Pe n n St a t e ’s Aw a r d -Wi n n i n g Bl a c k Al u m n i

Penn State Alumni Association Ab o u t t h e Aw a r d s “Ma y o u r l i v e s b u t s w e l l t h y f a m e , Distinguished Alumni Award The Distinguished Alumni Award, established in 1951, recognizes the achievements of De a r o l d St a t e , d e a r o l d St a t e .” outstanding alumni “whose personal life, professional achievements, and community service exemplify the objectives of The State University.” Alumni are nominated by trustees, faculty, staff, and alumni, then chosen by the Board of Trustees. Penn State, in its more than 150 years, has grown from a small agricultural college to a preeminent research university. Along the way, our alma mater has earned a repu- tation as one of the finest public universities in the country, due in part to the great Alumni Fellow Award professional and personal lives of alumni. The Alumni Fellow Award is the most prestigious award given by the Penn State Alumni Association. Administered in cooperation with Penn State’s academic colleges and campuses, This booklet shines a spotlight on some of the highest achieving black alumni—those the program, established in 1973, provides recipients with the opportunity to return to who have been honored with Penn State’s and the Penn State Alumni Association’s campus to share their knowledge with the University community. highest awards: Distinguished Alumni, Alumni Fellow, and Alumni Achievement.

These lives have but swelled Penn State’s fame indeed. Alumni Achievement Award The Alumni Achievement Award, begun in 2005, recognizes alumni who are 35 years of age and younger for their extraordinary professional accomplishments. Nominated by an We have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of honoree information; however some historical information academic college or campus, these prominent young alumni return to campus to interact may not be completely updated. with students and the University community, demonstrating that Penn State alumni succeed in exceptional fashion at an early age. ** On bios, denotes the individual is deceased. Historical Note: The first alumni award, the Distinguished Alumni Award, was established in 1951. In 1971, the University recognized the first black alumnus with a Distinguished Alumni Award. Outstanding black alumni have been recognized since. Jo h n Am a e c h i ’94 Th o m a s Je f f e r s o n An d e r s o n Jr. ’51g Cy n t h i a Ac k r o n Ba l d w i n ’66, ’74g **Jo h n T. Bi g g e r s ’48, ’48g, ’54g Alumni Achievement Award, 2006 Alumni Fellow Award, 1982 Distinguished Alumni Award, 1995 Distinguished Alumni Award, 1972 Distinguished Alumni Award, 1990 Alumni Fellow Award, 2000

Former professional basketball player (eight seasons) One of America’s foremost black composers whose Partner, Duane Morris LLC law firm; retired justice Acclaimed muralist with murals at Penn State, Texas and only Englishman in the NBA Hall of Fame works include Soldier Boy, Soldier and Scott Joplin’s opera, of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania; first African Southern University, and the Houston Public Library; (2000); philanthropist and founder, ABC Founda- Treemonisha; Guggenheim Fellowship (1989) and winner American female judge, Allegheny County Court of founder and chair, Art Department, Texas Southern tion; sport and current affairs pundit, BBC, ITV, of numerous competitions and awards; former chair, Common Pleas; trustee and former chair, Penn State University; one of the first African American artists to and SKY; author, New York Times best seller, Man in the Department of Music, and Austin Fletcher Professor Board of Trustees; first African American president, visit Africa, UNESCO Traveling Fellowship (1956); Middle; first NBA player to identify himself as gay. of Music Emeritus, Tufts University. Penn State Alumni Association; J.D., Duquesne Uni- Texas Artist of the Year (1988). versity School of Law.

