Morgan Magazine 2005 Issue

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MORGANM A G A Z I N EMORGANM A G A Z I N E

Celebrating the 20-Year Morgan Renaissanceand The Presidency of Dr. Earl S. Richardson

YOUR SUPPORT + THEIR HARD WORK= Earned Degrees

The Campaign for Morgan State University

Morgan State University Foundation, Inc. • Truth Hall, #201 • 1700 E. Cold Spring Lane • Baltimore, MD 21251 | (443) 885-3040

MORGANSTUDENTS NEED YOUR SUPPORT!

2004-2005 Academic Year Tuition:In-state tuition (with fees) is $12,498/yr. • Out-of-state tuition (with fees) is $19,738/yr.

newhorizons. Call Today

443-885-3040or give online at www.morgan.edu

Sincerely,

Earl S.Richardson

president, Morgan State University

Earl S.Richardson, president

Greetings:

With this year marking the celebration of the Morgan Renaissance, we are certainly proud of theprogress that this university has made over the last 20 years. A firm belief in Morgan’s legacy asa mainstay in the Baltimore community and as a national leader among historically black col-leges and universities has propelled our institution to new heights in enrollment, academicofferings and campus renewal. However, as you will read in this issue of Morgan Magazine,Morgan’s best days are just on the horizon.

You will revisit Morgan’s 129th commencement ceremony, where hundreds of students realizedthe culmination of years of hard work and stood ready to leave Morgan, invigorated with asense of achievement and equipped with the training and purpose with which they will work tobetter our society.

Morgan continues to make significant advancements in academic areas. Learn more about ourrole in exploring complementary and alternative medicine in public health, and Morgan’s role inresearching and offering instruction on health services for low-income families.

In athletics, Morgan is excited to once again call itself champion in the Mid-Eastern AthleticConference, this year in women’s track and field. Discover the story of Romona Modeste, andher place among some of the NCAA’s finest track and field athletes.

The present and future success of Morgan is possible because of the generosity of many dedi-cated alumni and supporters. Organizations such as MORE (Marylanders Organized for Respon-sibility and Equity), ensure that Morgan will continue to move in a positive direction in securingneed-based assistance for our students.

Also, the new Student Life Center, which will house a number of academic and social activities,including a theater and Cyber Café with an adjacent parking garage, will be opening this fall.Soon after, our brand new state-of-the-art library and our new communications building will beavailable for use.

Enjoy this issue of Morgan Magazine, and through it, rediscover the Morgan Experience.

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129th Commencement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Morgan’s Renaissance—The Presidency of Dr. Earl S. Richardson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Year-in-Review—Photo Gallery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Morgan Pays Tribute to Scholars & Donors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Civic Organization Seeks to Establish $100,000 Scholarship Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

New Administrators—Bring Wealth of Experience to University’s Fundraising Division . .16

Female Speedsters Restoring MSU’s Track Legacy—MEAC: 2005 Women’s Track Champions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Student Retention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

What’s in a Name?—Verda Welcome Bridge . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) . . . . . . . . . . .24

Estuarine Center Transfers to Morgan During Official Ceremony . .27

Calendar of Events—2005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

T a b l e o f C o n t e n t sM O R G A N S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y

page

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Morgan Staff

Vice PresidentInstitutional Advancement

Cheryl Y. Hitchcock

Director of Public Relationsand CommunicationsClinton R. Coleman

Assistant Director of Public Relations

and CommunicationsJarrett L. Carter

Publications ManagerFerdinand Mehlinger

Art DirectorDavid E. Ricardo

Sr. Graphic DesignerAndre Barnett

Photographer(cover) P. A. Greene

Additional Staff

Contributing WritersRasheim T. Freeman

Erin JohnsonWelford L. McLellan

Hollis MinorJannette J.Witmeyer

Contributing PhotographersJohn Moore

Ferdinand Mehlinger

Morgan Magazine is published by the Divisionof Institutional Advancement of MSU for alumni,parents, faculty, students and prospective stu-dents. Morgan Magazine is designed andedited by the Office of Public Relations.

Opinions expressed in Morgan Magazine arethose of the individual authors and are not nec-essarily those of the University.

Unsolicited manuscripts & photographs are wel-come, but will be returned only if accompaniedby a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Lettersare also welcome.

Correspondence should be directed to:

Morgan MagazineMorgan State University1700 E. Cold Spring Lane, Truth Hall, #109Baltimore, Maryland 21251

443-885-3022 office • 443-885-8297 [email protected]

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MSU’s Class of 1955 was also recognized during the ceremony for their 50thAnniversay of commencement.

129thCommencementCelebrating the 20-year Morgan Renaissance

Keynote speaker—The Honorable James E. Clyburn, United States Representativefrom the 6th Congressional District of South Carolina.

Morgan State University celebrated its129th Commencement ceremony onSunday, May 15, 2005 at the W.A.C.Hughes Memorial Stadium. More than953 degrees were presented to studentsin undergraduate, masters and doctorallevel programs

Achievement was the theme of theevent as Dr. Earl S. Richardson was rec-ognized for his 20-year tenure as presi-dent of the university.

“We feel truly blessed to have such adedicated and innovative leader,” saidDean of Academic Affairs, Burney J.Hollis. “Under Dr. Richardson’s impres-sive leadership, Morgan continues togain prominence as one of the nation’spremier historically black colleges anduniversities.”

With the help and support of Morganeducators, scholars and administrators,Richardson’s major accomplishments

include the implementation of anumber of new academic programs thataddress the shortage of African-Ameri-cans and other minorities in criticalfields.

The Honorable James E. Clyburn, UnitedStates Representative from the 6th Con-gressional District of South Carolina,served as commencement speaker. Acongressman, teacher, employmentcounselor and Human Affairs commis-sioner, Clyburn has been proclaimedthe “unashamed advocate of his con-stituents.”

Clyburn, who currently serves as thevice chair of the Democratic Caucus inWashington, received an honoraryDoctor of Public Service degree for hiswork.

Also receiving an honorary Doctor ofPublic Service degree was Tyrone D.Taborn, chairman and Chief Executive

Officer of Career CommunicationsGroup, Inc.. Taborn is well knownthroughout the community for hisadvancements in the scientific indus-tries and has created a network of publi-cations, conferences, websites and part-nerships that promote engineering,science and technology among AfricanAmericans, Hispanics, Native Americansand women.

Ceremonial highlights included the dis-tribution of diplomas and departmental

awards, as well asthe distinguishedAlumnus of theYear award. Thisyear’s award wentto retired ArmyColonel JamesStanley White, agraduate of theclass of 1954.

Tyrone D. Taborn, receiving an honoraryDoctor of Public Service degree, ischairman and Chief Executive Officer ofCareer Communications Group, Inc.

Col. James Stanley White ’54

The Honorable James E. Clyburn

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By Erin Johnson

M O R G A N M A G A Z I N E 4

ichardsonREarl S.

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W

on

Morgan’sRenaissanceThe Presidency of Dr. Earl S. Richardson

By Jannette J. Witmyer

StudentsFacultyProgramsFacilitiesFunding

PresidentRichardson’s

Keys toMorgan’s

SpectacularGrowth

WHEN EARL S.RICHARDSON WASNAMED PRESIDENT OFMORGAN STATE UNI-VERSITY IN 1984,he understood that in order torestore the institution, he wouldalso have to restore faith in it.During the "decade after desegre-gation," as described by Dr.Richardson, the institution was inthe midst of a tumultuous time,plagued by plummeting enroll-ments, a crumbling physicalplant, disenchanted faculty mem-bers and internal turmoil. Doubtshad begun to develop about theinstitution's ability to survive.

20 years later, Morgan State Uni-versity is a national leader amonghistorically black colleges anduniversities. Designated by thestate legislature as Maryland'sPublic Urban University, the insti-tution produces over 50 percentof the bachelor's degreesawarded to African American col-lege graduates in Maryland. Dr.Richardson's vision and leader-ship have created growth andprosperity at Morgan in five keyareas: students, faculty, pro-grams, facilities and funding. Thetransformation is being recog-nized as "Morgan's Renaissance."

