160 Years of Scholarship and Achievement in the Nation’S Capital

Since 1851 160 Years of Scholarship and Achievement in the Nation’s Capital U NIVERSITY OF THE DISTRICT OF C OLU MBIA 160th Anniversary Closing Gala The Mayflower Hotel May 18, 2012 1 Dear Supporters of Washington, DC’s State University, On behalf of the staff, faculty and students of the University of the District of Columbia, I bid you welcome to this gala, marking the end of the celebration of our 160th year! What a year it has been! In the last few months, we have broken ground on a brand new student center, which University’s commitment to sustainability. We have cut the ribbon on a completely renovated Van Ness Campus, marking the largest green roof project in the District. And we have engaged new academic leadership and energy that will take this University higher still. We are constantly striving to improve the quality of our academic offerings at the University of the District of leader in education. An internationally recognized expert in the areas of teaching and learning, Dr. Bain brings great thoughtfulness and commitment to revolutionizing how we approach education. New Deans of virtually every school bring the energy and leadership we need to continue this renaissance. The University is becoming all it can and should be for the residents of Washington, DC, the region and the only one that has as its core mission to reach out to Washingtonians and deliver quality, affordable education to every- one. All of the achievements over the past few years could not be possible without your help. Thank you for sup- porting the University of the District of Columbia, and I look forward to our continued relationship. 1 Friends, It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the closing gala event celebrating the 160th anniversary of the University of the District of Columbia. Our state university has certainly come a long way, and our future is very bright indeed! As the brand new Chair of this historic body, sworn in just days ago, I am honored to help lead this great institution into the next 160 years. This Board of Trustees is motivated, dedicated and we have been activated by a collective sense of purpose to propel Washington’s only public university to the next level. I want to extend a very special thank you to our Mayor, vincent Gray. Without his support and continued interest in public higher education, we would not have been able to have accomplished much of what we have achieved in recent years. I also want to thank our tremendous supporters on the City Council, many of whom are attending this gala tonight. In particular, I am very grateful for the support and friendship of Council Member Michael Brown. His steadfast advocacy for this University brings full circle the legacy of leadership begun by his father, Ron Brown, advocating for our University and our wonderful students. I further wish to thank my predecessor on the Board, Joseph l. Askew, Jr., whose leadership has been stellar. All of us on the Board of Trustees thank Joe for his continued contribution to the University. One of the great missions in my life is to continue to enhance access to quality education for all. Education truly is the key to a better life. I am living proof. I hope you have a wonderful time tonight, and I look forward to working with each of you as we continue to move the University of the District of Columbia toward greatness. Sincerely, Elaine A. Crider, DHSc 2 Board of Trustees Dr. Elaine A. Crider, Chair Mr. Christopher Bell, Esq., Vice Chair Mr. Jerome Shelton, Secretary Mr. Reginald M. Felton, Treasurer Mr. Joseph L. Askew, Jr., Esq. Ms. LuAnn L. Bennett Ms. Katherine B. Bradley Rev. Dr. Kendrick E. Curry Mr. James W. Dyke, Jr., Esq. Mr. Ollo Jean Pooda Mr. Stephen W. Porter, Esq. Major General Errol R. Schwartz Dr. Allen L. Sessoms, ex-officio Ms. Mary C. "ompson Mr. George Vradenburg, Esq. Beverly Franklin, Executive Secretary UDC Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors Mr. Joseph M. Perta, President Major Gen. Leo V. Williams, III USMCR (Retired), Vice President Ms. LuAnn L. Bennett, Treasurer Ms. Hanane Lemlih, Secretary Ms. Beverly J. Burke Ms. Kathleen Walsh Carr Rev. Dr. Kendrick E. Curry Mr. Frederick A. Douglas Mr. Petch Gibbons Mr. Stefan C. Nicolas Mr. Jonathan Novak Ms. Judith F. Terra Dr. Ivan C.A. Walks Dr. Christine M. Warnke Dr. Michael D. Woodard Dr. Allen L. Sessoms, Ex Officio Mr. John T. Butler, Ex Officio 3 4 JUDITH F. TERRA May 18, 2012 Dear 160th Anniversary Gala Participants, Friends and Supporters: It has been and is a great honor to serve as your Gala Chair for the 160th Anniversary Kickoff and Closing Gala Celebrations. When asked to serve as Gala Chair, one might pause to consider the challenge of the task ahead. However, being asked to take on such an important position in support of the University of the