the
atkinson
sisters Attending A&T
with her sister is another
blessing, Jasmine says.
Jasmine and Lauren Atkinson are a “We’ve always been very close,” she said.
picturesque pair. Sisters from Raleigh, North “We’re each other’s best friend. We’re able
Carolina, Jasmine is in her second year at to be there for each other whenever we need
North Carolina A&T and Lauren is in her first. it. We get to watch each other develop and our
relationship has grown so much stronger.”
They both came to N.C. A&T on scholarships
that have helped relieve their worry and stress Jasmine said that her scholarship has afforded her
about loans. all kinds of opportunities. She interned with Bank
of America in Charlotte as a global human resources
Lauren, who received the Dr. Dorothy Prince Barnett development analyst last summer and will intern with
Endowed Scholarship, said she originally didn’t want to the bank as a financial management analyst in New York
While A&T is a public university that receives follow any of her three sisters to college. But she visited A&T this summer.
state and federal funds, Sigmon says that those her sophomore year of high school and knew that’s where she
public funds are restricted and cannot be used wanted to go. When Jasmine decided to attend, Lauren still She also was able to participate in GE’s AggieMagination pitch
for things like endowed scholarships, faculty didn’t want to follow her to college, but earning scholarships contest where she and her team developed a new product
and athletics. Campaign funds will fill in the helped her change her mind. that used emerging technologies and analyze its predicted
gaps to allow students to stay in school, recruit performance. Jasmine’s team won first place for developing a
new faculty and the best athletes.
“Scholarship support means the world to us,” Lauren said. digital tool that used artificial intelligence and artificial reality
“This scholarship and others have paid for my freshman year, technologies to bridge the gap between education and hands-
“We [public institutions] find ourselves on the allowing me to really focus on my work here and not think so on experience for underprivileged students.
short end compared to private institutions,” much about debt.”
Sigmon said. “As costs for higher education Jasmine said she would not have had the time to participate in
rise, we have even more of a commitment A supply chain management student in the College of Business the contest if it wasn’t for her scholarship.
to our students and have to raise even more and Economics, Lauren said that securing this scholarship was
funds.”
a confidence booster for her. The Atkinson sisters love attending college together. Just like
at home, they remain close at school.
Mercer said that endowed scholarships are “Scholarships can sometimes be the only way people can
a large way that help students for years and go to college,” she said. “Receiving a scholarship [makes] “I’ll borrow some of her clothing if I need to, she’ll come to
years.
me feel good about where I am and what I can do.” my room just to hang out, and we grab dinner sometimes
as well,” she said.
“Endowments are there for students to use Jasmine came to A&T in 2017 as an accounting major.
forever,” Mercer said. “They are perpetual Her full departmental accounting scholarship covers Lauren said that her sister made her transition to
investments in the university and in our all of her expenses. college so much easier by offering understanding
students. Endowments transcend generations.”
and be a familiar face when she needs advice.
“Being able to obtain higher education
A&T supporters gave more than $4 million without the burden of student loans is a “Walking across campus to or from a class
to support endowed scholarships for the blessing,” she said. “Every day, I thank and seeing Jasmine will always feel
second consecutive year, while gifts to support A&T for the opportunity they have funny, but I wouldn’t trade it for the
current-use scholarships exceeded $3 million. given me and strive to prove that world,” Lauren said. “I never
Scholarships are of major importance to the their investment in me will imagined going to school
university: Two-thirds of A&T’s enrollment have great returns.” with my sister, but I’m
comprises students who are the first in their glad I do.”
families to go to college, which means family
resources to fund their education can be in
short supply. Here are four examples.
48 • N.C. a&t MagaziNe NCat.edu • 49
WAYS TO GIVE
terrence
that being the first person in Christian Through The Campaign for North Carolina A&T, the university
Terrence Christian knew
is building upon its historic commitment to excellence. Your
his family to go to college would support will make the difference between good and great.
be a big deal when he decided to Christian came to A&T unsure of
attend North Carolina A&T. exactly what he wanted to do. He
attended a science and technology high
Being a first-generation college student school and wanted to continue learning in a annual GiVinG
has been all about learning for Christian. It STEM field. Operating support for the university
has allowed him to research more and take full
advantage of everything N.C. A&T has to offer, “I didn’t know a lot about computer engineering,
including scholarships. but A&T has given me the chance to do an internship
at Visa and eBay,” he said. “When I graduate, I’d really MaJOr GiFts
Christian, a senior computer engineering student, was like to work as a product manager, leveraging new Scholarships
a recipient for the Dr. and Mrs. George Evans Endowed technologies like machine learning, augmented reality or Endowment
Scholarship. virtual reality.” Multi-year support for the university
“Scholarship support means I can focus more on becoming Christian also has interest in the “internet of things”—
a better student during the semester and serves as a everyday appliances, electronics and vehicles connected to Planned GiVinG
motivator to perform well academically because others are the internet. Deferred commitments (e.g., real estate,
willing to invest in my education,” Christian said. bequests, life insurance, retirement assets, trusts)
“I’d like to use the internet of things to deliver new features
In addition to academic success, the Evans Scholarship and software products on mobile applications and wearable
helped Christian study abroad in Shanghai, China, last fall. devices,” he said. cOrPOrate PartnersHiPs
and FOundatiOn GiVinG
“I was able to collaborate on engineering projects with Christian said that studying abroad has influenced him to Student scholarships
students from around the globe, learn a new language want to own restaurants serving international foods. Faculty development
and experience the culture of multiple Asian countries,” Innovative research
he said. “A lot of people don’t study abroad because of Almost two-thirds of A&T’s enrollment are first-generation
the financial part of it, so I’m glad I was able to get the college students and navigating the new experience can
scholarship and get culturally educated.” be challenging, Christian said. MatcHinG GiFts
Increase the impact of your generosity
Christian said the scholarship not only impacts his life Every December when he returns to Maryland for the
while he is in college but also will help him toward holidays, Christian goes to his former high school and
financial freedom after graduation. talks to students about his experiences in college.
