Spirit of Greatness Gala Raises Moneyfor Scholarships
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Convocation speakers give students advice on how to get ahead By Glenneisha Stevenson MANAGING EDITOR Every path to success is not easy and one should be persistent while on his or her path to success, according to three Clark Atlanta University alumnae. Panelists Helen Smith Price, president of the Coca-Cola Foundation and Jacque Reid, Emmy Award-winning co-host of “New York Live,” along with moderator Krysta Underwood, co-host of “The Willie Moore Jr. Show” —a radio program catered to daily inspiration and uplifting news, gave students tips on how to reach success and how to deal with the trials and roadblocks while on the path to success during the CAU Founder’s Day Spring Convocation held in the Epps Gymnasium last month. The panelists and the Photo by Curtis McDowell moderator, all alumnae of CAU, Speakers at the annua! Spring Convocation (left to right) CAU graduates Helen Smith Price, president of shared through their experiences the Coca-Cola Foundation; Jacque Reid, Emmy-award winning co-host of “New York Live” on NBC TV how they each embody the 4 in New York; and Krysta Underwood, co-host of “The Willie Moore Jr. Show,” a nationally syndicated theme of the 29th Convocation: radio program in more than 25 markets, pose with CAU President Dr. Ronald A. Johnson. Continued on page 2 Spirit of Greatness Gala raises money for scholarships By Tenisha Taylor Bell Hundreds of Clark Atlan ta University alumni, dignitaries and celebrities filled the Omni Hotel last month to raise edu cational scholarships for CAU students. The 9th Annual Spirit of Greatness Gala recognized alumni and pioneers who are making a positive contribution to CAU and society. “Tonight is a recognition that our future is as bright as our past,” CAU Photo by Curtis McDowell President Ronald A. Johnson SPIRIT OF GREATNESS GALA — (left to right) Marshall Taggart, president, CAU National Alum said. “We are the essence of ni Association; Anthony White, Emmy-award winning videographer and journalist; Horace Henry, the spirit of greatness. The world-renowned photographer; The Honorable Brenda Hill Cole, Fulton County State Court Senior essence of our culture.” Judge; CAU President Dr. Ronald A. Johnson; Steve Ewing, president and owner of Wade Ford; Kenya The evening of Barris, producer, writer and creator of the critically acclaimed ABC Network sitcom “Black-ish”; and Al elegance honored Kenya B. Reid, vice president of corporate development at Abbott Laboratories. (See story on page 6.) Barris, Clark Atlanta University 1996, producer, Hill Cole, Atlanta University photographer; Anthony White, 1983, vice president of writer and creator of the 1967, Fulton County State Clark Atlanta University corporate development at critically acclaimed ABC Court Senior Judge; Horace 1999, Emmy-award winning Abbott Laboratories; and Network sitcom “Black Henry, Clark College videographer and journalist; Steve Ewing, president and ish”; The Honorable Brenda 1971. world-renowned Al B. Reid, Clark College Continued on Page 6 2 The Panther April 15-30, 2017 Clark Atlanta University Convocation speakers give students advice on how to get ahead Continued from page 1 Undaunted, Undeterred, Undenied: Lifting •fc à k Every Voice. Underwood posed questions to the ML - X. panelists that sparked conversation and information from details of their experiences through their walks of life and how they relate to their careers. Each question posed gave insight into the panelists’ personal experiences that gave students a look at different individuals and experiences that had the same result: success. Underwood asked, “What is find a way or make one for you?” “When I came here 1 transferred; it was figuring out what 1 wanted to do,” Reid, who serves as a correspondent on the nationally t i syndicated “Tom Joyner Morning Show,” ¿¡¿b ft»’ responded. “I knew I wanted to be a journalist, Photo by Curtis McDowell but 1 didn’t know what that meant...That would never have happened if I did not come to At 103 years old, Charity Barnes (center seated), is the the oldest living alumna of Clark Col Clark.” lege, now Clark Atlanta University. She was recognized at the Founders Day Convocation. Price, Coca-Cola’s vice president of Barnes is surrouded by CAU President Dr. Ronald A. Johnson (standing center), CAU’s Global Community Affairs, responded. “With First Lady Irene O. Johnson (front row left), Sparta, Georgia Mayor William Evans (front HBCUs, there is an expectation that you row right) and other friends and family. Barnes graduated in 1949 with a B.S. in Mathemat can do it, and that you should do it. You find ics. She is a retired educator who remains active. empowerment and nurturing in a way that matter you fell, the important thing is” that one should engage in activities like internships and should strengthen your core...” should get up and continue on. study abroad programs to help develop