Spartan Connection - October 2006

N
O
R
F
O
L
K
S
T
A
T
E
U
N
I
V
E
R
S
I
T
Y
Connection
THE SPARTAN
A monthly newsletter for faculty, staff, alumni and friends of Norfolk State University
October 2006 • Volume 7/Issue 39
In this Issue
Homecoming
Information
Page 3
America's 400th Anniversary
Veil
Voices
from within the
NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY
Jamestown
2007 Event
Page 4
The Spartan Connection
is published monthly by
the Office of News and
Media Relations.
Dr. Carolyn W. Meyers
President
Paul E. Shelton
Vice President for University
Advancement and Executive
Director of the NSU
Foundation, Inc.
Dr. Clarence D. Coleman
Associate Vice President
for University Advancement
TowneBank Donates
to the Campaign for
Norfolk State
TowneBank, a locally owned banking institution
that places special emphasis on the needs of
small businesses, has made a contribution of
$125,000 to the Campaign for Norfolk
State University: Initiatives for the Future.
The announcement was recenty made during
a meeting with TowneBank officials including
Norfolk’s Mayor Paul Fraim, chairman of the
TowneBank Board; Billy Foster, president of
TowneBank Norfolk; and Yvonne Allmond, senior vice president of TowneBank Norfolk and
also a member of the NSU Foundation Board.
TowneBank’s pledge has been designated for
NSU’s general scholarship fund.
TowneBank began operations as a Virginia chartered bank in April 1999. TowneBank offers a
full range of banking and related financial services, including checking, savings, certificates of
deposit and other depository services, commercial, real estate
and consumer loan services. They also provide residential and
commercial mortgages, including brokerage services, through
its mortgage division. In addition, TowneBank provides title
insurance services, investment and asset management services
and a full line of commercial and consumer insurance
products.
Launched publicly in September 2005, the Campaign for
Norfolk State University: Initiatives for the Future, has reached
74 percent of the $15 million goal. The Campaign focuses on
significant ways to improve student success. The initiatives are:
NSU Family Weekend
Activities Scheduled
for Oct. 20-22
Sharon Hoggard
Director of News
and Media Relations
Norfolk State University will hold “NSU
Family Weekend,” three fun-filled days for
NSU students and their families, Oct. 20-22.
Misti Goodson
Assistant Director of News
and Media Relations
Sponsored by the Office of Student Activities,
the weekend will kick off with the President’s
Reception/Registration and Jazz Combo
from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20 at the Mills E.
Godwin Student Center. The cost, which
includes tickets for all of the family weekend
activities, is $30 per person for ages 13 and
up; $15 for children ages 6-12; and free for
children 5 and under. The events are also
free for Norfolk State students with ID. Limited
on-site registration is still available, but on-site
registrants may not be included for the Fish
Fry. For more information, call the Office of
Student Activities at 823-8200.
Marie Uzzle
Administrative and
Program Specialist III
TowneBank officials announced their campaign contribution at a recent
meeting. Pictured from left to right are: William I. Foster III, president of TowneBank
Norfolk, City of Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim, chairman of the TowneBank Board,
Dr. Carolyn Meyers, president of Norfolk State University, Yvonne Allmond, senior
vice president of TowneBank Norfolk, and Dr. Alvin J. Schexnider, executive vice
president of Norfolk State University.
The Spartan Connection • October 2006 • Volume 7/Issue 39 • Page 1
to expand student support, to advance academic instruction, to
enhance the learning environment, to enrich the RISE Campus,
and to embrace the community. The Campaign leadership
includes Joseph E. Fergus, chair; Yvonne Allmond, vice chair
for ongoing support; Earl E. Lee, vice chair for alumni giving;
Willie Brown, vice chair for the Board of Visitors; Allen Jones,
vice chair for corporations and foundations and William D.
Tyree, III, vice chair for the NSU Foundation Board of
Directors.
For more information, contact the Division of University
Advancement at 823-8323.
THE
THE SPARTAN
SPARTAN
Connection
NSU Lights the Way
to End Sexual Violence
“The United States Department of Justice calls violence against women
on college and university campuses in this country, including sexual
assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking, a serious,
widespread problem.”
