Inside MOREHOUSE A CAMPUS NEWSLETTER FOR FACULTY, STAFF AND STUDENTS OCTOBER 2014
IH 1 « Ili 4M fi Æ !
Morehouse hosts important talks Homecoming 2014 Golden is BET’s “Sunday Best' Focus pays off for Maroon Tiger about black males Devon Mann State of the College An Updated Look at the College’s Strategic Plan to be Presented During Homecoming 2014
BY ADD SEYMOUR JR.
LUMNI, FACULTY, STAFF and stu “It’s that special time when the entire dents will get a Homecoming message Morehouse family comes together to celebrate and from President John Silvanus Wilson reconnect with the institution and each other,” Jr. ’79 about a new look for the campus said Henry Goodgame ’84, director of Alumni and a new direction. Relations. “If you’ve never had a chance to come Wilson, along with Provost Garikai Campbell, and check out your classmates during Reunion will present the Homecoming “State of the College” in May, we know that they will come during discussion in the Bank of America Auditorium Homecoming to rekindle their old friendships and today as the president talks about “Reimagining even start new ones. Homecoming is very, very the Campus” and gives his ideas about a new special and always will be.” Morehouse with a campus green, new and This year’s student theme is “Mission improved buildings, athletic facilities and other Impossible: Collegiate Espionage,” while the potential updates to the College’s look. alumni theme is, “Tradition.” Campbell will talk about the College’s So far this week, music stars Future and
Strategic Plan for 2015-2017. President John Silvanus Wilson Jr. 79 Provost Garikai Campbell Elie Varner have performed and James Shelton The 3 p.m. discussion is just one of the high ’89, deputy secretary of the U.S. Department lights of Homecoming 2014 where that presentation of Education has delivered the Homecoming of new ideas merges with traditional events, such as the Alumni Tailgate, the Coronation Crown Forum address. And the Morehouse Journalism and Sports Program presented of Miss Maroon and White, the football game against Albany State University and the “Maroon Tiger Game Day” during the annual Pep Rally, a takeoff on ESPN’s Sunday’s Closing Worship Service. College Game Day. An estimated 10,000 people will be on campus for what annually is called one of the Goodgame said it all makes for one of the biggest homecoming weekends ever for biggest HBCU homecoming weekends in the country. Morehouse. ■
Oil Portraits of Masseys Unveiled; RayPAC Atrium Named for Skinners
BY ADD SEYMOUR JR.
S A FRESHMAN at Morehouse 60 would be part of your life ... Shirley and years ago this fall, Walter Massey ’58 I have done a number of things, but the B. FRANKLIN AND RUTH ANN SKINNER ATR1 said he never envisioned seeing his best thing that ever happened to us was Aportrait hanging on campus. coming to Morehouse College.” Now there are two. Just before their portraits were During a dinner reception for the unveiled, the Performing Arts Center’s Morehouse College Board of Trustees atrium was named in honor of trustee meetings last weekend in the Ray emeritus B. Franklin Skinner and his late Charles Performing Arts Center, por wife, Ruth Ann. traits of Massey, the College’s ninth Skinner is the former chairman and president, and his wife, Shirley E. CEO of BellSouth Telecommunications, Massey, were unveiled. The Masseys’ former chairman of the Atlanta Chamber portraits will hang in the buildings of Commerce and the United Way of named after them, the Walter E. Massey Metro Atlanta. He was also the first Leadership Center and the Shirley A. development committee chairman for the Massey Executive Conference Center. Morehouse College Board of Trustees. Their portraits are also in the “You’ve lived your life in such a way
Martin Luther King Jr. International that people will remember you for many Shirley and Walter E. Massey '58 speak after their oil portraits are unveiled. Chapel’s International Hall of Honor. years to come, and that is special, and that “To say that I never thought my makes you a Morehouse Man,” President Trustees and my involvement with tion and on each of you as you continue portrait would be on this campus is an John Silvanus Wilson Jr. ’79 said to Skinner. Morehouse as one of God’s richest les the mission - a noble mission - of understatement,” Massey said with a Skinner said he was humbled. sons in my life,” Skinner said. “As you educating and developing young men laugh. “But you always know when you “I feel the opportunity to serve go forward, I wish you well and pray for and transforming college students into graduate from Morehouse College that it on the Morehouse College Board of God’s richest blessings on this institu Morehouse Men.” ■ ÌNEWS
INSIDE MOREHOUSE, OCTOBER 2014 Wilson: Morehouse On Quest to Finish an Unfinished Symphony
Inside Morehouse is BY ADD SEYMOUR JR. about the people who
HILE THE COLLEGE is headed in symphony of our embrace.” make up the Morehouse This world cannot truly the right direction, President John The focus, Wilson said, is for the College community. Silvanus Wilson Jr. ’79 said during Morehouse community to fulfill the unfulfilled To tell those stories, his 2014 Opening Convocation speech that be what it ought to be until destiny of the College. WE NEED YOU Morehouse is an unfinished symphony “that is “In our view, the call is not to just help to send us your ideas, beautiful, but incomplete.” we as a people complete the us to find our people, but it is a call to help us
comments and thoughts, “Morehouse was founded to help real find our better selves,” Wilson said. “It is a call to help us find our better Morehouse College. along with your news, ize wholeness for a decidedly broken people,” quest of unleashing our unique Wilson said to faculty, staff and students. Most of all, it is a call to help us to finish all of information about your new “And simply put, we are not yet whole. And gift to the world. our unfinished symphonies!” books or publications and that means everything we do to strengthen Provost Garikai Campbell told students your commentary for Morehouse College is de facto pursuant to finish capital, physical capital, intellectual capital, tech that it is a time to tap into their passions and to sections like My Word. ing the symphony of our collective wholeness.” nical capital and human capital. hear “the sound of the genuine,” a reference to To send us your information, “Think of it,” he added. “This world can There also will be a bigger push on the a favorite saying by Howard Thurman ’23.