“Student loans are a pain for anyone, and “Passing on that knowledge of college, the Make an online gift today at WWW.nCaT.edu/
scholarships help drastically,” he said. value of HBCUs, applying for scholarships and
studying abroad is very important to me as GiVinG/GiVe-noW.hTml, send cash or check
a first-generation college student,” he said. (payable to North Carolina A&T Real Estate
“I’ve had to have open ears all the time Foundation Inc.) to the address below, or contact
to really know what to do and what’s us at 336-334-7600 to discuss how to give and
going on. Hopefully, talking to help others participate in the Aggie experience.
students gives them an idea
of what to expect from adVanCemenT oPeraTions
college.” norTh Carolina a&T sTaTe uniVersiTy
doWdy BuildinG, suiTe 400
1601 e. marKeT sTreeT
GreensBoro, nC 27411
50 • N.C. a&t MagaziNe NCat.edu • 51
WAYS TO GIVE
terrence
that being the first person in Christian Through The Campaign for North Carolina A&T, the university
Terrence Christian knew
is building upon its historic commitment to excellence. Your
his family to go to college would support will make the difference between good and great.
be a big deal when he decided to Christian came to A&T unsure of
attend North Carolina A&T. exactly what he wanted to do. He
attended a science and technology high
Being a first-generation college student school and wanted to continue learning in a annual GiVinG
has been all about learning for Christian. It STEM field. Operating support for the university
has allowed him to research more and take full
advantage of everything N.C. A&T has to offer, “I didn’t know a lot about computer engineering,
including scholarships. but A&T has given me the chance to do an internship
at Visa and eBay,” he said. “When I graduate, I’d really MaJOr GiFts
Christian, a senior computer engineering student, was like to work as a product manager, leveraging new Scholarships
a recipient for the Dr. and Mrs. George Evans Endowed technologies like machine learning, augmented reality or Endowment
Scholarship. virtual reality.” Multi-year support for the university
“Scholarship support means I can focus more on becoming Christian also has interest in the “internet of things”—
a better student during the semester and serves as a everyday appliances, electronics and vehicles connected to Planned GiVinG
motivator to perform well academically because others are the internet. Deferred commitments (e.g., real estate,
willing to invest in my education,” Christian said. bequests, life insurance, retirement assets, trusts)
“I’d like to use the internet of things to deliver new features
In addition to academic success, the Evans Scholarship and software products on mobile applications and wearable
helped Christian study abroad in Shanghai, China, last fall. devices,” he said. cOrPOrate PartnersHiPs
and FOundatiOn GiVinG
“I was able to collaborate on engineering projects with Christian said that studying abroad has influenced him to Student scholarships
students from around the globe, learn a new language want to own restaurants serving international foods. Faculty development
and experience the culture of multiple Asian countries,” Innovative research
he said. “A lot of people don’t study abroad because of Almost two-thirds of A&T’s enrollment are first-generation
the financial part of it, so I’m glad I was able to get the college students and navigating the new experience can
scholarship and get culturally educated.” be challenging, Christian said. MatcHinG GiFts
Increase the impact of your generosity
Christian said the scholarship not only impacts his life Every December when he returns to Maryland for the
while he is in college but also will help him toward holidays, Christian goes to his former high school and
financial freedom after graduation. talks to students about his experiences in college.
“Student loans are a pain for anyone, and “Passing on that knowledge of college, the Make an online gift today at WWW.nCaT.edu/
scholarships help drastically,” he said. value of HBCUs, applying for scholarships and
studying abroad is very important to me as GiVinG/GiVe-noW.hTml, send cash or check
a first-generation college student,” he said. (payable to North Carolina A&T Real Estate
“I’ve had to have open ears all the time Foundation Inc.) to the address below, or contact
to really know what to do and what’s us at 336-334-7600 to discuss how to give and
going on. Hopefully, talking to help others participate in the Aggie experience.
students gives them an idea
of what to expect from adVanCemenT oPeraTions
college.” norTh Carolina a&T sTaTe uniVersiTy
doWdy BuildinG, suiTe 400
1601 e. marKeT sTreeT
GreensBoro, nC 27411
50 • N.C. a&t MagaziNe NCat.edu • 51
Luther Funches has many At 28, Funches is a
dreams. He’s achieved his first nontraditional student. He is
by playing basketball overseas and also the father of a three-year-old
is working on the second—becoming a daughter who he says is his motivation
teacher. to keep his eyes on the goal.
