The Official Directory of Winston-Salem State University

Chancellor Reaves

This academic year seemed to have been the busiest one I can remember.  We have been involved in a myriad of activities and there have been some major accomplishments.  Of course, we’ve also had our share of challenges to deal with ranging from athletics to the fact we had to cancel the Fall Commencement in December due to inclement weather, perhaps a first in the history of the University.

Yet, as I sat through both our Fall and Spring Commencement ceremonies, I was reminded of the excitement of Homecoming last October, the intriguing conversations we had at the SGA and Honors College dinners, and the pride that we felt at the various events recognizing our outstanding students.

In fact, there have been so many good things happening on campus that I decided to develop a year-end report on the accomplishments and challenges of the 2009-10 academic year.  I plan to report orally at our Board of Trustees meeting in June and then share a written report with all of you.  I believe such an effort will allow us to pause for a minute to celebrate our successes and recognize the challenges that lie ahead before we begin the work of a new academic year that looms just around the corner.

With our new Strategic Plan to guide us, I know there will continue to be a tremendous level of activity in all areas of the campus as we focus our efforts and our resources on achieving goals that are designed to enhance the opportunities for success of our students.  I have been extremely pleased with the work that has begun,   particularly in the area of curriculum reform.  I know, however, that there is still much to do as we work to provide our students with a quality education.  Throughout the summer work we will focus on developing the implementation strategies to achieve the goals that the Plan lays out for the University.

There is, however, one major issue that continues to loom over us and could impact all of the work we are doing.  As the State of North Carolina continues to struggle with its economy, we know that there will be additional budget reductions for the fiscal year that begins July 1.   Our concern at the moment is with the magnitude of those cuts for the UNC system and for our campus.

As you may know we had planned for an additional two percent reduction.  But as the process has unfolded it appears that the cut will be more substantial.  We will not know for sure until the General Assembly completes its budget work what that final number will be.

Given the difficulties encountered in trying to absorb the previous budget reductions, we are concerned that these additional reductions could affect our academic core.  Faculty and staff have put a great deal of time and energy into the efforts to improve student retention and graduation rates.   A significant reduction in our state allocation could affect those efforts by, for example, limiting the number of classes we can offer, increasing the size of our classes, and reducing the availability of much-needed support such as counselors and advisors – all of which could impact negatively the ability of our students to complete their courses of study.

Winston-Salem State University, just like all the other campuses in the UNC system, exists for one purpose – to educate students.  At a time when an educated workforce is so important to the economic development of our community and our state, it seems counter-productive to take any step that puts the quality of that education in jeopardy.

So, the efforts we are making to educate and inform the North Carolina General Assembly are not just about letting them know the impact a severe budget cut would have on the future of our students, but the effect it would have on the future of our community and our state.  Yet, we know the State of North Carolina is facing a revenue shortage.  All logic tells us that there will be a budget reduction because funding just will not be available.

Therefore, we will need to consider carefully how we allocate the resources that are available, and in doing so the activities that support the goals of our Strategic Plan must receive the highest priority status.   We must continue to invest in the university to ensure that our students have access to the classes and the support that they need, that the faculty to teach our students is in place, and that the environment is conducive to learning.

So, regardless of the outcome, our charge is to work together to ensure that we meet this university’s vision of developing graduates of distinction known for leadership and service in their professions and communities.

New WSSU Trustee Chuck Wallington

The Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina has elected Chuck Wallington, vice president of public affairs and communications at American Express in Greensboro, N.C., to serve on the Board of Trustees for Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) completing a term that ends on June 30, 2011.

“We are extremely pleased that Chuck will bring his expertise in communications and community affairs in a global environment to our Board of Trustees,” said Chancellor Donald J. Reaves.  “He has been a valuable member of the Board of Directors for the university’s Foundation and I know he will have that same level of commitment with his new responsibilities as a trustee.”

Wallington has been with American Express in Greensboro for 14 years and currently is responsible for communications, media relations and philanthropy for the company’s U.S. Customer Service Network that includes four Service Centers in this country and multiple partner sites in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Argentina.  A former newspaper reporter with the Dallas Times Herald, Wallington was in public relations and communications with RJR Nabisco in Winston-Salem for 11 years prior to joining American Express in 1996.

