VOLUME 9, ISSUE 1 • 2020 Kimya Jones ’99 Research Associate/Laboratory Manager Contents From the Desk of the Vice President for 2 Operations and Chief Strategist for Institutional Effectiveness 4 Faculty & StaffNews A Crowning Glory: 6 The Crown Act & History of Natural Hair SPECIAL SECTION 10 on COVID-19 BEHOLD FEATURE 16 NSU Alumna Works With Team in Georgia to Develop COVID-19 Test SPECIAL SECTION 20 COVID-19 Continued AthleticNews 26 An Officer and A Gentleman 30 AlumniNews VOLUME 9, ISSUE 1 • 2020 Kimya Jones ’99 Research Associate/Laboratory Manager Kimya Jones ’99 Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University From the Desk of the Vice President N ORFOLK S TATE U N IVER S ITY for Operations and Chief Strategist for Institutional Effectiveness o my fellow Spartans, near and far, let me begin this column by saying that I hope you all are safe, secure, and in the best of health. I also want to extend my VOLUME 9, ISSUE 1 • 2020 A MAGAZINE WITH GLOBAL REACH Tsincere gratitude, both personally and in my role as BEHOLD an administrator, for the support from our greater NSU community that the University has received The word “Behold” is often used by those who love Norfolk State. It sums up the in the midst of a life-altering pandemic. While the excellence of the University and pride felt for it. That is why when it came to naming halls and edifices of our campus have been nearly the magazine featuring the accomplishments and progress taking place empty for the past three months, the spirit and at Norfolk State, “Behold” easily came to mind. heart of our community lives and beats strongly. Although COVID-19 has had a tremendous impact on all of us, it certainly has not diverted us from our path Javaune Adams-Gaston, Ph.D. and journey towards excellence. University President One word comes to mind as I reflect on all that has happened this year – that word is RESILIENCE. Please allow me to share how we have maintained and thrived in these challenging circumstances. COVID-19 compelled us to make BOARD OF VISITORS 2019-2020 some serious and hard decisions, but we maintained a culture of academic Joan G. Wilmer ’99 Rector excellence by delivering to our students a world class instruction in an online Dr. Deborah M. DiCroce Vice Rector Devon M. Henry ’00 Secretary and remote learning environment. Our amazing faculty not only rose to the Dwayne Blake Larry A. Griffith challenge of delivering instruction in new mode, but they superseded it by Mary L. Blunt Michael J. Helpinstill being innovative, creative, and flexible to ensure that the learning for our Bishop Kim W. Brown ’84 Tamara A. Jones, M.D. ’96 The Honorable Jean W. Cunningham Dr. Harold “Harry” L. Watkins II ’01 students was neither disrupted nor diminished. As a result, more than 500 The Honorable James W. Dyke Jr. Linei S. Woodson, Student Representative students completed their academic journeys here at NSU and now join the BK Fulton Anne M. Fernando, Ph.D., Faculty Representative Spartan Alumni network all over the world and they are prepared and equipped PRESIDENT’S CABINET to meet the needs of employers during these challenging and uncertain times. Harry Aristakesian Chief Audit Executive, Internal Audit As I think about all that has happened this year, I need to share with you Pamela F. Boston, Esq. University Counsel how hard the staff and faculty have worked to maintain this beautiful campus Ericke S. Cage Executive Advisor to the President & BOV for and all that we do to serve our students and community. Our leader, Dr. Policy, Compliance and University Ombudsman J, has masterfully led us through a storm we couldn’t imagine, and she will Dr. Deborah C. Fontaine Vice President for University Advancement continue to lead us at the helm. In this issue of BEHOLD you will learn more Dr. Leroy Hamilton, Jr. ’96 Interim Provost and Vice President about how our esteemed faculty have excelled in the virtual classroom. Faculty Academic Affairs members such as Dr. Rhonda Fitzgerald and Mr. Lateef Gibson employed Gerald E. Hunter Vice President innovative methods to ensure that students were engaged in rigorous discourse Finance & Administration from the safety of their homes. You’ll learn about how our devoted staff and Marty L. Miller ’69 Athletics Director administrators, such as Dr. Vanessa Jenkins, Director of the NSU Counseling Dr. Justin L. Moses Vice President for Operations and Center, used virtual technologies to connect with our students to assist them Chief Strategist for Institutional Effectiveness in maintaining wellness and health in the midst of these challenging times. Dr. Michael M. Shackleford Vice President for Student Affairs You’ll also learn about the brave and impactful work of our alumni that are Tanya White Special Assistant to the President first responders to COVID-19 as healthcare workers. All of these individuals represent NSU with distinction and demonstrate the resilience that I have BEHOLD