cheyney university’s vital communication aimed at addressing spe‐ cific safety concerns....

Points of Interest

> Campus Security Enhancements & Upgrades ()

> Art Exhibition and Open House (Page 3)

> History Maker Turns 100 (Page 3)

> Taking Obama’s Hopes to a New Level (Page 5)

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania Cheyney University’s

Vital Communication

Inside this issue:

Iota’s Honor MLK 2

President Vital Delivers Key-note at Historic Salem Baptist

3

Chadds Ford Gallery exhibit showcases Cheyney family 4

Advocacy Day brings Cheyney Family to Harrisburg

6

Cheyney University Appoints New Personnel

7

2nd Annual CU NAACP Educa-tion Conference

8

The Navigating Your Life Show 8

February 2009 Volume 2, Issue 5

lege in Chester and Delaware Counties, wanted everyone to witness the historic event. It was goodbye to his name‐sake and hello to the first black president. Bush has felt a political calling because of his name ‐ he is president of Cheyney University's 1,400 student body. Though no fan of George W., he has taken his share of ribbing and has even had to produce his license to prove his identity. A graduate of Carver High School of Engineering and Science, the young Bush con‐sidered running throughout the residence hall to make everyone watch. But then he decided his place was at the Marcus Foster Student Center, among a couple of hundred students and staff members

Shortly after 11 a.m., George Bush ran into his dorm room and jumped on his roommate: "Get up!" The 22‐year‐old psy‐chology major at Cheyney Uni‐versity, a historically Black col‐

who watched the swearing‐in. "He has the look of a cham‐pion," Bush said as President Obama appeared. "I don't have many timeless moments, but this is one of them!." After the celebration, as he cut and parceled out an inau‐gural cake, Bush, who wants to get his M.B.A. and open a construction business in the inner city, said the moment had inspired him. "I feel like it's a new day. There's a lot more I can do here!" he said, looking around at his classmates. In fact, he plans to see if he can get Presi‐dent Obama to be Cheyney University's commencement speaker. ___________________________________________________________

Article courtesy of The Philadelphia Inquirer/Alfred Lubrano

A Timeless Moment Celebrated at CU

CU Announces Campus Security Enhancements & Upgrades Cheyney University is set to begin a new construction pro‐ject aimed at addressing spe‐cific safety concerns. Facilities Director Carl Wil‐liams said, “This project has been in place and approved for the last 18 months. It was prompted by a review of cam‐pus safety concerns and an aging infrastructure review.” The new year‐long construc‐tion project which starts this month will include control gates and additional guard

booths. President Michelle Howard‐Vital said, “This safety enhancement demonstrates our commitment to Cheyney University’s students, faculty, and staff.” Partial perimeter wooden post and rail fencing will be installed allowing for a more defined and safe perimeter. This will eliminate ease of access by driving behind or around build‐ings to enter the campus. Important additions like more campus emergency phones

and video surveillance cam‐eras will help monitor activity at critical points on campus and identify security issues before they develop. “Emergency call phones or blue‐light phones will be added to ensure a better cov‐erage area, including remote parking lots and campus side‐walks,” added Mr. Williams. Fire alarm system additions will be made at Carver, also McKnight‐Rodgers and Cope Halls.

Provost Ivan Banks, Student Trustee Chioma Ugwuegbulem, and SGCA President, George Bush.

Photo courtesy of Clem Murray/Philadelphia Inquirer

I recently had the pleasure of participating in the second Clinton Global Initiative Univer‐sity (CGUI) conference at The University of Texas, Austin. I was privileged, as your president, to repre‐sent Cheyney University and to participate in a luncheon meeting with former President Clinton, Dr. Donna Shalala, and other college presidents and students from around the globe.

At the luncheon meeting, we talked about how to translate visionary leadership into positive social action that improves many areas of our lives including competitiveness in the STEM, increasing the college comple‐tion rate among less advantaged students, decreasing world disease and hunger, and guiding our college students to make significant impact in the global economy. I pledged to commit to work towards increasing the college‐going rate in our area by increasing our precol‐lege, outreach activities and by working with our students to demon‐strate the positive effects of higher education. As you know, we are working towards increasing our pres‐ence at the Urban Site in Philadel‐phia and in other areas such as Coatesville and Chester.

