LIFE in Division I

Spring 2012 A Magazine for the Faculty, Alumni and Friends of North Carolina Central University

a new direction for historically black colleges streamlining nccu teaching the teachers of the visually impaired

LIFE IN Division I: Benefits and Challenges contents f e a t u r e s 10 a new direction for historically black colleges Chancellor Charlie Nelms examines the new forces shaping higher education and maps a plan for the days ahead. 12 the next generation of nccu leaders As baby boomers retire, identifying strong 32 leaders for the future is essential. 18 15 streamlining nccu With a focus on the university’s mission and an eye on financial realities, NCCU restructures its curriculum and realigns budgetary priorities.

c o v e r s t o r y 18 life in division I: Benefits and Challenges Athletics Director Ingrid Wicker-McCree discusses the benefits and challenges of competing at a higher level.

28 A History of rigorous Scholarship 28 38 46 With its focus on research, NCCU’s Department of History has long been a launching pad for Ph.D.s.

32 teaching the teachers departments 4 Letter From the Chancellor 6 Campus News 46 Sports 50 Class Notes of the visually impaired Professors Diane Wormsley and Beth Harris are the driving forces behind the only program of its kind in the state. Spring 2012 A Magazine on the cover / for the Faculty, Alumni and Friends of North Carolina Central University Spencer Jones, a sophomore from Shelby, N.C.,

a new direction 38 for historically sizes up a putt. Golf is one of 14 sports — seven each for men and women beverly McIver: paying it forward black colleges streamlining nccu Artist, professor, film star — and her sister's keeper. teaching the — in which NCCU is competing this year as a full member of the Division teachers of the visually impaired 42 providing a foundation I Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. for future success

Under new leadership, the MBA program gets an overhaul. LIFE IN Division I: Benefits and Challenges

2 NCCU NOW spring 2012 spring 2012 NCCU NOW 3 f r o m t h e Chancellor nccu board of trustees: lyceum gospel concert HOMECOMING chair Dr. Dwight D. Perry / vice chair Robert E. Dolan secretary Avon L. Ruffin Dear Alumni and Friends: members: John Barbee George Hamilton It’s time to report some good news! Charles J. Baron Paul R. Pope Jr. Harold T. Epps Carlton Thornton Nancy Wysenski Wendell McCain North Carolina Central University has Kim D. Saunders Reginald McCrimmon embarked on an EEEA — expectations, encouragement, empowerment and ac- administration: chancellor countability — strategy in its support for Charlie Nelms the all-male Centennial Scholars and the provost and vice chancellor of academic affairs all-female Annie Day Shepard Scholars. Debbie Thomas vice chancellor and chief of staff While other universities are experiment- Susan Hester ing with single interventions, we are deploying intrusive advising, mentoring, vice chancellor of institutional advancement service learning and learning communities to engage our students in multiple Lois Deloatch vice chancellor of finance and administration supportive relationships and experiences. Wendell Davis vice chancellor of research and economic development It appears to be working. So far, retention is more than 80 percent for both Hazell Reed groups. We began the women’s program in fall 2011. With one semester of vice chancellor of student affairs data, they have demonstrated a promising average GPA of 2.68 and a retention and enrollment management Kevin Rome rate of 94 percent. The Centennial Scholars program was launched in the fall of 2010 and has had a 100 percent retention rate for the first cohort of 57 men contributors: with an overall GPA of 3.1. For the second cohort of 150, retention is 83 percent editors Ayana D. Hernandez, Rob Waters design and layout Pandora Frazier with a GPA of 2.79, and the third cohort, after just one semester, has a retention photography and illustration: rate of 97 percent with a GPA of 2.45. Robert Lawson, Chioke D. Brown, Kompleks Creative We are working very hard to find the formula that will enhance institutional writers: effectiveness, and particularly student success. It is a fact that nationwide, the Charlie Nelms Rob Waters graduation rate for African-American college students is 43 percent. However, Cynthia Fobert Myra Wooten Kyle Serba Anita B. Walton given the academic profile of the students we admit today, I believe that anything less than a six-year rate of 60 percent is not good enough. This means NCCU Now magazine is published by North Carolina making significant changes, because it doesn’t take an Albert Einstein to figure Central University Office of Public Relations, out that we cannot continue to do things the same way and expect different 1801 Fayetteville Street, Durham, NC 27707. Phone: 919-530-6295 E-mail: [email protected] results. The EEEA strategy represents a new way forward. Please send address corrections to the Alumni Relations Office, 2223 Fayetteville Street, Durham, NC 27707.

Sincerely, Persons or corporations interested in purchasing advertising space in the NCCU Now magazine should contact Ayana D. Hernandez, director of Public Relations, [email protected].

Charlie Nelms At a cost of $1.16 each, 17,000 copies of this public document were printed for a total of $19,669.30 in Spring 2012. Chancellor NCCU is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate, master’s, education specialist, and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of NCCU. NCCU NOW spring 2012 photo by chioke brown spring 2012 NCCU NOW 4 Copyright 2012, North Carolina Central University 5 campus n e  NCCU APPOINTMENTS

Ayana D. Hernandez Lunch Counter from Sit-in Era Rededicated Director of Public Relations

NCCU rededicated its Woolworth’s lunch cake display stand. In front of the counter are two red swivel seats, Ayana D. Hernandez joins NCCU as director of public relations. counter on Feb. 5 with a ceremony and a panel discussion that both empty. combined a celebration of past victories with reminders that the These seats, Chancellor Charlie Nelms said at the ceremony, She comes to NCCU from the Raleigh office of Fleishman-Hillard struggle for civil rights was far from over. “serve as a constant reminder of how we got to where we are now.” International Communications, where she was vice president. In The section of the F.W. Wool- A portion of the counter was her four years with the agency, she created and executed strategic worth & Co. lunch counter donated to NCCU a dozen years communications plans, managed media relations campaigns at which sit-in protests took ago, after it was saved from sal- and secured placements with top-tier print, broadcast, radio and place in Durham in 1960 is now vage by John Friedrick, then online outlets. the centerpiece of a permanent executive director of the N.C. Hernandez is a graduate of Spelman College with a B.A. in civil rights exhibit in the lobby School of Science and Math. of the James E. Shepard Memo- To the panelists who spoke Wynetta Y. Lee English. She also earned a Master of Arts in journalism and rial Library. during the discussion, part of Dean, H.M. Michaux Jr. mass communications from New York University. The anti-segregation sit-ins at NCCU’s Black History Month School of Education Woolworth’s and other stores in observances, the movement Kenneth W. Chandler downtown Durham began Feb. 8, wasn’t history. It was their lives. Wynetta Y. Lee has been named 1960, following by exactly a week “It was an economic battle,” Associate Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement the similar protests in Greens- recalled Vivian McCoy, a civil dean of the H.M. Michaux Jr. boro. The Durham campaign was rights and community activist. School of Education. She most Kenneth W. Chandler has been named associate vice chancellor in organized by the NAACP chapter “We wanted to break down barri- recently served as dean of the the Division of Institutional Advancement. He comes to NCCU from at North Carolina College (now ers, but we wanted to break down College of Education at Grambling Winston-Salem State University, where he was director of corporate NCCU), led by students Lacy economic barriers. We wanted to State University in Louisiana. and foundation relations. He previously worked as a development Streeter, Callis Brown and Robert hit them in the pocketbook.” Lee previously held the posi- consultant with TCG Consulting. Kornegay. Virginia Williams, one of The exhibit includes two fac- three surviving participants in tion of associate vice president for Chandler received his Bachelor of Science at Guilford College, ing red plush banquettes, set with an even earlier sit-in at Durham’s academic planning, research and his Master of Government Administration at the University of Penn- white saucers and tall coffee cups. Royal Ice Cream parlor in 1957, graduate studies at California State sylvania and his Ph.D. at UNC – Greensboro’s School of Education. Nearby is the matching lunch said she decided early on “that if University, Monterey Bay, and as- counter, with an iced tea dispens- I ever get the chance, I’m going to sistant provost for curriculum and in brief er, a vertical dessert rack and a stand up for what I believe.” director of undergraduate research at Dillard University. Assuming NCCU Develops a Strategic Plan Dashboard the dean’s office at NCCU marks As academic departments and other units continue to complete metrics outlined in NCCU 2020, Search Under Way Dr. Elwood L. Robinson, dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences and a return to the Triangle for Lee, the university’s strategic plan, a task force has been assigned to develop a dashboard information longtime professor of psychology, has been named provost and executive vice presi- who was a member of the faculty system for monitoring progress toward the goals set forth in the plan. for Two Deans dent of academic affairs at Cambridge College in Cambridge, Mass., effective July 1. Dr. at N.C. State University from 1992 The dashboard, which should be in operation by September, will provide a vehicle for campus Robinson has been a member of the NCCU faculty since 1984 and dean of the College to 2002. units to enter data on the status of their work under the five priority areas: retention and gradu- since it was established in 2006. Raymond C. Pierce, dean of the School of Law, will Lee earned her doctorate, Provost Debbie Thomas has begun a return to the practice of law when he joins the firm of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarbor- ation; enhancing academic distinction and distinctiveness; community engagement; internal an Ed.D. in policy development communications using the Quality Service Initiative; and teaching, learning and research. search for successors to two deans who ough LLP as a partner in July. Pierce has served seven years as dean, in which time the law school has twice received No. 1 rankings for Best Value Law School and has been and program evaluation, from The dashboard will allow university leaders to use real-time data to assess progress toward will be leaving NCCU this summer: included in the top five list of those schools offering clinical opportunities to students. Vanderbilt University. each goal. For more information on NCCU 2020, go to nccu.edu/discover/ourfuture.cfm.

6 NCCU NOW spring 2012 spring 2012 NCCU NOW 7 December Grads Get a Stirring Sendoff

North Carolina Central University awarded 608 bachelor’s, master’s and law degrees on Dec. 10 in a ceremony at McDougald–McLendon Gymnasium. photo by Kompleks Creative In a rousing commencement address, federal education leader John Silvanus Wilson Jr. urged the graduates to harness courage to overcome fear. “There Ph.D. Program Gets is fear and courage inside all of us,” he said. “Most of us focus on the obstacles in front of us and we operate out of fear. We need to focus on the goals and operate Set for Fall Launch out of courage.” Wilson is the executive director of the White House NCCU’s first Ph.D. program in more than 50 years is on track for Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universi- its start-up this fall. ties (HBCUs), an office in the Department of Educa- After a vigorous marketing and recruiting campaign, the uni- tion whose mission is to strengthen the nation’s 105 versity plans to enroll eight students in the doctor of philosophy HBCUs and serve as a liaison between them and the (Ph.D.) program in integrated biosciences. federal government. The interdisciplinary doctorate will be offered on two tracks, Wilson is a former professor at George Washington biomedical sciences and pharmaceutical sciences. The four-year University and holds a Ph.D. from Harvard, but he John Silvanus Wilson Jr., above, delivered the program is expected to produce its first graduates in 2016. also was trained as a preacher and is the son, grandson December commencement address. Among the Housed in the College of Science and Technology under the and great-grandson of preachers as well. That part of graduates highlighted in Chancellor Nelms’ re- leadership of Interim Director Caesar Jackson, professor of his heritage was on full display as he recounted a life- marks were John Archer, near left, and Landis physics, the program will draw also on the resources of the changing event from his teens, when he leaped a fence Strickland, bottom left. Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute he had previously found tough to get over to save a (JLC–BBRI), the Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Tech- child from drowning. nology Enterprise (BRITE) and the School of Li- “Earlier, I focused on the fence and I was driven by brary and Information Sciences. THE doubt and fear,” he said. “But when I had to get to that “I am thrilled and extremely impressed with FOUR-YEAR pool, I focused on the drowning boy, and I was driven the caliber of applicants,” Dr. Chanta Haywood, PROGRAM by confidence and courage. associate provost and dean of graduate stud- IS EXPECTED “Graduates, there will be a lot of fences in your ies. “Some have master’s degrees already, some TO PRODUCE future,” he said. “But you need to have a ‘what fence?’ are completing their master’s, and there are ITS FIRST mentality, a ‘what fence?’ psychology, a ‘what fence?’ some undergraduate seniors with impressive GRADUATES theology. Do not focus on the fences in life. Focus on research experience.” IN 2016 what is on the other side of those fences. That’s where Members of the faculty have been recruiting life is! That’s where love is! That’s where destiny is!” at science conferences and universities through- NCCU Chancellor Charlie Nelms joined Wilson in out the region, with particular focus on HBCUs, Haywood said. congratulating the graduates and, as is his custom, he In addition, a low-cost marketing campaign that included plac- publicly recognized a few for their success in overcom- ing online ads on selected college newspaper websites has drawn a ing obstacles. good response. He praised Nina Banks, who received a law degree. “The marketing is working,” Haywood said. “And there’s a Banks persisted in the face of health and financial good balance in applications between biosciences and pharmaceu- problems in her family that forced her to interrupt her Strickland escaped difficult family circumstances and a tough And Nelms also praised John Archer, who was 23, just out of tical sciences.” undergraduate education twice. And after a success- Durham neighborhood by joining the Navy. He served six years, college and in robust health when his heart suddenly stopped. The eight students who enroll in the program will each receive ful first year at the School of Law, she needed heart got married and settled into a civilian job in New Orleans — Paramedics were able to quickly revive him, and a defibrillator in an annual stipend of $30,000, and their tuition, fees and health surgery. She didn’t quit, though, and now she has been until Hurricane Katrina destroyed their uninsured home. He and his chest now ensures that it won’t happen again. He started law insurance costs will be covered as well. accepted into the Army’s Judge Advocate General his wife and their young daughter bounced through hotel and school but had to quit when his marriage failed and he took cus- Their first year will be devoted to full-time classwork. After training program. guest rooms in three states before returning to Durham. He took tody of his newborn son. Two years ago, he enrolled at NCCU’s that, they will have the opportunity to work part-time as graduate Nelms also recognized Landis Strickland, who re- courses at Durham Tech, then transferred to NCCU and gradu- School of Business, and 11 years after the heart attack that nearly assistants in the laboratories, teaching assistants in the classrooms, ceived his Bachelor of Business Administration degree. ated magna cum laude. ended his life he graduated cum laude with an MBA.  or research assistants collaborating with senior researchers.

