NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY® W A A V E E S S MAKING April 2013, Issue 17 Achieving Excellence. Success Beyond Measure. Dr. Tony Atwater, President • A Newsletter for Faculty, Staff, Alumni and Friends of Norfolk State University Allen L. Boddie-Chapman and Judy Eve Lawrence-Lamb Life-long Dream of Attaining Degree Becomes Reality W hen Judy Eve Lawrence-Lamb puts on her cap and gown Saturday, May 4, and graduates magna cum laude from Norfolk State University, it will be the culmination of a dream that she has striven toward for 44 years. On that day, the 62-year-old Lawrence-Lamb—a daughter, mother, wife, grandmother, great-grandmother, student and two-time cancer survivor— will finally have her college diploma. A diploma that she said is more than a piece of paper to her, it is a living and breathing document that embodies the inspirations and aspirations of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and generations yet unborn. While cloaked in the pride and joy of her family, Lawrence-Lamb’s day will be even sweeter and more poignant, because her 37-year-old son, Allen L. Boddie- Chapman, a single father of four, will graduate summa cum laude from Norfolk State at that same ceremony. An Honors College Parsons Scholar, Boddie- Chapman will get his degree in political science. She praises her son, whom she said has had his own challenges. “Allen has been able to graduate with honors while setting an example for his children,” she said. “They love and respect him and he has helped me and has been dad to his deceased brother’s children.” Over the four decades since she graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in Suffolk, Lawrence-Lamb tried several times to get her college degree. After high school, she attended Bronx Community College in New York, but dropped out when she married at 19. As the years passed, she attended the Continued on next page NSU Outstanding Faculty Recognized N orfolk State University held its second Faculty Convocation where faculty members were honored for their scholarship, research, teaching and service. In addition, the newest emeriti faculty members were also recognized. The convocation was held April 12 in the Lyman Beecher Brooks Library Rotunda. The three main awards included the University Professor, the most distinguished award given to faculty; Distinguished Faculty Award for Teaching; and the Distinguished Faculty Award for Service. Seven retirees were given emeritus status. Dr. Enrique Zapatero Associate Professor Distinguished Faculty Award for Teaching Dr. Glendola Mills-Parker Associate Professor Distinguished Faculty Award for Service Dr. George Hsieh Professor University Professor Continued on page 8
Transcript
NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY®
WWAAVVEESSMAKING
April 2013, Issue 17
Achieving Excellence. Success Beyond Measure.
Dr. Tony Atwater, President • A Newsletter for Faculty, Staff, Alumni and Friends of Norfolk State University
Allen L. Boddie-Chapman and Judy Eve Lawrence-Lamb
Life-long Dream of Attaining
Degree Becomes Reality
When Judy Eve Lawrence-Lamb puts on her cap and gown Saturday,
May 4, and graduates magna cum laude from Norfolk State University,
it will be the culmination of a dream that she has striven toward for
44 years.
On that day, the 62-year-old Lawrence-Lamb—a daughter, mother, wife,
grandmother, great-grandmother, student and two-time cancer survivor— will
finally have her college diploma. A diploma that she said is more than a piece of
paper to her, it is a living and breathing document that embodies the inspirations
and aspirations of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and
generations yet unborn.
While cloaked in the pride and joy of her family, Lawrence-Lamb’s day will be
even sweeter and more poignant, because her 37-year-old son, Allen L. Boddie-
Chapman, a single father of four, will graduate summa cum laude from Norfolk
State at that same ceremony. An Honors College Parsons Scholar, Boddie-
Chapman will get his degree in political science. She praises her son, whom she
said has had his own challenges. “Allen has been able to graduate with honors
while setting an example for his children,” she said. “They love and respect him
and he has helped me and has been dad to his deceased brother’s children.”
Over the four decades since she graduated from John F. Kennedy High
School in Suffolk, Lawrence-Lamb tried several times to get her college degree.
After high school, she attended Bronx Community College in New York, but
dropped out when she married at 19. As the years passed, she attended the
Continued on next page
NSU Outstanding Faculty Recognized
Norfolk State University held its
second Faculty Convocation
where faculty members were
honored for their scholarship, research,
teaching and service. In addition, the
newest emeriti faculty members were
also recognized. The convocation was
held April 12 in the Lyman Beecher
Brooks Library Rotunda.
