The Talon Vol. 3 Issue 1 - Spring 2008 - Coppin State University ...

PHOTO | PHILLIP IRVING, III“We need to ensure that [students] successfully complete theiracademic careers. This includes preparation, retention, and graduation.”his leadership approach, and he fully understandsthe importance of the campus working in partnershipwith the region it serves.”Dr. Avery said that one of the initiatives thatintrigued him about Coppin was the institution’scommunity outreach efforts. He hopes to continuethe momentum and play a significant role in economicand business development throughout thecity and state. He also plans to work closely withthe Baltimore City Public School System.Dr. Avery was heavily influenced in educationby his parents who are now deceased. His father,Mr. R. Edward Avery, was a member of the BuffaloSoldiers unit in World War II; and his mother, Mrs.Inez G. Avery, was an educator in South Carolinafor over 50 years and also his first grade teacher.Reflecting on his mother’s life, he describes her asan unwavering educator who nurtured the potentialof many students. She was known for seeing thepotential in students and assisting them to achievetheir potential.Directly in accordance with CSU’s slogan,“Nurturing Potential…Transforming Lives,” Dr.Avery found that Coppin was a perfect fit for himbecause it exemplified the very aspects of educationthat he had witnessed in his father and mother. Dr.Avery plans to establish named scholarships at Coppinin honor of his parents.Like his mother, Dr. Avery has dedicated hislife to education. He brings more than 34 years ofhigher education experience to the CSU presidency.Dr. Avery’s educational experience includes servingas Provost at Alma College in Michigan from2000 to 2003. He also served as Vice President forAcademic Affairs at Kentucky State University. Dr.Avery founded and served as the first Dean of theSchool of Professional Programs at Benedict Collegein South Carolina. He has also served on thefaculty of several institutions, including the Universityof Tennessee and the University of Arkansas atLittle Rock.Dr. Avery is a member of the Advisory Committeeon Academic Programs for South Carolina’sCommission on Higher Education and is an institutionalrepresentative of the Southern Associationof Colleges and Schools. An active member of thecommunity, Dr. Avery serves on several boards, includingthose of the Spartanburg Area Chamber ofCommerce, Spartanburg Housing Authority, UrbanLeague of the Upstate, 100 Black Men, and theCommunity Advisory Board of BMW Automotive.Dr. Avery holds a PhD degree from the FlorenceHeller School of Social Policy and Managementat Brandeis University, an MSW degree fromthe George Williams College of Aurora University,and a BS degree in sociology from North CarolinaA&T State University.Musically inclined, Dr. Avery enjoys playing histrumpet, guitar, and piano. “Music is very relaxing,”said Avery. He also enjoys playing golf andreading.Coppin also welcomes Dr. Avery’s wife, Esther,as our First Lady, and their three children and twograndchildren.Coppin’s New First Lady Esther Avery looks toward her husband as they discuss their new future at Coppin State University.9