June 2, 2012 - June 8, 2012, The Afro-American B1

The enthusiasm and the excitement of the Morgan family, graduates, parents, friends and well wishers merged with exceptional weather at the

136th Annual Commencement ceremony at Morgan State University, where more than 1200 dedicated and committed graduates received their degrees in the W.A.C. Hughes Memorial Stadium.

The class of 2012 yielded more than 900 baccalaureates, 270 masters and 30 doctorates from nine colleges and schools. The commencement speaker was Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, president of

the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY, the oldest technological university in the United States. She joined

U.S. Ambassador to Botswana and Morgan alumna Tebelelo Mazile Seretse and renowned law professor

Larry S. Gibson, in receiving honorary doctorate

degrees from Morgan.“And you have a special role to play as

graduates of Maryland’s ‘public urban university’ because today most of the world’s population lives in cities. As you look for solutions, you have knowledge and perspectives that are tied especially closely to needs in both emerging and developed economies,” said Dr. Jackson in her commencement address.

Morgan also honored distinguished alumni, including its 50th anniversary class of 1962, and

alumnus of the year, the Honorable Peter C. Harvey of the class of 1979.

Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, president, Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree from Regent Dallas Evans, and Dr. David Wilson, president, Morgan State University

Engineering graduates are Chuka Adibuah, Chukwuemeka Ifeobu, Kevon Charles, Samuel Mbugua, Samora Waluchio

Faculty and administrators proceed into the Hughes Memorial Stadium for the 136th Annual Commencement for Morgan State University

Graduate Aja McNeil also wears the banner for “Leading Lady” (Leadership Development Series for Female Students)

Her Excellency Tebeledo Mazile Seretse, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Morgan State University

Janeille Okpere, president of the Senior Class

Johnta Norris, received the B.S. in Marketing, even though he awaits a donor for a kidney transplant.

Larry Gibson, Esq., was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree

Liberal Arts graduates Afi Jackson, Kristina Davis, Erika Butler, Janai Jackson, Kiara Merriweather

Master of Engineering Degrees Renata Dukes and Kirstin-Renee Williams

Nursing graduates are Theresa Williams, Renee Watkins, Lumumba Pierce, Donalt Mitimura

Parents Idell and Sharon Mallory, received the diploma for son, Brandon Hudson, who was accidently killed while a senior at Morgan State University.

Patrick Brunson, Ph.D. graduate

Penelope Martin and Rodgers Nyandieka Mokua, received the Doctor of Education Degrees

ROTC Commissions as U.S. Army 2nd Lieutenants are Jasmine Holloway, Nicholas Molock, Gernie Purnell, Lassandra Jones, Matt YoungRegent Dallas Evans,

Chairman, Board of Regents greets the family, friends and graduates

The MSU Class of 1962 front row from left, Fred Oliver, Ph.D., Charles Baylor Jr., Ph.D., Brenda Bowe Johnson, Ph.D., Charles C. Hall, James Weldon Brown, Herman W. Redd, Lillian Locklear Alston, Adele Alston Israel.

Jasmine Leigh, Ph.D. graduate

Photos by A. Lois De Laine, Ed.D.

Family members congratulating their graduate.

University leaders and honorary guests at UMES’ historic 125th Spring Commencement. Pictured from left, are:  (seated) Charles Bolden Jr., NASA Administrator, commencement speaker and Presidential Medal recipient; Dr. Mortimer Neufville, UMES interim president; Dr. Juliette Bell, UMES president-elect; Dr. Patricia Florestano, chair, University System of Maryland Board of Regents; (standing) David Ogden Stiers, actor, director, musician and Honorary Degree recipient; Dr. Samuel Dapaah, chief technical advisor, USAID in Ghana and Presidential Medal recipient; and Beverly Todd, actress and recipient of the Presidential Medal.

UMES graduates, from left, Philip Turner, Dominique Tucker and Brianna Walker. All criminal justice majors, they are also part of the largest major, criminal justice, at this commencement.

UMES Interim President Mortimer Neufville congratulates Clifford Glover from Silver Spring, Md. on graduating Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history.  Glover plans to attend the University of Maryland’s School of Law.

Maj. Gen. Charles Bolden, NASA administrator

UMES’ Flags of the Nations Formation represents over 160 international students at the university from 45 different countries.

The graduating class of 2012 was the largest (548 graduates) in UMES’ 125 year history. 

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore held its 125th Spring Commencement, May 18, for which Charles Bolden Jr. was the commencement speaker. The NASA Administrator also received the Presidential Medal. The Presidential Medal was also awarded to Dr. Samuel Dapaah, chief technical advisor, USAID in Ghana and to actress Beverly Todd. David Ogden Stiers, actor, director and musician received an Honorary Degree.

