to D’Walla Simmons Burke, director of choral and vocal studies, on the selection of two of her students, Janae Williams and Norma Adams, to represent WSSU in the John F. Kennedy Center performance of the 105 Voices of History National Concert Choir on Sunday, August 30. These students will be attached to the Southern Region of the choir.
to WSSU faculty and staff who participated in the mini-campaign to support the Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. The week-long campaign raised more than $3,800. A big thank you to all who supported the campaign.
to Dr. Elva Jones, Computer Science Department chair, on receipt of a North Carolina Space grant of $20,000 through its Workforce Development and Higher Education Support grant. Three student awards totaling $19,000 were also made to Michael Moran, Keith Parker, and Kristen Dunlap. NC Space Grant is a consortium of eleven academic institutions that have gathered together to promote, develop, and support aeronautics and space-related science, engineering, and technology education and training in North Carolina. Partnering with NASA, industry, non-profit organizations, and state government agencies, NC Space Grant conducts programs that are designed to equip the current and future aero/space workforce in North Carolina.
Notis Pagiavlas provides instruction to students in the TEAM UP project.
For many high school students, getting a grasp of financial literacy concepts, picking a career or starting a business can be quite challenging even with strong family support. The challenge becomes even greater if the student is in foster care. But a new project spearheaded by Winston-Salem State University’s Center for Entrepreneurship to provide career information and exposure to entrepreneurial opportunities for high school students in foster care will make their challenge less daunting.
The Teens Engaged in Aspiring Mentorships – an Uplifting Partnership (TEAM-UP) project is a week-long (June 12-19) program immersing 45 foster care children from five counties into an environment to influence their decisions to finish high school and pursue productive careers and life options, through a blend of educational and social activities to enhance awareness, knowledge, and appreciation of what it takes to succeed within the free enterprise system.
The project is supported through a series of grants from Piedmont Triad Partnership (PTP) 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. The students will be treated to overnight stays at the Children’s Home-Brantley Retreat Center, continental breakfasts, shopping trips to area malls to hone their budgeting skills while performing marketing analyses, instruction in financial literacy, budgeting, use of technology and personal credit, excursions to theme parks, area businesses and state legislative offices.
Beverly Johnson Lindsay, an instructor in the management department of WSSU's School of Business and Economics, lends a helping hand with instruction.
In addition, these students will be exposed to entrepreneurial opportunities, career games, instructed in leadership attributes, teamwork, project management, personal responsibility and the opportunity to shadow area entrepreneurs. A highlight of the project is 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 is titled “Guess What I Do For a Living” and will give students an opportunity to engage professionals from various knowledge-based industry clusters and learn about what each occupation requires to succeed and prosper.
“Nearly two years ago WSSU shared this vision with the community and it is shaping up to be as good as we dreamed it,” said Pagiavlas. “My hope is that volunteers from the community will support what we are trying to accomplish. We really need them to make this program work.”
Participants in the program are high school juniors and seniors and range in age from 16 to 18 years old. Their selection is based on their age, level of maturity, level of participation in local LINKS programs and services, their availability to participate in pre and post week educational activities, and a written essay justifying his or her selection.
For more information about the project contact Dr. Pagiavlas at 336-692-5272 or email him at pagiavlasno@wssu.edu
Model demonstrates how equipment is used to monitor movement.
Winston-Salem State University’s (WSSU) School of Health Sciences and Wake Forest University School of Medicine (WFUSM) are collaborating on a Human Performance and Biodynamics Laboratory that merges teaching with technology and multi-disciplinary research with clinical treatment.
Physical therapists, physicians, biomedical engineers and medical students will be able to measure and evaluate motion during a variety of different activities. Researchers will focus on investigation of musculoskeletal diseases, evaluation of orthopedic implants and surgical techniques, rehabilitation approaches, and sports capabilities.
This 2,000-square-foot laboratory recently opened in the Piedmont Plaza I building at 1920 West First Street in Winston-Salem. The facility brings together the talents of two dynamic and internationally recognized faculty in the areas of education, research and clinical services related to human movement.
The two directors of the laboratory are Judy L. Foxworth, P.T., Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Physical Therapy in WSSU’s School of Health Sciences, and Martin Tanaka, Ph.D. (Biomedical Engineering), an instructor in WFUSM’s Department of Orthopedic Surgery.
“This initiative provides the ideal interactions that encourage academic and intellectual pursuits, promote collaborative projects and create a sense of community, where students and faculty from both institutions contribute to and benefit from knowledge creation and dissemination process,” said Teresa Conner-Kerr, Ph.D., WSSU professor and chair of the Department of Physical Therapy (PT).
“Since physical therapists, biomedical engineers, medical students and orthopedic surgeons are all involved in the lab, we are better positioned to solve challenging problems that are often multi-disciplined in nature,” said Dr. Tanaka.
