The
SPRING-SUMMER 2015
Philanderian
The Magazine for Alumni and Friends of Philander Smith College
Dr. William H. Woods
Commencement 2015
Honorary Doctorate
1
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear Philanderians,
With a full semester now under my belt, it is with great anticipation and excitement
that I look forward to what lies ahead for us as a College Community! In the short
time that I have been here, we have already made terrific strides toward creating a
blueprint that should result in measurable changes that will significantly alter our
culture and the way in which we operate. Many of these changes will be palpable as
soon as this fall, while other refinements will unfold throughout the coming year.
As I shared in my recent Update to our community, we are now working closely
with the Peachtree Group, which has assigned noted higher-education authority
Dr. Marshall Grisby, to help guide us through the process of planning for the longterm. A Long-Range Strategic Planning Taskforce, comprised of campus leadership,
faculty and staff, along with alumni and community stakeholders, has already met
to begin the framework of their engagement. I am grateful to have the alumni voice
as part of this process; for whatever big, bold steps we take, it is imperative that we have our alumni family
walking hand-in-hand along with us. To reiterate, the plan now is to present the Taskforce’s preliminary work
to the Fall 2015 Faculty/Staff Institute. Please expect the final report to be broadly shared at the close of the fall
semester.
There is so much to anticipate about this fall, including my Inauguration as the 14th President of Philander
Smith College. I do hope to see as many of you as possible during the activities that are scheduled from August
27-30, 2015. Particularly, I wish to see a strong contingent of alumni attending the President’s Inaugural
Scholarship Gala at 7 p.m. Friday, August 28, at the Little Rock Marriott. This is a tremendous opportunity
to provide needed scholarship funds for our students, many of whom are the first in their family to earn a
four-year degree. In addition to dinner, entertaining and dancing, this is a chance to actively invest in the
Philander Forward movement which not only has been my guiding maxim since taking the helm of the
College, but it will also serve as the theme of my Inauguration and Investiture.
Perhaps you are intrigued by the Philander Forward mantra. More than a catchy buzz phrase or trending
hashtag, Philander Forward is a conversation about how we plan to move ahead and prosper within the
changing landscape of higher education. Philander Forward is a promise about activity that will take place
to move us along toward re-gaining our status as a premier private historically Black college. Philander
Forward is a mindset that should guide our work, actions and interactions by causing each one of us—our
students, faculty, staff and alumni—to pause and ask ourselves, “What am I doing to help move Philander
Smith College forward?” or “Is this an action that will help propel Philander Smith College forward?” I am
asking you all to join us in this movement during this critical juncture in the institution’s history.
Certainly there are challenges toward our goals to retain our rich heritage while building upon it with layers
upon layers of historic success; thus, we cannot afford to be lackadaisical nor lethargic. After spending my first
semester visiting with and listening to so many of you, I can assure you that I am more motivated and confident
than ever that not only can we dream big, but we can also make those dreams reality by the work we are now
doing to position ourselves for victory.
Sincerely,
Roderick L. Smothers, Sr., Ph.D.
President
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CONTENTS
The Philanderian
Spring-Summer
2015
President
Dr. Roderick L. Smothers, Sr.
Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Rev. C.J. Duvall, Jr.
Director of Alumni Affairs
Ms. Yvonne C. Alexander, ‘73
Production Coordinator/Photographer
Mr. Dan Pierce
Board of Trustees
Mrs. Pat Lile, Chairwoman
Dr. Etta F. Carter, ’63 Vice Chairwoman
Dr. Frances Harris,’76 Secretary
Mr. Robert Blue, ‘68
Dr. Cynthia Bond-Hopson
Dr. Terry Esper, ‘96
Mr. Jason Earley
Mr. Barnett Grace
Dr. Terrance D. Grant-Malone
MG (RET) Harold Gwatney
Mr. Jim Kincannon
Mr. Arthur Montgomery,’68
Bishop Gary Mueller
Mr. Jake Nabholz
Mr. Ronald W. Newsome,‘71
Reverend Mark Norman, ‘94
Mr. Don Riggin
Mr. Stephen Tipton
Dr. Jesse M. Trice, ‘72
Dr. Sherece Y. West-Scantlebury
Mr. Harvey P. Wiley Sr.
Dr. Roderick L. Smothers Sr.
Dr. Bettye Brown, Faculty Rep (Ex-Officio)
Ms. Tanisha Manning, SGA Pres. (Ex-Officio)
The Philanderian is published with news
from the National Alumni Association and
the Office of the President. To submit story
ideas, photos, feedback and suggestions
contact: mhutchinson@philander.edu.
Alumni news and photos:
Yvonne Alexander Director of Alumni
Affairs, yalexander@philander.edu
www.philander.edu
Editor — Sericia Cole
Photography and Design — Dan Pierce
FEATURES
6
The 1877 Scholarship Fund
7
Leslie W. Jordan & Lorraine H. Jordan Charitable Endowment
8
21st Annual Elijah Pitts Golf Tournament
9
PHILANDER FORWARD
10
COVER STORY - Baccalaureate and Commencement 2015
DEPARTMENTS
12
Around Campus
14
2015 National Alumni Convention
17
Alumni Briefs
18
Donor Honor Roll
Save The Date!