Courtesy Photos

June 2, 2012 - June 8, 2012, The Afro-American B1

Five Howard University Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets were commissioned second lieutenants in the U.S. Army during a May 10 ceremony in Howard’s Armour J. Blackburn University Center. It marked the 94st consecutive year that members of Howard’s Bison Battalion have

taken the oath of office. After the students took the oath, family members pinned gold bars on the shoulders of the new second lieutenants: Petitecha Beckford (Army Nurse Corps), B.S. in Nursing; Terrie Hoover (Finance Corps), B.B.A – Accounting; Albert Jenkins (Quartermaster Corps), B.S. in Psychology; Crishemma Livingston (Ordnance Corps), B.A. in Political Science, and James Tsikerdanos (Military Intelligence Corps), B.A. in Fine Arts, Corcoran College of Art and Design. Four cadets were also recognized during the ceremony for having earned their Bachelor’s degrees.

They will be commissioned as second lieutenants after completion of the Leaders Development and Assessment Course (LDAC) at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA this summer. They are: Torres Hodges, B.A. in Radio, TV and Film (Film Production); Emmanuel Schoolfield, B.A. in Radio, TV and Film (Audio Production); Cashia Thomas, B.A. in Communication and Culture; Brittany Wyatt, B.A. in Radio, TV and Film. Lt. Col. Tyra S. Sellers, Professor of Military Science at Howard, spoke of their accomplishments as well as the responsibilities that lie ahead for the young leaders. “You are proudly joining those who came before you to form a legacy of quality military officers”, noted Sellers. Brig. Gen. Norvell V. Coots, Surgeon General, United States Forces – Afghanistan/Medical Advisor, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command is an Alumnus of the Howard University Army ROTC program and served as the keynote speaker. His decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal with 4 Oak leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Medal. He is a Companion of the Military Order of World Wars, a Compatriot of the Sons of the American Revolution, and is a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternities.

Miss America 2012 Laura Kaeppeler, George Allen “Pat” Summerall (former National Football League Player and Television Sportscaster), Mark Ingram, Jr. (Heisman Trophy Winner New Orleans Saints of the National Football League), Lars Houmann (President & CEO Florida Hospital), Hilton O. Smith (Sr. Vice-President, Community Affairs Turner Construction Company), Kathy Victor (Board of Directors Chairman, Independent Business Owners Association International) were the special guests and honorees at the U.S. Dream academy 11th Annual Power of Dream gala. James Brown, an award winning sportscaster was a VIP Presenter and there were performances by: Mary Mary (Grammy Award Winning Gospel Group); US Dream Academy DREAMKids, and Wintley Phipps (Grammy Award nominee, and Founder and President of the U.S. Dream Academy). The keynote speaker was Chef Jeff Henderson, Executive Chef, Best Selling Author and Star of the Food Network. The honorary gala chairs were The Honorable Ben Cardin (D-MD) and The Honorable Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD). The Corporate Gala Chair was Darien C. Grant, J.D. (Turner Construction Company). co-hosts were Lamman Rucker (actor from Tyler Perry’s “Meet the Browns” & “Why Did I Get Married”) and Edward R. Murrow Award winning anchor Cynne’ Simpson. The 11th Annual U.S. Dream Academy “Power of a Dream” Gala, themed “Dreams for the Future” was held at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel NW, Washington, DC . The mission of the U.S. Dream Academy is to empower children who are at risk of future incarceration to maximize their potential by providing them with academic, social and values enrichment through supportive mentoring and the use of technology. The vision is to create an army of young men and women with positive dreams for their lives, equipped with the tools to make those dreams a reality with the core values of faith, freedom, inspiration and integrity. Website: www.usdreamacademy.org

Photos by Rob Roberts

Photos by Nicole Venable

Brig. Gen Coots speaking at the Howard Spring Commissioning 2012

Lt. Col. Sellers administering the oath

Lt. Col. Sellers, Professor of Military Science

End of LDAC Commissionees from left to right: Cadet Torres Hodges, Cadet Cashia Thomas, Cadet Brittany Wyatt, Cadet Emmanuel Schoolfield

Howard University Spring 2012 Second Lieutenants from left to right: 2LT Albert Jenkins, 2LT Terrie Hoover, 2LT Petitecha Beckford, 2LT Crishemma Livingston, 2LT James Tsikerdanos

Boys & Girls Club youth mingling with the guests

Donna Cooper, PEPCO; Linda Jo Smith, Boys & Girl Club and Pamela Leftrict, Verizon

Greg Tynek, Director of Government Relations & Public Affairs, Safeway and Jim Perdue, Chairman, Perdue Farms

Wayne Johnson, IBM; Terri Johnson, Director of Marketing, Boys and Girls Club and Tony McBarnette, PNC Bank

Alex Cole; Rodney Lewis; Pandit F. Wright, President/CEO, Boys & Girl Club of Greater Washington; Jim Perdue and Luke Russert

Ryan Washington, 2012 Youth of the Year

Congresswoman Donna Edwards (D-MD)

