fisk focus, volume 1, issue 4

Have you sent a gift today? Click here to donate online OR phone (615) 329-8710 OR email [email protected].

I am very appreciative of the continuing support of Regions Bank. Their latest gift of $12,500 shows their commitment to sustaining Fisk. Alumni engagement in the recruitment process is encouraging. The Washington Fisk Alumni Asso-ciation (WFAA) participated in the Ninth Annual HBCU Recruitment Fair at Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia. We accepted eight highly qualified students and are relying on WFAA’s membership to remain connected to those students. Alumni follow-up is a primary factor in determining whether or not accepted students enroll. With continued support from alumni, we have no doubt that the Office of Ad-mission will meet its enrollment goal of 276 new students for fall 2011.

We have a 21% increase in the number of applications received this year versus last year. To date, we have received 1,802 applications and have offered admission to 564 applicants. The interest pool includes students from 30 states, Nigeria, Jamaica and the Bahamas. Recruitment and scholarship support from alumni and friends is instrumental to meeting our recruitment, persistence and graduation targets. Using Title III carry-over funding, we invested in a University-wide retention model, the Academic Excellence and Student Performance (AESP) Initiative. AESP enables us to identify students in academic difficulty well before mid-term and to implement various interventions including tutorial services, supplemental reading and mathemat-ics instruction, and academic skills workshops. While it is too early to determine definitively AESP’s impact, preliminary data is promising. The average grade point average (GPA) for entering freshmen at the end of fall 2010 is 2.61 versus 2.29 for entering freshmen at the end of fall 2009. This is a significant increase. For sopho-more students, the average GPA in fall 2009 was 2.67 while in fall 2010, it increased to 2.81. The retention rate of first time freshmen from Fall 2010 to Spring 2011 was 91%, which is considerably higher than the 84% that we experienced from Fall 2009 to Spring 2010. A comprehensive analysis of data will be completed during the summer and as needed, programmatic modifications will be designed and initiated. This year, we are using Title III funding to develop online courses and train our faculty to design and teach both hybrid and pure distance learning courses. Offering distance education will not only enhance our academic pro-gram but will further impact our enrollment, retention and graduation rates. Today’s millennial learners perform better in online courses and nontraditional students prefer online instruction to accommodate their schedules. Fisk online offerings will be held to the same high standards as our traditional courses. Finally, we have $2,368,290 or 76.4% of the March 31 goal of $3.1 million, which is part of the Annual Fund. We only have 31 days left to raise $731,710 to demonstrate to SACSCOC that we are making substantial progress in our annual fundraising efforts. I urge you to send your gifts now. I am confident that with your support, we will achieve our goal, and for this, I thank you immensely.

From President Hazel Reid O’Leary ’59

FISK Focus

Inside this issue:

From the 1

President

STUDENT

ENGAGEMENT Lynwood Berry Honored 2

Student Recruitment 3

Fisk Chapel Assistants 4

AESP Hosts First 4

Discipline Dialogue

Senior Athletes Honored 5

ACADEMIC

EXCELLENCE From the Interim EVP 6

CFO Joins Fisk Family 7

New Science Scholarship 7

Lisa Thornton, MD 7

Faculty in the Limelight: 8

Dr. Jessie Carney Smith

Corporate Partner 9

ALUMNI

RELATIONS Alumni Honors 10

Professor Kennedy’s 11

90th Birthday Plans

Reynaldo Glover 11

Memorial Scholarship

U.S. Representative 12

Frederica Smith Wilson

ADVANCEMENT &

FUND RAISING From the Vice President 13

Annual Fund Monthly 14

Cumulative Report

Gift Sources Report 15

Coming Events 16

An Electronic Publication for Alumni and Friends

Volume I, Issue 4 February 2011

President O’Leary is presented $12,500 by Regions’ Nashville Area President Jim Schmitz and Senior Vice President/Regional Community Affairs

Director Latrisha Jemison (right)

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

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


FISK FAMILY HONORS LYNWOOD BERRY,

LONGTIME DIRECTOR OF STUDENT DEVELOPMENT

Photo Credits: Angelita Thompson and Adrienne Taylor Latham ’68

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

Mr. Lynwood Berry was surprised on February 2nd

when the Fisk family honored him with a reception in

the Appleton Room of Jubilee Hall. Orchestrated by

the recently chartered student organization, ―Family

Matters‖, the event drew all constituents of the

University, from the president, faculty and staff

members to friends, students and alumni. The

founding president of ―Family Matters‖, Angelita

Thompson said, ―Mr. Berry has never been honored

and he does more for students than anyone on the

campus. He epitomizes what our organization is all

about - the importance of the Fisk family.‖

A Pennsylvania native, Mr. Berry joined the Fisk

family 28 years ago when Dean Sylvester Dunn hired

him as a counselor for the TRiO Upward Bound and

Student Support Services Programs. Asked what

motivated him to remain so long, he laughed and

replied, ―the rich culture of Fisk, the alumni who

come back and look for me, the students, past and

present - they are my children and keep me

motivated.‖

Mr. Berry earned his B.S. in elementary education

and his M.S. in administration and supervision at

Tennessee State University. He completed other

master‘s level courses in counseling, guidance and

administration at George Peabody College. Fisk is

fortunate to have Mr. Berry as a member of the Office

of Student Engagement and we wish him many more

years with ―his children‖.