Moreover, I hope that students, faculty, and alumni will reflect on how we can be engaged in posi‐tive social action and public ser‐vice to respond to the needs of the Commonwealth, the region, and the nation. Our country de‐pends on the energy, commit‐ment, and positive action of groups that collaborate to create an improved collective future. I look forward to working with students, alumni, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders to organ‐ize specific action plans to help us engage in positive social action. Sincerely,

Michelle Howard-Vital President

King Day of Ser‐vice. The event took place at The Liacouras Center on the campus of Tem‐ple University, but branched off into other sites in the com‐munity. The brothers collec‐tively helped remove out‐dated computer equip‐ment from the Mt. Zion Methodist Church located on the 1500 block of North 11th Street. Some brothers, in a joint effort had the option to remove the outdated equipment or speak with

Cheyney University (Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.) participated in a day of service on Monday, Janu‐ary 19th commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday. MLK Day repre‐sents a national day of service and University stu‐dents honored the legacy of Dr. King with various service‐oriented projects. The Brothers of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. (Beta Rho Chapter, Cheyney Uni‐versity) & the Chi Omega Philadelphia Alumni Chap‐ter chose to complete community service along with family and friends in the 14th Annual Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther

the children of the local community. The computers were taken to the Temple University Computer Recy‐cling Center where they will be refurbished and donated to other schools, commu‐nity groups, and other non‐profits in need of computer equipment in the Philadel‐phia Area.

Cheyney University’s Vital Communication

Iotas Honor Memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

President’s Message

CU’s

Iota Phi Theta

Fraternity, Inc.

participated in

MLK Day

of Service

activities at

Temple

University.

On Sunday, February 1, 2009, Cheyney University President, Dr. Michelle R. Howard‐Vital, delivered the keynote address at Salem Baptist Church of Jenkin‐town for their 125 Year Anniversary Celebration – 125 Years of God’s Glory. President Howard‐Vital spoke before a crowd of over 300 members, alumni, faculty, staff, and students about the importance of public service and the need to “Pay It Forward.” Pro‐fessor Damon Dandridge, Director of the Cheyney University Choir, per‐formed a selection for the congregation in honor of the 125th Year Celebration.

The Salem Baptist Church of Jenkintown was founded in 1884 at 506 Division Street in the home of Henry and Jane Porter. With the leadership of the Rev. J.D. Brooks, pastor of the Enon Baptist Church in Philadelphia, the church was given the name Salem, which means a place of peace. Through the years, Salem has welcomed to its minis‐try the Rev. Dr. Martin Lu‐ther King, Jr., Rev. Samuel Proctor, Rev. Leon Sullivan, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rev. Wyatt Tee Walker, Miss Rosa Parks, U.S. Represen‐tative John Lewis, the Hon. Andrew Young, U.S. Repre‐

sentative William H. Gray, III, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Rev. Susan Johnson Cook and Representative Louise Williams Bishop. The February 1st event marked the kick‐off to the University’s Black History Month events. On February 25, 2009, the Cheyney Uni‐versity campus community celebrated 172 years of access, opportunity, and excellence during its annual Founder’s Day celebra‐tion. On February 22, 2009, Cheyney University stu‐dents, staff, alumni, and the public were invited to par‐ticipate in Salem Baptist Church of Jenkintown’s CU Day of Worship.

Volume 2, Issue 5

CU Honors Salem Baptist Church’s 125 Years of Service

President

Howard‐Vital

spoke of the

importance

and the role

of public

service.