The lab includes a state-of-the-art 10-camera system to capture body motion. In addition, force plates located in the floor are used to calculate net forces within the ankle, knee, and hip joints. Walking, running, throwing, jumping, kicking and swinging can all be analyzed. Electromyographic (EMG) equipment will also be used to evaluate muscle activation during activities.
Additional equipment in the motion laboratory includes a comprehensive “pedar” system to accurately and reliable measures pressure distribution between the foot and shoe or prosthetic and residual limb during walking or other higher level activities, a metabolic cart for assessment of oxygen consumption during exercise, a Neurocom Balance Master to isolate the various components of balance, a treadmill, exercise bike, a dance barre, a Pilates table, and an immersion virtual reality system.
This high-technology laboratory will help patients resolve loss-of-balance issues or manage hip or knee pain due to osteoarthritis or following surgery. The equipment will also allow faculty to research prosthetic devices and mobility issues to assist returning veterans with recovery.
“The laboratory will play a key role for WSSU in the education of graduate physical therapy students providing access to the latest in human movement analysis equipment, and the ability to work with an interdisciplinary team to evaluate evidence based practices” said Dr. Foxworth.
For the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, the lab will provide the ability to conduct research on how disease, surgery and treatments affect movement. “For example, we would like to know more about how a surgery affects the patient’s ability to perform activities,” said Tanaka. “This can be done by comparing results from analyses conducted prior to and following surgery.”
Of particular interest are detecting subtle differences during high performance activities and evaluating of high performance prosthetics to detect differences that are not noticeable with visual inspection alone. The laboratory is a resource for research and education of graduate and medical students, as well as for residents and fellows.
If you would like to learn more about the motion lab click on this link http://www.wssu.edu/nr/rdonlyres/vault/MooV/Motion%20Capture%20Video/PhySciBioDynLab.mov
Chancellor Donald Reaves presents Attorney Beverly R. Mitchell a plaque in honor of her service to WSSU.
announced recently that she would retire as General Legal Counsel of Winston-Salem State University effective June 30, 2009.
A surprise retirement party was thrown in her honor in the chancellor’s boardroom on Friday, June 19, following the WSSU Board of Trustee’s meeting. “We simply wanted to say thank you to Beverly for her many years of service to the university and the community at large,” said Chancellor Donald Reaves. “We wish her all the best in any of her future endeavors.”
Mitchell, who was previously owner of a general civil practice firm, was named legal counsel at WSSU in July 2000, bringing to the position at that time more than two decades of diverse management, civil, legal and professional experience.
Before opening her private practice, she had served as associate director of the Raleigh Community Relations Commission, where she developed an effective dropout prevention program for the City of Raleigh that reduced significantly the dropout rate and increased parent involvement in the public schools. As a former project director with the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, she was instrumental in creating a network of people from highly diverse backgrounds and positions to work together to enhance the business community through the development of seminars, workshops, conferences and neighborhood meetings.
In Winston-Salem, Mitchell has worked in numerous civic leadership roles, including membership on the boards of the United Way of Forsyth County, Mechanics and Farmers Bank, Mediation Services of Forsyth County, City of Winston-Salem Human Relations Commission, Legal Aid Society of Northwest North Carolina, and the North Carolina Council on the Status of Women, and Experiment in Self-Reliance, Inc.
Mitchell is the recipient of a number of community leadership and outstanding service awards.
Mitchell attended Bennett College in Greensboro. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from Wake Forest University School of Law.
She is a member of the North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers, North Carolina State Bar. She has served as President of the Forsyth County Bar Association, and 21st Judicial Bar. In addition, Mitchell is a member of and has served as past president of the Winston-Salem Bar Association. She was also a member of the North Carolina General Statutes Commission, where she served for six years as an appointee of the Governor.
Charles Searles: Universal Reflections of Color and Rhythm
Charles Searles: Universal Reflections of Color and Rhythm exhibition has return to Winston-Salem State University’s Diggs Gallery by popular demand.
The exhibition, which will be on display through September 12, includes colorful and rhythmic paintings, relief works, and sculptures from 30 years of the artist’s career.
“Searles’ work reflects the universal rhythms of human nature; they are bold, expressive, and celebratory of global cultures. The influence of dance and music as universal languages is evident throughout his colorful canvases and often larger than life sculptures,” explains Belinda Tate, director of Diggs Gallery.
Charles Searles (1937-2004) was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, to a middle class family who sheltered him from the harshness of racism. It was not until he joined the armed forces in the 1950’s that he witnessed the stark differences in how blacks and whites were treated. After the army, he returned to Philadelphia to pursue a career in the arts and later graduated with a degree from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. His early work, characterized by muted and somber tones, expressed the more bleak aspects of racism, poverty and segregation in America. His first hand views of Jim Crow initially propelled him toward black power groups like the Nation of Islam. This group inspired him to learn more about Africa.
Ironically, his actual travel to Ghana, Nigeria and Morocco beginning in the early 1970’s steered him toward a deeper understanding of the universal nature of mankind. Through his new education in African history and culture, he gained an appreciation of European, Asian, and Native American cultures. The artist also found a new spiritual focus that allowed him to unleash his creativity in a direction that allowed him to speak to all mankind. “I am concerned with making work that feels integrated and crosses cultures,” said Charles Searles.