The three main awards
included the University Professor,
the most distinguished award given
to faculty; Distinguished Faculty
Award for Teaching; and the
Distinguished Faculty Award for
Service. Seven retirees were
given emeritus status.
Dr. Enrique Zapatero
Associate Professor
Distinguished Faculty Award
for Teaching
Dr. Glendola Mills-Parker
Associate Professor
Distinguished Faculty Award for Service
Dr. George Hsieh
Professor
University Professor
Continued on page 8
Stenography Academy, as a way to provide a better life for her family. But
struggle and tragedy seemed to keep her from her dream. Lawrence-Lamb
found herself back in Virginia, as a single parent. She attended Paul D. Camp
Community College several times, taking a class here and there as often as
she could.
Finally in 2009, at 58 years old and after suffering the death of a son,
Lawrence-Lamb set about attaining her dream. “It was no longer about me,”
she said. “I decided to do it for my family. As a result of Allen and me returning
to college, my daughter and granddaughter have returned to school and are
planning to transfer to NSU. Both are maintaining a 4.0,” said Lawrence-Lamb.
But tragedy would strike again by way of a call from her doctor telling her that
she had breast cancer. Through an aggressive treatment and mastectomy to
eradicate the cancer, Lawrence-Lamb continued to attend Norfolk State—and
miraculously maintained a 4.0 grade
point average. She even served as the
president of the Golden Key
International Honour Society. As she
made her way to her final semester,
bad news came once again. Her
cancer had returned. Still she kept her
resolve to finish, taking classes online
because of her weakened immune
system due to intense chemotherapy.
Lawrence-Lamb continues to press
on, focusing on her future. She is
currently attending Norfolk Theological
Seminary and College and writing
a novel.
She is grateful for the support
that she has found at Norfolk State and
especially from Dr. Clarence Coleman,
advisor for Golden Key. “Dr. Coleman
told me something that I hadn’t heard
since my father died. He told me, ‘I
believe in you,’” said Lawrence-Lamb.
“I found some very good people at
Norfolk State that I will never forget.
They showed me that they cared
about me.”
Making Waves 2
Making Waves is publishedby the Office of Communications
and Marketing.
(757) 823-8373
Tony Atwater, Ph.D.President
Stephen McDanielInterim VP for University Advancement
The last of Norfolk State’s Gates Millennium Scholars will graduate
May 4. Té Airra M. Brown and Maranda Hall, both will graduate
summa cum laude. Brown will receive a bachelor of science in
computer science engineering, while Hall will receive a bachelor of arts in English.
Both Hall and Brown have similar views on what it has meant to them to
be a Gates Scholar. “The Gates Millennium scholarship has given me much
more than academic advancement—it has strongly aided in my personal
development,” said Hall. “I now have the power to encourage and motivate
young adolescents who feel as if they have done too much to ever be
successful, or happy, or loved again—because I was once where they
currently are and was still able to turn my life around.”
Said Brown, “As a Gates Scholar, I am testimony that you do not have to
be a product of your environment and that you can be successful if you are
from an underprivileged area.” Brown said that because of it she will truly
live by the motto: “To whom much is given…much is expected.”
Chosen in 2009, Brown and Hall are part of the 10th cohort of Gates
Scholars and came to NSU as freshmen. They met while at NSU when they
attended a Gates Leadership conference. Hall has studied in Sevilla, Spain.
Life-long Dream Continued from page 1
Norfolk State’s Gates Scholars Graduating
Continued on page 8
Té Airra M. Brown and Maranda Hall
Making Waves 3
In the 1990s, Cleon Disnew
remembers taking his five-year-old
daughter, Alvernia, to the child
development lab at Norfolk State
University while he attended classes.
Those times were cherished moments
for father and daughter—she loved the
time she spent on campus, and he
worked toward his life-long dream of
getting a college degree.
