FALL DISCOVER HT / 2013 • Adult Degree Program Designed for Working Adults • Renovated Library and New Communication Center Ready for Students • Historic Buildings Hit the Century Mark • Discover Which is More Affordable: Community College or HT • Student Profiles Address Life’s Choices DISCOVER YOUR FUTURE. HT’s AdulT DEGREE PROGRAM (ADP) ENROLL NOW! Read about the program on page 3. Pictured is alumnus DeQuincy Adamson, ’05, the face of the ADP advertising campaign. TABLE OF CONTENTS The Ram Magazine is published by the Huston-Tillotson University Office of Institutional Advancement, 900 Chicon Street, Austin, TX 78702, 512.505.3073. • Unsolicited articles and From the President ..............................................................................................2 pictures may be submitted to [email protected]. Alumni Inside Feature ......................................................................................................3 news and milestones should be addressed to the Director of Campus & Education News ...............................................................................10 Alumni Affairs, [email protected]. Faculty News .....................................................................................................21 EDITOR Linda Y. Jackson Student News ....................................................................................................28 ALUMNI SECTION EDITOR La Juana R. Napier Donations ......................................... .................................................................38 MAGAZINE DESIGN Sports News .....................................................................................................46 Tara Gentry WRITERS & CONTRIBUTORS Alumni News .....................................................................................................58 Irmease Banks, Gilbert Caldwell, Carla Fletcher, Richard Oppel, J. Class Notes .......................................................................................................64 Alex Simpson, Ashley N. Smith, and Terry S. Smith Obituaries ......................................... .................................................................67 PHOTOGRAPHERS Events/Observations ..................................................................... .....................68 Downs-Jones Library Archives, Linda Y. Jackson, Mike McLennan, and General Marshall MISSION PRINTING As an historically black institution, Huston-Tillotson University’s mission is to provide Curtis 1000 opportunities to a diverse population for academic achievement with an emphasis on academic excellence, spiritual and ethical development, civic engagement, and COVER HT’s renovated leadership in a nurturing environment. Downs-Jones Library Photo courtesy of Brian Mihealsick VISION Huston-Tillotson University will be a leader in the education of diverse populations. We will empower students for success in a global society as critical thinkers, lifelong learners, and ethical citizens. EXECUTIVE CABINET Larry L. Earvin, Ph.D. BOARD OF TRUSTEES President and CEO Mr. Albert Hawkins, Chair • Mrs. Cecelia P. Abbott • Mrs. Frances Holliday Alford Ms. Donna D. Carter • Mr. C. Lee Cooke • Ms. Jaki Davis • Bishop James Vicki Vernon Lott, Ph.D. E. Dorff • Dr. Larry L. Earvin, Ex-Officio • Dr. Terrance D. Grant-Malone • Ms. Provost and Vice President for Sandra L. Griffin, Esq. • Mr. Louis M. Henna, Jr. • Dr. Zan W. Holmes, Jr. • Ms. Academic and Lauren M. Snowden Ingram • Mr. Trennis Jones • Mr. J. Winston Krause, Esq. Student Affairs Mr. Paul J. Legris • Dr. Thomas O. McDowell • Dr. C. Mark Melliar-Smith • Ms. Kathyrn S. Page • Mrs. Ruth C. Robinson • Mr. John Scroggins • Dr. Beverly Roderick L. Smothers, Ph.D. Guy Sheftall Ms. Liz Stewart • Mr. David A. Talbot, Jr., Esq. • Dr. Orlando L. Vice President for Institutional Taylor • Mr. A. Leon Thompson, Esq. Advancement Huston-Tillotson University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges Valerie Hill, MBA and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate degrees. Contact the Vice President for Administration Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or and Finance call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Huston-Tillotson University. Terry S. Smith, L.H.D. Executive Assistant to the President FROM THE PRESIDENT A Word from the HT President’s Desk ike previous editions of the Ram adult populations in Austin and surrounding arts offerings which not only yield their LMagazine, this issue highlights the many communities. These are characteristics that own outstanding graduates but provide the accomplishments of HT students, faculty are the trademark of a solid urban university. foundation courses for all HT students. and