After high school, Funches spent 11 years playing “I’m here putting in the work so I can provide for
basketball around the globe, including in the my family,” he said. “She’s number one and I want
Philippines, Italy and Germany. When he returned to to show her that she can do anything.”
the States, he was not hesitant about what he wanted
to do but was less knowledgeable about how to achieve Funches works at the Campus Recreation Center. He
his new dream. is also the vice president of the N.C. A&T chapter of
Student North Carolina Association of Educators and a
tylar Jacksonville, Florida, he wasn’t too sure where to look member of Kappa Delta Pi Education Honor Society.
As an only child and first-generation college student from
Lewis College and earned his associate degree. He was then The Barnett Scholarship was named for a former dean of the
for help. Funches attended Guilford Technical Community
College of Education. It is awarded to a student in teaching
recruited to North Carolina A&T by the former dean of the education with a 2.8 grade point average.
College of Education, Anthony Graham, to continue on his
Lewis mentors nine freshman women path to become an educator. “I’m grateful that donors see our potential and invest in our
with whom she talks to every day. futures,” he said. “I want them to know that their investment
Tylar Lewis was not going to settle for her “When you teach, you instill the importance of education in is not in vain and we are out here succeeding.”
second choice in colleges. She knew she “I’m only a sophomore, but I know some our children,” he said. “It’s only two percent of teachers that
wanted to attend North Carolina A&T and she of the things they are going through as are black men. I want to help change how they engage.” “I want to plant the roots for our children to grow strong in
was going to figure out how to get from Detroit freshmen,” Lewis said. “It can be hard to move to education,” he said. “I want them to be oak trees, ready to
to Greensboro, North Carolina. a whole new place and adjust to a different type After graduating, Funches wants to pursue his master’s weather any storm.”
of atmosphere, so I’m just here for them.” degree in history education and look at teaching in
“A&T was always my dream school,” she said. Houston, Texas. Funches recently received the Woodland Hall Fellowship
“When I applied the first time I was deferred, so I Lewis also tutors in biology and helped restart the for a full ride to pursue graduate studies at A&T.
worked really hard to get my grades up and got a Undergraduate Student National Dentist Association, Funches said it was an achievement for him to get out
4.0 my senior year.” which had not had a presence on campus since 2012. of the Jacksonville and the Dr. Dorothy Prince Barnett
USNDA’s mission is the advancement and retention of Endowed Scholarship gave him the ability to keep
In addition to admission, Lewis’s hard work made minority students within the field of dentistry. working toward his dream.
the sophomore biology student eligible for several
scholarships. “It was something I was interested in being a part of, “I wouldn’t have been able to stay in school
but we didn’t have a chapter here anymore,” she said. without this scholarship,” he said. “There
“Scholarship support is a kind of wake-up call,” “I talked to my adviser and we worked with other was a time I thought I wasn’t going to be
Lewis said. “It lets you know that people are paying students and now we’re trying to get the word out able to come back because I couldn’t
attention and that there are people in the world to other students and local dentists.” afford it. I’m glad I was able to
other than my family who want to see not only come back and finish what
myself, but my peers, succeed even when they Because of her scholarship, Lewis is traveling to I started.”
have no idea who we are.” Europe with the University Honors Program. In
May, she’ll travel to Amsterdam and Paris.
Although she intended to join ROTC when Luther
she came to N.C A&T, her path led her “I haven’t been out of the country since
toward Biology Scholars and Aggie sixth grade,” she said. “I’m excited to Funches
Success Leaders. In those groups, she experience the culture.”
is able to play a leadership role and
help younger students find their Lewis wants to become a dental
way in the new experience of hygienist and, ultimately, an
college. orthodontist.
52 • N.C. a&t MagaziNe NCat.edu • 53
Luther Funches has many At 28, Funches is a
dreams. He’s achieved his first nontraditional student. He is
by playing basketball overseas and also the father of a three-year-old
is working on the second—becoming a daughter who he says is his motivation
teacher. to keep his eyes on the goal.
After high school, Funches spent 11 years playing “I’m here putting in the work so I can provide for
basketball around the globe, including in the my family,” he said. “She’s number one and I want
Philippines, Italy and Germany. When he returned to to show her that she can do anything.”
the States, he was not hesitant about what he wanted
to do but was less knowledgeable about how to achieve Funches works at the Campus Recreation Center. He
his new dream. is also the vice president of the N.C. A&T chapter of
Student North Carolina Association of Educators and a
tylar Jacksonville, Florida, he wasn’t too sure where to look member of Kappa Delta Pi Education Honor Society.
