB UPDATE FROM LUTHER CARTER JR.  On April 30, 2007, Luther Carter Jr., along with Deborah Byrd, (President), Grover Smith (Club & University Liaison) attended the 2007 JCSU Athletic Banquet. The 100 Club presented a check to the Athletic Department in the amount of $6,000.00, bringing our total giving for the 2006-2007 school year to $18,000.00. With only a month left in this fiscal year, we need to raise $7,000.00 to meet our goal of $25,000. Please join or renew your pledge as a supporter for Johnson C. Smith University Athletics. There is strength in numbers! We have made it more convenient by offering on-line enrollment at www.goldenbulls100club.org. Our goals for 2007 will be more aggressive. Please open and print the membership application and get it in the mail as soon as possible. Last year, we came up short in our goal for members (87). We would like to exceed that by growing the club to 100 financial members. It is also very important that we submit our applications early because this allows us to plan our course of action more effectively. Back to top LET'S PLAY FOOTBALL!  SEPTEMBER 15, 2007 @ 1:30PMJCSU VS CHARLESTON SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY (DEADLINE FOR MAKING RESERVATIONS IS AUGUST 17, 2007!!!!!) Back to top SAVE THE DATE  Homecoming 2007(October 26-28, 2007) Hilton Charlotte Center City (Headquarters) A first night’s deposit is refundable up to 3 days (72 hours) in advance of the Homecoming date.
Alternative Housing – Homecoming 2007
Hilton Garden Inn Courtyard Charlotte City Center $129.00 Double $144 King Suite Code: JCSU Alumni JSAJSAA – King Back to top
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