The AT&T Real Yellow Pages is the official directory of Winston-Salem State University.

Chancellor Donald J. Reaves

It is difficult to believe that 2009 is drawing to a close.  Time seems to have gone by quickly, particularly since we have had so much to accomplish this year.

As we look back on the past twelve months, we should take the time to acknowledge the successes we have seen throughout this year and recommit ourselves to the work that still needs to be done. We know our work is never truly completed; striving for improvement is an ongoing process.

In the words of author Hal Borland, “Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.” And each year brings us new experiences and new learning situations that provide the foundation we need to take advantage of our opportunities, create our successes and manage our challenges.

For most of us in higher education, however, December 31, 2009 does not really mark the end of a year, only the halfway point. For our students, December brings the end of the first semester and a round of exams. Some will complete their studies this month and graduate on December 18.  I’m sure all of our students look forward to the holidays and a break from their normal routine. And I’m sure we are anticipating some time during our winter break to rest and rejuvenate as well.

Deborah and I certainly wish each of you the happiest of holidays. We hope you and all of our Ram Family enjoy the celebrations, share quality time with friends and loved ones, and reflect on the many blessings we all share.

I also thank you for all you have done during 2009 to move WSSU forward, and I  am depending on you to make 2010 our best year ever.

Seasons Greetings and the Happiest New Year!

Chancellor Reaves (left) and President Green (right) shake on a dual admissions agreement

Winston-Salem State University and Forsyth Technical Community College have entered into an agreement that will allow students to be simultaneously granted admission to both institutions. Chancellor Donald J. Reaves and Forsyth Tech President Gary M. Green signed the memorandum of understanding December 3.

The new Dual Admissions Program (DAP) partnership will provide support and resources to students who may not be ready to succeed in a bachelor’s degree program. The initiative, which will begin Fall 2010, is designed to provide a seamless and successful transition from community college to a university.

“We have students who come to Winston-Salem State without the depth of preparation needed to be successful at our university,” said Chancellor Reaves. “This partnership with Forsyth Tech will provide those students with such important supports as smaller classes and lower tuition.  By using dual admission, we also will be taking the steps necessary to help students feel a part of our campus so that the transition to a four-year institution will be easier.”

Under the DAP agreement, students will have an application process that includes admission to both institutions.  The two schools will share responsibility for student advising, access to resources at both campuses, and opportunities to participate in university activities.

“Part of the mission of WSSU, and of all historically black colleges and universities, is to provide access to higher education,” added Reaves. “As we increase our admission standards, this program ensures that students will continue to have the opportunity to earn a four-year college degree.”

Students who apply and do not meet the admission standards at WSSU will receive information on the Dual Admissions Program. Students who sign the contract to join the program and are accepted will receive a letter of deferment for admission to WSSU. Once they complete their requirements at Forsyth Tech, the students are guaranteed admission into a related baccalaureate degree program at WSSU.

Students who graduate with associate degrees in arts or science from Forsyth Tech are already able to transfer their credits to University of North Carolina schools. This new partnership provides additional advantages.

“Students will have the same benefits as in our regular program, but will have the additional benefits of an established relationship with Winston-Salem State,” said President Green.  “They will have access to academic advisers, student activities and facilities at both schools.”

“We are excited to be able to offer our students another option for continuing their education,” Green added.  “Our partnership with Winston-Salem State enhances our ability to provide quality, affordable, accessible educational opportunities.”

Rep. Larry Womble

The Honorable Larry W. Womble, a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives since 1995, will serve as keynote speaker for Winston-Salem State University’s Fall Commencement Ceremony on Friday, December 18, at 4 p.m. in the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Womble, a native of Winston-Salem, graduated from Atkins High School and earned a B. S. degree in education from WSSU. He received his M.Ed. in administration and Principal’s Certificate from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.  Womble served in a variety of positions in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School system, including as assistant principal at Old Town Elementary, Mineral Springs Middle, Cook Middle, Kennedy Middle and Paisley Middle Schools. He was named Assistant Principal of the Year for the State of North Carolina prior to retiring.