A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications, he is a founding member and current board chairman of the Touching Lives Foundation, a nonprofit organization in Greensboro that provides programming in the areas of education, health and wellness, recreation and financial literacy.  He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the United Arts Council of Greensboro, a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and a past member of the Board of Visitors at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

The School of Health Sciences at Winston-Salem State will receive $100,000 for scholarships from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) through the RWJF New Careers in Nursing Scholarship Program (NCIN). Grants provided through this competitive program will be given to students traditionally underrepresented in the field of nursing and strives to prepare culturally competent leaders in WSSU’s accelerated bachelor’s degree in nursing program. NCIN was launched in 2008 to address the national nursing shortage and fuel the pipeline of diverse nurse faculty.

Dr. Peggy Valentine

The grant will provide 10 scholarships in the amount of $10,000 each for students entering accelerated nursing programs during the 2010-2011 academic year. To date, the NCIN program has supported 1,917 students at 101 schools of nursing, and continues to develop culturally competent health professionals and future leaders of the profession.

“These scholarships will be extremely beneficial in supporting our recruitment and retention efforts for students enrolled in our accelerated program to earn their bachelor degrees in nursing,” said Dr. Peggy Valentine, dean of the School of Health Sciences.

“While there is a national shortage of professional nurses, we know that shortage is much greater in the underrepresented groups, such as males and most ethnic classifications,” Valentine added. “Nurses from these underrepresented groups can have a major impact on health care outcomes because they are more likely to understand the cultural values of their patients.  While this cultural competency is certainly beneficial for the patients, it can also improve the use of health care systems which would positively impact an entire community.”

WSSU offers an accelerated bachelor’s degree in nursing in collaboration with Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. Students must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in any discipline to be eligible for the accelerated option. Students complete the accelerated option in 13 months and are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam.

The NCIN was created through RWJF and AACN to enable schools of nursing to expand student capacity in accelerated baccalaureate and master’s programs, and build a more diverse workforce ready to serve the needs of a changing patient population. Schools receiving grants through NCIN provide scholarships directly to students from groups underrepresented in nursing or from disadvantaged backgrounds. In its second year, 58 percent of scholarships went to students from diverse racial and ethnic groups and 37 percent went to male nursing students.  Men currently account for only 6.6 percent of the national nursing population.

“Through the NCIN program, we are challenging the nation’s nursing schools to be innovative and resourceful in how they grow their nursing programs, diversify student populations and contribute to the nursing leadership of tomorrow, said Denise A. Davis, Dr.P.H, RWJF program officer for NCIN.  “We are very pleased to support this unique approach, particularly at a time when growing numbers of Americans are gaining insurance and entering our health care system.”

In the 2010 – 2011 academic year, 397 students in accelerated baccalaureate programs and 114 students in accelerated master’s programs will receive scholarship funding.  The only universities in North Carolina receiving funds for the upcoming academic year are WSSU and Duke University.

By bringing more nurses into the profession at the baccalaureate and master’s degree levels, the NCIN program also helps to address the nation’s nurse faculty shortage. Data from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration show that nurses entering the profession via baccalaureate programs are four times more likely than other nurses to pursue a graduate degree in nursing. This trend is reflected in the NCIN scholars, as 95% of the students receiving funding in the first two years of the program indicate a desire to advance their education to the master’s and doctoral levels.

Finally, the RWJF New Careers in Nursing Scholarship Program is clearly having a positive effect on the nation’s nursing schools. Many programs that received awards have used the NCIN funding to help leverage additional resources to add new faculty, secure matching funding from state programs, develop mentoring and leadership development programs, strengthen outreach efforts, and establish new partnerships with community and practice leaders. These efforts will enable schools to sustain their program expansion while positioning them for growth.

Carol Trent Davis

Frank L. Blum Construction Company has been selected by the Simon G. Atkins Community Development Corporation to manage the initial renovation phase of its planned Enterprise Center in the former Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club building at 1922 S. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive.

The Enterprise Center will serve as the anchor for the south end of the MLK corridor by providing a mixed-use facility.  The initial phase of the renovations will focus on developing space for a small business incubator that will support new and emerging companies, especially those with a “green” focus.  The incubator will be a business networking, training, support and counseling hub for its tenants. It will have approximately 20 offices ranging from 100 to 500 square feet, with rental rates starting at $150 a month.  In addition to supporting the creation of sustainable economic growth in the community, the S. G. Atkins CDC will incorporate sustainable, or “green,” principles in the renovation of the Enterprise Center, as well as through future programs and activities that will be held there.