Charles Searles work has been seen in numerous one-person and group exhibitions throughout the United States and abroad. He is represented in many museums including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, National Museum of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC; The Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists, Boston, MA; Afro-American Historical and Cultural Museum, Philadelphia; Howard University Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, Montclair Museum of Art, New Jersey; Dallas Museum of Art; and Charlottenborg Museum, Copenhagen, Denmark. Searles also created numerous pieces of public art including murals and sculptures in Philadelphia and New York City.
Cortney Wilson (left) looks on, as ScottCares Foundation founder, Scott Abdul-Salaam presents award to Dr. Cynthia Jackson Hammond, dean of the WSSU School of Education and Human Performance and Holly Madrey (right), coordinator of the Real Men Teach program.
Winston-Salem State University was well represented at the Third Annual ScottCares Foundation’s 2009 Scholarship and Humanitarian Awards banquet held in June in Winston-Salem. In addition to awarding scholarships to 10 high school graduates who will major in the field of arts, the Foundation also recognizes individuals or groups who exemplify compassion, astounding achievements and tireless contributions in each of the organization’s focus areas – education, technology, the arts and community.
Dr. Cynthia Jackson Hammond, Dean of the School of Education and Human Performance and founder of Real Men Teach, was honored in the education field along with Ms. Holly Madrey, program coordinator, and the Real Men Teach Program.
Real Men Teach was recognized for its efforts to support male students at WSSU who want to be teachers. It was noted that it was Dr. Hammond’s vision to support males entering the field by providing strong mentoring for them in the community and in academics. Ms. Madrey was recognized for coordinating all aspects of the program.
Dr. Carol Strohecker, director of the Center for Design Innovation, receiving award from Abdul-Salaam for the humanitarian honoree in the technology field.
Dr. Carol Strohecker was the humanitarian honoree in the technology field. As director of the UNC Center for Design Innovation, she is leading the effort to create a catalyst for moving the Triad area into becoming a preeminent design center that sets an international example of how design can be an engine for economic development. The Center for Design Innovation is an inter-institutional research center of UNC building on the strengths of Winston-Salem State, the UNC School of the Arts and Forsyth Technical Community College.
In honoring The Women’s Fund of Winston-Salem for its community service, the ScottCares Foundation recognized the contribution to the organization made by Michelle Cook, vice chancellor for university advancement at WSSU. Cook was one of five women who came together in 2005 to develop the vision for a women’s philanthropy initiative in Winston-Salem. The Fund provides grants to local programs and initiatives that address the root causes of social issues impacting women and girls in Forsyth County.
The honoree in the arts was Robert Moody, music director for the Winston-Salem Symphony. Moody has been instrumental in bringing the Winston-Salem Symphony to the K. R. Williams Auditorium as part of the organization’s community outreach efforts.
(Pictured Left to Right) awardees Bill Green and Sylvia Oberle for Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County; Captains Bill Cobb and Connie Southern; DeQuanta Malone; Karen Redding; and Velma Terry accepting award for Robert Lang; and CCS interim director Alvin Atkinson.
The Center for Community Safety (CCS) of Winston-Salem State University held its fourth Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Community Safety Awards Celebration in May 15. Individuals and organizations were honored for their worthwhile efforts to make Winston-Salem/Forsyth County a safer place to live, learn, work, and play.
The Community Safety Awards are presented every other year, and at this year’s event, named “A New Beginning”, the featured speaker was Judge Todd Burke, Forsyth County Superior Court Judge. Remarks were also made by Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines.
Awards were presented in the following categories to:
Karen Redding – Resident Award
To an individual 18 and over who lives in a Weed and Seed neighborhood or other area where CCS and its partners work, and through actions and leadership efforts is making his or her neighborhood a safer and better place to live.
Captains Bill Cobb and Connie Southern – Law Enforcement Service Award
For a law enforcement officer who exhibits leadership qualities and best exemplifies community policing in a Weed and Seed neighborhood or other area where CCS and its partners work.
Robert Lang – Sylvia Oberle Advocate Award
For an individual who works or volunteers in a Weed and Seed neighborhood or other area where CCS and its partners work, and has exemplified leadership and support of community safety initiatives.
Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County – Organizational Leadership Award
For a business, government agency, or community organization that has distinguished itself from others in crime prevention and community development in order to make our neighborhoods safer and a better place to live, learn, work, and play.
DeQuanta Malone – Youth Leadership Award
To an individual, age 11-17, who has demonstrated exceptional leadership through vision, courage, commitment, and inspiration and who has made a positive impact in a Weed and Seed neighborhood or other area where CCS and its partners work.
The Community Safety Awards event also recognized the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Community Safety Partnership, a forty-plus member collaborative which has provided outreach and services to improve safety in our communities since 2003.
The event was held at Family Services Inc. of Forsyth County.