Philanthropy Report 2011-12
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The Report on Philanthropy 2011–2012 able accepting adventurous artistic candid assertive balanced capable caring clear- thinking confident charming clever honest efficient empathetic enthusiastic generous globally-aware grateful growing hopeful imaginative innovative inquisitive intelligent community-minded conscientious creative decisive resolute empowered expressive joyous kind leader loyal mature modest nurturing original patient persevering courageous dependable determined dynamic personable positive powerful reasonable unique tactful thorough tolerant brilliant bold defining impact understanding strong authoritative commanding forward-thinking responsible selfless sincere spontaneous illustrious progressive spirited steadfast supportive vibrant grounded committed visionary pivotal giving graceful trustworthy Years of Impact FPO 1 2 3 4 5 Spelman College | 2 Greetings, Anniversaries often give way to reflections, and this year—which is Bringing women of color into the academy is another way that my 11th year as the president of Spelman College—carries more than Spelman students are shaping our nation. During the past decade, a decade of hindsight. In looking back, I’m energized by how much the UNCF/Mellon Program at Spelman has prepared women to impact this one college has had on our city, nation, and world. pursue doctoral degrees (7). And a recent initiative, the Social Justice Fellows Program, has a parallel goal—to change the face of The past 10 years have seen Spelman transform—and extend that public policy advocacy by diversifying leadership of the social justice transformative energy far beyond our hallowed gates. In 2004, the movement. Supported by Atlantic Philanthropies, the program allows Women’s Research and Resource Center expanded its global footprint 10 rising juniors to explore how social policy responds to critical by organizing an international conference on women and HIV/AIDS needs in education, economics, and health, giving women a valuable in Africa and the African Diaspora with support from the Ford foundation in advocacy (8). Foundation and other generous donors (1). In 2008, the opportunities for more students to study abroad were increased with the creation of The College also has been busy equipping its historic campus with the Gordon-Zeto Endowed Fund for International Initiatives. Infusing 21st-century necessities. From a campus-wide wireless network to the curriculum with international elements and recruiting students a state-of-the-art, 24/7 study center in the recently renovated Laura from around the world, this new hub supports the College’s goal of Spelman Rockefeller Hall, students are gaining access to the latest every student having a global experience by 2015 (2). tools and infrastructure to enhance their studies (9). At the national level, the College has helped Spelman students We couldn’t have accomplished any of these far-reaching initiatives stay enrolled during some of the largest natural and financial without our donors. Support for Spelman has come from alumnae, disasters of the past decade. After Hurricane Katrina, for example, students, parents, trustees, friends, foundations, businesses, and an emergency scholarship fund provided financial support to more government—all of whom believe in the impact we can make when we than 70 Spelman students affected by the storm (3). Likewise, the work collaboratively (10). Together we are preparing Spelman women President’s Safety Net Fund was established to help students whose to become change agents in their communities and worlds, and to families have been adversely affected by the economic downturn and become a force for good in the next decade and beyond. subsequent credit crunch (4). With sincere thanks, The decade also has seen our nation face a growing health crisis, in particular a disproportionate growth in health disparities between African-Americans and other racial groups. Spelman students are helping to answer that challenge. With a lead gift from Dignity Health in 2010, the College is preparing women for health-focused careers through scholarships, internships, international service trips, and Beverly Daniel Tatum research and conference opportunities (5+6). Having much-needed President, Spelman College health professionals of color will help those communities with the greatest needs be healthier in years to come. 6 7 8 9 10 Philanthropy Report | 3 Darlyne Atkinson Killian, C’48, tapestry of her family’s life. Her parents met and knew that some artists are born, married here, and they often returned to campus with their three children. Darnita herself was but she also believed that artists named Miss Spelman Nursery School at age could be made, shaped, and taught. 