Stormy Weather Researchers find Money in Trees - Welcome to ...

ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITYNORMAL Online INDEXNOVEMBER2010High SchoolSenior DayTaking onNew LookResearchersfind Money inTreesStormyWeatherStatewide Expansion Aside,ALMNet Awaits Fiscal Rain

in this online issue!NormalOnlineIndexVol. 2, No. 2 - November 2010Andrew Hugine, Jr., Ph.D.PresidentPublisherWendy KoblerVice President forMarketing, Communications & AdvancementAssociate PublisherJerome SaintjonesEditor-in-ChiefStaffShirley AlexanderAdministrative SecretaryAAMU’s Gearing Up for High School Senior Day!11State’s Farmers Get NeededInfo, Thanks to ALMNetLet’s Talk Turkey!A tradition on “The Hill”still lives. Looking for thatspecial holiday bird? If so,listen carefully from anannouncement for ordersfrom Louis Shackleford inFood and Animal Sciences,School of Agricultural andEnvironmentalSciences.Still afraid youmight miss it? Then call(256) 372-5986.24Public Relations CouncilMarsha D. Griffin, Ph.D.Joe HudsonEdward Jones, Ph.D.Torin MaloneEdwan O’NealStoney MasseyDiane OkwukwuElizabeth Sloan-RaglandTamika D. WilliamsWendi WilliamsShelley Wyckoff, Ed.D.Student AssistantsQuinton Brasfield, Kejuan Brooks,Princess Dollerson, Oyedeji Oluwoye,Henry ChaneyCover Design:Jerome SaintjonesFeatured:ALMNet Weather StationInside Cover:NASA’s “Oscar” poses with student at last year’sHigh School Senior DayNORMAL INDEX Onlineis published as a an Internet communicationstool periodically throughout the year by theOffice of Marketing and Public Relations,Alabama A&M University, P. O. Box 1027,Normal, AL 35762. Send contributions andstory ideas to NORMAL INDEX Online,P. O. Box 1027, Normal, AL 35762, or E-mail:shirley.alexander@aamu.edu.

UNIFORM FUNDRAISEROctober 2nd, 2010 – April 1st, 2011Incentive Awards forOutstanding Support!4 Tickets to Game ofChoice in PresidentialSuite 2011 (IndividualWho Adopts Most Band Students)*Exclusive Director’s Cut forthe First Band 2011Home GamePerformance ($500+ Level)Two (2) Rooms atBirmingham Sheraton toMagic City Classic 2011(Alumni Chapter That Adopts MostBand Students)With roots that date beyondthe early masterful directorshipof W.C. Handy, the 230-memberMarching Maroon and WhiteBand has achieved worthy recognitionas one of the best showbands in the nation. In 2006,the Band led the Tournament ofRoses Parade in Pasadena, Calif.Each year, the musical groupmakes several performances atvarious gridiron classics andother sports occasions, parades,as well as local and regionalevents.But the wear and tear on theproud Maroon and White uniformshas approached the pointof no return. Designed to lastthrough the rigors of four eventfulyears, the Maroon and Whiteof age. You can help by participatingin the Maroon and WhiteAdopt-a-Band Student $160,000uniform fundraiser in one ofseveral ways listed below:Donor Levels:Adopt-a-Band Student $500*Coat $300Trouser/Bib $200Rain Poncho $100Cape/Shako $ 50*($500 purchases an entire uniform. If you can’t support at that level,please consider a donation at one of the lower levels)For additional information, visit the AAMU website:www.aamu.edu or call (256) 372-5483Make Checks Payable to: AAMU Foundation (MEMO: Band) andMail to: P. O. Box 353, Normal, AL 35762. A Tax-Deductible Receipt Will Be Mailed to You.* Only 71.43 per month. Pay monthly through payroll deduction, credit card, or set up payment plan!!!

News Capsules from “The Hill”Wesley “Roast and Toast”Arthur B. Wesley, former director ofUniversity Bands and assistant professorof music at Alabama A&M University, aswell as adjunct percussion instructor atOakwood University andthe University of Alabama,retired from AAMU afterserving for 36 years. Hewas slated to be honored ata “Roast and Toast”October 23 at the VonBraun Civic Center in the North Hall.Proceeds from this event will be used tohelp purchase new band uniforms andequipment for the Marching Maroon andWhite Band. For more information, call(256) 508-9315 or (256) 372-4099.New Fiscal Chief HiredAlabama A&M University hasannounced the addition of a new VicePresident for Business and Finance.Ralph Johnson now oversees the seniorfinancial management team and severaldepartments, including public safety,property management, and the office ofpurchasing.“The next few yearswill be very dynamic andexciting ones for AlabamaA&M University,” saidAAMU President AndrewHugine, Jr. “Mr. Johnsonhas the financialmanagement skills and strategic vision tohelp us achieve our goals.” The newadministrator’s breadth of experience andexpertise includes leadership and teamdevelopment, financial management,business valuation, budgeting,forecasting, project development andimplementation, all of which will greatlyimpact the University’s business andfinance operations, said Hugine.Johnson has worked for Norfolk StateUniversity since 2005, serving in severalpositions, including Vice President forFinance and Business. While at NorfolkNormal IndexOnlineState, he successfully implemented E-Commerce processes which allowedstudents and their families to makepayments online for registered courses.He generated significant annual costsavings with the roll out of these onlineservices and inventory analysis ofUniversity assets.Johnson earned his undergraduatedegree in accounting from BradleyUniversity in Peoria, Ill.; an MBA fromTulane University in New Orleans, La.;and is a Certified Public Accountant. Healso has several certifications fromHarvard University, Cambridge University,Hampton University and VirginiaCommonwealth University.Extension Hosts NinthAging InitiativeThe Ninth Successful Aging Initiative,sponsored by the Alabama CooperativeExtension System Urban Affairs & NewNontraditional Programs at Alabama A&MUniversity, was held at Union ChapelMissionary Baptist October 14, from 8:00a.m.-2:30 p.m. This year’s conferencetheme was “ENJOYING AGING…LIVELAUGH LOVE LEARN.” Organizers ofthis year’s Initiative hosted the firstannual “Bake-Off Competition”, “SeniorsGot Talent Competition”, and Hattitude—a stylish hat competition for women andmen. Various local experts, who discussedservices and best practices in the areas ofElder law, healthcare, and financialsecurity in later life, also shared their bestpractices in an “Ask the Experts” paneldiscussion. Pfizer PharmaceuticalCompany provided free Memory Screeningsthroughout the day. The eventincluded over 50 senior-friendly exhibitors,and the latest information concerningfree resources and services was madeavailable to older adults, their families, andcaregivers. For additional information,please contact Mrs. Jackie Collier at 256-372-4947.‘Image’ Focus of NewMarketing/Advancement VPAlabama A&M University has hiredWendy Kobler as Vice President forMarketing, Communications andAdvancement.“Ms. Kobler has numerous years ofproven results and excellent experience inall areas of Marketing, Communicationsand Advancement,” commented AAMUPresident Andrew Hugine, Jr. “She has theunique perspective of having experienceand insights intoMadison County’sthree constituenciesof government,industry, andprofessions.”Hugine said that,owing to her yearsof marketing andcommunicationsexperience,relationship-building, training, andleadership ability, Kobler will bring“exciting new ideas, energy, andenthusiasm to this new strategic positionhere at Alabama A&M.”In her new role, Kobler will provideexecutive leadership in the key areas offund-raising, alumni and corporaterelations; and marketing andcommunications. “These critical areasbuild Alabama A&M’s visibility andcommunity relationships, and support theUniversity’s mission, goals, and strategicobjectives,” said Hugine.“It is an honor to work with thetalented and dedicated professionals atAlabama A&M,” said Kobler. “I willdedicate my best efforts to contribute toits mission and to promote the highqualityeducation and diverse programsoffered.”Kobler’s background is extensive incorporate marketing and communications.Prior to joining AAMU, she was themarketing and public relations managerwith a local firm and an entrepreneur withher own consulting company, Kobler4

