Winter 2008 - Virginia State University

VIRGINIA STATEUNIVERSITYA MAGAZINE FOR A LUMNI AND F RIENDSVSU Earns Top Ranking!

2From the EditorVirginia State University is the number one, public, master’s level HBCU in America.Go back and read that again.Virginia State University is the number one, public, master’s level HBCU in America.Are you surprised? Perhaps you shouldn’t be.Those of us who have been a part ofthese exciting times, and those of you who have visited and kept up with campusevents over the past few years, have seen this coming. The signs have beeneverywhere, but, like your own child, you never see how quickly they grow. Someyears ago, the vision included new academic programs, new buildings, a sense ofaccomplishment and pride among our alumni that would translate into everincreasinglevels of support. Today, that vision is a reality.Vision. The word is popular around campus these days. The vision represented byPresident Eddie N. Moore, Jr.; the Boards of Visitors who have charted the course;and the administrators, faculty, staff and students who demonstrate daily, not onlythe greatness of today, but the possibilities of tomorrow.These possibilities are exemplified by the important research conducted by VSUfaculty. In the past year, VSU researchers have been awarded nearly $9.4 million ingrants. This issue will examine projects that are saving lives by bringing moreminorities into the medical field, and sciences in general; that are saving theplanet by developing more environmentally friendly batteries; and by reachingacross the globe to teach budding Ethiopian entrepreneurs sound businesspractices. It’s certainly not difficult to envision the positive impact of this researchon future generations.More and more, our alumni and friends view support of Virginia State not as a gift,but an investment. Our lofty U.S. News ranking is due, in no small part, to theincreased level of giving among alumni. Those who have lived and learned “OnThe Hill” understand these are heady times! The new Engineering and TechnologyBuilding opened in late fall, work is steadily progressing on the Gateway 500residence hall and dining facility, Rogers Stadium boasts a new President’s Suite.Our alumni are indeed savvy. More and more are giving to VSU, at nearly twice thelevel of the average public HBCU. While we are truly grateful for this support, weneed you to engage your own vision. Not of what your gifts do today, but wherethey’ll take Virginia State in the future.One alumna who sees the potential is Angela Avant. A partner at KPMG, shereturned to campus to impart her experience to inspire today’s business students.Two other loyal supporters, Loretta and Harold Braxton, translated vision intoaction by directing gifts made in honor of their Golden Anniversary to theirnamesake endowment that provides scholarships to deserving mathematicsmajors.Yes, this year we’re Number One. However, now that we’ve reached this pinnacle,it’s more important than ever that you, our alumni and supporters, share ourvision; to see not what Virginia State is today, but what it can be tomorrow.Thomas ReedEditorVIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY

What’s InsideVirginia State UniversityA Magazine for Alumni and FriendsVolume 7, Issue 2Winter 20083Features4 VSU Named Top Public Master’s Level HBCU in America5THE POWER OF CLEANVSU Professor Develops Green Battery6 VSU Facilitates Mentor/Protégé Partnership9 VSU Receives $4 Million NIH Biomedical Research Award10 Small-Scale Private Animal Health Care in EthiopiaMade Sustainable22 Couple’s Anniversary is “Golden” to VSUDepartments4 News from University Avenue13 Alumni Profile14 Alumni News & Notes22 Development NewsBoard of VisitorsRectorDr. Harold T. Green, Jr.Vice RectorMr. Earnest J. EdwardsSecretaryMrs. Daun S. HesterMs. Katherine E. BusserMrs. Erika T. DavisDr. Mary Hatwood FutrellMr. Richard L. LegonMr. James H. StarkeyDr. Albert W. ThweattMr. Spencer L. TimmDr. William E. WardStudent RepresentativeMs. C. Bianca BrodieFaculty RepresentativeDr. Deborah GoodwynUniversity AdministrationPresidentEddie N. Moore, Jr.Vice President for DevelopmentRobert L. Turner, Jr., Esq.Editor/Director of University RelationsThomas E. ReedContributing WritersAndrea TatumJamie FleeceWilliam GeeJoy HaliburtonJanae JohnsonContributing PhotographersRudolph PowellDesign and PrintingCommonwealth of VirginiaDepartment of General ServicesOffice of Graphic CommunicationsMerrit Press Inc.Virginia State University Magazine is publishedtwice annually for alumni, parents, faculty, staffand friends. Your comments and suggestionsare welcome. Please send them to:EditorVirginia State University MagazineP.O. Box 9085Petersburg, VA 23806(804) 524-5045tereed@vsu.eduVisit VSU on the web at www.vsu.educopyright © 2008 by Virginia State UniversityAlumniSend your news toAlumni in NewsPO Box 9027Petersburg, VA 23806acollins@vsu.eduVIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY

4News from University AvenueVSU Named Top PublicMaster’s Level HBCU in AmericaU.S. News & World Report (USN&WR),in its first-ever ranking of 81Historically Black Colleges andUniversities (HBCUs), namedVirginia State University the toppublic HBCU in the country amongmaster’s-level institutions; fifthbest public HBCU overall; and 15thbest HBCU, public or private, inAmerica.USN&WR had previously rankedVSU as the number one, publicHBCU in the Southern Region –Master’s Level in its 2008 BestColleges in America rankings.In its HBCU rankings, USN&WR usedthe same 11 broad categories as inits “Best Colleges” survey. Thesecategories represent six, morespecific areas: peer assessment,financial resources, graduation andretention, student selectivity,faculty resources and alumnigiving. In the HBCU rankings, the81 schools were compared to oneanother. Of these 81 institutions,39 were public.According to study authors RobertJ. Morse and Samuel Flanigan “TheU.S. News rankings system rests ontwo pillars. It relies on quantitativemeasures that education expertshave proposed as reliableindicators of academic quality, andit’s based on our nonpartisan viewof what matters in education.”In 2004, VSU adopted a long rangestrategic plan that included, as oneof its primary goals, a rise throughthe USN&WR rankings. VSUPresident Eddie N. Moore, Jr. said“We set out witha very ambitious,yet eminentlyrealistic, vision”–President Eddie N. Moore, Jr.the USN&WR ranking validates thePlan’s mission. “We set out with avery ambitious, yet eminentlyrealistic, vision,” he said. “Threeyears in, we have completed nearlyVirginia State University gained 19spots in the 2008 U.S. News & WorldReport’s (USN&WR) annual rankingof America’s best colleges anduniversities. VSU’s ranking of 75among master’s universities in theSouthern Region made theUniversity the highest ranked,public, historically black collegeand university (HBCU) and the thirdhighest ranked HBCU in the region.The region in which VSU was placedincludes 119 peer institutionsone-third of our goals and shownsignificant progress on another 40percent of our measurable actionitems.”President Moore said thecornerstones of VSU’s continuedsuccess are enhancing the school’sacademic offerings and attractingtop students. “This past year, wegraduated our first doctoralstudents, our first nursing studentsand our first students in two newmaster’s programs,” he said. “Weinstituted creative financial aidinitiatives, specifically the LowIncome Families with TalentedStudents program, which allowsus to compete with any school inthe Commonwealth for Virginia’sbest students.”For a complete list of theUSN&WR’s HBCU rankings, visithttp://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/brief/t1_hbcu_brief.php. VSU Surges in U.S. News Rankingsrepresenting 12 states. TheUSN&WR evaluates schools in 11broad categories that represent six,more specific areas:peer assessment,financial resources, graduation andretention, student selectivity, facultyresources and alumni giving.In 2004, VSU adopted a long rangestrategic plan that included, as oneof its primary goals, a rise throughthe USN&WR rankings. At thattime, VSU ranked in the Fourth Tierof the rankings. In the ensuingVIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY

News from University Avenue5The Power of CleanVSU Professor DevelopsGreen BatteryIn the electronic age of digital cameras, PDAs andiPods, one can’t avoid using batteries. Batteriespower our television remotes, cordless telephonesand radios—necessary parts of the daily routine.However, when batteries become old and no longerpower our gadgets, we pull out the spare set andtoss the old ones in the trash.Old, household batteries thrown in the garbageend up in landfills where their toxic metals leak intothe soil and water, contaminating the environment,our food and water. Shahzad Akbar, VSU computerengineering professor, together with otherresearchers, have developed an environmentallyfriendly battery.This past summer, Akbar and a team of scientistsat the Oak Ridge National Laboratory worked toconvert chemical energy into electricity usingnanotechnology.“This was a really cool project,” says Akbar, who isenvironmentally conscientious.“I was able to workwith world renowned scientists and use state-ofthe-artequipment to further a mission that willprotect our planet.”To reach their goal, Akbar used an electric beamevaporator to create electricity from a renewablePhoto courtesy of Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Educationfuel, methanol. Instead, new nano-constructedmaterials would be used to react with themethanol and oxygen to produce heat. This processallowed the team to generate electricity withoutusing conventional combustion, thus reducing theamount of emissions and pollutants in the air.Akbar’s participation in the research was supportedby the Historically Black Colleges and Universitiesand Minority Education Institutions FacultySummer Research Program. The program isadministered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Scienceand Education.“I hope to continue research that benefits our wayof living,” says Akbar.“It is truly rewarding and I amproud of this work.” three years, the University hasrisen to the middle of theThird Tier.“Based upon the scores of otherHBCUs, it’s clear that VSU is thehighest ranked, public HBCU inthe Southern Region,” said VSUProvost Dr. W. Eric Thomas.“This validates our strategy ofincreasing enrollment withoutsacrificing the quality ofincoming freshmen; of nurturingstudents to keep them in school;and of providing the financialand academic resources toattract top quality faculty.”The categories in which VSUexperienced the greatest gainswere: Faculty Resources, 28 spots;Student Selectivity, 12 spots;Financial Resources, 10 spots;and Alumni Giving, 13 spots.According to VSU Vice Presidentfor Development, Robert L.Turner, Jr., these last twocategories point to broadacknowledgment of theUniversity’s success. “Alumni,corporations and localgovernments are witnessingVSU’s success with its aggressivestrategic plan,” he said. “They’reseeing tangible results on theirsupport and recognize VSU as aninvestment with positivereturns.” VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY

6News from University AvenueVirginia State University(VSU) and Owens & Minor,a Virginia-based, FORTUNE500 company and thenation’s leading distributorof name brand medicaland surgical supplies tothe acute-care industry,will work together in aninnovative partnership toprovide business mentoring services to MAC MedicalSupply Company, Inc., a certified, woman-ownedmedical supply manufacturer and distributor. Owens &Minor has enrolled Chicago-based MAC Medical Supplyunder its U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Mentor-Protégé Program.Under the three-year agreement, VSU will serve as theDevelopment Assistance Provider to Owens & Minorand MAC Medical Supply, working closely with bothcompanies. For MAC Medical Supply, VSU will identifythe company’s business and market profile and willassist in developing business, marketing and marketpenetration plans. For mentoring company Owens &Minor, VSU will assist in establishing performanceVSU FacilitatesMentor/ProtégéPartnershipbenchmarks for MACMedical Supply and willalso monitor progresstoward these benchmarks.VSU will also help MACMedical with the followingadditional services:developing publications,developing andimplementing a trainingprogram for MAC Medical Supply employees, andcreating a strategic business and marketing plan. Dr. V.K.Mummalaneni, chair of VSU’s department of marketingand management, will serve as project director. VSUProvost Dr. W. Eric Thomas will serve as PrincipalInvestigator.The DoD Mentor-Protégé program was created by theU.S. Department of Defense in 1991 to encourage morewomen- and minority-owned businesses to becomedefense department contractors and vendors. DoDprime vendors, including Owens & Minor, work with theprotégé companies, nurturing them with infrastructureand business development, training, increased salesopportunities and sharing of resources. Ribbon Cut on New Engineering andTechnology BuildingIn late fall, VSU formally opened its new Engineering &Technology Building. The facility will house the mechanical/electrical engineering, computer engineering andmanufacturing engineering programs of the School ofEngineering, Science and Technology. It features fourmultimedia classrooms, 30 engineering laboratories, a 126-seatinstructional auditorium, faculty offices and support spaces.VSU received a $21.7 million GOB bond for design andconstruction of the facility. VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY

News from University Avenue7VSU Researcher Recognized for VolunteerismDr. Steven Pao, food safety microbiologist in VirginiaState University’s Agricultural Research Station, recentlyreceived the Bronze President’s Award for his volunteerefforts to assist the Veterinary Department of theMinistry of the Republic of Kazakhstan.The ninth largest country in the world with a populationof approximately 15.2 million, Kazakhstan is located inCentral Asia, south of Russia and northwest of China.Pao visited the country under the auspices of the Officeof Volunteers for Prosperity at the U.S. Agency forInternational Development. Volunteers for Prosperity isan interagency initiative established by President Bush’sExecutive Order 13317. It encourages internationalvoluntary services by highly-skilled Americanssupporting major U.S. efforts to promote health andprosperity around the world.During his two-week deployment in November 2006,Pao provided Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point(HACCP) system training to governmental inspectionofficials, and laboratory and food industry professionals.He also conducted on-site consultations on HACCPimplementation and laboratory practices, and assessedand made recommendations on inspection andlaboratory operations.In its 2007 annual report, Volunteers for Prosperity citedPao for his efforts in assisting the Ministry of Agricultureto build a comprehensive food safety managementsystem that will help ensure the safety of foodproduced and allow the country to participate morefully in the globalmarketplace.Pao returned toKazakhstan for a secondstint in August 2007 onanother two-weekvolunteer assignment.Working with thePhytosanitaryDepartment, he trainedgovernmental officialsand laboratorypersonnel on HACCP implementation, food safetyprocedures, modern detection techniques, laboratoryequipment requirements, and evaluation methodsbased on national and international standards.Pao has been recognized previously for his volunteerservices to improve food and agricultural communitiesin Central America. In 2005, he conducted practicaltraining sessions on food microbiology to qualityassurance laboratory representatives from thegovernment, universities and private companies inEl Salvador.That same year, he also visited Nicaragua where heworked closely with industry and regulatorylaboratories, and lectured on laboratory certificationprograms at the University of Central America.

8News from University AvenueProgram Aims to STEM Exodusof Minorities from the SciencesBy Janae JohnsonWhen children are asked “what do you want to be whenyou grow up,” common answers include “an astronaut,”“a doctor” or “a nurse.” Too often, though, minoritychildren are stymied in the pursuit of these science-basedcareers. Virginia State University, working closely witharea schools is embarking on a long-range solution to theunder-representation of minorities in these fields.As a part of a $1 milliongrant from the NationalScience Foundation (NSF,)Virginia State Universitycreated the Trojan—Science, Technology,Engineering andMathematics program(VSU T-STEM), aimed atincreasing the number ofminorities in thesedisciplines.Recently, VSU T-STEMimplemented a focusedprogram to directly assessand address the impactof a VSU/ Petersburgcommunity coalition onthe mathematicsperformance of minoritystudents. This project is thefirst step in a long-termpartnership among VSU;the Algebra Project, acivil/educational rightsprogram; and thePetersburg SchoolDistricts. The project will create a “K through college”model of intervention, with the ultimate goal ofincreasing African-American performance andparticipation in STEM majors and careers.Petersburg students have the lowest Standards ofLearning (SOL) pass rates of any Virginia school systemVIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY

News from University Avenue9on tests in math and science. The dropout rate inPetersburg is 6.9 %, again the highest of all local districtsand more than twice the average state rate. Thus fewstudents from this district achieve the academicbackground necessary for success in a STEM major incollege.In addition to under-prepared African American studentsdesiring a career in a STEM field, there is a much largerpool of students that would never even considerpursuing a science related major because of a weakbackground in mathematics or general lack of interest.“Our goal is to increase the number of graduates froman average of 70 to more than 105 by the end of thegrant,” says VSU Provost Dr. W. Eric Thomas, who servesas the Principal Investigator for the project.“The T-STEMprogram will have a significant, positive impact on VSU’sstrategies improving the quality of science andmathematics education.”Both lack of preparation of and lack of interest are majorfactors in the under representation of African Americansin STEM professions. VSU’s program will address bothissues. In addition to serving those students that havealready made it to college, albeit under prepared, theprogram will create a comprehensively trained team ofacademic and community leaders to support each otherthrough STEM activities, develop target interventionsand address critical needs to spark interests in studentsto pursue a career in the sciences.Training for VSU T-STEM faculty and teachers from thelocal school district will be provided by the AlgebraProject. The Algebra Project, an educational/civil rightsorganization founded by Dr. Robert Moses, has ademonstrated ability to develop a system that has beenextremely effective in teaching mathematics principlesand reasoning to low-performing African-Americanstudents.The Algebra Project has started an intervention withPetersburg, funded by the local Cameron Foundation,which will begin with the middle school grades, andthen move through high school, and down intoelementary schools. These interventions will besupplemented through teacher and community leadertraining and mathematics and science bridge programsfor students that will be held at VSU during the summers.These programs level the playing field for minorities tocompete in the job market. Childhood dreams of beinga doctor or an astronaut become more realistic withprograms like T-STEM that pay special attention to thedevelopment of minorities in science fields. VSU Receives $4 Million NIH Biomedical Research AwardThe National Center on Minority Health and HealthDisparities (NCMHD) of the National Institutes of Health(NIH) has announced the award of a $4 million researchgrant to support a Research Infrastructure in MinorityInstitutions (RIMI) program at Virginia State University.The aims of the five-year NCMHD-RIMI program are toreduce health disparities by providing resources toinstitutions that prepare significant number of minoritystudents and faculty in biomedical sciences.VSU-RIMI program objectives are to build researchcapacity for biomedical research at VSU, to promote theparticipation of faculty and students in biomedical andbehavioral research and to enhance academic programsin biomedical sciences and health disparities.The program proposes four major cores: administrative,shared resources/infrastructure, faculty developmentalresearch and academic enhancement. The RIMI researchcore consists of three subprojects related to diabetes,Alzheimer’s disease, and internal parasite infections.The RIMI program will include a VSU team headed byDr. W. Eric Thomas, Provost and Principal Investigator(PI); Dr. Larry Brown, Associate Dean, School ofEngineering, Science and Technology, Program Director;Dr. Ali Ansari, Acting Dean, School of Graduate Studies,Research and Outreach; and co-PI’s Dr. Godwin O.Mbagwu, Associate Dean, Research; Dr. Omar MiltonFaison; Dr. Glenn Harris; Dr. Brian Sayre; and Dr. JosephTritschler.With the RIMI program, VSU anticipates to double theresearch productivity within the five years of the projectperiod, which could be measured in the number ofpublications, funded proposals, number of studentsentering graduate school and total number of facultyparticipating in biomedical research. VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY

10News from University AvenueSmall-Scale PrivateAnimal Health Carein Ethiopia MadeSustainableUsing small agribusiness management trainingprovided through an assignment by VSU Farmer-to-Farmer Program, volunteer Dr. Jerry Nolte in March2006, helped animal health product supplierTekaligne Abebe increase sales by 32 percent andnet income by 37 percent in just three months.Nolte traveled to Ethiopia in March under VirginiaState University’s (VSU’s) USAID-funded Farmer-to-Farmer Program. One of VSU’s major activities inEthiopia is contributing to the success of the USAIDfundedEthiopia Dairy Development Project beingimplemented by Land O’Lakes (LOL). VSU’s volunteerUS agribusiness development experts provide handsonbusiness development training to EDDP-selectedinput suppliers. The aim is to increase suppliers’profitability and the quality, volume, and sustainabilityof dairy production in Ethiopia.Abebe operates an animal health care service and drugsupply business in the Chancho District of Ethiopia.Trained as a veterinarian, he has a total of 16 yearsprofessional experience in animal heath care, the last10 years as a private vendor. Land O’Lakes selected himas a lead animal health care provider to be targeted byEDDP to improve service delivery to smallholder andcommercial dairies in the Chancho District.Although he had extensive experience with managinghis business, Adebe had never had formal training inthe fundamental techniques of business management.He spent a total of 52 hours in group and one-on-onetraining with Nolte. With this training, he established acomputer spreadsheet-based accounting system totrack income and expenses and manage inventory.At the same time, Nolte evaluated Adebe’s pricingpractices and discovered that he was marking up hisproducts by 25 percent. The resulting high prices weremaking it difficult for Adebe to attract buyers incompetition with black market suppliers operating inthe district. Nolte advised Adebe to reduce his mark-upto 10 percent and focus on maximizing volume of salesrather than profit per unit. Increasing his customer basewould also help him increase sales of his veterinaryDr. Jerry Nolte (l) and Tekaligne Adebeservices. Nolte also advised Adebe to join with othervendors in the district to buy supplies in bulk in orderto reduce transportation expense and qualify for bulkdiscounts.Results achieved:■ Adebe is using a computer spreadsheet to managehis business income, expenses and inventory.■ Adebe persuaded other nearby veterinary serviceproviders to join him in a buying club. The buyingclub succeeded in buying products on behalf of allmembers and negotiating volume discounts withsuppliers, as well as reducing its membersexpenditures for transportation.■ Adebe increased his gross income from drug salesand health care services by 32 percent – from 25,200Birr during the first quarter of 2006 – prior to Nolte’svisit – to 33,275 Birr during the second quarter of2006, immediately following Nolte’s visit.■ Adebe’s net income increased 37 percent – from4,993 Birr to 6,856 Birr – in the same period.■ Including Adebe, Nolte provided training to a total of44 input suppliers – 11 feed dealers, 20 animal healthservice providers, and 13 artificial inseminators –including 3 women. It is likely that many of thesealso increased their sales and profits making use ofthe training Nolte provided. VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY

112007FallCommencement“Value Yourself”Dr. Poussaint Tells GraduatesDr. Alvin F. Poussaint brought a message of value and optimism to Virginia State University’sFall Commencement. He told the assembled graduates and their families and friends “you’rehere because you’re not quitters.”The noted psychiatrist and media analyst, perhaps mostwell known for his collaborations with Bill Cosby on several books and The Cosby Show, toldgraduates to “take care of yourself, your mental health and physical health.”Dr. Poussaint implored graduates to give back, to their new alma mater, but moreimportantly, to future generations.“You must carry yourselves and your children forward,”he said.“Everyone has a responsibility to make a difference in their lives.”Citing a statistic that 80 percent of inmates are drop-outs, he said that, by earning a degree,the freshly-minted VSU alumni were protecting themselves against many of society’s ills.VSU honored Dr. Poussaint by bestowing upon him an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.The university also honored its two highest ranking graduates: Yawavi Assiobo, anaccounting major from Richmond, who graduated with a 3.808 GPA; and Shanieka Jones,a criminal justice major from Amityville, NY, who graduated with a 3.796 GPA.VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY

122007FallCommencementVIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY

13ALUMNI PROFILEAlumna Encourages StudentsAngela Avant Helps Others Realize Their Potential“If you believe in yourself, you can achieve anythingthat your mind can imagine,” Angela Avant ’81 recentlytold a group of VSU business students.“In order tosucceed, one must first believe that he or she can.”This fall the Schoolof Business hostedthe first AngelaAvant Day, whichserved as anopportunity forstudents to interactwith prominentalumni in their fieldof study.“I was quitehonored andhumbled that aday was held inmy honor,” admits Avant.“When I approached SingletonHall and read ‘Angela Avant Day’ on the banner, I feltproud. I am rarely speechless, but I was at thatmoment.”Avant is a proud graduate of the School of Business,where she studied accounting and finance. She is oneof a few black women who hold the rank of partner atKPMG, a global company that provides audit, tax andadvisory services to a wide-range of clients.While on campus, she visited several accounting classesand met with VSU’s chapter of the National Associationof Black Accountants (NABA).“I enjoyed meeting withthe students,” says Avant.“They are truly anextraordinary group of leaders and I believe they willexcel in the industry.”According to Avant, while students must work hard toexcel in the classroom, however, what they do outsideis equally important.“When I was a student, I had acampus job, was in the band and pledged a sorority,”she recalls.“I gainedinvaluable socialand personalskills beinginvolved inclubs andorganizations.”She believes theability to workwith people andkeeping apositive attitudewill help studentssucceed.“I always tell students they must have a team-playerattitude. That often makes the difference between goodand great leaders.”Avant has made it a priority to give back to VSU.Remembering her days on the Hill motivates her tohelp today’s students.“As a student at VSU, I learned somuch. The faculty and staff did a tremendous jobpreparing us for the workforce. Now, I am able to returnthe favor.”Avant met with members of the business faculty todiscuss funding support from KPMG. During theluncheon, she presented a $6,000 check to the Schoolon behalf of KPMG.“This is the start of a wonderfulpartnership with VSU and KPMG. I know our efforts willbe most beneficial to our students,” says Avant. Note: Angela Avant will deliver the keynote address at the 2008 Founder’s Day on Thursday, March 6.VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY

STOKESWOLFE$15.95 US$19.95 CAN“There is no such thing as separatebut equal.… Elsewhere in America,Negro students are attending whiteschools and, mind you, the skieshaven’t as yet fallen.”—LESTER BANKS, Executive Director,Virginia Chapter, NAACPWHEN JOHN STOKES was growing upin Farmville, Virginia, Jim Crow laws keptwhites and coloreds (as African Americanswere called then) apart. They couldn’tsit together to watch a movie or to eat in arestaurant. They couldn’t even worshiptogether. A colored boy couldn’t talk toa white girl for fear other whites wouldattack him. Simply walking home fromschool could put a colored student in danger.And whites and coloreds went to separateschools. The law said these schools were“separate but equal.” John Stokes and otherAfrican-American students knew better.In this moving memoir, John A. Stokesrecounts his experiences growing up inthe oppressive conditions of the Jim CrowSouth. And for the first time ever, he revealsthe workings of the student committee thatplanned and executed a strike for betterconditions at Robert Russa Moton HighSchool, a strike that made Stokes a plaintiffin the landmark civil rights case Brown v.Board of Education and helped change lifein the United States of America forever.14ALUMNI NOTESSTUDENTS ONJIM CROW, CIVIL RIGHTS, BROWN, AND MEJIM CROW, CIVIL RIGHTS, BROWN, AND MEClarence C. Gray, III ’43 was recentlydesignated “Distinguished Archon” bythe Northern Virginia’s Beta Nu Boule ofSigma Pi Phi Fraternity.Willie J. Bradley ’49 was recentlypresented the “Alpha DistinguishedAward of Merit” by the VirginiaAssociation of Alpha Chapters –Area VIduring ceremonies celebrating Alpha PhiAlpha Fraternity’s Founders Day.The year 2007 marks Alpha Phi AlphaFraternity’s 101st birthday. Bradley joinedthe Beta Gamma Chapter in 1947. He iscurrent president of the VSU Alphas.Calvin R Swinson ’58 was appointedto the Idaho Commission on the Arts, thestate’s principal arts and cultural agency,by Governor C. L. Butch Otter to a fouryearterm, beginning August 1, 2007. TheCommission has 13 members.John A. Stokes ’59 has authoredStudents on Strike: Jim Crow, Civil Rights,Brown and Me. Students on Strike covershistorical information that has neverbeen done so extensively under onecover until now. Stokes, an originalBrown v. Board of Education Plaintiff, haswritten a far reaching publication thatA M E M O I R B YJohn A. Stokeswith Lois Wolfe, Ph.D.depicts enumerableconcepts/ truths thathave been hidden fromthe public for decades.Students on Strike is amust read! Discover anduncover little knownhistorical facts. Andcome face-to-face with the recollectionswhich many persons in the know stillcannot talk about.Students on Strike is available at Borders,Barnes & Nobles and Books-A-Million, oronline at Amazon.com and otherwebsites for discount shopping.Stokes is available for book talks,formal lectures, or book signings atyour convenience. This is a greatopportunity to network with education,church, civic, and other special interestsgroups or organizations in search ofan authentic and uplifting originalAmerican story experience. Forbookings, contact Stokes at(301) 306-5577 or by email atjastokesbrownvsboard@verizon.net.Willie Wright ’59was featured in theFayetteville, NC CityView Magazine asone of 14 Moversand Shakers in thecity. The selectionswere based uponnominations bynon-profitorganizations in Cumberland County.Dr. Sandra Mobley ’62 was inductedinto the Toastmasters International at itsDistrict 66 Conference held in Roanoke,VA in November.Gerald Barbour ’65 was ordained as adeacon at the historic Abyssinian BaptistChurch in Harlem, NY on June 24, 2007.Barbour is also a member of the Board ofDirectors of the Abyssinian Credit Union,Vice-President of the Men’s Chorus andPresident of the Abyssinian ScholarshipMinistry. He has a Master of PublicAdministration Degree from PaceUniversity. He is retired from theWestchester County, NY Department ofSocial Services where he was a SeniorEmployment Counselor. Mr. Barbour is amember of the Alpha Phi AlphaFraternity, Inc. and the Greater New YorkChapter of the Virginia State UniversityAlumni Association and lives with hiswife Beverly Brown-Barbour in Yonkers,N.Y.Annie Randolph Pollard ’65 wasrecently appointed to the King & QueenCounty, VA Planning Commission. Sheserves on a commission of 10 membersto develop and administer policiesaffecting the county’s land resources andinfrastructure. She recently completedsessions designed to classify her as acertified community planner. Annie is aretired science teacher and a formerPresident of the Virginia State UniversityNational Alumni Association. She is also amember of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority,Inc. She and her husband, Percy Pollard’66, recently celebrated the birth of theirseventh grandchild, Destiny Lynn Pollard,born in Northern New Jersey inNovember 2007.Andrew A. Venable ’68 was presentedthe Doctor of Humane Letters Degreehonoris causa at the Cleveland StateUniversity Commencement exercise onSunday, December 16, 2007. The Board ofTrustees and Faculty of Cleveland Statevoted to award this degree in recognitionof Brother Venable’s significantcommitment to public service and hiscontribution to the community as aneducator representing “the People’sUniversity.”Venable currently serves asDirector of the Cleveland Public Library.Fredene Oliver ’69 ’78was selected twice forinclusion in the 10thand 11th editions ofWho’s Who AmongAmerica’s Teachers,2005-2006 and 2006-2007. Who’s Whohonors a select 5% ofthe nation’s premiereducators. The 10thEdition selection, noted that a successfulformer student identified her as makinga difference in his or her life. The 11thEdition recognized her for the impactshe made on her students. This honor isreserved only for educators who not onlyteach but inspire their students togreater achievements.Charles Finley ’69 has been named the2007 Virginia recipient of the Dr. John M.Davis Distinguished EducationalAchievement Award.Glenn Sessoms ’76 hasbeen named LeadershipMemphis (LM) incomingboard chair for 2007-2008.The current vice presidentof the FedEx Memphis HubDay Sort, Sessoms managessome 3,500 employees,four directors, 25 seniormanagers and 150 managers. TheMemphis Day Sort Operation launchesapproximately 90 aircraft and sorts830,000 packages daily. The operationalso is responsible for moving the UnitedStates Postal Service volume for the U.S.His next logistic goal is to move LeadershipMemphis to even greater heights.Ms. Vernell Kilpatrick ’77 from FortStory is a member of The HamptonRoads Joint Military Services SchoolLiaison Committee that recently receivedthe Pete Taylor Partnership of ExcellenceAward in a ceremony in Kansas City, MO.Awarded by the Military Child EducationVIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY

15Coalition, the honor comes with $10,000to help defray costs associated withoutreach efforts. The group collaborateson a number of high-profile initiativesand, in September, worked to pass theHigh States Testing Reciprocity for MobileMilitary Students, ensuring students arenot forced to re-take similar exams eachtime they move.Yale-New HavenHospital and Yale-NewHaven Health Systemhave named Kevin A.Myatt ’77 as SeniorVice President ofHuman Resources.Myatt had served asassociate vicechancellor and chiefhuman resources officer at VanderbiltUniversity Hospital in Nashville, TN.Jeffery Dunn ’80 was featured in thePlainfield, NJ Star-Ledger. Mr. Dunn isexecutive director of a for-profit businessincubator called the Business One StopService. His company provides resourcesand solutions to help businesses achievetheir short and long term goals.Gracie Brooks Quarles ‘80,a teacher at Louisa County Middle School,was recognized by the Virginia Associationfor Teachers of Family and ConsumerSciences (VATFACS) as the organization’s2007 Teacher of the Year. The LouisaCounty School Board recognized Gracie’saccomplishment at the October 2, 2007board meeting where a framed picture ofGracie with an inscription about her honorwas presented to her to be displayed atLouisa County Middle School.Davida Harrell-Williams ’90 wasrecently named Administrator of the Yearat Norfolk State University. Ms. Harrell-Williams is the Director of AuxiliaryServices at NSU. She is responsible formanaging the Spartan Ticket Center,printing services, copy management, thefitness center, Spartan Card operationsand facilities rentals.John W. Piercy, III CCO, ’95 waspromoted to Assistant Social WorkSupervisor Secured Facilities at CentralOffice within the New Jersey Departmentof Corrections. He is responsible for theimplementation, facilitation, andoversight of the Reentry program in all14 state facilities.Raymond “Ray” Whitaker, Sr. ’96 M.Ed.was recently elected to the Essex CountySchool Board representing the EssexSouth District. Whitaker taught in EssexCounty for 22 years before joining thecounty school system administration. In1997, he was promoted to principal ofEssex High School, the first black to holdthis position.Jamaal O. Bailey ’98was recently namedDeputy ExecutiveDirector of Alpha PhiAlpha Fraternity, Inc. atthe 101st AnniversaryConvention in Orlando,Florida. Bailey wasinitiated a member ofthe Beta Gamma Chapter at Virginia StateUniversity and has been a member of thefraternity since 1997.Sherida Gholston M.Ed. ’98 was recentlyselected to participate in the NorthCarolina Community College LeadershipProgram. Ms. Gholston is the Director ofStudent Support Services at HalifaxCommunity College.Michael D. Jackson ’98 is the newAssistant City Manager for Mount Ranier,MD. Jackson has over 10 yearsof success in budgeting, personnelmanagement, inventory accountabilityand problem solving.Brian K. Schaeffer ’02 has been namedpostmaster for Blytheville, ARSister and brother Tamekia Johnson ’03and Franklin Johnson, Jr. ’04 receivedmaster’s degrees from Averett Universitythis past October. Both were members ofthe Trojan Explosion Marching Bandwhile students at VSU.Christina S. Draper M.A. ’05has been named to theRichmond (VA) Top 40Under 40 List. She servesas director of the AfricanAmerican HeritageProgram for the VirginiaFoundation for theHumanities.Through herfaculty position with theUniversity of Virginia andher affiliations with groups — includingthe Richmond Public Library, The BlackHistory Museum & Cultural Center, theAmerican Association of Museums, VMFA,Hampton University Museum, and anappointment to the board of the VirginiaMuseum of Natural History in Martinsvilleby Gov.Tim Kaine — Draper workstirelessly to preserve the art and historyof the state she loves.DeMarcus Merritt ’05, ’07 has beennamed Sports Information Director atShaw University. Merritt was a studentassistant and then a graduate assistant inthe Virginia State University SportsInformation Office.The Thurgood Marshall College Fund hashired Mr. Christopher Binns ’07 as itsnew Program Career Counselor. Binns hasexperience in working with mentoringprograms that prepare young men fortheir future career goals.Former Virginia State University men’sbasketball player Avis Wyatt ’07 signeda two-year contract with the AmsterdamAstronauts of the FIBA Europe league.Wyatt, from Petersburg, VA, led VirginiaState with a 17.1 points per gameaverage and is the all-time Trojan leaderin blocked shots.Dr. Sheila B. Bailey M.Ed. recentlyreceived the James T. Micklem Award ofExcellence from the Virginia Council ofAdministrators of Special Education. Dr.Bailey is the director of student servicesfor Hopewell Public Schools.The Rev. J. Rayfield Vines, Jr. M.Ed.has been namedPresident of the NAACPVirginia Chapter. Vines, aveteran of the civil rightsmovement, plans onmoving the NAACP backinto activism. He alsowants the organization tofocus on early childhoodeducation, opportunities for blackbusinesses and protest against paydaylenders. VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY

16CHAPTER NEWSThe Agriculture Alumni Chapter held its 26th AnnualRecognition Banquet in November. Dr. Clinton Turner,President, opened the banquet with greetings. PresidentEddie N. Moore, Jr.; Dr. W. Eric Thomas, Provost/VicePresident of Academic Affairs; Dr. Alma Hobbs, Dean ofthe School of Agriculture; Ronald Howell, President ofMinorities in Agriculture Natural Resourcesand Related Sciences (MANNRRs); andCharlyne Jackson-Fields, President of theVSU Alumni Association also extendedgreetings. Guest speaker Neal Noyes,Executive Director of the VirginiaIndemnification and CommunityRevitalization Commission, gave an updateon the status of the Commission. Four alumniwere honored for their efforts on behalf ofstudent scholarships. They are FredrickCustis ’73, Michael Piercy ’79, and Van Petty’73. The Chapter has contributed more that$100,000 toward their endowment in theUniversity Foundation.The Baltimore-Metro Chapter of the VSUAlumni Association held its annualChristmas Dance on December 7. Proceedsfrom the event go toward the Chapter’sEndowment fund. The chapter also had itsannual slots trip in August at thePhiladelphia Parks Slots. These proceedsalso go to the scholarship fund.VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITYThe Charles City County Chapter continues to give backto their community. During the Thanksgiving holiday, theypresented two families in need with Food Lion giftcertificates. They also had a sock drive and distributed over100 pairs of socks to two nursing homes during Christmas.The Charles City County Chapter’s main focus is to recruitCharles City County students to attend VSU. The Chapterencourages its members to contribute to the Charles CityCounty Fund at VSU which awards students from CharlesCity County scholarships. The recent recipient of thescholarship was Christopher Richards, a sophomoreAccounting Major.The Greater Petersburg Area Alumni Association held itsThird Annual Solomon Awards Program in November.The event was held at Jones Dining Hall.Four sets of parents were recognized for assisting theirchildren in pursuing college degrees even though theSAVE THE DATE:May 9-11, 2008Reunion 2008–A Trojan TraditionReunion 2008 will celebrate classes ending in “3” & “8”, includingour Golden Anniversary Class of 1958. Plans are already under way fora terrific Trojan weekend! Alumni Weekend is a great time to reminiscewith old friends, recapture fond memories and renew ties to VirginiaState. Registration materials for all alumni in reunion willbe mailed in late February.Class CoordinatorsClass of 1943Ellalee Fountain FlowersArthur “Pickles”YoungClass of 1948Pauline BoxleyClass of 1953Dr. William C. JonesCol (RET) Jona McKeeClass of 1958“50th Reunion Class”Aurelia Ellis CraigheadJoyce C. CrumpFred D. GreenEdith Parham HarrisPhyllis Jackson GlaskerShirley Tutt McCoyCalvin R. SwinsonEdna ThompsonClass of 1963Areva Walton BoydBrenda FowlkesArnetta ThompsonJonesMary “Annette”Duncan RoseLucious ShulerClass of 1968Francis BallGladys FitzhughPembertonWilson SeabornClass of 1973Phylis Jones AdamsShirley KennedyPaul GarnerClass of 1976Kitty ChaneyJames GibsonDr. Harold D. JonesDr. Stanley JonesDorothy Moore-MoylerDr. Richard OliverChristine PattersonCharlene BooneQuander OrestesWestDiane WilsonClass of 1983Rolaunda HarrisMilesClass of 1988TBDClass of 1993Reginald PasteurClass of 1998Renee CrewsClass of 2003TBDConsider making a gift in honor of your class.For more information about contributing to your class endowment contact the Office of AlumniRelations at 804-524-6935 or alumni@vsu.edu. Keep checking the Alumni page at www.vsu.edufor up-to-date information.