CU Art Exhibit and Choir Performance Celebrate Black History in DC works from six Chey‐ney University Fine Arts students which depict our legacy of strength, hope, pas‐sion, education, and striving for freedom. The selected works range in media from pencil, charcoal, wa‐tercolor, to print mak‐ing and oil paintings, with unique styles: The expressive char‐coal strokes in the images of Alexander

Lyde, the multi‐layered complex and symbolic oil paintings of Kenneth Carter, the fluid, rhythmi‐cally linear pastels and wa‐tercolors of Shantel Chase, the powerful printmaking of Dane Bard, the passion‐

On February 28th and March 1st, 2009, In celebra‐tion of Black history, two art openings and a choir concert filled the halls of the International Student House in Washington, DC. Juried into the exhibit are

ate expressions by Gloria Davis and large, colorful acrylic brush strokes of Cla‐rence Pearsall. All art work was juried by Professor Dantonio‐Fryer of Cheyney University Fine Arts Depart‐ment and Cheyney Univer‐sity Gallery curator. Team cooperation, which is the backbone of the excellence in the Fine Arts area, was evident in the creation of the invitation by Professor Joel T. Keener. With the direction of Pro‐fessor Toni Hall, the Chey‐ney Concert Choir per‐formed selections to an awe‐struck audience at the ISH. For over 70 years, the Inter‐national Students House—also begun by Quakers—

has promoted global under‐standing and tolerance through shared experiences. The idea for the House was championed by Senator Wil‐liam Fulbright, who served on the ISH Board of Directors for over 20 years. The exhibit offered a unique opportunity for Cheyney Uni‐versity Fine Arts students to not only share their art with a Washington audience, but also with the 60 international graduate students who reside at the International Student House. Cheyney University students stayed overnight at the ISH and promoted intercultural dialogue among visiting inter‐national scholars.

Dr. James R. Dumpson—History Maker Turns 100 Years

[Dr. James Dumpson] is

considered one

of the oldest

living graduates

of Cheyney

University...


A Philadelphia‐born pioneer in social work, social health, and social justice, James R. Dumpson, Ph.D., turns 100 years old April 5, 2009. Be‐ginning as a caseworker for the Philadelphia Depart‐ment of Public Welfare, Dr. Dumpson’s career in health and human services as pub‐lic servant, educator, admin‐istrator, social activist, advo‐cate, humanitarian and scholar has spanned more than half a century. His in‐fluence on public policy de‐velopment for health and human services has been felt across many policy do‐mains at the local, national and international level. Dr. Dumpson was born on April 5, 1909 at 908 Lati‐more Street, the first of five children, to James and Edyth Dumpson. The family moved from Latimore Street to

3922 Delaney Street where he attended O. B. Kato (42nd & Ludlow Sts.) and Newton Elementary School (36th & Chestnut Sts.) before gradu‐ating from West Philadel‐phia High School for Boys (47th & Walnut Sts.) in 1927. In 1932 Dr. Dumpson gradu‐ated from Cheyney Normal School (College) before go‐ing on to Temple University and earning graduate de‐grees from other universi‐ties around the world. He is considered one of the oldest living graduates of Cheyney University where he once held the position President of the Alumni. Today, he lives in New York City where he first moved in the late 1930’s and has sev‐ered the city for more than 60 years. He still travels yearly to his home in Hawaii

and can be seen in New York City enjoying various restau‐rant cuisines, Broadway shows and other activities. He resides on the upper east side of Manhattan, looking out over Central Park, where he has lived since 1970. The Dr. Dumpson 100th Birthday Committee, in con‐junction with other organi‐zations, has organized sev‐eral activities in New York City in honor of Dr. Dump‐son’s 100th birthday that ends on April 1, 2009 with the opening of the Dr. James R. Dumpson Exhibit and Cen‐tennial Lecture at the Schomburg Center for Re‐search in Black Culture. For more information please visit the James R. Dumpson 100 Years of Golden Light website at: jrd‐2009.lifequarters.com.

ing response from the com‐munity, the exhibit has been extended to March 8. Acknowledged as the Prophet of Color and an inspiration to many, Edward L. Loper, Sr., joins the other talented, established artists and students. The artists consists of: Omenihu Amachi, Jeffrey Callaham, Amir Campbell, cue LaVonne Jones, Alexan‐der Lyde, James E. Newton, La Reini M. Nixon, Cheyl Pringle, L.L. Reed, Michael