contact Inside Morehouse not truly be what it ought to be until we as a peo campus’ student embrace. It will focus on char “It is a call to move beyond just hearing ple complete the quest of unleashing our unique the sound of the genuine, but to more fully Editor Add Seymour Jr. at acter development, or what Wilson called tine gift to the world. Until we finish our symphony!” character preeminence imperative. develop these rhythms, to work hard, to use [email protected] His speech set the tone for the 2014-2015 “With key roles for Drs. [Timothy] Sams this time and this brotherhood to advance your academic year as it is the ceremonial begin and Campbell, my team is on a quest to make skills to become more expert in this passion,” ning of the new year at Morehouse and brings Morehouse College the very best place for young he said. “I truly hope that you each have an For up-to-the minute together the entire campus to get inspired and men to come of age,” he said. “That involves extraordinary year and that you do hear, dis information about the College, ready for the new year. optimizing not just the classroom experience, but cover your passion and the sound of the genu
go to www.morehouse.edu Wilson said that work continues moving our overall programming, the co-curriculum, ine and to fully realize it as the symphony that I forward on enhancing the College’s financial know it will become.” ■ or visit Morehouse on the hidden curriculum... in short, the unfinished
Facebook, Twitter, YouTube
and Tumblr. Seven New Members Join the Morehouse College Board of Trustees www.morehouse.edu SEVEN NEW MEMBERS of the 36-member Morehouse College and changes in academic programs; guarding the College’s finances; Board of Trustees have joined the group this year. approving the awarding of degrees; and setting an example of gener They join a body that is the ultimate governing authority of the ous financial support. College. Board responsibilities include appointing the president; To learn more about the Morehouse College Board of Trustees, approving the College’s mission and purpose, institutional policies go to https://www.morehouse.edu/trustees/index.html. ■
Inside MOREHOUSE THE NEW TRUSTEES ARE:
Ratanjit S. Sondhe, an Mike Polk is the president Richard W. Thaler Jr. Director of Public Relations and CEO for Newell author and entrepreneur, is a managing partner Toni O’Neal Mosley Rubbermaid. He previ is a recipient of the 2010 (retired) for Lieutenant [email protected] ously has worked for Ohio Civil Rights Hall of Island Partners LLC., successful growing inno Fame award, emigrated which is engaged in vari Executive Editor vative global companies. from India to the United ous for-profit and not-for- Vickie G. Hampton States in 1968 with $8 in [email protected] Previously he was presi profit endeavors. Since dent of Global Foods, Home and Personal at his pocket and two mas retirement from Deutsche Editor Unilever and president at Kraft Foods. Polk ter’s degrees. He soon became an American Bank, he has been actively consulting with Add Seymour Jr. attended Harvard Business School, where entrepreneur, founding POLY-CARB Inc., BMO Capital Markets, Inc., as well as several [email protected] he received a MBA, and Cornell University where he served as CEO and chairman for public home-building companies and private- where he received a B.S. degree. 34 years. equity groups. Calendar Editor Add Seymour Jr. Earl W. Stafford founded [email protected] Robin Richards is chair New faculty trustee David man and CEO for the The Stafford Foundation Wall Rice ’95 is chair and Photographers Career Arc Group. As the in 2002 as a faith-based, associate professor of Philip McCullom company’s co-founder, non-profit organization. psychology. He is also Add Seymour Jr. he sets the corporate goal He also serves as the CEO Principal Investigator of and leads the developmei of The Wentworth Group, the Identity Orchestration Graphic Design of business and market LLC, a privately held hold Research Lab. Rice is Glennon Design Group strategies. Previously, ing company that provides founding co-director
Web Services he led Blackboard Connect (formerly The essential business services and growth invest of the Cinema, Television, and Emerging Kara Walker NTI Group) to become the top provider ment support to commercial, technology- Media Studies Program. He received a mas of hosted, time-sensitive mass notification focused small businesses. Stafford holds ter’s degree in Journalism from Columbia Administrative Assistant services focused on assisting government an< a bachelor’s degree in business from the University, and earned a doctorate in person Minnie L. Jackson civil leaders to communicate quickly and University of Massachusetts, Amherst and an ality psychology from Howard University. efficiently with their constituents using mult MBA from Southern Illinois University. He Inside Morehouse modal technologies. is a graduate of the OPM executive program is published during New student trustee is the academic year by at Harvard Business School and holds several Zephyrinus Okonkwo, a Morehouse College, honorary doctorates. sophomore economics Office of Communications. major from Montgomery, Opinions expressed in Inside Alabama. Morehouse are those of
the authors, not necessarily of the College. INSIDE MOREHOUSE, OCTOBER 2014
BET and International Colloquium Bring Discussions Centered Around Black Manhood to Morehouse
BY ADD SEYMOUR JR.
