n.c. A&TWINTER 2017-2018

Stormy Weather Studying global warming through Arctic disturbances

Growth Spurt Robotics and Reward Ideate to Create The Community Whisperer N.C. A&T Magazine

Board of Trustees Chairman Timothy O. King ’76

Chancellor Harold L. Martin Sr. ’74

Chief of staff Nicole Pride

Associate Vice Chancellor for University Relations Todd Simmons

Editor Sandra M. Brown

Production Donna M. W. Gibbs, Graphic Design Village Printing, Printing Services

Photography Ezekiel K. Best Caitlin Bragg Tonya Dixon ‘04 Kevin L. Dorsey Chris English/Tigermoth Jessie Gladdek Erin Mizelle Xiangdong Zhang College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences iStock

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Joy Cook Tonya D. Dixon ’04 Brian M. Holloway ’97 Tiffany S. Jones ’03 Todd Simmons

N.C. A&T Magazine is published biannually by the Office of University Relations for alumni aggies and friends of the university. All editorial correspondence should be directed 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 Postage Paid at Greensboro, NC

POSTMASTER Send address changes to: Advancement Services 2017 MEAC CHAMPIONS North Carolina A&T State University The N.C. A&T Aggies celebrate after 1601 East Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27411 defeating the North Carolina Central Eagles, Nov. 18, to secure the Mid-Eastern North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (N.C.A&T) is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges Athletic Conference championship. On and Schools Commission on Colleges. | N.C. A&T does not Dec. 16, the Aggies edged the Grambling discriminate against any person on the basis of age, color, Tigers to win the 2017 Black College disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, Football National Championship, finishing race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any the season undefeated and untied with a other basis protected by law. | N.C. A&T is an AA/EEO and ADA historic 12-0 record. compliant institution. Table of contents n.c. A&T UPLIFTING WOMEN magazine Chancellor’s Town Hall Series kicks off the fall 2017 season with Harold L. Martin Sr., Angela Rye, Gabrielle Union, Lisa Ling and Danya Bacchus Features

Growth Spurt 32 N.C. A&T enrolls largest student body ever 42 NO DOUBT Former presidential adviser Valerie Jarrett offers advice to women in STEM Daymond John 36 ‘The People’s Shark’ shares wisdom with student entrepreneurs

Robotics and Reward 44 Award-winning 4-H STEM specialist gives limited resources youth opportunities with robotics

Ideate to Create 46 Classroom theories come to life in makerspaces

38 New Heights 52 Aggies shoot for the stars at NASA departments The Community Whisperer 56 50 Landscape architecture alumnus Walter Hood STORMY WEATHER Campus Highlights 4 In Memoriam 59 uses subtle approach to revitalize Oakland Physics professor Jing Zhang studies to improve global weather predictions Athletics 24 People Behind the Scholarships 6 1 neighborhoods Alumni Notes 58

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The project is designed to “We understand that Valued at $300,000, this The TQI initiative, coupled accomplish several goals: in our state there are a award will increase the with N.C. A&T’s rural number of underserved number of highly qualified residency program, • Increase the number rural communities in need STEM high school teachers provides CEd the necessary of trained professional of mental health services. produced for public schools funding to strengthen its counselors with Faculty in the Department in Alamance-Burlington capacity and quality of specialized knowledge of of Counseling are working Schools, Davidson County STEM-oriented graduate the integration of primary to alleviate this disparity,” Schools, Guilford County degree programs, the care and behavioral said Paige Dunlap, assistant Schools, and Randolph ability to credential highly- health; professor and co-principal County Schools. qualified teachers for rural investigator of this initiative. areas and the number of • Enhance the academic TQI is a collaborative overall graduate student learning experience In addition to providing partnership with historically enrollment. of students preparing graduate candidates with black colleges and to become professional training in professional universities to help remove CEd offers the Master of counselors by providing counseling, school the barriers for individuals Arts in Teaching degree high quality academic counseling and substance striving to obtain their in 13 disciplines, among training while emphasizing abuse counseling, the initial teaching certification. them biology, chemistry, an integration of grant will provide select The partnership with N.C. mathematics and behavioral health and candidates with $10,000 A&T is a new approach for technology education. The North Carolina primary care; stipends while working with this initiative as it focuses Agricultural and Technical rural populations during their intentionally on producing Recent college graduates, State University College of • Enhance the skills of internship experiences. classroom teachers with current lateral entry STEM Education (CEd) has been faculty and site master’s degrees who teachers, paraprofessionals awarded over $2 million supervisors who have Funding for the grant will have strong content and individuals who may in funding from the U.S. professional counseling be awarded over a four-year knowledge, enhanced be interested in changing Department of Health and practices serving rural, period. Joining Dunlap as cultural competence and their current career are Human Services (HHS), vulnerable and medically co-principal investigators diverse teaching skills. In encouraged to contact Tom Joyner Foundation “This award will provide underserved communities; are Quintin Boston, Angel years past, TQI placed a the College of Education Inc. and North Carolina high quality preparation, Dowden, Natalie Spencer strong emphasis on helping to learn more about this State Employees Credit intense and deliberate • Increase the number and Alisa Taliaferro. HBCU students obtain partnership at collegeofed@ Union Foundation (SECU), professional development, of internship placements undergraduate degrees. ncat.edu or 336-334-7757. to support programs and and financial stipends for and job opportunities that A partnership with the scholarships. our counseling graduate emphasize behavioral Tom Joyner Foundation In 2016, CEd was awarded And thanks to a $50,000 College of candidates,” said Anthony health and primary care Inc., through the Tom a $3.6 million grant to grant from SECU CEd received a $1.7 million Graham, dean. “More integration and serve Joyner Teacher Quality increase the number of Foundation, CEd will grant from HHS to support importantly, this initiative rural, vulnerable and Initiative (TQI), will provide highly qualified teachers provide internships for Education the project, “Enhancing provides critical resources medically-underserved 50 scholarships for produced for high-need education candidates Behavioral Health and and services for our rural communities; and individuals with bachelor’s K-12 public schools in rural through the SECU Public Awarded $2.05 Primary Care in Rural Areas communities in North degrees in science, communities. Fellows Internship Program. Initiative,” which aims to Carolina. Our engagement • Partner with agencies, technology, engineering increase the number of organizations and and mathematics (STEM) to Million with our rural communities continued, page 9 professional mental health demonstrates the faculty’s institutions of excellence pursue a Master of Arts in counselors who serve commitment to the that specialize in the Teaching at N.C. A&T. rural communities in North college’s vision of equity, integration of behavioral Carolina. access and advocacy.” health and primary care.

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“We’re very excited to have Core Technology as a new partner and hope to use this relationship as a model for working with more local businesses.”

— John Merrill, executive director of On an annual basis, Core Gateway University Research Park Tech hires students for internships and permanent employment from N.C. A&T. In addition to research partnership opportunities Core Tech’s existing list The new 70,000 square foot with the JSNN, College of customers is a who’s building is part of Gateway’s of Engineering and the who of significant, highly ongoing efforts to advance College of Sciences and successful, prospective its overall core mission and Technology, the relocation global companies such as: attract new companies of Core Tech will enhance BMW Manufacturing, Merck, and strategic partners. the classroom experience Altria, Parker Hannifin, Once completed, this for N.C. A&T students, Newell Rubbermaid, new building will include including the addition Husqvarna and KontrolFreek office, manufacturing, of a potential plastics (provider of gaming laboratory, warehousing, engineering concentration components for PlayStation and distribution uses. to the applied engineering 4, XBOX 1, and Nintendo) to technology discipline. The name a few. The estimated cost for closest plastics engineering the project is $11.7 million “This is a unique technology program is “Given the many options with Gateway University opportunity to assist a at Pennsylvania State we evaluated for expanding Research Park contributing fast-growing company with University. Core Technology Molding, $10.5 million and the City Core Technology Molding its expansion needs. Core the opportunity to move our of Greensboro contributing Corporation, a leading Technology manufactures Additionally, for the last two operation to the Gateway $1.2 million. Rendering courtesy of Gateway University Research Park injection molding firm, will Gateway University many of the components years, Core Tech has been University Research Park expand its operations to the Research Park was designed inside items we use daily, a mentor for the Senior and to further strengthen south campus of Gateway to facilitate collaborations from automobiles to lawn Internship Graduation our existing partnership University Research between researchers tractors to video games,” project at the N.C. A&T with North Carolina A&T Park, a collaboration and businesses. Through said John Merrill, executive STEM Early College. State University was too between N.C. A&T and the universities’ Joint director of Gateway The students visit Core valuable to pass up,” said Core Technology The University of North School of Nanoscience University Research Park. Tech on a weekly basis, Geoff Foster, CEO and Carolina at Greensboro. and Nanoengineering obtaining an understanding president. “We’re extremely Selects Gateway To accommodate Core (JSNN), Gateway University “We’re very excited to have of the business. At the excited to be a part of Technology, Gateway will Research Park provides Core Technology as a new end of the project, the this new facility and look for Expansion build a new 70,000 square access to state-of-the-art partner and hope to use students present a forward to growing our foot facility with Core capabilities for product this relationship as a model business plan providing company and building on Technology as the anchor. A development, analytical for working with more recommendations to Core the innovative culture of our ceremonial groundbreaking services, materials testing, local businesses. We’re also Tech on improvements to organization.” took place in July. analysis and evaluation. excited to have the City of business and manufacturing Greensboro partnering processes. Foster is an alumnus of with us on this new project.” N.C. A&T.

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College of Education Awarded $2.05 Million, continued from page 5

The grant will “afford our pre-service teacher education candidates the opportunity to develop their professional knowledge as educational leaders serving communities outside a public school classroom while concurrently developing their cultural competence,” said Graham.

“We are thankful to the State Employees Credit Union for allowing the College of Education to deepen our impact in rural communities throughout the state of North Carolina,” he added.

The program is designed to address the diverse service needs of rural communities in North Carolina through shared learning community activities and to enhance the cultural competence of pre-service teacher education candidates.

There are 80 rural counties in North Carolina with limited supportive teacher education collaborations or partnerships with universities that advance service In January 2015, Intel set and civic learning in their communities. To help combat a goal of achieving full the lack of resources in these areas, high-achieving representation of women education candidates in their junior or senior years are and underrepresented selected to work in educational, healthcare, technology minorities in its U.S. and nonprofit organizations and agencies in rural That scholarship support workforce by 2020. The communities. N.C. A&T will have substantial Fortune 100 Company impact at N.C. A&T, which committed $300 million SECU Public Fellows will receive a $5,000 stipend Among Six Thanks to more than $1 produces more African to support that goal and for their participation in these service and civic million in grant funding from American engineers than the Diversity in Technology learning immersion experiences. During the internship, HBCUs to Intel, a group of N.C. A&T any university in America initiative to improve diversity candidates will produce artifacts of learning specific undergraduate and graduate at the undergraduate, and inclusion across the tech to their site assignment, which may include youth students will receive master’s and doctoral levels. industry. mentorship programs, literacy and math tutorial Share $4.5 two-year scholarships to The grant also will fund programs, video and technology advancements, or continue their education in student programs and labs, This grant funding is research-based refinement projects. Million Intel computer science, computer workshops and research the latest piece of the engineering and electrical experiences. partnership between Intel The 10 SECU Public Fellow interns selected to engineering. and N.C. A&T that began participate in this program are Tyler Childress, Grant to In addition to the funding more than 16 months ago. secondary history education; Jasmine Cousar and Kayia In June, Intel unveiled a for N.C. A&T, Intel’s grant Intel hosted a reception Fointno, elementary education and special education; Support three-year, $4.5 million will provide $600,000 for for College of Engineering Alexus Cox, Destini Davis, Kenketta Gwynn, Nathaniel HBCU grant program to workshops and activities graduating seniors in Jones, Rodnesha Minor and Tarvis Ridges, elementary encourage students at six to better prepare HBCU the spring, provided education; and Jazmine Devone, birth-to-kindergarten. Students historically black colleges students to enter the representatives to serve as and universities—Florida competitive, high-tech judges for the sixth annual Co-principal investigators of this project are Thurman in STEM A&M, Howard, Morgan State, workforce. The remaining senior design expo and Guy from the College of Agriculture and Environmental N.C. A&T, Prairie View A&M $2.9 million will be divided spent time discussing career Sciences, and Nicole Dobbins and Kimberly Erwin, both Pathways and Tuskegee University—to among the five additional paths and prospects with from the College of Education. remain in STEM pathways. universities. the company.