Sat., Nov. 7
Homecoming 2015
Philander Smith College
vs.
Philander Smith College
Fisk University
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MESSAGE FROM THE NATIONAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT
Dear Philanderians:
“The size of your dreams must always exceed your current capacity to
achieve them. If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough.”
This is a quote from Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia and the
first female elected head of an African state. President Smothers often
challenges and inspires many of us with this quote.
Admittedly, it was “scary” when the NAA was challenged to increase our
financial commitment for the new Student Center from $250,000 to
$500,000. However, it was thrilling to announce during the NAAPSC
2015 Convention, which was held on campus during March, 2015, that
we exceeded the goal of $500,000. Approximately 90% of the pledges
are being paid ahead of time. This accomplishment, however, was
ostensibly acknowledged during the convention. We all agreed that it will
not be celebrated until the last pledge has been collected. We welcome the early pay-off of pledges and, better
still, would like to have all pledges paid in full by the 2016 NAA Convention. An early pay-off will put us in a
better position to move forward with other projects.
Why was this “scary”? It was scary because the dream could become a nightmare if our “tried and true”
members failed to dig deeper in their pockets to make it happen. The good news is that the “tried and true”
dug deeper along with the help of individual students, an organized fundraising effort led by the Student
Government Association and some recent graduates for which we are very thankful.
The next big opportunity is for the alumni to challenge the size of our dreams in our support of PSC’s initiative
to strengthen its recruiting efforts with scholarship dollars. We also need to support its effort to help retain
existing students so that finances will not be a barrier to graduation. Shortly, you can expect to learn about how
we can all play a role in raising scholarship dollars to augment the ranks of future Philanderians.
We must dare to let our dreams exceed our current capacity to achieve them, and we will be led not by
fear, but by FAITH.
Sincerely,
Ronald Newsome, ‘71
_____________________________
“The next big opportunity is for alumni to
challenge the size of our dreams in our support
of PSC’s initiative…”
_______________________________
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PHILANDER FORWARD
MESSAGE FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
Philander Smith College is Relevant
N
ot too long, ago I was reading the newspaper and came across yet another
article questioning the relevancy of the Historical Black College and
University. Like many articles, this one talked about how integration,
open access, superior resources and better funding of predominantly white
institutions make HBCUs irrelevant. Like most articles and debates, the notion
that HBCUs provide cultural self-esteem, transmit our history to instill cultural
pride, as well as seek to provide confidence to young people in a world that’s
constantly challenging their survival doesn’t quite get translated as valuable
components of academic success. I, however, am not writing to debate the
relevancy of our HBCU. A simple fact informs me that Philander Smith College is
relevant: our students asked to be and want to be a part of the HBCU experience, Period!
Unfortunately, because of the debate on relevancy, funding in government quarters is being questioned, and
even some traditional donors in our community have called into question why philanthropy should be focused
toward our HBCU. As such, we are proud that about 250 courageous alumni donate to our school, but it is
startling to know that we are missing hundreds, if not thousands, of alumni who could help Philander Smith
College by sending a regular donation.
Even if once a year every alumnus gave whatever amount was affordable for his or her personal situation, the
donation would make a measurable difference. Many alumni don’t realize that philanthropic foundations often
make decisions about whether or not to award support to a college based upon its rate of alumni giving. These
foundations understand that, if the alumni donate to their own institution, it is another way of saying that
Philander Smith College is relevant!
As much as we can claim relevance, I am calling on all Philanderians, friends, and family of Philander Smith
College to show how much they believe that we are.
Today, we are launching a new annual scholarship campaign called the 1877 Scholarship Fund drive. We
will no longer use the term 1877 for the Annual Fund, nor will we use the Renaissance 100 label for a select
campaign. There is an article within this issue of The Philanderian about the 1877 Scholarship effort that
details how you can give a scholarship donation annually to the college. It is designed so that anyone, on any
budget, can participate. Please read the article and respond with your support.
C.J. Duvall, Jr.
Vice President, Institutional Advancement
_____________________________
“Many alumni don’t realize that philanthropic foundations
often make decisions about whether or not to award support
to a college based upon its rate of alumni giving.”
_______________________________
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GIVING
Announcing:
W
e are pleased to announce the establishment of the 1877
Scholarship Fund – formed to honor the founding of
Philander Smith College and to support its future. The
1877 Scholarship Fund will make it easier for alumni, family, friends,
foundations and businesses to help sustain the College’s enrollment
and retention goals by selecting a convenient gift category that
correlates with the donor’s financial reality.
1877 reminds us of our longevity as an institution,
while simultaneously reflecting our need to continuously
move Philander forward. This new fund will bring
attention to the need for a consistent, annual commitment
to an institution that cares about improving the lives of
others in our schools, businesses, civic life, churches,
government and nation.
We need all of our alumni, friends and supporters
throughout the country to support this inclusive effort.
Every economic-tier can participate at a level most
comfortable for the donor’s budget while helping advance
Philander Smith College toward higher levels of excellence.
NOTE: The 1877 Scholarship Fund replaces both the Renaissance 100 and the 1877 Fund.