The Old Boys and Girls Club will soon have a new look and feel.

“We chose Blum Construction because they are a local contractor that will provide jobs for local people, because they have a proven track record, and because of their experience building and renovating ‘green’ spaces,” said Carol Davis, executive director of the S. G. Atkins CDC.

“We are excited to be involved in this important project and to help facilitate Simon G. Atkins CDC’s mission,” said Drew Hancock, president of Frank L. Blum Construction Company. “The economic health of the neighborhoods surrounding Winston-Salem State University certainly deserves the important focus the Enterprise Center will offer.”

As a small business development project, the Enterprise Center is supported by numerous partners including Winston-Salem State University, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the City of Winston-Salem, Golden LEAF Foundation, Duke Energy, Truliant Federal Credit Union and the Winston-Salem Community Development Support Collaborative.

Dr. Teresa Conner-Kerr

Researcher Dr. Teresa Conner-Kerr,  is working to fine tune ultrasound waves to destroy dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria that cause open wound infections that claims lives annually.

Bacteria in open wounds are often treated with antibiotics, according to Conner-Kerr, WSSU Department of Physical Therapy chair in the School of Health Sciences and author of the study.  But antibiotic-resistant forms of bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), are emerging as problems in daycares, sports facilities and homes.   They are no longer just a problem in hospitals.

Conner-Kerr and her research team found that very low frequency ultrasound at 35 khz kills bacteria, including MRSA, by puncturing and fracturing the bacterial cell walls and altering the cells’ tendencies to grow in colonies.   This study measured the effects of ultrasound on bacterial viability, cell wall structure, colony characteristics and antibiotic sensitivity. The study was conducted on in vitro bacteria samples. The study documented that when exposed to 30 seconds of treatment, antibiotic-resistant forms of bacteria dropped from 106 per milliliter to six per milliliter, an approximate 99 percent drop.

“We are happy to report, based on our study, 35 kHz very low frequency ultrasound is more effective at reducing total bacteria cells in vitro than other frequencies of ultrasound.  This is encouraging and timely news because standard therapies are failing and the importance of finding alternative approaches to managing these pathogens are becoming increasingly important,” said Conner-Kerr, “but further study is recommended on this potentially effective therapy.”

In the past, one antibiotic medication, methicillin, has been effective in killing open wound bacteria.  But increasing cases of MRSA have become a particular concern in the medical community.   This study focused on those bacterial strains.

Conner-Kerr and her research team found very low frequency ultrasound alone and in combination with standard antimicrobial compounds may prove to be beneficial and may provide an alternative strategy for not only treating antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including MRSA, but also in reversing its resistance to drugs. The ability to resensitize MRSA to methicillin points to a new way of utilizing older antibiotics that have become ineffective by pairing them with low frequency ultrasound when administered to the wound bed.  Because low frequency ultrasound penetrates tissue deeply, the entire wound can be treated.

Multiple studies, including population surveillance studies, have shown that MRSA infections in hospitalized patients are associated with greater lengths of stay, higher mortality, and increased costs.  Other studies show MRSA infections of lower extremity wounds are associated with increased lengths of stay and a higher incidence of adverse postsurgical outcomes in hospitalized patients.

Dr. Jessica Bailey

Dr. Jessica M. Bailey, dean of the School of Business and Economics at Winston-Salem State University, was selected to serve as president-elect of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Business Deans’ Roundtable at the group’s eighth annual national summit held recently in Houston, TX.

As president-elect, Bailey will be responsible for the planning and preparation for the annual meeting to be held in June 2011 in Orlando, FL, prior to assuming the presidency of the organization.  Her goal during the coming year is to expand the group’s membership by reaching out to foreign countries with institutions similar to HBCUs that would benefit from affiliation with the Roundtable.

The HBCU Business Deans’ Roundtable provides networking opportunities for HBCUs in the United States and the U.S. Virgin Islands to share knowledge, effectively recruit faculty, leverage resources and foster beneficial growth and changes for its members.  Organized 10 years ago, the Roundtable is the only organization that focuses on the needs of and opportunities for business schools at HBCUs.

