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Vision a Connected World Where Diversity of Thought Matters

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Mission HT nurtures a legacy of leadership and excellence in education, connecting knowledge, power, passion, and values. Vision A connected world where diversity of thought matters. Accreditation Huston-Tillotson University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate and masters degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Huston-Tillotson University. From the President Everyday presents new opportunities to tell the world about this historic jewel in the heart of Austin, Texas— Huston-Tillotson University. I have met extraordinary students, passionate faculty and staff, proud alumni, and supportive community leaders. Thank you for making my transition a smooth one. was particularly moved by the motto that the leaders of the Samuel Huston College and Tillotson College crafted after merging the two institutions into one: In Union, Strength! These words are a testament to the hopefulness that the Ileaders envisioned. HT flourishes as a result of the combined strength of those who hold it dear, and I am proud to be a part of this great legacy. This edition of the Ram Magazine highlights the progress of the University and promotes the successes of faculty and students. It is the culminating work of President Emeritus Dr. Larry L. Earvin. I recognize the plateau of this labor of devotion to HT as my platform to continue moving the University forward. His culminating work is my platform to continue the progress of HT. As you read through these pages, take a minute to note many HT accomplishments. Share the information with high school students researching their college options and with friends and family interested in the convenience of options offered in our Adult Degree Program. Our goal is to spread the good news about HT worldwide. I look forward to visiting with you as I travel around the country and when you return to campus throughout the year. Colette Pierce Burnette President and Chief Executive Officer HTU.EDU | HUSTON4TILLOTSON UNIVERSITY 1 Contents Spring 2016 HUSTON-TILLOTSON : CELEBRATING 140 YEARS 10 Historically black university | Austin’s first institution of higher education TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 COMMUNITY INITIATIVES 22 FACULTY RESEARCH AND NEWS 6 LEADERSHIP 28 STUDENT NEWS 16 CAMPUS AND EDUCATION NEWS 32 REUNION WEEKEND 2016 The Ram Magazine is published by the Huston-Tillotson University Office of Institutional Advancement, 900 Chicon Street, Austin, TX 78702, 512.505.3073. Unsolicited articles and pictures may be submitted to [email protected]. Alumni news and milestones should be addressed to the Director of Alumni Affairs, [email protected]. EDITOR Linda Y. Jackson MAGAZINE DESIGN Majestic Design Group Spring 2016 WRITERS AND CONTRIBUTORS Alaine Hutson, Ruth Kane © Copyright 1875-2016 PHOTOGRAPHERS Linda Y. Jackson and Mike McLennan Huston-Tillotson University. All rights reserved. PRINTING Horizon Printing COVER HT’s Sixth President and CEO Colette Pierce Burnette EXECUTIVE CABINET Colette Pierce Burnette, Ed.D., President and CEO Archie Vanderpuye, Ph.D., Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Vacant, Vice President for Institutional Advancement Valerie Hill, MBA, Vice President for Administration and Finance Terry S. Smith, L.H.D., Executive Assistant to the President Wayne Knox, MPA Chief of Staff and Clerk of the Board 2 RAM MAGAZINE | SPRING 2016 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Sandra Joy Anderson Mr. Albert Hawkins, Chair Austin, Texas Community Health Mrs. Cecelia P. Abbott Austin, Texas and Wellness Center Mr. Louie Carrington, Jr. Houston, Texas Ms. Donna D. Carter Austin, Texas Huston-Tillotson University Receives Its Mr. C. Lee Cooke Largest Gift—$3 Million Austin, Texas Ms. Jaki Davis Austin, Texas rs. Ada Bishop James E. Dorff Cecilia San Antonio, Texas Collins Mr. Ronald J. Fleming Anderson Houston, Texas Mpresented Huston- Ms. Katrine Formby Tillotson University with Austin, Texas a $3 million gift—the Mr. Louis M. Henna, Jr. largest gift in the history Austin, Texas of the HT—toward the Ms. Lauren M. Snowden Ingram naming of the Sandra Joy Chicago, Illinois Anderson Community Health Mr. Trennis Jones Austin, Texas and Wellness Center. Following Mr. J. Winston Krause, Esq. Austin, Texas Mr. Paul J. Legris We applaud her Austin, Texas “efforts to rally the Bishop Joel Martinez community in San Antonio, Texas support of the Dr. Carol McDonald Austin, Texas components of the Pictured are Patricia “Trish” Young Brown, President HT mission. and CEO of Central Health; Kirk Watson, Texas Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette, Ex-Officio Senator; Ada Cecilia Collins Anderson; Colette Austin, Texas