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From the NCCUAA Search Committee

This year, 2008, is an election year for the North Carolina Central University Alumni Association. Officers of the Association will be elected by mail ballot for a term of two (2) years starting in July. Ballots have been mailed to all finanacal members. The slate of officers is :

Candidates for President - Richard Smith and David Avery
Candidate for Vice President - Tania B. Davis
Candidate for Treasurer - Chevella Thomas
Secretary - vacant, Write-ins welcomed

Meet the Candidates

Greeting my fellow Eagles. My name is Richard DeWitt Smith. I am running for President of the NCCU Alumni Association, Inc. for the term 2008 - 2010 and I need your support!

As current your National President, it will be an honor and a privilege to continue the awesome programs the association has embarked upon for the past few years. I believe that we are at a point in time that we can take the Association to the next level. With your support, we can ensure that the Association reclaims its rightful place as the Flagship National Alumni Association. Much progress has been made towards this goal, but there is more work to be done. With your assistance we can continue the program efforts that are underway.

First, I think that it is important that you know how I arrived at this point in time. "I was a first generation college student when I walked the sloping hills and verdant greens of NCCU." I came to NCCU with high hopes and dreams of greatness. "I was not a scholar by traditional terms when I arrived on the 'yard', but my professors nurtured me, motivated me and I graduated with academic honors." For me, NCCU was a beacon of hope and a guiding light. I received my bachelor's degree at NCCU in political science in 1981, with a concentration in public administration and then went on to earn a master's of public administration at the University of Maryland in 1982 and continue to enjoy a productive professional career. I credit NCCU and its faculty and staff for developing me academically so that I would be competitive in the greater community.

Since taking the helm, we have experienced numerous program successes such as establishing a vision, mission; and objectives statement that compliments NCCU's over-arching mission statement, increased annual membership; increased younger alumni participation in leadership positions by 42%; established an alumni web site and e-Newsletter, which have led to greater communication with our alumni across the country and around the world; retired past debts; revised the By-Laws & Constitution; implemented efficient and effective fiscal management practices; re-established critical relationships with key components of the University, e.g., Office of Institutional Advancement, the NCCU Foundation, the Office of Alumni Relations; established a key collaboration with the Athletics Department to launch a joint membership campaign; and, achieved an operating budget surplus for two consecutive years.

I am running for re-election to continue these efforts and others underway to increase the alumni membership, increase fundraising, increase student recruitment and special projects. Strategic short-term and long-term initiatives will be continued to connect with younger graduates through the Eagle Outreach Committee, the Association's e-Newsletter, email blasts and the Association's website. For the next term we will implement a platform that will promote and focus upon "Student Recruitment, Retention and Placement."

I am asking that you vote for me so that we can continue the great work of the Association and face the changes and challenges ahead to achieve a cultural transformation that is required to sustain our Flagship Alumni Association in the days, months and years to come.

Thank you for your support over the past two years and the years to come. Feel free to share your thoughts and ideas with me at richard.smith@nccualumni.org.

Mr. Avery is a lifetime Member of the NCCU Alumni Association, Inc. and has served as National President of the NCCU Alumni Association, Inc. during 1988-1992 and 1986-1988.

He has always been an avid supporter of NCCU by being a member of the $1000 Eagles and member of the Shepard Society.

His professional affliations include: President of the Central Virginia Chapter of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators and Vice-President of the Council of Presidents for the National Forum for Black Public Administrators.


Tania Butler Davis, Candidate for Vice President

Tania Butler Davis, originally from Shallotte, NC, currently resides in Waldorf, MD. Ms. Davis received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from North Carolina Central University in May 1994 (cum laude) and a Master of Business Administration from The Johns Hopkins University in May 2000. Additionally, she received a Master's Certificate in Project Management from The George Washington University School of Business, Washington, D.C., in May 2006.

Ms. Davis has been active in the NCCU Alumni Association since her one-year complimentary membership expired in 1995. She became a life member in 2001. She has served in her local chapter and at the national level. As a member of the District of Columbia Chapter, she served as the Assistant Secretary, President, Scholarship Chairperson, and as a member of the Dinner Dance Committee. On the national level, she reigned as Ms. Alumni from 1995 - 96, selected as an At-Large Member on the NCCU Executive Committee from 2002 - 2006, and during this time, initiated the Eagle Outreach Committee, which is the committee responsible for promoting membership, cultivating leadership, and developing outreach efforts to encourage active participation among young alumni. Her present role is serving as the Vice President of the NCCU Alumni Association.

She has over thirteen years of Federal Government contracting experience beginning as a Navy Acquisition Intern with Naval Air Systems Command in 1994 to her current role as a Supervisory Contract Specialist with the Internal Revenue Service. Ms. Davis has received numerous outstanding and excellent performance awards, and On-the-Spot awards for special projects. As a result of the training received during her service with NAVAIR, she achieved her certification of Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Level III in Contracting. On a part-time basis, Ms. Davis is currently an Adjunct Professor at Bowie State University, School of Management, Marketing and Public Administration teaching MGMT 130, Fundamentals of Contracting.

Ms. Davis holds professional affiliations in organizations such as the National Contract Management Association (NCMA), Acquisition Professional Community (APC), National Black MBA Association - DC Chapter, Upsilon Tau Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (Business Manager), and NAACP (Life Member).