Honoree Lynwood Berry Greets Guests

Honoree Lynwood Berry and Professor Emeritus L.C. Collins ’37

Mr. Berry with Some Members of “Family Matters” (L. to R.): President Angelita Thompson, Amoya Orr, Timberly Wilson, Mr. Berry,

Charlotte McLoud and Alyce Boatwright

(L. to R.): Mr. Berry, Sarah Marshal and James Wardell ’85




On February 19 –20, the Washington Fisk Alumni Association (WFAA) participated in the Ninth Annual

HBCU Fair hosted by Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia. During the event, Dean Keith

Chandler ‘95 accepted eight students for fall 2011 enrollment. At the Sunday morning service, Vice President

Jason Meriwether ‘07 (M.A.), Office of Student Engagement and Enrollment Management, delivered a powerful

and inspiring message. Members of the WFAA‘s Recruitment Committee include Anthony M. Murphy ‘99, Ja-

nine Smith ‘84 and Maryann Gay Rozzell ‘57. Fiskites in attendance but not pictured include Stephanie Williams

‘72, Rosalind Brooks ‘85 (member of Alfred Street Baptist Church) and G. Vernon White ‘83. Gloria Johnson

Elliott ‘72 is president of WFAA.

Fisk Well Represented at Alfred Street Baptist Church’s HBCU Fair

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

Two of the eight newly accepted students, Kamilah Carlisle

(left) and Ivory Brown (right) are all smiles as they meet Vice

President Jason Meriwether after Sunday services

WFAA Recruitment Committee members Maryann Gay

Rozzell ’57 and Anthony M. Murphy ’99 enjoy recruiting

Washington Fisk Alumni Associa-

tion Members with Vice President

Jason Meriwether ’07 (M.A.) at

Alfred Street Baptist Church on

February 20th

(L. to R.): Celestine Shird ’82,

Janine Smith ’84, Dr. Alfredda

Hunt Payne ’70, Vice President

Meriwether, Michelle Overstreet

’95, Maryann Gay Rozzell ’57 and Jacqueline T. Harris ’79




CHAPEL ASSISTANTS ACCOMPANY DEAN CURRY TO AMERICAN

BAPTIST COLLEGE FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH SERMON

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

On February 1, the president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes

and the Fisk Memorial Chapel assistants accompanied Rev. Dr. Jason Curry, dean of the Fisk Memorial Chapel, to American Baptist Col-

lege. Dean Curry delivered the initial sermon to kick off the college‘s celebration of Black History Month. Dean Curry‘s sermon, ―Divine

Inspiration for A Post-Modern Generation‖, was based on Matthew 18: 1-6 in which Jesus speaks of the inherent value of young people.

The key points of Dean Curry‘s sermon were: that one must: (1) meet

the younger generation wherever they are, (2) recognize the gifts that God has given young people, and (3) invest in young people so that

they realize their divine potential.

Dean Curry founded the Fisk Memorial Chapel Assistants Program in 2003. The program‘s mission is to provide an opportunity for Fisk

students, faculty and/or staff to assist the dean in enhancing the overall

religious life of the University community. Chapel assistants fulfill a variety of responsibilities at the 9:30 a.m. Sunday morning services

including serving as ushers, announcing the morning hymns, offering prayers, collecting the offering, and assisting with communion. The

Chapel Assistants Program is a recognized student organization that meets weekly on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.

Front Row (left to right): Fellowship of Christian Athletes President Phil-

lipe Andal ’13, Chapel Assistants Chelsea Burton ’12, Kelsey Burton ’12,

and Beatrice Adams ’12. Back Row (left to right): Adrian Chester,

American Baptist College student; Rev. Dr. Forrest E. Harris, President

of American Baptist College; Rev. Dr. Jason Curry, Dean of the Fisk

Memorial Chapel; and Chapel Assistant LaQuasha Logan ’11.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE & STUDENT PERFORMANCE INITIATIVE

HOSTS INAUGURAL DISCIPLINE DIALOGUE

As part of the ongoing strategies to impact student retention and persistence to graduation goals, the Academic

Excellence & Student Performance Initiative, in collaboration with the academic schools and departments, held the

inaugural ―Discipline Dialogue‖ on February 16 in the Appleton Room of Jubilee Hall. Students interfaced with

department chairs and discipline coordinators in individualized and small group settings, which enabled them to

receive personalized guidance and advice about majors, requirements and other pertinent information.

