Archway Fall 2009

F A L L 2 0 0 9

V O L U M E 1 1

NO. 3

F O R A L U M N I

A N D F R I E N D S

Improving the quality of life in the community

MAKING ADIFFERENCE

fall 2009 winston-salem state university 02

time capsule

HOMECOMING OF YEARS PAST

Teachers College cheerleaders

brave the drizzle, left, and

couples take to the floor,

above, in their finest for a

homecoming dance.

Photos courtesy Digital Forsyth

believing is succeeding | pg. 10

archway fall 2009in this issue06 It Takes A Village

A wealth of programs demonstrate the

university’s commitment to serving its

neighboring community

08 Saving Our Schools

Rodney Ellis ’99 serves North Carolina as

vice president of the state’s Association of

Educators

10 Believing Is Succeeding

How Principal James Winbush ’78 turned

around a troubled South Carolina high school

DEPARTMENTS

02 Chancellor Reflects

03 Student Spotlight

04 On the Yard

05 Time Out

12 Alumni News

13 Class Notes

14 Donor Spotlight

it takes a village | pg. 6

activity center planned | pg. 4

on the cover

Archway is published by the Office of Marketing and Communications within Winston-Salem State University’s Division of University Advancement.

Address: 310 Blair Hall, Winston-Salem, NC 27110 Phone: (336) 750-2150 Fax: (336) 750-3150

We welcome story ideas and class notes by e-mail to: [email protected]

Chancellor: Donald Julian Reaves, Ph.D.

Vice Chancellor for the Division of University Advancement: Michelle Cook

Interim Chief Marketing Officer: Sigrid Hall-Pittsley

Editorial Team: Jackie Foutz, Rudy Anderson, Lisa Watts, Chris Zona

Photography: Garrett Garms ’07, University Photographer; Sharrod Patterson, Intern Photographer

Design: Zero Gravity Design Associates

16,000 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $0.51 per copy.

saving our schools | pg. 8

Biology major Jamil Hopkins ’11 helps a local elementary student with his science

homework at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. WSSU students volunteer nightly as tutors at

the church through its Youth Education Enrichment Program. Church member Willie

Richardson founded the program eight years ago to improve students’ academic

performance and test scores, pre-K through high school. Photo by Garrett Garms.


Our faculty and

staff are focused

on making a

difference in

the lives of the

students who are

on our campus

for the 2009-2010

school year. We

know that when

we have a positive effect on our students’ lives,

we also impact the lives of people around them,

beyond campus.

The Ram commitment to service is one of the

university’s richest legacies. When I look at our

list of distinguished alumni, there is a sense of

pride in our graduates who continue to make a

difference in so many arenas. While it is often

easy to focus on our alumni who have been

star athletes, we have Rams who are state

lawmakers, mayors, county officials, artists,

writers and of course, teachers, nurses, doctors,

lawyers and business leaders.

In this issue of Archway, we feature two alumni

who are making a difference in the field of

education. Rodney Ellis and James Winbush

have made names for themselves and have

enhanced the reputation of Winston-Salem State.

Developing graduates of distinction known for

leadership and service in their professions and

communities is the vision of WSSU. As we

work to finalize our strategic plan that will guide

us for the next five years, all of our goals will be

designed to support that vision.

I am excited about the class of 2013. We have

high expectations for this group of 820 young

men and women — they may be the best overall

class we have enjoyed for some time, with a

higher average grade point, higher SAT and ACT

scores and higher potential to find success.

To that end, we enhanced our orientation

program under the direction of Dr. Michelle

Releford, dean of University College. All incoming

freshmen and transfer students with less than 30

credit hours participated in a weeklong program,

RAMDITION. Students met daily with their

Legacy Leaders, upperclassmen who helped

them learn their way around the campus and

understand the resources available to them. We

also scheduled time for fun, including a student

talent show and a Mardi Gras-styled celebration.

One of the most exciting parts of RAMDITION

was what we believe will become a freshman

tradition at WSSU. These new students

proceeded past the historic archway on their way

to a “Rite of Passage Ceremony” that formalized

their place as a member of the Ram Family.

While we are expending resources to support

a higher standard for our students, we have

not abandoned our heritage of providing an

education to all who want a college degree. We

are working with Forsyth Technical Community

College on a pilot dual-enrollment program to

help students who need additional preparation

before taking on the rigors of a full load of

college courses. We also received incremental

state funding for our efforts with adult and other

non-traditional students.

So we continue to take the steps necessary to

make a difference in the lives of all those who

come to our campus for an education. These

efforts make it an extremely exciting time to be

part of the heritage and the future of Winston-

Salem State University.

chancellor reflectsby chancellor donald julian reaves

Donald J. Reaves, Ph.D.

board of trustees 2009 -2010Mr. F. Scott Bauer, ChairDr. Karen McNeil-Miller, Vice Chair Mr. Martin B. Davis ‘85, Secretary Mr. Marshall Bass Mr. F. Scott Bauer, Vice ChairMrs. Lisa J. Caldwell Dr. James C. Hash, Sr. Mr. Victor Johnson, Jr. ’61 Mr. Thomas W. LambethMrs. Debra B. Miller ‘78Mr. James R. Nanton Mr. Keith W. VaughanMs. Whitney N. McCoy ’10

winston-salem state university foundation, board of directors 2009-2010Dr. Lenora R. CampbellMs. Michelle M. Cook Mr. W. Randy EaddyMr. Kelvin Farmer ’86, TreasurerMr. Gerald T. FinleyMs. Jacque GattisMr. Timothy A. Grant ‘80Ms. Catherine Pettie Hart ‘74, Vice Chair Ms. Sue HendersonMr. Harold Kennedy IIIMs. Martha LogemannDr. Charles Love ‘66Mr. Arthur E. McClearinMs. Beverly McLendonMr. James E. Martin Dr. Steve Martin, Chair Ms. Patricia D. Norris ‘93Ms. Cathy PaceMs. Stephanie L. Porter ’81, SecretaryDonald J. Reaves, Ph.D. Mr. Curtis Richardson ’76Mr. Clifton H. Sparrow ’80Ms. Stacey Stone-Bennett ’90Mr. Charles “Chuck” Wallington