ACTOR HOSEA SANCHEZ’S best lesson on African Americans director David Johns, and was held at the College. Scholars and educa “For those of us who have the privilege manhood came from his father, who was the Rev. Rapheal Warnock ’91. Moderators tors from around the world converged at of education, it seems to me we have to be strung out on drugs. for the discussion were Jeff Johnson and Morehouse for four days to talk about prob dedicated to something other than ourselves During the H.I.S. BET/Morehouse Morehouse professor Marc Lamont Hill. lems and solutions facing black males when it - and other than publishing scholarly articles Town Hall discussion last month, Sanchez The spirited discussion hit on everything comes to education. read by ten or 15 people who study exactly said the negative choices his father made from early mentors to how media images Ricky Jones ’92, professor and chair what we study,” he said. formed the foundation for the positive choic affect black males. of Pan-African Studies at the University “There are more of us who are much es he made in his own life. “The media is not designed to make of Louisville and founding director of the more interested in personal gratification than “My dad was a crack head,” said black people look good,” said Marks. “It’s Center on Race and Inequality, talked about they are in any collective movement,” he Sanchez, star of the BET show “The Game.” an economic endeavor. Once we understand how Morehouse was his saving grace after an added. “So, hopefirlly, people who are here “But the beauty of what was so negative that, that gives us some context. And that early life of negativity. are trying to develop something to absolutely shaped the rest of my life. He gave me the turns us to you. What do you watch? But he said academics must do more shame them in making them use their talents best thing I could ever have. Not because he “When you’re flipping through, why are than try to get fame and name recognition if to do something bigger and better. That’s gave me such a great example of what it is to you stopping at certain shows, reality type they truly want to make a difference. what Morehouse instilled in us.” ■ be a man, but because he showed me what shows. Because it’s titillating. ‘Scandal.’ it is to not be. I learned everything I never The name of the show is ‘Scandal.’ When wanted to do because of my father.” you think about the story lines, what are we This was just one of the life-altering feeding our spirit when we watch that show?” roads to black manhood that came out dur “In order to change their scope in life, ing discussions of the black male held at you have to meet kids where they are,” Morehouse in September and October. Sanchez countered. “They are not going First, was the BET Town Hall “Reclaim: to sit at home and watch “Good Times.” Changing the Narrative of the Black Male They are not going to watch ail.this family, in Media” to kick off the network’s initiative programming and all positive, lovely stuff. “H.I.S.,” which addresses black male health, You’ve got to meet them where they are and image and service. help to change their perspective. You can’t do Sanchez joined former NBA star it by isolating them.” Alonzo Mourning, rappers Killer Mike and Marks said, “I agree with the notion of David Banner, Morehouse professors David meeting them where they are. But do we have Wall Rice ’95 and Bryant Marks ’94, music to meet them through negativity all the time?” entrepreneur Chaka Zulu, White House A week later, the International David Johns, executive director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans (second Initiative on Educational Excellence for Colloquium of Black Males in Education from right), makes a point during the H.I.S. BET/Morehouse Town Hall in the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center.
Platform Conference to Focus on MLKCafé Innovation Economy’s Lack of Diversity
BY ADD SEYMOUR JR.