AESP director, Ingrid Frazier Collier ‘71 (right), discusses All academic departments and disciplines participated

discipline choices with AESP participants in ―Discipline Dialogue‖




On February 10, the senior athletes of the University were honored during a Senior Night ceremony following the women‘s

basketball game. The cheerleading honorees were Diondra Dukes, a Spanish major from Banning, California; Dionne Wal-

lace, a biology major from Memphis, Tennessee who plans to enter a MD/PhD program concentrating in genetics;

Marjorie Williams, a biology major from Jacksonville, Florida with plans to attend Meharry Medical College and pursue a

career in research; and Lauren Taylor, political science major from Memphis, Tennessee.

Tahisha Desir, psychology major from Boston, Massachusetts and Jessica McDowell, business administration and sociology

major from Kansas City, Missouri were recognized for their participation in the Exclusive Dance Troupe. The graduating

senior members of RAGE (acronym for Rhythm, Agility, Grace and Essence) dance troupe who were honored were Lindsey

Benjamin, a business administration major from Washington, DC and Ayo Thomas, an international business major from

Detroit, Michigan.

Liban Ahmed who hails from Fresno, California was recognized for his participation in tennis. He is a political science major

with a concentration in public administration. The softball honorees were Tiarra Land, psychology major from Chicago,

Illinois and Jazmin Wafer, a chemistry major from Martha‘s Vineyard, Massachusetts. Ms. Wafer plans to pursue her mas-

ter‘s degree in Forensic Science and join the FBI.

Lady Bulldog honorees were psychology major, Traveshia Jerry, from Memphis and Reva Brown who is majoring in sociolo-

gy and hails from Starkville, Mississippi (both pictured below).

SENIOR ATHLETES HONORED

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

(L. to R.) Front Row: Mesheka Hughes, Daveda Adams, Lady Bulldog Honoree Traveshia Jerry, Lady Bulldog

Honoree Reva Brown and LaDonna Richardson. Back Row: Anthony T. Owens, Athletic Director

and Wendy Mitchell Majors ’85, Lady Bulldogs’ Coach




FROM THE INTERIM EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND

PROVOST, DR. PRINCILLA SMART EVANS MORRIS ’72

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

I thank President O‘Leary and the Fisk Board of Trustees for their ex-

pression of confidence in my work ethic by naming me interim executive

vice president and provost. I am excited about the opportunity to serve

Fisk at this level.

When a young girl becomes ‗infatuated‘ with her first boyfriend, she does

not see him with clear vision. Initially, she sees perfection in an imper-

fect mortal. As time passes, vision becomes more focused and the truth

becomes apparent. He has flaws, but she excuses them and pretends

these flaws are not his fault. Finally, if the relationship reaches a state of

mature ‗love‘, the woman (who once was a young girl) recognizes all the

‗challenges‘ of her man, and just wants to help him become the best per-

son he can be. When I first came to teach at Fisk, I was infatuated with

the idea of being here. I lectured in cold classrooms with gloves on my

hands, but thought it was wonderful! I thought I would never tire of

students or teaching, and honestly believed that if I left the classroom,

learning in the area of chemistry at Fisk University would be significantly hampered. Of course, this reality was

perceived through imperfect vision and now, some twenty-eight years later, I exhibit a mature love for Fisk. I

want the very best for her students, faculty, staff and administration. The frosted lens have dropped from my

eyes, and I see clearly now. Fisk has many challenges, and I am here to help her move to the next level in this

never ending quest for excellence.

I believe that Fisk University has done a good job with the resources that have been available. We have pro-

duced graduates who have gone on to contribute greatly to society both nationally and internationally. We

stretch our resources to provide our customers an education that will serve as a foundation to move to graduate

and professional school or careers of their choosing. We are cultivating scholars and leaders one by one. We have

many success stories to tell. Each one represents a life that has been positively impacted and has had a domino

effect on countless other lives. Our function as a University is vitally important to society.

In spite of monetary challenges that have plagued Fisk University since its inception, there are exciting new de-

velopments on our campus. In this age of accountability in the 21st century, Fisk is utilizing a web-based appli-

cation that will serve as a repository of documented artifacts of student progress and growth. LiveText is de-

signed to support student learning assessment for curricular improvements. Our efforts to attain continuous

strengthening of the academic programs will also prepare students for a performance-based assessment work

world after graduation. The faculty is being trained during this spring 2011 semester to use this tool. It will be

an asset for both students and faculty. In an attempt to reach more students and provide additional learning

opportunities for our current students, Fisk has directed funds to the development of on-line courses. With a

special grant from the Title III Office of the U.S. Department of Education, information technology infrastruc-

ture will be enhanced, faculty will be trained to teach blended and pure on-line courses, and students will have

more options for completing degree requirements. We continue to receive funding from government agencies

and private foundations, and our students continue to be accepted in other Tier I schools and placed in prestig-

ious career positions. We are busy and have many ongoing projects that are infusing energy into our academic

programs. With your support, we will continue to make you proud!