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N.C. A&T CO-HOSTS National HBCU Pre-Law Summit

N.C. A&T, through its Speakers included Emily N.C. A&T alumni—retired “Our goal is to build a Pre-Professional Scholars M. Dickens, senior vice North Carolina Supreme brighter future for the Program, partnered with president, general counsel Court Chief Justice communities we’re fortunate Bennett College to host the and chief relationship Henry Frye, and U.S. to serve,” said David fourth annual National HBCU officer, Thurgood Marshall Congresswoman Alma Fountain, Duke Energy’s Pre-Law Summit and Law College Fund; Aaron Adams—were among those North Carolina president. Expo, Sept. 15-16. Events N. Taylor, senior vice inducted into the National “That begins with smart were split between the president and executive HBCU Pre-Law Hall of investments in the people campuses. director, AccessLex Center Fame during the summit who will successfully move for Legal Education closing session. our industry, workforce and The summit focused on Excellence, AccessLex state forward.” empowering HBCU and Institute; Demetra L. Evangeline M. Mitchell graduate students interested Liggins, partner, Thompson is the summit founder, N.C. A&T’s award supports in the law profession. & Knight LLP and co- founder/director of the the Helping Orient Minorities Panel discussions covered founder, Corporate Homie; National Pre-Law Diversity to Engineering (HOME) critical topics for aspiring and Juan R. Thomas, Initiative Inc., and an program that attracts and lawyers such as law school president, National Bar HBCU and first-generation retains minority students in admission, the law student Association and founder college graduate and engineering and computer experience, career paths and of The Thomas Law lawyer. science. The Duke Energy the law degree and black Group, as well as many Foundation provides other prominent judges, Duke Energy is continuing its entrepreneurship, and there “Duke Energy’s support of philanthropic support to attorneys and teachers. commitment to students and were also special sessions the HOME Program enables address the needsd of the The panel was moderated the workforce of the future on financing legal education, us to attract, retain and communities where its by Jamal Watson, by investing $2.7 million in the law school personal and educate more high-achieving customers live and work. executive editor, Diverse: more than 70 education and diversity statements, and the students in engineering The foundation provides Issues in Higher Education. training initiatives across Law School Admission Test. and computer science and more than $30 million Education, Workforce North Carolina. Law school representatives to develop the engineering annually in charitable gifts. from across the country leaders of tomorrow,” said The foundation’s education The 2017 grants from the were on hand for questions, Development in North Robin Coger, dean of N.C. focus spans kindergarten Duke Energy Foundation information sharing, A&T’s College of Engineering. to career, particularly Carolina Energized by will enhance educational networking sessions and “We’re very grateful to have STEM, early childhood programs focused on application consultations. Duke Energy as a partner in literacy and workforce $2.7 Million in Duke science, technology, this work, which is not only development. It also engineering and math Energy Grants important for our students, supports the environment (STEM), childhood reading but critical for the future of and community impact proficiency and workforce our state and nation.” initiatives, including arts development. and culture.

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N.C. A&T Leads in Number of Underrepresented “On Point” Now a Podcast, too Minority Faculty for U.S. Business Schools

From the campus of N.C. at informing listeners on the The PhD Project, an award- Rutgers University, 14. The PhD Project attacks The survey covers the A&T, the long-running show current state of the university winning program to create Morgan State University the root cause of minority has been a staple of public and why it is attracting diversity in management, was fifth with 13. Rounding underrepresentation in 2016-17 academic affairs programming on more students with greater released results of its survey out the top 10 were corporate jobs: Historically, year. N.C. A&T had WNAA 90.1 FM. The new, academic distinction than on the representation of DePaul University, Texas very few minority college shorter podcast episodes will ever before. African Americans, Hispanic Southern University, Florida students study business as 22 African-American, make “On Point” easier to Americans and Native International University, an entrée to a corporate Hispanic-American access and share via social “On Point” is designed to Americans on business University of Texas-Austin career. Diversifying the media. These conversations inform and educate the school faculties in the and North Carolina Central faculty attracts more or Native-American led by Martin are highly listening audience and the United States. N.C. A&T had University. minorities to study business professors on faculty. relevant to listeners who care university’s key stakeholders the greatest number of the and better prepares all about higher education, here about the university’s three underrepresented The PhD Project is a students to function in a Currently in its seventh year in the Piedmont Triad and ongoing academic and minority groups and national program that has diverse workforce. of production, “On Point well beyond. research accomplishments, Rutgers had the most increased faculty diversity with Chancellor Harold L. as well as the achievements among all majority-serving at hundreds of college and Since its inception, The The PhD Project is a 501(c) Martin Sr.” has undergone a The first four episodes are of faculty, staff and students; institutions. university business schools. PhD Project has been (3) organization that few changes. Instead of the now available on iTunes and the university’s strategic It is the only systemic responsible for the increase the KPMG Foundation 28-minute radio talk show the Blubrry podcast hosting initiatives and partnerships; Disclosing the latest nationwide program aimed in the number of minority founded in 1994. For more format, the show has been service. Episodes can also community engagement numbers available, the at diversifying university business professors from information, visit converted into a podcast be heard on 90.1 WNAA. and its impact in the survey covers the 2016-17 faculty. It attracts and 294 to 1,358. An additional www.phdproject.org. and now features up to four The first four fall under the local, regional and global academic year. N.C. A&T enables African, Hispanic 300 minorities are currently episodes per month. “Why A&T?” theme, aimed communities. had 22 African-American, and Native Americans to enrolled in doctoral Harold L. Martin Sr. Hispanic-American or choose college teaching programs and will take Native American professors as a career and succeed a seat at the front of the on faculty. Howard in the rigorous process of classroom over the next University had 19; Florida obtaining a Ph.D., which few years. N.C. A&T is Top HBCU in North Carolina, A&M University, 15; and qualifies them to be No. 2 Public HBCU in the Nation professors.

In the 2018 edition of the U.S. News & World U.S. News & World Report ranks colleges Report Best Historically Black Colleges ranking, and universities across seven categories: North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State retention, peer assessment, faculty resources, In its latest analysis, Best Value Schools To compile the ranking, editors began with University is the top HBCU in North Carolina student selectivity, financial resources and ranked N.C. A&T at the top of its 10 Best a pool of 72 HBCUs identified from College and the No. 2 public HBCU in the nation. alumni giving. N.C. A&T Value Historically Black Colleges and Navigator, then used the cost information Universities 2018 list. and 20-year return on investment This is the sixth consecutive year that N.C. A&T This ranking comes on the heels of the Ranked Best information (ROI) from PayScale. Points has earned the top spot in the state. N.C. A&T enrollment of the university’s largest student For this ranking, Best Value Schools weighs were awarded based on affordability and is also ranked No. 8 out of 74 HBCUs listed— body of 11,877 students and a record year Value HBCU the cost of attending the university against ROI. Data from the U.S. News and World up two positions from last year’s ranking. for sponsored research, in which A&T faculty the value gained by earning a degree (from Report Top HBCU rankings were also earned $62.5 million in contracts and grants the institution). utilized and points were awarded to compile To be considered, a school must be over the 2016-17 fiscal year. the overall scores. designated an HBCU by the U.S. Department of Education. It must also be a baccalaureate- A maximum of 12 points were possible from granting institution that enrolls primarily first- those three categories. N.C. A&T received 11 year, first time in college students. of 12 total points.

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Top Astrophysicist, TV Personality Keynotes UI GreenMetric Ranks N.C. A&T Among Graduate Symposium

the Top 2 Percent of World’s Most He also shared insights After serving two years in on the future of scientific the Navy, Oluseyi entered Sustainable Universities exploration and conducted Tougaloo College, where he a presentation for graduate earned bachelor’s degrees students. in both mathematics and physics. He pursued Oluseyi said he discovered graduate studies at According to the 2017 The top three green “For the first time, N.C. “Global, national and local math can be easy, but you Stanford University, home Universitas Indonesia’s campuses for 2017 are A&T is ranked in the top concerns for water, waste, have to put in the work. to one of the nation’s best GreenMetric Ranking of Wageningen University 2 percent in the world for transportation, energy, He proved this by solving physics programs, where World Universities, N.C. and Research Center university sustainability,” climate, infrastructure and every problem in his calculus he earned a master’s and a A&T ranks No. 14 among (Netherlands), University said Godfrey Uzochukwu, education issues continue textbook. Ph.D. and became involved 619 universities in 76 of Nottingham (Great director of the Waste to present opportunities in space research. He countries worldwide for Britain) and University of Management Institute. and challenges for N.C. A&T “Whether you can do continued his studies as an campus sustainability California Davis. Among “To achieve this ranking, to mobilize resources and something is based on E.O. Lawrence Postdoctoral and environment friendly North American universities, academic and non- capabilities for developing expectation,” said Oluseyi. Fellow in the Lawrence university management. N.C. A&T is fourth behind academic units collaborated effective sustainable Hakeem Oluseyi “Raise yours.” Berkeley Laboratory’s UC Davis, University of to shape global higher solutions.” Physics Division before UI GreenMetric is the Connecticut and The education and research Internationally recognized Born in New Orleans, joining the physics faculty first and only university University of North Carolina in sustainability, working astrophysicist and television Oluseyi spent much of his at the University of rankings in the world at Chapel Hill. together for solutions on personality Hakeem Oluseyi childhood in challenging Alabama in Huntsville for that measure each sustainability challenges was the keynote speaker for circumstances in some three years. Since 2007, he participating university’s In 2016, N.C. A&T was and creating new leaders in the debut Title III Graduate of the country’s toughest has been at FIT, where he commitment in developing ranked 36 worldwide sustainability. Symposium Sept. 29. neighborhoods—Watts in earned his distinguished an environmentally friendly among the 516 universities Los Angeles and Inglewood, research professor position infrastructure. The results that participated. Oluseyi, a co-host for programs both in California, and last year. are computed from on the Science Channel and Houston’s Third Ward— information provided by Discovery International and before his family finally Along the way, Oluseyi universities in six categories: a distinguished research settled in rural Mississippi. has published more than setting and infrastructure, professor at the Florida He flourished there and 80 scientific and technical energy and climate change, Institute of Technology began to spread his wings publications and books and waste, water, transportation (FIT), delivered a lecture academically, graduating secured 11 patents. He has and education. on “Unlimited Horizons: as his high school’s also lived out an enormous Reflections on an Unimagined valedictorian in 1985. commitment to science Journey from ‘Gangsta Nerd’ to education, with a particular Astrophysicist,” which focused focus on underserved on how the challenges of his populations in America and external environment did not in the Third World. preempt his success as an astrophysicist, science educator and advocate.

14 • N.C. A&T Magazine NCat.edu • 15 homecoming 2017

Clockwise from top: Alumni Homecoming Concert headliner, Clockwise from top left: Patti LaBelle; Fifty Shades of Mister and Miss A&T and Funny Aggie Homecoming Comedy Court; Aggie male nurses; Show featuring Marlon Wayans; Blue and Gold Marching Richard E. Moore Memorial Aggie Machine percussionists; Homecoming Golf Tournament Greek alumni (class of 1992) participants; Chancellor Harold L. at Washington Montessori and First Lady Davida Martin with School; Homecoming Gospel donors Deborah and Scott Wilson; Show performer Tamela Mann; and Alumni Homecoming Concert Aggie Live Wire; and Aggies special guest, saxophonist linebacker Adrian McPherson Mike Phillips

16 • N.C. A&T Magazine NCat.edu • 17 CAMPUS highlights for compounds comprising aspirin and ginger derivatives that have shown promise for preventing and treating cancer. This patent supplements a patent Sang received in 2015 for other novel aspirin-derived compounds.