TECHNOLOGY INNOVATORS from across the coun Hank Williams, founder and CEO of try will converge on Morehouse Oct. 24-26 for Platform, created the event after he was featured in Platform, an innovative conference focusing on a 2011 installment of CNN’s “Black in America” diversifying the innovation economy. series, which focused on the lack of diversity in Hosted by Morehouse and Georgia Tech in Silicon Valley. Platform is to be a development the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center, Platform resource and enabler for a new generation of gives some of the trendsetters and leaders in the entrepreneurs, thinkers and leaders, but with the technology industry a chance to offer vital infor mission to increase the participation and success mation and advice to help address the industry’s for blacks, Latinos and women in the innovation lack of diversity. economy, according to Platform’s website. “It brings together policy makers, entrepre Speakers this year include ,esse Jackson, who neurs, researchers, businessmen, venture capital has been pushing technology companies to be more ists, this whole ecosystem of the stereotypical diverse; CNN “Crossfire” host Van Jones; James Silicon Valley environment and tries to foster it, Shelton ’89, deputy director of the U.S. Department duplicate it and enhance it for minorities and of Education; and singer Janelle Monae. women,” said Philip Howard ’87, “This is part of President John Silvanus “There is no other forum that can attract a Wilson Jr’s effort to advance this notion of Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO of AT8 OCTOBER 13-19 “TRADITION” MONDAY, OCT. FRIDAY, OCT. -\7\ SATURDAY, OCT. 8-10 a.m. 7 p.m. 9a.m.-5p.m. 40th Anniversary of the Office of Health Professions Kick-Off Jam Alumni Registration Homecoming Breakfast Spelman Oval Welcome Center Conference Room Co-sponsored by the Thomas J. Blocker Society Paschal’s Restaurant 9:30 a.m. 180 Northside Dr., Atlanta, GA 30313 TUESDAY, OCT. 2014 Morehouse Homecoming Golf Tournament Chapel Hills Golf Club 9 a.m. 7 p.m. 3300 Golf Ridge Blvd., Douglasville, GA 30135 Homecoming Parade Neo Soul Concert Registration: $125 per player, $500 psr team before Oct Elie Varner 10; after, $150 per player, $600 per team 11 a.m. Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel Online registration: President’s Homecoming Brunch www.tournevents.com/homecoming14 Davidson House By invitation only WEDNESDAY, OCT. 1 p.m. Bennett College Reception New Orleans Pre-Game Jazz Brunch 4 p.m. Douglass Hall Morehouse National Alumni Association Hump Wednesday By invitation only Kilgore Campus Center Plaza College Town at West End 3 p.m. Noon-7 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Homecoming State-of-the-College Address Homecoming Fashion Show/Hip Hop Concert Speakers: President John Silvanus Wilson Jr. ’79 Alumni Tailgate Experience Future and Provost Garikai Campbell West End Avenue and Wellborn Street Franklin Forbes Arena Bank of America Auditorium, Shirley A. Massey Executive Conference Center 2 p.m. Football Game THURSDAY, OCT. 7 p.m. Albany State vs. Morehouse Coronation of Miss Maroon and White and Her Court B.T. Harvey Stadium 11 a.m. Emma and Joe Adams Concert Hall, Ray Charles Tickets: $25 general admission; $18 for children 4-17; Homecoming Crown Forum Performing Arts Center free for children under four; Speaker Jim Shelton ’89, deputy sec Morehouse faculty, staff and students free with retary, U.S. Department of Education 9 p.m. Morehouse I.D. Martin Luther King Jr. Coronation Ball International Chapel Le Feis do-do, 7 p.m. 1611 Ellsworth National Pan-Hellenic Council Step Show Noon Industrial Blvd., Franklin Forbes Arena Pep Rally Suite D, Atlanta, Tickets: $20 general admission; $30 at the door King Chapel Plaza GA 30318 Tickets: $15 gen Alumni Registration eral admission; $20 day of event; $30 at the door SUNDAY, OCT. A&______Welcome Center Conference Room 10 a.m. 2-4 p.m. Closing Worship Service Speaker The Rev. Samuel Ross-Lee ’88, Immanuel Missionary Baptist Church, New Haven, CT Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel EVENT CONTACTS: Office of Alumni Relations 14041215-2658 Office of Student Life (4041215-2730 LU CO NEWS 5 INSIDE MOREHOUSE, OCTOBER 2014 Office of Health Professions Celebrates - BestColleges.com 40th Year With Homecoming Breakfast BY ADD SEYMOUR JR. Morehouse No. 1 MOREHOUSE HAS LONG produced health professionals such sional degree,” Samarasinghe said. as former National Medical Association president I )r. Edward Saturday morning at 8 a.m. at Paschal’s Restaurant near HBCU in Nation Mazique ’33; I)r. Rene M.F. Charles ’32, the former chief medical campus, a homecoming 40th anniversary celebration breakfast, officer at Trinidad’s B.W.I. Medical Center; and, of course, for “Why We Can’t Wait” will be held. Of 1P and the Thomas I. Morehouse has been named the nation’s top mer U.S. Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher ’63. Blocker Society will announce its “40 for 40” initiative to raise HBCU by BestColleges.com, an online resource But over the past two decades, the numbers of health profes $40,000 in honor of the office’s anniversary. for prospective college students that helps them sionals produced by the College has fallen. The breakfast’s other purpose, Samarasinghe said, is that make an educated choice about their future. Addressing that issue is one of the reasons that the Thomas J. alumni in health professions can talk with current students about Blocker Society and the Office of Health Professions will celebrate their shared experiences. Using its established rankings methodology- the Office’s 40th anniversary this weekend. While the 40th anniver “Very important to us is this mentoring component, which -which include data points for acceptance, sary is a milestone, it is also an opportunity for health professions involves a variety of things, such as alumni providing opportuni enrollment retention and graduation rates- alumni to find out that the office is looking for their involvement. ties for students to shadow them locally or when students are in -BestColleges.com assessed the merits of all 104 “We are looking to really re-engage with alumni who have other cities during school breaks,” he said. “We do twice-a-month HBCUs and created a list of the 30 best. been out of contact with the Office of Health Professions and who meetings where the full body of pre-health students are assembled have a vested interest in trying to carry out this crusade helping to in one place, so alumni can participate by coming by. Because we HERE ARE THE TOP 10: develop health professionals,” said Ajit Samarasinghe, director of have a cadre of alumni at different stages of their careers, they’re the Office of Health Professions. folks who can talk effectively about medical school, graduating Morehouse College The Office of Health Professions was created in 1974 with from medical school, matching and residencies and even post Howard University federal funds allowing the College to focus on developing black medical careers. So we’re talking about opportunities to bring Fisk University health care professionals during a time when there was little diver brothers together.” Florida A&M University sity in the field. Morehouse became one of the nation’s leaders The breakfast also will feature an address by Dr. Ronald Spelman College in encouraging, mentoring, educating and developing black male Copeland, Kaiser Permante’s senior vice president of National Tuskegee University physicians such as Dr. B.K. Edmund ’85, a Baltimore anesthe Diversity Inclusion Policy and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer. North Carolina A&M State University siologist who heads the Thomas J. Blocker Society, a group of Also, the winners of the student essay contest, “Why We Xavier University of Louisiana Morehouse alumni health professionals. Can’t Wait: Redefining the Relevance of Today’s Office of Health Winston-Salem State University “What happened over the years is a shift in funding, at least Professions,” will be announced. Tougaloo College at the federal level, away from the health professions, towards sci Admission is free to the breakfast. For information, contact ence, technology, engineering and mathematics, but within the the Office of Health Professions at (404) 653-7862 or by email at context of research and no longer funding to support the profes [email protected]. ■ “10+15+25” Challenges the Campus Community Running for a Cause to Collectively Lose Two Tons by June BY ADD SEYMOUR JR. HEAD TENNIS COACH ferry Alexander’s faculty someone wants to workout alone, workout DVDs and staff afternoon tennis workouts are known will be available for checkout from Alexander’s across campus to be, well, hard. office in Archer Hall. “I know everybody isn’t going to come out The hope, Alexander said, is that collec there to play tennis with me,” Alexander, a 2005 tively the campus will lose a total of two tons by graduate, said with a smile. June. But he wants to see the entire Morehouse “1 always look for different programs that I community get into better shape. can get started to help our people to get into better Alexander has come up with the “10 +15+25” situations, health-wise,” he said. “It comes from Challenge to get everyone on campus working out, seeing that not only are some faculty and staff out as part of the “A Pathway Forward” initiative. of shape, but also seeing a number of students A Pathway Forward is a framework for who aren’t in shape.” shared governance, giving faculty and staff an Chief of Staff Karen Miller said Alexander’s opportunity to participate in decision-making and project is part of a larger campus wellness effort, what things the College will focus on and how “Better Me, Better We,” that came out of conver those goals are achieved. sations with faculty and staff who wanted to make “The object is to work out three times a Morehouse a healthier campus. week - one workout for 10 minutes, another for Alexander points out that it all can make for 15 minutes and a third for 25 minutes,” he said. a less costly campus, also. “And the object is for us—the entire campus—to “We’re hoping it transitions into a monetary lose two tons.” thing because if we are healthier as a faculty and That’s right. Two tons. But if everybody shares staff, I’m hoping that for the insurance companies the load, that’s only about two pounds per person. will it translates into lower premiums,” he said. Faculty, staff and students will be asked to “We’d go to the doctor less and that would mean The 15th Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk drew the event’s largest crowd register, free of charge, on a soon-to-be-available lower costs for the insurance carrier.” ever-including President John Sllvanus Wilson Jr. 79 (3rd from left), members from web link. Participants would then log their prog Alexander credits colleagues Dionne Polite, Morehouse Naval ROTC and the Morehouse basketball team. ress each week by going to the link. Cliff Russell, Claude Hutto, Leslie Williams and Seminars and workshops will be offered, as Winn Walker for helping