fisk focus, volume 1, issue 1

Have you sent a gift today? Give online at www.fisk.edu OR phone (615) 329-8710 OR email [email protected].

please email Vice President

Shirley Range at [email protected].

And, I thank each of you for

all you are doing to advance

Fisk and ensure that Fisk not

only survives but thrives.

Together, we will make Fisk

one of the best small liberal arts

universities in the nation.

I am pleased to introduce the

inaugural issue of the FISK

Focus. The intent of this

monthly electronic publication

is to keep you apprised of

developments occurring

throughout Fisk. Each issue

will focus on academic excel-

lence, student engagement,

alumni relations, and develop-

ment/fundraising.

Fisk University continues to

be recognized for its academic

excellence - from national

rankings to research & devel-

opment awards.

The University has launched

an aggressive fundraising ef-

fort to raise $8.4 million by

June 30, 2011. I am encour-

aged that the General Alumni

Association has committed to

raising $2 million of the goal.

I am confident that with the

support of the total alumni

community, this will be ac-

complished and allow the

University to end this fiscal

year without a deficit.

I hope that you find the FISK

Focus both appealing and en-

lightening. If you have sugges-

tions for its improvement,

From the President

Fisk Welcomes Vice President of Institutional Advancement

Shirley Qualls Range joined

the Fisk family on July 13th as

vice president of institutional

advancement. Prior to joining

Fisk, Vice President Range

worked in several capacities in

institutional advancement for

more than six years at Bethune-

Cookman University. Most

recently, she was vice president

for institutional advancement

from August 31, 2007 until she

came to Fisk. Vice President

Range’s prior experiences in-

clude service as the project

development director for estab-

lishment of the Bessie Smith

Hall, Inc. in Chattanooga and as

a board member of the Central

Florida Chapter of the Associa-

tion of Fundraising Professionals.

A native of Montgomery, Ala-

bama, Vice President Range

earned her B.A. in music, vocal

performance and M.A. in Ameri-

can studies from The University

of Alabama, Tuscaloosa.

She is married to A.J. Range, a

University of Central Florida

administrator. They are the

parents of Thomas, a high school

senior.

November 2010 Volume 1, Issue 1

FISK Focus

Inside this issue:

STUDENT

ENGAGEMENT Opening Honors 2

Convocation

Student Leadership 3

Jubilee Day 4

Miss Fisk 5

ACADEMIC

EXCELLENCE Living Learning Centers 6

Academic Excellence 7

& Student Performance

ALUMNI

RELATIONS Remembering A Fisk 8

Son “Ever on the Altar”

The1866 Legacy Circle 9

Alumni Goals 10

ADVANCEMENT &

FUND RAISING Annual Fund Monthly 11

Cumulative Report

Sponsored Awards 12

University Statement 13

President Hazel R. O’Leary and Dr. Arnold Burger at Press Conference to

Announce 3rd Research & Development Award to Fisk,

the Only HBCU Ever to Receive R&D Awards

A Monthly Electronic Publication for Alumni and Friends

https://www2.fisk.edu/advancement/giving/index.aspx#privacy

https://offers.bankofamerica.com/NonCard/Default.aspx?token=b6af294a1bb4cdfd9c0950c33d6595ef8f996547e6b805de545d8d8c5691da4af78b0be940b18383b1430db0fd1c486f407568cca46519dd6a681cc9d89a10e153f9df24dbbb514080bb8c51c350d94ed2dbea25423cdc89ca3673362cdb88f52bc6cef


The day was sunny, without a cloud in the sky. It was as if time stood still as a procession of beautiful young women in white

dresses and handsome young men in dark suits and ties proceeded from Jubilee Hall, down the Oval and into the Fisk Memo-

rial Chapel. Were it not the modern lines of their attire, it could have 1890 or 1930. The Chapel clock struck ten o’clock

and a Fisk time-honored tradition, the Opening Honors Convocation, began.

The 218 new students experienced their first formal Convocation during which they were administered the ―Pledge for New

Students‖ by University President Hazel R. O’Leary and President Jenise R. Burks of the Student Government Association.

The keynote address was delivered by alumna Deaiddra Griffin Peterson ’92, award-winning anchor/reporter for WPTY/

WLMT-TV in Memphis.

Provost M. Christopher Brown II introduced the 2010-2011 academic leadership team. Scholars and donors were recognized

by Dr. Adenike M. Davidson, associate professor of English and director of the W.E.B. DuBois University Honors Program.

Presidential Scholars for Spring 2010 who attained 4.0 semester averages were Angela Addae, Desmian Alexander,

Philippe Andal, Brittany Duke*, Makelsa Jones*, Amorya Orr, Carta Robison, Debresha Shelton, and April

Sherman.

Eighty-two Provost Scholars, students who attained 3.5 semester averages for Spring 2010, were recognized as were more

than 175 scholarship recipients and 86 honor society inductees. Inducted into Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society were: Sta-

cy-Ann Baker, Edwina Clarke, Quin Nita Cobbins, Beverly Dixon, Kaylia Duncan, Monique Ewan, Tolulope

Fatokun, Liana Geddes, Brittni Jones, Quiana Lewis, Lizabeth Lowe, Joyann Marks, Ashley Payne, Trudy-Ann

Powell, and Brittany Williams.