EX OFFICIO DIRECTORSMr. Nigel AlstonMr. Gerald Hunter Mr. Victor L. Bruinton ’82 Mr. Gordon Slade ’93

EMERITUS DIRECTORSMs. Florence P. CorpeningMr. Victor Johnson, Jr. ’61

winston-salem state university fall 2009 03

Finding her path

studentspotlight

Belinda Reid ’10 is a semester closer to realizing her dream of becoming a college graduate, professional nurse and teacher.

An old Chinese proverb states: “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Senior nursing major Belinda Reid took a few missteps before she found the path to her future.

Reid dropped out of East Forsyth High School in Winston-Salem, NC, in 1995 after learning she was pregnant. She later enrolled at Independence High School, an alternative school. Reid didn’t like her experience at Independence, but she stayed long enough to finish her driver’s education course.

“My son was born a week before I got my license,” she remembers. She tried to go back to Independence after Qushawn’s birth. He stayed in the day care center at the school, but she was still unhappy and ended up dropping out again.

Things began to turn around for Reid when she found her way to the Adult High School Program at Forsyth Technical Community College. She graduated three years later in 1998. She planned to continue her education at Forsyth Tech, but was diverted when she took a third-shift job in a local warehousing company. Going nowhere, she followed the advice of her brother and moved to Atlanta with Qushawn and now a daughter, Charnessa.

That move turned out to be a mistake. “I was headed down the wrong path. I was doing the wrong things. I needed focus,” Reid says. “One day I was looking at my children and said to myself ‘I need to get it together.’ My children were my motivation to make a change in my life.”

Reid gathered her children and her belongings and left Atlanta. She returned to Forsyth Tech and earned an associate’s degree in applied science.

In 2004, Reid was hired as a certified medical assistant in the Community Family Practice and Wellness Center at Sunrise Towers, a program for underserved clients run by Winston-Salem State University’s School of Health Sciences. The experience seemed to kindle a fire in Reid to help others. And the encouragement she received from the School of Health Sciences staff inspired her to pursue an undergraduate degree in nursing.

“Dr. John Johnson saw something in me and I appreciate the interest he showed in my development. I want to give back to my community because he encouraged me.”

Through the aid of the Kate B. Reynolds Scholarship, the Lettie Pate Whitehead

Scholarship, the Disadvantaged Student Scholarship, and the Virginia Elizabeth & Allma-Vane Taylor Nursing Scholarship, Reid was able to pay for her education and support her family. It’s something she’ll never forget.

“These scholarships have granted me the opportunity to pursue my lifelong goal of becoming a nurse. The WSSU community will never know how much they have meant to me throughout this process. The faculty and staff are well aware of my responsibilities as a parent first and then a student, and they have done all that they could to accommodate my lifestyle.”

Reid is president of WSSU’s chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc, a national professional nurses’ organization with a focus on African-American nursing issues.

Reid’s plan after the May 2010 graduation is to become a registered nurse and later to return to serve at WSSU as a nursing educator.

“When I graduate from this great institution, I will be well prepared to serve my community. It won’t be long until I am back on campus working to assist some other well-deserving students through the process.” — Rudy Anderson


on theyardcampus news and events

Student activities and recreation center in design phase

A Student Activities Center, combining

student life and recreational

activities, is on the drawing board

for completion in fall 2012. The

approximately 92,000 square feet,

$31.5 million building is needed

to keep pace with the university’s

growth, says Theo Howard, associate

vice chancellor for student affairs.

“WSSU’s enrollment has ballooned

from roughly 2,500 to 5,800 since

2003...We found it necessary to begin plans for this new facility to

meet the various needs of our students,” says Howard. “Studies

have shown that student involvement, collegiate experiences, and

satisfaction with student life have a direct impact on retention.”

The center’s design includes two indoor basketball courts, fitness areas,

exercise and dance studios, jogging track, student government offices,

fitness staff offices, social lounge, multi-purpose space with seating for

up to 600, arcade/game room, billiards/table tennis room, barber shop

and beauty salon, food court, and 150-person dining area.

The center will be located on the south side of the Thompson Student

Services Center with a terraced plaza between the two buildings.

Microbiologist takes aim at soldiers’ smaller enemies

As the United States battles

global terrorism, one peculiar

enemy has come forward

which body armor can’t stop.

Leishmaniasis (LEASH-ma-

NIGH-a-sis), a parasitic disease,

is caused by the parasite

Leishmania, which lives within

the sand fly. If transferred to

mammalian hosts such as dogs,

cats, and humans, the disease becomes a potentially fatal foe.

Johanna Porter-Kelley, assistant professor of microbiology, is

researching the disease to help create treatment options for infected

civilians and soldiers. “Soldiers in tropical areas are at risk,” says

Kelley. She received a grant from the Department of Defense to

support her research into the biology of the parasite in order to

develop chemotherapeutic treatments.

While working to save lives, Dr. Kelley also is giving her assistant,

Mark Brooks ’10, a biology and pre-medicine major (in photo, above),

valuable research experience.

“Helping Dr. Kelley allows me to use what I have learned in the

classroom to solve a major problem,” says Brooks.