1 2 3John O. Spencer, Ph.D.

1902–1937Martin D. Jenkins, Ph.D.

1948–1970Earl S. Richardson, Ed.D.

1984–Present


Morgan’s Three Great Eras of Progress

DR. BURNEY J. HOLLIS, DEAN OF THE UNIVERSITY'S COLLEGE OFLIBERAL ARTS, MAPS MORGAN'S ADVANCEMENT ON A JOURNEYTHAT HAS TRAVERSED "THREE GREAT ERAS OF PROGRESS."

"The first was the era ofPresident John Oakley Spencer,the first Ph.D. to lead theUniversity. Under Dr. Spencer’sleadership, 1902-1937, Morganwas transformed from a collegesupported by the religious com-munity that focused primarilyupon training young men andwomen for the ministry, and forteaching, to a college attract-ing support from private foun-dations and offering a strongliberal arts program thatequipped its graduates to enteran ever-increasing variety ofprofessions. Under Dr. Spencer,Morgan received its first accred-itation by the Middle StatesAssociation of Colleges andSchools.”

“The second great era ofprogress at Morgan occurredduring the presidency of Dr.Martin David Jenkins, 1948-1970.During this era, Morgan beganto attract a stellar faculty withimpressive credentials and out-standing scholarly output; it wasdeclared by the Middle StatesAssociation of Colleges andSchools as a national model inliberal arts education; itexpanded its offerings toinclude graduate programs, itsstudent body and graduatesdistinguished themselves inmany fields; and it began itsimportant transformation into apublic urban university," saysHollis.

Dr. Hollis identifies 1984 to thepresent as Morgan StateUniversity's third era of greatprogress and calls it the "Era ofDr. Earl S. Richardson." Citing theuniversity's increase in studentenrollment; enhanced andincreased professional anddegree programs; restored andnewly constructed physicalplant; faculty enhancements;and increased fundraising andalumni participation, Hollisdeclares, "… Under his leader-ship, Morgan has become auniversity not only in name, butalso in fact!"

Richardson – continued

Morgan’s Third ERA of

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Progress 1984—PresentA Maryland native and graduate of theUniversity of Maryland Eastern Shore's(formerly Maryland State College) bac-calaureate program in social sciences,Dr. Richardson came to hold a personalunderstanding of the challenges facedby HBCU’s in Maryland and their stu-dents. He earned Master of Science andDoctor of Education degrees from theUniversity of Pennsylvania, and gradu-ated at the head of his class. As a FordFoundation and W.K. Kellogg Founda-tion Fellow, he conducted extensiveresearch on critical problems in highereducation relevant to racial autonomy,desegregation and integration.

Over a 19-year period before coming toMorgan, Richardson gained invaluableexperience working as assistant to thepresident of the University of MarylandSystem, and served as executive assis-tant to the chancellor, director of CareerPlanning, and Placement and actingdirector of Admissions and Registrationat the University of Maryland EasternShore.

The breadth of these experiences pro-vided a strong foundation for Dr.Richardson's adept grasp of the issuesand concerns of public urban universi-ties and how to address them, and

solidified his vision for a revitalizedMorgan State University.

"Here you had an institution with agreat legacy, great history, rich history,with unlimited potential… and my goalwas to move us to a point of realizingthat. When I came here, it was to restoreMorgan to its place of glory, and my wayof restoring it was to take it to the nextlevel – not just renew what was here,but to take it to the next level. ... (thatever-evolving challenge ...) But we’vecome a long way," says Richardson.

Earl S. Richardson’s Beginnings


Increased EnrollmentMorgan's enrollment has increasedsteadily over the past two decadesfrom 3,906 in 1985 to 6,892 studentsin the fall of 2004, an increase of2,986 students or 76%. As a result ofraising admissions standards andlimiting the admission of provisionalstudents to 20 percent, SAT scores forentering freshmen have increased byover 200 points, from 701 in 1987 to904 in 2004, along with a dramaticincrease in the number of high-abilitystudents enrolled.

Not only is the school attractingquality students, it also ranks 11thnationally of all bachelor’s degreesawarded to African American stu-dents. Morgan has led the nation the

last two years in graduating thehighest percentage of female engi-neers in a class, at 42 percent.

The institution is number one in thenation in producing African Americanelectrical and civil engineers; in thetop five nationally for African Ameri-cans awarded degrees in engineeringand public health; among the top 15nationally in awarding Ph.D.s in edu-cation; and among the top 30 nation-ally for all doctoral degrees awardedto African Americans. Additionally,Morgan leads all campuses in thestate of Maryland in the number ofbachelor's degrees awarded to AfricanAmericans in science, engineeringand mathematics.

A World Class FacultyMorgan has attracted a world-class facultyand stands as a leader not only in Maryland'sacademic community but in the nation aswell. The institution has revised policies onappointment, promotion and tenure, withincreased emphasis given to academic cre-dentials, excellence in teaching, scholarlyoutput, student advising and service to theUniversity and professions.

There has been an increase in the number oftenure-track faculty holding terminal degreesfrom approximately 50 to well over 70 percent,an improved faculty research profile andhigher standards for professional advance-ment more consistent with a research univer-sity that has, however, not lost its commit-ment to quality teaching.

Additionally, the university has established afaculty development program that providessupport for research and grant writing, anOffice of Sponsored Program which facilitatesthe development of grant proposals and themanagement of grants from external sources,and a program that grants released-time fromteaching for faculty conducting research.

Morgan ranks 11thnationally of allbachelor’s degreesawarded to AfricanAmerican students.

Richardson – continued The numbers speak for themselves…

Students Faculty

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Bachelor’s Degrees

Doctoral Degrees Degree Production Ranking

Degree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Date

Civil Engineering . . . . . . . . . . . . .1984

Electrical Engineering . . . . . . . . .1984

Industrial Engineering . . . . . . . . .1984

Finance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1993

Hospitality Management . . . . . .1995

Degree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Date

History (Ph.D.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1995

Mathematics Education (Ed.D.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1995

Science Education (Ed.D.) . . . . .1995

Engineering (D.Eng.) . . . . . . . . . .1997

Public Health (Dr.P.H.) . . . . . . . . .1999

Urban Community College Leadership(Ed.D.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1999

Bioenvironmental Sciences (Ph.D.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2000

Business Administration (Ph.D.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2000

Higher Education (Ph.D.) . . . . . .2000

English (Ph.D.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2004

Social Work (Ph.D.) . . . . . . . . . . . .2004

New Academic Programs Since 1984

Degree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Date

African-American Studies (with UMBC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1988

MAT in Teaching . . . . . . . . . . . . .1991

Engineering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1993

Science . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1997

Public Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1999

Social Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2004

Master’s Degrees

Doctoral Degrees awarded to African Americans18th All Disciplines Combined—traditional campuses nationally4th All Disciplines Combined—HBCUs8th Education degrees4th Engineering degrees11th Health Science degreesMaster's Degrees awarded to African Americans14th English Literature40th EngineeringBachelor's Degrees awarded to African Americans11th All Disciplines Combined—traditional campuses nationally11th All Disciplines Combined—HBCUs6th Engineering degrees 9th Education degrees10th Biological/ Biomedical Science degrees12th Computer Science and Information Systems degrees

(including MIS in business)20th Business Management degrees18th Psychology degrees40th Social Sciences degrees 18th English Language and Literature degrees

Morgan ranks 6th among traditional campuses nationwidein doctoral degrees granted in higher education.

Source Data Below: The Office of Institutional Research and Black Issues in HigherEducation, "Top 100 Degree Producers"

Morgan is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a Doctoral ReseachIntensive InstitutionMorgan now offers a fresh palette of programs that includes nearly 10 newundergraduate programs, three new master’s degree programs and 10 newdoctoral programs in critical areas of minority under-representation, such asbio-environmental sciences, business administration, engineering, English,higher education administration, community college leadership, history,mathematics education, public health, science education and social work.

The renaissance crosses all disciplines, art, language, science, education,theater, literature, music and architecture. It has been described as "havingthe character of the classic liberal arts and bringing innovation and excel-lence to Maryland education."