Luke Russert (left) and Mike Herreld, PNC Bank Regional President and Chair of the Congressional Dinner

Rynthia Rost, VP, GEICO and Jim Perdue with some of the youth from the Boys & Girl Club

Kinda Nicol with honoree Joseph Rigby

Corporate Gala Chair, Darien C. Grant; President Award’s honoree and Heisman Trophy Winner, Mark Ingram, Jr.; Laura Kaeppeler, Miss America 2012; Cynne’ Simpson, Anchor, ABC7/WJLA7 TV and event co-emcee; Grammy Award nominee Wintley Phipps, founder of U.S. Dream Academy and popular actor, Lamman Rucker

Paul Monterio, White House Office of Public Engagement, Former Essence Editor Susan Taylor, Edgar Brookins, Nana Malaya(Mother of Lamman Rucker) and Dr. Skinner

Candace Matthews, Chief Marketing Officer, Amway Corporation

DREAMKids performing a musical selection

Wintley Phipps (center) with Mary, Mary (Tisha Campbell and Erica Campbell) surrounded by the DREAMkids

C. Diane Booker, Executive Director, Dream Academy, Karen Price-Ward, Southwest Airlines with the Mentor of the Year, Berthenia Logan-Momodu

Darien Grant, the Presenter, The MLK, Jr. Service Award recipient, Hilton O. Smith and Wintley Phipps

Jody Victor, Wintley Phipps, former NFL player and sportscaster Pat Summerall, Legacy award recipient and sportscaster James Brown

The 30th Annual Capital City Links-Alice

Bowie Coleman Senior Citizens

luncheon was held Saturday,

April 21, 2012, at the St. George

Ballroom and Conference Center,

for over 130 DC seniors. This popular annual event

was co-chaired by Links Lois Jackson, Beverly Lamberson and

Jeanie Collins Carr. The guests who attended the event were from church senior citizen clubs, the AARP, senior residential facilities and private homes. They enjoyed dancing, music, games and prizes. This multi-generational event

included volunteers from the Boys Town of Northeast DC, who waited

tables for the luncheon and Dunbar High students enrolled

in the Links’ “Evolutionary Women” mentorship program. The youths played games, danced with and interviewed

the seniors. Claudia McKoin, President of the Capital City Links stated in her welcome, “Today, we salute Link Alice Bowie Coleman and her vision, and celebrate the many contributions of senior citizens in the Washington DC Metropolitan region. We are honored by your presence, humbled by your wisdom and inspired by you.” This year, two individuals were presented with Capital City Links 2012 Sage Senior Awards in honor of their passion for community service, spirit for sharing talent, and inspiring others to enhance the legacy of aging with purpose, generosity and joy. The honorees were Mr. James H. Grigsby III, Deacon of Shiloh Baptist Church and Ms. Letha M. Blount, founding director of the DC American Classic Pageant. All guests received gift bags donated by members of Capital City Links and co-sponsors CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield, NIH Office of Research and Women’s Health, NFL Players Association, Annie’s Collection, and DC Public Service Commission. DC TV provided support to produce an oral history video of the Sage Honorees.

These seniors received gift bags and tasty cakes.

Capital City Links President, Claudia McKoin welcomes seniors to the anniversary luncheon.

Links Deborah Royster and Stephanie Myers presents the Sage Award to Lethea Blount

Eloise Lawson, Shiloh Baptist Church Senior Citizen Club joins Deacon James Grigsby, a Sage Award recipient

Annie Whatley, VP, Capital City Links enjoys lunch with Link Estelle Taylor, a Charter Member

Lois Jackson, Senior Citizen Luncheon Co-Chair with Link Gloria Lawlah-Walker

Finalists of the DC Classic Pageant enjoy the Senior Luncheon

Link Yvonne Williams (2nd fr. left) and Dunbar High School students in the Capital City Links Evolutionary Woman Membership Program

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington (BGCGW) continued its tradition of recognizing a true friend, Tim Russert. A true advocate for youth. Tim served on the BGCGW Board of Directors for 13 years—and through his leadership—raised hundreds of thousands of dollars, as emcee of the Dinner to support BGCGW’s world-class programs in education, technology, diversity and career exploration. Tim’s son, Luke Russert, has embraced charitable causes championed by his late father and served as the Master of Ceremonies at this year’s celebration. Now after 26 years, this dinner has truly become a premier event in Washington, raising vital financial support for one of the area’s most respected youth organizations. As we celebrate BGCGW’s achievements over the past 125 years, they proudly look forward to the future and continue to acknowledge their significant contributions to youth and to Boys & Girls Clubs across the United States. The JW Marriott hotel in Northwest, Washington, DC was the site of this years celebration. Thanks to Pandit F. Wright, President/CEO of BGSGW and her staff for a memorable evening of networking and fundraising for a worthy cause…we must support our youth.

Photos by Rob Roberts

Courtesy Photos