Rams featured on cover of AT&T Real Yellow Pages WSSU’s football team is featured on the cover of the 2009 AT&T

Real Yellow Pages directory

serving Winston-Salem and

surrounding areas. More

than 490,000 copies of the

Winston-Salem AT&T Real

Yellow Pages directory were

produced for distribution

in the area during August

and September. The

directory is also available

to current and new

residents and businesses

throughout the year.Members of the student group Black Men for Change, along with Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines (fourth from left) and Ed Hanes, associate vice chancellor (sixth from left) sport neckties from Kwame Jackson’s (formerly of “The Apprentice”) new line of ties. Hanes and Jackson were college classmates.


timeoutRAM SPORTS


The Rams and Lady Rams will play their

2009-10 home games in the friendly confines

of the historic C.E. Gaines Center on

campus after spending the past two seasons

playing the majority of their home games

off campus at the Lawrence Joel Veterans

Memorial Coliseum and the LJVM Annex. The

Gaines Center seats more than 3,000 fans.

Leading the charge this fall for the Rams

is senior guard Brian Fisher, a 6’2” senior

with a knack for scoring. Last season,

Fisher led the Rams’ attack, scoring 13.9

points per game. Also returning will be the

team’s leader in blocked shots with junior

center Paul Davis leading the defensive

charge for the Rams. Last season, Davis

led the Rams with 46 blocked shots.

The Lady Rams benefit from a host of

returnees led by a trio of juniors: Rene

Rector, MaLisa Bumpus, and Vontisha

Woods return to lead the way. Last season,

Bumpus led the Lady Rams with a 12.2

points-per-game average even as she was

limited by injuries. Guard Rector also gives

some punch to the WSSU attack. Woods will

return as the team’s third leading scorer and

leading rebounder for the second straight

season. She nearly averaged a double-double

for the season as she averaged 9.9 points

per game and 8.5 rebounds per game.

Hoop teams loaded and ready

University trustees voted in September to remain a Division II institution for intercollegiate athletics. The school will continue to compete in the Division I MEAC through the 2009-2010 season.

Chancellor Donald J. Reaves pointed to the increase in expenses for intercollegiate athletics over the last three years directly related to the transition to Division I — a move that requires its members to field at least 14 teams and the accompanying scholarships, coaches, and facilities to support them.

“As the athletics deficits continued to mount, there appeared to be no rational way we could continue the process,” Reaves said. “I believe that this is the right decision for WSSU at this point in time given our resources.

On October 2, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association voted to reinstate WSSU as a member beginning with the 2010-11 season. WSSU was a member of the CIAA for more than 60 years.

For the fiscal year that ended June 30, the Rams’ athletic program generated a deficit of approximately $1.8 million.

UNC President Erskine Bowles expressed support. “I know that Chancellor Reaves explored every viable option before reaching this difficult decision, but in the end WSSU – like every other UNC campus – must operate its athletic department on a fiscally responsible basis. And it cannot put the burden of doing so all on the backs of its students.”

Rams to return to Division II

02

Rams reach out to community

Despite full schedules, WSSU student-athletes

find time to help with youth reading programs

and other after-school activities. Through

CHAMPS (Challenging Athletes’ Minds

for Personal Success), an NCAA life skills

program, the Rams mentor community youth.

Involvement in the CHAMPS/Life Skills

program is voluntary, yet each year more than

150 WSSU student-athletes participate. In

2008-09, CHAMPS/Life Skills members and

WSSU student-athletes, coaches and athletic

administrators volunteered more than 900

hours, reaching thousands of local children.

Arthur Hardin, WSSU’s community service

coordinator, says the college students’ impact

goes far beyond helping children read or write.

“A lot of those children,” Hardin says, “don’t

have black male role models in their lives.”

Boosting interest in health careersTwelve North Carolina ninth graders from

under-represented populations got a two-

week window into healthcare careers this past

summer, thanks to a new School of Health

Sciences summer program.

WSSU’s Youth Exploring Health Sciences

(YEHS) Summer Camp is a summer

enrichment program for rising ninth graders.

Along with a two-week residency on campus

filled with hands-on experiences, the students

also shadow a health care professional near

their hometown. The free program was

sponsored by a North Carolina Glaxo Smith

Kline Foundation grant.

“We believe programs like these will make

a real difference in tomorrow’s numbers

of health care professionals from under-

represented groups and in the overall delivery

of health care,” says Marina A. Skinner,

director of the YEHS program at the School of

Health Sciences.

A wealth of programs, particularly those helping area youth, demonstrate WSSU’s commitment to serve its neighboring communities.

It Takes a Village

0206fall 2009 winston-salem state university

02

Opening teens’ eyes to entrepreneurshipWSSU’s Center for Entrepreneurship provided

career ideas, financial literacy and exposure to

entrepreneurship this past summer to 45 area

high school students who live in foster care.

The project, Teens Engaged in Aspiring

Mentorships – an Uplifting Partnership (TEAM-

UP), immersed the teens in an environment

that encouraged them to finish high school and

pursue productive careers and life options. The

weeklong program blended educational and

social activities and an opportunity to shadow

area entrepreneurs.

One highlight of the week was a game show

designed by Notis Pagiavlas, an associate

professor of marketing in WSSU’s School

of Business and Economics and director of

the Center for Entrepreneurship. The show,

“Guess What I Do For a Living,” introduced

students to professionals from various

knowledge-based industry clusters.

“Nearly two years ago, WSSU shared this

vision with the community,” Pagiavlas says of

creating TEAM-UP, “and it is shaping up to be

as good as we dreamed it.”

The program was funded with grants from

Piedmont Triad Partnership and its Workforce

Innovation in Regional Economic Development

(WIRED) program, BB&T, DataMax

Foundation, the S.G. Atkins CDC, and Social

Services via the LINKS program.