8 NCCU NOW spring 2012 spring 2012 NCCU NOW 9 to reverse this slide, President Barack Obama launched the American Gradu- ation Initiative, with the goal of regaining world supremacy in college graduation rates by 2020. To accomplish this, Duncan said, “HBCUs, at minimum, will need to increase their number of graduates by about 50 percent over the next decade.” This is clearly an impossible task if the country does not seriously redress the systemic inequities in the educational system and engage minority communities in the solution. to map out the areas of focus for a national debate on the future of these institutions, NCCU called leaders in the HBCU community to its centennial symposium in June 2010. From that HBCU Symposium, we developed a proposal for a National HBCU Reinvestment Act, to be implemented in partnership with state and federal governments, major corporations and foundations. Its goal would be to enhance facilities, technology, fiscal and internal controls, instructional delivery, interdisciplinary research agendas in emerging fields, and competitive and responsive curricular offerings. We then developed a policy paper “Strengthening America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities: A Call to Action” in 2011 to encourage a dialogue concerning private and public investment on a national scale to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of the HBCUs. We distributed the paper to governors, federal education officials, foundation boards, all HBCU presidents and chancellors and University of North Carolina administrators. We acknowledge the agonizing economic and political climate, but the failure to invest in HBCUs undermines America’s economic competitiveness. We also understand that government alone is not the answer. We have called on foundation representatives to invest in HBCUs’ human and technical resources so that these institutions might better develop award-winning grant proposals. A $5 million investment at a high-performing but low-wealth HBCU would have a greater chancellor nelms impact than it would at richer institutions with endowments hundreds of times that amount. In return, HBCUs can continue to offer higher than expected minority grad- To map out the areas uation rates and assistance with issues related to K–12 education in low-wealth of focus for a national HBCUs welcome an analysis that communities. Many HBCUs were founded as and still sustain teachers’ colleges. debate on the future compares actual with expected gradu- North Carolina Central University’s H.M. Michaux Jr. School of Education pro- A New Direction vides professional development for teachers and principals, after-school tutorial of these institutions, ation rates given the profiles of their programs for disadvantaged students and summer camps in science and math. We NCCU called leaders in students. According to research also partner with an early college high school housed on our campus. Last year undertaken by the Southern Region- the HBCU community for Historically alone, NCCU students provided tutoring services to schools and other community to its centennial sympo- al Education Board, HBCUs often agencies valued at more than $2 million. outperform similar institutions in Based on the vast experience of HBCUs in creating and sustaining a culture sium in June 2010. From Black Colleges graduating students who face eco- of caring, HBCUs can offer expanded inclusiveness to meet the needs of Lati- that HBCU Symposium, nomic and academic challenges. nos seeking degrees. The Hispanic population shares with the African-American we developed a proposal By Charlie Nelms, Chancellor In a speech to HBCU presidents community a background of disparity, lack of academic preparedness and a high for a National HBCU and chancellors last fall, U.S. Sec- proportion of first-generation college attendees. HBCUs have decades of experience with these issues, and we have never discriminated on the basis of race. Reinvestment Act, to retary of Education Arne Duncan NCCU is actively recruiting Latinos. be implemented in After four decades of leadership said America’s percentage of degree This is a disturbing time in the history of this country, one in which truths in higher education administration, I am confident that the country’s historically black partnership with state recipients had fallen to 16th place in we once held to be self-evident are routinely called into question. I believe educa- and federal governments, colleges and universities hold a piece of the solution to closing the divide in college the world. The American public, he tion is still our single best hope for prosperity, and the research suggesting that 60 major corporations and graduation. The American system of higher education is a diverse mosaic of institutions said, “cannot believe other countries percent of all jobs will require a college education within the next 10 years bears offering broad access and a great deal of choice. There are more than 4,000 public and are out-educating us, and are doing this out. We must make clear that HBCUs can model the way forward for the foundations. private colleges and universities, community colleges and for-profit institutes, but just 105 a better job of investing in their chil- growing numbers of Americans who are low-wealth and ill-prepared for college-  HBCUs confer 22 percent of the bachelor’s degrees awarded to African-Americans. dren and work force.” level work.

10 NCCU NOW spring 2012 photos by brian culbreth spring 2012 NCCU NOW 11 With these four new administrators in place, look for big changes in NCCU’s strategic direction, curriculum offerings and technology infrastructure.

The Next

Generation of NCCU Leadership

By Cynthia Fobert

Dean Keith Pigues Provost Debbie Thomas

When the federal courts ordered the traditionally white universities to desegregate, they did so at a time when the HBCUs could not afford to offer their minority faculty and administrators competitive salaries or facilities. As a result, many of the HBCUs’ best and brightest were drawn away. This continues to be a familiar story at HBCUs across the country. Chancellor Charlie Nelms believes that historically black campuses must strategically engage in the active recruitment of the next generation of minority leaders. In his policy paper, “Strengthening America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities: A Call to Action,” he challenges HBCUs to aggressively pursue top-shelf administrators with the argument that they should devote their energy, talent, passion and commitment to the cause of minority education. Associate Provost Chanta Haywood CFO Wendell Davis

12 NCCU NOW spring 2012 spring 2012 NCCU NOW 13 If the character and culture of HBCUs are to be maintained, Our new dean of graduate studies and associate provost, these universities must remain in the hands of those who are Dr. Chanta Haywood, came to NCCU from Florida Agricul- driven by the mission to make a difference in their students’ tural & Mechanical University (FAMU), where she was dean of lives. That drive to improve the prospects of minority or low- the School of Graduate Studies since 2003 as well as a tenured wealth students is often characteristic of HBCU faculty and associate professor. administrators, many of whom are minority or first-generation A 1990 summa cum laude graduate of FAMU, where she ma- college graduates themselves. jored in English, Haywood earned a Master of Arts degree in Recently, leadership has risen sharply on the list of HBCU American literature from the University of California, San Diego, threats as the Baby Boom generation begins to retire. Nelms has in 1994, and a Ph.D. in American literature from the same uni- successfully put into place several new Generation X vice chancel- versity in 1995. Early in her career, she was an assistant professor lors and deans who will help ensure a dynamic future for NCCU. of African-American studies at Florida State University. She is the Here are just a few to watch. author of an acclaimed academic book, “Prophesying Daughters: Black Women Preachers and the Word, 1823-1913,” published by the University of Missouri Press. Topping the list is the new provost, Dr. Debbie Thomas. “Chanta Haywood is an exceptional leader who rose through Before serving as associate provost at NCCU for a year, she ar- the ranks of the professoriate and advanced to the levels of aca- Irived with a broad base of experience that included serving as demic administration carving a path of student success and in- associate provost for institutional effectiveness at Fisk University stitutional excellence in the many roles in which she has served,” and as assistant to the vice chancellor of Academic Affairs at the said Provost Thomas. “NCCU is fortunate to have her serve as University of Arkansas at Monticello. She was an associate pro- both associate vice chancellor for academic affairs and dean of fessor and coordinator of graduate programs for the College of graduate studies.” Education at the University of Central Florida, and the director of Haywood hails from Camilla, Ga. She is also a first-gener- teacher education and certification for Fisk University. ation college graduate, but her mother, Mary Jo Haywood, is Chancellor Nelms described Thomas this way. “She’s a sea- catching up: She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from soned administrator, and we’re fortunate that she was available Albany State University. to move into the provost’s role and continue the momentum of change here at NCCU.” Thomas, who is one of seven children, says, “My dad had a D. Keith Pigues, NCCU’s new dean of the School of Business, third-grade education and my mom finished high school, but has hit the ground running. In his first six months, he has estab- they told the seven of us that education was the key to a better lished a new strategic plan for the School of Business emphasiz- life. So I’m a first-generation college graduate. I have a lot in ing integrated management, entrepreneurship, globalization and common with many of the students here…. I feel the same way leadership. He has worked tirelessly to expand and improve rela- about NCCU students’ success as I do about the success of my tionships between the school and the corporate community, and own children.” in that process he has enhanced the membership of the School’s Board of Visitors. Pigues came to NCCU from PlyGem Industries where he was Vice Chancellor Wendell Davis is another in the cadre of senior vice president. Restructuring the Curriculum Gen-X administrators to join the NCCU team. As deputy county The author of “Winning with Customers: A Playbook for By Cynthia Fobert manager of Durham County from 1999 until his move to NCCU B2B” (Wiley & Sons, 2010), Pigues received a Bachelor of Science and Achieving Greater Efficiency last June, Davis managed about 1,300 employees and an annual degree in electrical engineering in 1984 from Christian Brothers operating budget of about $300 million. University in Memphis, Tenn., and an MBA from UNC’s Kenan– In his policy paper, “Strengthening America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities: A Call to Dean Raymond Pierce of NCCU’s School of Law was enthu- Flagler in 1993. A native of Memphis, he is also a first-generation Action,” Chancellor Charlie Nelms challenged the nation’s HBCUs to “become more competitive and siastic about Davis’ arrival on campus. “He brings a breadth of college graduate whose father was an entrepreneur. responsive in their curricular offerings.” By this, he was referring to the need for HBCUs to plunge into financial skills and experience to NCCU that is unquestionably Lois Deloatch, vice chancellor for Institutional Advancement the world of online education and to offer more Ph.D. programs in the STEM disciplines — science, necessary if we are to continue to develop into a world-class insti- says, “The addition of Keith Pigues to the leadership team epito- technology, engineering and mathematics. He also advocated a review, streamlining and updating of exist- tution,” Pierce said. mizes NCCU’s emphasis on bridging scholarship and relevant, ing program offerings to enhance their relevance to the marketplace and the information age. Davis is also a first-generation college graduate and the 21st real-world experience.” of 22 children born to a sharecropping family in eastern North With these four new administrators in place, look for big Carolina. He said, “My parents worked hard all their lives to give changes in NCCU’s strategic direction, curriculum offerings and us the opportunities that they never had.” technology infrastructure. 