Communications, working with many localand national high tech companies.Nationally, she has appeared as amarketing and branding strategist on “FoxNews: Fox & Friends” and as a brandingcommentator on Atlanta’s Talk RadioWDUN-ABC Radio Network. She also hasbeen featured in Business Week,Entrepreneur and Star magazines.Kobler earned a bachelor’s degree inmarketing from the University of WestFlorida in Pensacola, Fla., and a secondaryeducation certification in marketingeducation from Old Dominion Universityin Norfolk, Va.Alum Works to MakeImpact on Black BeltNearly a decade ago, the BirminghamNews did a special report about “TheBlack Belt: Alabama’s Third World.” Thisreport not only inspired Dr. Sandra Fordand her husband that they could make adifference, but it moved them to takeaction instead of waiting for someone elseto solve the “health” and “care” issues oftheir community. Dr. Ford has since cofoundedthe Spirit of Luke CharitableFoundation that sponsors A Promise toHelp (APTH), a non-profit that runs onthe hope of eliminating healthcaredisparities in Alabama. Dr. Ford’sunwavering compassion forunderprivileged and underinsuredpopulations of The Black Belt region hasbrought her household recognition whereher generous spirit is felt by thousands ofAlabamians since she began healthcareservices six years ago. Ford’s inspiringvision has now catapulted her for specialrecognition ... if enough alumni can votefor her. Visit www.aamu.edu and click theappropriate link for details.A&M Receives Grant toDevelop Bioethics ModulesAlabama A&M University researchershave received a grant from the NationalScience Foundation (NSF) to helpstudents in life sciences andbioengineering to develop the skillsnecessary to deal with complex ethicalchallenges.NSF recently awarded five AAMUresearchers a $399,885 grant to developmodules aimed at helping life sciences andbioengineering students to recognize andaddress ethical challenges. The researchteam (comprised of Jerry Collins, ElizabethHeitman, Ernst Cebert, Martha Vergheseand Rory Fraser) will develop learningmodules on key ethical issues inbioengineering and life sciences; evaluatethe modules at AAMU and otherinstitutions; and distribute the modulesand other teaching materials via a majorpertinent website, national conferencesand a peer-reviewed textbook.In the project, entitled “HPL-BasedEthics Education for Life Science andBioengineering Students,” the researcherscontend that developing a way for lifescientists and bioengineers to deal withburgeoning ethical issues will greatly helptheir respective fields and beyond.For additional information, contact Dr.Ernst Cebert at (256) 372-4243 orernst.cebert@aamu.edu.SWEARING IN: Former AAMU Trustee M. Lynn Sherrod (far right) swears in the new officers of the Alabama A&M UniversityFaculty Senate,including (l-r): Dr. Josh Herring, Dr. James Bukenya, Dr. Jeanette Jones and Dr. Barbara Cady (President).

AAMU Reports EnrollmentIncreaseThe number of students attendingAlabama A&M University has increasedby 9 percent, according to the fall 2010preliminary enrollment figures from theOffice of Institutional Research, firstreleased in September.Overall, AAMU gained nearly 500students at the undergraduate andgraduate levels, reports Dr. Frank Archer,who heads the unit which compiles theschool’s institutional statistics. Last fall,AAMU’s total enrollment peaked at 5,327.The preliminary overall enrollment figurefor fall 2010, however, stands at 5,814, anincrease of 487 students.The undergraduate enrollment of 4,940students this fall, represents a 9 percentincrease over fall 2010, while graduateenrollment (874) has increased by 5percent, the most recent data indicate.While more detailed statistics bydisciplines have not been finalized for fall2010, some areas appeared to showupward trends in enrollment and wereabove their six-year averages in fall 2009.These included, for instance,undergraduate programs in art,agribusiness, civil engineering, foodscience, forestry, urban and regionalplanning, special education and physicaleducation and others.Normal IndexOnline“The Hill Project”One aspect of the expansion of therecent week-long Louis Crews Classicactivities was the concept of linkingAAMU with a local high school. S. R.Butler High School (Jacqueline Wyse,principal) was selected because of itsaccomplishments in increasing itsgraduation rate,from 63% in2008, to 83% in2009.The goal isto continue themomentum untilthe schoolreaches the stategraduationstandard of95%.. The Hill Project-Class of 2014 wasthe outcome of this partnership. TheNinth Grade Academy of S. R. Butler HighSchool has entered into a four-yearcommitment with Alabama A&MUniversity. The Ninth Grade Academystudents will be invited back to “The Hill”each year until 2014. Personnel fromAlabama A&M will be invited to Butlerduring the academy’s monthly assembliesto keep the students focused on the goalof graduation.On September 10 the Butler studentsmade their first visit to Alabama A&M.The students participated in twoinformative workshops: One on decisionmaking and the second on how to preparefor college right now. Students had achance to tour the campus and speak oneon-onewith college students. Thestudents also worked on a legacy projectthat will be left at A&M. Each studentreceived a ticket to the Louis CrewsClassic game.There was nocost to thestudents toparticipate.Dr. Ann RoyMoore,Huntsville CitySchools’Superintendentsupported thepartnership, while Dr. Andrew Hugine, Jr.,president of Alabama A&M Univeristy,has signed the students’ Commitment toExcel agreement.Dean to Serve onGovernor’s CommitteeThe Dean of Alabama A&MUniversity’s School of Agricultural andEnvironmental Sciences has beenreappointed by the Governor to serve onan important state committee.Dr. Robert W. Taylor will continue hisservice on the 15-person Forever WildLand Trust. Taylor’sappointment byGovernor Bob Rileywill expire December31, 2016. Over thecourse of nearly twodecades, the ForeverWild Land Trust haspurchased more than200,000 acres in a thirdof the state’s counties, according to itsliterature.The acquisitions by the state bodyenable support to several state parks,wildlife management areas, naturepreserves and even recreation areas.“I have made honesty and integrity apriority in my administration,” noted Rileyin a recent letter to Taylor, “and I knowyou will embody these two virtues whileserving the people of Alabama.”6