Recent surveys have revealed that sexual victimization of female college
students has escalated significantly. Numerous research studies have
also indicated that sexual assaults and other forms of violence against
women on campus are gravely underreported, suggesting that the problem is far more pervasive than statistics reveal.
As an NSU faculty, staff, student or community member, you can play
a major role in preventing sexual violence on campus and in society.
We encourage you to get the facts on sexual violence, talk to students
and peers about how to help prevent it, where to turn for help,
and helping survivors heal.
For more information or to request speakers and/or resources for your
classes, departments or organizations, call any of the following agencies: the Norfolk State University Police Department at 823-8102; the
NSU Violence Prevention Project at 823-9549; the University
Counseling Center at 823-8173; or the RESPONSE Sexual Assault
Support Services of the YWCA at 623-2115.
Important Facts About Sexual Violence
(from Mentors in Violence Prevention Program,
Northwestern University, Center for the Study of Sports
in Society, 2006):
1. Somewhere in America, a woman is sexually assaulted every
2 minutes (U.S. Department of Justice/Mentors in Violence
Prevention Program (Northwestern University), 2006.
2. Among college female students nationwide, 20 to 25 percent
report experiencing a completed or attempted rape;
3. Research indicates that one in six men is sexually assaulted
by another male;
4. Research has shown that eighty four percent (84%) of men
who committed rape said (or thought) what they did was
definitely not rape;
5. Eighty percent of all sexual assaults involve alcohol;
6. A woman (or any individual) who is intoxicated cannot legally
consent to sex;
7. Sexual assault, harassment, relationship violence, rape, and
stalking are serious crimes that violate the law and University
standards of conduct.
Things Women and Men Can
Do to Prevent Sexual Violence
1.
Realize that gender violence is a major social problem that deeply
affects the lives of all women;
2. Focus on how you, as an empowered bystander, can support
other women by confronting the behavior of males who are abusive;
3. Gently offer your help and support if you suspect a woman
close to you is being abused or has been sexually assaulted;
4. Educate and empower yourself, students, and your peers.
Encourage young women to not tolerate abuse or unhealthy
relationships;
5. Familiarize yourself with the resources available to women in
your school, on your campus, and in your community (available on
the bottom of this page);
6. Support women and men who are working to end violence
against women;
7. Recognize and speak out against homophobia and gay-bashing;
8. Support women’s sports as a means of teaching girls to be
confident in their athletic abilities and strong in body and spirit;
9. Respect yourself and use your strength as an example to
empower other women around you;
10. Refuse to purchase magazines, videos, or music that portray
women in a degrading or violent manner;
11. Confront abusive behavior. Men, as well as women, should
not remain silent.
Editor’s Note: This message is sponsored by the NSU Police Department, Campus Grant for
the Prevention of Sexual Violence Against Women.
NSU Kicks-off Wireless
Project Tent Event
Last month, Norfolk State University hosted
a wireless project tent event to provide NSU
faculty, staff, students and the community
hands-on opportunities to learn how to navigate through the university’s wireless network and offer assistance on how registered users can access the network from
laptops and other wireless devices.
Since 2004, wireless fidelity, or WiFi, the
popular term for technology that lets users
connect to the Internet at high speeds without wires, has been available at Norfolk
State. But, like many other colleges and
universities, NSU has expanded its network
to meet the growing student need for wireless in more areas on campus and to meet
the demands of current technology. A
Project Core Team lead by Andrea Di
Fabio, NSU’s
The Spartan Connection • October 2006 • Volume 7/Issue 39 • Page 2
wireless reaffirmation project manager,
worked to assess, improve and market the
wireless network capabilities available to
the NSU community. The project culminated
with the tent event.
According to Dr. Adebisi Oladipupo, NSU
vice president for research and technology,
“NSU’s campus has broad wireless coverage coupled with a very secure WiFi implementation.” The campus features more than
110 strategically placed access points for
coverage in the residence halls, academic
and administrative buildings as well as five
outdoors WiFi panels covering the majority
of green spaces.
The event featured free give-a-ways, food,
and entertainment. For more information
about wireless services, call 823-8373.