* graduated in May 2010

Opening Honors Convocation

FISK Focus

The Class of 2014 in the Appleton Room of Jubilee Hall before the

Opening Honors Convocation on September 2, 2010




If you ask any student on cam-

pus who is the one person

among the student body that

he/she thinks will hold a politi-

cal office within the next ten

years, one name is given —

Timothy James Walker.

In his junior year, Mr. Walker

has already worked in the cam-paigns of three politicos seeking

office and interned for two

other elected officials. In addi-

tion, he was selected as a

scholar by The Institute for

Responsible Citizenship and

spent the summer as an intern

at The Joint Center for Political

and Economic Studies.

Inspite of his busy schedule and

duties as vice president of the

Student Government Associa-

tion, this dynamic and charis-

matic young man maintains a

3.4 grade point average as he

pursues his degree in political

science. Mr. Walker was one

of the few freshmen selected

for entry into the W.E.B. Du-

Bois University Honors Pro-

gram.

Mr. Walker served as presi-

dent of his sophomore class

and ran unopposed for the

S.G.A. vice presidency during his sophomore year. This is

unusual because the office is

usually held by a senior stu-

dent. Clearly what is unusual

for most students is just the

norm for Mr. Walker.

He is the recipient of several

scholarships: U.S. Congress-

man John R. Lewis Endowed

Scholarship; John G. Lewis, Jr.

Endowed Fellowship, Bass,

Berry & Sims Endowed Schol-

arship; and the Albert and

Mary Jane Werthan Endowed

Scholarship. In addition, Mr.

Walker is the recipient of a

Meet the Student Government Association Leaders for 2010-2011

Volume 1, Issue 1

changed. She was always a

good student, but Ms. Burks

excelled in her new home envi-

ronment. She graduated from

high school with a 4.0 grade

point average, taking all honors

courses, and scored 27 on the

ACT. A Leadership Enrichment

and Academic Development

(L.E.A.D.) Program student, she

is maintaining a 3.5 GPA here.

Ms. Burks says that she always

thought about a career in math-

ematics, but this was crystalized

when she began tutoring high

school students at the ripe old

age of twelve. Ultimately, she

wants to become a mathemat-

ics education reformer. Ms.

Burks believes that students are

not being taught mathematics

appropriately and wants to play

a role in changing the way

mathematics teachers are

trained, as well as, the method-

ology of teaching mathematics

away from Birmingham and

while serving on a jury, she met

alumnus Newstell Dowdell’s

daughter, who told her father

about Ms. Burks. Mr. Dowdell

sent her an application and

information about Fisk. ―He

even sent newspaper clippings; I

bet that there are not many

persons who actually have lami-

nated clippings about their Alma

Maters,” exclaimed Ms. Burks.

She said that Mr. Dowdell not

only called and talked with her

about Fisk on several occasions,

but paid for her to visit the

campus. That visit sealed the

deal. Ms. Burks said that the

friendly, family-like atmosphere

and Mr. Dowdell’s passion for

Fisk impressed her the most.

Asked how her Fisk Experience

has been, she replied, ―just

amazing.‖ There are great

things in the future of this re-

markable Fisk daughter.

in grades K-12.

Before she embarks on the

education reform phase of her

life, Ms. Burks has a two other

things on her agenda. An alum-

nus, Steven Wolfe, introduced

Ms. Burks to the Royal Bank of

Scotland. She just accepted a

risk analyst position, which will

base her in London for six

months and allow her ―to build

a little nest egg‖ before she

pursues her master’s and Ph.D.

degrees at either the Massachu-

setts Institute of Technology or

Yale University. A pragmatist,

Ms. Burks says that she needs

the advanced degrees to be

taken seriously as a reformer.

This dedicated, brilliant and

passionate young woman was

headed to Howard University

on a full scholarship when her

aunt again intervened. She did

not want her niece to be so far

Jenise Rena Burks is living

proof that love and support

can help one to overcome any

challenges that life may pre-

sent. One of three children of

a mother addicted to drugs,

Jenise and her siblings were in

and out of the Birmingham,

Alabama foster care system

until her aunt, now a high

school principal, and her uncle,

an athletic director, inter-

vened. Ms. Burks was thirteen

and her life was forever

Jenise Rena Brooks

S.G.A. President

Fisk University General Aca-

demic Scholarship.

Mr. Walker, however, still

works two part-time jobs

and is the night duty supervi-

sor on weekends in Jubilee

Hall - all to help pay for his

Fisk education. In this in-

stance, he is typical of to-

day’s Fisk students, most of

whom are juggling work,

their studies and extra-

curricular activities.

A Navy brat, Mr. Walker

was born in Naples, Italy He

lived in Pittsburgh and Phila-

delphia Pennsylvania, and

Norfolk and Virginia Beach, Virginia before he and his

mom who plans to retire

from the Navy after Mr.

Walker graduates, settled in

Suffolk, Virginia. Like her

son, Ms. Walker is also pur-

suing her undergraduate

degree.

Mr. Walker plans to attend

one of the nation’s top law

schools. mentioning Yale,

Harvard, or Stanford, and

the University of Virginia.

