NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY®

WWAAVVEESSMAKING

January 2014, Issue 24

Achieving Excellence. Success Beyond Measure.

A Newsletter for Faculty, Staff, Alumni and Friends of Norfolk State University

Williams Receives Outstanding Faculty Award

Dr. Frances Williams, NSU associate professor ofengineering, was among the recipients of the 2013Outstanding Faculty Award presented by the StateCouncil of Higher Education for Virginia andDominion Resources. The Outstanding Faculty Awardis the Commonwealth’s highest honor for faculty atVirginia’s public and private colleges and universitiesand recognizes superior accomplishments inteaching, research and public service. Dr.Williams was one of 12 recognized statewide.It was the second consecutive year that aNorfolk State University faculty memberreceived the award.

A year before this distinction, Dr. Williams was named an EmergingScholar by Diverse: Issues in HigherEducation in 2012. She was recognizedby Norfolk State University in 2010 witha Distinguished Faculty Award, receivingthe University Award of Excellence—thehighest University faculty award at thattime. In 2012, Dr. Williams wasrecognized by the NSU Board of Visitors for her innovation.

Norfolk State’s Spartan Success Center: Compass that Points Way to Achievement

The year saw the beginnings of theSpartan Success Center. The Centerwas conceived as a new resource inthe University’s efforts to helpstudents improve their academicachievement and reduce time todegree completion. It serves as acompass to guide students in theiracademic journey to graduation.Housed in the James BowserBuilding, the Success Center assistsstudents in becoming moreindependent, self-confident andefficient learners through academicsupport systems.

When the center was conceived, it wasanticipated that this comprehensiveeffort would increase the fall 2012

freshman cohort retention rate by 1.5 percent by September 30, 2013, and decrease the attrition rate of the fall 2011 freshman cohort by 1 percent. Ultimately, by September 30, 2017, the major objectives were to increase the retention rate for the freshman cohort from 73 percent to 80 percent and increase the six-year graduation rate for freshmen whoentered the University in fall 2011 from 34 percent to 40 percent.

2013 Year in ReviewThe year 2013 has come and gone—quickly for some and not quickly enough for others. Here is a look back at some of the stories that shaped theUniversity over the past 12-month calendar year from awards to new initiatives. This is the year that was.

Outstanding NSUFaculty RecognizedNorfolk State University held its second Faculty Convocationwhere faculty members werehonored for their scholarship,research, teaching and service. In addition, the newest emeritifaculty members were alsorecognized. The convocationincluded three main awards —University Professor, the mostdistinguished award given tofaculty; Distinguished FacultyAward for Teaching; and theDistinguished Faculty Award forService. The recipients were Dr. George Hsieh, UniversityProfessor; Dr. Enrique Zapatero,Distinguished Faculty Award forTeaching; and Dr. Glendola Mills-Parker, Distinguished FacultyAward for Service. The followingseven retirees were givenemeritus status: Inez Howard,

Dr. Dong Soo Kim, Dr. Mou-Liang Kung, Dr. Carole V. Morris, Dr. Augustine I. Okonkwo, Dr. Jesse Pendleton and Dr. Barbara U. Wilson Walker.

NSU Designated as VetSuccess SiteVeterans seeking to obtain a collegedegree at Norfolk State Universityfound a dedicated place where theycould get the answers they need. NSUwas among a handful of colleges anduniversities that were designated tohave a VetSuccess on Campus site.The VetSuccess on Campus program’sgoal is to help veterans succeed intheir educational programs and transitionto suitable employment in the civilian workforce. At the time, the HamptonRoads area was the only region to have the program in Virginia.

In addition to the many programs offered through the University’s Office ofVeterans Affairs, VetSuccess provides a dedicated liaison, with the U.S.Department of Veterans Affairs who can answer questions and help Vetsnavigate the system more efficiently.

Making Waves 2

Making Waves is publishedby the Office of Communications

and Marketing.