As an only child and first-generation college student from
Lewis College and earned his associate degree. He was then The Barnett Scholarship was named for a former dean of the
for help. Funches attended Guilford Technical Community
College of Education. It is awarded to a student in teaching
recruited to North Carolina A&T by the former dean of the education with a 2.8 grade point average.
College of Education, Anthony Graham, to continue on his
Lewis mentors nine freshman women path to become an educator. “I’m grateful that donors see our potential and invest in our
with whom she talks to every day. futures,” he said. “I want them to know that their investment
Tylar Lewis was not going to settle for her “When you teach, you instill the importance of education in is not in vain and we are out here succeeding.”
second choice in colleges. She knew she “I’m only a sophomore, but I know some our children,” he said. “It’s only two percent of teachers that
wanted to attend North Carolina A&T and she of the things they are going through as are black men. I want to help change how they engage.” “I want to plant the roots for our children to grow strong in
was going to figure out how to get from Detroit freshmen,” Lewis said. “It can be hard to move to education,” he said. “I want them to be oak trees, ready to
to Greensboro, North Carolina. a whole new place and adjust to a different type After graduating, Funches wants to pursue his master’s weather any storm.”
of atmosphere, so I’m just here for them.” degree in history education and look at teaching in
“A&T was always my dream school,” she said. Houston, Texas. Funches recently received the Woodland Hall Fellowship
“When I applied the first time I was deferred, so I Lewis also tutors in biology and helped restart the for a full ride to pursue graduate studies at A&T.
worked really hard to get my grades up and got a Undergraduate Student National Dentist Association, Funches said it was an achievement for him to get out
4.0 my senior year.” which had not had a presence on campus since 2012. of the Jacksonville and the Dr. Dorothy Prince Barnett
USNDA’s mission is the advancement and retention of Endowed Scholarship gave him the ability to keep
In addition to admission, Lewis’s hard work made minority students within the field of dentistry. working toward his dream.
the sophomore biology student eligible for several
scholarships. “It was something I was interested in being a part of, “I wouldn’t have been able to stay in school
but we didn’t have a chapter here anymore,” she said. without this scholarship,” he said. “There
“Scholarship support is a kind of wake-up call,” “I talked to my adviser and we worked with other was a time I thought I wasn’t going to be
Lewis said. “It lets you know that people are paying students and now we’re trying to get the word out able to come back because I couldn’t
attention and that there are people in the world to other students and local dentists.” afford it. I’m glad I was able to
other than my family who want to see not only come back and finish what
myself, but my peers, succeed even when they Because of her scholarship, Lewis is traveling to I started.”
have no idea who we are.” Europe with the University Honors Program. In
May, she’ll travel to Amsterdam and Paris.
Although she intended to join ROTC when Luther
she came to N.C A&T, her path led her “I haven’t been out of the country since
toward Biology Scholars and Aggie sixth grade,” she said. “I’m excited to Funches
Success Leaders. In those groups, she experience the culture.”
is able to play a leadership role and
help younger students find their Lewis wants to become a dental
way in the new experience of hygienist and, ultimately, an
college. orthodontist.
52 • N.C. a&t MagaziNe NCat.edu • 53
home groWn
home groWn
alumnus randolph Keaton follows his passion and the road home to teach
underserved youth and families in rural north Carolina.
By Jordan M. Howse
He didn’t foresee returning home to Columbus County after “Keaton has a lot of knowledge of agriculture and is very
graduating from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical passionate about his work,” said Misty Herget, director of
State University, but Randolph Keaton ’84 followed his programs at the center. “He offers great insight and has
calling to lead youth in agriculture. been a great leader for his organization and ours.”
Keaton is the executive director of Men and Women United Keaton has made connections to other nonprofit
for Youth and Families CDC, a small nonprofit organization directors, legislators and funding sources that can help
located in Delco, North Carolina, that serves Bladen, his organization continue and advance the work they do
Brunswick and Columbus counties. The nonprofit works in the area.
with every member of the rural communities from job
seekers to children. “We’ve been able to expand the reach of our programs
and better engage the community,” Keaton said. “It’s been
The organization provides many of the services urban uplifting for the kids and others in the community to see
dwellers can take for granted, Keaton said. It promotes people want to invest in the future of rural North Carolina.”
education and resource awareness; provides services to
assist in creating independent, self-sufficient youth and The youth engagement programming keeps expanding and
families; offers a job center and help with travel; and is the grows more produce each year, helping to secure the future
first youth-led Food Policy Council in the state. leaders of the tri-county area.
The council works around food and justice advocacy. The This year, Men and Women United for Youth and Families
students are partnered with farmers and gardeners in the awarded scholarships to seven teens across three counties.
tri-county area to learn how to tend to gardens. They also It has given out more than $40,000 in scholarships over the
learn skills such as public speaking and marketing. past decade.