Encouraging black men to teachConvincing more African-American males to

pursue careers in education is the aim of the

university’s Real Men Teach program. In its

second year, the program counts 26 proteges

paired with male mentors — African-American

faculty, staff, and community members.

A report from the National Education Association

shows the number of male teachers is at a

40-year low. For African-American males in the

profession, the numbers are even lower.

“Having a male in the classroom who can

provide the personal, academic, and social

support for children in kindergarten through

12th grade is critical in their development,

particularly for African-American male

children,” says Dr. Cynthia Jackson-

Hammond, dean of the School of Education

and Human Performance.

Summers are quiet on the Winston-

Salem State University campus. That is,

until you bump into one of the groups of

youth, usually sporting matching string

backpacks, making their way from one

building to the next.

The campus plays host to a growing

number of programs that serve to open

young people’s minds, from elementary

students attending enrichment camps to

high school students learning the value

of staying in school and college students

gaining exposure to career possibilities.

The university’s founder, Simon Green Atkins, would be proud: Through these and other outreach efforts, Winston-Salem State reinforces its role as a good neighbor and education innovator.

“It’s really a historic tradition of civic engagement — historically black colleges and universities have been tied to community service since they were created,” says Arthur Hardin. As WSSU’s coordinator of community service since 2004, Hardin has helped thousands of students and employees arrange mentoring, tutoring, and other efforts to give back to local schools,

food banks, and other efforts — including bone marrow donations and affordable healthcare projects.

One of Hardin’s favorite recent projects was building a house in neighboring Happy Hill in the fall of 2008 for Habitat for Humanity. The project was undertaken in partnership with Dell and GMAC and brought together students, faculty & staff.

“Happy Hill was the first African-American community in Winston-Salem, and we built the house for a WSSU employee’s family,” he says.

0207

It Takes a Village

winston-salem state university fall 2009


Rodney Ellis ’99 leads the charge to keep North Carolina’s public education strong, even in the face of a weak economy.By Rudy AndersonEven while earning his undergraduate degree in middle

grades education, Rodney Ellis ’99 was a man on a mission.

Ellis served as president of the campus chapter of Student

North Carolina Association of Educators (SNCAE) and was

elected by his peers to serve as a state delegate to the

1997 National Education Association convention. During

his tenure as president of the SNCAE, the WSSU chapter

boasted the largest active membership in the state.

After graduation, Ellis worked in the

Winston-Salem Forsyth County School

System as an eighth-grade language arts

teacher at Atkins Academic Academy,

where he earned Teacher of the Year

honors for 2000-2001. In 2002, the

Winston Lake YMCA recognized Ellis with a

Black Achievers Award for his commitment

to education and community and Phi Beta

Sigma named him Man of the Year.

In 2003, the Forsyth County Association of

Educators, the local affiliate of NCAE/NEA

representing 3,000 educators in Forsyth

County, elected Ellis as its president. In 2005

he was elected district director for NCAE

Cluster 2, and the governor’s office appointed

him to serve as a member of the North

Carolina Teacher Academy Board of Trustees.

In April 2008, the North Carolina Association

of Educators, representing 67,000 educators

in the state, elected Ellis vice president.

In this role, Ellis fills in for the president at

various functions. He is also a registered

lobbyist for NCAE and meets regularly with

Governor Beverly Perdue, Superintendent

of Public Instruction June Atkinson, state

senators and members of the state House

of Representatives to communicate the

interests of educators, students, and the

education profession. In addition he serves

on a number of state education committees

and works closely with other stakeholders to

advance public education.

Ellis travels the country representing North

Carolina educators at workshops, trainings,

symposiums, conferences and conventions.

He has traveled extensively across North

Carolina to meet with representatives from


“The focus of our efforts is to make elected officials recognize that the only sound investment during economically challenging times is an investment in public education.”

— Rodney Ellis ’99, vice president, North Carolina Association of Educators

the state’s 115 school districts. He conducts

trainings on professionalism, membership

organizing and recruitment. He is often invited

to serve as a guest speaker for student and

educator events throughout the state.

If re-elected as vice president, Ellis hopes

to one day serve the NCAE as its president.

“That’s a day I look forward to,” he says.

Despite all of his awards and recognition,

Ellis isn’t sitting on his laurels. He works at

the forefront in the fight to help preserve

public school education.

“As we struggle through the most difficult

economic crisis since the great depression,

it is NCAE’s intent and the focus of our

efforts to make elected officials recognize

that the only sound investment during

economically challenging times is an

investment in public education, and the

students of North Carolina,” Ellis says.

He is concerned that budget cuts proposed

by the General Assembly include class

size increases that could result in the loss

of more than 4,000 classroom-teaching

positions in addition to more than 8,000

non-teaching positions. Legislators

are considering salary cuts, mandatory

furloughs, and reducing or eliminating

programs, resources, supplies and other

necessary education tools.

“I am very disturbed by the harm that

proposed budget cuts may have on the

students of North Carolina,” Ellis says.

“An increase in class size will double

the challenges of classroom teachers,

particularly in low-performing, high free- and

reduced-lunch and predominately minority

populated schools. “

Program cuts equate to fewer resources

for these students, he says, and position

cuts will send many of their parents and

guardians to the unemployment line.

“Personally, I’m fearful that these cuts will

have a devastating effect in the African-

American community. That fear is what

drives me to intensify my efforts to organize

our members, schools, and communities to

fight tooth and nail to protect our students

and public education.”