Programs


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Dynamic and Growing CampusThe physical embodiment of MorganState University's renaissance isreflected in the on-campus renovationand construction of classroom andresearch buildings, residence halls,dormitories and other auxiliary build-ings, totaling over $200 million, andthe expansion of the campus toinclude three adjacent complexes(Montebello Complex south of thecampus, the Pentridge Apartmentswest of the campus and a portion ofthe Northwood Shopping Center onMorgan’s south-west border) and asatellite Estuarine Research Center inCalvert County. Morgan is now astate-of-the-art institution.

The university's growth continues withprojects underway that include a newstudent center and adjacent parkinggarage; library; and communicationscenter with a bridge connecting it tothe Academic Quad; and expansion ofthe Verda Welcome Bridge, whicharches over Cold Spring Lane. Thesecapitol projects alone total over $160million.

Renovated Facilities1989 Spencer Hall1991 Baldwin Hall1991 Cummings House1991 Hurt Gymnasium1991 Woolford Infirmary1992 Calloway Hall1992 Harper-Tubman House1992 Key Hall1993 Holmes Hall1994 Carter-Grant-Wilson Building1994 McMechen Hall1999 Hill Field House2000 O’Connell Hall2001 Hughes Staduim2003 Alumni House2003 Turner Armory2005 Verda Welcome Bridge

New Construction1985 Thurgood Marshall Apartments

Complex1991 Mitchell Engineering Bldg.1991 Blount Residential Towers1993 Rawlings Dining and Residence

Hall1997 Schaefer Engineering Hall2001 Murphy Fine Arts Center2003 Morgan View Apartments2003 Dixon Science Research Center

Annexed Property1995 Montebello Complex2003 Turner Armory2004 Estuarine Research Center2004 Northwood Shopping Center

(portion)

New Construction UnderwayDec. 05 New Student Center & Parking Garage (534 Cars)Jul. 06 New LibraryMar. 06 New Communications Center & Pedestrian Bridge


Facilities

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1991 Blount Residential Towers

1992 Calloway Hall

1994 McMechen Hall

1985 Thurgood Marshall Apts.

2003 Dixon Sci. Reseach Cntr

2005 Verda Welcome Bridge

1991 Cummings House

1992 Harper-Tubman House

1999 Hill Field House

1997 Schaefer Engineering Hall

1995 Montebello Complex 2005 Student Cntr & Garage

1991 Hurt Gymnasium

1993 Holmes Hall

2001 Hughes Staduim

2003 Morgan View Apartments

2003 Turner Armory 2006 New Library

1991 Woolford Infirmary

1994 Carter-Grant-Wilson

2003 Alumni House

2001 Murphy Fine Arts Center

2004 Estuarine Research Center 2006 New CommunicationsCenter & Pedestrian Bridge

Renovated Facilities New Construction

Annexed Property Under Construction

FundingAfter launching the first-ever capital campaign in its history,the university exceeded its five-year campaign goal of $25 mil-lion in the first two years. Morgan has also experienced agreater success rate in attracting funded research and externalgrants. Grants and contracts awarded to the institution haveincreased beyond 1,000 percent, from $2,067,694 in 1986 to$25, 982, 426 in 2005.

Since 1993, Morgan has been awarded nearly 100 grants andcontracts in excess of $500,000 and over 40 grants and con-tracts over $1 million.

While Morgan has made tremendous strides, Dr. Richardsonpoints out that as a public institution, Morgan competes notonly with the other priorities of the State (i.e. Medicare, ele-mentary and secondary education…) but also with a largegroup of its colleagues. It is a challenge that involves stillanother skill set marketing.

According to Maryland Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., Dr.Richardson is a very capable marketer for the university."Besides being a great president, he’s a great marketer andquite frankly, these days, college presidents have to have theability to market their institution,” he says.

Richardson also recognizes that the politics of state fundingdo not always appreciate the special and specific needs ofstudents who attend historically black colleges and says,"…you can’t deal with our historically black colleges in termsof averages. You’ve got to talk about the missions of theseinstitutions and how they impact on workloads. Funding onestudent at Morgan is not the same thing as funding one stu-dent at either College Park or Salisbury."

He goes on to say, "Political decisions are not usually made inthat logical fashion. They’re usually made [in a snap]… 'Well,what is the average for this and what is the average for that?'Well, we don’t have any averages here. We have individualshere, who have individual needs. And that’s quite an issue forus."

A family man, Dr. Richardson is frequently joined by his wife,Dr. Sheila B. Richardson, and son, Eric, at functions showingtheir support of the university's efforts. Dr. Sheila Richardsonis a licensed clinical professional counselor, and is in chargeof a not-for-profit organization that provides technical assis-tance to various communities on the Eastern Shore of Mary-land. Richardson's relationship with Morgan's students isoften viewed as an extended family connection. These stu-dents are the individuals that Richardson has in mind as heaggressively pursues public and private funding.

Considering that there was once talk of merging Morgan withanother university or another college in Baltimore, the univer-sity's academic strides are no less than phenomenal. Morganhas reached its goal of meeting the criteria for official classifi-cation by the Carnegie Foundation as a doctoral, researchintensive institution, and has recently received confirmation.The university has produced 20 or more doctorates per yearfor three years to fulfill this requirement.

Delegate Maggie L. McIntosh (State of Maryland, 43rd Dis-trict) remembers Morgan's time ofuncertainty and reflects on the institu-tion's accomplishments. "Oh boy, arethose years gone! [Because] Morganhas proven not only that the pundits atthe time were wrong, they were deadwrong. It has grown in stature. It hasgrown in student body, and the accom-plishments of Morgan students shinethroughout this land," McIntosh says.

As Dr. Richardson reflects on his goals for Morgan then, nowand in the future, he's not so sure that they've differed or thatthey will. Because he knows the worth of a good education,his vision has always been to create an environment for thebest education possible.

Of his work at Morgan, Richardson says, "We have restoredMorgan to its place of reputation and, I hope, renewed itsconfidence in itself. I am a product of a historically black col-lege; it served me well. I went into grad school and didexceedingly well. I’m a good example of what education cando for you. Born poor…father, mother - no education… Here Iend up being the president of a university. It just shows youwhat education can do for you, which for me says, 'Now it’syour time to make sure others get the opportunity.'"



Funding

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Year-in-Review photo gallery

MORGANSTATE UNIVERSITY

MEAC Champions Ladies Outdoor Track

Grant Hill Exhibition Opening

Bill Cosby Benefit Performance

Estuarine Research Center Signing

Homecoming Gala 2004

New York Urban League Football Classic

Alumni Day 2005

Annual Spring Concert

Annual Golf Tournament

129th Commencement 2005

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More than 140 Morgan students wereinvited to this year’s Morgan State Uni-versity Foundation Scholarship Lun-cheon held March 31st in the McKeldinCenter. This annual event continues tobe the highlight of the spring semesterin which student scholars come face toface and mingle with their scholarshipdonors.

This year’s luncheon recognized a widevariety of different companies, founda-tions, industries and individuals thatpartnered with Morgan to provide finan-cial contributions to MSU students.

Donors included Morgan’s Howard L.Cornish alumni chapter and the MSUDepartments of Military Science, Chem-istry and Biology. Alumni J. DenniseSmith, Earl G. Graves, and Marsh E.Holmes were some of the individualdonors, while companies such as Bank

of America, General Motors, Fox Newsand Xerox Corp. were just a few of thelarger corporations recognized.

Morgan State President Dr. Earl S.Richardson was delighted to join withthe Foundation for this celebration ofachievement. In written correspondenceto donors, Dr. Richardson identified thehigh priority need of financial scholar-ships for students in college.

"Getting a quality college educationthese days is not cheap, and it is gettingmore expensive each year,” wrote Dr.Richardson. “Unfortunately, most of ourstudents, like some of those you aremeeting today would not be in school ifnot for your financial support. It is ourhope after today’s luncheon, you will beas convinced as we are that you couldnot have made a wiser investment.”