THE
THE SPARTAN
SPARTAN
Connection
Faculty and Staff Corner
Dr. Page Laws, professor of
English and a 1993 and 2002
Fulbright Scholar, was recently
appointed to serve on the board of
the Council for the International
Exchange of Scholars’ Fulbright
Distinguished Chair Awards committee. This summer in Washington,
D.C., Laws chaired the meeting of her committee,
which is comprised of former Fulbright scholars.
The committee screened applications and assisted
in the selection of this year’s Fulbright
Distinguished Chairs.
Actress Kyla Pratt (center), the smart and sassy college student from UPN’s One on One television series, poses with
the NSU cheerleaders and their coach, Carmen Harris (left). With a crowd of more than 20,000 fans, Pratt attended the
Virginia Lottery Labor Day Classic, NSU’s Spartan football team season opener against the Virginia State Trojans.
Alumni Activities
Sunday, October 29
Gospel Concert-3 p.m.
Location: Godwin Center
Cost: Free
Tuesday, October 31
Youth Activity – 6 to 8 p.m.
Location: Godwin Center
150 Youth Invited
Wednesday, November 1
Old School Step Show-7 p.m.
Location: Douglas
Wilder Center
Cost: $10 general admission
$5 for students w/ID
Thursday, November 2
Jazz Reception-7 p.m.
Location: TBA
Crown Ms. Alumni
Friday, November 3
11th Annual Alumni Golf
Tournament-8:30 a.m.
Location: Bide-A-Wee
Golf Course
Cost: Foursome $300/$85
per golfer
NSU Pep Rally-Noon
Cost: Free
Location: Godwin Center
Alumni Mixer-1:30 p.m.
Kelly’s Backstage
Tavern/Downtown Norfolk
NSUAA 35th
Anniversary Gala
Reception: 5 to 5:45 p.m.
Dinner: 6 to 9:30 p.m.
Dance: 9:30 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
Location: Holiday Inn
Greenbrier
Cost: $50 Dinner/Dance $20
Dance only
Guest M.C. TBA
Saturday, November 4
NSU Homecoming
Parade-8:30 a.m.
Cost: Free and open
to the public
Football Game (Norfolk State
vs. Morgan State) -1 p.m.
Cost: $ 17 Reserved seating
(advance purchase); $25 (day of
game)$12 General admission
(advance purchase); $20 (day of
game)
NSUAA Homecoming
Celebration
Dance- 10 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Location: Holiday Inn Ballroom
Cost: $30
Sunday, November 5
Farewell Worship Service 8:30 a.m.
Speaker: Rev. Lorenzo Akins
Music: Portsmouth Alumni
Gospel Choir William (Bill)
Anderson-Director
Buffet Breakfast
Location: Holiday Inn
Cost: $15
Host Hotel Information
The Holiday Inn Chesapeake
725 Woodlake Drive
Chesapeake, VA 23320
(757) 523-1500
Room Rates:
Standard-$83
Executive-$83
Parlor Suites-$109/$114
For more information
about Homecoming
Activities, contact Alumni
Relations at 823-8135.
Dr. Arlene Maclin, professor of
engineering, was recently awarded
two grants. NSU was one of six
universities and the only HBCU to
be awarded one of the Intelligence
Community Centers of Academic
Excellence , which is funded by the
Office of the Director of National
Intelligence. The $2.3 million grant over a projected five year period will be used for NSU’s
Internationally Diverse Education and Area Studies
program, which will be geared towards DNIMAS
and NSU Honors program students who are
involved in a variety of disciplines. She also
received a $975,000 grant for the
NSF Education Research project, which will be
awarded over a three year period, with
Dr. Arthur Bowman, professor of biology, and
Dr. Margaret Knight, professor of education.
This project will provide a comprehensive
formal evaluation of an NSU Science and
Technology Engineering Mathematics student
scholarship program. Maclin serves as
principal investigator of both awards.
Terricita Sass, associate vice president for enrollment management, was interviewed
on WVEC Channel 13 for its backto-school series on preparing for
college. Sass was interviewed by
LaSalle Blanks, Channel 13 morning
news anchor. She discussed what
parents can do to help their children
prepare for college and also what
students can do to get ready to tackle the challenge
of college. She also talked about how to pay for
college, admissions requirements, SAT scores, financial aid and more. Sass’ interview was carried over
several days on Channel 13 to coincide with the
beginning of the fall school term.