Womble began his political career in 1981 when he was elected to what was then the Winston-Salem Board of Alderman from the Southeast Ward.  He was elected to fill the 71st District State House seat in 1995. Involved in many humanitarian causes and social justice issues, Womble was a primary sponsor of the N. C. Racial Justice Act Bill that was signed into law in August.

Active in numerous professional and civic organizations, Womble has received many awards for his volunteer work in the state and in the community.  After visiting Kenya in 1999, Womble began his “Books to Africa” project, which has provided young people in that country with more than 30,000 books.

Coach Kermit Blount

Winston-Salem State University announced on Nov. 19 that Kermit Blount, head football coach since 1993, would step down from his position following WSSU’s game at Norfolk State University Nov. 21.  Blount will remain at WSSU and will be reassigned other duties within the university.

“Over the years, Coach Blount has done a great job of leading our football program and building an academic foundation for our student athletes,” said Chancellor Donald J. Reaves. “We truly appreciate the contributions Kermit has made to Winston-Salem State as an athlete, a coach, an alum and a leader.”

“Having known Kermit for so many years, I have tremendous respect for him,” said Bill Hayes, who becomes the new WSSU athletic director in January.  “However, I support a change in leadership for the football program in order to improve our recruiting efforts, to create more excitement and enthusiasm for the program among the students, and to build support among the alumni and within the community.”

Blount, a 1980 graduate and former quarterback for the WSSU Rams, is completing his 17^th season as coach and has posted a 91-87-3 record.  He led his teams to two CIAA titles and two Pioneer Bowl appearances.

A native of Richmond, Va., Blount began his college coaching career as an assistant at East Carolina University in 1983.  He was offensive coordinator for Howard University from 1984 until 1989 and served on the coaching staff at South Carolina State University for the next four years.

North Carolinians will start seeing Winston-Salem State University in familiar places in the coming weeks and months while driving, shopping, even going to the movies. The Office of Marketing and Communications has launched its latest campaign, “Small setting, big start,” to build the university’s visibility and brand awareness and to support student recruitment.

The campaign features a playful, silhouetted graphic look-created in-house-to refresh recruitment materials.  In addition to a 16-page recruitment viewbook and mailing pieces, the campaign includes billboards, print ads, airport advertising, radio ads, and mall placements.

Sigrid Hall

“We’re excited about some of these new placements, like the elevator wrap and tabletop graphics in the food court at the Hanes Mall,” says Sigrid Hall-Pittsley, interim chief marketing officer. “The campaign is part of our effort to refresh our  brand to reflect the university’s updated strategic plan.”

Travelers will see WSSU advertisements on video screens at the Charlotte, Raleigh-Durham, and Piedmont Triad International airports and in area movie theaters. An increased use of digital venues allows the office to update and revise messages more frequently, even daily, Hall-Pittsley notes.

“Rams Write” is the slogan adopted for the university’s “Writing in the Major” campaign to improve student writing.

Writing in the Major is the topic the university chose for its Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). WSSU is preparing for its decennial Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) accreditation review.  The accreditation process involves the preparation and submission of a Compliance Certification report and the development and submission of a plan to improve student learning: the QEP. The Rams Write campaign is an effort to familiarize everyone on campus with this initiative prior to the SACS reaffirmation visit scheduled March 23-25, 2010.

The goal of the five-year project is to improve the writing proficiency of students who are enrolled in junior- and senior-level courses in the majors. A host of forums have been held to familiarize faculty, staff and students with the concept. Each forum discussed the project, student learning outcomes, and proposed interventions that will be implemented for students and faculty designed to improve student writing proficiency.

Through the use of a holistic writing rubric, eight to ten randomly selected junior and senior papers from each major will be analyzed and scored to determine the writing proficiency of those students. The papers will be rated across disciplines by a select team of scorers in early spring 2010.