Foundation scholarships are offered asneed-based and merit-based financialaid. They help offset tuition and feesand provide both worthy and needy stu-dents with the resources required topursue a college education.

MSU Foundation Executive Director,Cheryl Hitchcock, presided over the cer-emony and welcomed guests, whichincluded MSU Board of Directors, Uni-versity Deans, corporate, and membersof the MSU National Alumni Associa-tion, which served as the luncheon’ssponsor.

Ms. Hitchcock encouraged donors tocontinue their support and to helprecruit other philanthropists to estab-lish student scholarships.

“We are proud of these students andsupport them in any way we can,” Ms.Hitchcock said.

Morgan Pays Tribute toScholars & DonorsBy Erin Johnson

SCHOLARSHIPLUNCHEON

You can help make someone’s dream a reality. Visit our website today atwww.morgan.edu, click on the Ways to Give link and see how easy it is tomake a difference in the life of a Morgan State University student.

Mr. Douglas Nelson, president of The Annie E.Casey Foundation and Dr. Earl S. Richardson

Front Row: Lakesha Ross, Mrs. ErnestineTyler, Breana Fleming Back Row: Dr. Earl S.Richardson, Mr. Calvin Tyler, Jr., Byron Selby,Omari Koram, and Kevin Brown

Front Row: Kirsten Johnson, Ella MoultrieHarris, Wilhelmina Stevenson, Erica Wright.Back Row: Knief Dixon, Marchelle Byarm,Dr. Earl S. Richardson, John Griswold,Howard James, II

Dr. Patricia Welch, Jennifer Robertson, Dr.Earl S. Richardson, Mrs. Marsha Holmes,Yoko Robertson, Brandon Matthews

Give Your Very Best to Morgan Students—Now Online!MFOUNDATION, INC.

MORGANSTATE UNIVERSITY

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Civic OrganizationSeeks to Establish$100,000Scholarship FundBy Welford McLellan

Marylanders Organized for Responsi-bility and Equity (MORE) has com-mitted $25,000 toward the establish-ment of an enhanced scholarship fundfor political science and architectureand planning majors at Morgan StateUniversity.

The committed funds are to be used fora 3-to-1 dollar match for other donorswho would like to participate in theMORE Scholarship fund drive. Once thegoal of $100,000 is met and the endow-ment is established, the fund will beopen and able to receive additional con-tributions.

“We are pleased to have the challenge ofraising $75,000 to complete this endow-ment. We have excellent people on theMSU Foundation and they will beworking diligently to ensure that thisfund reaches its goal,” Dr. Richardsonadded.

“This is what we refer to as stepping upto the plate. says morgan president EarlS. Richardson. This organizationbelieves in what we are doing here atMorgan. Many of MORE’s members areMorgan alumni and have given before.”

Established in 1981, MORE is made upof a statewide coalition of civic-mindedindividuals and organizations. Itincludes sororities and fraternities,

business professionals, executives,Prince Hall Masons and politicalleaders. Its original activities were cen-tered on politics and government butlater the organization realized therewere needs in other areas. He describesMORE as an organization created toimprove the quality of life of African-Americans who live in Maryland.Charles G. Tildon, Jr., chairman of theorganization and former president of theBCCC (formerly the Community Collegeof Baltimore.)

“We have had numerous agendas, but Ithink that establishing this scholarshipfund may be the one project that bestexemplifies our goal. We hope to influ-ence others to give,” Tildon said.

“What better way to influence lives thanby educating the masses—and we arehelping by establishing a fund that willprovide scholarships to deserving stu-dents as long as Morgan State Univer-sity exists,” he said.

To qualify for a scholarship, a studentmust be a junior or senior, majoring inthe prescribed courses, who has main-tained a 2.75 GPA. Criteria also specifythat awardees must be of good char-acter and have leadership potential.

Documents found in the Morgan StateUniversity Foundation office detail that

the scholarships shall perpetuate thememory and vision of the founder ofMORE, Samuel T. Daniels, “in honor ofhis dedication to our community.”

Scholarship documents also specify thatthe endowment will pay tribute to thecurrent MORE Chairman, “for hisuntiring leadership and wisdom.”

For numerous years, Daniels headed theBaltimore Prince Hall Masons, and asthe Executive Director of the Council ofEconomic and Business Opportunity(CEBO). From those two positions,Daniels, who was considered a no-non-sense leader, engineered political andbusiness triumphs that are legendary.

Early on, there were major political suc-cesses, but many remember whenMORE saved the local chapter of theNational Urban League by paying fortwo mandated audits that cost $25,000 apiece. Without the money, the heraldedorganization that assisted in job place-ment for Maryland citizens would havehad to close its doors.

Individuals or organizations who wantto contribute to this scholarship shouldcontact the Morgan State UniversityFoundation, Inc., at 443-885-3040 or tollfree 888-458-8678. You may also use theenclosed contribution envelope.

Charles G. Tildon, Jr.

DONOR PROFILES

Go to www.morgan.edu, Click “Ways to Give” Link

S U M M E R 2 0 0 5

organ Students—Now Online!


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New AdministratorsBring Wealth of Experience to University’sFundraising Division

Cheryl Y. Hitchcock has been namedvice president of the division, and Bar-bara Mason has been appointed itsdirector of Development. This divisionis responsible for fundraising, mar-keting, P.R. and alumni relations atMSU. It supports the university’steaching, research and public servicemissions by enhancing the institution’simage with the media and generalpublic, forging partnerships with corpo-rate and civic organizations, and main-taining relationships with the univer-sity’s alumni.

Ms. Cheryl Y. HitchcockHitchcock first joined Morgan’s advance-ment team as the major gifts officer, fol-lowing a 22-year career in sales andsales management with Xerox. Xeroxoffered a Social Service Leave Program,which allowed employees to take timeaway from Xerox to volunteer their skillsto help non-profit organizations.Through that program, she was “loaned”to Morgan for one year. Hitchcockexplains, “When I was on loan toMorgan from Xerox, I used the skills Igained at Xerox to sell and marketsomething for which I have a passion –Morgan. Then, I decided to stay atMorgan.”

Ms. Barbara MasonMason brings to Morgan more than 17years of experience with the AmericanRed Cross, 10 of which were as itsdirector of Development. There, she wasresponsible for raising funds for disaster

programs and special events. Mason isresponsible for managing and evalu-ating Morgan’s giving programs. Cur-rently working to implement a plannedgifts program, she expects to institutemany more programs in the future.Mason says, “Morgan has been makingan effort to build its fundraising capacityand incorporate it as a major function.We want to make it as easy as possibleto make a gift to Morgan that will ben-efit of Morgan and students.”

Mason says that Morgan has a group ofgiving advisors who help people decidewhat to contribute, and how it can ben-efit both Morgan and their personalobjectives. “When you’re ready, we canhelp you negotiate the gifts that bestsuit your purpose, conditions, controls,reporting and recognition wishes,” shesays.

Morgan is in the midst of its first capitalcampaign: New Horizons: The Campaign forMorgan State University. The five-year goalof this campaign was originally to raise$25 million, primarily to enhanceMorgan’s endowment for scholarshipsand need-based financial aid. Other pri-orities include funding for faculty andprogram development. “We exceededour $25 million goal in two years, andwe’ve just ended the third year of anoverachievement period,” says Hitch-cock. “However, there is still a signifi-cant need for continued overachieve-ment. The original goal was set at a verymodest level. Now more than ever,Morgan’s current and future studentsneed alumni support.

By Hollis Minor

Ms. Cheryl Y. Hitchcock—Vice President,Division of Institutional Advancement.

Ms. Barbara Mason is the new directorof Development in the InstitutionalAdvancement Division, bringing to Morganmore than seventeen years of experiencewith the American Red Cross, ten of whichwere as its director of Development.

THERE IS AN AIR OF EXCITEMENTIN THE UNIVERSITY’S DIVISION OFINSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT.

Hailing from France, the U.S.Virgin Islands,California, and right here in Baltimore,Morgan State Track and Field Coach NevilleHodge's female athletes give new meaning tothe term "world-class speed."