What is my vision for Fisk? My vision is to have a bustling university teeming with students on campus. The

rigorous and relevant curriculum will make Fisk the destination of serious scholars and committed leaders.

When administrators, students and faculty share a sense of purpose and they agree on a desired destination, that

is when a university rises from historical laurels and repositions itself for the present and the future. I am a

―true daughter‖, serving our alma mater, and I am committed to enhancing and expanding the Fisk legacy of

academic excellence.

Photo Credit: Tondaleya Jobe




Clancy E. Roberts, Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer,

Joins Fisk

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Clancy E. Roberts is vice president of finance and chief financial officer, effective February

14. Mr. Roberts brings 17 years of experience in financial management, project manage-

ment, information technology and business administration to Fisk. Prior to this appoint-

ment, Mr. Clancy served as chief financial officer for the Environment Department of Santa

Fe, New Mexico. There he lead four departments; managed an annual budget of over $100

million; and provided oversight and control of grants with annual expenditures of $25 mil-

lion. Also reporting to Mr. Clancy were the Purchasing, Contracts and Financial Services

functions, which included accounts receivables and accounts payable.

Battelle Award Designated for Fisk Science Student Scholarship

In 2001, Fisk University‘s graduate student Gomez Wright and his research advisor, Dr.

Arnold Burger, and Dr. Ralph James (at that time a researcher at Sandia National Labs)

became co-winners of the R&D 100 Award for the development of a new technique of

growing large single crystals of cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) suitable for radiation detec-

tors for national security purposes.

In a recent project, the group led by Ralph James and Yonggang Cui at the U.S. Depart-

ment of Energy‘s Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) in Upton, Long Island, NY,

applied the cadmium zinc telluride radiation detector technology to a medical application,

for localization of cancerous tumors. For their innovation, the BNL team has won one of

the ten inaugural prizes given by Battelle, the world‘s largest nonprofit independent

research and development organization. The team received a $5,000 education grant and

opted to designate the award for a scholarship for science students at Fisk University.

Global and Community Engagement Lecture Series Presents

Lisa Thornton, M.D. ’83

Dr. Lisa Thornton will deliver the Global and Community Engagement Lecture on

Wednesday, March 2, at 4:00 p.m. in the Appleton Room of Jubilee Hall. Dr.

Thornton is an assistant professor of orthopedics, pediatrics and rehabilitation at the

University of Chicago‘s Pritzker School of Medicine. Her practice is dedicated to the

care and treatment of children with disabilities. Currently, she is the medical director

of Pediatric and Adolescent Rehabilitation for Kids Rehab, a joint program between

Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital and LaRabida Children‘s Hospital, both located in

Chicago.

Dr. Thornton has appeared on ABC‘s Good Morning America as a medical correspond-

ent and is a frequent guest host on the ABC News Now webcast, Healthy Life, which airs daily on ABCNews.com.

She is the co-host and medical consultant of Lifetime TV‘s weekly magazine show, Health Corner, now entering

its fifth season. Millions of viewers nationwide tune in for practical health information and interesting inter-

views with highly respected physicians and celebrities who have important health messages, including Dr. Ar-

thur Agatston, creator of the South Beach Diet, Patti LaBelle, Olivia Newton-John and Leeza Gibbons.

Dr. Thornton received her undergraduate degree from Fisk in 1983, and her medical degree from the University

of Michigan. She completed pediatric specialty training at Children‘s Memorial Hospital in Chicago and a

Rehabilitation residency at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, where she led her peers as chief resident.

Dr. Arnold Burger, mem-

ber of the award-winning team, which donated its

prize for a scholarship



http://media01.linkedin.com/media/p/2/000/078/329/123fd57.jpg


FACULTY IN THE LIMELIGHT: DR. JESSIE CARNEY SMITH

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

She is one of the most well-known and highly regarded academic librarians in the nation. On

a regular basis, she is invited to deliver keynote addresses at national and international confer-ences and for various events at other institutions of higher learning. She is the principal inves-

tigator of numerous grants she authored and has been awarded numerous fellowships. She has served on numerous commissions for the state of Tennessee and the Federal governments.

She is the William and Camille Cosby Professor in the Humanities. She is a prolific author of articles in refereed journals and books; her latest book brings the number to twenty-three.

―She‖ is Fisk‘s own Dr. Jessie Carney Smith, dean of The John Hope and Aurelia Elizabeth

Franklin Library.

Born in Greensboro, North Carolina to parents who were alumni of North Carolina A&T

State University, Dean Smith and her three siblings (including her twin sister) were instilled with a respect for learning and education, and a strong work ethic by their parents and grand-

parents. They also influenced her later dedication to the study of African American culture.