With his track record, Mr.

Walker will undoubtedly

excel wherever he ends up.

Timothy James Walker

S.G.A. Vice President




Jubilee Day Celebrated

FISK Focus

Dr. Linda Brown Coleman ’70, G.A.A.F.U. President and

Rev. Dr. Emma Jordan-Simpson ’85, Jubilee Day Speaker

For the 139th year, Fiskites and friends of Fisk gathered in the

Fisk Memorial Chapel to commemorate the departure of the

Original Jubilee Singers to introduce the world to the Negro

spiritual and to save their beloved school.

This year’s speaker, the Rev. Dr. Emma Jordan-Simpson ’85,

delivered a stirring address. Due to overwhelming requests,

Rev. Dr. Jordan-Simpson gave permission for her address,

―Turning Darkness into Day,‖ to be posted on the Fisk blog.

The Rev. Dr. Jordan-Simpson is executive director of the

Children’s Defense Fund-New York. As a Fisk student, she

was a member of the Jubilee Singers® for three of her four

undergraduate years.

―I chose Fisk for lots of reasons, but mostly because I fell in

love with the powerful theology of the Negro Spirituals,‖

Jordan-Simpson said. ―I am still taken by the faith of these

songs. Especially now as my work at the Children’s Defense

Fund focuses more and more on sounding the alarm about America’s cradle to prison pipeline crisis, these songs contin-

ue to provide clarity of mission for me.‖

Following the program in the Chapel, the traditional pilgrim-

age was made to the graves of the four Singers who are bur-

ied in Greenwood and City Cemeteries.

The Jubilee Singers® at the 139th Commemoration of the Original Jubilee Singers’ Departure

from the Campus to Raise Funds to Save Fisk University




Charming, vivacious, talented,

warm, smart, witty, energetic,

determined, persistent, enthusi-

astic, pretty, spiritual...all de-

scribe this year’s Miss Fisk.

Originally from Indianapolis,

Indiana, she moved to Atlanta,

Georgia during her senior year

of high school and graduated

from Booker T. Washington High School. Ms. Warren

indicated that she no desire to

attend a HBCU, but her men-

tor gave her information on

HBCUs and she attended a

college fair.

Ms. Warren learned about Fisk

from alumna Linda Smith whom

she met at the fair and invited

her to a Fisk mixer sponsored

by the Atlanta Fisk Club. She

said, ―I had the most amazing

experience at the mixer.‖

Although she had a 3.0 GPA

and 1420 SAT score, Ms. War-

ren was really worried that she

would not be accepted. She

said that she prayed and called

Dean Keith Chandler almost

every day until she learned that

she had been accepted.

When asked how her experi-

ences have been, Ms. Warren

quickly replied, ―excellent —

the Fisk

―instrumental‖ in shaping her. She said that her mother

taught her ―to network and

take advantage of every op-

portunity that presented it-

self.‖ Clearly she has done

that.

Like the majority of Fisk stu-

dents, Ms. Warren has relied

94% of Fisk students receive financial aid (Federal grants and

loans, Fisk scholarships and grants-in-aid)

58% of current Fisk students are the first in their families to

attend an institution of higher learning

The Class of 2014 enrolled 218 new students vs. 154 in the

Class of 2013 — a 42% increase and attainment of 97% of the

Fall 2010 new student enrollment goal

36% of the Class of 2014 are males compared to 30% males

in the Class of 2013

The Class of 2014 hails from 29 states and the District of

Columbia; the top states are Tennessee, Illinois, Georgia/

California (tie), Texas, and Michigan/Florida (tie)

9% percent of the Class of 2014 are international stu-

dents

The combined average SAT math and verbal scores for

regularly admitted students in the Class of 2014 is 100

points over the 2010 national average without regard to

race or ethnic background; the average GPA is 3.31–

above the national average

The Class of 2009’s graduates averaged $27,345 in loan

debt, the highest of all graduates attending Tennessee institu-

tions, according to the Institute for College Access & Success

Spotlight: Candace Andrea Warren, Miss Fisk 2010-2011

STUDENT FACTS

ovost M Christopher Brown II

announced the I have a B.A in

Psychology and i am cur-

rently working on my M.A

in General Psychology, both

Degrees will be from Fisk

University. I earned my B.A

in 2009 and i hand very little

experience prior to Fisk, I

was raised in Cleveland,OH

and after high school, I came

to Nashville, TN for college.

I started working for Fisk in

2007 as a Resident Assis-

on a combination of scholar-

ships, grants and loans to fi-

nance her education. She

expects to graduate with debt

in excess of $25,000.

One thing is certain. Ms. War-

ren will make a difference in

the lives of the youth she

serves.

Volume 1, Issue 1

the Fisk Experience gets better

and better!‖

Throughout her Fisk career,

Ms. Warren has worked as a

volunteer at the Youth Life

Learning Center in North

Nashville, and during the sum-

mers, at a ―Kids Across Ameri-

ca‖ summer camp sponsored

by Kanakuk Institute. She said

that this is her life’s work, ―the

will of the Lord.‖ Very spiritu-

al, Ms. Warren intends to work

with youth in faith-based organ-

izations and pursue her Ph.D.

in this area.