Combining aspirin and ginger derivatives with anti-cancer properties, the newly patented compounds are more effective than their individual components in killing colon cancer cells in laboratory tests. The compounds are prodrugs, which become Faculty and Staff pharmacologically active when they are metabolized. In addition to their anti-cancer properties, the new ginger-based derivatives have the The team includes Shyam potential to reduce the irritation of the digestive system frequently caused by aspirin. If Aravamudhan of the Joint the compounds can lessen those adverse side effects, more patients could benefit from School of Nanoscience Shengmin Sang, a aspirin’s ability to prevent or treat colon cancer, heart disease and other disorders. and Nanoenegineering; professor and lead scientist “Until now, no formal Lijun Wang, Department for functional foods at Sang also studies bioactive compounds in tea, whole grains (wheat, oats, barley training existed to help of Biological Engineering, the university’s Center and corn), apples, rosemary and other foods. His research has attracted interest students acquire the N.C. A&T; Michel Gagne, for Excellence in Post- from a pharmaceutical company. Last March, N.C. A&T signed an exclusive licensing interdisciplinary knowledge department of chemistry, Harvest Technologies at the agreement with SARISA Therapeutics, an Invensure Company based in Minneapolis, to needed to derive insight UNC; and Fanxing Li North Carolina Research commercialize Sang’s patented aspirin-derived compounds. from big data generated and Milad Abolhasani, Campus in Kannapolis, has by the food aid supply department of chemical and received another patent The National Institutes of Health and the North Carolina Biotechnology Center chain,” explains Davis, a biomolecular engineering, provided funding for the research that led to Sang’s patents. professor in the Department Debasish Kuila, chemistry North Carolina State of Industrial and Systems professor and research University. Industry and Engineering. “This research director of the NSF CREST institute collaborators will use data from the Bioenergy Center, has include Maverick Synfuels, C2 domestic humanitarian received a $2 million grant Energy, Eastman Chemical Brandis Philips, assistant ELIMELDA Principal investigator hunger relief supply chain as from the University of North Company, Alpha-Omega professor of accounting, has been MOIGE Lauren Davis and her the basis for an innovative, Carolina (UNC) system’s Power Technologies and awarded a $25,000 research ONGERI, cross-disciplinary team at evidence-based, scalable Research Opportunities the Kenan Institute for grant by the National Association associate N.C. A&T have secured a approach to training the Initiative to support his Engineering, Technology and of State Boards of Accountancy professor five-year, $3 million grant future workforce.” research on converting Science. Eastman Chemical to better understand some in the through the National animal and food waste to and the Kenan Institute are of the challenges associated Department Science Foundation’s The grant will provide a carbon-neutral gasoline. providing financial support to with developing high-quality, of Biology, Research Traineeship (NRT) unique and comprehensive the effort. advanced placement courses in has been Program to support food training experience for Kuila and his interdisciplinary accounting, and those related to awarded a insecurity research in a a total of 50 masters team have been working The project will demonstrate educating a diverse population $1.42 million project called “Improving and doctoral students, to develop a sustainable proof-of-concept for a highly and building a more inclusive grant from Strategies for Hunger including 45 funded technology that will lower efficient, modular gas-to- profession. Since NASBA’s grant the National Relief and Food Security trainees, by combining the environmental footprint liquids (M-GTL) technology program’s initial launch in 2011, Institutes of Health (NIH) National Institute of Using Computational disciplines in industrial and subsequently the costs that uses solar energy to an estimated $150,000 has been General Medicine to investigate acute kidney Data Science.” and systems engineering, of the agricultural enterprise convert biogas, i.e. animal awarded to academic researchers disease initiated by ischemia-reperfusion computer science, while generating fuel of and food waste, to gasoline. representing 27 U.S. institutions. injury (IRI), or reduced blood flow to the The four co-principal mathematics, agricultural immediate value to farmers. The resulting M-GTL kidneys and subsequent oxygen deficiency. investigators are Seong-Tae economics, sociology and prototype will be used to Arwin Smallwood, professor Ongeri’s work will focus on determining Kim, Kenrett Jefferson- public policy. attract robust private and and chairman of the Department how meprin metalloproteases or enzymes Moore, Steven Jiang and public funding for scale-up of History, was chosen by Our abundant in kidney tubules influence Albert Esterline. The team and commercialization. State® magazine for its September ischemia/reperfusion-induced kidney injury represents expertise 2017 special collector’s issue to through increased inflammation and fibrosis. across three colleges: contribute to the publication’s This individual research grant was awarded Engineering, Science and list of “50 moments that shaped under NIH’s Support of Competitive Research Technology, and Agriculture North Carolina.” Smallwood (SCORE) Program. and Environmental Sciences. is a historian of eastern North Carolina.

18 • N.C. A&T Magazine NCat.edu • 19 CAMPUS highlights

Students

TASHA is a customer assistant The Saudi Student Multimedia journalism Crystal Hogue, senior Sophomore business and mobile application that Association at N.C. A&T major Donovan Dooley journalism and mass student Lydeah Kearse is allows customers to have a placed fourth as one of the is one of three Rhoden communication major, was the inaugural winner of the personalized experience at best of 373 clubs in the Fellows who participated one of two recipients of the Ashley Stewart Leadership home, in the dealership and United States of America in the Big 12 Conference’s Roger and Marilyn Sarow Scholarship. Kearse was in the car, allowing users for the academic year 2016. annual basketball media Fellowship for Diversity in honored and received a to access public data for Fahad Aldosari, president, preview event Oct. 24 at Public Radio. The fellowship $10,000 scholarship during all current vehicle models, was recognized by the Sprint Center in Kansas City, provided Hogue the the “Finding Ashley Stewart explore a vehicle through a Cultural Mission of the Royal Missouri, where they had the opportunity to work as a 2017” finale Sept. 16, at 360-degree virtual reality Embassy of Saudi Arabia for opportunity to work with Big reporter in news department Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, experience of what it’s his leadership. 12 staff to help orchestrate at WFAE 90.7 in Charlotte, New York. like to sit in the car, obtain planning, production and North Carolina, this past recommendations based on media coverage activities for summer. Her focus was spot In April, N.C. A&T and real-time responses and more. the event. reporting and features as the international retailer well as honing her writing launched an initiative to The team’s presentation The Rhoden Fellowship and reporting skills, on-air help empower women Brandon Long, Aaren Avery, Kaila Billie and included a simulation of Program, headed by delivery and use of sound. through education, which Jean Olivier Beya the app’s capabilities like “ESPN The Undefeated” included a scholarship providing directions to the editor-at-large and former awarded to a female student Fifteen HBCU teams For the second consecutive dealership and a specific car, New York Times columnist who exemplifies strong Aggies Win were charged with year, a team of N.C. A&T alerting a dealer of arrival, William C. Rhoden, is a leadership skills in the creating a virtual retail computer science students requesting the keys for a test two-year training program business and economics BE SMART environment for Toyota and took the top prize at Black drive and answering specific for the next generation disciplines and who implementing a better and Hackathon for Enterprise’s TechConneXt questions. The team made of sports journalists from demonstrates stewardship more personalized user Summit BE SMART provision for nearly every historically black colleges in her community. experience for customers. Second Year hackathon in Silicon Valley. scenario. and universities. Through the Rhoden Fellowship Per the scholarship “Toyota is a Japanese Aaren Avery, Jean Beyond the purchase, TASHA Initiative, fellows utilize sports requirements, Kearse company, and within the Olivier Beya, Kaila will continue providing as a backdrop and lens to submitted an application company they offer you Billie and Brandon customer service by offering produce relevant, timely and and essay describing Japanese terms to represent Long, better known as maintenance information and informative stories about how she demonstrates things within the company. Aggie++, claimed the capturing customer feedback, culture, race and class, while leadership qualities. After We wanted a Japanese $40,000 grand prize for which in turn will be funneled also serving as campus being identified as one of phrase that also had a their winning app, TASHA, back to Toyota. correspondents for 10 finalists, it was her one- following the 24-36-hour strong meaning to it, would “The Undefeated.” minute personal video that represent what she does hackathon sponsored by Students participating in the resonated with the Ashley Toyota. and her skill. Because she 2017 BE Smart Hackathon Stewart team. is very skillful,” said Long, also had the opportunity presenting TASHA to the to work with mentors from audience and judges. “Aside Toyota as well as from from that, we also wanted a Twilio. name that is relatable.”

20 • N.C. A&T Magazine NCat.edu • 21 CAMPUS highlights

Denver Lark, a multimedia journalism student from Springdale, Maryland, is the inaugural Kristen Shipley, senior recipient of The Al Johnson journalism and mass Students, continued Annual Scholarship. The communication major, late Johnson attended was one of 50 students A&T in the 1960s and was nationwide to receive a Phi a veteran journalist, editor Kappa Phi Study Abroad and associate publisher Grant last spring. Shipley who mentored hundreds of used the grant to study reporters during his career. at Musashi University in The new scholarship will Tokyo, Japan. be awarded annually to qualified A&T applicants, with preference given to journalism and mass communication students based on academic achievement, community service, merit and need.

Alessia Stewart, sophomore bioengineering major, participated in the Global Grand Challenges Summit hosted by the National Academy of Seniors Keonia Rodgers, psychology major, Engineering in Washington, Joseph Pinkney, senior, was awarded the 2017 Science, and Brandon Long, computer science, District of Columbia, Mathematics, And Research for Transformation (SMART) have been selected for the 2017 class of the July 18–20. Nearly 900 Scholarship. Pinkney’s sponsoring facility is Shaw Air Force White House Initiative on Historically Black participants from the United Base in South Carolina, where he is working as a civil Colleges and Universities (HBCU) All-Stars. States, United Kingdom engineer with the role of project manager, progressively Long and Rodgers will serve a one-year term as and China convened to increasing in responsibility as time is accrued. Thandiwe Brown, Uhman Alibalogun, Oluchi Chukwunyere, Brandon Long, ambassadors, providing outreach opportunities “creatively address some Kerry Wilson, LaJay Norvell and Demondre Livingston and communications to their fellow students of the most pressing issues The SMART Scholarship is a nationally competitive award about the value of education and the initiative as Seniors Duy Bui, The four-day summit, Summit scholars were and promising innovations for STEM majors sponsored by the Department of Defense. a networking resource. Brandon Long and hosted by the United selected through fierce of the time—the Grand SMART is designed to pay full tuition and fees for the LaJay Norvell, juniors Negro College Fund, competition based on Challenges for Engineering— awarded scholar throughout the duration of their current Sixty-two undergraduate, graduate and Demondre Livingston served as an empowerment GPAs, personal statements, including virtual reality, degree. In addition, SMART provides guaranteed internships professional students were honored at the and Kerry Wilson, tool for African-American internships, computer artificial intelligence, health throughout each summer until graduation, as well as a 2017 HBCU All-Star Annual Summit hosted sophomore Uthman students to chart their science skills and care, climate change yearly stipend of $25,000–$38,000 while in school with no at the White House. In its fourth year, the Alibalogun, and career paths within STEM demonstrated leadership. and education of future work obligations during the semester. initiative launched the HBCUs All-Stars program freshmen Thandiwe fields. It was also a forum The average GPA for this engineers who will take on under the Obama administration and recognizes Brown and Oluchi to address the glaring year’s cohort was 3.5. such challenges.” Stewart The scholarship is a Sponsor for Service award. After HBCU students for their accomplishments in Chukwunyere gaps in tech diversity that was one of a select group of graduation, the scholar will be funded by the SMART academics, leadership and civic engagement. participated in the fifth exist in Silicon Valley while students who participated in organization, the scholar will then work for a sponsoring annual HBCU Innovation also developing new and “How to Change the World,” facility for the same length of time. Summit in Silicon Valley, productive professional which focused on how the Oct. 25–28. relationships. Global Grand Challenges connect to real-world complex problems.

22 • N.C. A&T Magazine NCat.edu • 23 Athletics Undefeated: The Unanimous No. 1 N.C. A&T football caps a historic season with a big win in Atlanta, a dominant position on the national stage and a new head coach.