While studying libraries in black colleges through a fellowship from the former Council on

Library Resources, Dean Smith completed her first published work in 1977. This publication, Black Academic Libraries and Research Collections: An Historical Study, has been used heavily in

determining fiscal support for those college libraries. By 1980, she had published two dozen educational pieces and bibliographies. A few years later, encouraged by her colleagues and

professional peers, Dean Smith embarked on an initiative to document the lives of notable African American women. This effort resulted in the publication of an award-winning

volume, Notable Black American Women, in 1992. Dean Smith‘s approach of incorporating

vignettes of lesser-known African Americans, women whose contributions to American life and society were no less significant

than those by more well-known names, earned her critical acclaim.

Like several of her other publications, her latest endeavor, the four-volume Encyclopedia of African American Popular Culture, contains

contributions of several Fisk faculty: Dr. Lean‘tin L. Bracks, Dr. Adenike Davidson, Ms. Cheryl Jones Hamberg ‘62, Ms. Beth Madison Howse ‘65, Dr. Sheila Peters, and Dr. Anthony Williams. A complete list of Dean Smith‘s books is provided below.

Dean Smith was the first African American to earn a Ph.D. in library science from the University of Illinois. She earned her M.A. in child development from Michigan State University, M.A. in library science from George Peabody College, and B.S. from North

Carolina A&T State University. When she is not at work or at her home computer writing, Dean Smith walks, jogs, gardens and naturally, reads biographies.

Black Academic Libraries and Research Collections: An Historical Survey (Contributions in Afro-American and

African Studies, 1977

Ethnic Genealogy: A Research Guide,1983

Images of Blacks in American Culture: A Reference Guide to Information Resources, 1988

Notable Black American Women, Book I, 1991

Epic Lives: One Hundred Black Women Who Made a Difference, 1992

Statistical Record of Black Americans, with Carrell Horton, 1992

Historical Statistics of Black America (2 Volumes), with Carrell Horton, 1994

Black Firsts: 2,000 Years of Extraordinary Achievement, with Casper Leroy Jordan and Robert L. Johnson,

1994 African American Reference Library, with Jay P. Pederson, 1994

Notable Black American Women, Book II, 1995

Powerful Black Women, 1996

Statistical Record of Black America, with Carrell Horton, 1996

Black Heroes of the 20th Century, 1997

The African American Almanac, with Joseph M. Palmisano, 1999

Notable Black American Men, 1999

Reference Library of Black America (5 Volumes), with Joseph M. Palmisano, 2000

Black Heroes of the 20th Century, 2001

Black Firsts: 4,000 Ground-Breaking and Pioneering Historical Event

Notable Black American Women, Book III, 2003

Notable Black American Men, Book II, 2006

Encyclopedia of African American Business (2 Volumes), 2006

Freedom Facts and Firsts: 4000 Years of the African American Civil Rights Experience, with Linda T. Wynn,

2009

Encyclopedia of African American Popular Culture (4 Volumes), 2010

Dr. Jessie Carney Smith, Professor, Author and Dean of The John Hope and

Aurelia Elizabeth Franklin Library




Nashville Fisk Club president Antonio Meeks ’__and

Stephenie Smith ’01 catch their breaths after running.

Corporate Partner Spotlight: Volkswagen Group of America,

Chattanooga Operations, L.L.C.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

In June 2009, Fisk University and Volkswagen Group of America, Chattanooga Op-

erations, L.L.C. embarked on a multi-year collaboration as part of the corporate Part-

ners in Education Program. Volkswagen‘s decision to locate a production facility in

Chattanooga several years ago brought to Tennessee the corporate commitment to

education in the regions they serve. Fisk is proud to be a recipient of their philan-

thropic commitment to education and excited as students, faculty, and administration

at Fisk engage with representatives from Volkswagen in this effort.

The four year $480,000 commitment to the Fisk partnership supports high-achieving

students who are engaged in community service by establishing a Volkswagen Fellow-

ship in which students combine elements such as environmental studies, service learn-

ing

projects, and global business projects. This program provides funding which enables

Fisk to attract and retain exceptional students and ensure that they are engaged, well-

prepared, and successful in their college experience. Each Volkswagen Scholar/Fellow is

selected from superior applicants dedicated not only to high achieving high academic

standards, but also to producing constructive outcomes for others through service learning,

research, or internship.

The Volkswagen Scholar/Fellowship Program annually provides eight Fisk students with

$15,000 each in scholarship funding. By design, each year two students from each class

who are from the state of Tennessee are awarded funding on a competitive basis and se-

lected based on grade point average. These students must also major in a course of study

compatible for automotive industry employment.