[ 2 ] [ 3 ] Ch a r l e s L. Bl o c k s o n ’56 Gu i o n S. Bl u f o r d Jr. ’64 K. Da v i d Bo y e r Jr. ’73, ’82g Jo h n L. Br a x t o n ’66 Alumni Fellow Award, 1981 Distinguished Alumni Award, 1983 Distinguished Alumni Award, 2000 Alumni Fellow Award, 1996 Distinguished Alumni Award, 2007 Alumni Fellow Award, 1986 Emeritus Curator, Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Retired U.S. Air Force colonel and America’s first Founder and CEO, Global Watch Technologies, a Retired judge, Court of Common Pleas Collection, Temple University (prints, slave narratives, black astronaut; mission specialist, Space Shuttle leading information security consulting and software (1981-95); former chair, Judicial Council, National manuscripts, and more than 500,000 photographs); Challenger (1983, 1985) and Space Shuttle Discovery engineering firm; co-founder (with wife, Felicity Bar Association; board chair, Philadelphia Com- foremost expert, author, and lecturer on the Under- (1991, 1992); decorated fighter pilot, U.S. Air Force Belford Boyer ’81g), TROY Systems, Inc. (1984-2001); mercial Development Corp. (1991-96); member, ground Railroad; founding member, African American (144 combat missions in Vietnam); NAACP Image member, Commonwealth of Virginia Treasury Board; Board of Governors of the American Red Cross Museum, Philadelphia; track and field and football Award (1983); founder and president, Aerospace Minority Small Business Person of the Year (1991); (2004-07); adjunct professor, Temple University teams, Penn State. Technology Group. Member, Alumni Council and Executive Board, (1985-95); member, Pennsylvania Minority Business Penn State Alumni Association; President, Society of Development Authority (1975-81); decorated U.S. Distinguished Alumni. Army veteran, Vietnam.

[ 4 ] [ 5 ] M. Ch r i s t o p h e r Br o w n II ’97 Wi l l i a m E. Br o w n Jr. ’49 Ce d r i c X. Br y a n t ’84g, ’89g **Mi l d r e d Se t t l e Bu n t o n ’32 Alumni Achievement Award, 2005 Distinguished Alumni Award, 1981 Alumni Fellow Award, 2006 Distinguished Alumni Award, 1973

Dean, College of Education, University of Nevada, Retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General; Commander Chief science officer, American Council on Exercise; Arrived at Penn State in 1929 as the first black female Las Vegas; vice president, programs and administra- of Allied Air Forces, Southern Europe (1982-85); author or co-author of 21 books and more than 200 student on campus; distinguished career as director tion, American Association of Colleges for Teacher flew 125 combat missions over Korea and 50 over articles on exercise and fitness; fellow, American College of dietetics, Freedmen’s Hospital (now Howard Uni- Education; director, social justice and professional North Vietnam; commander, Air Defense Weapons of Sports Medicine; chair, Scientific Advisory Board, versity Hospital), and associate professor of medical development, American Educational Research Asso- Center, Tyndall Air Force Base (1978-80); commander, American Council on Exercise; member, Advisory dietetics, Department of Allied Health Professions, ciation; executive director and chief research scientist, 17th Air Force, Sembach Air Base, West Germany Board, Center for the Study of Sport, Seattle University. Howard University, Washington, D.C. Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute, United (1980-82). Negro College Fund; associate professor of education and senior research associate, Center for the Study of Higher Education, Penn State University.

[ 6 ] [ 7 ] Ja c k L. Bu r l e y ’65 **Ar t h u r H. Co l e m a n ’41 Ju l i a n Ab e l e Co o k Jr. ’52 Ro n a l d R. Da v e n p o r t ’58 Distinguished Alumni Award, 1999 Distinguished Alumni Award, 1979 Distinguished Alumni Award, 1985 Alumni Fellow Award, 1973

Retired vice president, H.J. Heinz Co.; one of Ebony Physician, attorney, and founder of one of the nation’s Senior judge, U.S. District Court for the Eastern First non-Catholic dean, Duquesne University School magazine’s 50 Top Black Executives in Corporate first community health centers (1968); National District of (appointed in 1978 by President of Law (1970-80); former partner, Buchanan Ingersoll; America; board member, Urban League of Pittsburgh Medical Association Certificate of Merit (1978); Jimmy Carter following 30 years in private practice); co-founder and chair, Sheridan Broadcasting Cor- and Bidwell Training Center; member, executive fellow, American Academy of Forensic Sciences; J.D., Georgetown University (1957); LL.M., Uni- poration; former board member, U.S. Committee for committee, Campaign for Penn State; former board president, American College of Legal Medicine; San versity of Virginia (1988); NAACP Distinguished Economic Development, National Urban League, member, Penn State Smeal College of Business Francisco Board of Supervisors Certificate of Honor Citizen of the Year (1970); U.S. Army Signal Corps and the John Heinz History Center; former host, Alumni Society; Cornerstone Society, Penn State for humanitarian work; M.D., Howard University. (1952-54). “You and the Law” television series. McKeesport.