By Todd Simmons

By now, you’ve relived the “I told my coaches when moment dozens of times: we met before the start of With 38 seconds left in camp that this might be the the nationally televised best team I’ve ever coached, Celebration Bowl, Aggies and look how it turned out,” Quarterback Lamar Head Coach Rod Broadway Raynard—all 6’4”, 200 told the newspaper. pounds of him—follows his offensive line’s powerful Perhaps the only bittersweet surge into the end zone, moment in the weeks plowing past Grambling following the big win was State defenders to claim the announcement of N.C. A&T’s fourth black Broadway’s retirement on college football national Jan. 8. Two years in the championship, its second in making, his decision to the past three years. leave the high-pressure, high-profile world of college Aggies who were among football for more quality the 26,000 to witness it time with his family was an in person or one of nearly emotional one. 2.4 million broadcast viewers across the country “When it’s time, you know. undoubtedly have the And it’s time,” he told news winning play in Atlanta’s media outlets and a room world-class Mercedes-Benz full of players, coaches Stadium etched in their and supporters at a press memories for a lifetime. conference the following But it was one of many day. As certain as he was of glittering points of pride his decision, it wasn’t easy, in an unprecedented 12-0 particularly in sharing it season—the first in the with his players. “That was history of the Mid-Eastern the hard part—to meet with Athletic Conference those guys, look them in the (MEAC)—filled with eye and say goodbye.” superlatives, achievements and national recognition. continued page 26

“North Carolina A&T unanimous No. 1 HBCU team,” blared a USA Today N.C. A&T Aggies celebrate a historic 12-0 headline after the win. season and second Celebration Bowl victory. 24 • N.C. A&T Magazine NCat.edu • 25 Athletics, continued Men’s Basketball Retools “This program’s in good hands, and this man is going to do a during the Off-season good job for you,” Broadway reinforced. By Brian M. Holloway ’97

The national title and transition After a tough three-win season, head men’s basketball coach Jay Joyner in coaches left everyone made changes with his coaching staff, his roster and himself. Now the connected to the football Aggies appear equipped to erase the memory of their three-win season in program—including Chancellor 2016-2017 and make a move toward moving up in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Harold L. Martin Sr., who watched Conference. the coaches’ press conference quietly, in a contemplative mood, “You learn so much about yourself as a coach when you go through self- recalling how far N.C. A&T has examination,” said Joyner. “You learn what works and what doesn’t work. come since 2011. It is important I get the players to buy in to what we’re doing and where we’re going as a program. I think that is starting to happen. Guys are Hilton recalled a difficult trip listening, and they are responding and that is a good thing.” to Indianapolis in the spring of that year, where he, Martin and Joyner even lost weight during the offseason to signify the improvements the football team’s then new he wants to see in the men’s basketball program. Despite the tough losses Running back Jamari Smith Running back Marquell Cartwright, Defensive Franklin "Mac" McCain, Celebration head coach had to make a case to Georgia Tech, UMass and Delaware State, among others, Joyner always Celebration Bowl’s offensive MVP Bowl’s defensive MVP to the NCAA for the program believed the program had the parts in place to get better. to continue. Under sanction for poor academic performance, the Three Division I transfers—junior Aaren Edmead (5’10”, 165-pound Even with Broadway’s • The black college football • Raynard was one of In the wake of superstar program was in shambles. guard from Deer Park, New York), redshirt sophomore Japhet Kadji departure, though, the national championship seven offensive starters running back Tarik Cohen’s (6’7”, 205 lbs., forward, Doula, Littoral) and redshirt junior Femi Olujobi Aggies seem unlikely to was Broadway’s fifth. and 12 Aggies overall to graduation last spring to They earned the right to (6’8”, 233 lbs., forward, Long Island, New York)—were lying in wait while miss a beat. Assistant Having also earned titles at be named to the MEAC the NFL’s Chicago Bears, continue, and Broadway set the Aggies toiled. Head Coach/Defensive North Carolina Central and All Conference First Team. some wondered how the to work, Hilton said, not only Coordinator Sam Washington Grambling, he established Others included three- Aggie program would addressing the team’s academic Edmead transferred and Kadji transferred from Wagner. Edmead’s point was elevated to the head himself over 15 years as one time MEAC Offensive keep the momentum alive. performance and winning on guard skills and three-point shooting will be an asset for the Aggies coaching position in the of the finest head coaches Lineman of the Year They’re not wondering the field, but building a strong offensively. Kadji can also hit three, while providing the Aggies with a same announcement, and in college football, following Brandon Parker, running anymore. Seven of those program overall. big who can put the ball on the floor and get to the basket. Olujobi will seemed well prepared to pick service as an assistant coach back Marquell Cartwright MEAC All Conference be a big active body in the post that will cause opponents problems up where his mentor over the at Florida, Duke, Chapel Hill Jr. and freshman defensive selections are set to return “Coach, we say thank you to offensively and defensively. past 11 years left off. and East Carolina. At A&T, back Franklin “Mac” in 2018, including Raynard, you,” said Hilton at the press he transformed a program McCain III, grandson of Cartwright, McCain and star conference, emotion apparent More veteran help came the Aggies’ way when graduate transfer Devonte “This is perhaps THE best that was 1-10 the season his namesake, one of the receiver Elijah Bell. in his voice. Recalling that hiring Boykins (6’2, 180 lbs., guard, Forest City, North Carolina) was added out job in all of HBCU football,” before he arrived in 2011 legendary North Carolina Broadway was one of his first big of Georgia Southern. The Aggies are looking for Boykins to bring the said Washington. Added into a Division I, Football A&T Four. Cartwright and At the press conference moves as athletic director, Hilton defensive intensity he showed at GSU. Athletic Director Earl Championship Subdivision McCain earned offensive announcing his new role as continued “I knew he was a good Hilton, who had discussed powerhouse. and defensive MVP head coach, Washington football coach. He’s a better Two junior college transfers should also make a difference for A&T in a succession plan many honors, respectively, at said the returning team person. ... I’ll miss him as a coach. 2017-18. Junior Kwei Lartey (6’4”, 208 lbs., guard, Atlanta, Georgia) led times with Broadway, “I did • Quarterback Raynard the Celebration Bowl, and members will be joined I’ll miss him more as a friend.” Spartanburg Methodist College to a regional championship and the not entertain anyone else capped an undefeated, Parker, also an STATS FCS by new student athletes National Junior College Athletic Association tournament as a sophomore. seriously” for the position. three-year career as a starter All American, is he pronounced himself Editor’s note: N.C. A&T He finished his sophomore season averaging 11.8 points, 5.9 rebounds with a season in which he considered a leading “excited” to announce on Magazine will take a more and 3.1 assists per game while shooting 55 percent from the field and Coaching transition aside, three 27 touchdowns, offensive line pick for the national signing day in comprehensive look at the 49 percent from 3-point range. Junior Milik Gantz (6’3”, 180 lbs., guard, as Broadway advised the earned a gaudy efficiency upcoming NFL Draft. February. No doubt, bowl legacy of Coach Broadway in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) is a combo guard who was a third-team All- readers of USA Today, just rating of 161.7 and, as of this game victories and national the next issue. American JUCO (junior college). He spent two seasons at Harcum, where look at how the 2017 season writing, is one of our players We could go on. And on. championships do wonders he led the Bears to 50 wins and a district championship in 2016. turned out: in contention for the Black And on. for recruiting. College Football Player continued page 29 of the Year, which will be announced Feb. 10. 26 • N.C. A&T Magazine NCat.edu • 27 Athletics, continued Two more returning guards – Men’s Basketball redshirt junior Amari Hamilton (6’1”, Retools, continued 165 lbs., Durham, North Carolina) and senior Austin Williams (6’1”, 175 lbs., Queens, New York) – will try to find their role for the new-look Aggies Basketball 2017-18 Then there are the returners to Aggies. At one point last season, add even more veteran leadership. Hamilton was one of the hottest Highlighting the returners so shooters in the nation. From Jan. to speak is fifth-year wingman 4-Feb. 13, he was 28-for-59 (.475) MEN’S Denzel Keyes (6’4”, 210 lbs., guard/ from 3-point range. With the extra DATE OPPONENT L OCATION T time (ET) forward, Kinston, North Carolina) talent around him, Hamilton’s did not play for the Aggies during Nov. 10 Greensboro College (W) Corbett Sports Center 8 p.m. ability to get open looks from three WOMEN’S the 2016-17 season after playing could enhance the Aggies offense. Nov. 12 Clemson (L) Clemson, S.C. 2 p.m. DATE OPPONENT L OCATION T time (ET) the three previous seasons, as he Williams will stand in as the team’s Nov. 15 The Citadel (W) Corbett Sports Center 7 p.m. focused on football. Keyes went only four-year senior. Nov. 10 Georgia Southern (W) Corbett Sports Center 5:30 p.m. Nov. 18 Jacksonville (W) Jacksonville, Fla. 6 p.m. on to break the school record in touchdown receptions (25) during Nov. 13 Elon (L) Corbett Sports Center 5:30 p.m. Nov. 21 Mid-Atlantic Christian (W) Corbett Sports Center 7 p.m. A veteran squad should help the Aggies 2016 football season. freshmen Kameron Langley (6’2”, Nov. 16 Auburn (L) Auburn, Ala. 5:00 p.m. Nov. 26 East Carolina (L) Greenville, N.C. 4 p.m. Keyes is now back to add the 205 lbs., guard, Greensboro, Nov. 21 Appalachian State (W) Corbett Sports Center 5:30 p.m. Nov. 30 Central Conn. St. (L) New Britain, Conn. 7 p.m. defensive intensity he became North Carolina), D’Andre Johnson Nov. 25 Duquesne > (L) Charlottesville, Va. 4:30 p.m. Dec. 2 Presbyterian (L) Clinton, S.C. 2 p.m. known for as a hoops player. (6’10”, 225 lbs., center, District of Nov. 26 Harvard > (L) Charlottesville, Va. 1 p.m. Dec. 9 Georgetown (L) Washington, D.C. 9 p.m. Columbia) and Myles Patten (6’4”, Senior Donte Watson (6’6”, 185 185 lbs., Brooklyn, New York) adjust Nov 30 UT Martin (L) Martin, Tenn. 6 p.m. Dec. 15 Tennessee State (W) Corbett Sports Center 7 p.m. lbs., guard, New Orleans) showed to life as college basketball players. Dec 11 St. Augustine’s (W) Corbett Sports Center 5:30 p.m. Dec. 17 Duquesne ^ (L) Pittsburgh, Pa. 12:30 p.m. flashes of being a brilliant offensive Redshirt freshman Dalen Dotson Dec 14 Georgia (L) Corbett Sports Center 5:30 p.m. Dec. 19 Southern Illinois ^ (L) Carbondale, Ill. 8:30 p.m. player last season. He had 18 points (5’11”, 170 lbs., Matthews, North and seven rebounds on 4-for-7 Dec 19 Western Carolina (W) Corbett Sports Center Noon Dec. 22 Radford ^ (L) Las Vegas, Nev. Noon Carolina) will also get his first crack shooting from 3-point range Dec 28 Ohio (L) Athens, Ohio 7 p.m. at game action this season. Dec. 23 UC Davis or Lamar ^ (W) Las Vegas, Nev. 2:30 p.m. against Delaware State on Jan. 7. Jan 2 St. Andrews College (W) Corbett Sports Center 5:30 p.m. Dec. 28 Virginia Tech Blacksburg, Va. 4 p.m. A week later, he had 19 points and In addition to all the new players, Jan 6 Norfolk State * Corbett Sports Center 2 p.m. Jan. 6 Norfolk State * Corbett Sports Center 4 p.m. eight rebounds on 8-for-11 shooting Joyner also added two new coaches at Coppin State. Jan 8 Delaware State * Dover, Del. 5:30 p.m. Jan. 8 Delaware State * Dover, Del. 7:30 p.m. associate head coach Jack Agostino and assistant David Butts. Jan 13 Morgan State * Corbett Sports Center 2 p.m. Jan. 13 Morgan State * Corbett Sports Center 4 p.m. Senior Davaris McGowens (6’7”, Jan 15 Coppin State * Corbett Sports Center 5:30 p.m. Jan. 15 Coppin State * Corbett Sports Center 7:30 p.m. 230 lbs., forward, Taylors, South The N.C. A&T men’s basketball Jan 20 Maryland Eastern Shore * Princess Anne, Md. 2 p.m. Jan. 20 Maryland Eastern Shore * Princess Anne, Md. 4 p.m. Carolina) had a superb first season schedule includes two ACC foes, Big in Aggieland. McGowens averaged Jan 22 Howard * Washington, D.C. 6 p.m. Jan. 22 Howard * Washington, D.C. 7:30 p.m. East school Georgetown, four home 9.6 points and 6.9 rebounds, while games over the first two months of Jan 27 North Carolina Central * Corbett Sports Center 2 p.m. Jan. 27 North Carolina Central * Corbett Sports Center 4 p.m. shooting .486 from the floor. the season and a trip to Las Vegas. Feb 3 Hampton * Corbett Sports Center 2 p.m. Feb. 3 Hampton * Corbett Sports Center 4 p.m. McGowens ranked fourth in the Feb 5 Delaware State * Corbett Sports Center 5:30 p.m. Feb. 5 Delaware State * Corbett Sports Center 7:30 p.m. MEAC in rebounding and seventh “We need to take care of home in shooting. Feb 10 South Carolina State * Orangeburg, S.C. 2 p.m. Feb. 10 South Carolina State * Orangeburg, S.C. 4 p.m. early, so we can establish a home court advantage,” said Joyner. “We Feb 12 Savannah State * Savannah, Ga. 6 p.m. Feb. 12 Savannah State * Savannah, Ga. 8 p.m. Sophomore Raymon Pratt (6’3”, also need to win some of those Feb 17 Howard * Corbett Sports Center 2 p.m. Feb. 17 Howard * Corbett Sports Center 4 p.m. 197 lbs., guard, Greensboro, North games against teams who were Feb 19 Maryland Eastern Shore * Corbett Sports Center 5:30 p.m. Feb. 19 Maryland Eastern Shore * Corbett Sports Center 7:30 p.m. Carolina) is coveted by the Aggies close to us in RPI last season. How because of his defensive presence Feb 24 Florida A&M * Tallahassee, Fla. 2 p.m. Feb. 24 Florida A&M * Tallahassee, Fla. 6 p.m. we play in those contests will tell on the floor. me a lot about how close we are to Feb 26 Bethune-Cookman * Daytona Beach, Fla. 5:30 p.m. Feb. 26 Bethune-Cookman * Daytona Beach, Fla. 7:30 p.m. being where we need to be going Mar 1 North Carolina Central * Durham, N.C. 5:30 p.m. Mar 1 North Carolina Central * Durham, N.C. 7:30 p.m. into conference play.”