The AAMU administrator and soilchemist is a Fellow in two leadinginternational professional societies. DeanTaylor also served as an influentialprogram officer for the National ScienceFoundation, one of the most prestigiouspeer review funding agencies in the world.Dr. Taylor earned the B.S. degree fromTuskegee University in 1970. He pursuedhis postgraduate studies at MichiganState University, obtaining a M.S. degreein soil microbiology in 1973 and a Ph.D.degree in soil chemistry in 1977.AAMU on List for OnlineSecurity CourseThe University has been selected tojoin 12 institutions that will host nextyear’s Emergency Management Institute(EMI) L363 Multi-Hazard EmergencyPlanning for Higher Education course,according to the campus facilitator for theinstruction module..The EMI course will be held August 9-11, 2011. In upcoming months, AAMUprofessor and transportation expert JacobOluwoye will facilitate the courselogistics, in cooperation with officialsfrom the Department of HomelandSecurity-Federal Emergency ManagementAgency (FEMA).A component of the FEMA, EMI aimsto improve the abilities of governmentalagencies to handle all aspects of majordisasters and emergencies.For additional information about theL363 Multi-Hazard Emergency Planningfor Higher Education course, contact Dr.Oluwoye at (256) 372-4994.AAMU Education ProfessorAssumes Key PostsAn associate professor of educationalleadership at Alabama A&M Universityhas assumed important positions on localand state entitiesDr. Phillip L. Redrick serves in thecapacity of vice chairman of the fivememberBoard of Commissioners of theHuntsville Housing Authority (HHA). Aprimary aim of HHA is to eliminate thenegative influence of poverty in publichousing to ensure that residents developNobel7self-esteem and lead fulfilling andAAMU has installed several energency blueboxes throughout the campus. In addition totransmitting emergency alerts, the boxes allowimmediate reporting to the University Police.productive lives.Redrick has also received a covetedstatewideappointment to theLEADAlabamaDevelopmentCommittee of theAlabamaDepartment ofEducation. Thecommittee isresponsible forrecommending aRedrickthe formative assessment system forAlabama Instructional Leaders.A native of Birmingham, Ala., Dr.Redrick is an elementary educationgraduate of Alabama A&M University andThe Ohio State University, where heearned graduate degrees in educationaladministration. He has amassed extensiveexperience in higher educationadministration through posts at publicand private universities.How Our Gardens GrowThe community gardens on thecampus of Alabama A&M University arethe result of the University’s collaborationwith the Madison County Commission,namely District Six, under CommissionerBob Harrison. The concept likely wasdeveloped under the administration offormer Commissioner Prince Preyer, anagriculture graduate of Alabama A&M andTuskegee.The garden is wholly maintained byDistrict Six on land made available forcultivation by Alabama A&M University.The gardens, located on Meridian Street,across from Holy Cross-St. Christopher’sChurch; Chase Road; as well as behindthe ROTC/Councill Training Building,have been the source of a variety of freshvegetables for numerous years.A spring garden produces beans, okra,peas, and corn. A winter garden featurescollards, winter peas and turnips. Thepublic receives information about theharvesting sessions by word of mouth,and that has been more than enough, saysthe District Six coordinator!The key contact at District Six for theupkeep of the gardens and notice ofdistribution of produce is Willie McCrary.The main District Six number is256.532.1505.ConnecdesignforLEADAlabama,Normal IndexOnline

Dr. James ThompsonHe studied with the bestNormal IndexOnline8

9Giving HeckShortly, after thewinners of the 2010Nobel Prize for Chemistrywere made publicin October ...Dr. James Thompson, a longtimeAlabama A&M University professorof chemistry walked into thecampus’ public relations office,proclaiming, “The Nobel laureatefor chemistry ... I know him.”American-born Richard F. Heckshares the 2010 Nobel Prize forChemistry with Japanese citizensEi-ichi Negishi and Akira Suzuki.An elated Thompson went on toexplain that he was Heck’s firstPh.D. student at the University ofDelaware in the mid-1970s, wherethe AAMU professor was apromising young researcher in thespecialty of palladium chemistry.After earning his undergraduatedegree in chemistry from AlabamaState University, Thompson hadearned the master’s degree fromAtlanta University, culminating hisstudies in Newark, Del.“Heck was a really nice guy,”recalled Thompson. “He knewchemistry well and worked us hard,night and day, in the lab.”Thompson said he had read anarticle in an industry publicationlast May that Heck was at the topof the list for the Nobel Prize.“He didn’t talk a lot,” said Dr.Thompson, “but he was a realgood, decent and fair-minded guy”who came to Delaware, said theAAMU professor, on an endowedchair.“We made a lot of new compounds,”Thompson said of histime in Delaware, and whenThompson had completed hisstudies, the Nobel Prize winnergave him “a good recommendation.”by Jerome SaintjonesNormal IndexOnline

Still Bulldog ProudThe Bulldog Pride Committee recognizesspecial character traits eachmonthof the academic year (e.g.,honestry, integrity, etc.). Below aresome recent winners.Thanked by President Hugine (c) for representing the Unit of the Month (Alumni Affairs) and themonthly character trait of “Cleanliness” are: (l-r) Sandra Stubbs, Alumni Affairs; Jonathan Bibb,senior, mechanical engineering major; Sybil Moore, Alumni Affairs; and Hanna Mamo, ComputerScience staff.Dr. Jannie Carter, administrative staff,Cooperative Extension, is congratulated byPresident Hugine in recognition of being votedfor the trait of “Cleanliness.”Dr. Jeanette Jones of the Biology Department and Kai Campbell ofFinancial Aid are thanked by President Hugine for best exemplifying themonthly character trait of “Self-Control” and Unit of the Month, respectively.Not Shown: A. Leslie Evelyn.Normal IndexOnlineLeatha Bennett receives congratulations from President Hugine afterbest exemplifying the monthly (September) character trait of “Citizenship.”Not Shown: Angela Crum (Registrar’s Office) and BrandonBrown, student.10