[ 8 ] [ 9 ] Ju d i t h Lo f t i n Da v e n p o r t ’61 Mu r r y N. DePi l l a r s ’76g Ta bb e t h a A. Do bb i n s ’02g Wi l l i a m A. Do n a n ’68 Distinguished Alumni Award, 1995 Alumni Fellow Award, 1989 Alumni Achievement Award, 2007 Alumni Fellow Award, 1994 Alumni Fellow Award, 2001 Distinguished Alumni Award, 2006 Retired dentist; co-founder, Sheridan Broadcasting Artist, former dean, and professor emeritus, Vir- Assistant professor of physics, Louisiana Tech Uni- Retired president, Baxter International Pharmaseal Corporation; president, Pittsburgh Child Guidance ginia Commonwealth University School of Arts; past versity and Grambling State University; National Division; retired Southeast region president, Alle- Foundation (1992-94); trustee, Birmingham Foundation, president, National Conference of Artists(1973-77); Research Council Post-Doctoral Fellowship (2002); giance Healthcare; founder, Executive Management Alvin Ailey Dance Theater Foundation, Carlow College, past member, American Association for Higher Ed- member, Louisiana Science Teachers Association; Consulting, LLC; past member, Smeal College of Andy Warhol Museum, Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh ucation, International Council of Fine Arts Deans, member, Louisiana State University Center for Business Alumni Society Board; established schol- Center for the Arts, and Pittsburgh Public Theater. National Association of Schools of Art and Design, Advanced Microstructures and Devices User Partici- arship, MBA fellowship, and endowed professorship and National Association of Land Grant Colleges pation Committee. in Smeal College of Business (promoting student and Universities Fine Arts Commission. and faculty diversity).

[ 10 ] [ 11 ] **Be n s o n L. Du t t o n ’33 Ke n n e t h C. Fr a z i e r ’75 Mi r i a n Gr a d d i c k -We i r ’78g, ’81g Ro o s e v e l t “Ro s e y ” Gr i e r ’55 Distinguished Alumni Award, 1971 Alumni Fellow Award, 2001 Alumni Fellow Award, 2003 Distinguished Alumni Award, 1974 Distinguished Alumni Award, 2003 Alumni Fellow Award, 1991 Retired director of construction, U.S. Department of Executive vice president and president, Global Human Executive vice president, human resources, Merck & Professional football player, Health, Education, and Welfare; first dean, School of Health, Merck & Co.; senior vice president and gen- Co.; former executive vice president, human resources (1955-56); humanitarian, entertainer, author, and Engineering, Tennessee State University (1950-56); eral counsel, Merck & Co.; member, Merck & Co. and AT&T executive committee member; AT&T ordained minister; founder, Giant Step, Inc., (fed- professor of engineering, Hampton Institute and Management Committee; vice president for public Catherine B. Cleary Management Award (1990); HR erally funded program providing job training for Tennessee State (1940-50); chief bridge design affairs, Merck & Co.; first general counsel, Astra Executive magazine’s HR Executive of the Year (2000); disadvantaged youth and housing for senior citi- engineer, City of Philadelphia (1956-65); fellow, Merck; partner, Drinker Biddle & Reath (1978-92); Distinguished Psychologist in Management Award zens in Los Angeles); past board member, Joseph American Society of Civil Engineers. J.D., Harvard Law School (1978). (2003). P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation and Special Olympics; outstanding lineman, Nittany Lion football team (1951-54).