Where does his passion for education

come from? Ellis credits his experience

at WSSU and the influence of faculty for

his success as an educator. His list of

those he wants to thank is long, including

Dr. Dorothy Singleton for

“her encouraging words

and for helping me to

pass the Praxis test on my

first attempt”; Dr. Wilbur

Sadler “for introducing

me to NCAE as a student, recognizing

my leadership potential and encouraging

me to pursue leadership opportunities

within the association”; Dr. Manuel

Vargas, his advisor, instructor, friend

and confidant who “offered me learning

opportunities beyond the classroom,

growing opportunities in the professional

world, and the benefit of all the wisdom

he possesses”; and Dr. Francine Madrey

for her continued support of the WSSU

chapter of SNCAE serving as advisor

and never failing to invite him to her

classroom to share his experience with

future educators. He also acknowledged

his instructors in English and History

for providing the content knowledge

necessary for certification in Language

Arts and Social Studies.

“I can truly say I was prepared to ‘Depart to

Serve’ the students of North Carolina, and

nothing I have achieved would have been

possible had it not been for them.”

Throughout his career, Ellis has always

supported the education program at WSSU.

He serves on the board of directors for the

Masters in Administration program. He

remains actively involved with the student

NCAE Chapter at WSSU and frequently

returns as guest speaker for professors in

the Department of Education.

Rodney Ellis, far right, at the Forsyth County Association of Educators Day in

2005 with Reg Weaver, center, president of the National Education Association.


How Principal James Winbush ’78 turned around a troubled South Carolina high school in a few short years. By Christy Heitger

Believing is SUCCEEDING“SUCCESS HAPPENS BY CHOICE,

NOT BY CHANCE,” says James Winbush

’78, principal at Baptist Hill High School, a

Center for Partnerships to Improve Education

(CPIE) partnership school in Hollywood,

South Carolina, outside of Charleston. “We

are all responsible for our successes in life,

which we achieve through hard work

and dedication.”

Established in 1947, Baptist Hill’s student

population is 100 percent African-American,

91 percent of whom qualified for the free

and reduced lunch rate, and 14.7 percent of

whom are overage. The 454 ninth- through

twelfth-graders enrolled at Baptist Hill

haven’t always seen a direct correlation

between concerted effort and ultimate

success. However, in the last several years

their perceptions, their grades, and their

general outlook on life have all started to

change, thanks to a new direction in school

leadership. Winbush was hired as assistant

principal in July 2003, appointed interim

principal in September 2005, and named

principal in July 2006.

BECOMING A LEADER

Winbush majored in physical education

and biology at Winston-Salem State. He

received a master’s degree in personnel

administration from the University of

Oklahoma, an education-specialist degree in

principal supervision from Temple University,

and a doctorate in leadership and policy

from Temple University. He also has earned

diplomas from the Army in Commander and

General Staff College and Armed Forces

Staff College.

After serving the Army for 25 years, Winbush

taught leadership at Temple University for

four years before assuming his position at

Baptist Hill.

When Winbush first joined the faculty five

years ago, Baptist Hill — located in a rural

working-class community 22 miles south of

Charleston — was an unsatisfactory school

with low standards, poor discipline, and a

low graduation rate. Half the students didn’t

even attend class; instead, they hung out in

the hallway.

“Both the students and the teachers had

been doing wrong for so long that they

couldn’t distinguish wrong from right,”

says Winbush.

Intent on correcting the problem, Winbush

outlined a three-step action plan. The first

order of business was getting a handle on

student discipline. Winbush observed that

about 35 students were extreme discipline

problems. He made it clear that these

students needed to shape up, and fast.

At first Winbush’s words fell on deaf ears.

But soon the students knew that their leader

meant business. Ultimately, a handful of

students were expelled or transferred to the

district’s discipline school. The other students

shaped up and started behaving. Over time

students’ respect for authority has increased

— and that’s not all that has improved. In the

past five years, the percentage of teachers

and students satisfied with learning and the

school climate has jumped from 27.2 percent

to 84 percent.

The second phase of Winbush’s action plan

involved working individually with each of his

teachers to develop mandatory goals, which

include each teacher being punctual at the

start of the school day, developing a course

syllabus and lesson plans, maintaining

regular contact with parents, becoming

involved in school activities, and attending

all required meetings. Winbush also helped

encourage and reward teachers by offering

them several categories of incentives.

INCREASING EXPECTATIONS

FOR THE SCHOOL

Finally, Winbush committed to changing the

culture and expectations of the school as a

whole. This step involved the collaboration of

faculty and students to create, sustain, and

promote outstanding school programs, including:

The Advisor/Advisee Program. A class of

students and a teacher meet once a month to

discuss study skills, grades, and report cards.

Teachers also use this time to encourage

students to stay in school and graduate. The

program is an opportunity for teachers to get

to know their students better, and students

love the mentoring aspect.

Single-Gender Classrooms in the 9th Grade

Academy. This program is new this year,

and so far feedback from both teachers and

students has been positive. In the absence

of pressure to show off for the opposite sex,

the students seem to feel more comfortable

in class and less worried about how they

look, what they wear, and whom they’re

dating. As a result, students are more

focused on their studies.


Operation Success. Students receive early-

morning tutorial support to help them with

general testing strategies and, specifically,

to help them prepare for the SAT and High

School Assessment Program (HSAP).

Renaissance 2008. Students get pumped up

as they compete for trophies and prizes. This

program involves both a talent show for the

high schoolers and a spelling bee for fifth-

through eighth-graders from the community.

ENJOYING SUCCESS

Since Winbush joined the faculty five

years ago, enrollment numbers, student

performance, and graduation ratings have all

improved. Enrollment was 422 in 2002–2003

and 456 in 2006–2007. In addition, the

passage rate of the HSAP English Language

Arts rose from 65.5 percent in 2003–2004 to

83 percent in 2006–2007,

and math shot from 56.9 percent

in 2003–2004 to 77.3 percent in 2006–2007.