In cooperation with the Afri‐can American Art Alliance of Delaware, Cheyney Univer‐

sity, and the Chadds Ford Gal‐lery presents “Through A Differ‐ent Prism: African American Art. The exhibit opened on Friday, Feb. 13, from 5 to 8 p.m. It was origi‐nally set to close viewing on Sun‐day, March 1, but do to overwhelm‐

Rily, Ko Simmons, Andy Smith and Dane Tilghman. The exhibit was featured on Wilmington Television Sta‐tion Channel 28 and the Philadelphia Area Television Station Channel 6 Gallery hours are: Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. For more information on the exhibit contact Barbara J. Moore, Gallery Director.

Chadds Ford Gallery Exhibit Features CU Artists

Author Ted Gee takes President Obama's hopes to the next level with his new book, "Hope is Not a Strategy: Simple Solutions for Doing Business in the 21st Century." President Obama has set an aggres‐sive agenda of change and hope is just the founda‐tion. Gee says that the best stimulus package for cor‐porate leaders and busi‐ness owners is getting the right process tools to drive increased business, sus‐tainable profits, save jobs and inspire growth. “We must clarify what business owners and corporate leaders are responsible for and identify new methods for solving the complex problems they face,” he notes. “As many compa‐nies continue to fail, need bailouts and layoff em‐ployees, it is clear that a new recipe for solving problems and creating solutions is needed right now.” In his book, Gee defines the roles and responsibili‐ties of leaders at all levels and explains how to de‐

velop a vision with a sus‐tainable strategy as op‐posed to just adjusting financials to appease boards, investors, banks and/or Wall Street. "Many business leaders today are using the excuse of a poor economy to support their failures," says Gee, who notes that the root cause of many of the failures reside in the driver's seat —leadership. “From Wall Street to main street,” he emphasizes, “the leaders in all facets of business are responsible for many of the failures in the econ‐omy—the dot com bust, housing market collapse and rising oil prices." Gee, who has followed his own rules, is a proven leader, with global experi‐ence in various business environments. He has held positions at the di‐rect operational and stra‐tegic levels of leadership and found success in roles at Fortune 500 companies where change, start‐ups and growth opportunities were in great demand. A former athlete he has also served as an officer in the United States Army and

held the positions of Chief Operating Officer and as a President within a multi‐billion dollar industry pace‐setter. His focus today is to help others strategize for success and avoid failure ‐‐ whether in a business or working in a corporation. "We are playing a new game in a new time and without solutions, failure is eminent," says Gee, who notes that the book offers help to those who may have fallen short of their goals or failed to take ad‐vantage of their company's possibility and prospects.

Ted Gee is a Cheyney Alum‐nus, Class of 1985, who currently resides in North Carolina.

Taking Obama’s Hopes to a New Level

“Change that people can believe in begins with strong leadership, profitable businesses, and the development of people who want to turn potential failure into bankable success.”

Volume 2, Issue 5

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Advocacy Day Brings Cheyney Family to Harrisburg

Advocacy Day

offers an

opportunity to

meet with

legislators at

the capitol in Harrisburg.

A delegation of approxi‐mately seventy‐five stu‐dents, alumni, faculty and staff filled the halls of the state capitol building on February 10th as Cheyney University held its annual Advocacy Day in conjunc‐tion with the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus’ Black History Month pro‐gram. According to President Mi‐chelle R. Howard‐Vital, “We were very delighted that Rep. Ron Waters, the newly elected Chair of the Black Caucus, wanted to continue the tradition of pairing these two events.” “Advocacy Day offers us the opportunity to meet with legislators, many of whom either are unfamiliar with Cheyney University or are informed only by negative hearsay impressions. Our students do a wonderful job educating legislators about our legacy, achievements and vision.”

Dr. Sulayman Clark, Vice‐President for Institutional Advancement, added, “We had 26 focused meetings with committee chairs who all should have a stake in Cheyney Univer‐sity as a resource for the Commonwealth. “By showcasing our Call Me MISTER students and our Keystone scholars, we were able to demonstrate Chey‐ney’s excellence.”