These selected students who comprise the Volkswagen Schol-

ars at Fisk University, engage in an annual project whose

outcomes are beneficial to the community and to

Volkswagen. Because Fisk is a Partners in Education Pro-

gram school, all students at Fisk are eligible for a two year competitive based internship

program. This program involves a first year internship at Oak Ridge National Laborato-

ries and a second year internship at Volkswagen‘s Chattanooga Operations center. The

2010-2011 Volkswagen Scholars/Fellows are mentored and directed by faculty advi-

sor, Dr. Linda Wynn, and include: Thomas Caruthers, Glenise Davis, Darrell Mil-

ler, Q-Vaughnia Hornbeck, Alok Hota, Tiana Lloyd, Angelita Thompson, and Max-

well Tsatsu.

Fisk University looks forward to this partnership with Volkswagen as this program provides key support for our fu-

ture scholars and leaders. For Volkswagen, they get a head start on identifying and devel-

oping relationships with exceptional graduates who are their corporate leaders of tomor-

row, and reap the rewards of the research capacity and global competitiveness of Fisk‘s

scholars. Volkswagen gains a highly visible outlet in the form of Fisk and its students to

showcase their corporate responsibility and commitment to education to consumers, ven-

dors, potential employees and the general public.

To find out how your corporation may engage in a mutually beneficial relationship with

Fisk University, please contact Marcus Stamps, Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giv-

ing, by phone at 615-329-8852 or by email at [email protected].

Alok Hota

Q-Vaughnia Hornbeck

Angelita Thompson

Maxwell Tsatsu




ALUMNI HONORS

The Honorable John L. Lewis ’67 (D-GA) received the

Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor

for contributions to society. A product of the 1960s civil rights movement, Lewis was chair-man of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and helped organize sit-ins at segregated lunch counters in the South. In 1965, as he led a peaceful march for voting rights from Selma to Montgomery, Ala., Congressman Lewis and others were se-

verely beaten by Alabama state troopers in what became known as "Bloody Sunday." The event is credited with helping to spur passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. President Barack Obama, who awarded the medal at a White House ceremony, said Lewis had taken to heart a quote that asks, "If not us, then who? If not now, then when? Generations

from now, when parents teach their children what is meant by courage, the story of John Lewis will come to mind: an American who knew that change could not wait for some other person or some other time," President Obama said.

Cheryl J. Beard ’83 received the 2011 Ruby R. Wharton Outstanding

Woman in Youth & Delinquency Award given by Memphis Mayor A. C.

Wharton, Jr. and Mrs. Ruby Wharton.

A native of Augusta, Georgia, Beard is the executive director of the Urban Youth Initiative, Inc. (UYI) in Memphis. Since 1993, the Urban Youth Initiative has invested over $25 million into funding

and training more than 250 urban youth workers in Memphis. The current network of 45 UYI partner ministries reaches over 10,000 youth annually.

After completing her undergraduate degree at Fisk, Ms. Beard earned the Master of City and Regional Planning degree from the University

of Memphis. She completed additional graduate work at Reformed Theological Seminary.

A licensed minister with Olivet Fellowship Baptist Church, Ms. Beard has been a leader in youth min-istry for 20 years, having served in both church in-reach and outreach capacities. She serves on several boards in service to the Memphis and Shelby County community.

ALUMNI RELATIONS




Fisk to Celebrate 90th Birthday of Professor Emeritus Matthew W. Kennedy ’47

ALUMNI RELATIONS

On March 10, Professor Emeritus Matthew W. Kennedy will celebrate his 90th

birthday. In celebration of his 90th birthday, alumni and friends are asked to send

a birthday card and to contribute $90, $900 or a combination of 9s to the Anne

Gamble Kennedy/Matthew W. Kennedy Endowed Scholarship, which supports a

sophomore, junior or senior music student at Fisk.

Checks should be made payable to Fisk University with ―Anne Kennedy/

Matthew Kennedy Scholarship‖ in the memo section. Please send cards and gifts

to the Office of Alumni Affairs. Donations may be made online by clicking here.

To make a one-time or recurring gift through automatic deduction, you may

access the form at: http://www.fisk.edu/Libraries/General_Documents/Alumni_Automatic_Deduction_Form.sflb.ashx.

Reynaldo Preston Glover Memorial Scholarship

Following his death, classmates and friends of Reynaldo Preston Glover ‘65 established

an endowed scholarship in his memory. The scholarship fund still needs slightly more than $10,000 to be fully endowed. Scholarships will then be awarded from the interest earned annually. Donations to the Reynaldo Preston Glover Memorial Scholarship

should be made payable to Fisk University with the memo section notation ―Reynaldo Glover Scholarship‖. Contributions may be made online by clicking here. To make a

one-time or recurring gift through automatic deduction, you may access the form at:

http://www.fisk.edu/Libraries/General_Documents/Alumni_Automatic_Deduction_Form.sflb.ashx.

Reynaldo Preston Glover served his alma mater graciously and with distinction in

myriad roles — student, scholar, leader, athlete, advocate, board member and board chairman. As a spirited and brilliant leader of Fisk, he unified the Fisk community worldwide.