Certainly the students, staff members, and

faculty at Baptist Hill have achieved a great

deal of success in recent few years, but the

accomplishment in which Winbush takes the

most pride is the change in student attitude.

“I’ve always believed that every child can

succeed. The challenge was getting the

children to believe in themselves,” says

Winbush. “Now the students have seen what

they can do. They know that they can achieve.

And as a result, they are tasting success.”

Reprinted with permission from

Partnerships in Education, Spring

2008, published annually by

the Center for Partnerships

to Improve Education at the

College of Charleston.


Greetings Alumni:

Have you paid your National Alumni membership dues this year? If yes, a hearty

thanks. You deserve the “Ole SU” congratulations.

For generations, education has opened doors to untold opportunities and bright

futures. Through quality instruction and a personal commitment to hard work, we

have gone on to achieve success. Established by men and women of great vision,

leadership, and clarity of purpose, Historically Black Colleges and Universities have

provided generations of Americans with opportunity, a solid education, and hope.

The goal of the Winston-Salem State University National Alumni Association is

to provide the opportunity for alumni and supporters to unite as one body for

the purpose of promoting the growth and development of the university and

substantive actions of the association. As a membership organization, we must

continue to focus on growing our financial membership base. Please renew or join

your National Alumni Association today!

What obstacles are you facing today? Is there something in your health, your

finances, or your relationships? Is it something that’s been in your family line for

a long time? I’m challenging you today to make a difference; don’t just sit back

and accept it just because it’s been in your family line. No, today is the day for you

to rise up and change the course for generations to come. Shake off a defeated

mindset. Shake off discouraging comments. Shake off negative thoughts. You have

the seed of Almighty God on the inside of you. There is victory in your DNA. Right

past that obstacle is promotion. On the other side of that difficulty is a new level of

God’s victory.

You are a symbol of respected and esteemed individuals who “Departed to Serve.”

We are “Linked Together in Unity and Serving Together with Purpose.” Continue to

be the difference.

Sincerely,

Victor L. Bruinton ’82

National Alumni Association President

alumninews

Share your news with fellow alumni. Write to [email protected]. We welcome photos, but photo file sizes should be at least 300 dpi or 1 MB to be suitable for printing.


’60s ’69 Dr. Bettie Glenn retired from the

University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

During her tenure at UNCW, Glenn was

instrumental in using the online format for

education for the School of Nursing. Both

administratively and professionally, Glenn has dedicated 40 years of

service, with 33 of those years in baccalaureate and higher degree

programs across the US.

Upon retirement from teaching, Glenn served as associate dean

for academic affairs at UNCW. She will continue to serve nursing

education in the national arena as a member of the council and

executive committee for the national Advisory Council on Nurse

Education and Practice through 2011.

’70s ’76 Dr. Peggy Baker, Interim Chief Nursing

and Patient Care Services Officer at

Durham Regional Hospital, was honored

with the Outstanding Amy V. Cockcroft

Nurse Leadership Award by the Center for

Nursing Leadership at the University of South Carolina College

of Nursing. The award is given to graduates of the Cockcroft

Nursing Leadership Development Program who exemplify

outstanding leadership in keeping with the goals of the program

since completing the fellowship, including leading through periods

of change, building partnerships, competency in organizational

communications, resolving and negotiating conflict, and developing

alternative models of leading, managing and following in a lateral

system. Baker completed the program in 2006.

Baker holds a bachelor’s degree from WSSU and a master’s and

doctoral degrees in education from North Carolina State University.

She is enrolled in the master’s in nursing program at Duke University.

A member of the American Nurses Association, North Carolina

Nurses Association, National League for Nursing, National League for

Nursing Accrediting Commission, and Sigma Theta Tau, she serves

on the board of the Triangle Chapter, American Red Cross.

’80s ’87 Mr. Kelvin Walton was recently promoted to Director/Chief

Procurement Officer for Purchasing and Contracting for DeKalb

County, GA. Walton is the first African-American to hold this

position since the county was founded in 1822.

’90s ’91 Ms. Trice Hickman released her second book, Keeping

Secrets & Telling Lies, a sequel to her debut novel, Unexpected

Interruptions. That first book was featured in the Black Expressions

December 2008 catalog as the featured Dynamic Debut. A film

producer is reviewing the book for consideration of film rights. Trice

will be on campus for Homecoming for a book signing, Friday, Oct.

30, noon - 2 p.m.

’92 Mr. Blake Dye earned certification as a

“Senior Professional in Human Resources”

or SPHR. Awarded by the HR Certification

Institute, the designation signifies that Dye

possesses the knowledge and experience

in human resource management necessary

to pass a rigorous exam demonstrating

mastery in the field. The HR Certification

Institute is the credentialing body for human resource professionals

and is affiliated with the Society for Human Resource Management

SHRM, the world’s largest organization dedicated exclusively to the

HR profession. Dye earned a bachelor of science in urban affairs

from Winston-Salem State University. He also holds a master of

public administration with a focus in public management and higher

education administration from Appalachian State University.

’00s’07 Navy Seaman Michael W. Roseborough completed U.S. basic

training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, IL.

‘08 Alece Oxendine pursuing her master of arts in film studies

at Columbia University, New York City, and plans to finish in

February 2011.

alumninewsclass notes


George Johnson knows that he’s not

teaching the flashiest subject matter:

accounting. But the WSSU professor prides

himself on coming up with creative ways

to explain the material, giving of his time to

help students, and educating young people

in a body of knowledge that is sure to lead

to employment.

“Accounting is one of the fields where

students are almost guaranteed to find a job

after they graduate,” Johnson says. “I take a

lot of pleasure in hearing about our students’

successes in the job market.”