14 NCCU NOW spring 2012 spring 2012 NCCU NOW 15 As expected, the draft recommenda- mendations moved to the next levels of Technology Efficiencies – $290,000 The total projected cost saving of these tions proposed by Nelms were revised in review, the UNC Board of Governors and, o The People Admin platform has been nine options is about $1,475,000. response to the input from the forums, where necessary, the Southern Association successfully implemented for hiring of This process of continuous improve- and also through subsequent meetings of Colleges and Schools, NCCU’s accredit- employees subject to the State Person- ment in all academic and operational with affected faculty groups. Here is the ing body. nel Act, but it is not yet being used aspects of the university’s functioning will The total projected final list of recommendations presented “It has been a comprehensive, inclusive in hiring employees exempt from the transform NCCU into a more vital and to the Board of Trustees by the chancellor and transparent process,” Nelms said. act. Full implementation of the People effective institution. NCCU is determined regarding the restructuring of NCCU’s And it’s not over. This was just the Admin system should generate esti- to develop greater relevance and com- cost saving of these academic programs. first round of revisions. Thomas has di- mated savings of $120,000 in Human petitiveness in its programming to help rected faculty and administrators whose Resources staff time. ensure the achievement of its primary nine options is Programs to be programs made the cut to produce stra- o Software and hardware will be goal — student success. Restructured or Merged tegic or quality enhancement plans that installed to establish a limit to free stu- about $1,475,000. o Mathematics and Physics will be explain how they will enrich their course dent printing in the computer labs. We We Are Not Alone restructured into a single department. offerings and take their programs to the cannot predict the savings resulting Institutions across the UNC system are o English and Modern Foreign Languag- next level of excellence, distinctiveness from this action until further study. undergoing similar reviews in response to es will be restructured into a single and competitiveness. Those plans are due o Implementation of the Banner the $414 million cut from the budget last department. to her May 1. Travel and Expense module will create year. NCCU received a 14 percent cut and Leading by example, Nelms has overseen the near-doubling of o The Bachelor of Science in Environ- greater efficiencies, improve customer a $2.6 million reversion, for a total loss the credit hours that students take online at NCCU. Under the management mental Sciences and the Bachelor of The PIE (Process Improvement service and produce savings totaling this year of more than $16 million. East of Kimberly Phifer-McGhee, director of distance education, the hours have Science in Geography will be merged and Efficiency) Team Report $70,000. Carolina University’s share amounted to grown in the last two years from 5,297 to 10,130, and the number of courses to become the Bachelor of Science Given the loss of $50 million via bud- o NCCU did not implement some of 16 percent or $49 million. As many as 200 offered online increased by 34 percent. NCCU also announced its first Ph.D. in Environmental and Geographic get cuts and permanent reversions the Banner applications. Canceling jobs were lost and ECU’s Program Priori- program in 50 years, in integrated biosciences. Doctoral students will begin Sciences. since Nelms’ arrival in 2007, enhancing the maintenance contracts for unused tization Committee has proposed cutting their studies this fall. o Computer Information Systems and excellence becomes a particular chal- software products and reducing the 48 programs. In his speech to the University Conference in August 2011, Nelms charged Computer Science degree programs lenge. That is why there was a cost-savings extent of support services will save North Carolina State University Chan- Provost Debbie Thomas to conduct a review of all academic programs with will be merged to a single department analysis conducted in tandem with the $100,000. cellor Randy Woodson announced his particular attention to low-productivity programs “to guide decisions about in the School of Business. academic review by Wendell Davis’ Pro- review of low-enrollment programs early, which programs to eliminate, consolidate or expand.” Thomas formed the o The Dance program will be cess Improvement and Efficiency Team. Operational/Administrative in January 2011, before the legislature had Program Review Commission under the leadership of Associate Provost restructured and moved to the Davis, vice chancellor for administration Efficiencies – $330,000 established its final budget. The Raleigh Bernice Johnson to begin the mammoth job of reviewing NCCU’s program Theatre Department. and finance, was also charged at the August o Increasing the class size of selected university’s 2010–11 hiring freeze ensured offerings. Their analysis was based on the programs’ contribution to student 2011 conference to produce a review that general education courses would that many of the 600 positions lost in the success, the mission and future viability of the institution and the needs of Programs to be Eliminated would identify efficiencies to save at least reduce the number of sections re- current fiscal year were vacant. Still, the the state. Johnson’s mandate was to determine which programs to restructure, While the degrees in these disciplines will $1 million that could be then reinvested quired and reduce costs by $270,000. university had to absorb a 15 percent cut. merge, realign or eliminate, and which ones should be enhanced through in- be eliminated, elective courses will still be in areas of greatest need and importance. o Reducing dependency on Royall & NCSU’s fact sheet on the impact of the creased investment. offered and current declared majors will Some of the university’s priorities for Co. for enrollment marketing support budget cuts states: “The primary objective First, the deans and department chairs were asked to produce sweeping be able to meet their degree requirements. reinvestment include nursing, business, would save about $60,000 annually. was to protect our academic core to the analyses of their own programs, answering a series of thoughtful questions in o Bachelor of Arts in Sociology mass communication, critical languag- extent possible. However, a reduction of order to present their case, such as, “How important is your program to the o Master of Arts in Sociology es, distance education, student support Personnel Reductions – $770,000 this magnitude on top of repeated reduc- mission and priorities of NCCU and the UNC System?,” “Is it still relevant o Bachelor of Arts in Public services, faculty professional develop- o The elimination of 10 temporary tions over the last few years may result in today?” and “Is there a geographic, demographic or cultural advantage to the Administration ment, technology infrastructure, market- positions will render an estimated reduced class availability.” program?” In addition, they were requested to provide about three dozen o Bachelor of Arts in Art with a ing, housekeeping and career planning cost saving of about $90,000. Nelms expressed similar concerns. metrics concerning student success, faculty productivity and fiscal sustain- Concentration in Teacher Education and placement. o Reductions in force in the Division of The loss of 57 NCCU faculty positions ability that enabled objective cross-comparisons. o Bachelor of Arts in French Davis assembled his team from a Administration and Finance will be threatened the elimination of 462 course A total of 51 programs were reviewed, and recommendations were presented broad spectrum of university divisions, in used to better align personnel costs sections. For many students, having to to the provost for her evaluation. Thomas brought an institution-wide perspective Program to be Established addition to administration and finance, with the needs and structure of units add a semester because a course was to her interpretation of the data and her decisions to accept, reject or replace the o The Mass Communication program including academic affairs, student affairs, and departments, saving $680,000. unavailable when needed could make commission’s proposals in the final document she presented to the chancellor. will become the Department of Mass legal affairs and information technol- the difference between staying in or Vice Chancellor Wendell Davis participated in the review meetings and Communication. ogy. The PIE Team identified 60 areas for Reduction in Cleaning Service – $80,000 stopping out. So Nelms directed the said, “It’s fair to say that the provost left no stone unturned. She accessed the consideration and managed to find o Installation and use of centralized trash remaining NCCU faculty to increase best information she could to assign numeric weights in the process of priori- Colleges to be Merged more than $1 million in saving from an receptacles will save $80,000. workloads and ordered more budget cuts tizing these programs. It was both systematic and objective.” o The College of Science and Technol- analysis of just 12 of them. Their weekly in a range of support services. In its bud- Finally, Nelms revised the proposals according to his research and vantage ogy will be merged with the College meetings will continue as they exam- Reduction in Duplication of get impact statement, the UNC General point and posted the resultant draft to the Board of Trustees on NCCU’s web- of Liberal Arts to create the College of ine the opportunities presented in the Subscriptions – $5,000 Administration reported that NCCU’s site in advance of six campus-wide listening forums. More than 800 faculty, Arts and Sciences. remaining 48 areas. Davis presented the o With the consolidation of duplicate “redirection of resources is not sustain- staff and students attended the forums to hear about the process and the suc- chancellor with his report and Nelms subscriptions paid by various units on able into the future.” cessive sets of recommendations from the commission and the provost, and The NCCU Board of Trustees approved presented the following changes to the campus, total savings identified are es- then to offer their observations and feedback. these proposals on Feb. 22, and the recom- Board of Trustees. timated to be $5,000.

16 NCCU NOW spring 2012 spring 2012 NCCU NOW 17 life in division I benefits and challenges In 2011–12, North Carolina Central A Conversation with University entered Division I athletic Athletics Director competition as a full member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). Ingrid Wicker-McCree Composed of teams from 13 historically black universities from Delaware to Florida, the MEAC is in the NCAA’s Football Championship Subdivision, or FCS, the second tier of Division I. Football teams in the FCS compete for conference championships but are not eligible for bowl games; those are reserved for the major-conference teams of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). As NCCU’s first year of competition at this higher level draws to a close, Dr. Ingrid Wicker-McCree, the university’s athletics director, talks with NCCU NOW editor Rob Waters about the rewards and challenges of Division I membership, and predicts a bright future for Eagle teams.

18 NCCU NOW spring 2012 spring 2012 NCCU NOW 19 NCCU Athletics Director ingrid wicker-McCree

Q. How does it help NCCU to be in Division I? As NCCU’s athletics director since 2008, A. The biggest benefit is that we’re Ingrid Wicker-McCree has been overseeing all as- now aligned with schools that share our pects of the university’s transition from Division II to academic profile. And it so happens that Division I. it is a Division I conference. Our profile — with all of our new programs, includ- Wicker-McCree is a Durham native and a grad- ing our new Ph.D. program — is similar uate of Jordan High School, where she played to that of most MEAC schools. Almost on two state championship volleyball teams. At all are master’s level and Ph.D. level. The geographic base of the MEAC is broader George Washington University, where she earned than the CIAA — Delaware to Florida — a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in 1989, she CIAA titles in softball in 1998 and in volleyball in so it gives us exposure and an opportuni- again starred in volleyball. She received a master’s 1999, 2004 and 2005. In recognition of her coaching ty to recruit students and student-athletes from a much greater recruiting base. degree in recreation resources administration from accomplishments, she was inducted into the NCCU The four-year transition period when N.C. State University in 1991 and a doctorate in Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004 and was recently we weren’t in a conference was a difficult higher education administration from the same uni- inducted into the G.W.U. Athletic Hall of Fame. time, but it did improve our national visibility. Our teams were playing all over versity in 2008. As a black female athletics director, she is a the country — often in front of people She began her coaching career as a graduate minority within a minority. Nationally, she says, who didn’t previously know about NCCU. assistant coach of women’s volleyball at N.C. State about 12 percent of college athletic director are West of Texas there are no HBCUs, so we starting in 1989. She then coached women’s vol- women, and less than 1 percent are black women. were able to reach out to a population of students, some of whom might like to go leyball at N.C. A&T State university for two years “I believe there are 14 of us now in Divisions I, to an HBCU but don’t have that option in before coming to NCCU in 1994 as head coach II and III,” she says. “We see one another about their home states, and show them, “Here’s for women’s volleyball and softball. Her teams won once a year at conventions.” a school you might consider.” There are some revenue benefits. Start- ing next year we can receive academic support funds from the NCAA. There’s conference revenue-sharing from the You basically enter a contract with the not be what we want, every now and then Q. That’s a big difference provide supplements the resources MEAC basketball tournament and the big-conference institution, and you are there’s an upset. between the way we handle available to all students on campus. NCAA tournament. And we’ll be increas- guaranteed a specified amount of money academic support and the way it Next year, we will hire a full-time ing our gate receipts now that we’re playing to come and compete. Q. We gave N.C. State a good scare. works with the major-conference learning specialist and an additional more familiar opponents — especially in A. (laughs) Oh, exactly. They probably schools, right? academic counselor. That will give us the MEAC, some of our traditional rivals. Q. Examples of that would will not want to schedule us next year. A. Right. N.C. State spends about $1 three full-time and one part-time staff be the football game at Rutgers in million a year just on academic support members and two graduate assistants Q. There’s also income from September or the men’s basketball Q. At some point, might for athletes. We can’t do it without our for the Student-Athlete Services “guarantee” games. Can you game at N.C. State in December. there be revenue flowing to partnership with University College. Division within athletics. explain how they work? the academic side? our first-year and second-year A. It’s normal for FCS schools to A. Yes, Rutgers in football. N.C. State A. Our goal is to at some point be able student-athletes are enrolled in Universi- Q. What are the costs compete in guarantee games with major- and Indiana were examples in men’s bas- to give back to the academic affairs side. and some can be used to build facility College along with all their classmates, of moving to Division I? conference schools. We did it a little in ketball this year, and Virginia Tech and Already, though, there are benefits. ties for academic support in ways that and the college provides all the neces- A. Here’s a snapshot. Five years Division II, but now men’s and women’s UNC-Chapel Hill in women’s basketball. We’ll apply to the NCAA this year for a benefit the entire university. sary tutoring, mentoring and other ago our budget was $2 million. Now basketball each play about five guarantee There are benefits to these games beyond share of its supplemental support fund, The computer lab we have here at academic support. it’s $7.2 million. All of our operational games a year. Football usually plays one, the revenue. Our student-athletes get to which distributes $950,000 to about 30 the gymnasium is a university lab, not a Beyond that, we have one full-time costs have increased, but especially and over the past three years, baseball travel to new places and play in some institutions that are considered to have student-athlete center. So anything we director of student-athlete services, a our scholarships. They’ve gone from and women’s volleyball have also re- amazing venues — sometimes on TV. limited resources. Part of that grant could can do to enhance it contributes to the part-time academic counselor and two about $300,000 to more than $2.3 ceived guarantees. And even though the scores usually might be for tutors and academic support staff, university as well. graduate assistants. The support they million. And our staff has doubled.

20 NCCU NOW spring 2012 spring 2012 NCCU NOW 21 And the competition is tougher. We A. There’s a difference between MEAC our graduation rate is still higher than emphasize that the focus needs to be on and the major conferences. I think the the university as a whole, and it has been your academics and your athletics. In FCS level is a great place to be, because for at least the last 10 years. The NCAA Division II, there’s more opportunity to there’s still that balance — there’s still a has progress-toward-degree requirements participate in campus life. But for the Division II kind of feel because it’s not that must be met each semester. The student-athlete in Division I, it is truly so large. It’s still manageable at the FCS student-athletes’ academic advisors must business time. You go to class and get level to provide a balance for the student- sign off on a degree-audit form verifying your academics done, and you focus on athletes and make sure they are integrated. their progress toward a degree. This is a your athletics program. It’s much more requirement for continuing eligibility, and yann Busse photo b y D yann structured, and it requires you to do Q. How will being in Division I it forces the student-athletes to adhere to more in your “off” time to improve your affect graduation rates? their graduation plan. academic and athletic skills. A. The rates will improve for our We’ll probably have a few more years Q. How big is your staff now? We’ll play a guarantee game at Duke — student-athletes because of the academic in the fifties because of the transition, A. About 62 people, of whom 51 not at home but still here in Durham. Q. OK, that’s the part that’s requirements. The six-year graduation but in a few years you’ll see a signifi- are full-time. So we’ve put most of our We’ll play North Carolina A&T here. Ev- tougher for them. What’s better? rate for the group that enrolled in 2004– cant increase. increased budget into scholarships and in- ery year that we play them home, our gate A. There are more resources for 05 was 55 percent. That’s down a little frastructure. Moving forward, we’re look- receipts will be higher. The challenge is academic support. As I mentioned, we from the previous year, because during Q. How has the recruiting ing at facility upgrades and renovations. the year that they’re not here, making sure hope to be up to four full-time academic the transition a lot of student-athletes process changed? that our gate receipts meet the projected counselors next year. This will enhance left. They didn’t want to commit to three A. It’s much more rigorous. It costs Q. Where does the money revenue for the games we have. our ability to help our student-athletes years of not being able to compete for more. There are 45 NCAA schools in come from? Private fundraising is difficult for succeed academically. a championship. And we had coaching North Carolina, of which 18 are Division A. A little more than half comes from everyone now, not just for athletics. But Another positive aspect is that our stu- changes — and so quite a few athletes in I. It’s very competitive to recruit top stu- the students. They pay an athletics fee we’ve done well with the resources we dent-athletes get to travel to more places that ’04–05 cohort transferred, and our dent-athletes in-state because they have so — $624 for a full-time student this year. have. We’re raising more than we have and play in some great venues. Some of rate dropped to 55 percent from about many choices. This has forced us to go out Football and basketball gate receipts are in the past, and we’ll have to put more these students have never flown before or 61 percent. of state. About 40 percent of our student- also a significant source. Private funds — emphasis in this area. gone outside of North Carolina. Those are that includes the Eagle Club, individual experiences they’ll always remember. donations and corporate sponsorships Q. Let’s talk about the student- — cover 7 or 8 percent of our budget, athletes. How have they been Q. NCCU student-athletes have and our goal is to raise that to 15 percent. affected? What changes for them? always been involved in cam- Concessions, parking and vendor fees A. The biggest change for them is on pus life. They eat and live and go to class with other students. also contribute to our revenue. the academic side. The Division I requirements for eligibility and maintaining a But that’s not the way it is with scholarship are much more rigorous than big Division I programs. Is that Q. How does revenue changing here? balance out? Division II. A. It’s becoming more difficult because a Division I program costs significantly athletes are from other states. That means more than a Division II program. Many more for tuition, and the cost of recruit- factors affect our revenue. One is enrolling travel is greater. It’s tougher on the ment. Under our business plan, we ex- coaches, because they have to be out much pected a certain level this year, and we’re more, and on the phone much more. actually 1,000 students below that. Gate The coaches have to deal with the Five years receipts, particularly from football, have challenges of getting high schools to re- ago our been lower in recent years because our ally consider NCCU. High school coaches budget was team hasn’t done very well, but we expect and AAU coaches have a big influence in improvement there. an 11th and 12th grader’s life. If they’re $2 million. I’m optimistic about next year. We have not considering NCCU, they’re not going Now it’s a new coach, and we’re marketing that. to encourage students to come here. Our Our schedule is set, so we can start selling coaches have been trying to make sure $7.2 million. season tickets. And we have big games. that the schools and the coaches in North