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GIVING
Leslie W. Jordan and Lorraine H. Jordan
Charitable Endowment
T
wo Philander Smith College
alumni, Leslie W. Jordan
’52 and Lorraine H. Jordan
’61, are being remembered through a
new scholarship endowment named
in their honor.
Created through a partnership with
Dr. Sybil Jordan Hampton of
Little Rock (the couple’s daughter),
Philander Smith College’s Office of
Institutional Advancement and the
Arkansas Community Foundation,
the new endowment was established
over time by an initial contribution
of under $5,000. The endowed
principal was built with continued
donations from the Jordan family
and friends until it reached $30,000,
thereby making it large enough to
generate scholarship monies to benefit Philander Smith College.
photo courtesy of Dr. Sybil Jordan Hampton
The College plans to help support the continued growth of the Leslie W. Jordan and Lorraine H. Jordan
Charitable Endowment by holding a fund raiser in the future. The endowment will provide an annual
minimum $1,000 scholarship to a female S.T.E.M student with a GPA of 3.4 or better, and the scholarship will
increase as the endowment grows. Funds from the endowment will become available in 2016.
Vice President for Advancement, C.J. Duvall, Jr., said that “The partnership with Arkansas Community
Foundation is designed to provide donors with professional fund management and quarterly fund
communications while allowing alumni, children and friends of alumni to contribute scholarships to Philander
Smith College.” Duvall also noted that there are opportunities to receive gift contributions from outside
sources to help grow partnership endowments, if it is clear that children and friends are donating to help build
a qualifying endowment.
Philander Smith College will continue to manage existing scholarship endowments through the College’s Office
of Fiscal Affairs, but will also partner with the United Methodist Foundation of Arkansas and the Arkansas
Community Foundation to build external scholarship endowment funds to support the institution.
Additionally, efforts will continue toward increasing the College’s general endowment, which supports the
institution’s greatest needs by encouraging donors to consider a planned gift of life insurance proceeds, real
estate sales, 401k retirement balances or annuity donations with Philander Smith College as beneficiary in a
Last Will & Testament.
For information about scholarship endowments or planned gifts with the College please contact Gemessia
Hudson in the Office of Institutional Advancement at (501) 370-5392, or write her at ghudson@philander.edu.
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GIVING
21st Annual
Elijah Pitts Memorial
Golf Tournament
P
hilander friends, alums and golf
enthusiasts waited out a heavy
downpour before participating in
the 21st Annual Elijah Pitts Memorial Golf
Tournament.
The tournament is named for 1961
Philander graduate Elijah Pitts who
became an NFL great. Chenal Country
Club was the setting for this year’s
Walt Coleman and CJ Duvall
tournament which began with a welcome
by Ron Pitts, son of the event’s namesake. Afterwards, golfers
enjoyed lunch during the announcement of winners and distribution
of prizes. The event netted more than $59,000 to benefit Philander
Smith College.
Ron Pitts and Dr. Roderick L. Smothers, Sr., PSC
President.
Top tournament winners Wade Thompson, and Harold Banks pictured
with Ron Pitts (center).
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Philander’s S.T.A.R.T. Student Recruitment Initiative
D
r. Roderick L. Smothers, President of Philander Smith
College (PSC), has hit the recruitment trail to seek out a
new profile of student whom he characterizes as a “serious
student.” He defines this student as one who has an average grade
point average or ACT/SAT Score, but who has an urgent desire to
take advantage of the benefits afforded by a college education.
To help create additional pathways to access, Philander Smith
has established Student Tuition and Readiness Tracks
(S.T.A.R.T.). This is a specialized enrollment and preparation
program designed to put students wanting to earn a bachelor’s degree from PSC on one of four specific
pathways to success. Eligible students receive financial assistance based on their individual needs. In addition
to federal aid (grants, loans and work-study), students may receive scholarships, stipends, book vouchers and
tuition waivers to create a financial package that will help them meet the cost of attending Philander Smith
College. Some of the eligibility factors include: academic achievement; economic need; civic and community
engagement; Christian engagement; and commitment to earning a bachelor’s degree.
California Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
P
hilander Smith College became one of nine Historically
Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) guaranteeing
admission to students meeting certain academic criteria
who transfer from any of California’s 112-campus community
colleges, thanks to an agreement with the Community College
system in California. The MOU begins in the Fall of 2015.
Currently, over fifty-percent of Philander Smith College’s current
enrollment comes from outside of Arkansas. The California MOU
supports the White House Initiative to strengthen and expand the capacity of HBCUs to provide quality higher
education to students. Under the agreement, transfer students must have earned a transfer-level associate
degree with a GPA of 2.5 or higher, or have 30 or more transferable units with a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
Dr. Sherece West-Scantlebury
F
New Trustees Appointed to Board
Dr. Etta Carter, ‘63
Mr. Jake Nabholz
Dr. Terry Esper, ‘96
Dr. Terrance D. Grant-Malone
Dr. Charles W. Donaldson, ‘69
ollowing its February Board Meeting, Philander Smith College announced the appointment of new members to its
Board of Trustees: Mr. Robert Blue, Dr. Etta Carter, ‘63, Mr. Jason Earley, Dr. Terry Esper, ‘96, Dr. Terrance D.