17 17parents did not obtain an education above high school.These parents are identified as “ordinary parents whopossessed extraordinary wisdom.” Parents recognizedwere:Mrs. Pearl E. S. Stewart Bonner (Posthumously)Mrs. Clara G. LesaneMr. & Mrs. Percy Everson, Sr. (Posthumously)SFC Samuel* & Mrs. Aecha Kim Northington*deceasedTwelve children from these unions received bachelor’sand master’s degrees from VSU, totaling more than 57years of study at VSU. Emcee for this event was Mrs.Raymon Bessix, VSU Alumna. A commentary highlightingthe event was done by Ms. Annie Jackson Ellison, VSUAlumna. More than 100 well wishers attended. Fundsfrom this event will go toward scholarships for deservingarea high school graduates who attend Virginia StateUniversity.The Greater New York Chapter celebrated its 20thAnniversary at a gala dinner dance in November. Theevent wasattended by165 alumni andfriends whohelped thechapter celebrateas they honoredfour LoyalDaughters(Martha Brown ’55Mary Coleman ’58Audrey-MillerSydney ’60 Barbara(Booker) WinborneL to R: Honorees Mary Coleman, BarbaraWinborne, Audrey-Miller Sydney andMartha Brown’60) who had the vision and fortitude to reactivate thechapter after a number of years of inactivity. Two LoyalSons (Theodore Charity ’52 and Lemuel Copeland ’57)were honored for their many years of dedication andcontinued commitment to the chapter. Music for thefestive occasion was provided by versatile jazz artistEddie Pazant ’60 and his orchestra.The Virginia State University Concert Choir visitedPhiladelphia in November. Along with performances atlocal high schools, the choir, under the direction of Ms.Johnnella Edmonds and Mr. Buckner Gamby, performedfor members of The Greater Philadelphia Chapter.Thechoir presented a well-rounded repertoire of musicalworks that demonstrated the superb skills of the singers,the conductor and the accompanist. Alumni from 1934through the 1980s attended, gathering before thebenediction to sing VSU’s Evening Song with the ConcertChoir. Presiding over the program was Gloria Toxey Jones’70. Dr. Mildred F. Johnson, President of the GreaterPhiladelphia Chapter Ms. Edmonds with a dozen orangeroses.The Richmond Chapter is proud to announce it hasmore than 120 financial members as of November 30.Stephanie Smith, Chapter Membership CommitteeChairperson, and Jimmie Steverson are leading this year’seffort to exceed last year’s record setting number of 143members in the Richmond Chapter. The chapter’s goal of200 members is coming close to reality.The VSU Richmond Pre-Alumni Chapter has been reactivated.Through the efforts of the Richmond AlumniChapter and the Office of Alumni Relations, over 20students have joined the Pre-Alumni Chapter. Bookscholarships were awarded to two Richmond students atthe Richmond Alumni Chapter’s Annual Christmas Partyin December.The Chapter’s Annual Scholarship Dinner/Dance will beheld on March 22, 2008. This is a fun-filled social event toraise funds for student scholarships.The Military Alumni Chapter via the Robert M. Hendrick,Jr. Endowment Scholarship Fund provided threescholarships to VSU students in the Fall Semester. Theyare Derrick Johnson of Clinton MD, a junior majoring incriminal justice; Latoya Felton of Portsmouth, VA, afreshman, major undecided; and Chandle Clark ofWoodbridge, VA, a senior majoring in independentstudies. Total award of scholarships was $5,086.The Military Alumni Chapter and the ROTC celebrated 60Years of Leadership Excellence at VSU with a dinner inJones Hall followed by words of wisdom andencouragement from Major General Dennis L. Via ’80.The event concluded with a Hall Of Fame Induction ofCOL (Ret) Ronald Robinson, LTC (Ret) Veronica L. Baker,LTC (Ret) Napoleon Booker and 1LT Ruppert Sargeant(posthumous).The Tidewater Chapter held its annual Trojan Round Upin November at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Norfolk.VSU Board of Visitors member and Norfolk CityCouncilwoman, Daun S. Hester, gave an inspiring andinformative keynote address detailing the State of VSU.VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY

18CHAPTER NEWSAlpha Reunion–A Time for Fellowship and GivingThe Fourth Annual Alpha Phi Alumni Reunionwas held at Virginia State University in October.The reunion dinner was a roaring success. TheAlphas presented President Eddie N. Moore, Jr. alarge ceremonial check for $10,000. Howeverthe total amount was raised to over $27,000before the evening was complete. The goal ofthe effort is to establish a $100,000 scholarshipfund at VSU. It will be funded solely from taxdeductiblegifts. Every graduate member isasked to donate $100 or more each year for10 years. Alpha Phi is made up of leaders thatexcelled during undergraduate days andcontinue to do so today. As such, they aredoing something special in support of theAlpha Phi Chapter initiates and the Alpha PhiScholarship Fund.Four years ago, brothers from the late 50s, andearly 60s started efforts to regain contact withline brothers with whom they had no contact for a longtime. As they began this endeavor, it grew to an effort ofa “reunion” of sorts for all Alpha Phi Chapter alumnibrothers and Virginia State University alumni during thehomecoming weekend festivities.Even though it’s called “Alpha Phi Chapter AlumniReunion,” the event brought together present and pastAlpha Phi members, alumni of VSU initiated into alumnichapters, Kappa men in the Tri-City area and any otherKappa who wished to attend. The event not only servedas a reunion, but an annual drive for a scholarship fundto assist current Alpha Phi brothers at VSU.The reunion acknowledged brothers in the areas oflifetime achievement, 50-year brothers and a legacyaward as well. Lifetime Achievement honorees wereDr. James M. Reeves, Sr., Retired Chairman of the MusicDepartment, Norfolk State University; Lt. Gen. (ret.)Alonzo E. Short; Dr. James G. Townsel, Professor, MeharryMedical College; Dr. Porcher L. Taylor, Jr., retired US Armyand retired Vice President Student Affairs VSU; Dr.Jerome E. Bartow, retired Sr. Vice President, HartfordInsurance Company; and Dr. Preston M. Royster, U.S.Commissioner of Education, Region III, Chairman, AfricanAmerican Adoptions Agency. The first annual Alpha PhiLegacy award honoree was Brother Thomas Moorehead,owner BMW and MINI of Sterling, VA.Pictured left to right, VSU President Eddie N. Moore, Brothers Dr. Preston M.Royster, retired Airline Captain William E. Bailey and Lt. Gen. (Ret) Alonzo Short.The following brothers were awarded certificates forjoining Kappa Alpha Psi 50 years ago: William T. Atkins,Jr.; Ernest J. Collins; Franklin R. Dillard; and Herman L.Fitzgerald, Jr. Brothers Ronald L. Thompson and HarryJohnson tied for first place in the “best haberdashery”category representing Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. AlphaPhi Polemarch and undergraduate Board of Directors(Region 3) Eastern Province representative BrotherJeremy McClendon won the outstanding undergraduateaward. Brother James M. Reeves who was some 80 yearsyoung in age was the elder statesman in attendance.Donations are still being accepted, and should be madepayable to the Virginia State University with Alpha PhiScholarship in the memo line. A few dedicated Brothersworked hard to plan the Alpha Phi Alumni Dinner aswell as to establish an Alpha Phi Scholarship Fund. Thisis monumental in that it creates a legacy for everyBrother made at Virginia State University since 1935.Members of the planning committee are Harold T.Amaker; William E. Bailey; Herman M. Bell; G. Frank Boyd;Charles A. Brockett; Clarence F. Nelson, Jr.; Starrie D.Jordan; Michael L.Rainey; Preston M. Royster; andRalph Snyder. VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY

19Three Trojans Serving 48th Combat Support Hospital (CSH)Three Trojans arerepresenting theorange and bluewhile defending thered, white and blueas members of theArmy Reserves 48th Combat Support Hospital (CSH)headquarters in Fort Meade, MD.Colonel Charles K. Johnson, a Caroline County native,serves as a dentist in the reserve unit. After graduatingfrom VSU in 1971, he went on to obtain a doctoratein Dental Surgery from the Medical College ofVirginia in 1976. In addition to operating his ownprivate dental practice in Richmond, Virginia, he is amember of the Virginia State Board of Health as theVirginia Dental Association Representative.A native of Portsmouth, Lieutenant Colonel Felicia D.DeLoatch is a pharmacist with the unit, andgraduated from VSU in 1987. In 1995 she graduatedfrom Xavier UniversityCollege of Pharmacywith her doctorate,and currently worksas a pharmacist withthe Wal-MartCorporation in Ahoskie, NC. DeLoatch is a residentof Suffolk, VA.(Pictured from left to right) Colonel Charles K. Johnson, ’71; Lieutenant ColonelFelicia D. DeLoatch, ’87; and Second Lieutenant LeQuan M. Hylton, ’04 servetogether at the 48th Combat Support Hospital headquarters at Fort Meade, MD.The youngest Trojan of the group, SecondLieutenant LeQuan M. Hylton, serves as the ExecutiveOfficer (OX) of the Patient Administration Division.Hylton is a 2004 graduate of VSU and 2008 Mater ofBusiness Administration graduate of AverettUniversity. He is employed with the Department ofDefense assigned to the Combined Arms SupportCommand (CASCOM) at Fort Lee, VA. The formerMartinsville, VA residence has made Richmond, VAhis current home. VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY

VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITYHomecoming 2007

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22DEVELOPMENT NEWSRain Fails to DampenGolfers’ EnthusiasmNeither rain, nor wind, or a new course could stop theLoyal Sons and Daughters from their appointed round(of golf ) at the 13th Annual Presidential Scholars GolfTournament. Playing in a day-long downpour, teams ofhearty golfers braved the elements on the links at LakeChesdin Golf Course and enjoyed the day, despiteMother Nature’s lack of cooperation. President Eddie N.Moore, Jr. and the Development team, led by VicePresident Robert L. Turner, Jr. send a sincere “thank you”to this year’s golfers and sponsors. COUPLE’S ANNIVERSARY IS“GOLDEN” TO VSUWhen Loretta and Harold Braxton planned their 50thwedding anniversary, they decided that, instead oftrinkets or other gifts, they would have well-wisherssupport Virginia State University.Giving to VSU isn’t new to the Braxtons. The coupleestablished an endowment with the VSU Foundationin 2004. Each year, the Loretta and Harold BraxtonEndowed Fund provides financial awards to deservingstudents, majoring in mathematics, who carry at least a3.0 grade point average.The Braxton’s unique fund-raising “event” – their 50thanniversary, proved especially golden to VSU.Responding to the couple’s request, more than 100donors made gifts totaling nearly $5,600 toward theendowment.Dr. Loretta Braxton enjoyed a long and distinguishedcareer at Virginia State. She retired in 1992 asDistinguished Professor and Chair of the Department ofMathematics. Dr. Harold Braxton served for many yearsas Director of Religious Affairs and Dean of the thenSchool of Humanities and Social Sciences. He retiredfrom VSU as Distinguished Professor in the Departmentof History and Philosophy, also in 1992.VSU is truly grateful to supporters such as the Braxtons,who chose such a special milestone in their personallives to make such a “Golden” gift. VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY

23ESTABLISH AN ENDOWMENT AT VSUVirginia State University encourages our Friends to directtheir investment in VSU through the establishment ofan endowment with VSU or the VSU Foundation. We aremost appreciative of the abundant generosity,forethought, and affection for Virginia State that isclearly demonstrated through perpetual support.Endowments provide continuous support of VirginiaState University, into perpetuity.The minimum amount required to establish an endowedfund is $10,000 and the minimum time frame to fulfillthat obligation is two years. Awards cannot be madefrom the endowment until it has been fully establishedand has earnings, after having been invested for oneyear. The name of the fund and the restrictions thereinare established with a Memorandum of Understanding(MOU), which must be approved by the VSU Board ofVisitors or the VSU Foundation Board of Trustees oncethe minimum establishment amount has been received.Building the University’s endowments is a top priority ofPresident Eddie N. Moore, Jr. Endowments at VirginiaState University help us aim higher to achieve oureducational mission more effectively. As well, VSUreceives a dollar-for-dollar match from the Departmentof Education, Title III Endowment Challenge Program onany new dollars contributed to endowments.Administrative FeeThe VSU Board of Visitors passed a resolution at theirJanuary 16, 2004 meeting to authorize the applicationand collection of Administrative Fees on locally heldUniversity funds, as well as a one time set up fee appliedto gifts to endowment effective January 1, 2003. Theannual administrative fee consists of 1% of the total fundbalance of locally held accounts, including endowments.The one time set up fee for gifts that establish or add toan endowment is 2.5% for such gifts received in fiscalyear 2004, and 1% for such gifts received thereafter, andcollected at the close of the first twelve monthsfollowing receipt of the gift. All fees are collected prior todistribution of earnings.For more information on Endowments at Virginia StateUniversity, please contact Joy Haliburton, Assistant VP forDevelopment, at (804) 524-6986 or by email,jhalib@vsu.edu. TUITION ASSISTANCE FUNDSince its inception, Virginia State University has remainedsteadfast in its commitment to provide a qualityeducation to all who would come eager to work hardand study rigorously. At the beginning of the 2006/2007academic year, many freshmen from low-incomehouseholds were provisionally accepted to VSU. TheUniversity’s Administration worked up to the first day ofclasses, attempting to raise funds for financial aid thatYes, I would like to help a deserving VSU student fulfill their dream of a college education!Please printGift Information:Enclosed is a gift in the amount of:NAME__________________________________________CLASS YEAR_____ ❒ $100 ❒ $150❒ $200 ❒ $250SPOUSE ________________________________________CLASS YEAR_____ ❒ $___________ (Other)Please make check payable toADDRESS______________________________________________________ Virginia State University.CITY______________________________STATE____ZIP_________________PHONE_______________ E-MAIL___________________________________❒ My employer is a matching gift company. To increase my gift,I am enclosing a completed matching gift form.Mail to:VSU - Office of DevelopmentP.O. Box 9027, Petersburg, VA 23806would allow all of the eligible students to remain.Unfortunately, dozens of those students were sent home,merely for lack of resources.You can help prevent students from being turned awaythis fall by giving to the 2007/2008 Tuition AssistanceFund Drive. The Tuition Assistance Fund provides directaid that helps students stay in school, which is why yoursupport is crucial to our efforts to raise $50,000 bySeptember 15, 2007. Every gift to the Tuition AssistanceFund, regardless of its’ size, isCharge my gift to:( ) Visa ( ) MasterCard( ) DISC ( ) AMEXCard # _____________________________/____Exp____/____/____Name on Card:_______________________________Signature:_______________________________truly appreciated and will helpmore students achieve theirdream of a college education.Higher education remainsthe passport to the ultimateAmerican Dream. At VSU, weare proud to be the vehiclethat will transport ourstudents into the future withconfidence, a quality educationand a sense of mission. Withyour help, we can make adifference! Please give to theTuition Assistance Fund. VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY

24DEVELOPMENT NEWSWhat Your Will Reveals About YouYour will says something about you. First, it says that youcare about your loved ones. You want to make it easierfor them by taking care of legal matters relating to thetransfer of your estate. You want your affairs handledsmoothly and without undue inconvenience to thosewho will be experiencing grief.Second, having a will means that you have sought toconserve your estate. You can reduce taxes and probatecosts by designating what things will go where and whowill be responsible for handling the details. The costsavings resulting from a carefully constructed estateplan means that more of your estate can go to familymembers and other beneficiaries.Third, your will provides insight into your lifetimeinvolvements and concerns. Bequests to familymembers tell of your love and concern for their welfare.And bequests to organizations speak volumes aboutyour values.For example, when you include Virginia StateUniversity in your will, you reveal that caring for othersis worthwhile and you declare your belief in the missionof the University. Such action encourages those you leavebehind to consider how they can help those in need.Finally, when you include VSU in your will, you affirmthat you want us to continue to fulfill the mission ofVirginia State University in this world. You reveal yourvision for our future! You encourage us to be goodstewards of the new resources you place in our hands.Your will says other things as well about your interestsand values and commitments. And because it says somuch, you are wise to think it through carefully.If having a will says so many good things about you,what does the absence of a will reveal?We in the VSU Office of Development want you toexperience the good feelings of having a wellconsideredand well-crafted will. We encourage you totake care of this very important matter.If you already have a will, a bequest to VSU can be madesimply by adding a codicil that includes the followinglanguage: I hereby give, devise, and bequeath to VirginiaState University. . .1. SPECIFIC BEQUEST: the sum of $____________ (or, the property described as __________________________);OR,2. RESIDUAL BEQUEST [of assets remaining after all other bequests have been satisfied]:a.) the rest, remainder, and residue of my estate; OR,b.) _______% of the rest, remainder, and residue of my estate.3. CONTINGENT BEQUEST [to take effect only if those named as primary beneficiaries predecease you]: If anyor all of the above-named beneficiaries do not survive me, then I hereby give the share that otherwise wouldbe (his/hers/theirs) to Virginia State University; OR,4. GENERAL BEQUEST: the sum of $____________, OR _______% (fractional interest) of my estate.VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY

25VSU ONLINE COMMUNITYLike many people, you may be uneasy about going toan attorney. Yet, an attorney who specializes in estateplanning knows the right questions to ask and thebest ways to help you accomplish your goals. Theseprofessionals are well-trained and well worth the timeand expense they require.If you need an estate planning attorney, we will assistyou with a suggested list of names and addresses ofprofessionals we have worked with in the past. KeyiaMatthews, our Major and Planned Gifts Officer, canhelp you with this. Keyia will provide you with helpfulprinted material on making a will and supplyinformation on additional ways you can includecharitable giving in your estate plans. While you willstill need to meet with your professional advisor forexpert counsel, an advance meeting or two with KeyiaMatthews will prove useful and could save costs byhelping you make the best use of your professionaladvisor’s time. Her services are available to youwithout any obligation whatsoever. You can contactKeyia by calling (804) 524-5315 or by email tosmatthews@vsu.edu.Have you checked out Development’s new interactivewebsite and signed on to the VSU Online Community?If not, you are missing out! The VSU OnlineCommunity provides a secure website that helps alumnistay connected. Alumni have the ability to communicatewith fellow alumni, create personalized webpages, andreview their past gifts to VSU. Free online servicesinclude EMAIL FOR LIFE, secure and searchabledirectories, discussion groups, e-newsletters, onlineevent registration, and advanced online giving options.Login to the VSU Online Community from either theAlumni Relations or Development webpage atwww.vsu.edu. The first 125 registrants will receivea signed, limited edition VSU 125th Anniversary poster,and a beautiful 125th Anniversary logo pin.LOG ON NOW and help build the TROJAN NATION!!Caring for the disposition of your assets is tooimportant to delay. It’s important for you, for your lovedones and for your dear Alma Mater. (Please complete and return this reply form below.)Dear VSU Planned Giving Representative,_________I have already provided a bequest for Virginia State University in my will.Please send me free literature about making a will.Please contact me to arrange for a personal visit.Name:__________________________________________________________________Class Year ____________Address:______________________________________________________________________________________City:________________________________________________________ State:_______ Zip:_________________Phone:_______________________Work Phone:_____________________ Email: ___________________________Mail this form to:Planned Giving Officer, VSU Office of Development,P.O. Box 9027, Petersburg, VA 23806VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY

26DEVELOPMENT BRIEFSPrivate Foundation AwardsThe Cameron Foundation has awarded VSU a$25,700 technical assistance grant that will pave theway for substantially larger gifts designated to thecreation of VSU’s first museum for arts and culture. VSUhas embarked upon a collaborative effort with thePetersburg Area Art League (PAAL) to establish whatDean W. Weldon Hill has dubbed “an epicenter ofcultural arts” for Old Town Petersburg. PAAL, a wellknownlocal arts group, owns a historic building in theheart of downtown Petersburg. PAAL has reached anagreement with VSU to share space in order to expandits own programs and provide a home for theUniversity’s future museum.VSU’s museum is currently scheduled to open inJanuary, 2009, with a special exhibit entitled “the Art ofAfrica” – a special collection of Warren Robbins, formerdirector of the Smithsonian’s African Museum.The E. Rhodes and Leona B. CarpenterFoundation has awarded VSU $30,000 to supportpublic performances of an important compilation ofclassical piano pieces entitled 24 Negro Melodies.This collection was composed at the turn of the 20thCentury by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, an Englishman ofAfrican descent. 24 Negro Melodies has tremendoushistorical and musical significance, as the collectionrepresents the first substantial body of classicalcompositions to incorporate music from Africanmelodies and Negro Spirituals.Dr. David Shaffer-Gottschalk, assistant professor inthe Music Department, will be conducting live publicperformances/performance lectures in Richmondthroughout 2008. A highlight of the grant will be a onehourprogram during Black History Month, to be airedon WCVE, the local public radio station for the GreaterRichmond area.A two-disc CD set of Dr. Shaffer-Gottschalk performing24 Negro Melodies is available for purchase. Contact theVSU Office of Development at (804) 524-6986 for details.LIFTS EndowmentOne of the newest projects at VSU’s Office ofDevelopment is the establishment of a permanentendowment for the Lower Income Families withTalented Students (LIFTS) program.A brain-child of President Eddie N. Moore, Jr., thisprogram is a first-of-its kind effort among statesupportedHBCUs that is intended to meet 100% ofa qualifying student’s financial need.According to President Moore,“Other schools withinVirginia have developed programs similar to LIFTS,but I can’t recall another HBCU, particularly a statesupportedHBCU, that has put into place such a farreachingguarantee.”Among other eligibility criteria, a qualifying applicant’sfamily income must be twice below the federal povertylevel. Additionally, the applicant must meet specificrequirements for GPAs and standardized test scores.The need for financial assistance from the LIFTSprogram far exceeds the program’s ability to help. Thispast year only 40% of all qualified applicants receivedaid. To date, funding for LIFTS scholarships has beencobbled together each year. Clearly, the program needsa dedicated source of funding that can grow for yearsto come.The Office of Development is working to identify initialdonors to contribute toward a LIFTS endowmentscholarship fund. VSU’s goal is to raise at least $100,000for the Lifts Endowment by January 2009. If you areinterested in making a contribution toward the LIFTSEndowment, contact the Office of Development at(804) 524-6986. VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY

27For 125 years, Virginia State University has stood asa beacon. The road has not always been easy. Today,VSU has grown into a global university, poised totake its rightful place among the nation’s eliteschools in the 21st century.Now, this very special DVD is available to alumniand friends. For $25, you can own this enertainingand educational chronicle of the history of ourspecial place “High Above the Appomattox.”Yes, I would like to own this special chronicle of VSU’s history. Please send me ____ copies of Through Our Own Eyes.I have enclosed $_____ (please make checks payable to VSU - Through Our Own Eyes).I would like to charge $____ to my credit card. Card # ____________________________________ expiration: _______Name as it appears on card: _________________________________________________________Please send DVDs to:Name: __________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________City: ___________________________________________ State: ________ ZIP: ___________ email: _______________Send payment to: VSU-Office of Development; P.O. Box 9027; Petersburg, VA 23806To order by phone, please call (804) 524-5559VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY

2007 Jazz on the HillVirginia State UniversityDevelopment/University AdvancementAlumni RelationsP.O. Box 9027Petersburg, VA 23806Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage PAIDPermit No. 6Petersburg, VA