A choir ensemble under the direction of Cheyney Profes‐sor Damon Dandridge per‐formed on the floor of the House of Representatives, during the Caucus’ Black History Month program and at the Caucus’ soul food luncheon. Both the House and Senate passed resolu‐tions (respectively by Repre‐sentatives Killion and Barrar and Senator Erickson) pro‐claiming February 10 Chey‐ney University/Octavius V. Catto Day.

During the program, Presi‐dent Howard‐Vital spoke about Catto, an alumnus of the Institute for Colored Youth (Cheyney’s forerun‐ner) who advocated for equality and civil rights, recruited Black soldiers to defend the Union in the Civil War, and was a force in Negro League baseball.

Catto was assassinated on October 10, 1871 on Elec‐tion Day in Philadelphia after pleading with the mayor for protection for Black men who had recently won the right to vote.

Catto’s story was told visu‐ally via a display created by university archivist, Keith Bingham.

Cheyney University is ushering in an era of change complete with new leadership in the area of communications. Antoinette Colón, a former newspaper editor, has joined the growing staff at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania as the Director of Public Relations and Marketing. President Michelle Howard‐Vital said, “We are pleased and excited that Miss Colón is join‐ing our university advancement team. She brings a broad range

of expertise and a high level of energy to our on‐going efforts to aggressively enhance the visibility and support for our beloved institution.” Colón brings five years of pro‐fessional newspaper experience that ranges from writing and editing to graphic design and photography. Colón said, “Working with weekly newspa‐pers, I had the unique opportu‐nity to do a little bit of every‐thing because they were all un‐derstaffed. I began as a part‐time staff writer and moved my way up to become the editor of The Community Connection Newspaper, a Montgomery County weekly.” A Berks County native, Colón is no stranger to the state school system. She graduated with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Pro‐

fessional Writing from Kutz‐town University, Kutztown. During her years at KU, Colón was featured in the campus literary magazine and was a contributing writer for the cam‐pus newspaper. With the ongo‐ing climate of change across the country, on the heels of the first African‐American presi‐dent, Colón is excited about the opportunity to help promote the first African‐American insti‐tution of higher learning. “As the first Hispanic hired at Berks‐Mont Newspapers, I look forward to working in a multi‐cultural environment like Chey‐ney,” explained Colon. “Cheyney University has a rich and impressive history that will be easy to boast about. There are a lot of exciting things hap‐pening here on campus.”

CU Welcomes New Director of Public Relations

University

officials are

ushering in a

new era

with talented

new personnel in

Public Relations

and Human

Resources.

Volume 2, Issue 5

New Director of Human Resources Impressed with CU Legacy

higher education. “I have a wealth of experience in pri‐vate enterprise. And I am now learning all about the state system of higher education,” said Harris. Ms. Harris worked at Loyola Marymount Univer‐sity and Charles Drew Univer‐sity of Medicine and Science, both in Los Angeles. Her train‐ing encompasses broad legal and management skills. Ms. Harris is impressed with the Cheyney mission, spirit, and 172‐year history. She ex‐plained, “It was a wonderful experience to participate in my first Founder’s Day. I really like the campus atmosphere here!”

Cheyney University an‐nounced the appointment of new Human Resources Direc‐tor Jo‐Anne Harris in Febru‐ary. After over three decades on the west coast, Ms. Harris returns to her Philadelphia area roots with her recent relocation to West Chester. Excited about the opportunity to work at the first HBCU in the country, Ms. Harris said, “I feel really good about it be‐cause I graduated from an HBCU.” Her full‐circle journey back to east coast comes after a long and successful career in hu‐man resources from retail to

Harris has a son, Brandon, who resides on the west coast. She is making her tran‐sition with KayCee, her Lhasa Apso, and is happy to be able to spend more time with her mother.