Glover grew up in Gary, Indiana where he was a basketball star at Roosevelt High School. He graduated from Fisk in 1965. Besides his family, he was proudest of his basketball career at Fisk. Glover the led the Bulldogs in scoring with 2,230

career points, the highest single season scoring average of 30.2 points per game and the team‘s highest single game total of 105 points. His lifelong love of the sport motivated Glover to play pick-up games throughout his life. In addition to basket-

ball, he loved scuba diving and archery. He was a member of the American Skin Divers Association and Chicago Archery Association.

He earned his law degree from Harvard Law School in 1968. While at Harvard, the intransigence of racial prejudice was

made clear to him when an examiner with Selective Service refused to believe that he was a student at the prestigious

university. That experience led him to take a position with the Law Student Civil Rights Research Council in New York City. He became national executive director of the organization.

By 1976, Glover had left New York City for Chicago, and was a general partner at the law firm of Isham, Lincoln & Beale

where he remained until 1987. He left to become a partner at Jenner & Block, and in 1991, joined the firm of Miller, Shak-man, Hamilton. He became counsel to Piper Rudnick. Glover left Miller, Shakman, Hamilton in 1994 and became vice

president and general counsel to TLC Beatrice International Holdings in New York, and in 1999, became president of the renamed TLC-LC. Under Glover‘s leadership, TLC-LC saw substantial profit growth and he was responsible for all of the firm‘s worldwide legal activities.

Glover aggressively pursued the advancement of higher education as a leader and mentor to young people. His contribu-

tions included his service as chairman of the Board of Trustees of The City Colleges of Chicago from 1988 to 1991 and as chairman of the Board of Trustees of Fisk University from 2003 until his death at the age of 64 on November 27, 2007.




http://www.fisk.edu/Libraries/General_Documents/Alumni_Automatic_Deduction_Form.sflb.ashx


http://www.fisk.edu/Libraries/General_Documents/Alumni_Automatic_Deduction_Form.sflb.ashx


ALUMNI RELATIONS

Congresswoman Frederica Smith Wilson ’63 (in one of her trademark hats) with her family

after swearing-in ceremony by House Speaker John Boehner (left)

FISK ALUMNA AND EDUCATOR FREDERICA SMITH WILSON ’63

ELECTED TO CONGRESS

Photo Credit: Office of Congresswoman Frederica Wilson and U.S. House of Representatives

Congratulations to Fisk alumna, educator and former Florida State Senator Frederica Smith Wilson ‘63 who was

recently elected as United States Representative for Florida‘s Congressional District 17.

―My years at Fisk prepared me well for a career in public service. Fisk taught me the value of maintaining a standard

of excellence and equipped me with the knowledge and skills necessary to give back to our community,‖ Wilson

said. ―I am proud to be a part of a legacy that includes my brother Thirlee Smith, Jr., the first African American re-

porter at the Miami Herald, Congressman John Lewis, Board of Trustees member Donna Rice, and many others. I

applaud Fisk for continuing this tradition for a new generation of young leaders.‖

As state senator, Wilson worked with Governor Charlie Crist to grant voting rights to individuals convicted of non-

violent felonies after completion of their full sentence. She also worked with former Governor Jeb Bush to reform

the implementation of Florida‘s Comprehensive Assessment Test ( FCAT.)

As an educator, Wilson has served District 17 as a principal and school board member. During her tenure with the

school board, she founded the initiative ―5000 Role Models of Excellence‖, a drop-out prevention and academic

excellence program, which has awarded over $5 million in college scholarships to graduating high school seniors

among underrepresented populations. The program currently operates in 110 Miami-Dade County schools and as-

sists over 6000 youth.




FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT OF

INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

Dear Alumni and Friends,

Thank you for your support of Fisk University. The end of February 2011 sets Fisk University within the final five-week window to demonstrate substantial progress in fundraising to the SACSCOC by March 31. Fisk has raised $2,368,290 or 76.4% of the $3.1 million goal to date. Fundraising efforts continue on course to replicate the University‘s FY 2009 fundraising perfor-

mance or our latest successful fundraising year. As indicated by the graph on the following page, March 2009 fundraising made a steep increase fueled by a large bequest gift. In an effort to meet the $3.1 million goal, we must generate $731,710 or an average of $146,342 each week.

An assessment of constituent giving during February 2011, as compared to February 2010, shows strong increases in Trustee gifts at 55.79% ($642,502 in FY 11 vs. $412,405 in FY 10) and Foundation gifts at 63.17% ($674,925 in FY 11 versus $413,639 in FY 10). A sharp de-crease of 44.45% ($134,701 in FY 11 versus $242,502 in FY 10) in donations from Civic, So-cial and Religious Organizations is disappointing.