Grant-Malone, Mr. Jake Nabholz, Mr. Stephen Tipton, Dr. Sherece West-Scantlebury and Mr. Harvey P. Wiley Sr..
Additionally, the Board bestowed emeritus status upon Dr. Charles W. Donaldson, ‘69.
9
COVER STORY
Commencement and
M
ortar boards abounded as the class of 2015
took center stage to commemorate years of
study, hard work and commitment. Over
100 new alumni filled the Little Rock Statehouse
Convention Center as excited friends, family, faculty
and staff awaited their entrance into the event hall for
the Philander Smith College’s 127th Commencement
Exercises. The President’s Party, led by the college’s
14th President, Dr. Roderick L. Smothers,
included the Commencement Speaker David
Banner, a recording artist, activist, and actor.
An Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters was
awarded posthumously to Dr. William Woods,
’54, who served at Philander Smith for more than
40 years. Dr. Woods was the first Black student to
be admitted to the Graduate Program in Anatomy
at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
(UAMS) and the first to receive a Ph.D in Zoology at
the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. His award
was received by his son, Bill Woods, who reminisced
about his father’s fondness of the College.
Kadiejha Price was named Senior of the Year
by the National Alumni Association. She reflected, “I
believe my strongest achievement to help me win this
honor was not one that was always recognizable, but
it was my will to keep things honest. I took things for
what they were during my time at Philander. I made
my community accountable. My passion for education
Baccalaureate speaker Rev. Glenn Barnes, Senior Pastor, Pine Hill
Missionary Baptist Church
PSC Chosen Generation Choir
Acolytes – Hakeem Wortham and
Rakeem Wortham
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The Reverend Mackey Yokem,
Arkansas Annual Conference,United
Methodist Church
PHILANDER FORWARD
Philander Smith Co
d Baccalaureate 2015
and student development has grown over the years,
and I hope to serve at Philander in the future.” Price
will enter graduate school at the University of South
Alabama in Mobile, Ala., to pursue a master’s degree in
educational leadership.
Baccalaureate featured Rev. Glenn Barnes,
Senior Pastor of Pine Hill Missionary Baptist Church
in Pine Bluff, Ark., who brought the house to its feet
during his soul-stirring message. He challenged the
graduates to press toward the mark: Philippians 3:12.
The Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters for Dr. William H. Woods is
presented posthumously by Ms. Lynda Byrd, ’69 Chair, Board of Trustees,
and PSC President Dr. Roderick L. Smothers to Dr. Wood’s son Bill Woods.
Happy PSC grads
Chelsea Fox, ’15
Senior Class President
Commencement speaker David Banner, American rapper, record
producer, and actor
ollege Class of 2015
Speaker David Banner greets grads as they receive their diplomas.
Dr. Frank James, ‘61, is presented The General Board of Higher Education
and Ministry’s Exemplary Teacher Award, 2014-2015 by PSC President Dr.
Roderick L. Smothers, Sr.
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AROUND CAMPUS
NEW PSC Royalty Announced
W
hitney Westmoreland and Carvon
Smith will reign during the 2015-16
academic year as Miss and Mister
Philander Smith College. Westmoreland is a
junior psychology major from Stockton, Calif., while
Smith, who is from St. Louis, Mo., is a junior whose
concentration is business administration.
Contestants in the “Royal Engagement”- themed
pageant were judged in categories, which included
personal style, oratorical, talent and evening wear.
The student body selected the winners at the end of
the pageant by electronic vote. Westmoreland and
Smith will be officially crowned during a formal
ceremony in Fall 2015.
President Smothers with 2014-15 Miss PSC Aminah Henderson,
Whitney Westmoreland, Carvon Smith and Shaborn Vail.
P
AT&T Awards STEM Grant
hilander’s Science
Technology Engineering
and Math (STEM) Program
got a major boost from a $35,000
grant provided by AT&T to
support non-traditional and
underserved minority students
in STEM. The grant stipulates
that the College facilitate faculty
infusing technology in researchbased education; collaborate to
mentor students and provide
guidance as students matriculate
and prepare for professional
studies and careers, and travel to
regional meetings, as well as host
lectures and interactive workshops
to address challenges faced by
minority, underserved, and nontraditional students in completing
college.
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Whitney Westmoreland and Carvon Smith
Left: AT&T’s Melinda Faubel, State Representative Charles Armstrong and AT&T’s Ronnie
Dedman. Right: PR Director Michael Hutchinson along with PSC STEM students.
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AROUND CAMPUS
Living Legends Receive Honor
From left: Chris Davis, Dr. Betty Brown, Dr. Collea McKinney, Rev. Cleo Smith, ‘71, President Smothers, Rev. Glenn Barnes, Cynthia Crone,
Sandra Brown and Maxine Allen, ‘93.
T
he Office of Religious Life marked its 8th
Annual Week-Long observance; and, as
always, the highlight of the week was the
Living Legends Banquet honoring individuals
who are serving God by serving the community. The
2015 Award Recipients included; Rev. Maxine
Allen, ‘93, Rev. Glenn Barnes, Dr. Bettye
Brown, Sandra Brown, R.N., Cynthia Crone,
Christopher Davis, Rev. Marion Humphrey,
Dr. Collea McKinney, and Rev. Cleo Smith, ‘71.