AAMU’s Weather Stations Now Blanket StateFarmers and environmentaliststhroughout Alabama are receiving theinformation they need to make criticaldecisions, thanks in large measure to theexpansive research and state-of-the-artweather monitoring equipment suppliedby Alabama A&M University scientists.The Alabama Mesonet (ALMNet),operated by AAMU through itsDepartment of Natural Resources andEnvironmental Sciences, is made up ofmeteorological and/or soil profile SCANstations. The combination stations arealso part of a U.S. Department ofAgriculture data collection network.To date, AAMU has set up SCANstations in 24 counties in Alabama,including three in counties in the vicinityof the Gulf Coast (Baldwin, Escambia andHouston counties), as well as three inTennessee. Additionally, four newweather stations have been set up in theBlack Belt counties of Dallas, Macon,Montgomery, and Pickens, all strungalong the midsection of the state. Anestablished station in Sumter County,located on Alabama’s border withMississippi, brings the total of stationslocated in the Black Belt region to five.Recent support from Alabama FarmersFederation (ALFA) President Jerry Newbyand Executive Director Paul A. Pinyan tothe tune of $15,000 greatly assisted in themaintenance of all the SCAN stations.The stations are set up on land donatedfor use by ALMNet for a period of 30years. Among the newer units arestations situated in Colbert, Pickens,Randolph and Winston counties.According to Dr. Teferi Tsegaye, chairof the Department of Natural Resourcesand Environmental Sciences, ALFA is akey user of the meteorological/soil profilestations, which allow end users real-timedata for the day-to-day management offarms.Tsegaye says ALMNet has reliedheavily on research dollars although theALMNETextent of its benefit is statewide. “Weneed and are looking for additionalsupport,” said Tsegaye.AAMU Researchers Report on Volcanic AshMONTSERRATIn an effort to further shareimportant research to its colleagues,the School of Agricultural andEnvironmental Sciences (SAES) hasreleased a publication focusing onvolcanic ash from the live volcano onthe island of Montserrat.The author is one an SAES Ph.D.graduate students, and the co-authorsrepresent the areas of chemistry,physics, engineering and naturalresources and environmental sciencesat AAMU.“This is a great example ofscientists in SAES working outsidethe silos, as charged by (AAMU)President Hugine, to survive in the21st century,” says SAES DeanRobert W. Taylor.11Normal IndexOnline

Money on TreesNormal IndexOnline12

AAMU Gets $5 Million GrantRenewal for Forest ResearchThe National Science Foundation (NSF)has renewed its funding to Alabama A&MUniversity scientists to continue their workin the School of Agricultural andEnvironmental Sciences’ Center for ForestEcosystem Assessment (CFEA).The Center and the $5 million, five-year project is led by Dr. Yong Wang, ablyassisted by co-principal investigators Wubishet Tadesse and Zachary Senwo. Theproject, pending NSF fund availability and scientific progress, is scheduled to run throughFY 2014. Additionally, the Center’s research and educational team is made up ofagricultural school faculty members and graduate students, in major collaboration with theUSDA Forest Service’s Bankhead National Forest and Southern Research Station.Building upon the experiences and data collected during the first funding cycle(2004-2010), the Center will examine the impact of forest disturbances (prescribedburning and thinning) on the forest ecosystem. The research is expected to enhance theknowledge of disturbance ecology under changing environmental and climatic conditions,all while boosting participation of faculty and African American students in naturalresources and ecological research.For additional information, contact Dr. Yong Wang (256) 372-4229 oryong.wang@aamu.edu.LEFT: Top-notch AAMU Researchers Get $5 Million NSF Grant Renewed: (l-r) Dr. ZacharySenwo, Dr. Wubishet Tadesse and Dr. Yong Wang.13Normal IndexOnline

New NSF Grant Will Nurture A&M’sEnvironmental Biology UndergradsThe National Science Foundation(NSF) has awarded almost $1 millionto Alabama A&M University toimprove the research experiences ofstudents in thebroad andinterdisciplinaryfield ofenvironmentalbiology.The $996,000award will engagestudents in hand-onresearch while theyare undergraduatesin an effort toencourage them tochoose sciencecareers. Thestudents will bementored by 11faculty membersrepresenting nearly all of AAMU’sscience disciplines, including animalscience, biology, chemistry,environmental science, food science,forestry or plant science. Thesedegree programs are housed in thefour academic departments of Biology,Chemistry, Food and Animal Science,and Natural Resources andEnvironmental Sciences.Most importantly, the grant willestablish an Undergraduate Researchand Mentoring in the BiologicalSciences (URM) program designed toincrease the number ofunderrepresented minority studentsand others who are motivated andprepared to pursue graduate studies inrelevant disciplines.AAMU students will have optionsto conduct research in molecular andmicrobiology laboratories, fieldNormal IndexOnlineSharmaresearch at the university’s agriculturalresearch station in Hazel Green, Ala.,or at research sites (e.g., BankheadNational Forest). These opportunitiesshould be ofinterest to studentswho wish toundertake fieldstudies or work inlaboratories. Junior(community)college graduateswith an interest inthe sciencedisciplinesdescribed areespeciallyencouraged toapply.A cohort of fivestudents will berecruited each yearin the first four years of this five-yeargrant, and NSFfunds will be usedto support eachundergraduateparticipant (mostlyjuniors and seniors)for a total of twoyears. Over thefive-year period ofthe grant, a total of20 students willparticipate in theprogram, supportedby a $15,000stipend each year.ParticipatingAAMU URMprogram facultymembers have active researchprograms and are dedicated to thisundergraduate research effort, saysWangMossDr. Elica M. Moss who, along withDrs. Govind Sharma and Yong Wang,is a principal investigator for theproject. “A&M faculty membershave committed to serving as mentorsfor students conducting research insuch topics as food microbiology,microbial ecology, plant science, soilbiochemistry and soil genomics, birdand bat physiological response andmigration studies,” notes Moss.Moreover, the students willundergo GRE preparation and havethe opportunity tospend a summer atAAMU or otherresearch-intensiveuniversities toenhance theirexperiences inresearch and topresent their workat a scientificmeeting.For additionalinformation on thegrant and itsprovisions, contactDr. Elica M. Mossat (256) 372-8219,e-mail her atelica.moss@aamu.eduor visit http://www.aamu.edu/urm/.14

‘The Tenacious Ten’On September 24, the Alabama A&M University AthleticHall of Fame observed another milestone when 10 newmembers joined the ranks of the scores of exemplaryathletes and Normalites the organization embodies.The “Tenacious Ten” were inducted at the AAMUAthletic Hall of Fame banquet and induction ceremony inthe Ernest L. Knight Reception Center on the AAMUcampus. Dr. James J. Hicks, former dean of AAMU’sSchool of Education, served as the event’s emcee. Thegroup was also honored at the Hall of Fame GameSaturday, September 25, when the Bulldogs playedSouthern University.The honorees of the Class of 2010 included(alphabetically): Frederick G. Carodine, Jr., football,Huntsville, Ala.; Bobby J. Cooley, football, Louisville, Ky.;Michael L. Foxx, football, Knoxville, Tenn.; Ron O. Hardy,football, Detroit, Mich.; Sherrie Zinn Lawson, basketball,Dayton, Ohio; William Lewis, golf, College Park, Ga.;Edward “Soul” Phillips, basketball, Dayton, Ohio; Erroll15T. Reese, football,Durham, N.C.; WillieLee Scott, football/basketball, Huntsville,Ala.; and Darren K.Wilson, football,Spanish Fort, Ala.The new officers ofthe more than 100-member organizationare: Randolph Flakes,president; Sandra Lyles-Jackson, vice presidentand banquetcoordinator; Bobby L.Hayden, secretary; andCynthia Clopton,treasurer.Normal IndexOnline