You will start to see pens, fliers, buttons, T-shirts and more imprinted with Rams Write around campus. If someone asks you what Rams Write means, you will know that it is an initiative to improve student learning through writing in the major.

To inject new energy and perspective into its efforts, the Office of Alumni Relations has unveiled a contest, “I Am Ram,” to recruit young alumni who care about Winston-Salem State University and want to have a voice at their alma mater.

Winners of the “I Am Ram” contest will attend University events as a VIP and network with other alumni; appear online and in print publications as spokespersons for WSSU, and consult with administrators on WSSU initiatives.

Alumni Relations invites passionate, articulate graduates from the classes of 2000 to 2009 to submit an essay by December 17. In 500 to 600 words, the essay should explain why the university should choose you. The top five entrants will be invited to submit a video, no longer than two minutes, again explaining why they should be selected. The videos will be posted to the Web site by February 1 for young alumni, Classes 2000 and on, to vote on their favorite. Winners will be announced on March 1, 2010.

To learn more about the contest, visit www.wssu.edu/iamram.

Jasmine Richardson

Winston-Salem State University’s Minority Access to Research Careers Undergraduate Student Training in Academic Research (MARC U*STAR) scholar Jasmine Richardson (Junior, Chemistry Major) was selected as a presentation winner in the neuroscience discipline for her research on “Dissociating the Behavioral Economic Concepts of Cocaine Consumption and Price Paid Using Self-Administration and Pharmacology” at the 9th Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) in Phoenix, AZ, Nov. 4-7, 2009 .

Ms. Richardson and nine other scholars were selected to receive this prestigious and highly competitive award from 137 presentations in that category.

“I am proud of Jasmine and other MARC U*STAR scholars for their relentless effort to pursuing a biomedical research career,” says Dr. Azeez Aileru, Professor of Neuroscience and Director of Biomedical Research Infrastructure Center.

“For nine consecutive years WSSU students have been presenting their research findings at this scientific conference, and for the most part, have won best oral and poster awards,” says Dr. Aileru. Most WSSU alumni currently in competitive Ph.D., medical or dental programs went through this experience, he says, and enjoyed the interactions with peers from other institutions.

During the three-day conference, 1,298 minority students participated in poster and oral presentations in nine sub-disciplines in the biomedical and behavioral sciences. ABRCMS is the largest professional conference for biomedical students attracting approximately 2,600 individuals from more than 285 U.S. colleges and universities. The conference serves as a key stepping stone for young scientists, enhancing their scientific and professional development. It is designed to encourage underrepresented minority students to pursue advanced training in the biomedical and behavioral sciences and provide faculty mentors and advisors with resources for facilitating students’ success. The following seven WSSU MARC U*STAR Program Scholars were selected to present their independent research at this prestigious conference.

Oral Presentation:

ShRNA-Mediated Gene Knockdown for p22-phox and p47-phox in Microglial Cells – James A. Johnson Jr., Senior Biology Major

Poster Presentation:

Determining the Efficacy of Oxygen Generating Materials on Wound Healing – Tempestt J. Evans, Senior Biology Major

The Role of Parg and Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation in Arabidopsis thaliana Biotic Stress Responses, Antentor O. Hinton, Jr. - Senior Biology Major

CELL DENSITY OF PUTATIVE CHEMOSENSORY CELLS
IN MOUSE NASAL EPITHELIUM IN RESPONSE TO IRRITANT EXPOSURE – Jacqueline Jackson - Senior Biology Major

Protein Structure Prediction and Protein Docking Using Contact Information – Keren Pereda - Junior Biology Major

Dissociating the Behavioral Economic Concepts of Cocaine Consumption and Price Paid Using Self-Administration and Pharmacology – Jasmine Richardson - Junior Chemistry Major

Development of Cell Permeabilization Protocol for the Specific Extraction of Low-molecular-weight RNA’s from Bacteria – Miranda R. Turner - Senior Biology/Psychology Major

Researcher Nickolay Hristov

The video is mesmerizing. Synchronized with dramatic background music, we watch as a half-million living things swarm toward us. It feels like watching small fish undersea, but it’s actually bats emerging from a cave in Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico.

