Bulletin October 2003 [.pdf] - Johnson C. Smith University

Headline
Upward Bound Brings University
Experience to More Than 100
High School Students
Acrime has occurred on campus, and Rene Kimray’s forensic
science class has analyzed the scene. Although the crime
has been staged, the lessons that these Upward Bound
students receive at Johnson C. Smith University are real.
“This program gives students a chance to take more advanced,
college-prep courses,” said Kimray, an Upward Bound Forensics
instructor and an outreach educator at Discovery Place. “I’ve seen
students who did not have a great deal of confidence before they
entered the program take flight
and gain a deeper appreciation
for science and for themselves.”
Each year, more than 100
students from area Charlotte-
Mecklenburg high schools
participate in the Universityhosted
Upward Bound Program.
The federally funded program
gives high-potential, low-income,
first-generation college students a
glimpse of college life.
Kendra Jones, a rising junior
who’s been in the program for
three years, took six classes a day
and lived in Myers Hall as part of
her Upward Bound Math and
Science experience. In Forensics,
she had to collect DNA samples,
hair fibers and determine blood
types in order to solve a mock
crime. The class also included a
visit to the morgue and crime lab.
Not only are students
involved in intensive academic instruction, but also through Upward
Bound, they get a real taste of college life. During the six-week
Residential Summer Program, students are provided room and board
at JCSU.
Jones said during the summer program, “You’re in charge of
you. You have to learn how to cooperate, live with other people
and manage your time wisely.”
Tia Golden, a rising junior at Independence High School,
aspires to be a pediatric surgeon and believes that Upward Bound
gives her opportunities that she wouldn’t otherwise have to help her
reach her goals.
“Many students don’t have the same chance to gain these new
experiences. I feel very fortunate,” said Golden.
Through college visits, assistance with entrance exams and
financial aid applications and career counseling, students like Jones
and Golden are prepared to make the transition from high school to
college.
JCSU recently received two grants by the Department of
Education totaling more than $500,000 each year to continue the
Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math and Science Programs for
the next four years. It is one of only two institutions in North
Carolina to receive funding for the Upward Bound Math and Science
Program.
The University has been successful in its Upward Bound
program since its inception in 1971 and the Upward Bound Math
and Science Program since 1995. Each year, 99 to 100 percent of the
graduating seniors complete the program and go on to college, said
Magdalyn Lowe, JCSU Upward Bound director.
Students receive services year round through the academic year
and summer components. Lowe believes this exposure to the real
college life experience is good preparation for the students. “We are
excited to have the additional funding because it means that we can
continue what we’ve begun, which is to ensure that students finish
high school and are successful in completing college,” said Lowe.
Renowned Author Challenges
Young Minds
Every author hopes to have a literary piece that changes the
world. Darwin McBeth Walton—notable author and educator
— achieved her goal through a book that has shifted the way
children see color.
In the early 1970’s, Walton recognized a lack of literature on
the contributions of African-Americans. Teaching at a predominately
African-American elementary school in Chicago during that time
prompted her to do something about it.
“There just wasn’t much available to share with my students,”
says Walton. “In order to create good self images, I believe our
children need to know about our rich history.”
To fill in the gaps, Walton taught many of her lessons from
Ebony magazines using assorted cut-outs of people, places and
stories. She wanted to show her students more positive images
of African-Americans.
Her passion for dealing with the issue emerged through her
writing, and in 1973, Walton had her first book published. Her
landmark book, What Color Are You? published by Johnson
Publishing Company, was one of the first pieces about diversity
to be used in the public schools. It describes the purpose of skin
Rene Kimray, forensics instructor, and an Upward Bound student analyze the crime scene evidence.
and the cause of various skin colors. The book also discusses
the fact that skin color has no effect on basic human needs and
feelings.
“The book made it easy for teachers to speak to the fact of
differences in color,” says Walton. Now, countless educators are
using Walton’s book to address tough issues with children.
What Color Are You? was not the first book Walton wrote,
but she says it is the one that truly inspired her to continue to be
a positive force in the education of children and parents. Her other
books include Overcoming Challenges and Dance, Kayla.
Walton, who attended Johnson C. Smith University in the 1940’s,
lives in Illinois and remains in education at National Louis University.
She continues to write and talk about the multi-cultural and diverse
society in which our children are growing up.
“All of our children are entitled to a fair education. Young
teachers should work hard to keep our history alive in the schools
for our children,” says Walton.
Out of her love for JCSU and impressionable young minds,
Walton has donated several of her books to the James B. Duke
Memorial Library.
University News
Ying Bai, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of
Computer Science and
Engineering
1
7
Spotlight
Faculty
FacultySpotlight
Treasured
Textbook
An innovative, hands-on textbook by
Professor Ying Bai gives students at
Johnson C. Smith University what they
need for IT success.
Dr. Ying Bai, JCSU assistant professor of
computer science and engineering, has
taken a practical approach to a complex
language—computer programming. His
first textbook, Applications Interface
Programming Using Multiple Languages: A
Windows Programmer’s Guide, was just
recently published and is gaining national
recognition as an indispensable tool for
programmers, software engineers, college
students, researchers and professors.
“Before I came to Johnson C. Smith, I
had never written a book,” says Bai. “But I
realized that our students needed
something that was more organized, and
the only way to do that was to develop an
example-oriented book that students could
use.”
His textbook is the only one of its kind
and is a hands-on, example-packed tool
that guides readers through everything
they need to know about interface
multiple languages in Windows. With a
CD-Rom included, each chapter has
working examples to solve real-world
problems.
Bai teaches four to five classes each
semester at JCSU and uses the new
textbook to help students understand
programming using multiple languages.
His textbook is also being used by other
computer and engineering professionals
across the country. He has two more
books that will be published in the near
future including Mastering Electronics Via
Labs and Serial Port Interface Handbook
in Windows.
Bai has published more than ten papers
in journals and conferences, and his
research interests include software
engineering, mix-language programming,
automatic and fuzzy logic control, robotics
control and calibration as well as accurate
measurements.
Bai received his BS and MS degrees
from Tsinghua University and Beijing
Institute of Technology, China in 1983 and
1987 respectively. He studied at Robotics
Center at Florida Atlantic University and
earned his Ph.D. in 2000. Before joining
JCSU, Dr. Bai worked as a senior software
engineer at different companies in the US
and successfully developed many projects
in industrial fields.