Johnson joined the Winston-Salem State

faculty in 1992. He left in 1996 when his

wife took a job at the University of Delaware.

When she died of cancer a few years later,

Johnson quickly accepted an invitation to

return to WSSU.

Since his return, Johnson has served stints

as division and department chair and helped

start the Beta Alpha Psi honors chapter,

working with students on activities such as

volunteer income-tax preparation. Teaching,

though, remains his true passion.

“We do a very good job with traditional

education here,” he says. “We add value

to our students’ experience. A lot of our

students have limited possibilities for

success until they come here.”

Why does Johnson donate every year to the

Winston-Salem State University annual fund?

Mostly, he is grateful.

“This university has taught me more than

I’ve ever taught my students,” he says. “The

students here have given me a wealth of

experience and perspective.”

donorspotlightWSSU Faculty Who Give Back

Carole Winston, Ph.D., LCSWDirector, Maya Angelou Institute for the Improvement of Child and Family Education Associate Professor of Social Work; donor, Cunningham & Winston Family Endowed Scholarship

George Johnson, Ph.D.Associate Professor of Accounting, School of Business and Economics, 12-year Annual Fund donor

Under Carole Winston’s leadership, WSSU’s

Maya Angelou Institute for the Improvement

of Child and Family Education has taken a

broad view of literacy in children and families.

Recent initiatives have included teaching water

safety to second graders at Petrie Elementary,

bringing city third-graders to Winston-Salem

Symphony performances, and a proposal to

pair fourth-grade girls with their mothers for a

holistic program involving exercise, nutrition,

gardening, a book club, and support group.

“My interest is in reaching children who are

underserved,” Winston says. “Literacy is

often at the core, because children who don’t

read well will fall behind.”

Winston’s job involves everything from grant

writing to working with WSSU students as they

perform community service for public schools.

“Winston-Salem State University is a good

school, students can get an excellent

education here. Our students really want to

do something with their lives. Many of them

come from families where going to college

isn’t part of the tradition, and I know that can

be a struggle,” Winston says.

Winston also supports students with her

endowment of the Cunningham & Winston

Family scholarship fund in honor of her

parents. “I’ve been very fortunate because

I’ve had people in my life who have been

very supportive — my parents, teachers,

colleagues. I’ve traveled and received a good

education,” she says. “My parents were civil

servants, and I learned from their example.

They gave to others all their lives. Part of

what I’ve always understood is that what I

have, I have to give back.”


SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 200910:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.Community Service DayRecognized Student Organizations Committee

9:00 P.M. - 2:00 A.M.Homecoming Concert/Kick-Off PartyFeaturing The Dream, Dorrough, and The New BoyzHosted by Kyle Santillian, B-Daht and Afrika (The 102 Jamz Morning Show)Gaines Center, doors open at 8:30 p.m.Student Government AssociationStudent Advance: $15 / Student Door: $20General: $25 / Ticket Package: $10

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 20096:00 P.M.The Sins of My Father (Gospel Play)K.R. Williams AuditoriumAlpha Nu Omega/Office of Campus AffairsStudent Advance: Free / Student Door: $3General: $5 / Ticket package: Free

8:30 P.M.Lighting of the SignHosted by Ray “Mr. Breezeway” JohnsonThompson Center Hill (in front of the rotunda)Office of Campus Life

MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 20097:00 P.M.Homecoming Comedy ShowHosted by Marcus Combs, featuring De Ray Davis, Roz G & Marcus CombsMusic by DJ CuttzK.R. Williams AuditoriumStudent Advance: $8Student Door: $10General: $15Ticket package: $7Campus Activities Board

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 20097:30 P.M.Casino NightWhitaker GymStudent Advance: $1Student Door: $2 / Ticket package: FreeCampus Actvities BoardCLMC & Campus Recreations

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 20098:45 A.M.Wreath Placing CeremonyS.G. Atkins StatueConvocations Committee9:45 A.M.Founder’s Day ConvocationK.R. Williams AuditoriumConvocation Committee

11:30 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.Alumni Check-in & RegistrationThompson Center 207National Alumni Association

12:30 P.M.Founder’s Day LuncheonAnderson Center (by invitation only)Chancellor’s Office

2:00 P.M.Mini Parade and Pep RallyHosted by B-Daht & DJ Von DutchClock TowerRagin’ Rams, Office of Student Activities, and CLMC

3:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M.SOHS Open HousePick-up between F.L. Atkins & Atkinson Buildings on Cromartie StreetSchool of Health Sciences

7:00 P.M.Alumni Hall of DistinctionInduction& ReceptionBenton Convention CenterNational Alumni Association

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 20097:00 P.M.CoronationK.R. Williams AuditoriumOffice of Student Activities

9:30 P.M.Royal BallMcNeil Ballroom (Anderson Center)Office of Student Activities

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 20098:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M.Return to ServeCampus and Thompson CenterNational Alumni Association, Career Services, and Alumni Relations

3:00 P.M.Mr. & Miss Alumni TeaSundance Hotel & Spa, W-S(by invitation only)National Alumni Association

6:30 P.M.50th Class Reunion DinnerEmbassy Suites, Gaines RoomAlumni Relations

9:00 P.M.The Red and Black AffairFeaturing Jeremih and Gav BeatsMillennium Center; downtown W-SStudent Advance: $10; Student Door: $15; General: $20 / Ticket package: $8 SGA

8:30 P.M.Mr. & Miss Alumni CrowningBenton Convention CenterNational Alumni Association

9:15 P.M.Homecoming GalaBenton Convention CenterTickets: $50National Alumni Association

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 200910:00 A.M.WSSU ParadeDowntown Winston-Salem; 4th and Poplar