A Charge to Keep

When it comes to her new post as director ofalumni affairs at Alabama A&M University,Sandra Silmon Stubbs readily admits that fillingthe huge footprints of directors who preceded hermakes her a bit anxious.“I want to live up to the expectations,” says Stubbs, a 1987 AAMUaccounting graduate from LaFayette, Ala. (pop. 3,000).“I want to work as hard as I can to please as many people as possible,and I believe in treating people with respect, courtesy and decency. Itwill come back to you.”Growing up in the tiny east central Alabama town, Stubbs in manyways began retracing the steps of her older sister, Sue Silmon Massey,also an AAMU alum.“As I look back,” recalls Stubbs, “A&M afforded me the opportunityto meet lifelong friends.” It also was at A&M, she says, that she met herhusband Herman and was mentored by dynamic accounting professorEric Ohene-Nyako.While settling into her office at the Alumni House on Chase Road,Stubbs says she is trying to get a handle on “the feel” of the campusenvironment following a long stint in the corporate sector. That processis made easier as she considers what makes A&M a special place, shesays.Stubbs maintains that AAMU is still a place that cares for its students,carries out the historically black college tradition, offers severalmentoring opportunities and encourages its students to get involvedat all levels.“I would like to see more student pride, though,” says Stubbs, whoaims to significantly boost alumni volunteerism and financialcontributions in the years ahead. Short term, however, she wants everycampus academic department or unit to play some role in galvanizingits alumni.Stubbs also plans to work with the campus information technologyunit to assist departments in the cultivation of their alumni byestablishing links affiliated with the Alumni Affairs office.Prior to rejoining the AAMU family, Stubbs enjoyed a distinguishedcareer in finance as vice president and district manager with BBVACompass Bank, where she was a fully licensed investmentrepresentative. In that capacity, she was responsible for the operationsand daily management of 19 BBVA Compass Bank branches in NorthAlabama.“I’m honored to have an opportunity to serve,” she concludes.17Normal IndexOnline

TAMIKA D. WILLIAMSTamika D. WilliamsTamika D. WilliamsProfessor Joe Washington, posingbefore exhibit of Tamika D.Williams’ work (left)It’s a tough world out there.Save it. ’Cause the multi-talented faculty members in Alabama A&M University’s Art Department have found answersin life’s simplest things, borrowing from nature, the inanimate and even human beings. And, through it all, they havemanaged to find a silver lining that makes cloudy days such stuff as backgrounds are made of.(Gallery Photos by Jerome Saintjones)For A&M’sAAMU’s Art Faculty Capture Beauty, Inspiration in Trying TimesNormal IndexOnline18

JENNIE COUCHCARA FULLERSakeAAMU19Gallery of ArtNormal IndexOnline

Just RaydiantCHARLES RAY HONORED FOR WORK ON BETTERMENT OF CREDIT UNIONSNumerous family members,friends and well-wishers wereon hand recently tocongratulate an extraordinaryAlabama A&M Universityalumnus on his induction intothe Defense Credit UnionCouncil’s Hall of Fame.Born in Huntsville,Alabama, Charles L. Ray Jr.was raised by his maternalgrandparents. His mother diedwhen he was 14 days old.Today, he embraces and livesby the principles and valuesthat his grandparents instilledin him at an early age “Alwaysdo you best in everything thatyou undertake.” Those wordshave been the stimulus for thesuccesses that he hasachieved.Ray received his elementaryand secondary education inMadison County PublicSchools System. Aftergraduating from CouncillTraining High School in 1953,he enrolled in MorehouseCollege as a pre-medicalstudent. His enrollment atMorehouse College wasinterrupted to honor militaryobligations in the UnitedStates Army. He spent threeand a half years in the Armyserving three years inKaiserslautern, Germany. In1957, he was discharged fromthe Army and enrolled atAlabama A&M University andearned the Bachelor of Sciencedegree in History and English.Further studies earned him theNormal IndexOnlineCharles RayMaster of Science degree inUrban Studies from AlabamaA&M University and theAssociate of Science degree inMortuary Science fromJefferson State CommunityCollege.Upon the completion of hisundergraduate degree, Raywas employed in the MadisonCounty Public Schools Systemas an elementary and highschool teacher. Mr. Ray left theteaching profession in 1965and became the AssistantDirector of the HuntsvilleMadison County CommunityAction Agency (CAA) andlater was promoted to theExecutive Director. He servedsix years with CAA beforepursuing a career in thegovernment sector as a SpecialStaff Officer to theCommanding General ofSafeguard Logistics Command.In this position, he excelledachieving unprecedentedmilestones and objectives andwas later recruited to join theGeneral’s civilian staff at theUS Army Aviation and MissileCommand (AMCOM).During his tenure withAMCOM, as the EqualEmployment AffirmativeOfficer, the entrepreneur wasinstrumental in bringing to theRedstone Arsenal family andthe Huntsville-MadisonCounty Community renownedand respected AfricanAmerican leaders such as DickGregory, Julian Bond, JesseJackson, just to name a few todeliver inspiring andmotivating speeches duringthe celebration of BlackHistory Month and otherspecial occasions. After thirtyyears of service as a civilianMr. Ray rose to speak in his sartorialsplendor capped with a single redrose in his lapel.employee, he retired fromAMCOM in 2001.For many years, Ray servedand continues to serve as acommunity volunteer for manyorganizations. In the decade ofthe fifties, he represented theState of Alabama as Chairmanof the Alabama Student Unionin the formation of the StudentNon-Violence CoordinatingCommittee (SNCC). Othercommunity and civicinvolvements include Member,Redstone Village Board ofDirectors; Member, InterfaithMission Service; PastChairman, Board of Directorsof Huntsville Madison CountyManpower PlanningCommission; CityRepresentative, Board ofDirectors of Harris Home ForChildren; Past Chairman, Boardof Directors of HuntsvilleHuman Relations Commission;Past Chairman, Board ofDirectors of Interfaith MissionService; Past Chairman,Huntsville-Madison CountyManpower PlanningCommission; and formermember, Huntsville-MadisonCounty Railroad Authority.Also, he is a long-time memberof Union Chapel MissionaryBaptist Church under thepastoralleadership ofReverendDoctor O.Wendell Davis.Currently,Mr. Ray servesas Chairman of the Board ofDirectors, Redstone FederalCredit Union, a $2 billion dollarmember-owned financialinstitution. Also, he is asuccessful entrepreneur, aspresident and owner of NelmsMemorial Funeral Home.- Glenda E. Gill, Ph.D. ’6020

