A Publication for the Benedict College National Alumni Association Spring, 2016 Making A Difference at Our HBCU... A Message from the... Buckhanan Wilson BCNAA National President Delivers 2015 Winter Commencement My Fellow Alumni, Address... Does it seem like time is going by faster as our years mount? Is it because we all are so active with our life plans and activities that we Congratulations do not take the time to smell the roses, much less cultivate them? These to Alumnus Dor- questions are not meant to sound like complaints but to emphasize how othy Buckhanan Dr. Willie precious our time is at this point in our lives. If you feel like I do, this Wilson, Class of Joe Hill ’66 means that we are working hard for Benedict College, whenever and 1980, the 29th however we can when time permits. International With the current crises affecting HBCUs, directly and indirectly, our time and President resources are needed now more than ever. Recent government regulations choked our of Alpha Kappa student financial pipeline and our student numbers were reduced and Benedict was wound- Alpha Sorority, ed in process. Thanks to your donations, Benedict is still strong. If our youth are not edu- Incorporated, as cated, how will we produce the next President Obama? With help of donors like you, the 2015 Winter Benedict is a good place to be. Supporting our College is not a one-time event, but a mov- Commencement ing target. We need support from all. We rightfully give big thanks to big donors, but Speaker and remember donors of all sorts make the goals of which we are all so proud. honorary Degree I am asking that all Alumni and FRIENDS of Benedict become donors with a Recipient. Dr. history of giving. Be in the number that boast, “I give to Benedict every year!” It’s not Wilson is also the newest member of how much you give that makes your history, but how you give much that makes Bene- the “Audacity to Dream Sponsorship” dict’s history. I have yet to hear a serious supporter say, “It makes me feel bad to help Committee. students.” Dr. Wilson is a longtime corporate Thanks to all for making our Alma Mater part of your precious time consumption executive in both the non-profit and for and for sharing your resources. We are looking forward to your participation in this 36th profit sectors with organizations such Annual Spring Planning Meeting as we strategize to support our students to become a as Xerox, SC Johnson Wax, and Good- “Power for good in society.” will Industries. Full Story at: www.benedict.edu Click on (News Events) Willie Joe Excerpts from an article by Not every HBCU is in danger of closing, though. Gas- Marybeth Gasman, Education Professor, Penn Cen- man noted that even now there is still a wide range in the stabil- ter for Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs)... ity of historically black institutions. Across the US, historically black colleges and universi- "There are some of them that are quite strong, and have ties are struggling financially — and the nation's oldest public good enrollment, and then there are some that are sort of in the black college is even on the verge of financial collapse. HBCUs middle, that have to really ramp up their fundraising, and make have struggled with unequal government funding, declining sure their students graduate," Gasman said. "And then there are enrollment, and poor leadership. some — probably about 15 of them — that are having a really These problems have plagued both private and public difficult time." HBCUs, and have gotten worse following the financial reces- HBCUs often struggle because they have fewer re- sion at the end of the last decade, according to University of sources than other colleges — typically due to lower endowments Pennsylvania education professor Marybeth Gasman — who and less money coming in from alumni giving, according to Gas- heads the Penn Center for Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). man. "HBCUs provide an environment for students who need to Despite their difficulties, these schools have an undeni- feel empowered and need to feel nurtured in their learning envi- able impact on minority students — 11% of African-American ronment," Gasman said. These schools, she said, are "doing the students are enrolled in HBCUs, even though the minority insti- work a lot of institutions aren't willing to do." tutions only represent 3% of all colleges and universi- Perhaps most importantly though, if these HBCUs close, ties, according to the Penn Center for MSIs' website. Addition- they likely won't be replaced. "We're never going to get more," ally, HBCUs graduate around 20% of African-Americans who Gasman said. "You can only get less." earn undergraduate degrees. To read the full article… - - - - - - - http://www.businessinsider.com/hbcus may be more in danger of closing-than-other-schools-2015-3 TIGER PRIDE - A Publication for the Benedict College National Alumni Association Page 2 National Officers 2014—2016 What a momentous time in Benedict College’s Dr. Willie Joe Hill ’66 146 year history. The 2014-2015 fiscal year was filled President with tremendous challenges and equally great successes. Thank you for helping us to exceed our $1M goal last Patricia Ackason ’67 year and thank you for getting us off to a great start this Vice President year. We commend you as members of the Benedict Jamie Thomas ’04 College National Alumni Association for continuing to focus your efforts on increasing the Alumni Annual Young Alumni Vice President Fund, building BCNAA membership, assisting with recruitment for the College, and increasing young alum- Cedelle Gates ’71 Mrs. Ada Brown ni support. Belton ‘77 Recording Secretary Assistant VP We are working very hard to meet our new goals this year and are confident with your continued Teshine Good ’74 Alumni Relations & Advancement Services support, we will triumph. In addition to our financial Corresponding Secretary goals, we are also working to increase our alumni par- ticipation rate from 20% to 30%. We have an urgent need to increase the Moses Mims ’68 number of alumni making a gift regardless of size. We appreciate all that you Treasurer do and will do in helping to invite other alumni to get involved. However, we are encouraged and confident that together we can ac- Robert Squirewell ’76 complish much on behalf of our students. Hope you are having a great year Parliamentarian so far. I look forward to seeing you in Greenville at our Annual Spring Meet- ing. Barbara Linda Murray ’67 Sincerely, Chaplain Gloria Simon Ferguson ’71 Ada Brown Belton Southern Region Vice President Robert Gillespi ’65 Northern Region Vice President Nicol Nixon Martin ’94 On March 31st, 2016 alumni from around the nation will convene at Eastern Region Vice President the beautiful and luxurious downtown Hyatt Regency ( the main hotel); and the overflow hotel, the Marriott Hotel on Interstate I-85, which surrounded by Barbara Linda Murray ’67 excellent restaurants, to participate in what will be a well planned meeting for the Benedict College National Alumni Association. Jimmie DuRant, Club Western Region Vice President President and a former National President, is leading the Club in planning this Samuel Finlayson ’67 Conference. Mrs. Barbara Moore ‘71, Vice President for the Division of Institu- Mid-Western Region Vice President tional Advancement will deliver the State of the College Address at the □ Luncheon and the Keynote Speaker for the Dinner Dance is Mr. Tim Bowers ‘10, an inspirational and motivational high energy speaker; and, music by the Ada Brown Belton ’77 Jamie Wright Band, a group of talented musicians with a diversified repertoire Assistant VP Alumni Relations & of musical styles. Advancement Services In addition to the National Association’s business sessions, there will & BCNAA Executive Secretary be plenty for attendees to enjoy. Enjoy downtown shopping, sightseeing, mu- seums, etc., all in walking distance. Saturday, there will be a bus trip to Har- rah’s Cherokee Casino in the scenic mountains of North Carolina. There are Publications Committee plenty of restaurants and shops for your pleasure. The cost to ride the bus is Shirley Kelly ’82, Chair $10.00. Read more about our speaker at TimBowersSpeaks.com. Elsie King Hamler ’71 Read more about the Jamie Wright Band at www.thejamiewrightband.com. TIGER PRIDE - A Publication for the Benedict College National Alumni Association Page 3 The Southern Region, under the direction of Gloria Eastern Regional Simon Ferguson ‘71, continues to make great strides with the Vice President Nicol Martin reactivation and chartering has been working hard for of alumni clubs. the BCNAA. She attended In January, 2015, two college and Career fairs Horry–Conway Alumni in Northern Virginia. The Club was reorganized un- first one was in Alexandria, der the leadership of Rev. VA on Feb 21, the Alfred Thessalonia Graham. Ef- Street Baptist Church forts will be continued to HBCU Festival. Over 3000 galvanize the Club and recruit local alumni. students attended this The Anderson Alumni Club has made some fair. There, she collected big steps in the last couple of years. Mr. eight applications from high Leroy Best, the long time President of the school seniors and 49 infor- Anderson Alumni Club, along with Mrs. Sal- mation cards. ly Boseman have revitalized and energized The second one was on Feb 27 in Wood- the Anderson Alumni Club. In one of their bridge, VA, the Prince William County Alumnae Chap- most recent meetings, Mrs. Boseman was ter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority College and Career elected President of their Anderson Alumni Sally Boseman Fair, where over 200 students attended. Ten infor- Club. Congratulations to Mr.