(757) 823-8373

Eddie N. Moore, Jr.Interim President and CEO

Deborah C. FontaineInterim Vice President

for University Advancement

Cheryl Bates-LeeAVP of University Relations

Regina LightfootEditor

Stevalynn AdamsStan Donaldson, Jr.Christopher Setzer

MAKING

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WAVESWAVES

Donecia Lawson

Hill Harper EncouragesStudents to ManifestTheir Destinies

Actor and author Hill Harper spoke at NSUin February. Harper, founder of ManifestYour Destiny, told students that they arethe architects of their lives and that theyhad the power to control their destinies.Harper visited the campus as part of theNew Lyceum Speaker Series.

McSwain Takes Helm as Extended Learning Dean

Dr. Arletha McSwain was named dean of the School ofExtended Learning (SEL). In this position, she providesleadership and academic expertise to support the design,development, and execution of the distance educationprograms in keeping with accreditation and federalguidelines.

During her tenure as interim dean, Norfolk State University’sdistance education programs received the Quality Standards Certificationoffered by the United States Distance Learning Association.

Arletha McSwain

Dr. Enrique Zapatero Associate Professor

Distinguished Faculty Award for Teaching

Dr. Glendola Mills-Parker Associate Professor

Distinguished Faculty Award for Service

Dr. George HsiehProfessor

University Professor

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University Establishes CZAR PositionOverseeing Student Retention, Graduation

Dr. Eleanor Hoy was named University Retention Czar. As the retention czar, it is Dr. Hoy’s job to get students acrossthe finish line—degree completion. In making that a reality,she helps fulfill another one of her job’s missions—raisingNSU’s graduation rate. Her position is just one more wayNorfolk State is working to increase its retention andgraduation rates.

She believes by contacting students and former students one-on-one thatshe and her counterparts can make a difference. Dr. Hoy is concentrating onthree groups: students who participated in commencement, but did not gettheir degrees; students who plan to participate in commencement but maynot have all the necessary requirements to get their degrees; and studentswho may lose their financial aid because they are not making satisfactoryacademic progress.

Dr. Eleanor Hoy

Four Alumni Recognized As Distinguished

Norfolk State University honored four graduates who demonstratedexemplary leadership in their professions and in the community. Thesealumni are considered to personify the mission and goals of the Universityand were recognized at the Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner held at theNSU Student Center.

The honorees were: Sen. Yvonne B. Miller,’54, honored posthumously for herefforts in strengthening the well-being of children and families as well as inchampioning programs that addressed many societal ills; Tony Greene,’86, a deputy program manager for a major Lockheed Martin developmentprogram; Devon Henry, ’00, president of Team Henry Enterprises LLC; and Dr. Patricia Saunders Nixon, ’78 and ’88, NSU associate professor of musicand vocal performer.

Sen. Yvonne B. Miller,’54 Tony Greene, ’86 Devon Henry, ’00 Dr. Patricia SaundersNixon, ’78 and ’88

Foundation Awards NSU $120,000 Grant

Norfolk State University received a $120,000 grant from the RobertWood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) to help fill the need for highlyeducated nurses. The grant allows underrepresented students toreceive nursing degrees as well as provide a path for students whoalready have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in another field to enterthe nursing profession. This award will help students enrolled in theaccelerated second degree to the bachelor of science in nursingprogram during the 2013-14 academic year.

Provided through the New Careers in Nursing Scholarship Program(NCIN), the grant will also help develop nurse leaders. Norfolk State hasbeen participating in the NCIN program since its inception during 2007-08 and has received grants for four of the six program years.

Film Students Capture Church Street’s History

Church Street—A Community Legacy was the culminating project for the 14 students who took part in the intensive, three-week Legacy MediaInstitute, a partnership between NSU and alumnus Tim Reid, actor, producer and filmmaker. The Institute, housed in the Department of Mass Communications and Journalism, provides students with real-worldexperience in the filmmaking industry.

The young filmmakers—12 NSU students, one from London and anotherfrom Richard Bland College in Petersburg, Va.—premiered the documentaryat the Institute’s closing ceremony. Norfolk’s Church Street was once avibrant business center within the African-American community. Thestudents incorporated what they’ve learned into this production and helpedto preserve history that might have just faded away.