Filmed with infrared thermal cameras, the method provides a groundbreaking opportunity to count bat populations, says Nickolay Hristov, assistant professor of life sciences at Winston-Salem State, who captured the video with Thomas Kunz of Boston University as part of Hristov’s post-doctoral work in thermal imaging.

“Bats are very difficult to study, which makes it a challenge,” Hristov says.

Challenges clearly appeal to Hristov, who also serves as a design researcher at the Center for Design Innovation, a new collaborative effort of WSSU, UNC School of the Arts, and Forsyth Technical Community College. At the center, Hristov is pursuing motion imaging, the multi-disciplinary effort to describe and study how organisms, including humans, move. (Watch for a more indepth look at Hristov and the center’s work in an upcoming issue of RamPages.)

Hristov and Kunz’s video of the Carlsband Caverns bats was posted at The Scientist: http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/10/infrared-video-500000-bats-emerge-from-cave/. Their next step will be to film with multiple cameras so that the scientists can pinpoint the precise positions of the bats during flight, Hristov says.

Doug Osman

You could say that Doug Osman, a native of Detroit, MI, has had a life-long love affair with the horror film genre.  His fascination with cinematic blood and gore continues to this day as Osman, who teaches television and film production at Winston-Salem State University, prepares to unleash his latest creative nightmare, Consumption.

Osman wrote, directed and produced the 30-minute film, which was shot over the summer with the help of area college students, including six from WSSU. Parts of the movie were filmed in a campus dorm and at O’Kelly Library, but the majority was shot in the lower two levels of Davis Garage, not far from campus.

Osman says he chose Davis Garage because the dark, dank cavernous spaces below the garage were so eerie. Osman rewrote parts of the script to accommodate the location. The garage was once a train station, and the tracks that led to the station are still in place. A boiler room, broken windows and boarded-up areas give the space a spooky feel.

“This place was perfect. It was just what I was looking for,” Osman says.

The movie’s main character is Jack, a street-hustling guy in his 20s with a soft edge. Jack witnesses a murder and is discovered. His captors, he later discovers, are vampires. He can either go along with them and save himself or try to stop them.

Osman calls his creation “a dark film” that looks at the way society treats people on the fringe. “On a personal note, film is the medium I choose to express my artistic side. My ‘artistic need’ is fed by making films that respond to something that either interests, bothers, or concerns me. Even this short horror film, which is superficially about vampires, is actually a commentary on the way people treat each other in life. There are people we either hear about or know personally who take extreme advantage of others.  In a way, they ‘consume’ the people around them for their own benefit.  That’s what vampires do, too.”

Osman’s use of students in making his film is part of his teaching philosophy. “I’ve always believed that those who teach should do what they teach. It’s the only way to make what you pass onto students relevant to them. If my students see me practicing what I teach them, it makes the lesson more real to them. When my students were able to come on-set and see the industrious work ethic taking place, it makes the reality (and the difficulty) of filmmaking apparent to them. It’s almost like watching a light go on in their heads when they turn around and start doing something original on their own.”

Osman financed Consumption on his own. He is seeking additional financial support to make his short film into a full-length feature film. He plans to market Consumption to film festivals across the United States in 2010, beginning with Arizona’s Sedona International Film Festival in February.  He said the film will be screened at these locations for about a year.

“I am using the festivals to interest investors who would help to finance the project into feature film status,” says Osman.  ”While most features cost millions of dollars, I plan to shoot this one on what’s known as a micro-budget, about $300,00 or $400,000.”

Osman is also considering another option. “There’s been interest expressed in Michigan to shoot the film there, which, in this economy, is very beneficial to the investor.  That state will rebate 40 percent of any money spent there to the production team, meaning that an investor would immediately get that return on their money.  The Federal Government also offers tax incentives for investors of U.S. films right now and that makes the prospect very appealing.”