22 NCCU NOW spring 2012 spring 2012 NCCU NOW 23 Carolina know what we’re doing here and tion and the travel experience. I think there a football-specific strategy what’s going on, so NCCU can become our supporters were able to see that for encouraging patience? one of those choices. better days were ahead. A. This year the Eagle Talk sports It’s been difficult for our supporters, network show, held every Tuesday at Q. How are our alumni and because we’d always had winning pro- Champps at the Streets of Southpoint, other fans affected? What grams, even when we were in the MEAC has been instrumental in marketing changes for them? before. So we encourage them to be and promoting our sports programs. A. It took a few years for some to accept patient, and try to keep them as close Coach Frazier was a weekly guest during that we won’t be playing in the CIAA bas- as possible to the student-athletes. football season. He’s personable and he’s they are comparatively easy to mold and Hill has an athletics budget of $71 mil- so they were on everyone’s mind when ketball tournament again. But overall, I We try hard to be transparent. I take willing to get out into the community, influence. Adults are much more likely to lion, and N.C. State’s is $54 million. Our the NCAA team came to our campus. think we’ve done well at educating our fan more calls from fans and alumni than any speaking and getting involved in projects. be stuck in their ways, and you have to be budget right now is at $7.2 million. The They asked, “What do you have in place base, alumni and all of our constituents. athletics director I know. I feel that I need Once people listen to him, they under- crafty to get them to work together. MEAC average is about $8.5 million, for training your tutors? Are they aware Before we started the process, we traveled to do that, so they know they can ask. stand that he has a very specific plan, a My challenge is to empower my senior and the average for all FCS institutions is of NCAA rules?” to every alumni chapter, to make sure I’d rather they get a real answer directly strategy for how he’s going to get us back staff to make the decisions that need to $10 million or $11 million. That’s where Chancellor Nelms and I sat on the task they knew what the process would be. from us that they can share. And that will to winning championships. be made at their level, to give them the we are — not even at the MEAC aver- force that UNC President Tom Ross con- We worked hard to keep them informed. continue — our transparency won’t stop. As for our fans, I think as long as they autonomy they need, and to make sure age. I think that’s important for people vened to talk about academic integrity, I think the sports information staff did see some improvement, they get it. And that all the pieces work. to understand. We need to be where the compliance and institutional control. We a fine job when our teams were on the Q. Henry Frazier, the new foot- that’s what I’ve stressed to the coaches: top four teams are in the conference, and came up with effective practices for each road so much and getting beaten down, ball coach, is a proven turnaround As long as you get better each year, they’ll Q. What has surprised you? those budgets probably average around of the 16 UNC institutions with regard to showing the story in a different light, specialist. But it clearly takes a hang in there with you. A. That we’re never off. Honestly! $9 million. academic support, tutoring, how to make focusing on the benefits of the competi- few years to build a winner. Is Everyone is competing almost year- In planning our move to Division I, sure your tutors are evaluated effectively, Q. What have been the round. The spring sports practice and our model was Appalachian State — a selecting your tutors and establishing best biggest challenges of the move compete in the fall and the spring. Fall UNC System school that moved to Divi- practices for monitoring compliance. to Division I? sports do the same. Even during the sion I a few years ahead of us. It meant All this has made us more aware and A. If you were to ask the coaches, they’d holidays, we’re playing more than we we didn’t need to reinvent the wheel. That made it easier for us to say to our coaches, say recruiting. And they would also say ever did in Division II. And that carries has helped guide us as to where we want “You see what happened over there?” For academic issues, making sure they meet over to compliance. In the fall, it used to to be. example, when we remind our coaches the eligibility requirements each year. be that we could just focus on football, This year, we awarded full or partial that they are not allowed to ask admis- cross-country and volleyball. Now we scholarships to 185 of our 290 student- sions to give special treatment to a recruit, Q. What have been the need to be certifying student-athletes athletes — a total of $2.3 million. If I had they understand. They know the rules, biggest challenges for you as for eligibility all through the year. more money, I would direct it toward pro- and they know the rules exist to protect athletics director? A positive surprise has been the level viding the maximum number of scholar- the students — and the coaches too. A. (Laughs) It’s funny, however you of support from the fans and alumni ships for all 14 of our sports. I would apply want to say this: Managing grown folks! in fundraising. When we merged all more to recruiting and academic support. Q. Look down the road five Managing people. I love doing it, but it’s our booster clubs into a single athletics And if there were any left, I’d use some for years or so. What are the goals? a challenge to figure out how to get all booster club, the NCCU Eagle Club, I upgrades and renovation of facilities. What would be indicators of the pieces to work. When I worked success? didn’t expect it to succeed as fast as it did. with the student-athletes as a coach, I’d That was a really positive surprise — to Q. Are there lessons for A. Our three overarching goals are sometimes think, “I can’t wait till I’m not know that people were really ready to NCCU from the scandals in to graduate our student-athletes, win coaching anymore, because working with support and give. the football programs at UNC more than we lose and run a clean 18-to-22-year-olds is crazy.” But in fact, and Ohio State (to name just program. Those will always be the Q. Compared with our ACC a couple)? Are there dangers goals no matter what. neighbors, our athletics program out there that we need to be Specifically, we want an 80 percent Our three overarching runs on a shoestring. What wary of? graduation rate. We want to finish con- do you wish you had more A. Oh yes. As we’ve been going through sistently in the top three in the MEAC, goals are to graduate money for? final certification, we have put things in and we want to do all we can to make our student-athletes, A. Let me say this first — I want people place to prevent some of these issues. Are sure that everyone is educated about the win more than we lose, to know this because of the expectations. you ever 100 percent foolproof? No. But rules — students, prospective students, The major-conference schools operate these incidents and scandals were hap- coaches, staff, faculty, alumni, our booster and run a clean program on a level of their own. UNC–Chapel pening as we went through certification, club, our sponsors. 

24 NCCU NOW spring 2012 spring 2012 NCCU NOW 25 Homecoming Made

r Members of the Class of 1961 gather for the class photo after their induction into the Society of Golden Eagles.

26 NCCU NOW spring 2012 photos by chioke brown photos by robert Lawson spring 2012 NCCU NOW 27 NCCU historians, however, were That reputation is built on the — at many universities until well ahead of the trend. “We had pio- work and teachings of histori- past the mid-20th century.” neers who were teaching African- ans like Stephanie J. Shaw, a 1977 Although Shaw left NCCU more W ith its Focus on American history here in the 1940s NCCU graduate who earned a than three decades ago, she retains Research, NCCU’s and ’50s,” says Parker, who earned a Ph.D. at Ohio State University close ties to her alma mater. “Some A History of History Department Has B.A. (1975) and M.A. (1977) in his- and is now a history professor of my best friends are Eagles, and tory from NCCU and a Ph.D. from there. Among her publications is I still know nearly everyone in the Long Been a Launching UNC–Chapel Hill. “These individu- an award-winning book, “What a department,” she says. And the Rigorous Pad for Ph.D.s als were pioneers in the bottom-up Woman Ought To Be and To Do: admiration flows both ways. As approach later embraced by others Black Professional Women Work- Wilson put it, “Stephanie is an ex- By Rob Waters in the field.” ers during the Jim Crow Era.” cellent historian who epitomizes the Scholarship Among them were Helen G. students we develop.” Edmonds, a department chair and dean of the graduate school; John Committed to research Hope Franklin, who wrote the first At NCCU, the enthusiasm for and edition of “From Slavery to Free- commitment to research is con- The History You can learn a lot about dom” while teaching at NCCU; and tagious. Students are trained in Earlie E. Thorpe, department chair Department has the History Department research techniques, and even from 1962 to 1972. graduated at undergraduates are expected to at North Carolina Central University by starting with “They taught us,” Parker says, least 70 to 80 engage in original research and at- the research of Freddie Parker, professor and former “and we became in a sense their students who tend academic conferences. The children and grandchildren.” interim chair of the department. Combing through all have gone on master’s program is a research degree structured like a Ph.D. pro- sorts of antebellum publications, Parker has amassed to earn Ph.D.s — Path to a doctorate gram, with course work, a language a collection of more than 3,000 advertisements for The History Department has a re- more, he says, qualification, comprehensive ex- than any other runaway slaves in North Carolina from 1775 to 1840. markable history of its own. Carl- ams and a thesis. ton Wilson, dean of the College of historically Master’s student Bridgette Rob- “These documents contained personal de- Liberal Arts and former chair of the black college inson, for example, is completing tails about individual people that didn’t exist department, estimates that the de- or university a thesis about the eugenics move- anywhere else — where they were born, occupa- partment has graduated at least 70 with the pos- ment in North Carolina and how it to 80 students who have gone on to was affected by race and class. She tions, names, personal descriptions, health, scars, earn Ph.D.s — more, he says, than sible exception presented a paper on her findings and so on,” Parker says. “I found ways to resur- any other historically black college of Howard in October to the Association for rect human beings who were previously nameless or university with the possible ex- University. the Study of African American Life ception of Howard University. And and History. and faceless.” His research has yielded two books, more are in the pipeline: About 20 “You have the space here to do “Running for Freedom: recent graduates are currently en- that kind of research,” Robinson Slave Runaways in North Carolina, 1775–1840” and “Stealing a rolled in Ph.D. programs. “Historians today know that says. A Washington, D.C., native, Little Freedom: Advertisements for Slave Runaways in North “This year’s senior class looks we need a more complete nar- she received her B.A. in history good too,” Wilson says. “We have rative,” Shaw says. “To tell the from NCCU in 2010 and is on track Carolina, 1791–1840.” developed a tradition of high ex- history of any country, any group, to get her master’s in May. She History departments at American universities underwent a pectation, and a good reputation the approach must be more than has been accepted into The Ph.D. revolution in the 1960s and ’70s. Before that, historians tended around the country.” top-down. History needs to be program at Howard University. bottom-up. Historians are explor- “The faculty here is very sup- to concentrate their teaching and research on the powerful — ing and developing new sources, portive,” she says. “We’re really kings, popes, presidents, generals and such. Today, scholars are Dr. Freddie Parker, left, has pieced such as oral histories, and these close, even professors I’ve never had much more likely to view issues and eras by examining the infan- together personal details about sources are introducing new ques- a class with. It’s like a big family.” North Carolina slaves by collecting tions. African-American history in James Blackwell, a first-year try, the peasants, the workers and the slaves. more than 3,000 advertisements for particular was underrepresented master’s student from Durham, has runaways. — and in some cases nonexistent given presentations at academic

