Davis House Groundbreaking Ceremony
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SUMMER/FALL 2011 BULLETINA MAGAZINE FROM JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY IN THIS ISSUE: Nomzamo Nobandla Winifred Madikizela-Mandela Addresses 2011 Graduates Duke Endowment Grants $35 Million to JCSU Davis House Mosaic Village Groundbreaking Groundbreaking Pioneer Bowl Victory Ceremony PRESIDENT’S LETTER Building the Future The first of seven clear expectations of the University’s five- year plan for radical transformation is to build a more vibrant and productive connection to the Charlotte community. Our goal is to create partnerships with the local business community and launch community development projects in the neighborhoods immediately adjacent to our campus. As a result of our bold efforts to engage our neighbors, the local landscape is beginning to see some bright spots in the Northwest Corridor, an area that has experienced decades of neglect. Most recently, we have broken ground on Mosaic Village and the Foster Village Network Center. Mosaic Village is a mixed-use development of residential and retail space that demonstrates our commitment to help redevelop the West Trade Street area from Center City to the University gates. Equally exciting is the Foster Village Network Center, an initiative to support the unique needs and challenges of emancipated foster care youth who desire higher education. I am extremely grateful for the support we have received from Griffin Brothers Co., the West Trade Street/Beatties Ford Road Task Force, Charlotte City Council and Center City Partners to revive one of the city’s most historically significant black communities. It is more than bricks and mortar. It is a symbol of our commitment to economic vitality for our neighbors and academic success for our students. Speaking of student success, we celebrated the largest graduation class in recent history during May Commencement ceremonies, which you can also read about in this issue. We were delighted that day to hear Nomzambo Nobandla Winifred “Winnie” Madikizela-Mandela, a member of the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa and the African National Congress Women’s League, share her story of commitment to community and determination as she fought to build a nonsexist, nonracial and democratic South Africa. As she challenged students to use their talents to change the world for good, may her words also inspire us to take action. Please join me with excitement and anticipation in 2012 as we continue on our trajectory that will indeed land us at the forefront of HBCUs and the brand of new urban universities. Ronald L. Carter, Ph.D. President 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS THE BULLETIN A magazine from Johnson C. Smith University SUMMER/FALL 2011 www.jcsu.edu PRESIDENT Ronald L. Carter, Ph.D EDITORIAL TEAM Sherri Belfield Managing Editor Jennifer Gaskins Lamont Hinson Commencement: May 48, 2011 Davis House Groundbreaking7 Kate Marcus Erin Phipps DESIGN Moonlight Creative Group Published by the Office of University Communications and Marketing for alumni and friends of JCSU. Please address letters, photos, ideas and concerns to: JCSU Magazine University Communications and Marketing 100 Beatties Ford Road Arch of Triumph Gala JCSU Breaks Ground on 9 Mosaic12 Village Charlotte, NC 28216 phone: 704.378.1022 fax: 704.330.1426 6 Larry Griffin Sr. Receives Honorary Degree email: [email protected] 8 Founders’ Week Events 13 Duke Endowment Grants $35 Million to JCSU 14 Student News 17 Student Activities 18 2010–11 JCSU Athletics Year Review 20 Athletics Profiles and Student Athlete Awards 22 Track and Field Makes Great Strides with Coach Graham Leading the Way 23 CIAA Tournament Excitement Returns ON THE COVER: 24 Athletics News JSCU students Danyell Mitchell and 25 Philanthropy News Jordan Broome talk in front of the 26 Campus News Davis House renovation project in 28 Fewer Students, Higher Standards the heart of the planned Foster Care 32 Faculty and Staff News Village Network Center across from 34 Homecoming 2011 the main campus (see cover story 35 Alumni Notes on page 7). 