Click here to learn more about Osman and to see a clip from his film.

Antionette Sithole witnessed her brother's murder.

The story of a woman who witnessed her brother’s murder during the apartheid regime was among the presentations on support for young immigrants and on South African youths’ struggles against apartheid that highlighted International Education Week Nov. 16 – Nov. 21.

“New Faces: Immigrants and Refugees in North Carolina” was held on Monday, November 16, at 3 p.m. in Diggs Gallery. “The Struggles of South African Youth Against Apartheid and Democratic Transformation in Southern Africa” was held on Thursday, November 19.

“During International Education Week, we strive to create opportunities for people to come together for numerous activities that we hope will increase global understanding,” said Dr. Joti Sekhon, director of International Programs.  “We bring programs to the campus that can highlight international opportunities for our students, but we also include presentations that can enlighten the entire community on serious international issues.  We include a variety of activities to promote global cultural awareness, ranging from serving more international food in our dining hall to a presentation on music from popular Bollywood movies. Faculty and students from many program areas and several campus organizations contribute generously to provide so many interesting and diverse activities.”

Dr. Joti Sekhon

The program on immigrants and refugees in North Carolina was presented by the Center for New North Carolinians (CNNC) from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.  The CNNC discussed its outreach programs, particularly those aimed at youth such as “Thriving at Three” which focuses on young children.  The presentation was sponsored by the International Programs office and Club Latino.

Antoinette Sithole, speaker and curator of the Hector Pieterson Museum in Soweto, South Africa, focused her presentation on the events of June 16, 1976, the day of the youth uprising in Soweto.  Her brother, Hector Pieterson, was killed that day, and Sithole witnessed his murder.  At age 12, Hector was one of the first and youngest children to be killed by the apartheid regime.  Click here to hear more of her harrowing ordeal.

The student uprising changed the course of South African history by accelerating demands for the release of political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela, and the release of previously banned political organizations such as the African National Congress.

The discussion on apartheid and South African’s transformation to democracy was moderated by WSSU Diplomat-in-Residence, Ambassador Molelekeng Rapolaki of Lesotho.  Ambassador Rapolaki will discussed Lesotho’s situation as a land-locked country surrounded by South Africa.

Chancellor Reaves (center), President Smith (left) and Provost Allen exchange views after the signing ceremony.

Chancellor Donald J. Reaves and Dr. Claibourne Smith, president of Delaware State University (DSU,) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) November 7 to establish a fellowship program designed to increase the number of African Americans and underrepresented minorities who earn graduate degrees in physical therapy.

“This relationship with Delaware State will enhance our ability to recruit the most qualified students to our physical therapy graduate program,” said Reaves.  “Creating this new Fellowship Program should benefit both of our schools and, more importantly benefit our students and the patients they serve.”

The MOU means that WSSU will guarantee some admissions spots to highly qualified DSU graduates and arrange to have current WSSU students mentor potential program fellows.  In addition to the mentoring, some of DSU undergrads involved in the program may participate in the WSSU Graduate Student Research Conference and be eligible for available graduate assistantships once they move from the fellowship program to the WSSU graduate program.

“Both of our institutions have been working diligently to increase minority representation in all of the STEM areas.  This agreement should only strengthen those efforts as we work together to support more of our students earning graduate degrees in the area of physical therapy,” Reaves added.

Others from WSSU participating in the signing included:  Dr. Brenda Allen, provost; Dr. Fidelis Ikem, dean, the School of Graduate Studies and Research; Dr. Peggy Valentine, dean, the School of Health Sciences; Dr. Teresa Conner-Kerr, chair, Department of Physical Therapy; Dr. Robert Cowie, professor of physical therapy; and Dr. Glenna Batson, assistant professor of physical therapy.