Led by Junior Romona Modeste, Hodge hasfielded a young group of internationalsprinters who conjure up images of theOlympic and Penn Relay championship trackteams of old, coached by the legendaryEddie P. Hurt.

At the 2005 NCAA Track and Field champi-onships, Modeste was the only female ath-lete from a Historically Black College andUniversity to qualify for the NCAA track andfield championships in Sacramento.

Of her accomplishment, Modeste said, "I wasin complete shock when some of the maleathletes told me that I was the only womanfrom a HBCU to qualify".

At the 2005 Mid Eastern Athletic Conf.Championships, Modeste and companyunseated last year's champion, privateschool powerhouse Hampton University.

Severine Tanic of France and Nichelle Gibbsof the U.S. Virgin Islands won gold in theheptathlon and the 800-meter dash respec-tively. And Modeste blew by the rest of thefield in the 400 meter hurdles in 59.43 sec-onds, a full two seconds ahead of the brides-maid finisher, Hampton's Chandra Pulliam.

Buoyed by her performance in the hurdles,Modeste ran the anchor leg in the 4 x 400meter relay with Janice Smythe of Jamaicaand Mariama Gondo of Sierra Leone (now aBaltimore resident) in what was essentially acoming out party for the internationalsprinters.

"If you go to the Caribbean you will find 80%of US coaches looking at Caribbean athletesbecause they are so special and they have alot of talent despite a lack of resources," said

By Rasheim T. Freeman

Female Speedsters RestoringMSU Track Legacy


Coach Hodge. "Some youngsters trainon grass, others run barefooted, whichis difficult because the grass doesn'tgive like a track surface, but they posttimes that rival American runners."

Modeste’s early training took place inthe sugar cane patches behind herhouse in Couva, a small town inTrinidad and in Tobago known more forits candy and confectionary factory thanits track stars. She would also run alongthe beach against the tide of the waterto develop stamina.

She became known for her bruising,training exercises and her penchant forgoing head-to-head with much olderrunners. So much so, that her team-mates nicknamed her "Bruiser." Romona"Bruiser" Modeste sounds about rightfor the gutsy junior who ran in theNCAA track and field championships,three weeks removed from a torn ham-string. "Bruiser" was limited to trainingon the hurdles for much of the seasondue to the hamstring injury.

"[The injury] showed me that I am ableto accomplish anything that I put mymind to," said Modeste, "and it provesto me that next season I can see majorimprovement because I have more con-fidence and I will get a boost to runeven faster."

Coach Hodge, who has coached in thelast three Olympics for the VirginIslands, calls Modeste"the number one ath-lete that I have evercoached from theCaribbean." Hodgealso says that Modesteis equally bruising off the field as she ison the track.

"[Romona] is a team person. She gets itdone on the track and she carries a 3.0

average in the classroom. I expect big,big things from her next season," Hodgesaid.

And for Hodge, next season starts nowas he is already talking about the poten-tial for Modeste to be one of the topfemale hurdlers in the country. Hodge isalso working now on getting the menand women's track and field program inshape during the off-season.

Hodge makes all of his athletes,

sprinters included, run cross countryand he asks some to run with tiresaffixed to their waists by way of alooped rope. He calls it "tire pulling.”

Morgan’s new female starsmay rewrite the book onMorgan’s brilliant history intrack and field. But it will notbe easy. MSU sent more than50 athletes to the Olympic

games. Dr. George Rhoden was the firstMorgan State track and field star to goto the Olympics when he competed atthe 1952 Helsinki games. Rhoden setthe world record in the 400 meter dash

and was the anchor leg for the Jamaicanrelay team which set a shin-splitting,new world record of 3:03.9. Rhoden wasalso a member of the "Historic Four"which broke the 56-year-old mile relayrecord at the Penn Relays.

"We virtually retired the old CIAA andMEAC track championships," says JeffEvans, administrative assistant in theHealth, Physical Education and Recre-ational Dance Department. "You'retalking about 10 to 12 years when we

not only won trackchampionships butfootball and lacrossechampionships too. Ifwe didn't win it everyyear, we won it everyother year".

In 1996, Morgan'sRochelle Stevens, anative of Memphis, Ten-nessee, ran on thewomen's gold medal1,600 meter relay teamin Atlanta. She wasjoined by her teammatePhillipa Arnett who wonthe silver medal for theBahamas in the 4x100

meter relay at those same games.

Coach Hodge, himself a representativeof the U.S.Virgin Islands in the 1984,1988 and 1992 Olympics, is mindful ofthe history of Morgan State's programwhen he talks about next season's goalsfor his 2005 MEAC championship team.

"Morgan has a record of world-qualityathletes and my motivation is to moldthe track and field team in that tradi-tion. It's people like Romona who aregoing to help me get to that point," saidCoach Hodge.

Champions MEAC:

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MSU 2005 outdoor women’s track team

2005 WOMEN’S TRACK

MSU Female Athlete of the Year, Ramona Modeste and MSUHead Coach of the Year, Neville Hodge, have taken Morgan’sLady Bears track team to new heights.


Student Retention:Morgan’s Successful Support System Draws Praise

By Hollis Minor

SSometimes, outside forces unrelated tocampus life, can create stress and prob-lems that make studying all but impos-sible. Some students respond to stress bydropping out or losing focus in their work.Often, capable students are lost in themaze of difficulty that comes with suc-ceeding in college.

Morgan has an excellent reputation foroffering a nurturing environment to stu-dents, and in recent years, the Universityhas increased its efforts to retain studentswho, may have been lost in the past.

The Office of Student Retention (OSR)ensures improvement in student retentionand increased persistence to graduation byfocusing on academic success andachievement through early interventionand systematic tracking of all undergrad-uate students. The office offers continuoussupport for students from matriculation tograduation, and provides a structure andforum for the ongoing review and evalua-tion of all programs, services, policies, pro-cedures, and behaviors that affect thequality of student life and learning.

The OSR is supported by the Access andSuccess grant from the Maryland HigherEducation Commission, first awarded toMorgan in 1998. At that time, four goalswere outlined: 1) to enhance tutoring pro-grams; 2) to enhance educational pro-grams in residence halls; 3) to strengthenadvising programs and to enhance moni-toring of student progress; and 4) to createthe Access-Success Summer Bridge Pro-gram for first-time freshmen.

The OSR received praise during the lastacademic year from the Maryland HigherEducation Commission for its support ofthe Morgan MILE (Male Initiative on Lead-ership and Excellence), Academic Enrich-ment, and PACE (Pre-Accelerated Cur-riculum in Engineering) programs.

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In the coming year, the office plans tocontinue with its established program-ming, and to move forward with some ofthe yet unmet goals of its strategic plan,which are the completion of a Fre-quently Asked Questions website andthe publication of a comprehensive Aca-demic Support Services ResourceManual.

Director of StudentRetention, Dr. TiffanyB. McMillan, says,“Because of limitedfunding, we prioritizeour focus (in studentretention) on studentswho have earned “D”

or “F” grades, students on academic pro-bation, students who have withdrawn orstopped-out, and students who haveearned 90 or more credit hours. Forexample, presently, the MILE (Male Ini-tiative on Leadership & Excellence) pro-gram makes a huge difference in thelives of about 55 of our male undergrad-uate students. Additional funding wouldenable us to involve many more African-American men on campus.”

The campus-wide MILE programempowers African-American maleundergraduate students at Morgan toengage in civic responsibility, toimprove interpersonal relationships,and to develop leadership skills, ulti-mately resulting in their superior aca-demic performance. McMillan says,“Since the retention rate for femaleundergraduate students is higher thanthe male retention rate, we developed aprogram specifically designed for malestudents. They learn about themselvesand their peers, and gain a sense ofresponsibility. It is a holistic approachto developing and supporting young

African-American male college students.We believe that if we engage and sup-port them as men, we’ll make thembetter as student scholars.”

One of the most successful campus-wide programs is the Access-SuccessSummer Bridge Program. The programfor first-time freshmen, now in its sev-enth year, has graduated or retained68% of all participants from Summer,1999 – Summer, 2004. Because of itssuccess, it was expanded from asummer program to a year-round pro-gram.