Religious Emphasis Week is designed to engender the
importance of spiritually-based activities on PSC’s
United Methodist-affiliated campus.
Remembering “The Real McGraw”: Tyrone Power McGraw
(1943-2015)
K
nown as “The Real McGraw” to some and
Coach McGraw to others, Tyrone Power
McGraw ’69 is a Philander Smith College
legend to all. Beloved by many, McGraw passed
away April 2, 2015 after a lengthy illness. For more
than 40 years, McGraw was the basketball and track
coach for both men’s and women’s teams, as well as a
PSC professor. He loved teaching, coaching, helping
others and being a friend to anyone with whom he
came in contact. These actions were underscored
by his favorite Bible verse, Matthew 5:8, which he
quoted often: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they
shall see God,” and formed the foundation of Mr.
Graw’s legacy. PSC mourns
the loss of McGraw, but
will always treasure his
life, memory and lasting
contributions to the fabric
of the College.
Philander Smith College
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ALUMNI NEWS
2015 National Alu
Young alums enjoy the Jazz Champagne Luncheon:
Kevin Cooper ’08, Francennett Herrera ’11, Marcel
Jagne-Shaw ’10, and Gerald Thomas ’13.
Judge L. Clifford Davis ’45 and Hazel Bullock
‘41 took in the sights, sounds and camaraderie
among alumni.
NAA President, Ron W. Newsome ‘71,
introduced Miss PSC Aminah Henderson along
with Mr. UNCF, Hakeem Wortham.
Greeters for the NAA Jazz Champagne
Luncheon showed why they were the hosts/
hostesses with the most PANTHER charm!
A “by demand” performance by the
incomparable Tawanna Campbell ‘06 and
Company.
President Dr. Roderick L. Smothers and his
fiancée Monica Cook, shared a moment with
Rev. James Lyles.
Dr. Kathryn F. Worthen ’63 and former Little Rock
Mayor Lottie H. Shackelford ’79 snap it up for the
camera.
Celebrants of the Class of 1965 pose during the
Jazz Champagne Luncheon.
Rev. Carissa Rodgers ‘10 closed out Founders’
Day Worship Service with a fervent prayer.
Founders’ Day Keynote Speaker, Minister Kevin
Cooper ’08, engaged attendees with prayer at
the end of his sermon.
The audience was actively engaged in worship during the revived Founders’ Day Service at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church on the campus of
Philander Smith College.
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ALUMNI NEWS
umni Convention
Judge L. Clifford Davis, Rev. James Lyles and
Ms. Jearlene Miller ‘73 greeted one another at
the Celebration Banquet.
Fred Galbreath ’68 helped his wife Carolyn
celebrate her golden anniversary with the Class
of 1965.
Rev. C. E. McAdoo ’92 and Carol Willis ‘70 find
time to chat during the festivities.
Jamal R. Williams ’10 was a dynamic emcee for
the 2015 Celebration Banquet.
Class of 1966 alums take time for a photo-op:
Vivian Hines ’66, Minnie G. Glover ‘64 and Lillie
Tyler-Paddio ‘64.
Panther friends forever: Alice Richardson ’77,
Veronica P. Booth ’79, and Joanette S. Payne
’84.
Theresa Webb
provided music for
the PSC Alumni
Choir during
the Celebration
Banquet.
Dr. Roderick L. Smothers, Sr., 14th PSC
President.
Dr. Etta W. Carter ’63 at the podium giving
remarks to NAA Celebration Banquet attendees.
Alums Veronica Nesbitt ‘64 and Dr. Kathryn F.
Worthen ’63 during Founders Day Chapel
Dr. Sherman L. Tate‘70 introduced
the banquet speaker, Dr. Smothers
Sr., the 14th President of PSC.
Dr. Sherman L. Tate, ‘70 is honored as NAA Alumni of the
Year by Lille Tyler-Paddio ‘64, PSC President Smothers and
NAA President Ron Newsome.
Dr. Roderick L. Smothers, Sr. and Ron Newsome ’71 pose with members of the Golden Class of 1965: Doris Nunn Terry, Sylvia Carmelita Smith, Mary
Virginia Randolph, B. Jean Eason, Ada E. Norwood, Howard Love, Carolyn A. Galbreath, Gloria B. Fender, Estella T. Anderson, and Zuella M. Wilson.
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ALUMNI NEWS
2015 National Alumni Convention continued
Gloria Fender, Class of 1965 Class Leader, and
friend of PSC, Mary Louise Williams.
Lining up for the Grand Procession are Ron
Newsome and other program participants.
Judy Stratford Christian ‘72 (left) and Frances Starks ‘65 (right) gave
personal testimonies supporting why students should attend PSC.
The nationwide members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. were in
attendance to support Philander Smith College.
Alumni proudly sang the alma mater at the close
of the Celebration Banquet.
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Gloria Fender ‘65 proudly
announced the monetary
gift donated by the Class of
1965.
PSC alum Sylvia Carmelita Smith and her sister, Phyllis Caruth
receive M.L. Harris Society stoles in honor of their late mother,
Mrs. Sylvia Caruth from Dr. Roderick L. Smothers, PSC President.