Dr. Mikhail Noginov, associate professor of
physics, was recently awarded a $2.8 million grant
to fund the Partnership for Photonic
Metamaterials (PREM) program.
The grant includes investigators from
the Centers for Materials Research
at NSU and Cornell University. The
program seeks to establish a complete academic pipeline for underrepresented minority groups through
specially developed educational materials, class
work, research training, mentoring and exchange
programs. The pipeline will carry students through
to become Ph.D. candidates for careers in materials
science in academia, industry and government.
Remica L. Bingham, the writing competency
coordinator in the Office of Institutional
Effectiveness and Assessment, recently won the
Naomi Long Madgett Poetry Award,
a book prize for African-American
writers. Her first book of poetry,
Conversion, will be published by
Lotus Press in January 2007.
In addition to other journals and
magazines, Bingham’s work has
appeared in New Letters, Crab
Orchard Review, Gulf Coast, Mosaic, and Essence.
She is also the recipient of the 2005 Hughes, Diop,
Knight Poetry Award and was nominated for a
2005 Pushcart Prize.
The Spartan Connection • October 2006 • Volume 7/Issue 39 • Page 3
THE
THE SPARTAN
SPARTAN
Connection
Norfolk State University
Hosts Jamestown 2007 Event
Norfolk, Va.—In commemoration of the founding of Jamestown,
Norfolk State University will sponsor a two-day national conference titled America’s 400th Anniversary: Voices from Within the
Alumni Spotlight
Congratulations to Chanel Bryant,
a 1997 NSU interdisciplinary studies/elementary education graduate! She was recently named principal of Driver Elementary School
in Suffolk.
America's 400th Anniversary
Veil February 22-23, 2007 at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown
Norfolk. NSU’s conference is a part of Jamestown 2007
Commission’s and the African American Advisory Council’s signature event: Preserving the African American Imprint on America.
Veil
America’s 400th Anniversary: Voices from Within the Veil is being
hosted by the university’s history department, honors program, and
from within the
Center for Global Education. Dignitaries and scholars from around
NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY
the globe have been invited to participate and comment on papers
related to the conference theme. Scholars will also engage in discussion about several major topics including African American civil rights, promises of democracy since
Jamestown, democracy and health care access for minorities, voting and voting rights, and the impact of terrorism on minorities in American society.
Voices
Conference keynote speaker will be Juan Williams, Emmy-award winning journalist who currently serves
as a regular panelist on the FOX Broadcasting Company’s FOX News Sunday with Tony Snow. In addition,
Williams anchors the weekend daytime live coverage on the FOX News Channel. Prior to his position at
FOX, Williams spent 23 years at The Washington Post where he served as an editorial writer, op-ed columnist and White House correspondent. He also hosted NPR’s national call-in show Talk of the Nation.
The conference closing address will be provided by Mary Frances Berry, the Geraldine R. Segal
Professor of American Social Thought and professor of history at the University of Pennsylvania. Berry has
authored seven books and has had a distinguished career in public service, including service as a member
and chairman of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. She also served as the Assistant Secretary for
Education in the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare.
For more information, visit the NSU Jamestown 2007 website at www.nsu.edu/jamestown2007 or contact
the Office of News and Media Relations at 823-8373.
NSU Renews Contract
with RepeatSeat, Ltd.
Norfolk State University recently signed a contract renewal with RepeatSeat
Ltd., a leading interactive global entertainment services company offering
private label ticketing and data management solutions throughout
North America.
NSU is an NCAA Division I-AA school playing in the Mid-Eastern Athletic
Conference. The William “Dick” Price Stadium with a capacity of nearly
30,000 seats, hosts the NSU Spartans football home games throughout the
season. RepeatSeat’s ticketing solutions have been providing NSU with the
services required for selling their tickets for university events and athletics for
three years.
“NSU recognizes the benefits of the solutions that RepeatSeat brings to the
table and anticipates the ongoing enhancement of their solutions that continue
to assist us in optimizing our box office operations,” noted Davida Williams,
director of auxiliary services at Norfolk State University.