[ 12 ] [ 13 ] Ca r l a J. Ha r g r o v e ’97g Fr a n c o Ha r r i s ’72 Ro b e r t C. Hu t c h i n s ’70g, ’73g Ma r g a r e t Lu c a s Ja c o bs ’73g Alumni Achievement Award, 2006 Distinguished Alumni Award, 1982 Alumni Fellow Award, 1984 Alumni Fellow Award, 1985 Alumni Fellow Award, 2005 Professional actress, Hairspray and Little Shop of Horrors Record-setting professional football player (Pitts- Executive Director, Opportunities Academy of Manage- Former dean and professor of art, College of Creative (Broadway), My Brother’s Keeper (off-Broadway), and Dinah burgh Steelers, 1972-84) who played in four Super ment Training, Philadelphia; teacher and administrator, Arts, West Virginia University; chair, department of art, Was, a musical about blues singer Dinah Washington Bowls; NFL Rookie of the Year (1972); MVP, Super public schools and universities (25 years); Marcus North Texas State University (1983-86); Art Teacher (tour); John Barrymore Award for outstanding per- Bowl IX (1975); NFL Man of the Year (1976); College Foster Award for Outstanding Service to Education of the Year, Florida State University (1973); execu- formance by a supporting actress in a musical; Black and Pro Football Weekly Player of the Decade; Pro Football (1979); Presidential Citation, National Association tive committee, American Council on Education Theatre Alliance Award for best featured actress in a Hall of Fame (1990); owner, Super Bakery, Inc. (in- for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (1981); Council of Fellows; prolific writer, panelist, and art musical. novative and healthy food products). former director, Philadelphia Parkway Program. exhibit juror.

[ 14 ] [ 15 ] Go r d o n Jo h n s o n ’63g **Jo s e p h L. Jo h n s o n ’18 Jo h n R. Ke m p III ’66 Ke e g a n -Mi c h a e l Ke y ’96g Alumni Fellow Award, 1998 Distinguished Alumni Award, 1977 Alumni Fellow Award, 1999 Alumni Achievement Award, 2007

Founder, president, and CEO, Neighbor to Family, Professor and department head, physiology, Howard Retired president, exploration and production, Professional actor and television personality; host, Inc. (foster family program); former president and University (1931-1970); dean, College of Medicine, Americas of Conoco, Inc. (now ConocoPhillips); The Planet’s Funniest Animals (Animal Planet); leading cast CEO, Jane Addams Hull House Association (non- Howard University; leader, Washington chapter, president and managing director, Conoco Norway member, MADtv (Fox); company member and comedy profit social service agency); former director, Illinois Southern Conference for Human Welfare (fighting (1991); vice president of exploration production for writer, Second City– and Second City e.t.c. Department of Children and Family Services; Ford discriminatory practices in public accommodations); operations in South America, Asia, Africa, and the (Chicago); founding member, Planet Ant Theatre Foundation and John F. Kennedy School at Harvard Distinguished Service Award, University of Chicago Middle East (1993); Gold Achievement Award, Co- (Michigan); playwright, Big Mama’s Wedding; Joseph Jefferson University Innovations Award (1986). Medical Alumni; founding member, U.S. Committee, operative Developmental Energy Program (1995); Award (honoring excellence in Chicago theatre). World Medical Association. Centennial Fellow Award, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (1996). Photo from LaVie 1966.

[ 16 ] [ 17 ] St a n l e y B. La t h a n ’67 Sh i r l e y Ma h a l e y Ma l c o m ’74g Ro n a l d L. Ma l l e t ’69, ’70g, ’73g Ed d i e N. Mo o r e Jr. ’68 Alumni Fellow Award, 1982 Alumni Fellow Award, 1995 Alumni Fellow Award, 2007 Distinguished Alumni Award, 1999 Distinguished Alumni Award, 1984 Distinguished Alumni Award, 2001 Independent television director; Emmy Award, direct- Head, directorate for education and human resources Professor of physics, University of Connecticut; world- President, Virginia State University; Dr. Martin ing, PBS series Black Journal (1970); Best Director, programs, American Association for the Advance- renowned physicist and leading authority on time Luther King Jr. Legacy Award in Education (1995); Jamaica Film Festival (1974); director, “Almos’ a Man” ment of Science; organizer, 1983 Panel of Experts travel; member, American Physical Society and National former assistant comptroller for accounting and re- and “The Sky is Gray” (PBS), American Short Story series on Science, Technology, and Women; advisor, Gen- Society of Black Physicists; author, Time Traveler: A Scientist’s porting, Commonwealth of Virginia; appointed state (1980 Grand Prize, American Film Festival), A House der Working Group and Gender Advisory Board, Personal Mission to Make Time Travel a Reality (2006); first treasurer, Commonwealth of Virginia (1990-93); Divided: Denmark Vesey’s Rebellion (1982 PBS series on history U.N. Commission on Science and Technology for recipient, Penn State Altoona Outstanding Alumni decorated Vietnam War veteran; established Ronald of slavery in America). Development. Award (2006). McNair Scholars Program (with Penn State) to prepare underrepresented students to earn doctorates.