1. She attended football games at Morehouse with her parents and brothers and frequented In fact, she spent a lifetime doing just that, the art department with her mother. At age 10, and when she retired as the lead administrator she waited for hours in line with her family to of the art program for the Atlanta Public honor Dr. Martin Luther King, who lay in state Schools, she was known as “the art teacher in Sister’s Chapel. “Mom would of the art teachers.” An economics major, Killian was the 12th feel humble Killian got her start in art at Spelman, where woman in her family to graduate from she majored in art and designed sets and Spelman, starting with her aunt, Mattie Neal, to have this costumes for the drama department. Ever a in 1897. To date, 16 of Killian’s relatives— scholarship trailblazer, she was the first, and for many years her grandmother, mother, sister, sister-in-law, only, African-American working on a graduate niece, two aunts, and a cluster of cousins— named for her, degree in art on the recently desegregated have earned Spelman degrees. Four younger University of Georgia campus in the 1960s. A cousins may get the same chance one day. but she free spirit, she went on to teach interdisciplinary classes combining art, the sciences, and music Kristyn McKinney, C’2016, long before the term was coined or the approach wouldn’t be a Spelman first-year student, became popular. She and her husband, William surprised that H. Killian Jr., a photojournalist, also held joint is getting her chance right now, exhibitions of their work—her paintings and thanks to the Killian legacy. I did it.” sculpture alongside his photographs. But the —Darnita Killian, C’79 biggest motivation during her long career was A self-taught artist from Fairburn, Ga., passing on her love of art to middle and high McKinney is the second recipient of the Darlyne school students in Atlanta. Atkinson Killian Endowed Scholarship. In the tradition of her predecessor, McKinney When Killian passed away in 2006, her creates landscapes, portraits, and scenes from daughter found a fitting tribute to honor her everyday life, using a variety of materials from mother’s two passions of art and education. charcoal and pastels to watercolors and acrylics. Darnita Killian, C’79, established a scholarship She has attended summer programs for young for art majors at Spelman in her mother’s name. artists at Atlanta’s historic art community, the Goat Farm, exhibited her work at the Georgia “Mom would feel humble to have this Aquarium, and donated several pieces to One scholarship named for her, but she wouldn’t Loved Generation, an annual art fundraiser be surprised that I did it,” says Killian, vice that supports a local homeless shelter. She also president of Student Affairs at Spelman. has volunteered as a docent at Clark Atlanta “Both of my parents drove home the need University’s art gallery. for education. It was a big focus in our house. I can’t imagine supporting anything as Several of McKinney’s friends suggested that important as education or in any place other she choose a field more lucrative than art, than Spelman or Morehouse.” but like Darlyne Killian, she is following her passion. “The scholarship encourages me,” From before the younger Killian was born, the she says. “It shows me that people here do Atlanta University Center was woven into the appreciate art and artists.” Spelman College | 4 ethical beautiful powerful ambitious vibrant bold brave loyal fair impressive striking inspiring passio brilliant special unique diligent faithful classic accomplished imaginative respected fearless spiri creative women have a vision for the future. Darnita Killian, C’79 (left), and Kristyn McKinney, C’2016 (right) Philanthropy Report | 5 ethical beautiful powerful ambitious vibrant bold brave loyal fair impressive striking inspiring passionate expressive uplifting tenacious purposeful gifted savvy talented versatile resourceful discerning brilliant special unique diligent faithful classic accomplished imaginative respected fearless spiritual grounded productive distinguished engaging collaborative connected creative balanced kind he Spelman College Center for For starters, Spelman is dramatically Health Disparities Research and enhancing its wellness program to “We as an TEducation (CHDRE) is focused improve health and transform lives. on increasing the number of African- Already that emphasis is paying off for institution have American women students entering students like Danielle Winfrey, C’2013, graduate programs in health disparities. who has lost 50 pounds on her way to an opportunity But the College has a serious problem a goal of 100 pounds by graduation. that threatens to undermine its success Pursuing a career in medicine, Winfrey to change in empowering young women to be wants