“By signing the contract renewal RepeatSeat has been given the opportunity to
further develop our relationship with NSU through enhanced interactive products and services, as we continue to develop superior offerings for clients,”
stated George Davidson, President and CEO of RepeatSeat.
NSU Homecoming Parade to be Held Nov. 4
Norfolk State University’s Homecoming 2006 Parade will be held at 8:30 a.m.
Saturday, November 4. This year’s homecoming theme is “Hollywood
Homecoming 2006: Lights, Camera, Action.”
The parade route will begin on Corprew Avenue, heading west. It will then
make a right turn on Park Avenue, heading north; right on Virginia Beach
Blvd., heading east; right on Ballentine Blvd., heading south; right on
Corprew Avenue, heading west; and conclude on Corprew Avenue at
the viewing stand, which will be in front of the Scott Dozier Dining Hall.
For more information, call 757-823-8373.
The Spartan Connection • October 2006 • Volume 7/Issue 39 • Page 4
A 32-year-old native of Suffolk,
Bryant’s entire career has been
with Suffolk Public Schools. Prior to
her recent promotion, she served
as a fourth grade teacher at Nansemond Parkway
Elementary for five years and an assistant principal at
Mack Benn, Jr. Elementary for four years.
Bryant, who received her master’s degree in education
administration at Old Dominion, was inspired to become
an educator by her aunt, Barbara Jordan, who is also an
NSU alumnus. “She has a strong, loving, and nurturing
spirit which is evident when she works with students,”
said Bryant. “When I first saw her in action, I knew
exactly what I wanted to do—teach and inspire children.
It was ironic that I started teaching in the exact school
and classroom where she taught.”
While at NSU, Bryant was a member of the Spartan
Legion Marching Band for four years. She served as a
“silkette” flag captain for three years. She is currently a
“silkette” flag section leader in the NSU Alumni Band.
Active in the community, she is a member of Alpha
Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and a member of First Baptist
Church Mahan Street in Suffolk where she serves on the
Adult Praise Dance Ministry.
She is married to Darryl L. Bryant ’98.
News and Notes
Fall 2006 Mock Interviews
December and May graduating seniors are invited to participate in the
“Fall 2006 Mock Interviews” on Tuesday, October 10 from 8:30 a.m. to
noon. Sponsored by the Office of Career Services, the interviews will be
located in the Mills Godwin Student Center, Ballrooms A, B & C.
Representatives from Northrop Grumman, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, GEICO
and government agencies will conduct the mock interviews. If you are
interested in participating, please sign up for a 30-minute interview in
the Career Services office, which is located in the Mills Godwin Student
Center, Suite 311.
Students participating in this event must bring a resume to Career
Services to be critiqued and returned with corrections before the
interviews. For additional information, contact Woodrow Tabb
at 823-8799.
Portsmouth/ Bus Trip to South Carolina State University
The Portsmouth Alumni Chapter will host a bus trip to the Norfolk State
vs. South Carolina State football game Saturday, October 7-8. The trip
includes one night’s lodging at the Fairfield Inn by Marriott, game tickets,
and deluxe travel accommodations on a Fantasy Tour bus with refreshments. (Meals not included). The cost of the trip is $125 per person (dbl.
occupancy) and $170 (single occupancy). For more information, contact
the Office of Alumni Relations at 757-823-8135.
The Optimum October Mixer
Norfolk State University Alumni and Friends are cordially invited to the
monthly Spartan mixer at the Red Star Tavern at 5 p.m., Thursday,
October 26. The tavern is located at 201 Town Center Drive, Virginia
Beach, VA 23462. For more information, contact the Office of Alumni
Relations at 757-823-8135.
Portsmouth/Bus Trip to Howard University
Join the Portsmouth Alumni Chapter as they travel to Washington, DC to
the Norfolk State vs. Howard University football game. For more information please contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 757-823-8135.
Class of 1996...10th Year Reunion
Can you believe it has been 10 years since you left the campus of
Norfolk State University? Make plans to attend the 10-year reunion for
the Class of 1996.
For more information, call Kim at 823-8135 or (800)-NSU-ALUM.