21Alum Launches Social Networking SiteIn a world of such household names asFacebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc., anAlabama A&M University alumnus hasbravely launched his own socialnetworking site and has thrived to tellabout it.Shawn Sledge of Birmingham, Ala., isfounder/CEO of the months-old socialnetworking site Jobslackersonline.com.Sledge was a frequent visitor to AAMU’spublic relations office during his studentdays on “The Hill.”“Imagine it’s the heart of therecession,” explains Sledge, “and yourcompany of several years just laid you offduring the holiday season with noseverance pay.”That’s a too-often familiar story in thelives of many people, and it happened toSledge during the yuletide of 2008. As astaunch family man and the sole source ofincome, Sledge says he could not let hisfamily down.“Job searching was just as bad asever,” says Sledge. “Posting hundreds ofresumes online and attending numeroustemp agency interviews proved to beworthless for me. I was blessed to stay intouch with a former co-worker and wasable to get a position at their company.”It was during that entire stressfulprocess that Sledge came up with thenotion of developing a social networkingsite.“Instead of pitching it to theFacebooks, MySpaces and the Twitters ofJobSlackersOnline.comthe cyber world,” thought Sledge, “whynot create it myself?”It was an excellent concept, he knew.But there was a slight problem: he had nostart-up money, tech connections, nor theslightest idea of how to create such asight and what was involved in bringingthe dream to fruition.“All I had was an idea and dream onpaper,” says Sledgle, an artist by trade.He wanted to create something differentfrom the norm. Thus, it had to be donefrom scratch, he says, which proved to beanother challenge. Because of thisobstacle, web developers eitherdidn’t want to touch his projector they wanted to slap himcharges in excess of $100/hr.“When it’s your time toshine, God puts things in frontof you to help you find yourway,” notes the youngentrepreneur. “Not only did Ifind a web developer throughan old college roommate whowas willing to work with mydental floss budget, but thecompany I was working fordecided to offer unlimitedovertime in the heart of the recession. So,let’s just say that my 40 hours a weekturned into 60 hours a week.”With a mechanism slowly churning intoplace, Sledge was poised to begin creatinghis site. His aim was to create a companyoffice atmosphere in which every memberhad his or her own virtual cubicle space tonetwork with other members.“I knew I needed to create a name for itthat was universal and that everyonecould relate to,” recalls Sledge, “so Icalled my site Jobslackersonline.com.”Why Job slackers?“Well, every place I worked, the topproducers (including myself) alwayscreated hidden perks for themselves,”Sledge explains. “We either surfed theweb, texted on our cell phone all day, tooklonger lunch breaks or, if you smoked,took multiple smoke breaks--all oncompany time.The non-producers of the company, hesays, identified this common type ofemployees as “job slackers.” As timewent on during the development process,he continues, the unemployment ratebegan to increase dramatically. It was atthat point that he decided to create aunique job feature.“I created a networking job searchfeature that allowed employed memberson the site to post jobs to allow the jobseekingmembers to network directly withthem for an inside connection on thatposition,” says Sledge.“Doesn’t that sound like the realworld,” he mused. “It’s not always whatyou know, but who you know.“ He alsocreated a section to allow job seekers topost a video resume to be viewed bypotential employers. Sledge claims hiswebsite “is for working professionals whowant to give back to the community,networkers who want to express theirwork without restrictions, and job seekerslooking to get a new start on life, as wellas for the everyday web surfer who merelywants to stay in touch with friends andfamily.”Site membership is absolutely free, andSledge has been promoting his sitethrough such media as the ABC MorningShow in Birmingham, Ala.“This is a journey I wouldn’t changefor the world and it will only get better.”says Sledge.by Jerome Saintjones and Shawn SledgeNormal IndexOnline

A Call To Restore Eugene O’Neill, theAfrican-American Actor, and theAlabama A&M Thespiansby Glenda E. Gill, Ph.D.In 1944, I first came toAlabama A&M College as thechild of a faculty member (mymother) and a postmaster (myfather). Throughout the l940s andl950s, the college communityembraced theatre. The LyceumCommittee and the AlabamaA&M Thespians put on classicsand the majority of people in thecommunity attended, includingthose who went to sleep. Now,and throughout much of thecountry, a significant number ofAfrican-Americans considertheatre the same as they do caviar,champagne and cake frosting. It isnot their regular fare. I wassilenced recently in a local beautyshop when I was discussing aplay and told to talk about carsand football.We flocked to see the recentmusical adaptation of AliceWalker’s The Color Purple. Wewent in droves to attend the 2004Broadway revival of LorraineHansberry’s A Raisin in the Sunwith Diddy as Walter LeeYounger. We filled MadisonSquare Garden in January 2010 towatch Tyler Perry in Madea’sHappy Family. Two black femalestudents in my Spring Semester2009 Theatre Appreciation classat the University of Alabama-Huntsville demanded the right towrite on Tyler Perry or no one.Some of us paid $351.00 a seatfor a chance to watch the 2010Broadway revival of AugustWilson’s Fences with DenzelWashington and Viola Davis. Iwent to the latter, myself. It washigh quality theatre.This attendance at blackplays (those by, for, about andnear us) is a real correction, insome ways, to the l940s andl950s when we at Alabama A&Mand other historically blackcolleges read or performed playsNormal IndexOnlinewritten only by whiteplaywrights. We had beenbrainwashed to deny our ownself-worth. Now, it seems, that ifa play is not black, we do notwant it. Might we consider abalance? Can universities,nationwide, restore the classics(including those of blackplaywrights), and can AlabamaA&M restore itsEdward S.Johnson Theatreand its AlabamaA&MThespians?Perhaps ahistory ofEugene O’Neill(as a metaphorfor the classics)and the African-American actorcan give uscontext for ourlong anddistinguishedpast on thestage, especiallyin non-traditional roles, that is,those roles normally given towhite actors. I will alsointerweave some of the history ofeducational theatre on thehistorically black college campus.As early as 1901, TuskegeeInstitute had an active LittleTheatre that was recently torndown. Also, in the second decadeof the twentieth century, EugeneO’Neill and the ProvincetownPlayers were formed inProvincetown, Massachusetts. In1920, Charles Gilpin played thetitle role in O’Neill’s TheEmperor Jones. Reviews weregenerally favorable, and some,superlative. On November 4,1920, Heywood Broun observedthat Gilpin’s performance was themost thrilling he had seen. In1921, President Warren G.Eugene O’NeillHarding invited Gilpin to theWhite House. Conversely, on tourwith The Emperor Jones, Gilpinfaced the Ku Klux Klan inRichmond to protest his travelingwith an otherwise white troupe.Gilpin played Brutus Jones 1500times before his death. Likewise,the great Paul Robeson played thetitle role onstage in 1924. BrutusJones was acharacter ofquestionablevalue to theactor of color.He spoke indialect and was atyrannical brute,but the play wasone of the fewscripts availableat the time thatincluded rolesfor black actors.Non-traditionalcasting was notthen in vogue.Throughoutthe twentiethcentury, there was more resistancethan acceptance of African-American actors playing nontraditionalroles. In 1924, as well,Paul Robeson played the role ofJim Harris, a black lawyer whofails his bar exam and marries ademented white woman, Ella,played by Mary Blair, inO’Neill’s All God’s Chillun GotWings. When the play explodedon the stage of the ProvincetownPlayhouse, the Hearstnewspapers launched a campaignof hysteria against it. The KuKlux Klan issued death threats,one personally to O’Neill, onKlan stationery. Audiencesthreatened to tear downMacDougal Street on which theProvincetown Playhouse stood ifRobeson kissed Mary Blair on thehand. Many performances of theplay have followed in thetwentieth century. In 1926,Sheppard Randolph Edmonds, aplaywright and director, began hisstellar career at Morgan StateUniversity in Baltimore, where hefounded the Morgan DramaticClub, and in 1930, the NegroIntercollegiate Drama Association.He also taught at Dillard andFlorida A&M. Times were hardin the l930s.Out of the needs of TheGreat Depression and under theaegis of the Franklin DelanoRoosevelt administration,Congress created the FederalTheatre Project of 1935-1939which put 13,000 people to work,851 of whom were black. Blackactors performed in classics,including Shakespeare’s Macbethand Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus.This was one of the first times inthe annals of the American theatrethat people of color were cast inroles traditionally reserved forwhites. In 1937, the New YorkCity Negro Unit fueledcontroversy when black actor,Canada Lee, played Yank inO’Neill’s Moon of the Caribeesand Bound East for Cardiff. St.Clair Bourne of The AmsterdamNews gave a favorable review.Brooks Atkinson of The NewYork Times wrote: “People whostill cherish the beauty of WalterAbel’s Swedish seaman [at theProvincetown Playhouse thirteenyears earlier], will be a littleastonished now to find Olsontranslated into a New OrleansNegro. . .” Atkinson wrote thatO’Neill deserved better. With theclose of the Federal Theatre, blackactors could find places only onthe stages of underfundedcommunity theatres or at blackcolleges.In 1944, Owen Dodson, anAfrican-American director atHoward University, put onO’Neill’s The Homecoming, thefirst in the trilogy of MourningBecomes Electra, with an all blackcast featuring professional actorGordon Heath, Patricia Roberts[Harris],and Sadie Browne. AnneHarrington, a newspaper critic,gave it extraordinarily high praise.22