their life Underwood expressed how she Underwood also asked the panelists the skills. understands that “it’s not easy being type of things they would look for in someone Underwood’s last question simply successful.” Her sentiments brought upon the to hire. Both panelists responded with the main called for the panelists’ closing remarks. “This next question, “How do you fight those trials concept of each of their responses being to stay moment now is so important, and it will be over of people telling you ‘No,’ especially as an active and persistent in reaching goals. Price like that,” Reid stressed. “While you are still African-American woman?” emphasized that “you have to go after things, here, take advantage of being a student. Life “You can't listen to the ‘NOs,’” Reid but you have to do the research to be better goes so fast; do not waste a minute of it.” responded, simply. “For me, ‘no’ doesn’t really informed of what you’re going after and why Price, agreeing with Reid, also stressed mean anything to me.” you’d be fit for it.” the need to “eliminate distractions from your Price responded more in-depth with And Reid highlighted “someone who life. If it’s not helping you get where you need an explanation that “not every path is easy.” is assertive, hard-working and encouraged by to go, if they are not helping you live a life that Noting that very few paths are easy, she diversity, not discouraged by it. is pleasing to you, eliminate the distractions and emphasized that “you can fall down... it doesn’t The panelists agreed that students keep it moving.” Photo by Curtis McDowell Dr. Curtis Powell (right) directs the Clark Atlanta University Philharmonic Society at the Founders Day Convocation March 23. Clark Atlanta University The Panther April 15-30, 2017 3 Students showcase skills during annual Research and Innovation Week By Alysha Conner and Alexis Cranford Each year Clark Atlanta University hosts a Research and Innovation Week that includes a range of activities that occur throughout the campus, that involves hard work and research conducted by many Atlanta University Center students in various majors and classifications. Research and Innovation week is a weeklong activity to showcase the importance of research and how it is used in all aspects of life. Events took place from March 27-31 where AUC students, both graduate and undergraduate, were able to present their projects. The week kicked off with the GIS Symposium on Monday, Graduate Research Symposium on Tuesday, CURC’S Undergraduate Research Symposium on Wednesday, CIED Hackathon & Pitch Competition on Thursday, concluding with the CAU Art Museum on Friday. In the all-day symposium in the Exhibition Hall of the Thomas W. Cole Research Center, all academic majors were able to participate Photo by Curtis McDowell under the direction of a Clark Atlanta faculty Student presents project at symposium during second annual Research and Innovation Week. member. More than 10 students eagerly present Although Smith did not win she said she Participation during the Trump Era,” “A Seat ed their information in front of other contestants gained a lot of knowledge from this experience at the Table: Analysis of Systematic Exclusion and a host of judges in hopes of winning the and promises to continue her research in breast Based on Race and Sexual Orientation in Clin monetary prize for each category. cancer amongst African- American woman. ical Trials,” “The Fashion Industry’s Effect on Micah Smith, a freshman, Criminal Justice The winners of the symposium were announced Black Expression: Analysis of AUC Students,” major from Detroit, participated in the sympo the following day. First Place: “Transformation and “You Reap What You Sow: Black Women sium and said it was an awesome experience. and Purification of Plasmid DNA in Prostate and the Prosperity Gospel.” Smith presented her project on Breast Cancer Cancer,” by Latifa Liburd, Biology, senior, and Breighlynn Polk, CAU senior and awareness amongst African-American women. Jade McCombs, Biology, senior. Second Place: History major, presented her research on “But Smith’s project addressed the social problem “Simultaneous Inhibition of Arly Hydrocarbon as for Me and My House: An Analysis of the that disproportionally affects African-American Receptor (AhR) Src abolishes androgen recep Black Family Living in Jim Crow America.” women. tor,” by Alexis Carey, Biology, freshman. Third Her analysis depicted the “Exploration of the “Researchers like myself want to know Place: “Computational Study of the Binding of importance of the Black family during Jim why breast cancer strikes African-American Histidine and Proline with Graphene,” by Tay Crow relies on the falsified accusations of women more than other races,” Smith stated. lor Dorlus, Chemistry junior. Black parenthood made in the 1965 Moynihan Smith says she was inspired by an old pro Some of the other research topics dis Report in relation to memoirs and oral accounts fessor, Dr.