N.C. A&TSPRING 2019 AGGIES SWEEP MEAC TRacK AND FIELD FIRST CLASS | INSIGHT AND INSPIRATION | TOWN & GOWN | THE POwer of “DO” N.C. A&T Magazine BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIRMAN Timothy O. King ’76 CHANCELLOR Harold L. Martin Sr. ’74 CHIEF OF STAFF Erin Hill Hart (Interim) ASSOCIATE VICE CHANCELLOR FOR UNIVERSITY RELATIONS Todd H. Simmons EDITOR Sandra M. Brown PRODUCTION Donna M. W. Gibbs, Graphic Design Village Printing, Printing Services WRITERS Tonya D. Dixon ’04 Brian M. Holloway ’97 Jordan M. Howse James R. Stewart Jr. ’08 PHOTOGRAPHERS Natalie “Naee” Anderson ’18 Ezekiel K. Best/Best Perspectives Kevin L. Dorsey (Cover; Athletics) Chris English/Tigermoth Creative David Hardy (Back Cover) Erin Mizzelle (Athletics) N.C. A&T Magazine is published biannually by the Office of University Relations for alumni and friends of the university. All editorial correspondence should be directed AGGIES to the editor at the address/email below. EDITORIAL OFFICES N.C. A&T Magazine Office of University Relations 1601 East Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27411 Phone: 336-256-0863 Email: [email protected] Postage Paid at Greensboro, NC POSTMASTER Send address changes to: Advancement Services North Carolina A&T State University 1601 East Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27411 North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (N.C.A&T) is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. | N.C. A&T does not discriminate against any person on the basis of age, color, Spring 2019 biology graduate disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, SAMIRA ROBERTS is recognized race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any for her commission as a second other basis protected by law. | N.C. A&T is an AA/EEO and ADA lieutenant in the United States Army. compliant institution. TABLE OF CONTENTS N.C. A&T MAGAZINE FEATURES FIRST CLASS 21 First Class 21 Class of 1899 marks 120 years Spiritual Expression 34 Fellowship Gospel Choir celebrates 50 years Insight and Inspiration 36 Personal and professional goals the emphasis of 2018-19 Chancellor’s Town Hall and Speaker Series Town & Gown 40 University and community celebrate the arts TOWN & GOWN 40 The Power of “DO” 44 Capital campaign allows the university to do more good for more people Home Grown 54 INSIGHT AND INSPIRATION 36 Alumnus follows his passion to teach underserved youth and families in North Carolina DEPARTMENTS Campus Highlights 4 In Memoriam 59 COVER: N.C. A&T senior student-athlete KAYLA WHITE. On Feb. 8, White finished the indoor 200 meters sprint at the Tyson Invitational Athletics 24 People Behind the Scholarships 60 in 22.82 seconds, making her the indoor 200m fastest woman in the world. In May, her time of 10.96 won the MEAC outdoor 100m moved Alumni Notes 56 her to no. 1 in the nation and the fifth fastest time ever recorded for a collegiate athlete. 44 THE POWER OF “DO” 2 • N.C. A&T MAGAZINE NCAT.EDU • 3 CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS PARTNERSHIPS RESULT IN CAMPUS PANTRY Making News TO COMBAT HuNGER AND FOOD INSECURITY The Office of Student Development, N.C. A&T Student Government Association and several other campus entities also worked together to establish the university’s first-ever campus food and personal care item pantry for students— The Aggie Source, which officially opened Feb. 5. N.C. A&T PARTICIpatES IN UNC SYSTEM “One of the most important parts of our agenda was to make sure every student on our campus had access to Donor-aDviseD FunD Program all material needs. The creation of The Aggie Source was exactly what we envisioned,” said Delaney Vandergrift, 2018-19 SGA president. Through a new University “It is important for us NORTH CAROLINA AGRICULTURAL AND TECHNICAL The Aggie Source is mission-focused to support students, of North Carolina System to offer our alumni and STATE UNIVERSITY IS THE FIRST HISTORICALLY by alleviating the stress associated with short-term food partnership with TIAA constituents flexibility BLACK COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY TO OFFER A insecurity and other financial constraints, through the Charitable, North Carolina and innovative programs leading-edge, branded donor-advised fund collection and distribution of food and personal care items. Agricultural and Technical to meet their charitable (DAF) program to alumni and friends. State University is the first giving needs,” said historically black college Kenneth Sigmon, vice Primarily instituted, facilitated and run by students, the or university to offer a chancellor for university All growth is tax-free, of the donor-advised pantry operates on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2–6 p.m., leading-edge, branded advancement. “The which may allow for larger fund. Each university has and is available to all currently registered students who donor-advised fund (DAF) TIAA fund will provide gifts over time. In addition, unique needs, and this is N.C. A&T Miss Senior 2018-19 and Food Lion MVP