President Roderick Smothers addressed alumni
and friends during the Celebration Banquet.
Professor Karliss Chapple ’01 directed the 2015 PSC Alumni Reunion
Choir comprised of alumni from classes representing the 60’s, 70’s, and
80’s.
Pictured with President Smothers (center) are newly inducted members of the M. L. Harris Society
exhibiting their new stoles.
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ALUMNI BRIEFS
Philander’s Cleo Boles, ’53,
celebrated her 100th Birthday this
May. Boles, who earned a bachelor
of science in home economics,
Cum Laude and Distinction
in Field, was honored during
the Alumni Annual Christmas
Breakfast in December 2014 and
was presented with a medallion.
She is the first to receive a college
degree in her family. Minoring in elementary
education, she retired after 20 years of teaching. She
was an avid baker of wedding cakes; she volunteered
to bake cookies for the entire Philander Collegiate
Choir when it traveled to Washington, D.C., to
perform during President Bill Clinton’s Inauguration.
Dr. Frank James, ’61,
received the prestigious honor
of “Champions of Change”
during a White House ceremony
recognizing faculty and staff
members at Historically Black
Colleges and Universities (HBCU).
Professor of Mathematics, James
was recognized as a leader who
works with students, families,
higher education officials, and policymakers to
build paths to graduation. The award was created
as an opportunity for the White House to feature
individuals doing extraordinary things to empower
and inspire members of their communities.
Carrisa Rodgers, ‘10, earned
her Master’s in Divinity degree at
Southern Methodist University.
Recently, she was commissioned
as a provisional member of
the Arkansas Conference and
appointed as Pastor of the
Quapaw United Methodist
Church in Little Rock. She was
on campus this spring serving as
speaker for Holy Week Chapel.
Kevin Cooper Jr., ‘08, is
currently serving as Relationship
Manager for the Millennium
Scholars program at the United
Negro College Fund (UNCF) in
Washington, DC. He served as
speaker for the Founder’s Day
Chapel on campus this spring.
Marian McPherson, ‘12,
completed her Master’s of
Journalism in Mixed Media
from the University of Missouri,
Mo., where she received a full
scholarship. She is now serving as
the Production Manager for online
magazine, Inman.
S. Juain Young, ’07, was
named the Education Support
Professional (ESP) 2015 for the
State of Arkansas by the Arkansas
Education Association. He attended
the National ESP Conference to
represent the state of Arkansas in
March. Currently, Young serves as
the Attendance Administrative Assistant for the Little
Rock School District. He was recently recognized
and received an award for his years of dedicated,
professional service as a 15 year employee.
Quinton Ezeagwula received a Purple Heart after
being wounded when he was shot by a man opposing
the killing of Muslims by the U.S forces in Iraq
and Afghanistan. Private Ezeagwula, a student at
Philander majoring in Business Administration, is in
the U.S. Army and received the Medal for Servicemen
Wounded in Combat.
Dr. Kathryn Worthen, ‘64,
received the Village of South
Holland, “Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. HUMANITARIAN
AWARD” by Mayor Don
DeGraff. The award represents
her “embodiment of the
characteristics promoted by Rev.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” Dr. Worthen led the
village in initiating an annual program to honor Dr.
King 11 years ago.
17
Honor Roll of Donors
SUMMA CUM LAUDE
($25,000-ABOVE)
PSC National Alumni Association
Bob Birch
Robert Blue
C.J. & Karen Duvall
Elder & Brenda Granger
Rush & Linda Harding
Harry Roberson, Jr.
Winthrop P. Rockefeller Jr.
Bennie & Erma Williams
MAGNA CUM LAUDE
($15,000-$24,999)
Lula Carter
Anita Davis
Hiram & Kathadaza Mann Family
Trust
CUM LAUDE
($10,000-$14,999)
Helen Diggs
Barnett Grace
Howard & Clemmie Hill
Lou Ethel Nauden
Lottie Shackleford
Jack & Frances Starks
Sherman Tate
PRESIDENT’S LIST
($5,000-$9,999)
Betty Caldwell
Herman Davis
Andrew & Ann Heigel
Sterling King
Marjorie Moore
Jearlene Miller
Ron Newsome
Lillie B. Paddio
Charles Rodgers
Edna Wiley
Marva Watts
Kathryn Worthen
DEANS LIST
($1,000-$4,999)
PSC NAA- Cleveland
PSC NAA- Chicago
PSC NAA- Dallas/Fort Worth
PSC NAA- Greater Kansas City
PSC NAA- Greater Little Rock
PSC NAA- Helena/West Helena
PSC NAA- Memphis
Kwasi & Gloria Aboagye
Mattie Anderson
Johnnie Branch
Lynda Byrd
Mary Frances Abrams
Eddie Anderson
Wade Banks, Jr.