staff, and alumni. The trajectory for the University is evidenced by these stories. The The University also celebrates the These accomplishments would not be possible University continues its growth and vitality accreditation of its program in Business without the hard work of faculty and staff during a time when the higher education Administration, which adds extra benefit and the generous support of alumni and community is facing very challenging issues. to graduates of this program who are friends. We salute you! We invite alumni pursuing employment or graduate school and friends to visit the campus, see the The University is most proud of the admittance. Similarly, the teacher education transformed Downs-Jones Library, the new achievements of its students and graduates program underwent a rigorous review that Communications Studio, the renovated and the increasing recognition received by yielded outstanding results. The reinstated Dickey-Lawless Science facilities and the its faculty. In addition, we take pride in the program in communication also holds the work soon to begin our Residence Halls. improvements of the physical campus and promise of greatness. These career-focused the implementation of programs to serve programs complement our traditional liberal But for now, enjoy your reading! 2 RAM MAGAZINE l 2013 l Huston-Tillotson University l www.htu.edu l DISCOVER HT INSIDE FEATURE Adult Degree Program Offers Working Adults a Choice for Degree Completion uston-Tillotson University officials group projects and assignments. Financial reach their full potential,” said HT President Hlaunched a new Adult Degree Program aid is also available to those who qualify. Larry L. Earvin, Ph.D. (ADP) designed for working adults to secure the Bachelor of Arts degree in Business “Since 1875, the sons and daughters of HT The business administration degree delivers Administration or Criminal Justice. The have made a dramatic difference in the a course of study preparing competent University’s new initiative includes a highly quality of life for the communities and people business professionals to meet the challenges focused adult degree program supported they touch. HT has educated first generation of an interdependent world with students by advertising and marketing; student students who are often faced with a myriad making an immediate contribution to the recruitment, retention and accounting; of challenges. These students may find the business environment. Within the four-year curriculum development; and learning quality and quantity of college courses interdisciplinary criminal justice program, management systems and support. to be rigorous and demanding. Huston- students will receive the tools necessary Tillotson provides diverse students a proven for critical knowledge, communication, The first cohort of adult learners began the environment for academic success. True to personal growth, and real-world application program in January 2013. Students receive its roots, Huston-Tillotson embraces the opportunities. a personalized degree completion plan responsibility of intellectually challenging with one-on-one advising throughout the well-prepared students while offering those Interested individuals may visit the HT Web program. Courses are offered in sequence who may need support an opportunity to site at www.htu.edu or call 512.505.6455 to one evening a week with learning teams for speak to an ADP admission counselor. Adult degree students in their Business Communication class. 3 DISCOVER HT l www.htu.edu l Huston-Tillotson University l 2013 l RAM MAGAZINE 102 and 100 Year Old Buildings Standing Tall on Austin’s Second Highest Hill vans Industrial Hall built in 1911 and the was constructed between 1913-1914. It was remaining buildings from Tillotson College. EAnthony and Louise Viaer-Alumni Hall renamed the Anthony and Louise Viaer- None of the buildings from the Samuel built two years later, hit the century mark as Alumni Hall in 2006. Tillotson College Huston College campus remains at the site, the pride of the HT campus. students in the Industrial Arts program made which now serves as the access road adjacent the cinder blocks from which the structure to IH-35 on Twelfth Street and is designated The Old Administration Building, a was built. These students also assisted with with a historical marker. Once the center stately memorial to an earlier generation’s the construction of the building. In 1952 of campus activities with its administrative commitment to education, self-help, and Tillotson College and Samuel Huston College offices, library, and classrooms, the old empowerment of African American people, merged, and the structure was one of three administration building sat vacant from 4 RAM MAGAZINE l 2013