to put the entire project will opportunities to work out with others. And if together. I INSIDE MOREHOUSE, OCTOBER 2014 TAKE President in Print President John Silvanus Wilson Jr. 79 has twice been featured prominently in national publications recently. In August, he was on the cover of Diverse: NOTE Issues in Higher Education, and in September, he was featured in Ebony. Vicki Crawford, director of the Troy Story ’62, professor Morehouse College Martin Luther of chemistry, presented the King Jr. Collection, was a panelist paper, “Mathematical Model for the discussion "Education and for Economic Growth," and Civil Rights" on Sept. 12 during chaired a session during the Empowerment Week activities In 2014 International Conference Birmingham, Ala. on Education, Economics, Psychology and Society, March 14-16 in Phuket, Thailand. He also presented the paper Michael Dillon, associate “Mathematical Models of professor and chair of the Dynamics” and chaired a Department of Modem Foreign session at the 2014 International Languages, has written a book Symposium on Engineering and Ecuadorian Cinema Posters, Natural Sciences, May 22-24, in 1969-2013 (CCE Benjamin Carrion, Beijing, China. 2014). An article about the book was published in the Ecuadorian ™,.lf VWI Lead, newspaper, El Comercio, on April 11. Keisha Edwards Tassie I hey Will Follow assistant professor of IDEFINEH >«i- communication, co-edited a book with Médaillé College professor Senior Marvin Greer, a history Sonja Brown Givens, Underserved major from Atlanta, was featured Women of Color, Voice and In a July 15th Atlanta Journal- Resistance: Claiming A Seat at Constitution story about black Civil the Table. The book examines War re-enactors. ways women of color have their voices restrained within the restrictive, Intersecting contexts of race, gender, class and sexuality. Frederick Knight, associate professor and chairman of Darien Jones, a sophomore history, received a Mellon Short- rellgion/Engllsh major from Term Fellowship in Early African Millsboro, Del., was quoted In a American History at the Library July 14 Cape Gazette.com story Company of Philadelphia. The about his town’s celebration of fellowship supported a month of the 50th anniversary of the Civil research in June that centered on Rights Act. the African American community in 19th-century Philadelphia. As BET’s “Sunday Best” a result of his findings, Knight will produce a scholarly article is Morehouse’s on Jarena Lee, the first female preacher In the African Methodist CHANGING GEARS Geoffrey Golden Episcopal Church. NEW HIRES BY ADD SEYMOUR JR. Omar Agard, financial aid advisor I, Financial Aid GEOFFREY GOLDEN, Rubina Malik, instructor of Mark Anthony Chubb, instructor of music and literature, a junior economics major marketing, was named an Music from Cleveland, Ohio, sang education-category nominee for Shawn Crosby, assistant director of Admissions and his way to a recording con the 2014 Leadership Character Recruitment tract when he was picked Award presented by the Turknett Teaniese Davis, visiting assistant professor, Psychology the winner of BET’s season- Leadership Group and the Robert Theodore Davis, laboratory assistant, Student Health Services K. Greenleaf Center for Servant O’Shan Gadsden, visiting assistant professor, Psychology long, gospel singing show, Leadership. Chadwick Hughes, interim band director/instructor of music, “Sunday Best.” Music Golden, who has been a Renee Jordan, instructional design coordinator, Faculty member of the Morehouse Juana Mendenhall, assistant Development Center College Glee Club, credits professor of chemistry, was Eduardo Mares, assistant director of Admissions and working with Glee Club a visiting professor at Albert Recruitment director David Morrow ’80 as one of the main reasons he Einstein College of Medicine in Evelyn Miller, nurse, Public Health Service was successful in his second try on the show. the Department of Orthopaedics, Martin Norman, interim chief of police, Campus Police He said the love he received from the Morehouse com June-August 2014. She is also a Matthew Platt, assistant professor, Political Science munity each week made competing much easier. recipient of Howard Buffet Funding Timothy Sams, vice president for Student Development “The support has been incredible,” he said. “Morehouse to Develop Clean Water Filters from Jaqueline Sears, grant accountant, NIH/MCMHTD the Great Lakes Region of Africa. Levar Smith, instructor, Political Science brothers, alumni, current students, AUC family coming Keldrick Stephens, assistant director of Admissions and up to me, saying how proud they were and telling me that Recruitment I made Morehouse proud, no matter the outcome. They Candiance Williams, administrative assistant, TRIO Programs were sending messages saying that they were praying for me and voting for me. It was seen in the outcome. And I am eternally grateful.” ■ co SPORTS INSIDE MOREHOUSE, OCTOBER 2014 Devon Mann Focuses on Athletic and Academic Success BY ADD SEYMOUR JR. DEVON MANN approaches school-work the same way It has been a good move. Mann was the team’s most he deals with comerbacks - with a cool, calm demeanor valuable player last season after leading the team in recep that helps the a junior kinesiology major and Maroon tions, reception yardage and touchdown receptions. He Tigers wide receiver to be successful at both. has been solid this season, which has been highlighted “On the field and in the classroom, I have the same by a three-touchdown, 203-yard receiving day against kind of mentality,” Mann said. “It’s a calm, focused and Central State. collected mentality. 