“In the rural community, we have to be strategic about job “We want to get to a point where we can help more
opportunities,” Keaton said. “We have plenty of land, farms students attend agricultural universities like A&T,” Keaton
and gardeners, so we can teach these kids [about] work said. “But we are glad we can help students get the
ethic and they have an opportunity to raise things on their education and skills they can use back home for the benefit
own and learn about careers in agriculture.” of everyone.”
Because of his work, Keaton won the Rural Leader
of the Year from the NC Rural Center. The program
offers participants like Keaton the opportunity to learn
collaborative leadership skills and rural development
strategies to help them return and make a meaningful
difference in their rural communities.
Randolph Keaton ’84
(Photo courtesy of NC Rural Center)
54 • N.C. a&t MagaziNe NCat.edu • 55
home groWn
home groWn
alumnus randolph Keaton follows his passion and the road home to teach
underserved youth and families in rural north Carolina.
By Jordan M. Howse
He didn’t foresee returning home to Columbus County after “Keaton has a lot of knowledge of agriculture and is very
graduating from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical passionate about his work,” said Misty Herget, director of
State University, but Randolph Keaton ’84 followed his programs at the center. “He offers great insight and has
calling to lead youth in agriculture. been a great leader for his organization and ours.”
Keaton is the executive director of Men and Women United Keaton has made connections to other nonprofit
for Youth and Families CDC, a small nonprofit organization directors, legislators and funding sources that can help
located in Delco, North Carolina, that serves Bladen, his organization continue and advance the work they do
Brunswick and Columbus counties. The nonprofit works in the area.
with every member of the rural communities from job
seekers to children. “We’ve been able to expand the reach of our programs
and better engage the community,” Keaton said. “It’s been
The organization provides many of the services urban uplifting for the kids and others in the community to see
dwellers can take for granted, Keaton said. It promotes people want to invest in the future of rural North Carolina.”
education and resource awareness; provides services to
assist in creating independent, self-sufficient youth and The youth engagement programming keeps expanding and
families; offers a job center and help with travel; and is the grows more produce each year, helping to secure the future
first youth-led Food Policy Council in the state. leaders of the tri-county area.
The council works around food and justice advocacy. The This year, Men and Women United for Youth and Families
students are partnered with farmers and gardeners in the awarded scholarships to seven teens across three counties.
tri-county area to learn how to tend to gardens. They also It has given out more than $40,000 in scholarships over the
learn skills such as public speaking and marketing. past decade.
“In the rural community, we have to be strategic about job “We want to get to a point where we can help more
opportunities,” Keaton said. “We have plenty of land, farms students attend agricultural universities like A&T,” Keaton
and gardeners, so we can teach these kids [about] work said. “But we are glad we can help students get the
ethic and they have an opportunity to raise things on their education and skills they can use back home for the benefit
own and learn about careers in agriculture.” of everyone.”
Because of his work, Keaton won the Rural Leader
of the Year from the NC Rural Center. The program
offers participants like Keaton the opportunity to learn
collaborative leadership skills and rural development
strategies to help them return and make a meaningful
difference in their rural communities.
Randolph Keaton ’84
(Photo courtesy of NC Rural Center)
54 • N.C. a&t MagaziNe NCat.edu • 55
alUMni notes
22
1960s 1970s BeTTye PerKins ’70, president and CEO of Today’s
Students Tomorrow’s Teachers (TSTT), was one of
five winners nationally of 2018 AARP Purpose Prize
alVin “al” aTTles sr. ’60, one of North awards, which are presented to those 50 and older
Carolina A&T’s most successful athletes for outstanding work in public life and social good.
in the sport of basketball, will be one of Each winner received $60,000 to further her/his
11 honorees enshrined in the Naismith organization’s mission.
Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in
Springfield, Massachusetts, on Friday, Sept. The TSTT program finds and mentors students from
6. The Newark, New Jersey, native played economically challenged and diverse backgrounds
for the Aggies under coach Cal Irvin, to pursue careers in education. According to the U.S.
1956–1960, and led the team to Department of Education, only 18 percent of the nation’s
consecutive CIAA titles in 3.5 million teachers are teacher of color. The national
1958 and 1959. program has produced over 800 students with five-year
retention rate of 90 percent compared to 50 percent
In 1960, Attles was drafted
by the Philadelphia across the U.S.
Warriors, playing 11 A former IBM executive, Perkins started the program
seasons with the team 20 years ago to address the lack of diversity in the
in Philadelphia and classroom and has graduated 165 teachers.
then in San Francisco
(now the Golden State
Warriors). Since 1970, he
has held numerous roles
in the franchise including 1990s
coach (1970–1983), team
executive and ambassador
to the community. He led roderiCK mClean ’92 has been named
the organization to an NBA vice president and general manager for
Championship in 1975, and he Lockheed Martin’s Air Mobility & Maritime
is one of five Warriors to have Missions organization, where he is responsible
his number retired. for the C-130, LM-100J, C-5 and P-3
programs. McLean also serves as the leader
In February 2015, Attles was for the Marietta, Georgia, facility and oversees
the first player in N.C. A&T sub-assembly sites in Clarksburg, West
history to have his number Virginia, and Meridian, Mississippi.
retired. His no. 22 jersey now A 25-year Lockheed Martin employee,
hangs from the rafters in
Corbett Sports Center. McLean most recently led the Integrated
Fighter Group. He also previously served as
deputy for that group, as well as deputy for
the F-16 program.