District of Columbia warranted my immediate and affirmative participation. This is a great moment not only for the University and the Community College, it is also a great moment for the District of Columbia and its residents as well. For 160 years the University through it's predecessor institutions has been an intricate part of the life and history of our great city. I want to take this opportunity to thank our Mayor, Vincent C. Gray, for his passion and support of this University, our children, their education and his vision for One City. I also want to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Allen L. Sessoms for his leadership and commitment to the University and our next generation of leaders. I want to extend a special thank you to Lee Brian Reba for his dedication and tireless energy throughout the entire celebration. It could not have happened without him. It is an extreme honor for me to welcome you to the 160th Anniversary Closing Gala Celebration and I truly hope you enjoy this very special evening as we salute our distinguished honorees. Thank you for your generous support and I look forward to your participation throughout the many years to come as we continue to build this great city University. Warmest Regards, Judith F. Terra Chair 160th Anniversary Closing Gala Celebration 5 President’s Reception Pete Muldoon Duo 160th Anniversary Closing Gala Celebration Presentation of Colors Metropolitan Police Department Ceremonial Honor Guard National Anthem Master Patrol Officer Alvin Johnson Musical Selections University of the District of Columbia Jazztet Allyn Johnson, Director Musical Selection B. Jackson Caesar, tenor Musical Selections Boy "ai Band In Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of Sister City Relations between Bankok and Washington, DC and in Celebration of the 160th Anniversary Celebration of the University of the District of Columbia 6 7 Honorary Chair "e Honorable Vincent C. Gray Mayor of the District of Columbia Honorary Co-Chair His Excellency Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Gala Chair Judith F. Terra Gala Co-Chairs Francine and Stephen Joel Trachtenberg Mistress of Ceremonies Doreen Gentzler NBC4 Washington 8 160th Anniversary Closing Gala Host Committee Christine M. Warnke Chair Stacie Lee Banks LuAnn Bennett Lauren Bias Katherine and David Bradley Beverly J. Burke Katherine “Kate” Carr Fredrick A. Douglas Petch Gibbons Tiffini and Brett Greene Linda Mercado Greene Richard “Rick” Lee Hanane Lemlih Stefen C. Nicholas Joe Perta Arlene C. Reba David Sakai Jason E. Turner Stacie Scott Turner Ivan C.A. Walks Leo V. Williams Virginia E. Hayes Williams 9 President’s Award Ronald H. Brown (1941-1996) Ron Brown was the first African-American appointed to the Cabinet post of U.S. Secretary of Commerce, the first to serve as Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, and the first to be named partner at a prestigious Washington, DC law firm. At the time of his death in 1996, he was a figure of global prominence, respected for his intelligence, political savvy and leadership. Ron Brown loved Washington, DC. His connection to the University of the District of Columbia is felt to this day. He served on the University’s Board of Trustees from 1976 through 1985, serving as the Board’s first Chairman from 1976-1980 and was Chair a second time from 1983-1985. Mr. Brown began a legacy of leadership with this University that inspired a generation of Washingtonians. Born in Washington, D.C. and raised in New York City, Mr. Brown attended Middlebury College in Vermont. He served for four years in the U.S. Army, posted to Germany and Korea. He earned a law degree from St. John’s University, attending classes at night while working first as a welfare caseworker for the City of New York, then for the National Urban League. He spent twelve years with the National Urban League as Deputy Executive Director, General Counsel, and Vice President of the Washington bureau. During this time, he became involved in politics and worked on Senator Edward M. Kennedy’s presidential campaign in 1980. An appointment followed as chief counsel for the Senate Judiciary Committee under the chairmanship of the Senator. Following his time on the Senate staff, Mr. Brown joined Patton, Boggs & Blow where he proved himself a skillful negotiator and was highly sought after by national and international, private and public sector clients. He continued to be active in politics, serving as the Reverend Jesse Jackson’s convention manager in his 1988 bid for the presidency. Mr. Brown used his skills as a negotiator and pragmatic bridge builder in his successful tenure as Chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 1989 to 1992, reuniting the Party after its defeat in the 1988 presidential election and leading it to victory in 1992.

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