[ 18 ] [ 19 ] **Wi l l i a m H. Mo s e s ’33 He r b e r t Ni ps o n ’40 Em m e t t Pa i g e Jr. ’74g **Ja m e s H. Ro b i n s o n ’49 Distinguished Alumni Award, 1980 Distinguished Alumni Award, 1973 Distinguished Alumni Award, 1988 Distinguished Alumni Award, 1978 Alumni Fellow Award, 1993 Prize-winning architect; professor and head, depart- Retired executive editor, Ebony magazine; executive Retired Lieutenant General, U.S. Army (41-year ca- Surgeon, teacher, and administrator; clinical professor ment of architecture, Hampton Institute (architec- editor (1973-87), managing editor (1951-73), associate reer serving in the United States and abroad); first of surgery, associate dean, and director of student tural library is dedicated to him); initiated Hampton’s editor (1949), Ebony magazine; Outstanding Jour- black to reach general officer rank in Signal Corps; affairs, Jefferson Medical College; clinical assistant architecture curriculum; winner, contest to design nalist Award, Capital Press Club (1965); editor, Distinguished Service, Bronze Star, Meritorious professor of surgery, Hahnemann Medical College; Virginia’s exhibit for 1939 World’s Fair (Moses’s design Brown American magazine, Philadelphia (1940-41); Service, and Joint Service Commendation medals; board member, Eberly College of Science Alumni was never constructed after state officials discovered World War II veteran (1941-45); master of fine arts, president and chief operating officer, OAO Corp. Society; member, Alumni Council and Executive his race); weekly newspaper columnist, “A Dark Point University of Iowa; former board member, Urban (aerospace engineering and information systems firm). Board, Penn State Alumni Association (the Alumni of View” (1971-86). League and NAACP. Association’s Equal Opportunity Award is named for him); M.D., University of Pennsylvania (1953).

[ 20 ] [ 21 ] **Ma t t h e w T. Ro b i n s o n ’58 Al i s i a Sa l t e r s ’88 Ja m e s H. St i t h ’72g **He n r y R. Sm i t h Jr. ’39 Distinguished Alumni Award, 1994 Alumni Fellow Award, 2007 Alumni Fellow Award, 2005 Distinguished Alumni Award, 1982

One of the original creators of Sesame Street; author, Reporter, ESPN; sideline reporter, college football Internationally known physicist and leading authority on Long-time judge, Allegheny County Court of Com- The Gordon of Sesame Street Storybook; writer and producer, and NBA; correspondent, ESPN Reports; previous physics education; vice president, Physics Resources mon Pleas; manager, Housing Authority, City of The Cosby Show; wrote and produced the movies Save assignments: Olympic Games (1998, 2004), World Center, American Institute of Physics; retired colo- Pittsburgh; director, Allegheny County Office of the Children (1973) and Amazing Grace, starring Moms Cup (2002), Women’s Final Four basketball (2004), nel and faculty member, U.S. Military Academy (first Economic Opportunity; state president, NAACP; Mabley (1974); playwright, Keyboard; screenwriter, The Rose Bowl (2006), and NBA finals (2006-07); African American named to the tenured faculty); trustee, Carnegie-Mellon University, Duquesne Possession of Joe Delaney; NAACP Image Award; Urban reporter/correspondent, ABC’s World News Tonight; former professor of physics, Ohio State University; University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and League Achievement Award. four-time winner, National Association of Black fellow, American Association for the Advancement Point Park College; J.D., Duquesne University Journalists award for journalistic excellence; former of Science. School of Law (1949). Photo from LaVie 1939. member, Lady Lions basketball team.