28 NCCU NOW spring 2012 spring 2012 NCCU NOW 29 Master’s program students John Couch, right, — An NCCU History Lesson — and Bridgette Robinson hold an after-class chat with Professor Jerry Gershenhorn. Dr.Shepard and Mr. Austin: conferences in Tennessee and New Jersey about his research on blacks who lived in Germany during the tumultuous period from 1919 to 1945. And he is commit- A Durham tale from the 1930s ted to a career as a historian. James E. Shepard and C.C. Spaulding, two pillars of Durham’s black community, were in “It’s a very strong department,” he says. “And seeing people like me here in suc- a bind back in 1933. Thomas Hocutt’s application for admission to the pharmacy program cessful careers as teachers and historians shows me that I can do it.” at the University of North Carolina had been rejected. Hocutt, a graduate of North Caro- Wilson, the dean, understands that, having earned his bachelor’s degree in his- lina College (now NCCU), challenged UNC’s segregation policy with a lawsuit. Cheering tory at NCCU before going on to Ohio State for a master’s and UNC–Chapel Hill him on was Louis Austin, the hell-raising owner and editor of the Carolina Times, Dur- for a Ph.D. “We have professors who were undergraduates here,” he says. “Students ham’s weekly African-American newspaper. can see themselves in us.” Wilson describes the department as “stable and traditional,” with an enduring commitment to “educate students who can contribute to the discipline as teachers shepard, of course, was the founder and president of North for the programs would be inadequate and far from equal. A in schools and at the college level, as Ph.D.s and scholars.” Parker’s research Carolina College. Spaulding was a top executive at N.C. Mu- 1939 editorial provides a sample of his style: But traditional does not mean unchanging. The digital revolution has pro- has yielded two books, tual Life Insurance and a longtime NCC trustee. The two men The economical way, the righteous and just way, the sen- foundly altered the way historians work. Original documents once accessible in were deeply committed to fighting racial injustice and promot- sible way is to admit the handful of Negroes desiring gradu- a single place — an overseas library, perhaps, or a courthouse or a newspaper “Running for ing economic opportunity for African-Americans. But they also ate work to the University of North Carolina. The damnable morgue — often now exist in electronic form, available to anyone with an Inter- Freedom: Slave needed to keep the college on a sound footing, and that meant way, the disgraceful way, the unrighteous and unjust way is net connection. taking pains not to antagonize the all-white legislature that for the white people of this state to crucify their own souls “So much source material is at your fingertips today,” says Parker, the depart- Runaways in North provided much of the funding for the public college. upon an ignominious cross of deceit by establishing make- ment chair. “But I still give assignments, especially to graduate students, that Carolina, 1775–1840” recognizing that Hocutt’s case was strong, the white es- shift graduate courses for Negroes in Negro colleges. require them to plow through the archives and get their hands dirty and dusty. It’s tablishment swung into ac- week after week, Austin hammered away, pressing the important that they understand that the original hard-copy documents are the true and “Stealing a Week after week, tion. The attorney general case for equality in ways that often made Shepard and other source, even though many are now digitized and available worldwide.” Little Freedom: and some top private law- members of Durham’s Old Guard uncomfortable. On occa- Austin hammered Advertisements for yers mounted a vigorous sion, though, he would acknowledge that Shepard’s gen- Balancing act away, pressing the legal defense. And white tler approach was effective. In one 1938 editorial, he urged A constant challenge for members of the history faculty is maintaining the com- Slave Runaways in case for equality in education leaders urged a delay in legal action aimed at forcing the state to provide mitment to research while teaching about twice as many classes as the norm at a North Carolina, ways that often Shepard and Spaulding more equal funding for higher education. “Dr. Shepard may major research university. made Shepard and to lean on Hocutt and his be able to do more with an olive branch than others can do “It’s tough,” says Jerry Gershenhorn, a professor since the mid-1990s. “In your 1791–1840.” other members of lawyers to drop the case. with branches of law,” he wrote. first few years, when you’re starting to teach, you need time to formulate your Durham’s Old Guard But Hocutt, backed by this fascinating debate from more than 70 years ago could courses and lectures. At the same time, you need to publish — the department has uncomfortable. Austin’s fiery editorials, easily have been a forgotten piece of Durham’s past. It is a strong requirement in terms of publication to qualify for tenure.” refused to back down. So remembered today only because a historian, NCCU Profes- “I teach four courses a semester,” says Gershenhorn, who earned his master’s in Shepard helped sabotage sor Jerry Gershenhorn, spent many hours sifting through history from NCCU in 1991 and his Ph.D. from UNC–CH in 2000. “This past fall, the case by refusing to release Hocutt’s undergraduate tran- dusty archives and scrolling through reel after reel of blurry I advised three students who got their master’s degrees in December. It’s hard work, script, a requirement for admission. microfilm to reconstruct it. He presented his research in an but it’s one of the nice parts of the job.” the issue, of course, did not go away. Five years later, the award-winning 2010 article in The North Carolina Histori- Balancing teaching and research demands “is a challenge,” Wilson agrees. “It Supreme Court ruled that states must either admit blacks to cal Review titled, “A Courageous Voice for Black Freedom: affects the quantity of our work, but not the quality. We make time for it.” white graduate and professional schools or provide separate Louis Austin and the Carolina Times in Depression-Era The History Department consists of 10 tenure-track faculty, supported by three programs and facilities of equal quality. In response, North North Carolina.” to five adjunct instructors. They typically teach about 120 undergraduate majors Carolina’s white leaders opted to create graduate programs gershenhorn, who earned his master’s in history from and about 40 graduate students. They also teach general education courses for at the state’s two largest black public colleges, NCC and the NCCU in 1991 and his Ph.D. from UNC–CH in 2000, has been non-majors. They’re proud that so many graduates go on to scholarly careers — Agricultural & Technical College in Greensboro. Shepard a regular contributor of scholarly articles to the Histori- and they’re also focused on the success of those who don’t. embraced the decision, and within a few years, NCC had a cal Review and other publications, even as he carries a full “We know that not all students will go on to be professional historians,” Wilson School of Law, a nursing program and graduate programs in teaching load each semester. And in many ways, that dual says. “But we provide them with a valuable skill set. People who can read, write, such fields as library science, education and the liberal arts. commitment to teaching and research makes him a typical think analytically and perform research have many options.”  austin didn’t buy it. He predicted, correctly, that funding NCCU history professor.

30 NCCU NOW spring 2012 spring 2012 NCCU NOW 31 Stop by the School of Education at NCCU in early fall and you might encounter a line of blindfolded people carrying red and white canes. They are learning the techniques of navigating without sight: determining direction by the location of the sun, recognizing the change in sound of a footstep when they pass an empty doorway, keeping a straight course by using the back and forth motion of a cane to check for obstacles.

These are students enrolled in the Visually spend a great deal of time “under blindfold.” Impaired Training Program (VITP), learning After first learning to navigate the NCCU how to become orientation and mobility spe- campus, they progress to exploring a Durham cialists. The program, led by Dr. Beth Harris community, taking public transportation to a and the cutting-edge research of Dr. Diane specified destination and the final challenge Wormsley, both special education professors, of finding their way to a specific location from has firmly established NCCU as a vital player an undisclosed spot. in the training of people who work with the visually impaired. Through the VITP program, NCCU trains individuals as orientation and mobility (O&M) specialists and as teachers of the visually impaired (TVI). O&M specialists are trained to teach people with visually impairments to navigate their surroundings. TVIs are teachers who have already completed their teacher’s certification and want to focus on this small, under- served field. Under an agreement made between the state and the UNC system, only one of the 16 campuses is permitted to provide training for people who are blind or visually impaired. And since 1997, that campus has been NCCU. Initially coordinated by Dr. Brad Walker, the program currently enrolls 35 students in a master’s-level certification program. The students are teachers seeking a specialization, returning students who want a new career and first-tim- ers hoping to break into the field. VITP is a hybrid distance-education program. Most classes are conducted online, and the students gather at NCCU for face-to-face meetings once a month. It is during these sessions that Harris has her O&M students

As Professor Beth Harris looks on, student Jennifer Weaver, center, practices working with a blind client — in this case fellow student Michelle Erickson.

32 NCCU NOW spring 2012 spring 2012 NCCU NOW 33 Diane Wormsley (left), ing children with a list of pre-chosen words, teachers invite each reading. The teaching begins with a simple question from teacher the Brenda Brodie student to develop an individualized key vocabulary. These words to student: What words would you like to learn? Endowed Chair of operate as what would be called sight words and later evolve into A follow-up session allows the teacher to learn how much Special Education, self-read and self-written phrases, sentences and stories. exposure the student has had with words and to gain buy-in is changing the way Wormsley soon knew that the method worked with sighted with parents. teachers teach children, but it was 13 years before she would test it on visually Student and teacher then create stories using the student’s visually impaired impaired children as a teacher at the Overbrook School for the words and incorporate filler words, those needed to write a story. people to read. Blind in Philadelphia. “I had three students between the ages of 16 Throughout the process, which is unique to each student, the stu- Student Michelle and 18 who, for whatever reason, had never learned to read,” says dents learn to write and recognize initial sounds. Progress varies Erickson (right) gets Wormsley. But after three years of working with them, they were widely. For some students, success is touching braille for the first some practice on a Perkins Braille Writer. Erickson has embarked on a new career of working with the visually impaired Through the VITP program, after 10 years as NCCU trains individuals as an airline pilot. orientation and mobility (O&M) specialists and as teachers of the visually impaired (TVI). Harris says they are taught that they must constantly focus more common-sense than scientific. Students learn in what on three questions. “They need to always have in mind when Wormsley calls a “child-directed way,” where teachers let the working with a client, Where are you? Where do you want to children teach them what it is they want to learn. In Wormsley’s go? How are you going to get there?” method, a standard list of vocabulary words is replaced with The blindfold exercise is less about giving students a feel of words like, “Lady Gaga,” “NASCAR,” and “Sponge Bob.” what it means to be blind than it is about allowing them to prac- Wormsley notes that letters and words do not have the same tice their training skills. “I watch to see how they direct each other meaning to blind children that they do to sighted children. “We under blindfold,” says Harris. “That says a lot about their ability walk around and see letters everywhere,” said Wormsley. “But to work with clients.” They also learn Braille and nine other core unless children who are blind touch the braille, they have no ex- skill areas, including assistive technology and recreational skills, posure to their own literacy medium, and because of this they as they progress toward a degree. don’t have the same emotional investment in learning to read.” Getting students from point A to point B is the job of an The problem is compounded if a child has a cognitive disabil- O&M specialist, but what about when students enter the class- ity — and research shows that nearly 60 percent of children born room? Diane Wormsley, the Brenda Brodie Endowed Chair of blind in the United States have additional disabilities, in many Special Education, is changing the way teachers teach the visu- cases because of premature birth. Some students who fall into ally impaired to read. this category have never had stories read to them, Wormsley says. Wormsley is a superstar in the field. She is one of 14 mem- “People think they aren’t going to learn, especially if they have ber representatives of the Braille Authority of North America severe cognitive impairments. My question is, ‘Why not?’ ’’ (BANA) charged with setting the Braille code for the United Her I-M ABLE method has been 30 years in the making. States and Canada. BANA determines which dots will be used In 1982, Wormsley was one of two teachers in an open-space for which symbols and creates guidelines and rules for use of classroom of nearly 50 children aged 5 to 13 in Papua New the Braille code. Her authority includes determining the layout Guinea. Within this classroom, multiple languages were spo- of Braille textbooks. ken. Her challenge was to find a way to engage the students in For 43 years, she has worked in nearly every area of the field. learning to read. From classrooms to conference rooms, when Wormsley speaks, Drawing from a book called “Teacher” by Sylvia Ashton the visually impaired and those working in the field listen. So Warner, Wormsley turned what could have been a chaotic and when she started presenting a new way to teach the blind and frightening experience into what she describes as the best teach- visually impaired to read, people took notice. ing experience of her career. Her method is the Individualized Meaning-Centered Ap- In the book, Ashton-Warner introduces a method she calls proach to Braille Literacy Education (I-M ABLE), and it seems “organic reading and organic writing.” Instead of confront-

34 NCCU NOW spring 2012 spring 2012 NCCU NOW 35 The 10 teachers taking part in Wormsley’s work in the field of visual impairments. “People didn’t understand the ap- special composition sign. For example, I-M ABLE research pilot project compare Morehead School provides meeting proach and why kids could not learn to the letter A is represented as a single dot, experiences at one of their periodic face- space, weekend housing to the students read Braille in the traditional manner,” the letter B by two vertical dots and the to-face meetings at the School of Education. during their face-to-face sessions and Wormsley says. letter C by two horizontal dots. serves as an internship site for the 360 She finally found a partnership with Contracted braille is a space-saving time, and for others it is learning a few hours the program requires. And because the North Carolina Department of Pub- version of alphabetic braille and is primar- words. But the ultimate goal is to have the campus is designed for instructing lic Instruction (DPI) just last year. A ily used in books, signs and most braille students writing and reading their own students with visual impairments, Har- one-year grant funded through the DPI materials. This method employs 189 con- stories. Getting there requires teachers ris says, “It is the perfect place to practice starting last fall has made it possible for tractions and symbols to represent entire with a special set of skills. orientation and mobility.” Wormsley to launch an I-M ABLE re- words. For example, in contracted braille, When enrolling in VITP, students Built in 1845, the Morehead School is search pilot effort involving 10 teachers the word “can” is represented by the same choose either O&M or TVI as a con- the eighth-oldest school for the blind in of the visually impaired at 10 schools symbol that represents the letter C, two centration, but there is always crossover. the country, and it was the first to serve the across the state. They work with visually horizontal dots. According to Harris, half of the counties African-American blind and deaf popu- impaired students aged 8 to 18 who also Though rarely used, a third form of in North Carolina do not have teach- lation, beginning just four years after the have cognitive disabilities. braille exists and is a personalized system tions, the guides should pause and allow my father navigate,” she says. “I figured I ers trained to work with the visually Civil War. “This work is so personalized that of shorthand typically used by individu- the person to come alongside them. should probably learn the right way.” impaired. Adding this special licensure To fund her work with teaching the we don’t know all the questions that als for their own convenience. It contains While most of the work is taught And there is a definite “right way” when allows the graduate to work in nearly any blind to read, Wormsley knew that she people might have,” Wormsley says. more than 300 word contractions and online, skills such as these are practiced it comes to the visually impaired, even school system across the state. would need a partner. Despite her back- “And we don’t know if this will work makes great use of vowel omission. Be- during the face-to-face sessions with Har- down to the color of the cane.In 1930 the “This is an intense program, from the ground and reputation, finding an under- with every student.” The goal at the end cause it has not been standardized, it is ris. And the students come from as far first of the state laws regarding the right amount of courses required to the variety writer for her research proved difficult. of the year is to have 10 case studies that not used in publications. away as Ohio. of blind people to travel independently of training techniques,” says O&M student In 2000 at the encouragement of her can be used to plan further research In 2007 Wormsley became the princi- The traveler from Ohio is Michelle was passed in Illinois. The law gave blind Daniel Simmons, a teacher at the Gover- colleagues, while working at the American in the field of braille literacy. Worms- pal investigator of the ABC Braille project. Erickson, who spent 10 years as a com- pedestrians who carried a white cane pro- nor Morehead School for the Blind in Foundation for the Blind, Wormsley wrote ley and some staff members from DPI In addition to her braille literacy efforts, mercial pilot before deciding on a tection and the right of way. Today there is Raleigh. His work as a teacher has given a small book describing her method and observe the teachers and provide tech- she also helped grow the field of Ph.D.s career change. About to make captain a form of “White Cane Law” on the books him informal training in orientation and it quickly became a best-seller in the field. nical assistance. working in visual impairments. She with American Airlines, Erickson says she of every state. mobility but not the degree VITP will pro- “I think people connected to the book be- Wormsley says she gives the teachers co-authored a proposal which received woke up one morning and knew that she Because training programs like VITP vide. Simmons is considered by his class- cause it was a way to motivate students,” involved with the project this advice to $6.3 million from the U.S. Department was in the wrong profession. “I decided are not money generators, graduating just mates to be a natural at O&M. The first Wormsley says. help stay focused: “If you can read what of Education Office of Special Educa- that day to quit,” she says. She had friends a few students per year, they are often in time he had to navigate under blindfold, The book and her method were you can write, that is literacy. Period.” tion Programs. The funds were used to who were vocational rehabilitation coun- jeopardy of closing. To attract more stu- he quickly and easily found the sun and motivating to teachers, but funding This project is not the first time support the National Center for Leader- selors who worked with the visually dents, Wormsley led the VITP faculty in began to walk north. organizations remained wary. Repeatedly, that Wormsley has studied the meth- ship in Visual Impairments (NCLVI), impaired, and she had often thought about writing and receiving a five-year grant of Training as an O&M specialist is espe- she was told that the lack of research in ods used to teach the blind to read. In which funds doctoral programs at 14 making this a new career path. Erickson $500,000 from the U.S. Department of cially challenging in part because many the field meant her project did not qualify 2002 Wormsley was a researcher on universities. flies to North Carolina once a month for Education Rehabilitation Services Admin- of the skills cannot be learned from a for funding. the Alphabetic Braille — Contracted One of the fellows in the NCLVI the face-to-face sessions. istration in 2008. The grant provides schol- textbook. Harris trains her students on Braille (ABC Braille) project. Oper- was Harris. With more than 28 years O&M student Jennifer Weaver, whose arships and stipends for VITP students sighted guide and cane skills. Sighted ated through Vanderbilt University of experience in the field, she completed father is blind, struggles with her own working with adults. guide technique enables a person who is and funded by the American Printing her doctorate at the University of Arizona visual impairments. She completed her un- NCCU also maintains a relationship blind to use a person with sight as a guide. House for the Blind, the project was a in 2009. dergraduate degree in music performance with the Governor Morehead School in The technique follows a specific form and long-term study of the two methods New technology means that the field but was introduced to Harris and VITP by Raleigh. This serves to build a pipeline has specific applications. The first step is currently used to teach braille: alpha- of visual impairments is constantly grow- her father. “I spent my whole life helping of master’s-level professionals trained to respecting the wishes of the individual by betic and contracted braille. ing and changing. The Perkins Braille first asking if they would like assistance. Braille is a writing system that Writer remains the primary tool for And there also is a specific way to offer enables blind and partially sighted writing braille, but software now ex- your arm: Tap the back of the person’s Under an agreement made between the state people to read and write through touch. ists that can transcribe voice to braille. hand with your hand and wait for the in- and the UNC system, one of the 16 campuses This system uses dots arranged in cells And some students now use refreshable dividual to grasp your arm directly above of up to six dots in a 3 by 2 configuration hand-held braille devices that display the elbow. Sighted guides should walk one provides training for people who are blind that, when combined, creates words. raised pins that can be felt by the person step ahead of the person they are guiding, or visually impaired. And since 1997, that Braille is either alphabetic or con- reading. except at the top and bottom of stairs and tracted. In alphabetic braille each Despite all of the changes, Harris says, when crossing a street. At such intersec- campus has been NCCU. arrangement of dots represents one the central mission is unchanged: teach- letter, number, punctuation sign or ing people to work with people.  36 NCCU NOW spring 2012 spring 2012 NCCU NOW 37 Artist, professor, film star — and her sister’s keeper ...... By Rob Waters ......