Making Waves

Making Waves

New Finance Vice President Begins Work

Gerald Hunter, NSU’s vice president for finance andadministration, began work in September. In this role, he isresponsible for managing NSU’s annual operating budget,establishing current financial policies and procedures as wellas overseeing capital and infrastructure improvements for allunits, divisions and departments of the University.

Additionally, Hunter provides leadership and oversight forkey financial and business areas including auxiliary services, bursar, humanresources, controller, planning and budget, facilities management, payroll,procurement services, risk management and campus police.

Gerald Hunter

Campus Community Meets Interim President

Interim President and CEO Eddie N. Moore Jr. took two days out of his firstweek on campus to meet students, faculty and staff. On Tuesday, Sept. 24,students who were eating lunch in Scott-Dozier Dining Hall had the chance to meet and talk with Moore.

He continued his campus introduction by meeting with faculty and staff on Thursday, Sept. 26, in a packed room in the Student Center. He lookedrelaxed as he emphasized to those in attendance that he is at Norfolk Stateto make improvements and restore the public’s trust.

Online Organizations Recognize NSUfor Degree Programs, as Good Investment

Norfolk State University was recognized for its ability to deliver excellentprograms as well as for graduates receiving a return on their investment in adegree from the University. Affordable CollegesOnline.org (ACOnline) rankedNorfolk State University as a top college in Virginia for return on investment.The ranking identified the 28 Virginia colleges where degrees pay off themost. Students who graduate from these colleges earn more over theirlifetimes, on average, than graduates from other Virginia institutions. NSU ranked 24th.

In addition, BestOnlineColleges.org recognized NSU’s special educationdegree program as one of the best in the nation for the 2013-2014 academicyear. A leading resource for online education, BestOnlineColleges.orgreleased its lists, which were compiled from data and surveys aboutprograms across the nation, gathered and analyzed over the course of the2012-2013 academic year.

New School of Graduate Studiesand Research Names Miller new Dean

Dr. George E. Miller, the first dean of NSU’s new School of Graduate Studies and Research, began work in October. Dr. Miller has 35 years of

experience in higher education in the classroom and inadministration. He played a significant role in developingNSU’s Center for Materials Research and served as thecenter director for four years.

Over his career, Dr. Miller has been awarded $30million in grants from federal agencies and privatefoundations and sources. Most notably, grantsfrom the U.S. Department of Energy and NASAprovided initial funding to start NSU’s Center forMaterials Research. During his 11 years at NSU

(1987- 1998), Dr. Miller played a significant rolein developing the Center for MaterialsResearch. He led the three-person team thatconceptualized and developed the MaterialsResearch Laboratory and was the principal

investigator and writer of the grantfor the construction of the

Dr. George E. Miller

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NSU Nursing Graduates Achieve High LicensurePassing Rate for the Third Quarter Exam

Norfolk State University students who graduated from the bachelor’s degree program had a more than 90 percent passing rate on the nursingexam for the July 1–September 30 quarter.

According to the Virginia Board of Nursing report for the past quarter, 21 graduates sat for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) with 19 receiving a passing score,equaling a 90.5 percent pass rate. For the quarter, NSU outscored otherbachelor of science in nursing programsin state schools such as VirginiaCommonwealth University, University of Virginia, Old Dominion University and George Mason University, as well as local schools such as Sentara Collegeof Health Sciences and both HamptonUniversity campuses.

NCLEXEXAM

approximately 18,000 square-foot Materials Sciences Research ScienceBuilding, which at that time, enabled the University to expand its researchcapability and provided the first significant Science, Technology, Engineeringand Mathematics facility in 30 years.

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NSU held its homecoming Oct. 27-Nov. 3. The homecoming theme was Remember the Time…NSU Homecoming 2013. The week was filledwith activities and events for students and alumni. Each of theUniversity’s colleges and schools held homecoming receptions for their alumni. A step show, jazz concert, a student concert, gospel show,golf tournament and homecoming dances were also part of homecoming activities.

Two Department of Mass Communications and Journalism graduates—Jonathan A. Mason,’ 95, and Alveta Ewell, ’79, served as the grandmarshal and the honorary grand marshal of the homecoming parade,which took place on Saturday, Nov. 2, while NSU took on Florida A&M in the homecoming football game.

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HOMECOMING RECAP