chancellor’s message Indeed, 2005 was a most memorable year for Elizabeth City State University. We began the fall semester with a record enrollment of 2,664 students, and, after a long wait, the new student union complex opened with rave reviews. More than ever before, this year’s class of new students is an exuberant and talented group that has brought a new level of excitement to our campus community. They are exuding “Viking Pride” that is permeating the entire university. Included in this dynamic group are 14 students who represent the first pharmacy class in a joint pharmacy program between ECSU and UNC-Chapel Hill. After much planning and anticipation, the start of this program was a “defining Chancellor moment” for ECSU. With its high-tech facilities, this program Mickey L. Burnim is likely to be a model for instructional delivery, not only in North Carolina, but also throughout the nation. In this issue, we share the highlights of these programs and other exciting innovations taking place at ECSU. We are especially pleased to put the spotlight on two of our students, who demonstrate very well the caliber of students we have at ECSU. As ECSU continues well, their experiences and accomplishments show some of the ‘ wonderful opportunities we offer at our fine university. Certainly, to make huge we speak with pride about their achievements and the fine example they set for their peers. strides in Although there are many important topics covered in this issue, transforming none is more important than the donor list provided on page 36. We are pleased to use this medium to express our sincere appreciation itself into one and gratitude to all our alumni and friends who support our mission and students through their generous gifts. of North ECSU continues to make huge strides in transforming itself into one Carolina’s of North Carolina’s great universities. With the continued support of our alumni, friends, and community and corporate partners, we great can only imagine an even brighter future for this university in the 21st century. universities. Enjoy the magazine! ’ greetings inside. FEATURES GIVING MATTERS 3 • New members join ECSU board of trustees 35 • Tom Joyner Scholarship Brunch & Auction 4 • Erskine Bowles named UNC president 36 • Annual Fund Contributors 6 • ECSU’s graduation rate among the 44 • Success Fest 2006 best in nation 7 • ECSU ranked #3 among its peers COMMUNITY OUTREACH 13 • African Education Initiative 45 • Elizabeth City Chamber of Commerce Welcomes Area Educators 17 • Student Center Opens 46 • Entrepreneur of the Year 18 • Student goes to Antarctica 47 • Women in Math Celebration 2005 BRIEFS ALUMNI NEWS 20 • Fall Convocation & Candlelight Ceremony 49 • From the President 22 • Lyceum Series 50 • Alumni Awards Banquet 23 • International Week 52 • Torchbearers: Outstanding alumni 26 • Homeland Security course offered 53 • Homecoming 2005 STUDENT NEWS ATHLETICS •26th Annual Sports Hall of Fame 30 • Biology major receives scholarship 60 • Homecoming 2006 31 • Ronald McNair Scholarship Recipients 62 33 • University Players present: “Before it Hits Home” ECSU Magazine lettersto the editor I am writing to let you know how impressed I am with ECSU Magazine is published by the the Elizabeth City State University magazine of which Office of University Relations & Marketing you are the managing editor. I felt that the Fall 2005 Vol. 1704 Weeksville Road 4.1 issue of the magazine was one of the most Campus Box 778 professional and attractive publications that I have ever Elizabeth City, NC 27909 reviewed. It easily ranks among the very best collegiate 252.335.3594 media productions, and it mirrors in a majestic manner FAX: 252.335.3769 the progress of a great institution and its stature in the E-mail: [email protected] academic community. Congratulations to you and your editorial staff. Please continue to hold the banner of ECSU high. The promoters of all Historically Black Colleges are made Editorial Staff proud by the caliber of this publication and the quality of Managing Editor Marsha McLean its contents. Editors Jeanette H. Evans Sincerely, Kesha Williams Dallas Foster Margaret Fisher Wake Technical Community College Publications Coordinator Rhonda M. Hayes ECSU Board of Trustees Contributors La’Tanya Afolayan Ronald Blackmon 2005 - 2006 April Emory Walter C. Davenport, Chair ................................. 2009 Patricia Gibbs Frederick L. Yates, Vice-Chair .............................. 2007 Donna James-Whidbee Henry B. Pickett, Jr., Secretary .............................. 2009 Richard Lucas Paul Norman Earl M. Brown ....................................................... 2009 Vandalyn M. Ray Calvin R. Worsley ................................................. 