Beverly McIver sees herself in her students. And she is determined to do for them what an instructor did for her when she was a student at NCCU in the 1980s. “I had a teacher here, Elizabeth Lentz, who believed in me,” McIver recalls. “She said, ‘You’re good at this. Work at it and you can make a career of it.’ She nur- tured me. She saw things in my paintings I didn’t see, and invited me to her home to paint on weekends.” “And I try to do that with students today at my studio. I want to pay it forward and give this to my students.”

38 NCCU NOW spring 2012 “Renee Under an Umbrella,” 2008 spring 2012 NCCU NOW 39 “Raising Renee” also received a special screening in February at NCCU. The film shows how McIver, as her artistic career was taking off, had to redirect her life to care for Renee, her mentally disabled older sister, after their mother died in 2004. For most viewers, the documentary serves as an introduction to the three principals in the portraits on display at the Raleigh museum: McIver herself (more than a dozen of the paintings are self-portraits); her mother, Ethel; and Renee, who’s in her 50s but func- “Reminiscing” tions at about a third-grade level. “My painting has always been intensely autobiographical — my family, my mother, my sister Renee, myself,” McIver says. “It’s my story. Even so, I Beverly McIver sometimes hear from total strangers who say they find the paintings very Born: In Greensboro, 1962 powerful and who say, ‘I see myself in that.’ I feel good having an impact ...... McIver, the SunTrust Endowed Professor of Art at NCCU since 2008, like that on people I don’t know.” Education: The SunTrust endowment is intended for working artists. McIver has has been a well-regarded and successful artist for years. But she has had an especially big and busy time of it lately. • Bachelor of Arts 1987, NCCU the rank of full professor, but teaches just in the spring semester each year. Her paintings are now in a major exhibition at the North Carolina Museum of Art, “Reflections: Portraits by Bever- • Master of Fine Arts 1992 “The semester I’m off I lecture and meet my demands as an artist,” she ly McIver,” that runs through June. She and her sister were the subject of an award-winning documentary, “Raising • Pennsylvania State University says, “but my students are with me year-round.” Renee,” which screened at the Full Frame Festival in Durham in April 2011 and was shown nationally on HBO Feb. McIver teaches her Painting 1 and 2 classes in a studio in the Fine Arts • honorary doctorate 2007, NCCU 22. A few days before the HBO program, she was the subject of a long, flattering profile in The New York Times. Building. The advanced classes take place in her own studio at Golden ...... Belt, the converted textile mill complex on East Main Street in Durham’s Teaching: resurgent downtown. • NCCU, 1992-95 Her teaching goes beyond the creative process. “At NCCU I • N.C. State University, 1995 received encouragement, but I didn’t receive tools for professional • Duke University, 1995-96 development. I try to give my students the tools they need to be self- • Arizona State University, 1996-2008 sufficient as artists when they graduate. “It’s a business,” McIver says. “If you’re a working artist, you are the • NCCU, 2008-Present CEO, the janitor, the shipping clerk and everything in between. You need to know how to write a grant, find and manage a studio space. You need to treat it like a 9-to-5 job. At Golden Belt, I expose the students to other artists. I encourage them to encounter the reality of deadlines. I try to take making art out of the realm of class assignments.” “Raising Renee” and the portraits in “Reflections” make it clear that the period surrounding her mother’s death was a wrenching time for McIver. As she grieved, she also struggled with caring for Renee while balancing the demands of teaching, painting and making a living. But things are better now. A few years ago, McIver arranged for Renee to move into an apartment complex in Greensboro designed for adults with  Reflections: special needs. Their other sister, Roni, works nearby and keeps in Portraits by Beverly McIver regular touch. will be at the North Carolina Museum “Renee is still doing very well,” McIver says. Renee has devel- of Art in Raleigh through June 24 and oped a career of sorts as a maker of potholders, which she sells at film festivals when the documentary is screened. The two sisters at the Mint Museum in Charlotte traveled together to New York in February for the HBO premiere from July 14 through Oct. 21. of “Raising Renee.” And Renee took a suitcase full of potholders, Beverly McIver discusses a work in progress with student Jean LeCluyse. because more than 100 people had ordered them in advance. 

40 NCCU NOW spring 2012 spring 2012 NCCU NOW 41 MBA Program

Providing a Foundation Under new for Future leadership, MBA program gets an overhaul Success By Rob Waters Dr. Marilyn A. Morgan Dr. Kofi A. Amoateng D. Keith Pigues

A Master of Business Administration degree is the essential credential for many transformative change and innovation.” She added: “We’re shifting away from traditional leadership to one characterized by strong ties between the corporate and educational sectors.” professional careers, an indicator that the holder is equipped with the tools to The business school has 800 undergraduate majors, and 35 full-time and 10 part-time faculty. Its flagship program, however, is the MBA, and engage the marketplace, to adapt and thrive amid ever-changing conditions. Pigues and the faculty are putting the finishing touches on a major overhaul to the program that is designed to align it closely with NCCU 2020, Our mission the university’s strategic plan, to attract students with its course offerings D. Keith Pigues, dean of the School of Business, Pigues arrived at NCCU last summer with an unusual and flexibility, and to train them in ways that are tailored to the demands of is to prepare expects no less of himself and the courses he oversees. resume for a dean: He has no doctorate, though he has the North Carolina job market in general — and the Triangle in particular. our students Flexibility and responsiveness to the marketplace, he says, taught as an adjunct professor at Kenan–Flagler Busi- Pigues and Dr. Marilyn A. Morgan, director of the MBA program, held a are as essential for an MBA program as for its graduates. ness School at UNC–Chapel Hill, where he earned an town hall-style meeting with the MBA students early in the spring semester to compete for “Our mission is to prepare our students to compete MBA. What he does have is 25 years of experience in to describe their plans for the program. They outlined four strategic goals: for the best jobs in the marketplace upon graduation,” he marketing, strategic planning and sales leadership. Most Integrated Management: Graduates must possess a sound all-around the best jobs says. “But beyond that, we need to provide them with a recently, he was senior vice president at PlyGem Indus- business grounding. That includes the ability to identify and solve prob- foundation for future success. We don’t know specifically tries, a privately held building products company based lems, and to know what is needed to make a business successful. in the market- what they will need to know in five or 10 years, but we can in Cary. Entrepreneurship: Graduates should be prepared to launch busi- equip them with the critical-thinking and lifelong-learning In announcing Pigues’ appointment, Provost Debbie nesses. Many may not actually do so, but they should all have the ability to place upon skills that they will need as they progress in their careers.” Thomas said the School of Business was “poised for move an idea or concept to successful commercialization. graduation.” — D. Keith Pigues Dean of the School of Business

42 NCCU NOW spring 2012 spring 2012 NCCU NOW 43 MBA Program

Leadership: “Leadership is the X factor,” says Pigues, adding, “Management and create new content for new ways of delivery. If I and leadership are not the same thing.” Even if leadership is intangible and dif- teach in a classroom, I can enhance the face-to-face ficult to define, the program must offer abundant opportunities for students to courses by introducing material I provide online.” practice leadership skills and develop confidence in their capacity to lead. “We try to adapt to the busy lives of working Globalization: Graduates must be prepared for decision-making in a global professionals, and that means being flexible about environment, with an understanding of the forces at work around the globe. They how we deliver instruction,” Morgan says. “We’re must be at ease and able to work with people from other countries and cultures. developing plans for the full online delivery of an The commitment to globalization was underscored in a show-don’t-tell man- MBA program.” ner at the meeting when some individual professors gave brief presentations on But how does that affect the learning experience? plans for new and enhanced course offerings, starting in the fall. Isn’t student-professor contact and student-student Dr. Malavika Sundararajan, a native of India, described a course in entrepre- contact an essential part of it? neurship that would emphasize experiential learning. Dr. Alexander Deshkovski Morgan replies, “If you earned an MBA 20 years (Belarus) outlined a course in financial engineering that would equip graduates ago, this is not the program you knew. The education with the knowledge to manage cash flow and risk. Dr. Kofi A. Amoateng (Ghana) technology has come so far. You can have virtual described a plan to offer four courses as part of a concentration in finance. team meetings. You can meet and work in groups. Twenty-five of the 77 students currently enrolled in the MBA program are full- “Online courses have been taught in high schools time working professionals, and expanding enrollment by attracting more such for years,” she adds, “so students today are famil- students is a goal of the program. “That means more online delivery,” says pro- iar with them — these are our candidates. And five Dr. Malavika Sundararajan gram director Morgan. “Many faculty are working now to transform their content Dr. Michael Cuellar years from now it will be very common.”  Dr. Alexander Deshkovski

save the date I oct. 28-Nov. 4 Celebrating the classes of 1932, 1937, 1942, 1947, 1957, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002 and 2007 For the latest news and updates, visit www.nccu.edu/homecoming

44 NCCU NOW spring 2012 spring 2012 NCCU NOW 45 division I I m e a c by kyle serba COMING TO NCCU Vick’s talents brought him all-state and all-America ac- sports colades during his senior season at Friendly High in 2006, with 127 tackles to his credit. He was also a leader. As team captain, he led the Patriots to a 14-0 record, the 2A Maryland state championship and a national ranking of No. 22. His football success and his desire to attend an HBCU landed Vick an athletic scholarship to North Carolina Central University. He made an impact right from the start, finishing among the team’s top 10 defenders as a rookie linebacker with the Eagles. He improved steadily as a player and a leader during the next two seasons. Entering his senior year, Vick’s expectations were high. He pushed himself during the off-season to be in top condition and to be a motivational leader. In the 2010 season opener against Johnson C. Smith, he made four tackles and recovered a fumble in a 59-0 rout of the Golden Bulls. In the next game, on Sept. 11, the Eagles faced Winston-Salem State under the lights at NCCU’s O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium. As the stadium announcer introduced Vick as the starting outside linebacker, he strode out of the tunnel to the roar of the crowd, shaking his head and tossing his dreadlocks. The intensity that y the time rakeem Vick was seven, he knew he was had built up within him all day exploded onto the field. The game was tied, 27-27 midway through the fourth b fast, and he started to really like playing football. As his love quarter. With six tackles already under his belt, Vick was exuberant and ready for more. Given a brief rest on the ‘I am for the sport grew, so did his dream of playing in the NFL one sideline, he was champing at the bit to get back into the day. By the time he was earning all-America praise at Friendly High game. So when fellow linebacker Anthony Sharp rolled his ankle, Vick grabbed his helmet and was ready to go. School in Fort Washington, Md., his dream had become a goal. back Yet, that was the same time his coaches started preaching about having a Plan B. Coaches in youth, high school and college athletics know that less than 2 percent of college football players achieve careers as and professionals, and they constantly remind athletes to have other options. Vick knew the odds, but he was determined to beat them. Iam He was not ready, however, to put his Plan B into action so soon. A severe injury forced Rakeem Vick to let go of better’ one dream. Now he teaches the ‘Plan B principle.’

