The First Five Years • Crossing The Line • Curtain Call

Renick, continued from page 13
beautiful environment. If you add construction
bonds, private gifts, and the
A&T Foundation’s investment, we will
spend about $230 million over a sevenyear
period of time. These improvements
are coupled with the East Market
Street activity that’s right at our front
door.
“The stars are aligning, and we’re composing
a campus. There’s a reason for the
A&T Four statue; there’s a reason for the
Richard Hunt sculpture; there’s a reason
for benches on campus. It’s all about
how we want A&T to affect a person’s
aesthetic sense. Two years from now the
campus will be breathtaking.”
“I feel that there’s a spirit of excelling
and pursuing excellence and a closeness
of students, administration and the faculty,”
said Gerald Truesdale, M.D., chairman
of the board of trustees. “Dr. Renick
has revamped and expanded programs
of study as well as administrative policy
and procedures such as to allow the
university to function in a more effi cient
manner.”
“I think the over-all appearance of the
campus – renovating all of the dorms
– makes life a little easier and more
appealing,” observed David Treymane
Totten, a senior at A&T.
Renick emphasizes the importance of
engagement with the community --indeed
the world.
“All of us and most certainly today’s
students will be working in the context
of global citizenship. Surely, then, an
institution of higher learning needs to
provide numerous international experiences,”
he explained.
Minnie Battle Mayes, director of the
Offi ce of International Programs, says,
“Chancellor Renick has encouraged and
fully supported students, faculty and
staff who have interest in international
activities. He has encouraged us to
increase the number of students who are
traveling abroad in exchange programs
14
A&T TODAY
Fall 2004
as well as bringing more international
exchange students to A&T. As a result
of his efforts, our campus has a more
global perspective.”
“He has set higher expectations and
established an environment where you
expect success,” stated Lelia L. Vickers,
Ph.D., dean of education.
Another student, senior William Griffi n,
appreciates Renick’s care and concern
for the student body. “I think he does a
lot to make sure the needs of minority
students are met. I think he really takes
the time to get to know the students
instead of just being in his offi ce all
the time. He actually goes out on the
campus and explores what is going on
all the time.”
Ralph Shelton, A&T graduate and
former chair of the board of trustees,
agrees with this assessment.
“Clearly there appears to be a close
interaction with student leaders and the
student body on a regular basis from
informal chit chat to more formal activities
on campus.”
A&T trustee Carole W. Bruce, Esq.,
expressed admiration for the chancellor’s
commitment to fundraising.
“There has been a very well-planned
and successful fundraising program, and
Chancellor Renick has led that effort by
engaging excellent professionals and a
very infl uential group of volunteers. One
thing I’ve really been impressed with
is that the chancellor has been on the
ground running with this fundraising
program.”
“I love my relationship with Aggie
alumni,” said Renick. “They are the best.
I have traveled extensively across the
country visiting and engaging alumni at
every opportunity.
“In many ways a university is judged by
the accomplishments of its graduates,
and our grads are accomplished. As
Chancellor, it is important to connect
to the university’s past---its history,
traditions, and former students. While
it’s not desirable to live in the past, it’s
important to stay connected. We have
a bright future today because of our
alumni and what this university has
meant to people in the past.”
“Chancellor Renick’s vision and accomplishments
over the last fi ve years are
truly indicative of the Aggie spirit represented
by the alumni association’s
motto, No Steps Backward. The alumni
embrace and support Chancellor
Renick,” said Teresa Davis, national pres-
Select Milestones from the
First Five Years
•Formed corporate partnerships (1999-2004)
•Spearheaded A&T’s UNC Higher Education
Bonds campaign (2000)
•Partnered with N.C. A&T University
Foundation to build Aggie Suites (2000)
•Conceptualized Futures strategic planning
process (2001)
•Established the N.C. A&T Human Rights
Medal (2001)
•Co-hosted Minority-Serving Institutes Summit
with National Science Foundation (2001)
•Conceptualized Piedmont Jazz Festival (2001)
•Appointed A&T’s fi rst provost (2001)
•Initiated the Staff Leadership Institute (2001)
•Created Division of Information Technology
and Telecommunications (2002)
•Commissioned “February One” sculpture by
James Barnhill (2002)
•Kicked off From Generation to Generation: The
Campaign for North Carolina A&T (2002)
•Established Futures Ventures Fund (2002)
•Appointed by George W. Bush to serve on the
President’s Board of Advisors on HBCUs (2002)
•Developed tennis complex (2002)
•Established the University Club (2003)
•Partnered with UNCG to Joint Millennial
Campus (2003)
•Partnered with N.C. A&T University
Foundation to build Pride Hall (2003)
•Reorganized University Galleries (2003)
•Spearheaded University Logo (2003)
•Initiated Chancellor & Company radio talk
show (2003)
•Commissioned “Progress” sculpture by
Richard Hunt (2004)
•Dedicated Irwin Belk Track (2004)