56 • N.C. a&t MagaziNe NCat.edu • 57
alUMni notes
22
1960s 1970s BeTTye PerKins ’70, president and CEO of Today’s
Students Tomorrow’s Teachers (TSTT), was one of
five winners nationally of 2018 AARP Purpose Prize
alVin “al” aTTles sr. ’60, one of North awards, which are presented to those 50 and older
Carolina A&T’s most successful athletes for outstanding work in public life and social good.
in the sport of basketball, will be one of Each winner received $60,000 to further her/his
11 honorees enshrined in the Naismith organization’s mission.
Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in
Springfield, Massachusetts, on Friday, Sept. The TSTT program finds and mentors students from
6. The Newark, New Jersey, native played economically challenged and diverse backgrounds
for the Aggies under coach Cal Irvin, to pursue careers in education. According to the U.S.
1956–1960, and led the team to Department of Education, only 18 percent of the nation’s
consecutive CIAA titles in 3.5 million teachers are teacher of color. The national
1958 and 1959. program has produced over 800 students with five-year
retention rate of 90 percent compared to 50 percent
In 1960, Attles was drafted
by the Philadelphia across the U.S.
Warriors, playing 11 A former IBM executive, Perkins started the program
seasons with the team 20 years ago to address the lack of diversity in the
in Philadelphia and classroom and has graduated 165 teachers.
then in San Francisco
(now the Golden State
Warriors). Since 1970, he
has held numerous roles
in the franchise including 1990s
coach (1970–1983), team
executive and ambassador
to the community. He led roderiCK mClean ’92 has been named
the organization to an NBA vice president and general manager for
Championship in 1975, and he Lockheed Martin’s Air Mobility & Maritime
is one of five Warriors to have Missions organization, where he is responsible
his number retired. for the C-130, LM-100J, C-5 and P-3
programs. McLean also serves as the leader
In February 2015, Attles was for the Marietta, Georgia, facility and oversees
the first player in N.C. A&T sub-assembly sites in Clarksburg, West
history to have his number Virginia, and Meridian, Mississippi.
retired. His no. 22 jersey now A 25-year Lockheed Martin employee,
hangs from the rafters in
Corbett Sports Center. McLean most recently led the Integrated
Fighter Group. He also previously served as
deputy for that group, as well as deputy for
the F-16 program.
56 • N.C. a&t MagaziNe NCat.edu • 57
alUMni notes
2000s
“TerrenCe J” JenKins ’04 is the From hosting to acting in
Thurgood Marshall College Fund worldwide box office hit films to
(TMCF) National Ambassador. penning his first literary work,
Jenkins has shown skill and
TMCF is the nation’s largest versatility in a number of different in memOriam
organization exclusively arenas. After seven years of hosting
representing the black college BET’s “106 & Park,” as the former
community (publicly supported co-anchor of the international
HBCUs and PBIs). Through program “E! News,” as a producer alumni
scholarships, capacity building and host for “Miss USA 2016” and Nakia D. Allen ’05
and research initiatives, “Miss USA 2017,” and as an actor in Jacqueline Hopkins Alston ’78
innovative programs and strategic box office hits such as “Think Like Cory WeaThers ’06, deputy Odie L. Bullock Jr. ’76
partnerships, TMCF is a vital a Man,” “Think Like a Man Too” and chief engineer for United William Burns ’57
resource in the K-12 and higher “The Perfect Match.” Jenkins is one Kingdom Military Flying Training Jean H. Charlton ’80
education space. The organization of the most recognizable faces in System (UK MFTS) at Lockheed Adrien Forbes ’92
is also a source for top employers Hollywood. Martin, won the 2019 The Linda Pamela W. Glover ’73
seeking top talent for competitive Gooden Legacy Black Engineer Vernon E. Hedrick ’76
internships and good jobs. Jenkins is a former TMCF of the Year Award (BEYA) for W.H. Land ’62
To date, the organization has scholarship recipient who Managerial Leadership at the Kevin Mckoy ’03
awarded more than $300 million participated in related STEM Global Competitiveness Jeffrey A. Nixon ’86
in such assistance to its students programming as a student at Conference. The national award Maxine F. Riley ’71
and member-schools. TMCF N.C. A&T. He recently served as honors the best and brightest Sadie Lee Brown Smith ’56
distributes 98 percent of its a presenter at the TMCF 31st African-American professionals Gloria Jean McCollum Swann ’52
awards exclusively to HBCUs and Anniversary Awards Gala and working in STEM fields. Willia J. Turner ’44
PBIs, which is more than any other hosted the 2019 NAACP Image Clayton Washington ’58
organization that supports the Awards. The UK MFTS is a more than Spencer E. White Jr. ’54
black college community. $500 million program within the Devaki N. Williams ’00
Lockheed Martin Rotary and
Mission Systems business area. In sTudenT
his role, Weathers is responsible Daniel Atherton, junior
for engineering and technology
scope, cost and schedule faCulTy & sTaff
performance. He has worked at Wendy Green, library technician
Lockheed Martin for 11 years.