STAFF witnessed during these last few months. Stevalynn Adams Assistant Vice President, Communications Please join me in congratulating two of our Spartan Leaders, Dr. Deborah and Marketing Fontaine, Vice President for Advancement, and Dr. Michael Shackleford, Regina Lightfoot BEHOLD Editor, Senior Publications Manager on their phenomenal careers at NSU as leaders to our staff and as mentors Michelle D. Hill ’96 Executive Director, Alumni Relations and Annual Giving Stanley M. Donaldson ’04 Director, Media Relations to our students. While they are retiring from their roles as administrators, Christopher Setzer ’97 Senior Graphic Designer they will forever be Spartans as they enter the ranks of the many esteemed Doris D. Shadouh Social Media Manager administrators that have served with excellence. Donald Spencer Senior Graphic Designer I wish you all continued health and a wonderful summer and I look forward Matt Michalec Assistant Athletics Director, Communications to the near future when we can connect on campus! Sharon Hoggard (M.A.’04) Contributing Writer JUSTIN L. MOSES, J.D., Ed.D. BEHOLD is published twice a year by the NSU Office of Communications and Marketing. Contact: Stevalynn Adams | [email protected] | www.nsu.edu Call Us: 757.823.2658 2 BEHOLD MAGAZINE • 2020 UniversityNews The word “Behold” is often used by those who love Norfolk State. It sums up the excellence of the University and pride felt for it. That is why when it came to naming the magazine featuring the accomplishments and progress taking place at Norfolk State, “Behold” easily came to mind. Helping GROW, DIVERSIFY STEM Educators and students in other under-represented populations are not left behind,” said Northam. “UTeach will help address our existing teacher shortage and create a pool of diverse, talented STEM educators who are equipped to ensure Virginia students have the knowledge, skills and mindsets necessary to thrive in a fast-changing, technologically advanced, global society.” NSU President Javaune Adams-Gaston noted that Northam is a champion for HBCUs and is committed to funding equity in higher education. “In fact the governor’s 2020-2022 biennium budget proposal makes historic investments in Virginia’s HBCUs,” she said during the announcement. “This investment will be a game changer for NSU and our students as we continue to create access to a high-quality education.” From its beginnings 84 years ago, Norfolk State has had a focus on teacher education and classroom learning. Now the School of Education and College of Science, Engineering and Technology will work together to implement the program. “Norfolk State University has had a long legacy of producing diverse irginia Governor Ralph Northam announced an initiative classroom teachers,” said Dr. Leon Rouson, dean of the NSU School of intended to increase the number of secondary teachers in the Education. “NSU Faculty with expertise in STEM fields and secondary science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) teacher education will work alongside master teacher practitioners to design field. Northam made the announcement Monday, Feb. 10, at a program emphasizing deep understanding of STEM content, practices VNorfolk State University. and pedagogy, and strong connections between theory and practice.” Gov. Northam is proposing to invest $1 million to increase pathways Dr. Michael Keeve, dean of the College of Science, Engineering and for students to become STEM educators at Norfolk State and Virginia Technology, said the initiative provides STEM majors with additional career State universities — Virginia’s two public historically black colleges and opportunities. “We’re taking STEM majors who are not in the education universities (HBCUs). The initiative, UTeach, is an innovative, university- area and certifying them to teach K-12 and it doesn’t add any more time or based approach to recruiting, training, and retaining STEM teachers that money. It won’t add another year to their program and that’s a plus.” is currently functioning at 45 colleges and universities across the country. One student who is glad to hear that is Nathan Foster, an NSU Virginia is the first state in the nation to propose investing public funds sophomore biology major. Foster plans to teach at his high school alma toward establishing a UTeach program. mater while pursuing his dream to become a physician assistant. “By “The demand for STEM education is growing rapidly, and we must the Governor implementing this program, I am able to give back to my ensure that students of color, students from lower-income school divisions, community and make my dreams become a reality.” VOLUME 9, ISSUE 1 • BEHOLD MAGAZINE 3 Faculty & StaffNews ENVIRONMENTAL STAR he Elizabeth River Project recognized Norfolk State University for its environmental efforts. The University is a recipient of a River Star Business Award, presented at the annual River Star T Businesses Recognition Luncheon.