Lonez Barker
Willarene Beasley
Shirley Brown
18
Thomas Brown
Hazel Bullock
Albert Bush
Marion Butler
Buff Blass
Ethel Campbell
Jewel Canady
Etta Carter
James Cone
James Crawford
L. Clifford Davis
Charles & Mable Donaldson
Clarence & JoAnn Duvall
Timon Edwards
Richard Farmer
Thelma Faulkner
Theresa Hughes Franklin
Estella & Carrol Forte
Frank Fletcher
Bertha Gibson
Peggy Gray
Terry Harper
Crit & Virdie Harris
Frances Harris
Paula Herron
Lloyd Hervey
Cynthia Bond Hopson
Lydia Hunter
Ernest Jacobs
Pearl L. Jordan
Jonathan Keaton
Herbert Langston
James Lee
Pat Lile
Howard Love
James Lyles
Harlan London
Thomas McLarty
Arthur Montgomery
Gary Mueller
Isabel Nash
Ada Norwood
Legora Norwood
Freddie Nixon
Carreather Perry
Eulah Peterson
Roylene Reed
Dorothy Ried
Jo Richards
Eugene Ross
Larry & Lillian Ross
Eugene Ross
Rosalyn Scruggs
Joyce Slater
Tommie Taylor
Adell Thompson
Manuel Twillie
Emogene Toms
Patricia Vaughn
Sharon Ware
William Webb
Rachel Williamson
Arnell Willis
Harvey and Ruby Wiley
Thelma Woods
HONOR ROLL
PSC NAA- Columbus
Alice Abson
Lucy Abraham
Maxine Allen
Mozella Anderson
William Anderson
April Agnew
Mary Banks
Charles Blake
Marcus Bullock
Evelyn Baker
Willie Barnett
LaFonza Barton
JoAnn Benjamin
Carolyn Booker
Veronica Booth
Donna Brewer
Barbara Brock -Jordan
Bianca Broussard
Bettye Brown
Crystal Brown
Shirley Buckner
Marion Butler, Sr.
Jackie Calhoun
Gertha Carr
Jodie Carter
Mikia Carter
Wilhemina Carter
Judy Christian
Wesley Clark
Emanuel Cleaver III
James Cone
Bernard Cooper
April Cotton
Linda Chesterfield
Loretta Cross
Kathryn Cross
Eugene Crump
Charles and Karen Crutchfield
Mary Cunningham
Robbie L. Daniels
Joyce Davis
Sandra Davis
Sarah Dean
Joseph Dockery
Nathaniel Dickens
Sueveria Dickens
Freddie Dixon
Ethel Dunbar
Jacques Edward
Alex Erdmann
Norman Ellis
Joyce Fagan
Ruby Fleming
Rachel Foster
Thomas Foster
Angela Foy
Roosevelt Franklin
Betty J. Franklin
Dorothy Frazier
Stephanie N. Frazier
PHILANDER FORWARD uuu
Patricia Joann Gibson
Barbara Gilkey
James Goodwin
Dorothy Green
Edward Green
Lamar Griffeth
Larry Griffo
Michael Grier
Fred Harper
Freddie Hamilton
Logan Hampton
Sybil Hampton
Stephanie Haynes
Betsy Henderson
Francennett Herrera
Piccola Lamb Hill
Vivian Hines
C. Hing
LaTosha Holmes
Denisho Howse
Gareth Hughes
Adah Hull
Lydia B. Hunter
Mary Hunter
Ernest O. Jacobs, Jr.
Corey Jennings
Tionna Jenkins
Bettye Johnson
Barbara Brock-Jordan
Kyra Jones
Alberta Kilgore
Sherman Kilimanjaro
Barbara Leach
Theo Leapheart
Mark Leverett
Cleveland Love
Frederick Love
Willie C. Love
Leenora Lowery
Helen Martin
Joyce Marks
Vivian Matthews
Robert Maxwell
Pinkie Mason
C.E. McAdoo
Cameron McCree
Margaret McIntire
James McInnis
Corrine Miller
Jasmine Miller
Prentiss Mitchell
Crawford Mims
Sandra Mitchell
Tymia Morgan
Msrian Morrison
Olly Neal
Robert and Dorothy Nelson
Sheffield Nelson
Veronica Nesbitt
Carlton Newsome
Brenda Norwood
Legora Norwood
Sam Norwood
Walter Pace
Honor Roll of Donors
Michael Parker
Cheryl Perry
Mary Peterson
William Peyton
Chris Phillips
Samuel Pitts
Sondra Phillips
Norman Polk
Adam Prasse
Ronald Pyle
Silas Redd
Eddie Reed
Harold Reeder
Roylene Reed
Dorothy Reid
Carolyn J. Rice
Jo Freda Richards
Christine Richardson
Nolan & Edna Ricks
Lamar Riggs
Dave Roberts
Juanita Robinson
Carissa Rodgers
Raymond Rogers
Jonettia Rowan
Dolores M. Samples
Delores Sauls
Ernst J. Schrader, Jr.
Wilfred Seals
Cynthia Scott
Estella L. Shipp
Geoffrey Shiloh
Betty Simms
Elnora Simpson
Leroy Slater
Kasi Spencer
Al Smith
Contessa Smith
Doris Smith
Kellie Smith
Frank Smith
Roy Smith
Victor Snyder
Jay Starks
Ola Stewart
John Sutton
John Talley, Jr.