When I came to Alabama A&M inthat same year, Ms. PlacidiaThigpen cast me in ThorntonWilder’s Our Town. I was five,and Eunice Warren [Moore]played the older Emily. I was the12-year old Emily who returnedfrom her grave to value warmbaths and clocks ticking.Between 1944 and the early1960s, I witnessed not only Ms.Thigpen, but the genius, Dr. J.Preston Cochran, whodirected twentyextraordinary plays infive years, 1949-l954.He carried AlabamaA&M students todrama festivals wherethey shone as much asathletes. We have hall offame ceremonieshonoring our athletes,but have forgotten thedirectors who labored long andhard in Bibb Graves Hall to makeus human. There were no theatremajors, but students learnedconfidence in their abilities andthey learned classics.I vividly recall Dr. DoraScruggs Washington, then 16, inEmile Zola’s Therese in 1950, andCharles Sanders as Tom inTennessee Williams’s The GlassMenagerie in 1952, and as MorrisAs Townsend the new in director The Heiress, of Alabama by A&MSun andUniversity’sDouglas Turner Ward’sStudent Ruth and Wellness Augutus Goetz Center, in l953, Day of Absence. I was not athe fit and lean Zimbabwewith Barbara Crews Johnson asnative has a lot on his plate.Aunt Lavinia Penniman andCochran, himself, as Dr. AustinSloper. I remember Dr. J. TedGuines as the tyrant, Creon, inAnouilh’s Antigone in l954.23Paul RobesonCochran cast me in four of hisproductions when I was anadolescent between 1952 and1954. Mildred Sloan also directedNoel Coward’s Blithe Spirit. Dr.Fannie Ella Frazier Hicklin, nowan active 92, directed the AlabamaA&M Thespians between l956and l961. In 1957, she cast me asan 18-year old college student inthe plum role of Mrs. Phelps, theCannibal Mother who devours hersons, in Sidney Howard’s TheSilver Cord opposite Charles L.Ray, Jr., 21, as Robert, my son.Why these plays? They wereuniversal roles. Owen Dodsonsaid that the classics taught ushow to speak the Englishlanguage.How many Alabama A&Malums are aware that J. PrestonCochran also played in an O’Neillvehicle, taking the title role of TheEmperor Jones at the Universityof Iowa in 1955? He wrote toformer Thespian and footballplayer Willie Hinton: “I reallyupset the local actors equity whenI did BrutusJones. Theydidn’t think I hadthe fire in me, forI am the epitomeof culture in theireyes. I’m toldthat the audiencewas spellbound,that tears flowed,that nervestingled. . .(lettercompliments of Mrs. WillieHinton).I remember Dr. BessieWashington Jones and Mr.Edward S. Johnson putting onsome black plays in the l960s,including white playwrightMartin Duberman’s In WhiteAmerica, with Virginia PendletonRedrick and Jane Moseley Nochoin evening dress. I also recall theirdoing Hansberry’s A Raisin in thewitness to the Thespian offeringsbetween 1970-2006, but theJohnson Theatre is now dark andthe Thespians are no more. WhenI celebrated my 50 th Reunion May6-8, 2010, there were no affinityribbons for theAlabama A&MThespians. I wassad as it was mymajor involvement.By thel970s, Americareturned to somedegree ofintegration on thestage. In l973,James Earl Jonesplayed O’Neill’sHickey in TheIceman Cometh, atCircle in the Square.Paul Libin, whom Imet in France in2003 at an O’Neill Conference,said that as a producer, hereceived bags of hate mail aboutcasting Jones in a role consideredreserved only for Jason Robards.In an interview with me, Jonesrecalled: “O’Neill wrote about thecommon man. . . and most blackpeople in this society havecommon man roots. . . My biggestproblem withHickey was thatI thought I didnot have thetemperament,nothing to dowith race orother culturalfactors. Hickeyhad thetemperament ofa fast-talkingHoosier and I didn’t.” (PersonalInterview with author. September15, 1998) Reviews were favorablefrom Walter Kerr who said Joneswas “magical,” but not from CliveBarnes who thought Jones was“all wrong.”By 1981, there was an allblackproduction of O’Neill’sLong Day’s Journey Into Night,starring Earle Hyman as JamesTyrone and Ruby Dee as themorphine-addicted Mary Tyrone.Critic John Simon of New Yorkgave it a scathing review, sayingthat the play was a disaster. JackKroll of Newsweek and MelGussow of The New York Timesspoke more favorably. Hymanresponded:”It used to be thatcasting black actors inThespians in “Death Takes a Holiday”traditionally whiteroles seemed daring,like marching in thestreet, . . . I’m notbitter, but I am angry.In Norway, where Ihave performed forthree decades, I haveplayed a Norwegianbishop and no oneraised the question.”Hyman is bestknown as BillCosby’s televisionfather, RussellHuxtable.In the lasttwenty years, criticshave been kinder. Carl Jay Cofield,trained at the Royal Academy ofDramatic Art in London, playedEben in a l997 Peccadillo TheaterCompany production of O’Neill’sDesire Under the Elms. CriticRobert Simpson McLean spoke ofCofield’s articulate speech.My concern is not justAfrican American actors,professional oramateur, beingbroadly trainedand exposed toclassics, but thatAlabama A&Mand otheruniversitiesrekindle theirtheatre programs.Football brings inmoney. What willwe do for our souls? PresidentRichard Nixon wrote: “America’sperforming arts stem from thespirit of the country and the soul ofits people, and they impart to theNation’s life a beauty, a grace, and adeep and special communionwithout which that life would beincomplete.” (Published in theInaugural Program of the KennedyCenter, September 8, 1971) Bywhat enduring contribution willAlabama A&M University beknown? And can we abandon ourglorious past history on thecommercial and educational theatrestages? A history fraught with somuch struggle against the odds?Must Greek step shows, cars andfootball be our only passions?Normal IndexOnline