Through the Academic Enrichment Pro-gram, new computers have been pur-chased for the computer labs in all ofthe residence halls. “We were concernedabout our campus residents,” McMillansays. “They’re on campus 24 hours a dayand they need a myriad of resources forstudying. In response to their needs, weinstalled active computer labs in all res-idence halls on campus. Also, we cre-ated tutorials and workshops, and thereare always computer lab assistants tohelp student residents during labhours.”

Approximately 70% of Morgan’s stu-dents are first-generation college atten-dees and many of the parents andguardians have little experience with theconcerns and financial obligations asso-ciated with going to college. Communi-cating and informing parents on aspectsof student life and financial aid, are acritical part of student support.

The Financial Aid Campaign started atMorgan last year because many stu-dents do not file their federal financialaid (FASFA) applications on time. Whenthey are filed late, it creates all kinds ofproblems – from whether students can

retain their financial aid and stay in col-lege, to how long it will take the studentto graduate. Posters, a website, fliersand other tools have been developed toremind students of the March 1st filingdeadline. “Last year, there were manystudents that had not filed their appli-cations on time,” McMillan says. “Thisyear, the number of late applicationswas significantly reduced.”

Additionally, the OSR works in collabo-ration with the Office of Financial Aid toreduce attrition related to students’ability to pay for college and maintaintheir funding, a serious issue, consid-ering that 95% of Morgan’s studentsreceive some type of financial assis-tance. “We work with students as earlyas possible to determine their needsand how to meet those needs,” saysMcMillan. “Students are also encour-aged to pursue as many options forfinancial aid as possible. The CustomerService Campaign is another programunder development. It is intended toimprove services in the EnrollmentManagement Department (Admis-sions/Residence Life/Financial Aid),where our staff interfaces with andassists so many of our students.”

While the campus-wide programs arecoordinated centrally, OSR also works incollaboration with the six academicunits of the university: the College ofLiberal Arts; School of Engineering;School of Computer, Mathematical andNatural Sciences; School of Businessand Management; School of Educationand Urban Studies; and, Institute ofArchitecture and Planning.

Approximately 70% of Morgan’s studentsare first-generation college attendees.


The schools’ retention programs arecoordinated through Dr. McMillan toensure that campus-wide goals are met.But, beyond that, each school developsunique retention strategies.

Michael James, Retention Coordinatorfor the School of Education and UrbanStudies, says, “We created a study andnetworking area for our students calledthe PIT (Positive Information Territory).The students did not have a designatedarea in which to study, before and afterclasses, so we chose an underutilizedlocation to bring in furniture, relatedmagazines, periodicals and books, andsupplied some resource tables. Also,since one of our big retention issues isfunding, we started a letter-writing pro-gram targeting churches and hip-hopmoguls, asking them to help us. We havea resume-writing program as well.”

“Basically, we do everything we can tohelp students discover their career pas-sion and to follow it successfully. Theretention staff here at Morgan is here to'meet and solve,' not just to 'meet andhave dialogue,' and Dr. McMillan is thevisionary that directs the entire pro-gram.” We do everything we can toensure student success and achieve-ment.”

Dr. Tiffany Beth McMillan wasappointed the Director of MorganState University’s Office of StudentRetention (OSR) on October 1, 2003.Prior to her appointment, she servedfor three years as the coordinator ofMorgan’s Access-Success Program andfor two years as an academic advisorfor the Comprehensive Program forUndeclared Majors.

Following completion of her under-graduate degree, Dr. McMillan workedas a management consultant andmeeting planner for a Washington,DC, consulting firm. McMillan said, “Idiscovered that, at a managementconsulting company, making moneyfor the company was the bottom line.I’m more people-service oriented; thedesire to assist and mentor studentsdrove me to academic advisement.Later, I was invited to become theDirector of the OSR. I find this morepersonally rewarding than simplymaking money for a company.”

“Morgan is a unique institution. Wenurture our honors students andthose that are meeting their academicexpectations and goals at the univer-sity, and at the same time, we alsoprovide access and opportunity to stu-dents who have yet to reach their fullacademic potential. We take studentswith the potential to be good and tryto make them great.”

Another trait that sets Morgan apartfrom other institutions is the univer-sity’s mission to serve a multi-ethnicand multi-racial student body and tohelp ensure that the benefits of highereducation are enjoyed by a broad seg-ment of the population. BecauseMorgan’s mission encompasses pro-viding access to a large segment ofdiverse academic and social back-grounds, the numbers relative toretention are even more impressive.

“Often, Morgan’s six-year graduationrate (43%) or freshman-sophomoreretention rate (73%) is compared tothe rates at majority institutions, pri-vate institutions, or highly selectiveinstitutions whose graduation andretention rates may be higher thanMorgan’s. These types of comparisonsare not valid for a number of reasons.There are factors such as disparities infunding, the selection of only high-ability students for admission, and thelack of available financing for collegetuition that make the comparisonsbetween Morgan and such institutionsincongruent. At Morgan, we offeradmission to diverse students fromdiverse backgrounds.”

“Ultimately, when you compareMorgan to other public, urban HBCUs(Historically Black Colleges and Uni-versities), our graduation and reten-tion rates are excellent. Here atMorgan, we love our students, and wedo everything we can to ensure stu-dent success and achievement.”

“Ultimately, when you compare Morgan to other public, urban HBCUs(Historically Black Colleges and Universities), our graduation andretention rates are excellent.” —Dr. Tiffany B. McMillan

Student Retention:continued

Retention Newsletter—Parents’ 411

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The Honorable Verda Freeman Welcome,politician, civil rights and communityactivist, was one of fifteen children born toNorth Carolina farmers, John and DociaFreeman.

She came to Baltimore in 1929 to further hereducation and graduated from Morgan StateCollege in 1939 with a bachelor's degree.After earning a Master of Arts degree fromNew York University, she became a teacherin the Baltimore City Public School System,where she worked for eleven years.

In 1959, twenty years after her graduationfrom Morgan, Welcome was elected to theMaryland House of Delegates to representthe Fourth District of Baltimore Citybecoming the first African-American femaleto hold that position. She received theWoman of the Year Award in 1962, whichwas presented by the Women's Auxiliary to

the National Medical Association. After hertenure in the House of Delegates, Welcomebecame America's first African-Americanfemale state senator, serving from 1962 until1982. Some of her notable accomplishmentsinclude her influence on the passage of leg-islation addressing discrimination in publicaccommodations, funding for the construc-tion of Provident Hospital, creating the rankof lieutenant for policewomen in BaltimoreCity, equal pay for equal work, harassmentof welfare recipients, illegal employmentpractices, and several other reforms in thestate of Maryland.

At the time of its initial construction in1964, the Welcome Bridge was 14 feet wide,and 20 feet high and cost $65,000 to build.The Welcome Bridge connects the north andsouth campuses of the university, spanningCold Spring Lane.

What’s In A Name?

Verda Welcome Bridge: In Remembrance of the Honorable Verda Freeman Welcome America’s First African-American Female State Senator (1907- 1990)By Ferdinand Mehlinger

After graduating from what was thenMorgan State College in 1939, theHonorable Verda Welcome became aleading civil rights advocate in thestate of Maryland.

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Complementary and AlternativeMedicine (CAM)

The cost of health care for Americans isspiraling upward. In financially strappedsituations, decisions become even moredifficult and more challenging whenfamilies face the choice between payingfor food or for medicine. But imagine aworld where certain foods could be usedas an alternative medical treatment.

The Morgan State University PublicHealth Program’s Center for Researchand Training in Complementary andAlternative Medicine (CAM) is playing aleadership role in exploring alternativemedical systems as a potentially valu-able option for public health inresource-poor, urban communities.According to the National Institutes ofHealth’s National Center for Comple-mentary and Alternative Medicine (NIH-NCCAM), CAM is made up of diversemedical and health care systems, prac-tices and products that are notpresently considered part of conven-tional medicine. In CAM, complemen-tary medicine, such as using aro-matherapy to help reduce a patient'sdiscomfort following surgery, is usedtogether with conventional medicine.Another example is adopting a specialdiet to treat cancer in conjunction withsurgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.Researchers at Morgan are keenly awarethat in many parts of the world and evencertain cultures within the UnitedStates, some of these practices are not

the alternative, but have served as theoriginal and primary form of medicalcare, and have done so with positiveresults.