10,000 alumni donors, fy 2017-2018 Sharon Hoard, director of
Weathers mentors STEM students leadership and engagement
and regularly volunteers with K-12
and professional organizations in
his local Orlando community.
Weathers earned his master’s
in industrial and systems
engineering at N.C. A&T.
58 • N.C. a&t MagaziNe NCat.edu • 59
alUMni notes
2000s
“TerrenCe J” JenKins ’04 is the From hosting to acting in
Thurgood Marshall College Fund worldwide box office hit films to
(TMCF) National Ambassador. penning his first literary work,
Jenkins has shown skill and
TMCF is the nation’s largest versatility in a number of different in memOriam
organization exclusively arenas. After seven years of hosting
representing the black college BET’s “106 & Park,” as the former
community (publicly supported co-anchor of the international
HBCUs and PBIs). Through program “E! News,” as a producer alumni
scholarships, capacity building and host for “Miss USA 2016” and Nakia D. Allen ’05
and research initiatives, “Miss USA 2017,” and as an actor in Jacqueline Hopkins Alston ’78
innovative programs and strategic box office hits such as “Think Like Cory WeaThers ’06, deputy Odie L. Bullock Jr. ’76
partnerships, TMCF is a vital a Man,” “Think Like a Man Too” and chief engineer for United William Burns ’57
resource in the K-12 and higher “The Perfect Match.” Jenkins is one Kingdom Military Flying Training Jean H. Charlton ’80
education space. The organization of the most recognizable faces in System (UK MFTS) at Lockheed Adrien Forbes ’92
is also a source for top employers Hollywood. Martin, won the 2019 The Linda Pamela W. Glover ’73
seeking top talent for competitive Gooden Legacy Black Engineer Vernon E. Hedrick ’76
internships and good jobs. Jenkins is a former TMCF of the Year Award (BEYA) for W.H. Land ’62
To date, the organization has scholarship recipient who Managerial Leadership at the Kevin Mckoy ’03
awarded more than $300 million participated in related STEM Global Competitiveness Jeffrey A. Nixon ’86
in such assistance to its students programming as a student at Conference. The national award Maxine F. Riley ’71
and member-schools. TMCF N.C. A&T. He recently served as honors the best and brightest Sadie Lee Brown Smith ’56
distributes 98 percent of its a presenter at the TMCF 31st African-American professionals Gloria Jean McCollum Swann ’52
awards exclusively to HBCUs and Anniversary Awards Gala and working in STEM fields. Willia J. Turner ’44
PBIs, which is more than any other hosted the 2019 NAACP Image Clayton Washington ’58
organization that supports the Awards. The UK MFTS is a more than Spencer E. White Jr. ’54
black college community. $500 million program within the Devaki N. Williams ’00
Lockheed Martin Rotary and
Mission Systems business area. In sTudenT
his role, Weathers is responsible Daniel Atherton, junior
for engineering and technology
scope, cost and schedule faCulTy & sTaff
performance. He has worked at Wendy Green, library technician
Lockheed Martin for 11 years.
10,000 alumni donors, fy 2017-2018 Sharon Hoard, director of
Weathers mentors STEM students leadership and engagement
and regularly volunteers with K-12
and professional organizations in
his local Orlando community.
Weathers earned his master’s
in industrial and systems
engineering at N.C. A&T.
58 • N.C. a&t MagaziNe NCat.edu • 59
people behind the scholarships
Being
aCCounTaBle
alumna endows professorship to honor those Pinnix-Ragland serves on the
who inspired her and to lift the next generation university’s board of trustees as
secretary, as well as on corporate
of accounting students. boards as an independent director.
After receiving her bachelor’s
“CoBE was established and from A&T, she went on to earn live Your
accredited under an exceptional her master’s degree in business
and visionary leader, Dean administration from Duke University
Quiester Craig,” Pinnix-Ragland in 1986. She also completed BesT liFe ...
said. “I wanted to honor prior graduate studies in taxation at St.
professors such as Craig, Bill John’s University and the executive
Griggs, Lydell Hyman, Katie Dorset program at the Harvard Kennedy WiTh a
and Danny Poe, and provide School of Government.
additional support to attract the
best accounting professors who She is a Chapter Fellow of the graDuaTe
aligned with A&T’s model.” National Association of Corporate
Directors, a member of Women
N.C. A&T attracts exceptional Corporate Directors, and the Degree
accounting students each year. recipient of the Triangle Business
Pinnix-Ragland said that the level Journal’s Lifetime Women in
of excellence exhibited by the Business Award and 4-H Lifetime From a&T
Hilda Pinnix-Ragland ’77 benefited university’s students must also be Achievement Award.