46 NCCU NOW spring 2012 spring 2012 NCCU NOW 47 the life-altering play North Carolina A&T. The annual Aggie- got so much love from the fans — it was me that playing football was not my call- Eagle clash always draws a big crowd, but unbelievable. It was a good feeling.” ing. I had to dig deeper to find my purpose “I remember everything,” Vick recalls. “We this one was special. For the first time in 18 on this Earth. It’s not scoring touchdowns were in a cover-three formation. They ran years, it was being played on NCCU’s cam- or making tackles. My true calling is using a draw play. It was number nine, their big back to rehab pus. “I didn’t want to miss that game,” Vick my voice, being a leader. I learned that my guy. Marc Lewis and Mark Blakeney hit Elated by the victory, Vick returned to the says. “I felt like it would motivate the team.” greatest gift is to motivate people.” him first, and then I came up to hit him. hospital for four more weeks of inpatient The game, though, was on Sept. 25, just Cheered by his newfound purpose and “I hit him with my helmet and every- rehabilitation. That was followed by two two weeks after his injury. with a fresh set of goals, Vick visited the thing started to go in slow motion. It felt months of intensive outpatient therapy. Before Vick’s doctors would allow him new football head coach, Henry Frazier like I flew back five yards and my head hit When he returned to his own apartment, to attend, he had to show that he could III. Frazier, seeing a potential leader, of- the ground. Once I hit the ground, I knew his brother Ronald moved to Durham to walk. “They put me through a test,” Vick fered a job as a student coach, and Vick I was done. I couldn’t move anything but help take care of him. says. “Walking up a hill, walking in the happily traded his helmet and pads for a my eyes. I immediately started thinking “I was very dependent,” Vick says. “My grass — stuff that I may face at the game whistle and clipboard. about my Plan B.” brother cooked for me, bathed me, walked that I don’t in the hospital. I aced it!” “It surprised me the way my for- Athletic trainers and team doctors with me, turned the TV channel for me, mer teammates responded,” says Vick. rushed to his side. The crowd fell silent. “They all called me Coach right away and Players and coaches knelt in prayer. Vick “Now through coaching, I can still motivate, teach and em- accepted me as a coach. It was a good feel- lay motionless on the field, taking rapid, ing, knowing that I still had a voice on the shallow breaths, unable to wipe the tears power kids through football,” he says. “And I can truly preach team — that I could still motivate.” streaming down his face. Sean Thomas, the head athletic trainer, the ‘Plan B’ principle. I really did play Division I football. I re- spoke quietly, urging him to be calm. The another memorable medical staff began the careful process of ally did graduate from college. There is life after football.” stroll placing him on a spine board. Vick asked While spending the fall semester as a stu- to see his mother, Angela, and she hurried Vick used a wheelchair to get around held the phone up for me.... It was crazy.” dent coach, Vick was also completing a down from the bleachers. “Everything is the stadium. Before the game, he visited Even so, his vision remained set on a re- significant off-the-field journey. On Dec. going to be all right,” she assured him. Vick confers with fellow coach Andre George. the locker room and sat in front of his turn to the game he loved. “The whole time 10, he became the first person in his family After several minutes, the medical staff locker, still in a neck brace and wearing I was rehabbing, I was trying to get myself to graduate from college, earning a bache- lifted Vick, strapped securely to the board, a custom T-shirt with his name, jersey right so I could come back to play football.” lor’s degree in mass communication with a onto a cart. As the cart wheeled toward a was shocked, causing everything to shut take that risk?’ They kept saying risk,” he number and action picture on it. “I saw By the next summer, he was much im- minor in literature. “It was a relief. I really waiting ambulance, the fans gave a sup- down,” he says. “They said I was not para- says. “I didn’t talk about playing football tears in the eyes of my teammates,” Vick proved, although his left hand and arm did it,” he says. “Through all of the rehab, I portive ovation. Vick recalls his frustra- lyzed and they expected me to get move- again too much, but it was in my head.” says. “It hurt them to see me like that. I still felt heavy and were not as strong or am back and I am better. It’s now time for tion at being unable to give a thumbs-up ment back.” The medical term for the in- Vick moved to Durham Regional Hos- told them to go hard and take advantage coordinated as before the injury. Vick’s better things in my life.” signal, as he has seen so many players do jury is transient quadriplegia, a temporary pital to begin his rehabilitation. With the of the opportunity.” doctor presented two options: Have sur- Vick was not so wrapped up in the mo- in his situation. full-body paralysis. help of a physical therapist and an occupa- Named an honorary captain for the gery to repair the damage and never play ment that he lost the significance of his once in the ambulance, he felt a new Gradually over the next few days, Vick tional therapist, he had to relearn how to game, Vick joined co-captains Anthony football again, or return to playing football ability to even walk across the platform. emotion: Fear. “That’s when I got really regained some movement. “I got feeling operate his body. Sharp and Tim Shankle at midfield for without the surgery and face a high risk of “As soon as I got to the edge of the stage af- scared,” he says. “I thought I was going to back in my right hand and could move He needed help getting out of bed and the coin toss. With those two holding his permanent paralysis. ter receiving my degree, I knelt down and be paralyzed for the rest of my life. I told my both legs,” he says, “but my left arm was walking. Regaining use of his hands was hands, providing emotional, if not physi- Vick was devastated. He knew his gave all the praise to God. I gave all thanks mom, and that’s when she started to cry.” still really heavy and could not move.” especially hard. “It was frustrating. I got cal, support, Vick steadily walked onto the dream of playing pro football was over to Him right there.” Battling the tears, Angela continued to Though not long removed from the tired. My occupational therapist was tough field from which he had been carted off of for good. He kept his composure un- Vick’s next step? He is enrolled in the reassure her son, “Everything is going to fear of lifelong paralysis, Vick began to on me. I had to learn how to brush my just two weeks earlier. til he climbed into his car. “Then I went master’s program in education technology be all right.” contemplate a return to the field. “I was teeth again, how to put on socks, how to “It wasn’t hard for me to walk on the crazy,” he says. “I was cursing, hitting the at NCCU’s School of Education, and plan- on the way to Duke University Medical already thinking about playing football dress myself. I was starting from scratch.” field,” he recalls. “It was all adrenaline.” dashboard, questioning the Lord – asking ning on another season on the sideline Center, Vick experienced the first hopeful again.” The injury occurred in his fourth over and over, his therapist made him So much, in fact, that he was craving to ‘Why me?’ ” coaching the Eagles. sign: He could wiggle his left foot. “It was a and final season of collegiate eligibility, pick up pennies, put a key in a lock, pour play. “I was staring at the A&T players the After deciding to have the surgery, he “Now through coaching, I can still mo- relief,” he says. but he figured he could qualify for a medi- water. “I knew I was getting better, because whole time, thinking, ‘You are lucky I am shared his resolution with his family. He tivate, teach and empower kids through cal redshirt waiver with the NCAA that I could start doing the small stuff.” not playing.’” particularly remembers breaking the news football,” he says. “And I can truly preach the road to recovery would allow him to play one more season Perhaps motivated by Vick’s return, the to his 13-year-old nephew, who plays the ‘Plan B’ principle. I really did play Di- After a long wait in a cold hospital room, at NCCU. the big play Eagles scored the first three touchdowns youth football and looks up to Vick, as a vision I football. I really did graduate from Vick received some good news from the His mother was supportive. The doc- When the 2010 schedule was announced, and cruised to a 27-16 victory. “It was fun turning point. “As I talked with him, it hit college. There is life after football.” doctors. “They told me that my spine tors were another story. “They were look- Vick had circled one particular game on to see the boys get after it,” he says. “Like was bruised and my nervous system ing at me like, ‘Are you sure you want to his calendar: the matchup with archrival a part of them was doing it for me. And I Visit nccueaglepride.com for schedules and events

48 NCCU NOW spring 2012 spring 2012 NCCU NOW 49 ’65 Leonard Moore (B.S.) of ’78 Dr. Elwood L. Robin- Sports & Entertainment since 2006. ’98 Tulani Giscombe article praising the sate of 40s New Jersey received the Clarence son, dean of the College and He oversees all business operations Thomas (BBA) authored a book, North Carolina for preparing good ...... “Big House” Gaines Winston- Behavioral and Social Sciences for the Charlotte Bobcats NBA team “TuTu Goes Green.” The book teachers. White was an NCCU ’46 Mattie Burton Meyers Salem State University award for at NCCU, will leave the campus and Time-Warner Cable Area. teaches children how to live green Teaching Fellow. (B.S.) is the author of “Seven Unsung Hero on Sept. 29, 2011. at the end of the academic year through the wide eyes of a girl Houses,” a book about a senior’s class notes to take the position of provost at ’89 Dennis P. Reilly (B.A) was named TuTu. ’10 Brenda Brown (M.S.) life experiences while living in Cambridge College in Cambridge, selected to serve as fire chief in was named volleyball coach at seven houses in Durham and in Mass. He will begin his new job Sunrise Beach, Mo. Elizabeth City State University in Fresno, Calif. On Feb. 3, Meyers 70s...... in Cambridge on July 1. August 2011. was honored for her book and ’74 Maurice Spencer of 00s...... promotions I appointments I announcements for her contributions to the Civil Durham was inducted into the ’79 William J. Thomas II ’04 Kimberly Carlton (B.A.) ’11 DeWarren K. Langley Rights Movement in the 1960s by Guilford County Sports Hall (J.D.) of Durham has been se- 90s...... of Camp Springs, Md., has been (J.D.) of Durham has been elected the Department of Social Work of Fame on Sept. 19, 2011. lected by his peers for inclusion in ’92 Georgia Cox Thompson named NCCU Alumni Association vice chair of Durham’s Civilian Education at California State Spencer was an All-MEAC safety The Best Lawyers in America 2012 (BBA) and Gregory Thompson Ms. Alumni 2011–12. Police Review Board. Langley also University, Fresno, and by the uni- at NCCU in the early 1970s and in the field of criminal defense. (J.D) of Judah International Min- received the 2011 Student Pro Bono versity’s African-American Social played in the NFL with the New istries in Maxton, N.C., served as ’05 Crystal C. Wood (B.A.) Public Service Awards by the North Work Student Association. Orleans Saints. guest speakers for a Valentine’s Day was nominated for a Midsouth Carolina State Bar during the 2011 breakfast at Laurel Hill First Baptist Regional Emmy Award for her Fifty-Year Lawyers Luncheon on ’76 Ophelia E. Garmon- 80s...... Church, Laurinburg, N.C., sponsored part in WRAL-TV’s coverage of October 20, 2011. Brown, M.D. (B.S.) of Charlotte by Women On The Move For Christ. the April 2011 tornadoes in ’84 Rickey McCurry (J.D) was was recognized by the Thurgood North Carolina. 50s...... named chair of the Council for ’11 Jamie Wilkerson (J.D.) Marshall College Fund at the ’97 John Williams III (B.A.) of ’50 & ’52 Dr. Robert C. the Advancement and Support of of Durham has opened a law organization’s annual “Awards of Durham was featured in the New ’08 Tammy Hedgepeth (M.A.) Freeman (B.S. & M.S.) was Education’s (CASE) Great Lakes practice in Warrenton on South Excellence” event on Oct. 6, 2011. York Times on Oct. 3, 2011, in an of Enfield, N.C., was named recognized for 60 years of service District for education advance- Bragg Street in the Marty Garmon-Brown is a board certi- article praising the state of North Halifax County Schools 2011–12 to the American Chemical Society ment professionals. McCurry is Rooker Building. fied family practitioner and vice Carolina for preparing good teach- Teacher of the Year. She is a by the ACS Board of Directors ’66 Dr. James Newton, artist and professor, has donated one of his recent vice president for Institutional president of community partner- ers. Williams was an NCCU Teaching seventh-grade math teacher at on Jan. 1, 2011. works, “Homage to Haiti,” to the NCCU Museum of Art. Newton has created com- Advancement at Rose-Hulman Cheryl Reddish (MLS, class ships with Novant Health. She has Fellow and was selected as Teacher William R. Davie Middle School. pelling political art for more than four decades. He has worked in a wide variety of Institute of Technology in Terre year not available) of Warrenton touched the lives of thousands of the Week by WRAL-TV in 2011. media, including calligraphy, etching, mixed-media collage, paint and three-dimen- Haute, Ind. has been named director of the sional construction. of patients from Charlotte, her ’08 Edmund P. Lewis (BSW) Warren County Memorial Library. home for the past 28 years, and in was profiled in a Detroit Free ...... 60s he served for 33 years in academia as a professor at UNC-Chapel Hill, West ’88 Fred A. Whitfield (J.D.) of Chester University, Illinois State University, Western Illinois University and the Uni- countries around the world in her Press article in January for his ‘12 Teryl White joined the ’65 Willie Cooper (B.A.) Charlotte was recognized by the versity of Delaware before retiring in 2005. Newton is now professor emeritus of work as a medical missionary. work in mentoring young men. Seattle Seahawks as a defensive authored a book, “The Forgotten Thurgood Marshall College Fund black American studies at the University of Delaware. at the organization’s “Awards tackle. White finished his NCCU Legacy: Black Soldiers and Sailors ’76 Lowell L. Siler (B.S.) of ’08 Anthony White (B.A.) of newton earned a B.A. in art from NCCU and went on to become the first African- of Excellence” event on Oct. 6, career with 158 tackles, including Who Fought In The Civil War, Durham was elected president of Durham was featured in the New American to earn a Master of Fine Arts degree from UNC–Chapel Hill in 1968. 2011. Fred is a sports executive 30.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks 1862–1866.” The book focuses on the North Carolina Association of York Times in an Oct. 3, 2011, he is included in the book, “250 Years of African-American Art,” and has been with experiences as a player, during 34 games from 2007–10. all the black soldiers who fought, County Attorneys. Siler has been profiled as an artist in the International Review of African-American Art. His works coach, agent, sports marketer and with a particular emphasis on the county attorney for Durham are found in private and institutional collections, and they have been widely exhib- basketball operations administra- those from North Carolina. County since 2009. ited at institutions including NCCU, UNC–CH, Atlanta University, the University of tor. He has been president and v ’07 Jason Jowers (B.A.), an assistant principal at Hillside High Delaware and Howard University. chief operating officer of Bobcats School in Durham, attended President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address in January as a guest of Rep. G.K. Butterfield.