12:30 P.M.Alumni Check-inBowman Gray Stadium tailgate areaNational Alumni Association

2:00 P.M.WSSU vs. Hampton Football Game/Tailgate Bowman Gray Stadium

5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.Mighty Rams Den GatheringThompson Center Pitt (rain site: Whitaker Gym)University Advancement

7:30 P.M.Homecoming Step ShowK.R. WilliamsNPHCStudent Advance: $7Door: $10General: $15

9:30 P.M.Ram Victory ExtravaganzaBenton Convention CenterAlumni Assoc. Members (w/ valid card): $20 General: $25National Alumni Association

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2009Worship ServiceYour Choice

7:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M.Flapjack Breakfast Applebees (near Hanes Mall)Office of Campus Life

15 winston-salem state university fall 2009

Homecoming Highlights 2009

Be sure to come out for the Vendor Fair: food, beverages, and merchandise. Oct. 30, 11 a.m.- 8 p.m and Oct. 31, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Visit us on the Web: www.ramhomcoming.com

Watch fun videos of students and alumni sharing what they love about Homecoming, check the complete schedule of events, and more!


alumninewsin memoriam

Ms. Cherevita Rachelle McCaskil January 17, 2009

Mr. Anthony Tyrone Hardin March 17, 2009

Mr. Larry B. Smith March 17, 2009

Ms. Barbara H. Edwards ’71 March 18, 2009

Mrs. Claree Joyce Miller ’52 March 24, 2009

Mrs. Bernice Moore Parker ’44 April 3, 2009

Rev. Ozella Naylor Cato April 4, 2009

Mr. Ronnie Wayne Hardin April 5, 2009

Rev. Lee Money April 9, 2009

Mr. Willie Austin, Jr. April 21, 2009

Mrs. Donnie Booze Wall April 21, 2009

Mr. Garland S. Brice ’78 April 24, 2009

Mrs. Mamie Louise Matthews Jarrett April 28, 2009

Mr. Theodore ‘Ted’ Ivy McClennon May 2, 2009

Mr. Clinton Leon Totten ’63 May 4, 2009

Mr. Steven A. Williams May 22, 2009

Mrs. Yolanda Umstead Tate ’74 June 3, 2009

Mr. Stephen Hugh Wolfe June 11, 2009

Mrs. Adelaide Davis Earp ’50 June 16, 2009

Ms. Linda N. Bennett ’04 June 22, 2009

Ms. Dorcas E. Carter June 26, 2009

Mr. Luther A. Johnson, Jr. ’93 June 26, 2009

Mrs. Brenda Poole Moses ’88 June 30, 2009

Mrs. Shirley Franklin Pickard July 1, 2009

Mrs. Nina Bailey Steele ’41 July 13, 2009

Mrs. Augusta Moore Rogers ’48 July 21, 2009

Ms. Brenda A. Green ’73 July 28, 2009

Correction to Summer 2009 In Memoriam: Rev. Richard “Reb” Baxter ’78 died January 8, 2009.

Former Unsung Heroes Niathan Allen, left, and Theodore Blunt ’65 present a plaque

of all “Big House” Gaines Unsung Hero award winners to Tonia Walker, interim

director of athletics, during the sixth annual Big House Gaines Awards Gala in June.

It has been an exciting year for me as Miss Alumni 2008 for my marvelous

alma mater. Reaching this goal after 36 years of reciting our university’s

motto, “Enter to learn. Depart to serve,” exemplified my continued

support for one of the greatest historically black universities.

No one can ever take away the great pride and love that I have for Winston-Salem

State University. I will forever cherish the notes and letters of support, the kind

words of encouragement, and the good deeds given to me during my reign.

WSSU will always need our support and involvement. The tremendous

progress at this university is shown each day in its students, classrooms,

campus construction, and scholarship funding. I have always felt that I can

make a difference. We all can make a difference. We continue to need

ambassadors to participate in activities, fund scholarships, donate time, give

financially, and encourage students to graduate from this great institution.

Our National Alumni Association motto is “Linked

together in unity. Serving together with purpose.” We

cannot continue to succeed without alumni, friends,

and family working together. Let’s serve WSSU with

new ideas and more contributions. Even if you can

only give a dollar, please give, and participate in the

university surveys, attend meetings, and athletic

games. We can only progress with the help from

our friends. — Jacqueline Pittman Cureton ’73

Fond Farewell from Miss Alumni ’08


Shaun Trotter grew up in the small

eastern North Carolina town of Trenton.

He was a three-sport athlete in high

school, but he knew he wanted to focus

on academics once he got to college.

As an exercise science major at

Winston-Salem State, he has combined

his love of athletics with his interest

.gnittes lacinilc a ni elpoep gnipleh ni

He plans to pursue a master’s and

possibly a doctoral degree in

physical therapy after he graduates

from WSSU in May 2010.

“From the time I was a toddler, my mother

instilled in me the importance of academics.

But I knew she wouldn’t be able to afford

my tuition as a single parent. I am so

appreciative of my scholarship. Otherwise

I’m not sure I’d even be in college.”

CHANGE LIVES

When you endow a scholarship at Winston-Salem State University, you open doors of opportunity for students like Shaun.

For more information on how you can make a difference, contact Michelle Cook, [email protected], 336-750-2184.

ENDOW A SCHOLARSHIP

SHAUN TROTTER ’10Exercise Science major, School of Education and Human PerformanceMr. Senior, Royal Court; Chancellor’s Scholar

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Office of Marketing and CommunicationsWinston-Salem State University310 Blair HallWinston-Salem, NC 27110

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take a minute – the connections could last a lifetime.

visit www.wssu.edu/connect

Archway Fall 2009

Documents

Transcript of Archway Fall 2009