> Cavalier Thanksgiving Tournament ^ Las Vegas Classic * Conference Games * Conference Games

28 • N.C. A&T Magazine NCat.edu • 29 Athletics, continued

By Brian M. Holloway ’97 Hall Named MEAC Baseball Coach of the Year

With one more year of Belcher turned a lot of “I had a chance to Hall credits his coaching For the first time in six tries eligibility for indoor track eyes toward him when he observe him throughout staff. in program history, the and field, Belcher signed ran a wind-aided 9.99 at the season, and I was Aggies beat the Charlotte a professional contract N.C. A&T’s Irwin Belk Track impressed with what I “I am both humbled and 49ers twice in one season. with Nike, thereby ending on April 15, at the time, saw from him in terms of excited,” said Hall. “I want The Aggies also swept his collegiate career as the fastest 100m dash in paying attention to detail, to thank my staff first and archrival North Carolina an Aggie. The good news the nation. He carried that preparation and overall foremost. This award honors Central for the first time didn’t stop there. Belcher over to the MEAC outdoor leadership,” Hilton said the hard work they put in since the Eagles joined the also finished third in the championships in May when at the time. “While our to build this program and MEAC in 2011. U.S. 100m final to earn a he won three conference win-loss record was not get us going in the right prestigious spot on the gold medals (100m, 200m, what we hoped, coach direction. In my mind, this is “When we first took over United States Track and 4x100) to help the N.C. A&T Hall effectively guided not a one-man show, it is an two and a half years ago, Field team along with men’s track and field team the program through a organizational award.” we told these guys to buy Olympian Justin Gatlin and win their first conference difficult transition.” in; buy into the process. Do NCAA 100-meter champion title in 21 years. A month Among the season’s it the way we want you to Christian Coleman out of the later, Belcher clocked a 9.93 Wins helped N.C. A&T head Hall proved those qualities highlights was the program do it, and we’re going to University of Tennessee. in a semifinal heat at the coach Ben Hall earn Mid- could lead to wins as getting off to its best start change the culture and the NCAA championships in Eastern Athletic (MEAC) well. The Aggies went since joining the MEAC in way you play the game,” Belcher, who has developed Eugene, Oregon, to become Baseball Coach of the Year. from 10 wins to 13 wins in 1971, by opening the season said Hall. “We raised our into one of the best sprinters a first-team All-American. However, it wasn’t wins 2016, and had one of the at 9-4. The Aggies also expectation levels, and all in the world, continued that His 9.93 is still the third- that initially helped Hall biggest turnarounds in tied the school record for of our guys have bought in ascent at the event through fastest time in the world earn the head coaching job Division I as they headed conference wins, matching and competed and done two qualifying races that this year. at N.C. A&T. into the 2017 MEAC the 2010 team that went the things we’ve asked made him a member of the Baseball Championship 15-3 in the MEAC. And, them.” U.S. national team. He also earned first-team Hall was hired as an Tournament, 26-23 overall pitcher Cutter Dyals was All-America honors in assistant coach for N.C. and 15-9 in the MEAC. In selected by the Atlanta “We knew it was coming,” the 200m and 4x1. The A&T’s baseball program in improving the Aggies’ Braves in the 17th round said Duane Ross, director of 20.01 he ran at the NCAA August of 2014, in part to win total by 13 games of the 2017 Major League the track and field programs championships is the sixth- help improve the Aggies’ overall and nine games Baseball draft. at A&T, about Belcher fastest time in the world hitting. Within two months, in the conference, Hall signing with Nike. “He is in the 200m this year. The a head coaching change led the Aggies back going to have a nice career. 38.48 ran by Belcher and made him the interim head to the tournament for He is still going to train in his 4x1 teammates at the “I am both humbled and excited,” said coach at the age of 31. the first time in four In June, N.C. A&T student- Greensboro, and he is going NCAA championships Despite only winning 10 years. The Aggies were Hall. “I want to thank my staff first and Star Sprinter athlete Christopher Belcher to finish school, so this is an (semifinal heat) is the games as the interim head picked to finish fifth donned an Aggies track exciting time for him, for our eighth-fastest time in the foremost. This award honors the hard Belcher Signs coach during the 2015 out of five teams in the and field uniform for his program and for the entire world this year. season, athletics director MEAC Southern Division. work they put in to build this program and semifinal 100-meter dash N.C. A&T university family. Professional Earl M. Hilton III removed Instead they went into the race at the 2017 USATF Chris is a prime example get us going in the right direction. In my the interim tag. tournament as the No. 2 Outdoor Championships of coming in, doing what is Contract seed out of the South. mind, this is not a one-man show, it is an in Sacramento, California. asked of you and working with Nike When Belcher came out for hard until you see the types organizational award.” the final, the N.C. A&T was of results you want to see. gone and he was uniformed You still have to work hard. completely in Nike. It’s not only about talent.”

30 • N.C. A&T Magazine NCat.edu • 31 growth spurt N.C. A&T enrolls largest student body ever with growth at all levels

The enrollment surge was driven in large part by 2,309 new freshmen, the largest first-year class in N.C. A&T history, as well as its most academically accomplished, with an average GPA of 3.51, average SAT score of 1,023 and average ACT of 20.

By Todd Simmons

32 • N.C. A&T Magazine NCat.edu • 33 growth spurt continued

N.C. A&T’s relentless drive toward fulfillment of Fall 2017 student body: Preeminence 2020 is resulting in some of the plan’s goals already being realized, three years ahead of schedule. 78 percent African American and For instance, the strategic plan set an undergraduate 22 percent other races and ethnicities enrollment goal of 10,000 by 2020, which the university has now surpassed, with 10,341 undergrads enrolled this fall.

Another goal calls for N.C. A&T to award 500 degrees annually across science, technology, engineering and math The enrollment surge was driven in large part by 2,309 disciplines. Last year, the university awarded more than 660. new freshmen, the largest first-year class in N.C. A&T history, as well as its most academically accomplished, The university is not only growing by attracting new with an average GPA of 3.51, average SAT score of 1,023 students, but by retaining those already enrolled. The and average ACT of 20. percentage of first-year students who continued this fall from the 2016 cohort, for instance, increased by 3.5 The university also enrolled 822 new transfer students, up percent over the cohort for the prior year. Enrollment at N.C. A&T surged to 11,877 in August, from 730 last year, and 1,536 students at the master’s and expanding the student body to its largest size ever and doctoral levels, up from 1,509 last year. To accommodate the planned expansion, N.C. A&T is adding significantly to a growth trend that began in 2013. adding to its campus facilities. Under construction since Rated a doctoral university with higher research 2014, the 150,000-square foot student center will open This past fall’s growth rate of 6.3 percent means that over activity by the Carnegie Foundation, N.C. A&T offers in the spring, providing a new home for student services, the past five years, N.C. A&T has added more than 1,300 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in a organizations, meeting rooms and amenities. students in direct response to N.C. A&T Preeminence 2020, wide breadth of disciplines, with nationally recognized the institution’s strategic plan, which the university began strengths in STEM education. Demolition has been planned to make way for the implementing in 2011. That plan calls for the land-grant $90-million Engineering Research and Innovation Complex institution to expand to an overall enrollment of 13,500 N.C. A&T’s enrollment growth comes not only in the (ERIC), a facility made possible by the Connect NC bond over the next three years. university’s traditional student base, but in all other referendum that voters passed in 2016. ERIC will be the racial and ethnic demographics. While 78 percent of the primary home for the College of Engineering, which The addition of 700 students to N.C. A&T’s overall fall’s student body is African American, the remaining already produces more African American engineers than headcount—one of the single biggest one-year increases 22 percent represent other races and ethnicities. About any university in the nation. in N.C. A&T history—cemented the university’s status as 7 percent of this year’s student body is white, a little America’s largest historically black college or university, a more than 4 percent is Hispanic and over 3 percent are Other facilities are due to be built or renovated in coming status it has held since 2014. international students from a wide range of racial and years, including additional student housing. Likewise, ethnic backgrounds. the university is planning additional degree programs “The growth we’ve experienced this fall illustrates how that will further diversify its academic programs at the much students, parents and families want to be part University leaders say prospective students are undergraduate and graduate levels. of the North Carolina A&T experience,” said Chancellor increasingly drawn by educational opportunities at N.C. Harold L. Martin Sr. “We deliver an education that not A&T in programs such as engineering, nursing and biology, “This is truly an exciting time to be an Aggie,” Martin only prepares our students for rewarding careers in an as well as by the return on investment for an N.C. A&T added. “We are witnessing the benefits of the hard work increasingly competitive global marketplace, we deeply education. Earlier this year, for instance, the compensation invested by our faculty, staff, students and alumni, as value each and every individual who entrusts us with analysis firm PayScale released data showing that N.C. well as the guidance of our board of trustees and the that responsibility. Our students know that their success A&T graduates earn more right out of school than those of investment of our private supporters. And there’s much matters here.” all but one other North Carolina public university. more work to be done.”

34 • N.C. A&T Magazine NCat.edu • 35 S.H.A.R.K. points: Set a goal; Homework, as in do During his visit last April to N.C. A&T, millionaire entrepreneur Mwaniki presented his idea for it; Amor, love what you do; Remember that you are and television personality Daymond John stirred the crowd with an app, Helping Hand, which the brand; and Keep swimming, just like a shark his dynamic personal story of perseverance and saw some of allows users to get the help the best student entrepreneurs Aggieland has to offer, as he they need with everyday tasks (learning and testing yourself). kicked off the Chancellor’s Speaker Series. or chores and maintain their independence. “I am not here to talk about macro- and microfinancing,” John said to a capacity crowd in Harrison Auditorium. “I am “On the night of the here to brag about my failures and all the things that were presentation, I was drowning detrimental.” in a sea of nervousness,” he said. “The sincere positivity John is the co-star of ABC TV’s Emmy-winning series, “Shark received from the production Tank,” where he and his co-stars listen to business pitches from crew, faculty and staff, aspiring entrepreneurs. “The People’s Shark,” as he is known, genuinely put us at ease. This founded the now-iconic clothing company, FUBU (For Us, By event was truly a blessing, Us), in his mother’s basement and transformed it into a global so I had to remind myself empire with more than $6 billion in sales to date. that members of the schools’ committee believed in us, He was appointed as an ambassador of global entrepreneurship and we needed to believe in by President Barack Obama, and is the author of several books, ourselves.” including the current New York Times best-seller, “The Power of Broke.” Thomas, the creator of the Floating Nightstand, a While John’s brands have amassed billions of dollars in sales, he small furniture solution for said that alone is not what has made him successful. individuals living in small spaces, was also nervous and “Success is not money. Success is being dedicated. … Money just echoed Mwaniki’s sentiment. drives you up to your problems in a Bugatti,” he said. Thomas said he found the panel’s feedback useful. The way John says he found success is working for entrepreneurs and emulating the real heroes of his neighborhood in the Queens “The night was unforgettable borough of New York City, Hollis. and may just be the kick start I needed to start my “Entrepreneurs were the first people to show up, the last ones business,” he said. to leave. They thanked people for their success and blamed only one for their failure,” he said. After their presentations, the finalists were informed that “(Heroes) were getting up at five in the morning, getting their Howroyd would personally kids ready for school then going off to their places of business invest $1,000 each into their Daymond or learning. Then they were getting home at eight at night, business ventures. The money making dinner, doing homework, putting kids to bed and will help the students with getting up to do it all over again—five days a week,” he said. prototypes, trademarks and the people’s Shark other assets that will help In addition to that, John lives by and encouraged the audience them bring their products to John to embrace what he calls S.H.A.R.K. points. They include: Set a the marketplace. Each was shares points with future goal; Homework, as in do it; Amor, love what you do; Remember presented a check prior to that you are the brand; and Keep swimming, just like a shark the spring commencement entrepreneurs. (learning and testing yourself). ceremonies. By Tonya D. Dixon ’04 As part of his visit, John, along with Chancellor Harold L. Martin Sr. and N.C. A&T Board of Trustees member and businesswoman Janice Bryant Howroyd, heard pitches from four student entrepreneurs: Emani Harris, Robert Mwaniki, Jordan Thomas and Darius Wright. The four students were chosen out of a pool of 44 students who submitted ideas.