Other participants from Delaware State included:  Dr. Harry Williams, provost; Dr. Lisa Barkley, dean, College of Health and Public Policy; and Dr. Carla Murgia, acting chair, Department of Public and Allied health Sciences.

Dr. Mustafa Baloglu

Dr. Mustafa Baloglu, an associate professor in the Department of Education at Winston-Salem State University, recently had his study of math anxiety and an improved scale to detect students at high risk for failing math published.

The book, The Measurement of Mathematics Anxiety: Psychometric Study of the Revised Anxiety Rating Scale, deals with the relationships between such factors as psychological traits and demographic variables and a person’s anxiety toward mathematics.

“Over the past several years, I have studied such areas as a cross-cultural comparison of college students and the levels of anxiety they experience in the area of mathematics,” said Baloglu.  “As it became evident that there was a connection between various factors and students failing mathematics, I wanted to contribute to an instrument that would be beneficial in screening for math anxiety.”

Baloglu’s book provides an improved scale that can help students be more successful in their math studies by allowing instructors to detect those at high risk for math anxiety.  It also can provide additional information to college counselors dealing with mathematics course placement for students.

Dr. James Etim

Dr. James S. Etim, professor of education and coordinator of the middle grades education program at Winston-Salem State University’s (WSSU) School of Education and Human Performance, is serving as editor-in-chief of a new peer review quarterly publication, Review of Higher Education in Africa, which recently published its first issue.

“The scarcity of publications on African higher education and economic conditions across that continent means publishing is slowly grinding to a halt,” said Etim.  “The financial situation confronting many African institutions of higher learning has also affected the ability of their libraries to subscribe to international journals as well.   Launching this on-line publication will provide a forum for students, teachers and policy makers to debate and exchange ideas as well as publicize findings on higher education throughout Africa.”

Etim taught at the University of Jos in Nigeria from 1980 to 1989 and is familiar with the various issues facing higher education in Africa, including financing, deterioration of services, faculty recruiting and the impact of HIV/AIDS.

“Notwithstanding all of the issues, tremendous progress has occurred in African universities during this decade,” Etim added. “Yet the continent has urgent problems that need to be tackled, ranging from the low output of graduates in the technical, engineering and medical areas to the need to develop instructional materials with more local examples.”

Articles in the first issue of this journal included “The Political Economy of African Higher Education” and “Challenges in Managing Change: The Case of Performance Management System at the University of Botswana.”  In addition to editing the journal, Etim co-edited a book titled Educational Reform in Africa: Essays on Curriculum, Libraries, Counseling and Grade Levels, published in April by Edwin Mellen Press.

Stephen A. Smith

A recent career panel presentation, featuring industry experts as well as Stephen A. Smith, sportswriter and media personality, focused on employment in the cable industry and cable’s ever-changing environment.

The presentation “You’re Hired,” was open to college students, cable industry professionals and those who would like to join the cable industry. The program was sponsored by the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC) Carolinas and co-hosted by the Department of Mass Communications at WSSU.

Smith and other media professionals share their views during panel discussion.

Smith, a graduate of WSSU, has become one of the best-known African-American sports reporters in the nation.  He was joined on the panel by Tammy Franklin, senior vice president for affiliate strategy and business development at Scripps Networks; Cheryl Wingate, director of talent management for Time Warner Cable; Chris Killebrew, regional vice president for affiliate sales and marketing for Fox Cable Networks; and Jennifer Iras, vice president of domestic distribution and national accounts marketing for Discovery Communications.

University Choir always gives a stunning performance.

All the people could say was “Wow” after hearing the concert of the Winston-Salem State University Choir, University Women, University Men and the Burke Singers in a holiday concert at Kenneth R. Williams Auditorium, Sunday, Dec. 6.

It was a performance, anyone who attended, will not soon forget. Dr. Roy L. Belfield, Jr., director of the University Men led that group in performing selections from composers Gadling, Helvey and Kopylow.