Shelby Taylor
Thomas Teague
Carolyn J. Thomas
Gerald Thomas
Ruth F. Thompson
Lee Townsel
Arniece Triplett
Jesse Trice
Herbert Tyson
Cecil Twillie
Les Twillie
Bennett Tubbs
William Waddell
Erma Watts
Claudia Watson
Emery Washington
Elizabeth Weeams
Cum Laude ($10,000.00-$14,999)
Johnny Moore
Jack Matlock
Veda Maxwell
Anthony Newkirk
Maurice Osborne
Carolyn Parham
Inyong Park
Dan Pierce
Latosha Pugh
James Rush
Angela Sanders
Martie Savage
Bill Schlientz
Lois Sheer
Samar Swaid
Angelo Thomas
Timothy Tucker
Christine Watson
Amy Young
Teresa Young
President’s List ($5,000.00-$9,999)
Frank James
Corporations, Foundations, and
Organizations
Dean’s List ($1,000.00-$4,999)
Joseph Jones
Raphael Lewis
Ronnie and Shantella Miller-Yow
($100,000.00 & Above)
Arkansas Conference United
Methodist Church
General Board of Global Ministries
General Board of Higher Education
and Ministry
J.E. & L.E. Mabee Foundation
Sturgis Charitable Trust
The Murphy Foundation
United Methodist Church/ AR
Conf.
Windgate Charitable Foundation
Elizabeth White
Marilyn Wiggins
Savoy Wiley
Carolyn Williams
Etta Williams
Gina Williams
James Williams
Jamal Williams
Taco Williams-Price
Thomas Williams
Clarence Wilson
Jo Ann Wilson
Elizabeth Workman
Rosalyn Zeigler
2013-2014 Employee Campaign
Honor Roll ($500.00-$999)
Orville Abrams
Yvonne Alexander
Gemessia Hudson
Christopher Newton
Teresa Ojezua
Rodney Parks
Donna Young
Terry Wallace
Green and Gold Club ($100-$499)
Alvin Anglin
Cynthia Burroughs
Marshall Bonds
Joyce Campbell
Heath Chandler
Learmond Chapman
Brian Clay
Donna Collins
Theodore Crawford
Betty Dickinson
Daniel Egbe
Brandon Greenwood
Jesse Hargrove
Alvin Harris
Kevin Hamilton
Latonya Hayes
Chantia Hickman
Kisa Hinton
Rosalyn Hudson
Frederick Hurt
Bruce James
Shirley James
Rhonda Lovelace
Lia Steele-Marcell
Brenda Martin
($25,000.00- $99,999)
Arkansas Community Foundation
Arkansas Independent Colleges
and Universities
Arkansas Department of Finance
of Administration
AT & T Foundation
Entergy, Inc.
Exxon Mobile Foundation
Horace Cabe Foundation
Nabholz Construction
Ottenheimer Brothers Foundation
The Murphy Foundation
($10,000.00-$ 24,999)
Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield
Arvest
Dillard’s
Deltic Timber
Fred Darragh Foundation
Kansas City Southern Charitable
Foundation
Riggs Benevolent Foundation
The 5 P’s LLC
United Methodist Foundation
Wal-Mart
Thank you
($5,000.00- $9,999)
Alessi Keyes Construction Co.
Altheimer Charitable Foundation
Arkansas Children’s Hospital
BKD, LLP.
Centerpoint Energy
Centennial Bank
Cortinez Law Firm
Fresh Ideas
Innerplan
Pepsi Cola Bottling Co.
Taggart Architects
The Hatcher Agency
UBS
Windstream Communications
($1,000.00-$4,999)
Bank of the Ozarks
Buffalo Bills Inc.
Christian Life Center
Choctaw Casinos
Crafton Tull
Dassault Falcon Jet
Dreams of the Heartland
East AR Seed, Inc.
Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church
Green Bay Packers
Krebs Bros.
First Community Bank
First UMC LR
First UMC Compton
First UMC East District
Friday, Eldredge, Clark, LLP.
IBM Foundation
Little Rock Chamber of Commerce
Maplewood UMC
Metro Builders & Restoration
Methodist Family Health
Mitchell Williams Law
Munro Foundation
Pulaski Height UMC
RSI Group
Southern Bancorp
The Hatcher Agency
Village UMC
Wesley UMC
Williams Dean Assoc.
Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation
The Honor Roll of
Donors list recognizes
gifts made to Philander
Smith College between
7/1/14—6/30/15.
While every effort was
made to ensure complete
accuracy, please contact
the Office of Institutional
Advancement in the
event of any accidental
omissions or errors.
19
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 2469
Little Rock, AR 72202
900 Daisy Bates Drive, Little Rock, AR 72202
www.philander.edu
Save the Date
auguSt 29, 2015
The Inauguration of
RodeRick L. SmotheRS, SR., Ph.d.
F ouRteenth P ReSident
oF
P hiLandeR S mith c oLLege
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Call 501.370.5275
www.philander.edu
20
INAUGURAL
WEEKEND EVENTS
AUGUST 27-30, 2015
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27
Campus Cookout and Celebration
Inaugural Community Symposium
African-American Art Exhibit Opening
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28
A Day of Student Engagement
President’s Inaugural Scholarship Gala
SATURDAY, AUGUST 29
President’s Inauguration/Investiture
President’s Inaugural Reception
SUNDAY, AUGUST 30
Ecumenical Prayer Service