[ 22 ] [ 23 ] **Jo h n H. St a n f o r d ’61 Me n a ss i e M. Ta d d e s e ’97g Wa l l a c e Tr i p l e t t III ’49 Br u c e W. Tr o t m a n ’65 Alumni Fellow Award, 1990 Alumni Achievement Award, 2006 Distinguished Alumni Award, 2007 Alumni Fellow Award, 1985 Distinguished Alumni Award, 1998

Retired Major General, U.S. Army (30-year career Director of Finance, Africa & Middle East (AfME) Former NFL star; outstanding tailback at Penn State Managing partner and physician, Digestive Disease included tours of duty in Korea and Vietnam); Pharmaceutical Business, Pfizer, Inc.; alumnus, (1946-48); first black to play in Cotton Bowl (1947); Specialists, Bradenton, Fla.; former director and CEO, Fulton County (Atlanta), Ga.; superintendent, Pfizer Corporate Finance Rotational Development first black player drafted to the ; first professor of medicine, Methodist Hospital, SUNY Seattle Public School System; Army Commendation program; lead role in corporate finance integration NFL player drafted during the Korean War; following Health Science Center at Brooklyn; faculty member, Medal, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, during Pfizer’s $60 billion acquisition of Pharmacia; NFL retirement (1953), built career in insurance and Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (1973-84); Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion of Merit, and board member, Smeal College of Business Alumni real estate; management and safety teacher, Chrysler professor and chair of medicine, Meharry Medical Air Medal with 13 oak leaf clusters. Society; former board member, Minority MBA Affiliate Corp. College (Nashville, Tenn.); fellow, American Col- Program Group, Penn State Alumni Association. lege of Physicians; M.D., University of Pennsylvania (1969).

[ 24 ] [ 25 ] **Br i d g e s A. Tu r n e r ’39g, ’41g **Ja m e s E. Wa l k e r ’72g Ge r r i Wa r r e n -Me r r i c k ’73 Wa r r e n M. Wa s h i n g t o n ’64g Alumni Fellow Award, 1985 Alumni Fellow Award, 1988 Alumni Fellow Award, 2002 Alumni Fellow Award, 1989 Distinguished Alumni Award, 1991

Dean and faculty member, School of Technology, Vice president for academic affairs and provost, Vice president of corporate community relations, Director of Global Dynamics Division and senior Texas Southern University (1948-80); director, Minor- University of Northern Colorado; dean, College of AOL Time Warner (focuses corporation’s attention scientist, National Center for Atmospheric Research ity Manpower Resources Project (assisting minorities Education, California State University at Hayward on areas with potential for greatest philanthropic (expert in atmospheric science and climate research in studying engineering, earning college degrees, and (1980-87); chair, Department of Special Education, impact on community, art and culture, and educa- using computer modeling); co-authored, Introduction to becoming professionals at major companies and gov- Illinois State University (1977-80); assistant profes- tional organizations); New York City Partnership Three-Dimensional Climate Modeling (1986); fellow, American ernment agencies); faculty member, Hampton Institute sor of special education, Southern Illinois University; David Rockefeller Fellow; New York Women’s Agenda Geophysical Union, American Meteorological Society, (1941-48); author, From a Plow to a Doctorate, So What? co-author, Behavior Management: A Practical Approach for Star Award (2002); Woman of Distinction, Girl and American Association for the Advancement of (autobiography). Educators (1984). Scout Council of Greater New York (2002). Science.

[ 26 ] [ 27 ] Do n a l d L. Wa t s o n ’50 Ha r d y Wi l l i a m s ’52 Alumni Fellow Award, 1989 Distinguished Alumni Award, 1997 Hintz Family Alumni Center University Park, PA 16802 Deputy director, resource management, California Father of the Black Independent Political Movement 814-865-LION (6516) Department of Transportation (Caltrans); directed and first independently elected African American in www.alumni.psu.edu development of nation’s first energy conservation Pennsylvania state government; five-term state rep- building and appliance efficiency standards, California resentative, Pennsylvania; state senator, Pennsylvania Energy Commission (1975-80); interim director, (1982-1998); former chair, Senate Public Health Penn State Caltrans (1987); former director, Los Angeles District, and Welfare Committee and Philadelphia Senate Alumni Association Caltrans; Black Engineer of the Year President’s delegation; former trustee, Penn State (1972-75). Award (1988); former Alumni Council member, Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce. Penn State Alumni Association. U.Ed. ALU 08-102

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