While maintaining a 3.3 GPA

and volunteering with disadvan-

taged youth, this amazing young

woman finds time to serve as a

University ambassador and

editor of the Sociology Club’s

newsletter. A Leadership En-

richment and Academic Devel-

opment (L.E.A.D.) Program

student, Ms. Warren is a mem-

ber of Alpha Kappa Delta Soci-

ology Honor Society, Every

Nation Campus Ministry, and

the W.E.B. DuBois University

Honors Program.

Ms. Warren attributes her

values and outlook on life to

her mother who was




of academic support services

and interventions to the resi-

dents, including those as-

signed to the Office of Aca-

demic Excellence & Student

Performance (AESP).

In addition to tutoring, men-

toring, structured study and

discussion groups, academic

skills workshops and coaching

that the students receive, the

coordinators develop specific

reinforcement activities.

Among these are ―Passing

Public Speaking‖ in which

students prepare for and

present mock speeches and

class presentations and

―Teach Me Tuesdays‖ when

students are quizzed on

coursework and discuss con-

cepts that they are learning.

Recognition activities are

incorporated into the aca-

demic support programming

to promote student achieve-

ment.

The coordinators pay special

attention to those students

who are conditional admits,

and to those who are on

academic warning or proba-

tion. They are committed to

promoting student achieve-

ment and retention by devel-

oping independent, effective

life-long learners and supporting

innovation in learning.

The coordinators report to Vice

President Jason Meriwether,

Office of Student Engagement

and Enrollment Management, and

interface regularly with Ms. Ingrid

Collier, AESP director, to en-

sure that interventions are being

implemented and to keep her

informed of students’ progress.

The coordinators are: Cros-

thwaite Hall, Temetria Hargett,

M.A.; Jubilee Hall, Danisha Wil-

liams ’07, M.P.A.; and New Liv-

ingstone Hall, Alexander Doyle

’09, B.A. Mr. Doyle is enrolled in

Fisk’s master’s in psychology

program.

Jubilee Hall was recently voted

the number one HBCU landmark

by HBCU Digest.. Funds raised by

the Jubilee Singers during their

1871-1874 concert tours were

used to build the imposing six-

story building that features a

towering steeple.

Designed by architect Steven D.

Hatch of New York, construction

of Jubilee Hall began in 1873, and

was completed in 1876. The

Victorian Gothic structure first

housed the entire college. Com-

plementary elements near the

entrance are magnificent doors

and a beautifully carved staircase

created from wood sent from

Sierra Leone, West Africa, by a

former student.

In Jubilee Hall's first-floor Apple-

ton Room hangs a floor-to-ceiling

portrait of the original Jubilee

Singers. The portrait was created

by artist Edward Havell, portrait

painter for the court of Queen

Victoria, who commissioned the

portrait in the 1880s and later

presented it to the University.

Living Learning Centers Enhanced and Coordinators Appointed

Jubilee Hall is No. 1 Landmark

FISK Focus

Jubilee Hall, the first permanent structure in the U.S. solely built for the education of African Americans, and in

1976, designated a National Historic Landmark

The Fisk University Living

Learning Centers (LLCs)

have been enhanced to

assist students more ef-

fectively. Part of the

University’s strategic

initiative to increase the

retention, persistence

and graduation rates of

students, the centers are

designed to help students

become more effective

learners and to excel

academically.

Open until 11:00 p.m.

daily, the trained coordi-

nators facilitate a variety

Darrin L. Sims, Jr. Prepares An Assignment in the

New Livingstone Living Learning Center




Academic Excellence & Student Performance Initiative

Volume 1, Issue 1

Under the leadership and direction of the

Leadership Enrichment and Academic

Development (L.E.A.D.) Program’s found-

ing director, Ingrid Frazier Collier, the

Office of Academic Excellence & Student

Performance oversees, coordinates and

manages the university-wide initiative to

impact student retention, persistence and

graduation rates at Fisk University. Mod-

eled after the highly successful L.E.A.D.

Program’s retention model, the Academic

Excellence & Student Performance (AESP)

Initiative was developed with university-

wide support and input to serve all Fisk

students.

The Office of Academic Excellence & Stu-

dent Performance is responsible for the

further development, implementation and

evaluation of the university-wide initiative

to impact retention, persistence and grad-

uation rates at Fisk University. The Office

collaborates with, oversees, coordinates

and manages the diverse services to sup-

port Fisk students experiencing academic

difficulty. In addition, the Office provides

services for differently-abled students who

may have special needs such as proper

accommodations and ensures that every

student receives an equal opportunity to

succeed, regardless of need and disability.

Collaborating units include the:

Academic Success Center -

provides psychological testing and

counseling services;

Office of Career Services - collab-

orates with AESP to provide Gradu-

ate School Prep series each semester,

career exploration, internship place-

ments, and scholarship assistance;

L.E.A.D. Program - provides sup-

port services for students who meet

the eligibility requirements for feder-

ally funded student support services;

students receive counseling, tutoring,

academic workshops, grant aid, cul-

turally enriching activities, mentoring,

graduate school exploration and

preparation, and have access to a

lending library for supplemental

course resources and books;

Living Learning Centers - provide

a conducive and supportive environ-

ment for study and tutoring sessions

at night in residence halls; through

the AESP, coordinators locate target-

ed students for needed follow-up and

interventions, and provide enhanced

direct services;

Mathematics Laboratory

(provides tutorial services and super-

vised study groups for specific cours-

es); and the

Writing Center - provides supple-

mental instruction in writing using

individualized and small group instruc-

tional modalities.