36 • N.C. A&T Magazine NCat.edu • 37 Students, faculty, staff and members the local community lined up outside Harrison Auditorium as early as two hours before the Chancellor’s Town Hall event on Sept. 12, to claim seats with the best views for photos that would later prove they were up close and personal with the guest speakers.

For the second installment of the town hall series, Chancellor Harold L. Martin Sr. called on actress/advocate/brand ambassador Gabrielle Union, political strategist Angela Rye and global news Gabrielle Union, correspondent Lisa Ling to participate Angela Rye and Lisa in a panel discussion on women’s issues.

Ling participate in As individual experts and celebrants Chancellor’s Town in their respective fields, Union, Rye and Ling collectively offer a Hall to discuss issues wealth of knowledge, expertise and affecting women today. personal experience to effectively and intellectually delve into the complexity of women’s issues. To ensure a healthy By Tonya D. Dixon ’04 and robust discussion, each was given the opportunity to elaborate on specific topics, as presented by the moderator, Los Angeles-based television news reporter and A&T alumna Danya Bacchus.

Bacchus opened the program with Maya Angelou’s “Phenomenal Woman.” As soon as she introduced the special guests, the auditorium erupted into applause, cheers and screams. While each attendee undoubtedly had her or his favorite panelist, all were excited to be in the space as the women of the hour and were fully engaged in the ensuing dialogue.

Over the next hour, an intimate conversation flowed freely. Topics ranged from the good, bad and misinterpretations of social media to the importance of self-worth, love and sisterhood to the emotional, mental and physical toil of rape and violence uplifting women against women.

continued, page 41

38 • N.C. A&T Magazine NCat.edu • 39 Angela Rye and Gabrielle Union “Sometimes all it takes is letting another woman know, ‘I see you and I’m here to lift you up.’” Quickly jumping into the roles and effects of social media, it was clear the panelists wanted the audience to know reality is often viewed through a skewed lens. — Gabrielle Union

“You can’t compare yourself to someone else’s social media- filtered life,” said Union. “The cars, the houses, the cash, even “Know your value and what you the flawless look, are most times a farce. And, “… no one’s can offer that no one else can,” said going to Snapchat their breakdown.” Bacchus. “Tell yourself, ‘I am valuable and I am an asset.’” The sentiment was From there, the conversation took many turns, but the town echoed and expanded by the town hall hall never lost the essence of what matters most to women, panelists. particularly young women of color. Sometimes all it takes is letting Describing an incident in which Ling felt discriminated another woman know, “I see you and against, her response was to respectfully yet sternly stand I’m here to lift you up,” said Union. her ground and fight for equality and parity. Lisa Ling Danya Bacchus And for some visibly moved attendees, “Women don’t stand up for themselves as they should,” that was all they needed to hear. said Ling. “I hope that changes with this generation.” The Chancellor’s Town Hall initiative Before the main event, the panelists participated in was created on Martin’s behalf roundtable discussions—Union with the chancellor and to bring nationally distinguished administrators, and Rye and Ling with student leaders. guests to Greensboro for campus Bacchus spent the afternoon in the classroom, only this dialogue on matters of current and time she was leading the charge. The 2004 graduate abiding importance to the university returned to the Department of Journalism and Mass community and the world beyond. Communication to speak to students about the professional The series is part of N.C. A&T’s world and her experiences. While candidly answering commitment to creating an intellectual students’ questions, she admonished them to understand climate that encourages the creative their value and teach others to understand it as well. exchange of ideas.

Gabrielle Union is the star of BET’s “Being Mary Jane.” One of Fortune Magazine’s “40 Under 40 Women to At 21 years old, Lisa Ling begin her journalism career as Danya Bacchus is a television news reporter based in Union plays the eponymous character, a successful talk Watch,” Angela Rye is a leading political strategist and a correspondent for “Channel One News,” covering the Los Angeles. Bacchus works as a freelance correspondent show host searching for “Mr. Right,” while balancing her advocate for social change. As a political commentator, civil war in Afghanistan as well as dozens of stories around for ABC News’ affiliate news service, NewsOne. She is professional and private life. In addition, her talent has champion for civil rights, lawyer and entrepreneur, Rye the world. Ling is currently the executive producer and also a contributor for Los Angeles’s Fox affiliate, KTTV. afforded her the opportunity to be featured in many big is committed to ensuring positive change in the political host of “This is Life” on CNN. The docu-drama explores She has lived across the country and has traveled the screen productions, including “Think Like a Man,” “Think process by building relationships for corporations, unions, unconventional lifestyles in the United States, introducing world pursuing her passion for journalism. Bacchus is a Like a Man Too” and “Top Five.” non-profits, and elected officials. viewers to subcultures and communities. proud graduate of N.C. A&T; she attributes her success to the education she received while as a journalism and Although often celebrated for her theatrical ability, Rye has offered on-air commentary and other features for Ling’s investigative and explorative journalistic style has mass communication student. Union is very passionate and active as an advocate CNN, BET, MSNBC, SiriusXM, The Washington Post, “The allowed her to report from various countries, covering for rape victims and an ambassador for the Susan G. Today Show,” “NBC Nightly News” and many more. stories about gang rape in the Congo, the Lord’s Resistance Komen Foundation. She also helped establish “A Step Army in Uganda and the Mara Salvatrucha gang in Central for Success” program, which helps raise funds for the America, among other often ignored issues. economically challenged Kelso Elementary School in Los Angeles. In addition, she serves as a brand ambassador for Neutrogena. uplifting women

4 / ncat.edu NCat.edu • 41 “Seize your own power” sums up the advice Valerie Jarrett gave to an audience comprised primarily of female students pursuing Former degrees and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). presidential adviser As the featured speaker for the fall installment of the Chancellor’s Valerie Jarrett Speaker Series, Women in STEM, Jarrett, a senior advisor to former President Barack Obama, offered offers advice sound advice and encouragement to students and invited guests. to women in STEM The Women in STEM theme aligned with the university’s By Tonya Dixon '04 NO DOUBT fall 2017 lecture and discussion initiatives dedicated to women’s issues. Erica Baker, a senior engineering manager at Patreon and advocate for diversity and In addition to being widely noted as a longtime and trusted confidant to inclusion in technology, was the President and First Lady Obama, Jarrett oversaw the White House Offices of moderator for the event that took Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs and chaired the White House place on Nov. 16. Council on Women and Girls. While championing the creation of equality and opportunity for all Americans, she strategically advocated for global women’s Discussion topics ranged from economic and political empowerment. what to expect in today’s workplace to overcoming Throughout her White House tenure, Jarrett led the administration’s support of disparities and injustices to the workplace policies that consider and empower working families for equal pay, importance of mentoring to increased minimum wage, paid leave and sick days, affordable childcare and believing in one’s self, as well as associated workplace flexibility. those prompted by a variety of questions from the audience. Named one of TIMES’ “100 Most Influential People,” Jarrett is the former CEO of The Habitat Company in Chicago, chairwoman of the Chicago Transit Board, “You just can be whatever you commissioner of Planning and Development, deputy chief of staff for mayor want to be,” Jarrett said. “… I want Richard Daley and director of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Her portfolio you to believe in yourselves.” includes extensive public and private sector service.

A top producer of engineering Before joining Patreon, Baker was a senior engineer at Slack. Her career began degrees awarded to African as a domain administrator for the University of Alaska System. Following, she Americans across all levels, became a “Googler,” rising from a support technician to a site reliability engineer. N.C. A&T is deeply invested in providing the foundational and Baker consistently uses her expert knowledge and enthusiasm to help educational structure necessary springboard women, young and old toward proficiency and parity in tech fields. to ensure all individuals are She is a tech mentor for Black Girls Code, is a founding member of Project substantially prepared for Include, was the 2015 Level Playing Field Institute Lux Award winner and was advanced tech fields, including included in WIRED Magazine’s 2016 NextList. women. The discussion with Jarrett provided another level of The Chancellor’s Speaker Series will continue to feature guest lecturers of national addressing comprehensive gender, and global recognition who reflect preeminence in their respective fields and add racial and educational equality. substantive value to current dialogue.

42 • N.C. A&T Magazine NCat.edu • 43 For students across North Carolina, the future is filled In addition to the training Blue-Terry provided for the state, with learning about robotics and preparation to enter the LEGO Education stepped in to provide robotics training. workforce, thanks to Misty Blue-Terry, 4-H STEM specialist Fundraising efforts have not only benefitted students, 4-H for Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T . agents and the university, but Blue-Terry has also been able to secure funds to support a few schools—Hertford County, robotics Blue-Terry works to ensure that limited-resource youth North Carolina, among them. have the opportunity to be involved in 4-H robotics programs. “It was a school that was certainly failing and we had a volunteer teacher who was gung-ho (so) we started a Since she began her work at the university in 2010, Blue- district-wide competition. We trained teachers on different reward Terry noted that student interest in robotics is stronger aspects of robotics and they had clubs in their schools. and more constant than other subjects. In fact, this past Overall, the outcomes were very positive for that district. Award-winning 4-H STEM specialist summer, she says there were multiple camps engaged in Now the grant has ended, but we still have robotics in & robotics every week. some of those schools.” works to give limited-resource youth opportunities with robotics. “That’s what is really rewarding and what really drives She has also created a work-readiness curriculum that me, is to bring this technology and these outreaches into prepares middle school youth to be leaders for tomorrow, By Joy Cook communities that don’t get an opportunity to have this beginning with teaching them how to polish their soft skills type of hands-on experience,” Blue-Terry says. to get jobs. The “You’re Hired! If Your Soft Skills Work” curriculum was developed in partnership with College of That dedication has earned her the 1890 Excellence in Business and Economics associate professor, Maranda Extension Award for 4-H Youth Development from the McBride. Trainers who work with youth teach five modules Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP) to prepare them for a community work-like volunteer and the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. experience. The volunteer sites provide feedback on the young person’s performance in the workplace based on the “To be recognized amongst your peers is a wonderful skills they learned in the class. feeling,” she said. Blue-Terry recently trained 40 4-H agents, nearly half The 4-H robotics program has evolved from using the 4-H agents in the state, emphasizing the importance inexpensive “junk drawer” materials, such as cups, of reaching non-traditional youth in 4-H. National 4-H paper clips and rubber bands to much more advanced initiatives encourage greater diversity in the organization’s technology, including sophisticated robots. outreaches to apply leadership skills among various communities, suburban, urban and rural, and it’s a mission “We would teach force and motion, some of the physics Blue-Terry wholeheartedly embraces. and some of the things connected to robotics without purchasing the equipment,” Blue-Terry said. “We Projects with Blue-Terry as a principal investigator or co- worked with agents, telling them to start here while you principal investigator have received $612,000 in external fundraise because each robot is about $400. It’s a costly funding since 2010. She is also one of the recipients of a investment. But we started with ‘junk drawer’ robotics, $1.5 million grant designed to develop the next generation then we progressed.” of scientists through formal and non-formal learning Youth learn technical skills and how to apply those skills systems in partnership with 4-H program staff at North to real-world problems by building and programming Carolina State University and Clemson University. their own robots. They also develop other skills that are valuable in any field: how to collaborate, solve problems Blue-Terry is excited about opportunities to further and manage projects. expand her work. Fittingly, she envisions using technology to teach about technology. Her next outreach is to facilitate Extension at N.C, A&T emphasizes outreach to youth in a virtual robotics camp that’s tentatively scheduled for economically distressed areas across the state focusing summer 2018. on students who would normally not be exposed to these robots. Blue-Terry’s work involves creating support Tonya Dixon ’04 contributed to this article. materials and effective training for Extension field staff and their clientele.