1 try not to get overwhelmed or get “He’s a great person and a phenomenal player,” said too excited. Just get relaxed and find my groove so I can Leon Murray, the Maroon Tigers’ offensive coordinator. focus on what I have to do.” “He’s the kind of guy who can change a game in one play It has worked well for him. Mann has a 3.3 grade and he’s shown that so far this season. He’s good on the point average and has been one of the best wide receivers field and definitely does his work in the classroom. He in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. means a lot to this team.” Mann’s focus comes from watching his parents work That’s a role that means a lot to Mann. He encour full-time jobs while attending college. He wanted to fol ages and helps his teammates on the field and with their low in their footsteps. But it was his grandmother, whom studies. He’s aware of the stigma of athletes not caring he lived with in Tampa, Fla., and a former coach, who about their academics and he said he and his teammates pointed him towards Morehouse - even as he had drawn strive to be examples of why that isn’t true. interest from schools such as Georgia Southern and the “When you go to Morehouse, people expect noth Naval Academy. ing but success and better things from you,” Mann said. “My grandmother thought Morehouse would be “None of us want to be a disappointment by not doing a great opportunity for me to thrive as a student and an those things. It actually pushes us harder because we athlete,” Mann said. “And I had a coach who went to know people are watching us and expect us to succeed.” Morris Brown College and he would always talk about how As for his own future, his goal is to play in the NFL. HBCUs are important to African Americans, about the fun, But just as important is being seen as a scholar, he said. about the experience. He would always tell those stories. “Basically, I’ve seen what it takes to get to the next level “And being that my parents are in Atlanta, I thought and what it takes to be great in the classroom - discipline,” he Morehouse would be the perfect place.” said. “That’s what I like about being a student-athlete.” ■ Devon Mann CROSS COUNTRY Maroon Tigers Picked to Finish Third in the SIAC East; Hill Believes Cross Country Team’s Austin Anderson Named Preseason All-SIAC Slow Start Should Be a Memory Come Tournament Time BY ADD SEYMOUR JR. BY ADD SEYMOUR JR. SOUTHERN INTERCOLLEGIATE Athletic Conference basketball coaches are expecting a resur THINGS MAY HAVE STARTED out slowly for the Morehouse Cross Country team this year, but Head Coach Willie Hill says things are gence in Morehouse basketball this season. working out well enough now that this may be the best group that After a lackluster campaign last season, the Morehouse has ever seen. Maroon Tigers have been picked to finish third, just “We went through a few ups and down earlier in the season behind Clark Atlanta and Benedict in the SIAC’s when some people didn’t get their mileage in over the summer," Hill Eastern Division this season. said. “So we had to slow some things down so some people could The Maroon Tigers finished 7-20 overall, 4-14 in catch up. the SIAC, putting them last in the East only a year after “Now we’ve gotten the foundation that we need," he said. “This is a group that has found their identity. They are really going to be a a 20-win season and an appearance in the SIAC cham great team." pionship game. The peak was the Robert Shumake Great American HBCU This season, a number of new faces should make Cross Country Challenge, held Oct. 4 in Cary, N.C. The Maroon for an exciting team, said head coach Grady Brewer ’80. Tigers finished second overall as three Morehouse runners finished “I’m very excited,” he said. “Last year was disap in the top 12 in the individual results. Dahir Mohammed, the pointing, but that’s the beauty of basketball. You can team's only senior, was third, while Shinaola Agbede finished sixth, come back and get another season to come play. We’re and Gerald Jones 12th. very long; we’re very athletic; we want to go to an up “Dahir is normally our leader," Hill said. “He was one who did not come back in shape, but now he’s back. He’s stepping up to be tempo type of game. We want to make our opponents Austin Anderson the leader and the runner he was last year. adjust to what we are doing. We want to be exciting. “Shinaola’s father is a coach and he instilled a number of things We want to bring an exciting brand of basketball back in him about understanding responsibility," Hill said. “He’s that person to Forbes Arena.” The Maroon Tigers began preseason practice you can tell other people to follow as a runner. If you’re out there, Guard Austin Anderson will be important if on Oct. 15 in preparation for their Nov. 7 exhibition three or four miles away and the coach isn’t there and you need to that is to happen. The 6’ 2” junior kinesiology major with the Southeastern Conference’s Louisiana State hear something, he‘s really helping his teammates with understanding that we're out here for a purpose.” from Inkster, Mich., was named to this year’s SIAC University and another exhibition on Nov. 11 at Forbes The Maroon Tigers competed in the LaGrange College Panther Preseason All-Conference Team after leading the Arena against Southern University. The regular season Invitational the week before Homecoming. They will finish the regular Maroon Tigers last season in minutes played and fin begins Nov. 14 against Lee University in Carrolton, season