Professor Mark Reynolds of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science

Conducts Mathematics Tutorial for Shelita Morris and Brandi Ballentine

Devin Taylor Meets with Ms. Angela Gist, Academic Advisor,

in the Office of Academic Excellence & Student Performance




Fisk recently lost one of its sons, Dr. Ronald Walters. One of America’s top political scientists for

the last half-century, Dr. Walters was ―an indispensible part of the brain trust of the civil rights

movement,‖ according to Vernon E. Jordan, civil rights leader and lawyer. ―He was there for all of

us, at the other end of the phone, if we needed his thinking, his synthesis of racial issues, political

issues, economic issues. And he was always at the ready to get on the train to help the cause.‖

Unknown to many, Dr. Walters organized what was the nation’s first lunch counter sit-in. In July of

1958, while president of the local youth chapter of the N.A.A.C.P., he and his cousin, Carol Parks,

organized a sit-in at the Dockum Drug Store in their hometown of Wichita, Kansas. For three weeks, the protesters sat silently until closing time each day. Finally, the owner relented and agreed

to serve black customers. This was two years before students in Greensboro, N.C. staged the sit-

ins that are often credited with starting the movement in many Southern cities. It was not until 2006

that the N.A.A.C.P. recognized Dr. Walters for his role in the movement.

Not a person who sought recognition or accolades, these came to Dr. Walters because of his signifi-

cant work in the civil rights and political science arenas. Teacher, scholar, author, television com-

mentator, political strategist, syndicated columnist, talk show guest, advisor to activists and politi-

cians - Dr. Ronald Walters was all of these and so much more.

Dr. Walters received his Bachelor of Arts degree in history and government with honors from Fisk

University in 1963. He went on to earn a master’s in African studies in 1966, and a Ph.D. in interna-

tional studies in 1971, both from American University. Dr. Walters taught at Syracuse University in the late 1960s, was a visiting profes-

sor at Princeton and a fellow at the Institute of Politics of the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. In 1969, he became

the first chairman of Afro-American studies at Brandeis University. From 1971 to 1996, Dr. Walters taught at Howard University, in-cluding serving fifteen years as chairman of the Department of Political Science. When he left Howard, Dr. Walters became director of

the African American Leadership Institute at the University of Maryland and served in this capacity until his retirement in 2009. He was a

former member of the governing council of the American Political Science Association and was a member of the Board of Directors of

the Ralph Bunch Institute at The City University of New York Graduate School and University Center.

In the early 1970s, Dr. Walters played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Congressional Black Caucus. He served as campaign

manager and consultant for Rev. Jesse Jackson during his two presidential bids. He also served as the senior policy staff member for U.S.

Congressmen Charles Diggs, Jr. and William Gray. Dr. Walters published more than 100 academic articles and thirteen books. One

book, Black Presidential Politics in America, won the Bunche Prize. At the time of his death, he was working on a book about President

Barack Obama, which his devoted wife of 47 years and the love of his life, Patricia, intends to complete.

This Fisk son was indeed “ever on the altar” and was an icon who will be sorely missed by the Fisk family. The impact of his life’s work

will, unquestionably, continue for many years.

Remembering A Son “Ever on the Altar”: Dr. Ronald Walters

FISK Focus

Ronald Walters, Ph.D.

Class of 1963

On May 9, 2010, the Eastern Regional Conference was held

in New York City, New York. Officers elected were:

Chair: Karen Maynard ’82 (New York Fisk Club)

Co-Vice Chair: Karriem Dean ’96 (New York Fisk Club)

Co-Vice Chair: Stephanie V. Williams ’72 (Washington, DC

Fisk Club)

The Midwest Regional Conference was held October 16,

2010, in Chicago, Illinois. Officers elected were:

Chair: Gina R. Davis ’82 (Chicago Fisk Club)

Co-Vice Chair: Kris Smith ’75 (Chicago Fisk Club)

Co-Vice Chair: April M. Walls ’07 (Chicago Fisk Club)

Co-Vice Chair: John Carruthers ’73 (Detroit Fisk Club)

The Farwest Regional Conference will be held in Los Ange-

les, California on December 17, 2010.

The Southwest Regional Conference will take place on

March 11-13, 2011 in Houston, Texas.

Memphis, Tennessee is the location of the Southern Regional

Conference, which will be held September 15-17, 2011.

The G.A.A.F.U.’s Planning Conference will be held on July

22-25, 2011 in Nassau, Bahamas.

On October 7-9, 2011, the Biennial Convention will be held

in Nashville, Tennessee.

GENERAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF FISK UNIVERSITY, INC.




The 1866 Legacy Circle recog-

nizes those individuals or fami-

lies who have named Fisk Uni-

versity as a beneficiary of their

will, trust, estate plan, life in-

surance policy or who have

documented Fisk as a benefi-

ciary of a planned gift.