Bailey has served as dean of WSSU’s School of Business and Economics since July 2006.  She had previously been dean and professor at the Sydney Lewis School of Business at Virginia Union University.  Prior to her position at Virginia Union, she was associate dean and assistant professor at American University.  Active in the community, Bailey serves on the Board of Trustees for Senior Services and the Board of Directors for Forsyth Futures.

Michael Evans

Michael Evans, a rising senior Psychology major, has made a return trip to the White House.  In February, he was invited to be present when President Obama signed an executive order supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities.  Evans was then invited back to the White House to attend a discussion on Black Men and HIV on June 2.

The meeting brought together experts on HIV/AIDS, community-based service providers and leaders from across the Black community, as well as local, state and federal policy makers to draw attention to the domestic HIV epidemic among Black men.  Other major participants included Melody Barnes, director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, and Jeffrey Crowley, director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP).  Hosted by ONAP, the session included a discussion on what can be done to reduce HIV stigma in the Black community and the responses government and community-based agencies should be offering to deal with the current situation.

Evans has been involved in HIV/AIDS awareness efforts and advocacy work in the Black and Latino communities.  He also was recently selected as the director of support initiatives for Speak-Life, a new non-profit organization that supports HIV/AIDS education and training.

Surrounding Indy star Helio Castroneves are (from left to right) students: Devin Cherry, Chase Rushing, Tiffany Zielke, Leon Pruitt and TC Gammons with Dr. Teague.

Five students from the Motorsports Management Program at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) were able to meet Helio Castroneves, three-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, who also was on the pole for the 2010 race May 30.

The students are participating in a joint summer racing course with students from the Motorsports Engineering Program at Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis (IUPUI) when the world- famous Brazilian racer paid a visit.  The five WSSU students were Devin Cherry, Chase Rushing, Tiffany Zielke, Leon Pruitt and TC Gammons, a sport management major.

“We have a collaborative class with IUPUI’s program that allows both universities to share their specialties with our students,” said Dr. Travis Teague, coordinator of the WSSU program.  “We focus on the business side of the motorsports industry and they focus more on the engineering side of racing.  We recently had 11 of the IUPUI students in Winston-Salem and then five of our students went to Indianapolis.  It gives both programs an opportunity to share our expertise and we also share experiences with the entire group, visiting tracks and race team shops in Indianapolis and in North Carolina.

“It is extremely beneficial for students of both programs to learn something about the other disciplines in the motorsports field,” Teague added.  “It is also helpful that our connections to racing provide us with entrance to some of the top NASCAR team shops and industry organizations in our state, and the IUPUI connections offer our students the opportunity to see a different side of the industry.”

Got Passport?

Winston-Salem State University Foundation’s Passport Office sponsored Passport Day on May 29. The first 10 applicants were provided free photos, while others got passport photos for a $5 half-price rate, as part of an effort to get local residents to get their passports before the fee increases.

The event was held at the WSSU Passport Acceptance Agency, located inside the Alumni House on the WSSU campus, located, 601 S. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive.

The U.S. Department of State has proposed fee increases that may take effect early in the summer.  The fee for adults applying for their first passport book is expected to rise to $135 — a $35 increase from the current $100, while the adult renewal fee for passport books would rise to $110 – up from the current $75.  The fee for children (under age 16) applying for the first-time is expected to rise to $105 from the current $85 rate – a $20 increase.

The cost of a wallet-size passport card, which Americans can use on certain trips closer to home, would rise from $45 to $55 for first-time applicants. For those who want to add more visa pages to their passport book, the service is currently free.  However, those individuals may soon pay $82 under the proposed fee schedule.

For more passport information call (336) 750-3133 or visit www.wssu.edu/passport.

Ramine Alexander

Ramine Alexander, a rising senior at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU), was selected to present her research at the annual meeting for the Southeast Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recently in Greenville, SC.  Alexander presented the same research at the national ACSM conference in Baltimore June 2-5, and has received a scholarship to cover all of her travel expenses to the event.