The number of Alumni donors continues to show a decrease, currently at 13.86% (690 donors in FY 11 versus 801 in FY 10), as well as a 2.94% decrease in the number of alumni gifts (1,463 in FY 10 versus 1,420 in FY 11). The average alumni gift size, however, continues to

be significantly larger, with an increase this month of 51.66% ($1,066 in FY 11 vs. $703 in FY 10).

For those who are interested in the level of alumni giving versus that of other sources, e.g., trustees, corporations, foundations, etc., I invite you to review the table on page 15, which provides these data for the past two years.

I thank you, in advance, for your support and urge all alumni and friends to send gifts now. Please remember, the clock is ticking... Sincerely,

Shirley Q. Range

ADVANCEMENT & FUND RAISING

CORRECTION

Vol. I, Issue 3, January 2011, page 9, photo of Houston

Fisk Alumni Association: Byron Cobbin was incorrectly

identified as a member of the class of 1969. Mr. Cobbin is

a member of the class of 1989. We extend our sincere

apologies to Mr. Cobbin for the error.




The graph below depicts Fisk‘s fund raising progress on a month-by-month basis and compares it to each of the previous three fiscal years. It shows progress toward the FY 11 goal of $8.4 million as compared to the same point in time in FYs 08, 09 and 10. As of

February 28, 2011, 28.19% of the overall FY 11 goal has been reached. We have reached the 76.4% mark toward attainment of the March 31 goal of $3,100,000.


Source: Office of Institutional Advancement, February 28, 2011





Source: Office of Institutional Advancement, February 28, 2011

Designation

Total YTD

FY 2011 Goal FY

2011

Difference YTD to Goal

FY 2011 Total

YTD FY 2010

Difference FY

2010/2011 Total YTD

Alumni $ 502,629 $2,000,000 $ (1,497,371)

$ 437,530

$ 65,098

Corporations $ 305,665 $1,000,000

$ (694,335)

$ 277,540

$ 28,124

Foundations $ 674,925 $1,500,000

$ (825,075)

$ 413,639

$ 261,286

Civic, Social, Religious Organizations

$ 134,701 $700,000

$ (565,299)

$ 242,502

$ (107,801)

Trustees $ 642,502 $2,100,000 $ (1,457,498)

$ 400,905

$ 241,597

TOTAL $ 2,368,290 $ 8,400,000 $ (6,031,710)

$ 1,867,565

$ 500,725

# of donors # of gifts Avg. gift/donor Alumni

participation

YTD FY 10 Alumni Donors 801 1463 $703 10.17%

YTD FY 11 Alumni Donors 690 1420 $1,066 8.90%

increase/decrease -14% -3% 52% -1.27%

GIFT SOURCES




Office of Institutional

Advancement

1000 17th Avenue North Nashville, TN 37208

COMING EVENTS

Nashville, TN. Wednesday, March 2, 2011. Global and Community

Engagement Lecture Series. Lisa Thornton, M.D., Lecturer. 4:00

p.m., Appleton Room of Jubilee Hall. Dr. Thornton is an assistant pro-

fessor of orthopedics, pediatrics and rehabilitation at the University of

Chicago‘s Pritzker School of Medicine and a 1983 graduate of Fisk.

Nashville, TN. Thursday, March 24-Sunday, March 27, 2011.

Annual Spring Arts Festival. Fisk University.

Nashville, TN. Wednesday, April 7, 2011. 13th Annual Fisk Univer-

sity Research Symposium. Appleton Room of Jubilee Hall. The sym-

posium promotes research and interdisciplinary collaboration, and pro-

vides Fisk students the opportunity to share the results of their recent re-search efforts with their peers and the Fisk community. Students from all

disciplines are invited to submit their abstracts and posters. The deadline for submissions is March 14, 2011.

Nashville, TN. Friday, April 29-Monday, May 2, 2011. Reunion

Weekend. Fisk University. HThe Loews Vanderbilt Hotel, 2100 West

End Avenue, is the Official Headquarters Hotel for the 2011 Fisk Alumni

Reunion. A block of rooms has been reserved for Fisk Alumni. The special group rate is $185 (single and double); $205(Triple); $225 (Quad) and will be effective until April 1, 2011. The availability of rooms is on

first come, first served basis. Be sure to indicate you are ―Fisk Alumni‖ to obtain special rates.

Nassau, Bahamas. Friday, July 22-Monday, July 25, 2011.

G.A.A.F.U. Planning Conference.

Memphis, TN. Friday, September 15– Sunday, September 17, 2011.

G.A.A.F.U. Southern Regional Conference, Peabody Hotel.

Nashville, TN. Thursday, October 6, 2011, 10:00 a.m. Jubilee Day.

Fisk Memorial Chapel.

Nashville, TN. Friday, October 7-Sunday, October 9, 2011.

G.A.A.F.U. Biennial Convention. Appleton Room of Jubilee Hall.

FISK UNIVERSITY

Cultivating Scholars & Leaders One by One

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