What is planned giving and why

should I consider it? Planned

giving is the integration of per-sonal, financial, and estate plan-

ning objectives with philan-

thropic dreams and charitable

goals. The idea is to maximize

efficiency and enhance benefits

as you support causes you are

most passionate about and

believe in the most. A planned

gift is the result of this planning

process.

Planned giving consists of gifts

made both during and after

your lifetime. It allows you to

structure the amount and tim-ing of gifts to match most

closely your needs. In many

instances, these cash and non-

cash strategies may result in

increased income for you, re-

duced or eliminated tax obliga-

tions, and enhanced benefits

for your family and heirs.

Joining the 1866 Legacy Circle

by making a planned gift to Fisk is vital to the long term fiscal

viability of Fisk. Over the last

two years, the number of living

members has doubled and now

numbers 68. A member who

epitomizes the concept of

planned giving using a compre-

hensive strategy is Harriett

Green Jenkins ’45, J.D., Ed.D.

Many of you are familiar with

Dr. Jenkins, a devoted public

servant with a variety of ac-

complishments and accolades.

A 19-year career as a public

school educator was followed

by a 25-year distinguished ca-

reer of service in the executive

and legislative branches of our

government. In 1977, Dr. Jen-

kins received NASA's highest

award, the Distinguished Ser-

vice Medal. Also during 1977,

she chaired the Task Force on

Equal Opportunity and Affirma-

tive Action, one of nine task

forces of the Personnel Man-

agement Project that led to the

Civil Service Reform Act. For

this work, she received the

Civil Service Commissioner's

Award for Distinguished Ser-

vice. Dr. Jenkins received the

President's Meritorious Execu-

tive Award in 1980; NASA's

Outstanding Leadership Medal

in 1981; and the President's

Distinguished Executive Award

in 1983.

As decorated as Dr. Jenkins

career has been, this well re-

spected alumna of Fisk Univer-

sity has truly distinguished her-

self with her Alma Mater

through her philanthropic sup-

port. While honoring the pub-

lic with service in many forms

and professions, she has always

kept Fisk a priority in her

thoughts and actions. Dr. Jen-

kins’ foresight supplements the

present as her gift planning

strategy encompasses both the

short and long term needs of

the University and its students.

She shows that a well rounded

and comprehensive gift strategy

can work for mutual benefit of

the donor and Fisk.

For the last 14 years, Dr. Jen-

kins has provided for an annual

full tuition scholarship for one

student at Fisk University

through the George L. and

Harriett G. Jenkins Scholarship

Trust by making annual contri-

butions for this purpose. In

addition to scholarship funding,

Dr. Jenkins regularly supports

the Annual Fund and other

specific projects of Fisk with

annual gifts.

While thinking about the pre-

sent when establishing the

scholarship at Fisk, Dr. Jenkins

looked to the future of the

University. Annual support

was not enough. What could

ensure that a young, financially

needy and academically talent-

ed student at Fisk would con-

tinue to receive this scholarship

support for years and years to

come? The answer was in

arranging her financial affairs to

fund this scholarship well into

the future. In arranging her affairs to benefit Fisk, Dr. Jen-

kins also accomplished some

The 1866 Legacy Circle: Harriett Green Jenkins ’45, J.D., Ed.D.

Volume 1, Issue 1

personal estate and financial

planning objectives.

Gift planning included the

establishment of the George

L. and Harriett G. Jenkins

Scholarship Trust, which is

funded by a variety of assets

during the life of Dr. Jenkins.

One of the asset types cho-

sen by her to fund the trust

after her demise was a life

insurance policy. Dr. Jen-

kins provides scholarship

funding and annual fund

support through current

cash contributions. In the

future, the life insurance

policy will provide additional

funding in a lump sum.

Combined with other assets

gifted to the trust, this

source of funding gives Fisk

the opportunity to offer an

excellent educational expe-

rience and scholarships to

outstanding students who

lack the funds to matricu-

late. . There are many reasons for

you to consider making a

planned gift. A properly

structured planned gift may

help you and your family to

maximize the use of your

assets and provide certain

benefits not attainable

through non-charitable op-

tions. Also, it may allow

you to support campus

needs that are of particular

interest to you. In this man-

ner, you can plan to take

care of the people and plac-

es that matter most to you,

and be the one to decide for

whom and for what your

charitable dollars will be

used. This is what planned

giving is all about.

For help in starting your

planned giving process,

please call Marcus Stamps,

Director of Major Gifts and

Planned Giving, at 615-329-

8852 or [email protected].




Each year, Fisk University must raise funds

for its overall operations through the Annu-

al Fund. By definition, the Annual Fund is a

yearly appeal or annual campaign usually to

provide funds to meet the operational budg-

et of an organization. Sometimes, an annual

campaign may be conducted to provide an

organization with supplemental support

above its annual budget.

Fisk University, like many institutions, de-

pends on the annual fund to meet its yearly

operational expenses. When we do not

meet the Annual Fund goal, Fisk incurs a

deficit in its operating budget.

When we examine our performance this

year versus last year’s at this point, we are

doing well. The average gift per donor has

increased from $387 last year to $624 this

year and the number of alumni donors has

also increased. Also, we are doing well in

the corporate and foundation gift category.