Morgan State University has advancedits progressive, holistic Public HealthProgram by working in partnership withthe biology, chemistry, and physicsdepartments at universities in the WestIndies, Africa, and around the world.

Funded by NIH-NCCAM under a T-32training grant, the program was devel-oped with the recognition that thequality of life for many living in urbanareas is diminishing as a result of envi-ronmental and social realities, whichplace them at increased risk of disease,disability, premature death. Morgan’sgoal is to recruit underrepresentedminorities, and to train them in high-quality research methods andapproaches in order to address theincreasing questions posed by the prac-tice and application of CAM. In doingso, the researchers hope to contributeto the overall body of knowledge andpractice of CAM.

In addition to a Master's of PublicHealth degree and a Doctorate of PublicHealth degree, Morgan’s Public HealthProgram offers pre- and post-doctoralCAM training fellowships. In the year2000, (Morgan State University was oneof two universities in the country to be

awarded institutional research traininggrants by the NIH-NCCAM.) The granthas been used to train minorityresearchers and practitioners inapproaches for conducting scientificresearch in CAM.

“The work of our CAM fellows has twogeneral directions. First, our scholarsare studying the applications of CAM inthe treatment of specific conditions,especially those that affect African-Americans. Secondly, they are devel-oping methodologies for evaluation indetermining how and why these CAMmodalities work,” says Dr. YvonneBronner, Principal Investigator of theCAM Research Program.

In collaboration with our partners, inno-vative studies conducted at Morganinclude exploring the relationshipbetween yoga and heart rate variability;the use of acupuncture in the treatmentof substance abuse; alternative hor-mone replacement therapy (HRT) formenopausal symptoms; medicinalplants to treat diabetes as well aspotential sources of chemotherapyagainst certain forms of cancer and theutility of the African-American faithcommunity in promoting good health.

Morgan scholars are conducting cross-cultural studies to share informationand develop strategies to integrate CAMinto western health systems. Morgan

Morgan’s Progressive Approach to Public Health

Dr. Allan Noonan is director of the Public Health Program at MorganState University. He previously served as a senior advisor in the office of theSurgeon General of the U.S. Public Health Service. A proactive publichealth professional for more than 30 years, Dr. Noonan participated in theeradication of smallpox in West Africa and has worked in epidemiology,maternal and child health, public health administration, and the training ofhealth professionals. Former posts he has held include secretary of healthfor the state of Pennsylvania, regional health administrator and assistantsurgeon general for six Midwestern states and the director of the departmentof health in the District of Columbia.

By Hollis Minor

25S U M M E R 2 0 0 5

has collaborated with scientists from theCaribbean, and East and West Africawho are experts in exploring the indige-nous healing methods from theseregions. “Together with our post-doctoralfellows, who are physicians trained inwestern allopathic (conventional) medi-cine, we are exploring those barriers thatprevent open communication betweenphysicians and patients from variouscultural backgrounds. This creates a dis-cussion on the use and benefits of com-plementary and/or alternative treatmentmodalities. Through the important workof our scholars, we can proudly applythese exciting new approaches anddevelop ways to share and integrateinformation about CAM into conven-tional health care systems with the hopeof alleviating some of the burdensomepublic health problems of our commu-nity.”

Morgan’s Public Health Program, in part-nership with the community is leadingthe way to optimal health through edu-cation, research, service and practice.Optimal health is defined as the bestpossible emotional, intellectual, phys-ical, spiritual and socio-economic alive-ness that we can attain.

Morgan’s Complementaryand Alternative Medicine(CAM) team members(left to right): Dr. AvaJoubert, M.D., FrederickOladeinde, M.Sc., Ph.D.,Glena Lindsey, researcherand Dr. Anthony Kinyua,Ph.D.

In the year 2000, Morgan was one of twouniversities in the country to be awardedinstitutional research training grants by theNIH-NCCAM.

MSU’s goal is to recruitminorities and train them inhigh-quality researchmethods and approaches inorder to address theincreasing questions posedby the practice andapplication of CAM. Indoing so, MSU hopes tocontribute to the body ofknowledge and practice ofCAM.


Dr. Yvonne BronnerPrincipal Investigator, received herdoctoral training from the JohnsHopkins University, Department ofMaternal and Child Health, andhas many years of researchexperience in community nutrition.Prior to accepting her currentappointment at Morgan, sheserved as a faculty member atboth Howard University and JohnsHopkins University. She is the

author of numerous publications on obesity.

In her words: Dr. Bronner says, “About the time when therewas a heavy emphasis on public investment in treatmentsfor lead poisoning, I began to wonder why the investmentwas not made prior to the problem. She asked, “How dowe stop it?” It was at this time that I accepted the

directorship of Morgan’s Public Health Program in hopes ofmaking a difference in how public health issues andeducation are approached.

“The fact is we live in an era of chronic diseases and weare limited in our ability to cure them. People must thereforeparticipate in their own health and well-being. Here atMorgan we’re trying to establish an emphatic synergybetween allopathic medicine and personal responsibility.”

“In many cases, we each have the tools at our fingertips toprevent disease and make us well, such as our diet,exercise, and spiritual habits. We believe that more peoplecan be healthy if they take personal responsibility and aremindful of what it means to achieve optimal health. Hence,Morgan’s Public Health Program takes a holistic approachto health, shaped by the need to address the whole person,as well as to prepare a larger number of practitioners tohelp in our communities.”

Morgan’s Public Health Program, in partnership with thecommunity, is leading the way to optimal health througheducation, research, service and practice.

CAM StatisticsRecognition of the value of CAM is steadily growing in theUnited States. According to NIH-NCCAM, more than half ofthe adult population report using some form of CAM. Whenmegavitamin therapy and prayer specifically for health reasonsare included in the definition of CAM, that number rises tonearly 70%. It appears that CAM is most often used to treatand/or prevent musculoskeletal conditions or other conditionsinvolving chronic or recurring pain, such as back, neck, head,or joint aches, or other painful conditions. Studies show that30-70% of those suffering from chronic or recurring conditions,such as asthma, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and cysticfibrosis, have used CAM, and as many as 50% of children withautism are being treated with some form of CAM. Americansare also likely to use CAM for colds; anxiety or depression;gastrointestinal disorders; and sleeping problems.

What is Complimentary and Alternative Medicine? Based on naturalistic healing from Western and Eastern tradi-

tions, as well as traditional African healing wisdom, CAM iscurrently defined by NIH-NCCAM as encompassing five cat-egories:

• Alternative medical systems of theory and practice, such ashomeopathic and naturopathic medicine; Ayurveda, fromIndia; and traditional African and Chinese medicine, oftenhaving evolved apart from and earlier than Western medi-cine, practiced in the United States.

• Mind-body interventions including a wide range of tech-niques, such as meditation, prayer, art, music, and dancetherapies, all designed to enhance the mind's capacity toaffect bodily function and symptoms.

• Biologically based therapies, utilizing substances found innature, such as herbs, foods, and vitamin supplements.

• Manipulative and body-based methods based on manipula-tion and/or movement of one or more parts of the body,including chiropractic and osteopathic manipulation andmassage; and

• Energy therapies, the manipulation of energy fields that sur-round and penetrate the human body.

On May 19, university faculty andemployees joined local government offi-cials to witness the official transfer of themulti-million dollar Estuarine ResearchCenter in St. Leonard, Maryland, toMorgan State University

President Earl S. Richardson and Dr.James Baker, president of the Academy ofNatural Sciences, signed the agreementgiving ownership of the 28,000-square-foot St. Leonard, Maryland facility toMorgan State University. Dignitaries weregiven a tour of the Chesapeake Bay WaterBasin surrounding the center aboard the42 -foot research vessel Joseph Leidy.