NCCu 70 Ernest G. Brown (B.S.) of ’71 Roger Gregory (BBA) ’71 Ingrid Watson-Miller (B.A.) ’79 Edith R. Smith (BBA) of Durham ’85, ’91 & ’95 Lisa Smallwood-Howell ’08 Dennis Scott (B.S.) of Greensboro received Charlotte received the Truth and of Durham was an honoree at of Bowie, Md., received the Alumna of received the President’s Award at the (B.A.) of Durham received a Distinguished a Young Alumnus Award at the NCCU Alumni Alumni Service Award at the NCCU Alumni the NCCU Alumni Association Awards the Year Award at the NCCU Alumni NCCU Alumni Association Awards Alumna Award at the NCCU Alumni Associa- Association Awards Dinner, “Celebrating and Honoring Association Association Awards dinner, Dinner, “Celebrating and Honoring Association Awards Dinner, “Celebrat- Dinner, “Celebrating and Honoring tion Awards Dinner, “Celebrating and Honoring Alumni Achievement” on July 23, 2011. He is also the “Celebrating and Honoring Alumni Alumni Achievement” on July 23, ing and Honoring Alumni Achievement” Alumni Achievement” on July 23, 2011. Alumni Achievement” on July 23, 2011. alumni association’s Mr. Alumni 2011–12. awards Achievement,” on July 23, 2011. 2011. on July 23, 2011.

50 NCCU NOW spring 2012 spring 2012 NCCU NOW 51 in memoriam

Stewart M. Fulbright, Isabel Chicquor of Chapel Hill, more than 40 years and served as Joey D. Squire, senior jazz ’58 Grady Bell (B.S.) of Wash- ’75 The Rev. Thomas I. ’88 Allen Wilson (B.A.) of ’94 James Miller Goode Jr. former dean of the School of retired art professor, Aug. 6, 2011. department chair for seven years. program student, of Rocky Mount, ington, D.C., Sept. 28, 2011. Branch (BSC) of Durham, Buffalo, N.Y., Dec. 3, 2011. (M.Ed.) of Wilson, N.C., Aug. 31, Business, Jan. 1, 2012 (see She taught drawing and ceramics Jan. 2, 2012. Jan. 24, 2012. Wilson was an award-winning 2011. accompanying article). at NCCU for nearly 30 years. Roberta Lightner Floyd of ’58 Vivian Brown-Carman sportswriter and columnist for Raleigh, Jan. 18, 2012. Jalen Mims, freshman music (B.A.) of Jacksonville, Fla., Aug. ’76 George Edwards The Buffalo News for 20 years ’97 Delia Hunter Edwards Darlene Street, member of Dr. Randolph “Ranny” major, of Stem, N.C., Jan. 6, 2012. 11, 2011. Sanders Jr. (MBA) of Raleigh, and was a Buffalo Bills beat Allen (B.S.) of Durham, Oct. 8, the NCCU nursing faculty, Oct. 2, Umberger of Chapel Hill, Oct. 21, Emmanuel Mba, a member of Sept. 27, 2011. writer since 1999. He played tight 2011. 2011. 2011. Dr. Umberger was a profes- the Biology Department faculty for Dr. Spurgeon Webber Jr., ’58 Dr. Eugene Aaron Eaves end for two years at NCCU before sor in the Theatre Department for 20 years, Jan. 7, 2012. friend of NCCU, dentist and Sr. (B.S.) of Durham, Oct. 26, ‘76 Danny Joe Worthy (B.A.) a knee injury ended his football philanthropist, Dec. 6, 2011. 2011. He served on the NCCU of Durham, Oct. 18, 2011. He career. In his senior year, he was OBITUARY faculty for 37 years and was was assistant athletic director for a member of the school’s NCAA ’38 Elnora Slade Herring Provost from 1998 to 2000. marketing and sponsorships at Division II national championship (A.B.) of Philadelphia, July 10, NCCU. basketball team. ★ Dr. Stewart B. Fulbright ★ 2011. ’58 Hortense Gilmore Fleming (M.Ed.) of Raleigh, tuskegee airman I first dean of nccu school of business OBITUARY ’50 & ’58 Clarence Geral- Aug. 26, 2011. dine Hicks Allen (A.B. & MLS) of Durham, Oct. 6, 2011. ’58 Lillian Shirley Foster ★ charles l. gittens ★ dr. stewart b. fulbright, 92, Tuskegee Airman during Martin (B.S.) of Winston- the first african-american U.S. Secret service agent World War II who later became the first dean of the School of Busi- ’51 Dorothy Mae Taylor Salem, Nov. 30, 2011. ness at North Carolina Central University, died in Durham on New (B.S. and M.S.) of Raleigh, Oct. charles l. gittens, ’55, the first African-American to become a special agent of the United States Year’s Day. 17, 2011. ’62 Fannye Welborne Secret Service, died July 27, 2011. He was 82. Born in Springfield, Mo., in 1919, Fulbright attended Lincoln Uni- Kelsey (M.A.) of Salisbury, N.C., gittens was born in Cambridge, Mass. He joined the Army in the closing days of World War II when he versity in Jefferson City, Mo., graduating in 1941 with a bachelor’s ’53 Celeste Mae Farrar Sept. 17, 2011. Dalrymple (BSC) of Durham, was 17 and rose to the rank of first lieutenant before his honorable discharge in 1952. degree in French. He remained at Lincoln as an instructor in French. Sept. 8, 2011. ‘63 Doris Blendell he enrolled at North Carolina College (now NCCU) and completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in three In early 1943, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps, but to do so he had Sommerville Monroe (B.S.) years, graduating magna cum laude in 1955 with a double major in English and Spanish. He taught briefly at to rise to a challenge: The corps’ minimum weight for a pilot was ’53 Lucille Tapp Morgan of Raleigh, June 19, 2011. Dudley High School in Greensboro, but was soon recruited by the Secret Service and sworn in as a special 125 pounds, and Fulbright was so slightly built his friends called him (B.S.) of Greensboro, Sept. 5, agent on Feb. 1, 1956. Twiggy. Gorging on bananas and a few big meals, he managed to 2011. ’69 Julian E. Martin (B.S.) of initially assigned to the agency’s Charlotte office, he was soon transferred to the New York office, where make the cut. Hyattsville, Md., Sept. 23, 2011. he focused primarily on investigating counterfeiting and bank fraud cases. From time to time throughout his he was one of nearly 1,000 black men trained in Tuskegee, Ala., as pilots, navigators and bombardiers ’53 Rozena G. Harris (B.A.) of A standout on the football field, career, he also served on details protecting Presidents Dwight Eisenhower, John Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, during World War II. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant and pilot in December 1943 and served as Detroit, Oct. 2, 2011. Martin was inducted into NCCU’s Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter. a B-25 bomber pilot for the rest of the war. His all-black 477th Bombardment Group was preparing for deploy- Alexander M. Rivera Athletic Hall fluent in Spanish, he was assigned to the Secret Service’s office in Puerto Rico in 1965 and was soon ment in the Pacific theater when the war ended in 1945. ’53 Georgia Armstrong of Fame in 1987. promoted to special agent in charge. In 1969, he was transferred to the Washington field office, and be- after completing his military service, he enrolled at the University of Chicago, where he received an MBA Bass (B.A.) of Temple Hills, Md., came special agent in charge in 1971, supervising more than 100 agents. In 1977, he was appointed deputy degree in 1947. He joined the faculty of the Commerce Department at North Carolina College (now NCCU) that Oct. 27, 2011. ’69 Etta Joyce Grant (B.S.) assistant director of the Office of Inspection, responsible for the oversight of all field offices. Throughout his same year. He subsequently earned a Ph.D. in business administration from Ohio State University in 1953. of Durham, Aug. 6, 2011. She ’54 J. Calvin Adams (B.A.) of served as National Alumni career, he promoted the recruitment and hiring of minority agents. Today about 300 of the Secret Service’s he served as acting dean of the Undergraduate School from 1966 to 1968, then returned to the Commerce Columbia, Md., Aug. 1, 2011. Association treasurer, 1986–87. 3,200 special agents are African-American. Department as its chair in 1968. When the department became the School of Business in 1972, he became its gittens was not one to share many details or anecdotes from his work — the agency’s first name is first dean, serving in that position until 1976. After his retirement in 1982, Dr. Fulbright was honored by the ’55 Charles L. Gittens (A.B.) ’70 Leroy Parker (B.S.) of “Secret” for a reason — but here is one: On May 19, 1962, he stood just steps away from the president university with the title of professor emeritus. of Mitchellville, Md., July 27, Piscataway, N.J., Aug. 5, 2011 at Madison Square Garden when Marilyn Monroe serenaded John F. Kennedy with her famous and sultry “Everyone thought of him as a friend,” said Dr. Howard Fitts, former chair of Public Health programs at 2011. (See accompanying article) rendition of “Happy Birthday.” NCCU and a longtime colleague. “He was well-liked and respected, and students felt at ease with him.” ’71 Doris Ann Kirk of gittens retired from the agency in 1979, and then began a second distinguished career with the U.S. chancellor Charlie Nelms added, “During my tenure here, I have always felt I owed a great debt of grati- ’56 Rosa Halsey Chisholm Charlotte, May 13, 2011. Department of Justice Office of Special Investigations, directing investigations of Nazi war criminals living tude and respect to the men and women who founded and built this university. I know I stand on the shoulders (B.A.) of Brooklyn, N.Y., Aug. 7, in the United States. of giants, and Dr. Fulbright was one of those giants.” 2011. ’72 Diane Hart Ragin (B.A.) shortly after his passing, Gittens’ daughter, Sharon Gittens Quick, and niece, Marilyn Tyler Brown, dr. Fulbright remained in contact with his wartime comrades through his active membership in the Wilson of Durham, Oct. 28, 2011. announced a $30,000 gift from themselves and other family members and friends to establish the Charles V. Eagleson Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen, based in Goldsboro. He was among the Tuskegee Airmen present in ’56 Eloise Frances Gould L. and Ruthe Hamme Gittens Endowed Scholarship Fund at NCCU. Mrs. Gittens, a member of the Class of Washington in 2007 when they were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. (B.S.) of Brooklyn, N.Y., March 10, 2011. 1949, died in 1991. The fund will provide financial aid to a student or majoring in English or business.

52 NCCU NOW spring 2012 spring 2012 NCCU NOW 53 Many Ways to Support NCCU and Student Success

Years before her passing on Aug. 6, 2011, Etta Joyce Grant had listed NCCU as the beneficiary of a $50,000 life insurance policy she held with N.C. Mutual Life Insurance Co.

Ms. Grant was a devoted alumna and a successful businesswoman. Born in Durham in 1947, she graduated from Hillside High School in 1965 and NCCU in 1969. She later earned an MBA from the now accepting University of Rochester and the designation of Certified Public nominations for our Accountant. She was a lifetime member of the NAACP, the first 40 under 40 NCCU Alumni Association, Delta Sigma Theta sorority and St. alumni awards Joseph’s AME Church. due June 1 Naming the university as a beneficiary is just one way you can support NCCU’s mission of student success. You can help NCCU while you secure your own finances in ways tailored to your age, Join us Friday, Sept. 14, for NCCU's income and assets, and your vision of giving. Such giving tech- inaugural “40 Under 40 Awards” gala. niques are called “planned gifts,” because with thoughtful planning, you create win-win solutions for you and NCCU. For example: The program will recognize young alumni who have made significant contributions in the arts, entertainment, healthcare, sciences, education, law, • You can make a gift that costs nothing during your lifetime business, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, public • You can get a monthly paycheck for life in return for your gift service and government. • You can give stock and realize larger tax savings Nominees must meet the following requirements: • You can donate your house, continue to live there — and get a tax break • They must have been students at NCCU for at least one academic year. • They must be 40 or younger as of Jan. 1, 2013. We will be delighted to talk with you about your needs and goals, • The nominator must complete an electronic and suggest ways to blend your family and philanthropic interests. nomination and provide any supporting information as requested in the application process. We're here to help you at any stage of your discovery. Call us at Self-nominations are accepted. 919-530-6151, email us at [email protected] or visit our planned • Those chosen must attend the 40 Under 40 giving site, http://www.gftpln.org/Home.do?orgId=5247. Awards Gala on Sept. 14.

Nominations will be accepted online until June 1. All nominees will be notified.

Questions? Email [email protected] or visit www.nccu.edu/40under40 NCCU Planned Giving Program For more information, call 919-530-6151 North Carolina Central University 1801 Fayetteville Street Durham, NC 27707 photo b y c hioke rown