For example, the Mellon Foundation recent-

ly awarded Fisk a $400,000 implementation

grant for the Pre-College Program and a

$100,000 planning grant for student recruit-

ment. I invite you to review the Annual

Fund Raising Cumulative by Month Report

on page 11, which compares this year with the last three years as of November 7th in

each year.

Now, more than ever, alumni must unite

and renew our commitment to Fisk. We

must not forget that the value of our de-

grees is dependent on our reputation and

status, and right now, both are high. The

recent U.S. News and World Report, Princeton

Review and Washington Monthly rankings

substantiate this. If our alumni giving rate

increases, so will our ranking in next year’s

U.S. News and World Report.

Along with supporting the General Alumni

Association of Fisk University, Incorporated

(G.A.A.F.U.) by becoming a Life or Annual

Member of the G.A.A.F.U., as well as by

joining and participating in local club activi-

ties, each alumna/us MUST give back to our

Alma Mater.

Our theme for this year’s fundraising initia-

tive is “Reaching Beyond the Boundaries.” Our

financial goal is $2 million and the participa-

tion goal is 25 percent for this fiscal year,

The reunion classes’ goal is $667,000. The

G.A.A.F.U. Board of Directors, during its

meeting on October 9, 2010, committed to

raising $2 million and adopted several initia-

tives to support the University’s fundraising

efforts, as follows.

Increase alumni participation in auto-

matic deductions (ACH) through sus-

tained appeals

―Give 1866‖ - a fiscal year end appeal

through Facebook, targeted to young

alumni (graduates out 20 years or less).

Fisk Clubs, Board of Directors and

Regions are responsible for meeting

giving goals.

United Church of Christ , Fisk,

G.A.A.F.U. partnership - ten cities to

be selected with identified alumni liai-

sons to host a ―Fisk Sunday‖ within

selected UCC congregations.

Increase alumni participation through

sustained appeals that encourage those

who gave during FY 2010 to give again

during FY 2011 and to bring into the

donor ranks a fellow classmate who

did not give in FY 2010.

We look forward to your support and assis-

tance as we work to meet our fund raising

goals by June 30, 2011. Remember, others

will invest in Fisk when they see alumni

investing. And, we are always thankful for

all you do for our Alma Mater.

Alumni Fundraising Goal for 2010-2011: $2,000,000

FISK Focus

Adrienne Taylor Latham ’68, M.A., Director of

Alumni Affairs & G.A.A.F.U. Executive Director

The Class of 1945 Presents G.A.A.F.U. President Linda Coleman Brown and

University President Hazel R. O’Leary $32,750 at Reunion 2010




Engaged Students Listen Attentively to Global and Community

Lecture Series Speaker, Dr. Bradley Sheares ’78

Volume 1, Issue 1

Global and Community Engagement Series Lecturer

Dr. Bradley Sheares ’78

Engaged Students Listen Attentively During

Global and Community Engagement Lecture Series

Each year, the Office of Institutional Advancement tracks fund raising progress on a month-by-month basis and compares it

to each of the previous three fiscal years. The graph below depicts progress toward the FY 11 goal of $8.4 million as com-

pared to the same point in time in FYs 08, 09 and 10.

Cultivating Scholars & Leaders




Federal and State Grants 2010-2011

FISK Focus

Awarding Agency/ Organization/

Foundation

Title/Purpose Award

Amount

Date

Funded

U.S. Dept. of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Education Cen-

ter/Research

$76,362 8/3/2010

U.S. Dept. of Education TRIO/LEAD Program/Academic $1,277,520 9/1/2011

U.S. Dept. of Education College Cost Reduction Access Act STEM/

Renovation

$500,000 10/1/2008

U.S. Dept. of Education Strengthening HBCUs (Title III) $1,390,470 10/1/2009

U.S. Dept. of Education Strengthening Minority Institutions/Support for Mas-

ter’s Programs/Academic

$2,500,000 9/4/2009

U.S. Dept. of Education Strengthening Minority Institutions/Support for Mas-

ter’s Programs/Academic

$2,500,000 9/1/2010

U.S. Dept. of Education SAFRA/Academic $500,000 10/1/2010

U.S. Dept. of Energy Material Development of High Resolution Scintillator/

Research

$100,000 9/20/2010

U.S. Dept. of Energy Fisk University-Dept. of Energy Scholars/Academic $50,000 9/1/2010

U.S. Dept. of Energy Investigation of Purity, Crystalline Perfection &

Growth Yield of Strontium Iodide Perfection/ Re-

search

$217,000 9/30/2010

U.S. Dept. of Homeland

Security

Systematic Approach to CdZnTe Material and Detec-

tor Development/Research

$400,000 9/1/2010

National Aeronautics and

Space Admin.