can apply via an online application. program to alumni additional opportunities all contributions may be one more way to enhance Ambassador, Nicole Gregory inside The Aggie Source. and friends. beyond traditional means eligible for an immediate giving opportunities for The food and nutritional science student’s royal court “The pantry serves as another opportunity to assist through various tax benefit. Further, our supporters.” campaign, “Feed the Future,” ignited a drive within her students with food and personal care items,” said Arturo With this partnership, secure options.” when donors contribute and the university. M. Cummings, Ph.D., associate director for student cash, securities and other long-term appreciated Currently, three other development. “The Aggie Source is not just a source highly appreciated assets A donor-advised fund securities or real estate, UNC System universities for food, but [is also] a vehicle to engage, educate and may be placed into the works like a personal fund no capital gains taxes are participating in the Food insecurity on college campuses is becoming more empower our students, campus and community.” Aggie Charitable Giving dedicated to charitable are applied and the full initiative: East Carolina and more prevalent, so last fall North Carolina A&T Fund (ACGF). Donors giving. In lieu of writing fair market value of University, North Carolina joined forces with Food Lion Feeds and North Carolina The self-sustainable pantry accepts shelf stable food may elect to make an multiple checks to the securities could be State University and Campus Compact for a “Collegiate Challenge” to address donations such as canned fruits and meats, prepackaged immediate gift to North individual charities, donors available for giving. the University of North hunger and food insecurity in the local East Greensboro meals, cup of noodles, peanut butter and jelly, breads Carolina A&T and other have the option to place Carolina at Pembroke. community and throughout the state. and other non-perishable as well as personal care items. charities or to invest assets into one giving “Our donors are interested The fund program is Monetary donations are also accepted. for additional tax-free fund while maintaining in donor-advised funds open to all of the UNC The university used the challenge as a kickoff to The growth. Philanthropists distribution discretion to help them fulfill their System institutions. Aggie Source, a student-run campus food pantry that The Aggie Source is located at 205 Nocho Street, suite may remain anonymous into a wide range of philanthropic goals,” said now serves the campus. 115. Additional information can be obtained by emailing and/or establish a investment options, Timothy A. Minor, vice TIAA Charitable is an [email protected] or by calling 336-285-4453. systematic way to including a suite of funds president for university independent public Organizers launched the challenge on Sept. 26, support the causes that explicitly incorporate advancement for the UNC charity dedicated to disseminating information about the competition as well they care about. environmental, social and System. “This system-wide encouraging philanthropy as the new food pantry and collecting non-perishable governance criteria in offering provides access by helping donors items that were donated to a regional food bank. A their investment that allows each of our make the most of their portion of the kickoff benefited those affected by decision-making. 17 individual institutions generosity. Hurricane Florence. to offer its own version 4 • N.C. A&T MAGAZINE NCAT.EDU • 5 CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS n.C. a&t surpasses UNC system’s strategiC plan goals As part of its ongoing commitment A&T’s own strategic plan was updated A&T also exceeded five-year goals to preeminence, North Carolina A&T in 2018. “A&T Preeminence: Taking the in achievement gaps in overall degree has exceeded all of the goals outlined Momentum to 2023” includes multiple efficiency among male students and in the University of North Carolina targets aligned with the system’s low-income student completion. System’s strategic plan, including “Higher Expectations” plan, including Other variables measured include several “stretch goals” that are not five-year graduation rates, diversity “critical workforce,” where the due until 2021. goals and more. university graduated 844 students in STEM and nursing disciplines, “Higher Expectations,” the UNC Like the UNC System, A&T has topped and research productivity, in which System’s strategic plan for 2017-2022, not only its first-year goal for students A&T faculty generated nearly $64.3 provides a roadmap of priorities for graduating in five years but exceeded million in contracts and grants in its 17 campuses to focus on access, its five-year goal. fiscal year 2017. student success, affordability and efficiency, economic impact and diversity. N.C. A&T surpassed all its goals within the plan, including benchmarks for low-income and rural enrollments.