Pierce Burnette, President and CEO, Huston- ” Tillotson University; and Steve Adler, City of Austin, Mrs. Ruth C. Robinson her passion of advocating for and Mayor; at the Sandra Joy Anderson Community Dallas, Texas empowering young people and Health and Wellness Center grand opening. Dr. Garrett W. Scales championing educational causes, Austin, Texas Anderson, age 94, identified Mr. John Scroggins Huston-Tillotson University to continue her legacy. Her career Houston, Texas accomplishments include overcoming numerous educational and career Mr. David A. Talbot, Jr., Esq. injustices while personifying a determined spirit that resulted in leadership Austin, Texas roles and the creation of civic organizations to empower African Dr. Orlando L. Taylor n Washington, District of Columbia Americans, women, and children. Mr. A. Leon Thompson, Esq. Austin, Texas Mr. Cal Varner Austin, Texas HTU.EDU | HUSTON4TILLOTSON UNIVERSITY 3 Landmark UT-HT Partnership Will Expand Health Services in East Austin The donation facilitated a partnership between HT and the Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin to help historically underserved residents of Austin get, and stay healthy. he institutions hired a to get healthy and stay healthy, health care to uninsured and team that will produce and allow our universities to vulnerable residents across the combined training collaborate with our community in county. Huston-Tillotson is programs, new models developing new, culturally partnerning with CommUnity Tof care, and research to address appropriate models of care.” The Care, which provides health needs in East Austin and HT Community Health and services at 25 locations across communities with Wellness Center also will help Travis County, to provide primary disproportionate burdens of relieve the previously identified care services at the HT mental illness. strain on Travis County’s mental Community Health and Wellness health resources by adding Center. With the focus on Leaders from both universities said treatment options and services that addressing mental health needs, the partnership demonstrates their residents and taxpayers need. Austin Travis County Integral Care institutions’ commitment to will be the behavioral health improving health and increasing By supporting the implementation provider, as it is in other access to health care in East Austin of integrated behavioral and CommUnity Care locations. and throughout underserved physical health care models at communities in Central Texas, Huston-Tillotson, this partnership Through their partnership Integral while also improving integrated will also help further the goals of Care and CommUnity Care have behavioral and general health the Dell Medical School in its been on the forefront of bringing education on both campuses. partnership with Central Health, community-based integrated the Travis County Health Care physical and mental health services Dr. Clay Johnston, inaugural dean District, to improve the delivery of to vulnerable populations in our of the Dell Medical School, added: community. “To open this entirely new, clearly needed HT Community Health and Wellness Center basically in our backyard will be good for everyone. It will give our students the chance to learn, help our neighbors 4 RAM MAGAZINE | SPRING 2016 National Psychiatric Leader Will Run Joint HT-UT Program Goodwill Community Health and A nationally recognized leader in psychiatric care Wellness and research steered the landmark partnership between Huston-Tillotson University and the Dell Center Opens Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin, bringing new health resources — in the especially mental health resources — to historically underserved residents of East Austin Neighborhood and other parts of Travis County. DR. WILLIAM LAWSON The Huston-Tillotson University Sandra Joy r. William Lawson comes to Lawson will be a jointly appointed Anderson Community Austin from the Howard faculty member at both HT and UT Health and Wellness University College of Austin. His program will be funded by Medicine in Washington, the two universities and by Austin- Center, located at 1705 DD.C., where he served as professor Travis County Integral Care. East 11th Street on the and chair of the Department of corner of 11th and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. He also brings previously acquired He has been published in more than grant funds supporting efforts to better Chalmers Avenue, opened 180 publications, received numerous understand mental disorders in to the community on federal and local grants, and served as underserved individuals. Tuesday, January 19, chief of psychiatry in Arkansas for the Veterans Administration and chief 2016. The center hours medical officer for the Tennessee will be Monday through
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