Tennessee Space Grant/Research $39,800 6/14/2010

National Science Founda-

tion

ARI-MA Systematic Approach/Research $205,684 9/1/2010


tion

CREST Program/Research-Energy $3,000,000 8/15/2009


tion

SBIR Phase II: Development of a Tunable Filter for

Mini Hyperspectral Imager (CREST)/Research

$105,000 7/27/2009

National Trust for Historic

Preservation

Alice Rosenwald Flexible Award $5,000 7/25/2010

UC-Davis-National Science

Foundation

PFI: Medical Technology $75,057 2/26/2010

TOTAL $13,041,893




President Hazel R. O’Leary

Fisk University announced that

on November 3, 2010, the

Chancery Court in Davidson County has approved its re-

quest to enter into a sharing

agreement with the Crystal

Bridges Museum of American

Art under which that Museum

would acquire an undivided

one-half interest in the Stieg-

litz Art Collection in return for a payment of $30 mil-

lion. The Court also ruled

that Fisk may only have the

discretionary use of $10 mil-

lion of the proceeds and that

the remainder of the funds are to be placed in an endowment

fund to be used solely for the

costs of displaying and main-

taining the art.

Fisk President Hazel R.

O’Leary said: ―We are pleased

with the Court’s ruling that we can consummate the shar-

ing agreement with Crystal

Bridges. However, the

Court’s decision to restrict

$20 million of the funds so

that interest from the endow-

ment is used to support the

art is excessive. This is be-cause the income from the

$20 million restricted endow-

ment is approximately

$1,000,000 annually. This far

exceeds the amount necessary

to secure and maintain the

Collection. The evidence we

presented to the Court in oral testimony was that our costs

to display and maintain the

Collection is approximately

$130,000 per year. Further,

Alice Walton has agreed to

fund an endowment of

$1,000,000 which is to be

used for the support and maintenance of the Collec-

tion.‖

Clearly, the funds that will be

produced from this endow-

ment will generate many times

the amount actually needed to

maintain the gallery, support the Collection and provide for

art education. President

O’Leary also noted the Attor-

ney General proposed to the

Court that a $2.6 million en-

dowment be established to

generate approximately

$130,000 per year for the care and maintenance of the

Collection.

President O’Leary indicated

that she, the university’s

Board of Trustees and its

lawyers are studying the deci-

sion before they decide how to proceed.

In response to reactions from

some members of the media,

alumni, and the community,

Fisk Board of Trustees Chair-

Statement from Fisk University Regarding Stieglitz Art Collection

Volume 1, Issue 1

man Robert W. Norton

stated, ―The decision to

pursue strategic options for this valuable asset was not

President O’Leary’s. In light

of the university’s difficult

financial situation, the Fisk

Board of Trustees passed a

resolution in May of 2004,

empowering its Chairman,

to sell some or all of the Collection, well before Pres-

ident O’Leary began her

tenure at the university.

President O’Leary, upon

taking office, understood the

Board’s position and chose a

deliberative approach to the

issues. She helped lead ef-forts that resulted in an

even better arrangement

than the Board had envi-

sioned - a sharing arrange-

ment with the Crystal Bridg-

es Museum of Art for an

undivided one-half interest

in the Collection in ex-change for a $30 million

consideration. In our view,

this was a classic win/win for

Fisk, Nashville, and the

South.‖

Stephen O. Babalola, Ph.D., the First Graduate of the Fisk-Vanderbilt

Master’s-to-Ph.D. Bridge Program

Dean Jessie Carney Smith (left) and Librarians Preserving Archival Media




Office of Institutional

Advancement

1000 17th Avenue North Nashville, TN 37208

COMING EVENTS

LaGrange, GA. Tuesday, November 16, 2010. Fisk Jubilee Singers® in Concert,

Callaway Auditorium, LaGrange College

Atlanta, GA. Saturday, December 4, 2010, 6:00 P.M. 7th Annual Winter

Scholarship Extravaganza (Silent Auction, Dinner & Dance), Special Performance by the

Fisk Jubilee Singers®. Honorees: Dr. Carol Adams ’65, Mrs. Gwendolyn Campbell ’67,

Dr. Judson Eneas ’67, Ms. Therrell Smith ’39, Dr. Mary McKelvey Welch, and Dr. Kevin

White. Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway. Tickets @ $100. Contact Ms. Linda Smith

at [email protected]

Nashville, TN. Monday, December 6, 2010. Christmas Concert featuring the

University Choir and the Fisk Jubilee Singers®, Fisk Memorial Chapel

Cleveland, OH. Sunday, December 12, 2010 President Hazel R. O’Leary

to address the Cleveland Fisk Club

Los Angeles, CA. Friday, December 17, 2010 Farwest Regional Conference

FISK UNIVERSITY

Cultivating Scholars & Leaders One by One

We’re on the Web!

www.fisk.edu

(615) 329-8530 - Telephone

(615) 329-8627 - Facsimile

REUNION 2011

Reunion Goal: $667,000.

Reunion 2011 classes are 1936, 1941, 1946,1951, 1956, 1961 (Goldens), 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986 (Silvers), 1991, 1996, 2001 and 2006. The official hotel for Reunion 2011 is the Loews Vander-bilt Hotel, 2100 West End Avenue. A block of rooms has been reserved for Fisk alumni. The special group rate is $184 per night, effective until April 1, 2011. Availability is on a first come, first served basis. Remember to identify yourself as a Fisk alumna/us. To make reservations, please telephone 615-320-1700 or 1-800-336-3335.



fisk focus, volume 1, issue 1

Documents

fisk university

fisk focus

miss fisk

fisk family

vice president range

vice president shirley

president hazel

university statement