44 • N.C. A&T Magazine NCat.edu • 45 By Tonya D. Dixon ’04

Students at North Carolina A&T aren’t waiting until N.C. A&T students they graduate and obtain the perfect job to bring their innovative ideas to life. Ideate bring classroom Through on-campus makerspaces, they are designing, inventing, improving, manufacturing and theories to life in producing the very items they learn about in class. Not only that, theories and concepts are being to create makerspaces. tested and utilized in real-time. continued, page 46

46 • N.C. A&T Magazine NCat.edu • 47 Ideate “Makerspaces are places where people with ideas are able to The room used to be more of a storage closet. It looks “We’re dealing with faculty and students who take some to develop and make prototypes and work with others to solve nothing like that now. The students were very hands on, knowledge they have and, in some way, are able to create problems or potential problems,” said John Kelly, professor even putting down carpet. change it to be more of a commercial endeavor,” said continued and chairman of the Department of Electrical and Computer Szafranski. “In 2007-2008, then UNC System President Engineering. “It’s a space where ideas are advanced to the Perry had previously gotten his feet wet at The Forge, Erskine Bowles noted that unless universities become point of actualization.” a makerspace in Greensboro. The experience he gained very active in the research, and the application of the proved to be extremely beneficial. research then we will be left behind in the academic as One of two makerspaces on campus, the College of well as the economic world because other universities are Engineering (COE) Makerspace, is designed and run “My vision was simply to implement what I wished I had touting research efforts and moving into the commercial completely by students. In fact, Kelly says the students when I was a freshman. I wanted to be more hands-on. Now fields and applications. Basically, research should be part initiated the project. we have that opportunity,” said Perry, a junior electrical of economic development.” engineering major. “For example, students can upload a file “The space that existed before was ‘maker-like’ but was and change a block of wood into what’s on that file. Like The collaborative effort and atmosphere that most called the Robotics Club. Students said they wanted this take a block of wood and turn it into a guitar.” makerspaces offer in many aspects replicates the business type of environment,” said Kelly. “Many students want the environment. And while Szafranski notes that makerspaces practical and tangible rewards of learning how to do the The duo devised a set of standards and procedures for the are not often related to research, they are certainly skills that we are teaching them. This is that place where no makerspace, but also instituted a system that employs the springboards for entrepreneurial endeavors. one tells you what to do. It’s the grown-up equivalent of a expertise of student “super users.” sandbox. If someone has always wanted to make a wooden There is a great deal of interest from students, even clock, come in and make one.” “We will always have two super users in the lab at a time. for makerspaces off campus and throughout the local Those are students who have been trained on all of the community. Prior to the opening of the COE and Aggie For their diligence, hard work and determination, the equipment and will assist any student or faculty member Innovation makerspaces, Szafranski had no problem students have been able to outfit the makerspace with interested in using the makerspace,” added Siler-Dearring. convincing students to utilize off-campus makerspaces. state-of-the-art 3-D printers, a 3-D mill, super computers loaded with professional design software, hand tools, raw Although the makerspace is housed in the COE (McNair Hall, “Literally, it took four days to fill 10 spots. There was so materials, laser printers, smartboards, LCD projectors, and room 121), it is open to all A&T students and faculty, with the much interest by the students,” he said. “Fashion design and even cameras for documentation purposes. caveat that there must be an engineering student working merchandizing students are using makerspaces to design with them while in the room. Once a schedule has been clothing prototypes others are building musical instruments, “The students who planned (the space) knew what they devised, Siler-Dearring, Perry and many of the super users but using mechanical engineering principles to create new wanted and needed and they made sure that’s what we will begin to offer pop-up classes for students or faculty sounds. We’re just saying if you have an idea and want to bought,” said Robin Coger, dean of the COE. “This just means who have an idea, but lack the technical skills to operate work on it, go have fun. It’s an important factor that some the students will be able to execute their ideas apart from the the machines. universities ignore, but we’re embracing it in a big way.” “This is that place where classroom. There are things they want to design, and we’re no one tells you what to do. just trying to help develop an environment to support their Similarly, the Aggie Innovation Network, another student- dreams.” run makerspace housed in Bluford Library and organized It’s the grown-up equivalent of a by engineering and business students, has invited students sandbox. If someone has always Jaclyn Siler-Dearring and Princeton Perry were the student from the STEM Early College to visit and tinker around. visionaries behind the COE’s makerspace. They combined wanted to make a wooden clock, their personal strengths, devised a plan, secured and set- While makerspaces provide an outlet for the campus come in and make one.” up the equipment and layout and established protocol for community to release its creative juices, they have also the room. become catalysts for commercialization of product and business ideas, further expanding the university and — John Kelly, professor and chairman “Princeton is the technical person. I’m the program economic footprint. director,” said Siler-Dearring, who recently completed a of electrical and computer engineering Master of Science degree in biomedical engineering. After Wayne Szafranski, assistant vice chancellor for Outreach and researching and planning, she says they decided on “what Economic Development, is responsible for the university’s would be best for students to ideate and create.” intellectual property portfolio and technology transfer operations. Although a great deal of invention occurs in the “Princeton is the brain behind which equipment we would laboratory, he notes that a significant and increasing portion need. He even built the mill himself,” she added. has become available, particularly for students, through makerspaces.

48 • N.C. A&T Magazine NCat.edu • 49 For the past five years, N.C. A&T’s Jing Although not definitive, Zhang’s research draws Zhang and a collaborative team from conclusions between changes in the Arctic and the University of Alaska Fairbanks have a global increase in severe and frequent storms. conducted a comprehensive study on strong These storms can cause recognized extreme weather Arctic storms. Their project, funded by the events such as strong winds, ocean wave surges, heat National Science Foundation Arctic System waves, cold spells and snowfalls, but also transport Program, provides significant and solid more heat and moisture into the Arctic, thereby theory to an area currently plagued with increasing Arctic climate changes and causing more Jing Zhang insufficient data and research. extreme climate events. Each condition propagates from the other, triggering a cyclic reaction. Why Arctic storms? “For example, strong storms that occurred in the summer of 2012 and 2016 The surface air temperature over the Arctic may have contributed to record lows of sea ice cover,“ said Zhang. Storms has increased more than twice as fast as the from 2015-2016 may have caused unprecedented winter warming events.” She global average and, simultaneously, sea ice says if changes have occurred in thermal conditions and increased heat has cover over the Arctic Ocean has significantly been released from the ocean into the atmosphere, certain excessive weather shrunk by approximately 40 percent—all of events have a high propensity to occur. which provide the perfect storm for research purposes. Consistently encountering the same problem, Zhang says there have been few Arctic storm studies to substantiate the increase in strong storms. However, “These changes make the Arctic the most she and her colleagues are making headway and providing valuable new attractive area for studying global climate research. changes,” said Zhang. “Our studies have laid groundwork for continuing investigation to “We found that Arctic storms often exhibit barotropic structure properties gain thorough and robust understanding of throughout their lifetime,” said Zhang. “The downward intrusion of the lower structures and mechanisms of Arctic storms stratosphere polar vortex is a major driving mechanism, intensifying and and, in turn, they will help improve skillful maintaining storm intensity over an extended time period.” predictions.” That being said, Zhang adds that her study would improve the understanding An associate professor in the Department of physical processes driving the acceleration of Arctic climate changes and of Physics and the Department of Energy improve the physics utilized in numerical models. and Environmental Systems, Zhang has Stormy charted a professional career devoted Practical application will significantly improve the knowledge base and to atmospheric and climate research understanding of Arctic storms throughout atmosphere sciences and climate particularly surrounding the Arctic and its communities. As geographic areas continue to be inundated with extreme impacts on global weather patterns and storms, Zhang’s research will validate proactive measures and help mitigate events. potential storm risks and ensuing hazards. The implications are extensive and significant enough to alter economic indicators and initiate military Weather “I am currently working on understanding mobilization. Physics professor Jing Zhang studies Arctic Ocean and improving the prediction ability of extreme weather events over the Arctic “The improved knowledge and prediction capabilities will help the Arctic climate to improve global weather predictions. ocean through employing high-resolution costal society, navigation and oil extraction, scientific field campaigns and By Tonya D. Dixon ’04 weather research and forecast modeling even tourists to assess storm occurrences, propagation and paths and experiments,” said Zhang. opportunities to prepare to avoid destructive impacts,” she said.

50 • N.C. A&T Magazine NCat.edu • 51 NEW heights Aggies shoot for the stars and land at NASA. By Tiffany S. Jones ’03

When most people try to Howard Conyers ’04 received his Ph.D. from Duke link N.C. A&T to the National University and is currently a rocket scientist at Stennis Aeronautics and Space Space Center in Mississippi. Like McNair, Conyers grew Administration (NASA), the up in a small, South Carolina town. He utilized his USDA late astronaut Ronald E. 1890 scholarship to come to N.C. A&T because of the McNair comes to mind. What stellar reputation of the College of Engineering. many do not realize is there have been many more Aggies “To come from where I came from in Manning, South at NASA, thanks largely in Carolina, and to go to different places across the part to McNair. country and work with so many diverse people, I would never imagine that was possible,” Conyers said. “When Prior to his death on Space you have role models like Dr. Ron McNair who had Shuttle Challenger in 1986, taken similar steps, you know anything is possible.” McNair returned to N.C. A&T as often as he could A biosystems engineering graduate, Conyers is a to encourage and assist his former recipient of the Namaskar Award—one of the fellow Aggies in the now- College of Engineering’s highest honors—who did not defunct A&T Space Shuttle participate in any NASA-related activities as a student. Program. Thirty-one years He says he was lucky to get the job because of how it removed from his tragic happened. death, N.C. A&T faculty, students and alumni continue “I just applied through USA Jobs. When I got hired, I on the trail blazed by McNair, felt it was an appropriate stepping stone after finishing to various facilities around my graduate work,” he said. the country. John Kizito, associate professor of mechanical engineering, echoes Conyers’ sentiment about McNair. Kizito worked for NASA for about eight years prior to N.C. A&T student interns at Kennedy Space Center his tenure at N.C. A&T. in Florida: Avery Harris, industrial and systems engineering; Jonathan Perry, mechanical engineering; Chanise Taylor, computer science; Divine continued, page 54 Onyemize, mechanical engineering; John Wilson IV, finance; and Gabriel Jenkins, mechanical engineering 52 • N.C. A&T Magazine NCat.edu • 53 NEW

Prior to his death on Space Shuttle Challenger in 1986, McNair returned to N.C. A&T as often as he could to encourage and assist his fellow Aggies in the now-defunct A&T Space Shuttle Program.

Experiences like McElroy’s are not that uncommon for heightscontinued people who have worked for NASA. Brandon Murphy ’14/’16 says that there are opportunities for people across multiple disciplines. Interested people just need to look. “Our engineering building is named after (McNair). As we sit in McNair Hall, we are always reminded of the many “If NASA is a goal of yours, there is more than one things we and others can do to connect with NASA,” facility and more than one opportunity. You have to Kizito said. search for the opportunities that are out there,” he said.