from the discipline and strong shown in its professors to help the
expectations of the professors and students succeed here and at the Pinnix-Ragland credits her success
deans who lifted her as a student next level. to her persistence, education and
at North Carolina A&T. Now she her Aggie Pride.
is taking the steps to lift the next “An accounting student’s overall With nine doctoral degree programs
generation of accounting students success is directly aligned “As the largest HBCU, it is (11 concentrations), 29 master’s programs
in the College of Business and with their readiness from high imperative that we invest in (46 concentrations), one post-master’s
Economics (CoBE). school, exceptional professors financial resources to strengthen certificate and eight post-baccalaureate
and diligence and discipline to the current curriculum and align
Pinnix-Ragland, a retired Duke perform,” she said. “As a student with the criteria for a top tier certificates, North Carolina A&T has the
Energy corporate affairs and launches into the next chapter university,” she said. “An investment academic opportunities to help you take
business executive, has donated for graduate school or work, in our school today leaves a lifetime your career from good to great. For some
$250,000 to help fund a new the excellent performance in of economic prosperity for future programs, consideration is still possible
professorship in the accounting undergraduate propels them generations.”
department. The professorship through ranks within corporate for the 2019-20 academic year.
will allow N.C. A&T to attract the America, government and as
best and brightest faculty to teach successful educators.” Visit www.ncat.edu/tgc/programs
students in innovative ways. to learn more. The Graduate College
60 • N.C. a&t MagaziNe
people behind the scholarships
Being
aCCounTaBle
alumna endows professorship to honor those Pinnix-Ragland serves on the
who inspired her and to lift the next generation university’s board of trustees as
secretary, as well as on corporate
of accounting students. boards as an independent director.
After receiving her bachelor’s
“CoBE was established and from A&T, she went on to earn live Your
accredited under an exceptional her master’s degree in business
and visionary leader, Dean administration from Duke University
Quiester Craig,” Pinnix-Ragland in 1986. She also completed BesT liFe ...
said. “I wanted to honor prior graduate studies in taxation at St.
professors such as Craig, Bill John’s University and the executive
Griggs, Lydell Hyman, Katie Dorset program at the Harvard Kennedy WiTh a
and Danny Poe, and provide School of Government.
additional support to attract the
best accounting professors who She is a Chapter Fellow of the graDuaTe
aligned with A&T’s model.” National Association of Corporate
Directors, a member of Women
N.C. A&T attracts exceptional Corporate Directors, and the Degree
accounting students each year. recipient of the Triangle Business
Pinnix-Ragland said that the level Journal’s Lifetime Women in
of excellence exhibited by the Business Award and 4-H Lifetime From a&T
Hilda Pinnix-Ragland ’77 benefited university’s students must also be Achievement Award.
from the discipline and strong shown in its professors to help the
expectations of the professors and students succeed here and at the Pinnix-Ragland credits her success
deans who lifted her as a student next level. to her persistence, education and
at North Carolina A&T. Now she her Aggie Pride.
is taking the steps to lift the next “An accounting student’s overall With nine doctoral degree programs
generation of accounting students success is directly aligned “As the largest HBCU, it is (11 concentrations), 29 master’s programs
in the College of Business and with their readiness from high imperative that we invest in (46 concentrations), one post-master’s
Economics (CoBE). school, exceptional professors financial resources to strengthen certificate and eight post-baccalaureate
and diligence and discipline to the current curriculum and align
Pinnix-Ragland, a retired Duke perform,” she said. “As a student with the criteria for a top tier certificates, North Carolina A&T has the
Energy corporate affairs and launches into the next chapter university,” she said. “An investment academic opportunities to help you take
business executive, has donated for graduate school or work, in our school today leaves a lifetime your career from good to great. For some
$250,000 to help fund a new the excellent performance in of economic prosperity for future programs, consideration is still possible
professorship in the accounting undergraduate propels them generations.”
department. The professorship through ranks within corporate for the 2019-20 academic year.
will allow N.C. A&T to attract the America, government and as
best and brightest faculty to teach successful educators.” Visit www.ncat.edu/tgc/programs
students in innovative ways. to learn more. The Graduate College
60 • N.C. a&t MagaziNe
NORTH CAROLINA AGRICULTURAL
AND TECHNICAL STATE UNIVERSITY Non-Profit Organization
1601 East Market Street US Postage PAID
Greensboro, NC 27411 Greensboro, NC
www.ncat.edu Permit Number 47
This year the Class of 1969 celebrates its golden
anniversary as alumni of North Carolina A&T. In May of
1969, the class endured an uprising in Greensboro on and
around the N.C. A&T campus that resulted in several riots,
an invasion by the N.C. National Guard and the death of
A&T sophomore, Willie Grimes.
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