“The ERC will provide expanded opportu-nities for increasing the research profileof our faculty, assist in our efforts to

increase the numbers of African-Ameri-cans and other minorities in the sciencesand further enhance the ChesapeakeBay,” said Dr. Richardson.

Dr. Richardson envisions the EstuarineResearch Center improving minority stu-dent interest and participation in theenvironmental sciences. He believes thecenter will also provide Morgan studentswith opportunities to enter the field ofenvironmental sciences and preparethem to contribute to the study andimprovement of regional and nationalecosystems.

The ERC gives Morgan the distinction ofbeing the only urban HBCU with acoastal ecosystem as part of its campusthat is available for its students toexplore. “We are privileged to have theopportunity to work with an outstandingurban university in this field of environ-mental research,” said Dr. Baker.

Morgan plans to hold class trips forbiology and engineering students so thatthey can take full advantage of thenumerous activities and capabilities ofUniveristy’s newest resource.

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Estuarine Center Transfers toMorgan During Official Ceremony

President Earl S. Richardson and Dallas Evans,chairman of Morgan’s Board of Regents gazeat the Chesapeake Bay while discussing plansfor expanding facilities, and future trips forstudents and staff to visit the ERC.

The historic ceremonial signing of the partnership made between the Academy of NaturalSciences and Morgan State University included: Dr. T. Joan Robinson, Morgan’s vice presidentof academic affairs, and university provost, president Earl S. Richardson, MSU Board ofRegents Chairman Dallas Evans, Dr. James Baker, president of the Academy of NaturalSciences and MSU General Counsel Julie Goodwin.

The ERC’s research vessel, Joseph Leidy

Dr. Kelton Clark, director of the MSU EstuarineCenter, gives Dr. Earl S. Richardson, ChairmanDallas Evans, a guided tour of the facility.


NEW YORK URBAN LEAGUE CLASSIC

MSU Pre-Game Celebration

Morgan Bears v. Hampton Pirates

Come And Join Us For An Exciting Evening

Filled with music, dancing and the fun of being with your fellow alumni!

MSU Pre-Game Celebration

Friday, Sept. 23, 20058PM–1AM

Renaissance Meadowlands Hotel801 Rutherford Avenue, Rutherford, NJ

$30.00 For tickets, please call:Alumni Relations 443-885-3015 or

Office of Development 443-885-3040Saturday, September 24, 2005Giants Stadium, Meadowlands, NJGame Time: 4:00 P.M.

3 5 T H A N N U A L

Host Hotels:

Renaissance Meadowlands Hotel801 Rutherford Avenue, Rutherford, NJReservations: 201-231-3100

Courtyard by Marriott1 Polito Avenue, Lyndhurst, NJReservations: 201-896-6666

Sponsored by the MSU National AlumniAssociation, Inc. and the MSU Foundation, Inc.

XXI

“An Evening in Paradise”

Friday, October 14, 2005Gala Homecoming Weekend

Martin’s West6821 Dogwood Road, Baltimore, MD 21244

Special reception, sumptuous banquet, and entertainment!

8pm - 1am Tickets $125 per person

Phone: 443-885-3080 or 443-885-3040

MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY GALA XXI

Help Us Cheer On Our Bears toVictory Over the Hampton Pirates!

C a l e n d a r o f E v e n t s

Date(s) Events Location(s) Admission Time

Alumni Calendar Events 2005Oct. 14 Gala XXI Dinner @ Martin's West, Dogwood Road, Baltimore, MD. $125 8PM-1AM

Tel: 410-944-9433 Security Boulevard-West @ Baltimore Beltway (I-695)

Driving Directions:Take I-695 to Exit 17 Security Boulevard-West. Turn right on Belmont Avenue. Follow Belmont Avenue approximately1/2 mile and Martin's West is on your left, facing the Baltimore Beltway (I-695). The building is located at the corner of Belmont Avenueand Dogwood Road. Free parking is accessible from either Belmont Roard or Dogwood Avenue.

Oct. 15 Homecoming Parade No Charge 9AM

M O R G A N M A G A Z I N E29S U M M E R 2 0 0 5

Date(s) Performance / Event @ Location Admission Time

Murphy Fine Arts 2005Sept. 9 Lecture by Tavis Smiley No Charge 7:30 PM

Sept 20— Exhibition: “The Greater Good: An Artist’s Contemporary View No Charge 10 AM – 4 PMOct. 30 of the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment” @ James E. Lewis Museum of Art (Closed Mon.)

Sept. 24 Morgan’s Chior and Soulful Symphony Concert in Tribute to Dr. Nathan Carter $50 6PM

Oct. 6 Live Broadcast Town Hall Meeting:

“Beyond Legacy: The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment” No Charge 7PM – 9PM

Oct. 7 Exhibition Opening Reception: “The Greater Good…” No Charge 6PM

Oct. 7, 8 Theatre Morgan presents Miss Evers’ Boys $5, $10, $15 8PM

Oct. 8 Symposium: “Beyond Legacy: The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment” No Charge 10AM – 4PM

Oct. 9 Theatre Morgan presents Miss Evers’ Boys $5, $10, $15 2PM

Oct. 9 49th Annual Ebony Fashion Fair $25, $30, $35, $40 4PM

Oct. 14, 15 Urban Underground Unplugged! Soul in the Hole…A Neo-Soul Music Festival $65, $45 8PM

Oct. 20 Wynton Marsalis Quartet Call Box Office 8:00 PM

Oct. 22 “Kiddie C.A.T.S.” Children’s Series Opening Gala Event:

Capoeira –Brazilian Acrobatic Martial Arts $10, $15 6:00 PM

Oct. 30 Dave Brubeck’s Birthday Bash w/the Baltimore Choral Arts Soc. & MSU Choir $20, $25, $30, $40 3PM

Nov. 11 Duke Ellington Orchestra with the Morgan State University Choir performing

“Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concerts” Call Box Office 7:30 PM

Nov. 17, 18 29th Annual Dorothy P. Stanley Scholarship Fund Dance Festival $5, $10 8PM

Nov. 18 “Kiddie C.A.T.S.” Children’s Series Opening Gala Event: IMAGIMIME $10 11AM & 4PM

Nov. 19 “Kiddie C.A.T.S.” Children’s Series Opening Gala Event: IMAGIMIME $10 4PM

Nov. 19 MFAC Comedy: Rain Pryor in “Fried Chicken and Latkes” + The Defiant Thomas Brothers Call Box Office 8:00 PM

Dec. 3 The Morgan State University Marching Band Show $10, $7 4:00 PM

Dec. 11 Morgan State University Choir Annual Christmas Concert $30, $20 $15s 4:00 PM

Visit www.murphyfineartscenter.org for updated information, Box Office 443-885-4440

Date(s) Game @ Location Time

Bears Football Schedlue 2005Sept 1 Morgan vs Towson University, @ Towson, MD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7PMSept 10 Morgan vs Bowie State University, (Masonic Classic), @ Home, Baltimore, MD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6PMSept 17 Morgan vs Savannah State (Fullwood Classic) @ Cleveland, OH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2PM Sept 24 Morgan vs Hampton (N.Y. Urban League Classic) @ Meadowlands, NJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4PMOct 1 Morgan vs Bethune-Cookman, @ Daytona Beach, FL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2PMOct 8 Morgan vs N.C. A&T @ Landover, MD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4PMOct 15 Morgan vs Howard (Homecoming) @ Home, Baltimore, MD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1PMOct 22 Morgan vs Delaware State University @ Dover, DE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1PMOct 29 Morgan vs Florida A&M @ Home, Baltimore, MD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6PMNov 5 Morgan vs Norfolk State @ Home, Baltimore, MD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1PMNov 12 Morgan vs @ South Carolina State, Orangeburg, SC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:30PM

Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit #4995Baltimore, MD

1700 East Cold Spring LaneBaltimore, Maryland 21251

Office of Public Relations and CommunicationsTruth Hall #109

443-885-3022 www.morgan.edu

1867Visit us at www.morgan.edu

Celebrating Excellence Since 1867

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