The concert featured diversity amongst the soloists within the choirs.   Outstanding vocalists included: Juanita Cox, soprano; Rolyndria Anderson, soprano; Travis Spinks, baritone; Brandon Gaines, tenor, just to name a few.  The concert also featured former students of the Winston-Salem State University Choirs such as alumna LaShon Hill, mezzo soprano.  Ms. Hill shared her extraordinary voice with the Winston-Salem community before she traveled two days later to Vienna, Austria.  Other WSSU alumni also participated in this spectacular seasonal concert!

“The audience heard some of their favorite carols, classical choruses, and traditional spirituals and gospels,” Burke said.  “What a great way begin the holiday season — with our very own world-renowned choirs.”

Indeed is was. BRAVO!

WSSU Wind Ensemble gave an outstanding performance.

The Winston-Salem State University Wind Ensemble presented its Annual Christmas Concert on Wednesday, December 2, in the KR Williams Auditorium.

The ensemble performed classic Christmas hymns as well as contemporary literature arranged by composers such as Victor Lopez, Robert W. Smith, Stephen Bulla, Charles Carter and others.  There was a special guest appearance of the WSSU Horn Ensemble.

The members of the WSSU Wind Ensemble, Department of Fine Arts and College of Arts and Sciences thank all of you who attended this festive occasion.

Arthur Hardin

to Arthur Hardin, WSSU coordinator of Community Service, who in his capacity as an NCAA referee was called up in November to officiate one of the biggest nationally televised football games of the season between Notre Dame and Navy. Of his experience, Hardin said, “It was a unique and special experience to be involved with teams playing each other for the 83rd time in a rivalry that has many traditions.  Also to be at Notre Dame with its traditions and legends was memorable as well.  There are many, many memories and impressions I take away from the contest, the tour of the Notre Dame Stadium, visiting the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend (where HBCUs are well represented) and the experience of being involved in a contest that held some interest across the nation.”

Navy won the contest 23-21. Hardin said doing his best was the only thing on his mind when the contest began. “It was my desire to concentrate solely on officiating a solid game.” Hardin served as Head Linesman (designated by the H on his jersey), the official responsible for the line of scrimmage, making sure player formations were legal, that players were on their side of the scrimmage line and gaining equipment (”the sticks”), used for measuring first downs.

Chevara Orrin

to Chevara Orrin, WSSU director of Conferences and Institutes, who was recently featured in Skirt Magazine. The article characterized her this way, “Chevara is 5-foot powerhouse in 4 inch heels.” Wonder where they got that idea?

The article goes on to say that as an advocate for change, Chevara is leaving her mark on Winston-Salem and runs the list of her accomplishments which includes: setting up the first transgender panel at Winston-Salem State University; helping found and advise the university’s first gay/straight student alliance organization; advisor to the Black Men for Change organization; exposing students within her sphere of influence to the Winston-Salem Symphony, a privilege she maintains “should not just be for a privileged few; and owning a gallery with her husband, WhiteSpace, where art is used to bridge the chasms of race.

Of her life experiences Orrin says , “I am more aware…more determined…and more empowered to work to improve the lives of others.”

Dr. Cynthia Bell

to Cynthia S Bell, PhD, OTR/L and Darlene Perez-Brown, PhD, OTR/L. Dr. Bell was recently recognized by the North Carolina Occupational Therapy Association for her exceptional  work as an Academic Fieldwork Coordinator by awarding her the “Award for Outstanding Practice in Clinical Education-2009″.  Dr. Bell is an assistant professor of occupational therapy.

Dr. Darlene Perez-Brown

Dr. Perez-Brown was also recognized by the North Carolina Occupational Therapy Association for her efforts with inter-cultural fieldwork opportunities for occupational therapy students.  She has established a collaborative partnership with Santa Paula University in Costa Rica.  This past summer she traveled to Costa Rica with six OT students for an inter-cultural experience there. Dr. Perez-Brown is also an assistant professor of occupational therapy.