AAMU Will Go ‘All Out’ for 2010High School Senior DayNormal IndexOnlineA Few to Look for!As their massive event nears less than one monthaway, the staff members of Alabama A&M University’sOffice of Admissions are preparing to make majorchanges to this year’s AAMU/NASA High School SeniorDay on November 20.Each year, thousands of high school students fromthroughout Alabama, along with even more who areassembled by alumni chapters around the country, gatherat the historic 135-year-old campus to learn aboutprograms, meet prospective professors, and gain asampling of student life.While in years past, where volumes of students,alumni, teachers, counselors and other friends have pouredinto the campus’ Elmore Gymnasium, the 2010 activity willnow feature a series of outside canopies or “collegestations” assigned to the University’s major academiccomponents. Thus, the student interested primarily ineducation will not have to roam among a throng of otherprospective Bulldogs to gain access to his or her field ofacademic interest.The new program layout will include a tent forathletics, as well as food stations adjacent to eachacademic component, says King. Students, she adds,will also be able to be accepted on site, as well as to beoffered and receive scholarships with required ACT/SATdata.“I am excited about High School Senior Day,” saysVenita C. King, assistant vice president for enrollmentmanagement and director of admissions. Her excitementis anchored by the continued partnership the event willmaintain with NASA-Marshall Space Flight Center inHuntsville, Ala. AAMU staffers and NASA’s Diversity/Equal Opportunity office have worked hand-in-hand onthe activity for 14 years.Organizers and admissions staff are planning increasedmarketing of the event throughout the state, utilizing the2010 theme: “Making a Difference in the 21st Century -Come Take a Look at Us Now!” For additionalinformation, contact AAMU’s Office of Admissions at(256) 372-5245 or (800) 553-0816.24

Admissions Reclaims Local CounselorsAAMU Admissions staff,led by Venita C. King andjoined by representatives fromthe major academic units,welcomed high school counselorsfrom the surroundingvicinity.The local counselorsreceived information about theUniversity overall and theunique factors that makeAAMU a good choice for highschool seniors.Counselors Anita Hutchisonof Hazel Green HighSchool andDan Schwanke of BuckhornHigh School both praised theevent, citing the need for astronger presence from theirrespective schools in AAMU’sincoming classes.Call Admissions at (256) 372-5245 for details.Venita C. KingDiann AndersonGerald VinesSamuel ScruggsPamela Bridgeforth25Edith FraserNormal IndexOnline

And ... One More Thing ...Brown Elected NEA State DelegateState Delegate Susan C. Brown (left) and Professor Regina Colston, localdelegate.Dr. Susan Brown, School of Arts and Sciences, was electedNational Education Association State Delegate to the RepresentativeAssembly held in New Orleans, La.The NEA-RA delegates from state and local affiliates gatheredin New Orleans at the Earnest N. Morial Convention Center for theAssociation’s 148th meeting and the 89th Representative Assembly.The NEA-RA is the National Education Association’s highestdecision making body.With over 9,000 delegates, it is the world’s largest democratic,deliberative body, where elected delegates debate educationissues, elect leadership, and set policy for the 3.2 million membersof the Association.Normal IndexOnlineWAAY-TV 31 Goes Livefrom “The Hill”The Alabama A&M University campus was the sitefrom which local weather and sports information wasbroadcasted by Huntsville’s WAAY-TV 31 duringHomecoming Week 2010.Chief meteorologist Brad Huffines (above) andSports Director Ronnie Duncan (shown with banddirector Derrick Yates, left) broadcast from “The Hill”,flanked by performances from band members andauxiliaries. Bulldog fans were able to get theHomecoming Weekend forecast and sports first-hand,as well as be part of the building gridiron excitement!26

AAMU Tomorrow!by Andrew Hugine, Jr., Ph.D.President, Alabama A&M University1) To increase the University’s Moody bond rating; develop a comprehensive plan to address the deferred maintenanceissues on the campus; and generate $30 million through the issuance of bonds to fund the plan.2) To enhance the ranking of the University in the U.S. News and World Report by the year 2015.3) To increase external fund raising by increasing the alumni percentage rate to the peer universities; increase corporateand foundation giving by 20%; increase collaboration with the space and defense establishment and supportedcompanies in the area; and launch a capital campaign by 2016.4) To enhance academic programs by increasing by 5% the percentage of budgeted E&G dollars devoted toinstruction; increase retention and graduation rates to the peer average; and maintain the discipline accreditation ofexisting accredited programs, while obtaining AACSB accreditation by 2016.5) To enhance the student living-learning environment and student activity programming on an ongoing basis.6) To increase the enrollment to 7,000 students by 2018.7) To develop and implement a comprehensive program to market the University on an ongoing basis.8) To enhance the technology capabilities of the University to offer on-line degree programs, infuse technology into theinstructional programs of the University, and enhance efficiency by 2016.9) To strengthen the financial management and operation of the University and provide for a contingency fund of at least$5 million dollars by 2016.10) To enhance the extension and research capabilities of the University, develop a research incentive plan, andincrease extramural grant funding.27Normal IndexOnline

“Nesting”stoneware, slips and stainsJennie Couch