39 Letter from the President of the National Alumni Association 3 FEATURE Commencement: May 8, 2011 Our Future Community Leaders Graduate from JCSU Under clear blue skies, 257 excited graduates of the Class of 2011 under the oppressive regime of apartheid and spent more than 50 – the largest graduating class in recent history – turned their years as part of the South African liberation movement. ceremonial tassels, marking the start of a new chapter in their young lives. Some 2,500 family members, friends, faculty and staff A commitment to community and determination to build gathered to celebrate on May 8, 2011 at the Irwin Belk Complex a nonsexist, nonracial and democratic South Africa opened on campus. Madikizela-Mandela up to a life of frequent arrests and restrictions. In 1958, as chairperson of the Orlando West branch of both Jin Yoo of Charlotte, this year’s valedictorian, marked the occasion the African National Congress (ANC) and African National with a congratulatory speech that encouraged graduates to set a Congress Women’s League (ANCWL), she faced opposition as positive example for others. “By sitting here today, we have proven she organized and led women involved in the anti-pass campaign. that we are motivated and dedicated to our success. We will make a Later, in 1976, she was actively involved in mobilizing young difference to every individual back home,” said Yoo. “We truly are people to oppose the substandard Bantu Education Act, which the future leaders of this nation.” segregated the South African education system along the lines of race. This peaceful protest became known as the Soweto Uprising, The message of leading by example in service to the world and resulted in a police response of violence and brutality that was punctuated by a powerful, heartfelt speech given by eventually produced 176 deaths and 1,139 injuries. commencement speaker Nomzamo Nobandla Winifred “Winnie” Madikizela-Mandela. A current member of the South African Madikizela-Mandela began her comments by comparing the fight Parliament, Madikizela-Mandela endured incredible hardship against apartheid to the Civil Rights Movement, citing a long list 4 FEATURE of Civil Rights activists who served Valedictorian Jin Yi Yoo Salutatorian Layla F. Bluefort as inspiration for the South African people. “It’s important”, she said, “to Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina Hometown: Columbia, South Carolina remember the incredible sacrifices made by individuals for freedom. We Academic Major: Criminology Academic Major: Social Work remember the scores of South Africans Activities while at JCSU: Criminal Justice Activities while at JCSU: Social who laid down their lives so that we Honor Society and Army National Guard Work Club, Sigma Tau Delta could be free… Others dared to fight International English Honor Society, so that we can enjoy the freedoms we Why I chose JCSU: I wanted to stay Collegiate Sisters for Action, Foster Care sometimes take for granted.” in Charlotte. When I was in the eighth Initiative Ambassador/Mentor, Phi Alpha grade, my teacher took the class on a tour Social Work Honor Society, Pi Gamma Madikizela-Mandela said the world of JCSU. My teacher, Ms. Ruff, was an is now faced with the challenge Mu International Honor Society in Social alumnus. I really liked the campus and the Sciences, Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society of “defeating global apartheid [smaller] classroom size. and gender discrimination.” She Why I chose JCSU: I wanted the encouraged graduates to use their Best memories of JCSU: The criminology experience of attending a historically black talents to change the world for good. faculty, especially Dr. Bivens. college or university (HBCU). “The question remains: What will our contribution be in the struggle for a Plans after graduation: I completed my Best memories of JCSU: My best humane society? How will we use our coursework three weeks early because memories of JCSU were when I studied new-found status as graduates and I was selected to attend the Charlotte- abroad in Egypt/Israel in May 2010. skills acquired to advance humanity?” Mecklenburg Police Academy to become a police officer. Plans after graduation: I will start graduate In turning to University President school at the University of South Carolina Dr. Ronald L. Carter, Madikizela- in Columbia, S.C. to pursue my master’s in Mandela praised him for his social work. I want to work in a field that leadership and recognized Johnson will allow me to empower people and make C. Smith University as an instrument a difference. for change. “Mr. President, you have taken your institution on the path Dr. Ronald L. Carter; salutatorian Layla F. Bluefort; of being part of the revolution and Nomzamo Nobandla Winifred Madikizela-Mandela; not as part of the problem… valedictorian Jin Yi Yoo; and Parran L. Foster III, chair, I am particularly impressed by your JCSU Board of Trustees. insistence that the Smith experience involves original thinkers with a passion for success and no fear of professional limitations.” For her steadfast determination and transformative leadership, the University presented Madikizela- Mandela the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters. “Winnie Madikizela-Mandela chartered a path for South Africans – black and white, male and female – and rallied the black majority of her nation against tyranny of the minority, demanding equality in an era of injustice,” said JCSU Board Chairman Parran Foster III. “We honor her because her passion is our passion, her persistence is our inspiration and because her