Cheyney University's very first presi‐dent, Dr. Leslie Pickney Hill, served as an instrumental part of the NAACP. Hence, hosting this 100th Anniversary celebration holds special meaning for the CU family. Ida B. Wells, African‐American soci‐ologist, civil rights leader, and a women's rights activist in the Woman’s Suffrage Movement, was one of the founders of the NAACP.

Khalid Long of CU’s NAACP student unit located and persuaded Ida B.

February 12, 2009 marked the 100th Anniversary of the founding of the National Association for the Advance‐ment of Colored People (NAACP), the oldest and largest civil rights organi‐zation in the United States. On February 27‐28, 2009, The Chey‐ney University of Pennsylvania NAACP College Chapter hosted their 2nd An‐nual Education Conference & Centen‐nial Celebration. As a part of this great event, a banquet was held on Saturday, February 28th, 2009 at the Ada Georges Ballroom at CU.

Wells’ great‐grand daughter, Michelle Duster, author of the newly published book Ida: In Her Own Words: The timeless writings of Ida B. Wells from 1893, to be the keynote speaker for the Centennial Celebration Banquet on February 28th. Ms. Duster con‐gratulated the CU chapter and guests and reminded them that they too are descendents of strong, smart people. Special thanks go to Professor Felicia Seamon and Dr. Joan Flynn for all they do every day for the NAACP and for our students.

Cheyney NAACP 2nd Annual Education Conference

The Navigating Your Life Show with Dr. Nathaniel Williams The goal of each show is to provide information that can be implemented immediately and potentially forever change our listeners. Topics will range from health, personal devel‐opment, financial, educa‐tional, spirituality, recreation, family and friends, and our environment.

"Navigating Your Life" web‐radio talk show with Dr. Na‐thaniel J. Williams, CU alum‐nus, is about empowerment and helping listeners to reach their full potential. The show will provide useful answers to the challenges and dilemmas of everyday life.

Guess who stopped by our house! Surprise guest, Oscar-Winning Actor Jamie Foxx, was

happy to shoot hoops with the Cheyney Wolves while

taking a break from filming in the Philadelphia area!

The Spring 2009 Cheyney University Magazine This exciting CU publication contains alumni news, donor pro‐files, campus updates and information about current stellar CU students, faculty and supporters. Limited quantities are avail‐able through your local alumni chapter or through the Office of the Public Relations in Biddle Hall. If you have any news or stories you think needs to be included in future editions, please contact us at [email protected].

Be On The Lookout—Coming Soon!

Volume 2, Issue 5

Cheyney University Spring 2009 Open House—Coming March 20th!

Founder’s Day

February 25, 2009

Cheyney University Now On Facebook!

Friday,

March 20th—

CU Spring Open House

2009!

Contact the

Office of

Admissions


Recommended Reading for Spring 2009

Register Today at www.cheyney.edu

CHECK YOUR CHEYNEY.EDU EMAIL FOR FREQUENT CAMPUS UPDATES!

IMPORTANT

Community,

It is extremely

important that

you keep your

email box and

deleted folder

clear.

Email is one of the ways in

which important

campus

announcements

are sent to

you .

Volume 2, Issue 5

CU ACADEMIC SUCCESS CENTER Vaux Logan Hall, Room 207

The Academic Success Center is eager to help students organize and review study materials for assignments

in preparation for classes and exams.

Sessions are held on the Vaux-Logan, second floor in designated locations. Please contact Ms. Etta Baldwin for more information at ext. 2319, or

Ms. Cherelle Box-Thompson at ext. 2046. Volunteer tutors appreciated.

Tutorial Sessions Available—

Register soon for summer courses and/or continuing education credits.

Additional Information Coming Soon at

www.cheyney.edu

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania Office of the President 1837 University Circle P.O. Box 200 Cheyney, PA 19319-0200

Preparing leaders from 1837 through the 21st Century

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US PUS POSTAGEOSTAGE PPAIDAID CCHEYNEYHEYNEY UUNIVERSITYNIVERSITY

PPERMITERMIT #5#5 CCHEYNEYHEYNEY, PA, PA 1931919319

cheyney university’s vital communication aimed at addressing spe‐ cific safety concerns....

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