in South Georgia at the Valdosta Invitational. ishing second on the team in scoring and assists. Ga., with the team’s first regular season home game on Then comes the true focus for the defending SIAC champs - the “Austin is the most consistent player returning Nov. 21 against Fisk University. SIAC Championships Nov. 6-7; the NCAA South Regionals Nov. 21 -22; from last year and has the most experience,” Brewer “I think we are going to do pretty well,” Brewer and the NCAA National Championship, Dec. 5-6. Hill is confident his said. “He’s a very explosive guard who can score said. “I look forward to working with the new people squad will be ready. “They are the team to beat,” he said. “Most teams have one to 20 to 25 points a game at any time. I hope Austin we have on board. Some of the guys who weren’t eli two great runners. We have five, possibly eight. We don't have any comes in with the mindset that he will be challenged gible second semester last season are back. So we look injuries so far this year, so things look great for the program." ■ in every game.” to be better than last season.” ■ INSIDE MOREHOUSE, OCTOBER 2014 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER OCTOBER SATURDAY, OCT. NOVEMBER Football SATURDAY, NOV. THURSDAY, OCT. Morehouse vs. Benedict Columbia, S.C. 2 Exhibition Program Football 2 p.m. Seeking to Tell a Story: Political Action from Slavery Morehouse vs. Fort Valley State Contact: Rhonda Higgs, (404) 215-2686 or at to Civil Rights B.T. Harvey Stadium [email protected] Presented by the Atlanta University Center Robert W. 7 p.m. Woodruff Library and the Atlanta Student Movement Contact: Rhonda Higgs, (404) 215-2686 or at rhonda. Alumni TUESDAY, OCT. [email protected] Speaker: Joy DeGruy, author, Post Traumatic Slave 2® Syndrome: America’s Legacy of Enduring Injury and 6TH Annual Hopps Scholars Research Training NOV. 3-7 Healing Symposium Shirley A. Massey Executive Conference Center Response Panel: Clarissa Myrick-Harris, Morehouse Academic Advising Week dean of Humanities and Social Sciences; Makunga 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Akinyela, Georgia State University Department of African Contact: (404) 653-7864 or go to American Studies; and Christy Garrison-Harrison, Clark www.hoppsscholars.org WEDNESDAY, NOV. Atlanta University Department of African-American 1 Studies, Africana Women’s Studies and History Andrew Young Leadership Forum Series 4 p.m. Leadership: Responsibility, Sexuality and Gender Virginia Lacy Jones Exhibition Hall, AUC Robert W. Editor’s Pick______Bank of America Auditorium, Shirley A. Massey Woodruff Library Executive Conference Center Contact: (404) 978-2003 or go to www.auctr.edu OCTOBER 24-26 6 p.m. PLATFORM 2014 Contact: Melvinia King at (404) 522-3568 or at melvinia. Diversifying the Innovation [email protected] SATURDAY, OCT. Economy SGA Presidential Speaking Series Emma and Joe Adams Concert Hall, Ray Charles Chapel for the Inward Journey, Sale Hall Football Performing Arts Center 6:30 p.m. Homecoming Game Contact: Kevin Booker (404) 653-7893 or at Morehouse vs. Albany State Platform is a community of people who believe that [email protected] B.T. Harvey Stadium the worlds of technology, science, art and entrepre 2 p.m. neurship are the future of the planet, and that people Contact: Rhonda Higgs, (404) 215-2686 or at Rhonda. from all social, cultural, ethnic and gender groups SATURDAY, NOV. [email protected] should be part of the revolution. Football Hosted by Morehouse College and Georgia Tech, Senior Day TUESDAY, OCT. Platform 2014 brings a wide variety of renowned Morehouse vs. Kentucky State speakers together to talk about technology and B.T. Harvey Stadium innovation. Presidential Lecture Series 2 p.m. Contact: Rhonda Higgs, (404) 215-2686 or at rhonda. Irving Williamson, International Trade Commission Speakers include Topper Carew, filmmaker and [email protected] Bank of America Auditorium director of the Innovation Center Initiative at 11 a.m. Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Ralph de la Contact: James Shaw, (404) 653-7868 or at Vega, CEO of AT&T Mobility and a member of the MONDAY, NOV. [email protected] Morehouse College Board of Trustees; Reginald 1# Hudlin, writer, film/television producer and execu Spring 2015 web registration begins tive; and Van Jones, host of CNN’s “Crossfire.” FRIDAY, NOV. Contact: Phillip Howard at ext. 8691 or at [email protected] Last day to withdraw from classes Name: Tomanlka Redd Title: Office Manager, Office of Housing and Residential Life Hometown: Jackson, MS I manage students’ room assignments, interact with vendors and counsel students Tenure at Morehouse: 9 years (which includes mitigating roommate issues), so there’s never a dull day. I also assist the Something not commonly known associate dean of Housing and Residential Life, the assistant director of Housing, residence about Tomanika: directors and residence advisers with their programs and daily responsibilities. “I love all sports - football, What I love most about my job is the opportunity to interact with students and help basketball, baseball, track, golf, them solve their problems. Students come to the office and feel comfortable enough to sit tennis, etc. It doesn't matter and talk, hang out or ask for advice. Even if the students’ issues are unrelated to housing, which one.’’ But she does have I try to assist them in any way that I can. I think it’s important to have patience and one favorite athlete of all time - understanding and to meet students where they are. basketball legend Michael Jordan. 99