2009 Gwendolyn Sanders Harriett L. Hornthal ............................................. 2007 Derrick Wilkins Anthony A. Lewis ................................................ 2007 Photographers Richard T. Harvey Norman L. Mebane, Jr. ......................................... 2007 Kesha Williams Regina W. Peele .................................................... 2007 Harold E. Mitchell ................................................ 2007 Teresa DeLoatch Bryant ...................................... 2009 To submit information for the ECSU Magazine, e-mail, fax, or Joe Wilson ............................................................. 2009 send drafted articles to the address listed; or call the office at 252.335.3594. All items submitted will be edited. Ex Officio Member James Stratford, SGA President ............................ 2006 Elizabeth City State University is committed to equality of educational opportunity and does not discriminate against applicants, students, or ECSU Foundation employees based on race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, or disability. Board of Directors Kenneth P. Henshaw, Chair Mickey L. Burnim, George L. Moore Cover photo by Chancellor Gordon Kreplin Paul Norman Clifton Davis Ascension Recordings, Inc./Photography Abdul Sm Rasheed Kitty Hawk, North Carolina Thomas Evans Billie J. Reid W.M. Green Mitchell St. Clair Magazine layout and design by Thomas Evans, Flowers Printing Treasurer David Twiddy Elizabeth City, North Carolina Clyde Holt, III Robert Vaughan, Willie Mae Jones Johnson Secretary Willis Langley Kennis Wilkins Matthew Lewis, Jr. Winifred Wood 4 / ECSU MAGAZINE / SPRING 2006 features New members join ECSU Board of Trustees Elizabeth City State University proudly announces four new members on the ECSU Board of Trustees: ` TERESA DELOATCH BRYANT an attorney and partner in the firm Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, L.L.P with offices in Greensboro and Raleigh, NC ANTHONY A. LEWIS _ president of Verizon, Washington, DC, and a 1986 graduate of ECSU ` JOE WILSON chairman emeritus of Integrated Packaging Corporation, New Brunswick, NJ JAMES STRATFORD _ 2005-06 president of the Student Government Association at ECSU Brown and Skidmore named “Trustee Emeritus” The Elizabeth City State University Board of Trustees named Attorney Earl T. Brown and Mr. Frank H. Skidmore “Trustee Emeritus.” Attorney Brown is the principal owner of the Law Office of Earl T. Brown, P.C. in Greenville, NC. Mr. Skidmore is a retired business executive from IBM and a consultant. Both men served eight years as university trustees before ending their service in 2005. ECSU MAGAZINE / SPRING 2006 / 5 Taking Erskine Bowles (left), the president of the 16-campus University of North Carolina, met with ECSU students, Arkeem Fleming (middle) and Jedidiah Gist (right), to learn the issues of greatest concern to students during charge! Bowles’ visit to the campus. Charlotte investment banker understand how to leverage resources deputy White House chief of staff Erskine B. Bowles was unanimously and motivate supporters to carry out (1994-95) and White House chief of elected president of the 16-campus that mission. I’m absolutely staff (1996-98). As chief of staff, he University of North Carolina by the convinced Erskine Bowles is up to the was credited with helping to negotiate UNC Board of Governors. Bowles took job,” Wilson said. the first balanced federal budget in a office January 1, 2006, succeeding Bowles is a North Carolina native, generation. Between his two White Molly Corbett Broad, who retired after the son of a distinguished state House tours of duty, Bowles co- eight and a half years in the post. legislator, and a graduate of the founded Carousel Capital, a merchant J. Bradley Wilson, chairman of the University of North Carolina. He bank based in Charlotte, where he UNC Board of Governors who led the earned an undergraduate degree there currently serves as a senior advisor to Presidential Search Committee of the in business in 1967 and an MBA from the firm. From 1999 to 2001, he also Board, said they searched the nation the Columbia Business School in New served as a general partner of for a leader who had “a rare blend of York in 1969. He joined the financial Forstmann Little, a New York-based experience, skills, character and firm of Morgan Stanley in New York private equity firm. He ran for the U.S. passion.” Wilson said they found that and later settled in Charlotte where he Senate in 2002 and 2004. combination in Bowles. helped launch the 1975 investment “Without question, UNC’s banking firm, Bowles Hollowell president must have an intimate Conner. understanding of the teaching, In 1993, President Bill Clinton research, and outreach that define the appointed him to serve as director of University’s