“While I was in the process of finishing the research, I was asked by my professors to present at the Southeast Chapter meeting and also to submit my abstract to the ACSM in hopes of presenting at the national conference as well,” said Alexander.  “I had to wait about two months to find out if my abstract was accepted and then my professors were busy helping me find scholarships to go to the national conference in Baltimore.”

One scholarship that stood out was the Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) Program Travel Scholarship because it would cover all of her expenses and meeting registration.

“I immediately applied and was anxious to see if I would receive the scholarship because so many undergraduate students from all over the country had also applied,” noted Alexander.    “Shortly after I applied I received an email stating that I would receive the scholarship.  I am very grateful because I will not only represent myself and my major in Baltimore, but I will be able to represent to my school on the national level.”

Alexander’s research is on the relationship between the exertion measurements during a bicycle exercise test in African-American women.  Kevin Ritsche and Dr. Michael McKenzie, both members of the exercise science faculty of the Department of Human Performance and Sports Sciences at WSSU, were Alexander’s professors who worked with her on her research and also encouraged her to submit her work for the national ACSM conference.

“The American College of Sports Medicine is a highly regarded scientific professional organization,” said Dr. Cynthia Williams Brown, chair of the Department of Human Performance and Sports Sciences.  “While it is notable that we have faculty who presented at the Southeast Chapter meeting and will present at the national meeting, it is very impressive that our undergraduate students are also presenting their work, especially on a national level.”

Edward Hanes

to Edward F. Hanes Jr., WSSU EEO officer, who was selected by the Board of Trustees at UNC-Chapel Hill to serve as a member of the Board of Visitors.  He will serve a four-year term beginning in October 2010.  The UNC Board of Visitors assists the Board of Trustees in a range of activities including fund raising, public and government relations, and recruitment of top students nationwide.  Hanes earned his undergraduate and law degree from UNC on full academic scholarships and served in numerous leadership capacities as a student.  He is a native of Winston­-Salem and attended the public schools, graduating from Carver High School in 1991.

Chevara Orrin

to Chevara Orrin, interim director of Business Services, on her selection to make the keynote address at the Chicago chapter of the National African American Insurance Associations’ (NAAIA) Spring Benefit and Scholarship Luncheon May 27. The NAAIA is the premier organization for African American insurance industry professionals seeking to establish a meaningful network with peers and executives. Orrin’s topic was “Maximizing the Moments and Executing a Winning Plan.” It focused on exposure in a person’s life journey as a critical component to academic and professional success.

From left are: Ed Hanes, WSSU EEO officer; BMC member Demetrius Jones; BMC vice president Maximilian Glodde; BMC president Justin Redd; BMC member Brandon Gaines; and BMC advisor and WSSU Business Services interim director Chevara Orrin.

to WSSU’s student organization, Black Men for Change (BMC), on its selection as a 2010 ECHO (Everyone Can Help Out) Award recipient. The organization was recognized for its efforts to build social capital through their volunteer efforts as young community leaders. This student organization was founded six years ago to help empower young predominately African-American males to rise above negative stereotypes and become productive assets to our community. Accepting the award on behalf of the organization was BMC’s president Justin Redd and vice-president Maximilian Glodde. The group was nominated for the ECHO Award by advisor Chevara Orrin.

that WSSU has begun testing a new siren system on both sides of MLK, Jr. Drive. The system will be used to alert everyone if there are severe weather warnings, natural disasters, or campus emergencies.  The first test of the system was Friday, June 12.  Beginning in July, the university will be testing the siren system at noon on the first Wednesday of each month.  That test will always begin with a verbal message that “This is a test.”

For the WSSU Friends of the Library, 25th Anniversary Celebration on Friday, November 5, 2010 from 6:30 pm – 10:30 pm at the Village Inn Conference Center in Clemmons, NC. For more information contact Dr. Mae Rodney at 336-750-2446 or email her at rodneyml@wssu.edu or contact Rachel Simon at 336-750-2442 or email her at simonra@wssu.edu.

Where do I begin?

Oh how the mighty has fallen.

A great oak that had been a part of the WSSU landscape practically before there was a WSSU had begun to show signs of aging and was recently cut down. The tree was more than 100 years old, more than 10 feet wide, and weighed tons. The two-day operation to remove it revealed the true enormity of the tree’s size. To see more photos of the tree’s removal go to Flickr on WSSU’s Web site.