Chevella Thomas, Candidate for Treasurer

It is with sincere appreciation for my Alma Mater and its uncompromising commitment to service that I have agreed to run for the position of Treasurer for the National Alumni Association. I was born in Roxboro, NC, to James and Louise Thomas; however, I was reared by my grandmother, Vera R. Faulkner in Roxboro, NC. I arrived in Durham, in August 1978 to pursue a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A) degree in Management at North Carolina Central University (NCCU). Furthering my education, I received a B.B.A. degree in Accounting, May 1, 2004 and a Master of Information Sciences from the School of Library and Information Sciences program at NCCU, graduating Summa Cum Laude in May 2006.

I have been employed in the Division of Administration and Finance at North Carolina Central University for the last twenty-four years. My current title is Reconciliation/Fixed Assets Accountant for the Comptroller's Unit. I am responsible for reconciling all checks written at the University for the State Disbursing account, reconciling the Perkins and Nursing Student Loan repayments, managing the University's Fixed Assets Department, and writing Web Focus reports for the Comptroller's Unit.

Possessing a grounded belief in the mission and motto of my Alma Mater, I currently serve as Vice President, Membership Chairman, and Chairman of the Athletic Committee of the Durham Alumni Chapter, Past-President of the UNC Financial Systems Conference Board for the seventeen member campuses, North Central Regional Representative of the Scholarship Board of Directors for the State Employees Association of NC (SEANC) and that boards' Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer and Assistant Chairman for the West Durham Baptist Church Finance Committee, Member of the West Durham Baptist Church Usher Board, Treasurer of the Eta Beta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Treasurer of District 27 of SEANC, Shepard Society member at NCCU, and Life Member of the National Alumni Association and the Durham Chapter Alumni Association.

University News

NCCU All-Access Card, Football Season Tickets

Faculty Member Spotlight

Jocelyn L. Foy joined the administrative staff of North Carolina Central University as Director of Undergraduate Admissions in July 2000. Since then, she was appointed Assistant Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Services in July 2001 where her current responsibilities include working with various units within the University, the educational community, alumni and friends to identify, recruit, admit, enroll and retain qualified students. Foy brings twenty-eight years of demonstrated leadership and a wealth of progressive enrollment services experiences in her higher educational career.

A native of Winston-Salem, Foy holds the Bachelor of Science degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and the Master of Science degree in Adult Education from North Carolina A&T State University. Jocelyn is a life member of the following Alumni Associations: NCCU, NCA&T State University, Bennett College and UNC Greensboro

Among her many civic affiliations include: Past President, Carolina Association of Collegiate Registrar's and Admissions Officers; 29 year active membership in the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated; Co-Chair of the Transfer Advisory Committee for the UNC System; Vice Chair for the Leadership Greensboro Board of Directors; and Board Member for the Forsyth County Mental Health Association. Jocelyn is a 2007 graduate of the UNC-NCCU University Management Professional Development Program.

Philadelphia Chapter, serving Philadelphia and South Jersey

The Philadelphia Chapter, which serves Philadelphia and South Jersey, continues to strive for "100 National/Life and Local Memberships". We continue to communicate with our members through our newsletter, the Eagle Gram, which is sent monthly. Also, we send cards (birthday, sympathy, and thinking of you) with the flair of NCCU sentiments.

The Philadelphia Chapter meets on the second Saturday at Grace Tabernacle Christian Church, 5122-26 Greenway Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19141, except when schedule or another activity dictates the need to change.

This year, the Philadelphia Chapter awarded two $500 Scholarships, one each semester, to NCCU student, Paul Johnson, a senior from South Jersey.

The chapter year starts with a plenary session comprised of executive members and other past officers and is held at the home of the president. During the past year the chapter sponsored a number of successful fundraisers. On October 27, 2007, a Bowling Party was held at the Adams Lanes in Philadelphia. A Candy Drive Fundraiser was held from November 2007 through January 2008. The chapter presented the NCCU Touring Choir in Concert on March 15, 2008. Each of these fundraisers was successful in providing additional funds for scholarships. The chapter is presently involved in our "Name Rally" fundraiser and are planning a trip to New York in November 2008 to attend a performance of Cirque du Soleil.

Financial Support: The Philadelphia Chapter participated in the Mr./Ms. National Alumni Scholarship Program for homecoming selling 2,000 raffle tickets, and our candidate for Mr. Alumni, Kenneth Alston, was awarded the title. The chapter continually partners with the choir to share net proceeds from the Touring Choir Concert.

The Philadelphia Chapter made donations to the home church of alum, Kia Lighty, Christian Love Worship Center Scholarship Fund in observance of our November 2007 Founders Day Celebration.

Community Outreach: Again during this year the chapter donated tickets to the choir concert to students in two public high schools. Funds toys, books and clothing to children at the Delaware Valley Children's Services were donated in December. Funds were also donated in December to One Day At A Time, an agency that helps disenfranchised individuals. The Chapter also donated funds in support of a Christmas outreach project at the White Rock Baptist Church to purchase toys and books for children of incarcerated women.

The Philadelphia Chapter continues to participate in recruiting students for NCCU during various College Fairs during the year. Recruiting materials were distributed at the Waters Memorial A.M.E. Church for students that are members of the church and the neighborhood in March 2008.

The Officers of the Philadelphia Chapter for 2007-2008 are:

President Marian Hawkins
Vice President Gwendolyn Ricks
Corresponding Secretary Hellen Salters
Recording Secretary Rebecca Holt
Treasurer Robert Jones
Members-at-Large Kia Lighty
Mary Harrison
Kenneth Alston

Is your chapter doing great things for the University and the local community? If so, the alumni community should know. Please email news@nccualumni.org for more information about how to feature your chapter.

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