In his decade as a faculty member, Kizito has worked to A computer science alumnus, Murphy’s first experience extend opportunities with NASA to students who want with NASA came by way of an internship while he was them. One major reason: It could lead to employment a student. opportunities. “I had been working for the university for years in the “More than half of the NASA workforce is about to retire; computer science and IT departments. In my time they are getting older and looking for replacements. The working there, I got pretty good at my job. I was people who know the systems are the ones who will be content,” he said. recruited,” he said. “One of my professors opened my eyes to the larger In his 10 years in Aggieland, Kizito has connected Divine Onyemize, sophomore Howard Conyers ’04 Brandon Murphy ’14/’16 workforces (by asking me), ‘Outside of being known students to the federal agency through direct contact or at the university, when you graduate who else would through the N.C. Space Grant Consortium. “I’m a hands-on person, and I “I didn’t even know NASA McElroy was assigned NASA was McElroy’s first know my name?’ And that sat with me.” want to be in a field was having a recruiting to an operations and internship outside of the One of those students is sophomore mechanical where I don’t have to work season, Mrs. (Gail) Wiggins, development team, where university, and thanks to A fascination for the stars he developed growing up in engineering student Divine Onyemize. She spent her with just one thing,” Onyemize interim chair of the she got to employ tactical networking and being paired rural Mississippi and the conversation with his professor summer as a project engineering intern at Kennedy said. “I had an interest in the Department of Journalism and critical thinking—the with a mentor who went made Murphy realize the only other place he would want Space Center in Florida. auto field or aerospace. and Mass Communications, strategic part of public above and beyond, she has to work was NASA. Now I am more interested in submitted the application relations. learned valuable lessons “I was assigned as the task order manager for the using my degree in aviation on my behalf without me about the work place. “I was sitting in my department thinking about where Kennedy Space Center beach house revitalization and aerospace.” knowing about it,” she “Since the space shuttle I should go to apply for NASA and I found an eight- project,” she said. “The work was influential in the said. “Bruce Chamberlain program ended, they are “She took me under her year-old brochure under a stack of papers,” he said. “I preconstruction phase. I directly assisted with Similar to Onyemize, Destiny followed up for an now rebranding, and I am so wing and taught me things started a search online to find the proper way to apply project management.” McElroy, a senior public interview and I told him, ‘I happy that I got there in the like how to dress in a for internships.” relations student with a don’t know anything about initial stages of the rebrand,” business casual style, how While the job was nothing Onyemize expected, she did minor in marketing, had no NASA, but I will work hard she said. “They want to build to be diplomatic and how About two-and-a-half weeks later, Murphy received a call develop her communication and presentation skills while idea what to expect during in this job.’” relationship between the to write in my own tone,” from a recruiter who told him he was overqualified and making a decision about the direction of her career. her internship at Kennedy organization and the public.” McElroy said. “Since I’ve subsequently, one of their top candidates. Murphy was Space Center. Unlike many been back, my professors offered his first internship at NASA Langley in Virginia. “I thought I was going to be working with rockets,” A&T students who and friends have all said that He also interned twice at Kennedy Space Center and she said with a chuckle. “I got to see everyone working complete internships at I’ve matured. I appreciate twice at Johnson Space Center in Texas. He now works toward the common goal of launching things and people NASA, McElroy is not an her. She helped me grow full-time, primarily with cyber security and network into space. engineering student. into a professional.” forensics at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California.

54 • N.C. A&T Magazine NCat.edu • 55 whisperer

Alumnus Walter Hood ’81 uses subtle approach to revitalize Oakland neighborhoods.

By Alana V. Allen ’03

Walter Hood is a man of extraordinary For Hood, every project gives definition passion who is living his life to the to the possibility of what’s to come. He fullest as an artist, designer and believes his work is a journey because educator. he takes one idea and brings it to life through his designs. He says this is Hood is the founder and creative what he loves to do because every director of Hood Design Studio, a day he is able to use his imagination landscape architecture firm based to create public spaces. To this day, he in Oakland, California. He is also still enjoys the structural aesthetics of a full-time professor of landscape architectural engineering and utilizes architecture, environmental planning those principles in his designs. and urban design at the University of California Berkeley. Hood credits his talents and gifts to N.C. A&T through the help of his With more than 35 years in landscape professor, Charles Fountain, the architecture, Hood is known in his founding father of the landscape industry as the “Community Whisperer,” architecture program. Fountain instilled due to his creative process and in him individuality, courage and work delivery of work that speaks what the ethic. community is trying to say. Hood’s advice to future engineers Hood has a subtle approach to new interested in architecture is to always projects with a perspective of being follow your passion, make your designs still and quiet during the initial planning your own and always contribute to the stages; this allows him to understand larger tradition of the profession. his spaces by listening intently to the history and culture. He believes Award-winning work has afforded the Hood multiple fellowships. He is this approach is a valuable asset to his creativity and makes him a well- currently a fellow at the American rounded designer who wants to Academy at Rome. He also served as a participate in the tradition of design. Goldman Sachs Design Fellow for the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, “I am a student of history. I live in District of Columbia, to support the community the contemporary, and I don’t throw museum staff to re-conceptualize its anything out, but I use what I currently public spaces. have to create my designs,” said Hood. Hood’s work has been featured in the whisperer Art Institute of Chicago’s “Learning Modern” exhibition and was prominently featured in the February 2010 issue of “Art in America.”

56 • N.C. A&T Magazine NCat.edu • 57 alumni Notes

1970s David Wagner III, M.D. ’77, executive director of the Student in memoriam Health Center at N.C. A&T, is president-elect of The American Heart Association Triad Board of 2016 ALUMNI Directors. Wagner received his Arliss E. Claar ’70 Doctor of Medicine degree from Wesley C. Clark ’55 Howard University College of Edsel V. Dacons ’43 Medicine in 1980, and completed Troy L. Godette ’65 his residency in family medicine Martin L. Jackson ’71 at Moses Cone Medical Center at the University of North Catherine A. Smith ’45 Carolina, Chapel Hill. Kylon Smith ’07

1990s 2017 ALUMNI John J. Chapman ’69 Damon Johnson ’93 is vice president of information Charles E. Dixon ’52 technology quality assurance at InComm, a large Collace C. Greene ’55 financial services and e-commerce technology company Rickey D. Johnson ’89 1930s headquartered in Atlanta. Johnson joined InComm’s John E. Kirk ’68 management team in 2007, after several years of industry Sabina A. Gould ’38 George C. Knox ’50 performance in the areas of systems analysis and design, (seated) celebrated her 100th David Legette ’53 programming and quality assurance. Since graduating from birthday June 17 in Roanoke Robert E. Mack ’95 N.C. A&T, he has earned a master’s degree in instructional Rapids, North Carolina. Roger Petty Sr. ’76 technology from Georgia Southern University. Milford G. Rhodes ’69 Sharonda M. Russell ’06 Kimberly Bullock Gatling 1950s Romaine S. Saylor ’91 ’96, a partner with Smith Moore Earlene H. Thornton ’61 Shirley Taylor Frye ’53 was named the 2017 News Leatherwood LLP, has been Aletha B. Wallace ’60 & Record Woman of the Year in October. Frye started her recognized by North Carolina George D. Williams Jr. ’72 career in Greensboro, North Carolina, as a public school Lawyers Weekly as a 2017 Leaders Kartrina D. Wright ’06 teacher. She held senior leadership positions at Bennett in the Law. Each year the publication College, N.C. A&T and WFMY-TV, where she retired as vice honors attorneys licensed and 2017 STUDENTS president of community relations. Frye has won numerous practicing law in North Carolina Paul Clark, sophomore awards and honors, has served on many boards and has who represent the most influential Brandon Frye, senior been involved in over 100 associations over the years. The individuals within the state’s legal Destiny Lajoy Jones, senior Greensboro YWCA is named in her honor. community. Gatling concentrates her practice in intellectual Edward James Turner, junior property prosecution, licensing and litigation. She serves as the firm’s technology industry leader, and has chaired the 1960s FACULTY & STAFF firm’s Diversity Committee since 2009. Gatling was recently Arthur “Art” Davis, adjunct professor Lenny Williams ’61 received the Order of the Long elected chairwoman of the N.C. A&T Board of Visitors. Pine from North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper on Aug. Gary L. Lebby, professor 21. The prestigious award is presented to individuals who 2000s Deirdre Cherie “D. Cherie” Lofton, have a proven record of extraordinary service to the WNAA operations manager state. Williams worked for the Internal Revenue Service Brian Dockery ’05 is director of sales and marketing Tamrat Mereba, professor for over 35 years, the last 14 in North Carolina. He began for Harvest Returns, a financial technology company Devdas M. Pai, professor his public service in 1985 on the Gibsonville Planning founded in 2016 and headquartered in Fort Worth, Susan J. “Sue” Schumacher, professor Board and was elected alderman and mayor in 1993 and Texas. Prior to joining Harvest Returns, Dockery led and 2001, respectively. He is the first African American to advised sales and marketing efforts for some of the top serve as Gibsonville’s mayor. multinational firms in the world, most recently with Cargill, Sekisui and Dow Chemical.

58 • N.C. A&T Magazine NCat.edu • 59 alumni Notes People behind the Scholarships

Frye, Martin and Williams HONORED BY NBCAHOF Gracious

In September, three N.C. A&T When elected to the Martin has mentored and alumni were honored by the North Carolina House of advised numerous students Giving National Black College Alumni Representatives in 1968, Frye and is a strong supporter of Hall of Fame Foundation became the only African A&T’s College of Business (NBCAHOF) at its annual hall American North Carolina and Economics, providing Bertram and Marilynn Walls’ of fame induction ceremony legislator and the first elected students with the knowledge philanthropy contributes to N.C. A&T’s during Hall of Fame Weekend in the 20th century, helping to and skills necessary to growth and research while honoring the in Atlanta, Georgia. Henry E. eliminate the Jim Crow laws become leaders in global Frye Sr. ’53 was inducted in North Carolina. In 1983, he business. He remains an active memory of family. in the category of Law, and was appointed to the North member of the North Carolina Henry E. Frye Sr. Mitchell A. Martin ’75 Carolina Supreme Court as A&T State University Alumni was inducted in the category an associate justice, the first Association. By Tonya Dixon ’04 of Business/Industry. Anzio African American to hold this Williams ’94 was honored position. Replacing a retiree, In 2012, Williams joined NBC10 at the annual Legacy of Frye served as chief justice in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The historic growth of In relation to the Leaders Alumni Luncheon in for one year (1999). In 2001, He previously spent 12 N.C. A&T is undoubtedly educational areas that the the category of Distinguished he became ‘of counsel’ with years with Hearst Television attributed to the students Wallses feel most connected, Alumnus. the Brooks Pierce Law Firm in working as news director in who choose to explore and they have established the Greensboro, North Carolina, Sacramento, California, and expand their educational Bertram E. and Marilynn B. Each year graduates of retiring in 2015. New Orleans, Louisiana. He pursuits there. However, Walls Endowed Scholarship historically black colleges also served as assistant news it is equally due to the for the Department of and universities (HBCUs) Martin began his career as director at NBC stations philanthropic efforts of Biology; the Bertram E. are inducted into the hall an auditor in Atlanta with in Orlando, Florida, and in Walls and Marilynn B. Mitchell Martin alumni, constituents, of fame for significant Arthur Anderson & Company. Charlotte, North Carolina. community partners Walls Alzheimer’s Program contributions they have After four and one-half and friends who provide Endowment Fund for made in their respective years, he became the vice Williams started his career as significant resources for the COAACH (Center for For the couple, the fields. The NBCAHOF president and controller with a sports and news producer university’s development. Outreach in Alzheimer’s, endowment funds go promotes the viability of Cable Atlanta, now known in Greensboro. Most notably, Aging and Community beyond the love they have HBCUs and highlights the as Comcast. Following his it was during his tenure at Alumni such as Bertram E. Health), and the Endowed for their beloved alma accomplishments of their time at Cable Atlanta, Martin WDSU that Hurricane Katrina Walls, M.D. ’73 and his wife Academic Scholarship. mater. Rather, they also alumni. founded the accounting made landfall in New Orleans. Marilynn Burnette Walls ’73 speak to their desire to firm, Martin, Harps, Syphoe He and the newsroom have instinctively supported “Our lives have been honor family, provide for the After graduating from A&T, & Company where he is staff stayed on track and and advocated for the profoundly impacted common good of others and “And we are acutely Frye served the United managing partner. He is aggressively covered the university on various fronts. by God’s grace, our undergird the university’s aware that Alzheimer’s States Air Force in Korea and also the founder of Global storm and its aftermath. From his service as a former parents, our history and resources needed disproportionately affects Anzio Williams Japan, reaching the rank of Concessions Inc., a multi- chairman of the board of educational experiences at specifically for research. African Americans.” captain. Upon returning to franchise company that trustees to their significant North Carolina A&T State Greensboro, he was denied includes franchises such as endowments, scholarships University,” Bertram said. “Both of us have intimate The couple said that giving the ability to register to Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, Great and other philanthropic “Coming from modest experiences with the back is what they do— vote because of so-called Wraps, IHOP, and Krispy efforts, they are generously backgrounds, we were both cognitive, behavioral, whether through personal “literacy” tests. Rising above Kreme. paving the way for future blessed by others who loved physical, psychosocial involvement or financial the deterrents, he became a students and growth. us and made a sacrifice and economic challenges contributions—and say it is U.S. Attorney in 1963, one of so that we would have an of persons suffering a blessing to be able to help the first African Americans to opportunity to do better and from Alzheimer’s others and demonstrate the hold the position in the South. achieve higher goals.” disease,” Marilynn said. love of God and humanity.

60 • N.C. A&T Magazine NCat.edu • 61 NORTH CAROLINA AGRICULTURAL Non-Profit Organization AND TECHNICAL STATE UNIVERSITY US Postage PAID 1601 East Market Street Greensboro, NC 27411 Greensboro, NC www.ncat.edu Permit Number 47

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