On Saturday, May 4, Disnew, 47,
and Alvernia, 21, will share another
moment that they both will cherish. The
two of them will graduate together from
Norfolk State. Alvernia will receive her
bachelor of arts in psychology and
Disnew will receive his bachelor of
science in mass communications.
When Disnew walks across the stage
during the commencement ceremony,
it will symbolize a triumph over the
odds and provide a sense of pride at
his accomplishment for them both.
“I am very proud of my father because
he has been through so much to reach
this day of graduation,” said Alvernia.
“I have seen him grow as a person and
as my father. He had to work hard to
keep on a college level. Now he will
be a graduate. It just makes me feel
good because I know out of anyone
he deserves this!”
It’s been a 16-year struggle to
graduation for Disnew. He first came
to NSU as a 31-year-old. It wasn’t
easy—he didn’t know how to read or
write. He flunked out of high school
and as he put it, “cheated” his way to
a GED. Because of his inability to read,
he had often made excuses when it
came to test taking—he’d take it, but
then would complain that he didn’t
have his glasses or would use other
excuses for his inability to pass, which
would often afford him a second
chance and a passing grade. “After
a while you learn how to figure out
multiple choice tests,” Disnew said.
But he wanted more. He wanted
to know how to read, and he wanted
a college degree. At the urging of his
family and due to the demands of work
and church, Disnew began attending
NSU in 1996 where he began learning
how to read and write while pursuing
a music degree. During that time, he
was diagnosed with Attention Deficit
Disorder—something that had plagued
him all his life. After a year at NSU, the
stresses and struggles of life—raising
a family, working, going to school—
took their toll on him and he dropped
out. More than 10 years went by—in
fall 2009, he finally returned. “It’s been
like coming up the rough side of the
mountain,” said Disnew. But despite
his difficulties, he credits NSU with
helping him reach this important day in
his life. “I was intimidated the first time
I came here and then 10 years later,”
he said. “There are a lot of good
people here. There are people here
who naturally try to help get you to
where you need to go.”
While Alvernia is proud of her
father, he’s proud of his daughter,
who is president of the NSU Student
Government Association. He saw
her leadership abilities early. “I had
confidence in her,” he said. Disnew
was most proud of her during
President Barack Obama’s visit to
campus. Alvernia was tapped as one of
the students and audience members to
stand behind the president. Someone
who knew Disnew as Alvernia’s father
switched tickets with him, putting him
just a few feet away from the president.
When she thinks about her time at
NSU, Alvernia believes her role as
student government president has
opened up possibilities for her and she
is thankful for all the guidance she has
received. “I’ve had the opportunity to
meet with people who come to the
school and I’ve traveled to other
schools representing NSU. The
President knows me. I don’t think
this would have happened to me
anywhere else.”
Father and Daughter GraduateTogether from Norfolk State University
“I am very proud of my father because he has beenthrough so much to reachthis day of graduation”
Cleon and Alvernia Disnew
Cleon and Alvernia Disnew
Making Waves 4
DR. ELEanOR HOy couldn’t believe it. Most of the 115
students who walked during the December 2012
commencement but didn’t get their degrees were just
one class or one test away from obtaining them.
When those students were contacted, it was
discovered that they had just given up.
“Too often, once they leave, students either can’t
afford, don’t have time, or are too far away to return
to complete graduation requirements,” said Dr. Hoy,
who was recently named University Retention Czar.
As the retention czar, it is Dr. Hoy’s job to get
them across the finish line—degree completion. In
making that a reality, she helps fulfill another one of
her job’s missions—raising NSU’s graduation rate. Her position is just one more
way Norfolk State is working to increase its retention and graduation rates. She
continues to serve in her position as the director of mentoring and retention for
the College of Science, Engineering and Technology and works with counterparts
Denise Langley in the College of Liberal Arts, Sylvia Brooks in the School of
Business, Rosalyn Durham in the Ethelyn R. Strong School of Social Work and
Derek Vaughn in the School of Education.
She believes by contacting students and former students one-on-one
that she and her counterparts can make a difference. Dr. Hoy is concentrating on
three groups: students who participated in commencement, but did not get their
degrees; students who plan to participate in commencement but may not have
all the necessary requirements to get their degrees; and students who may lose
their financial aid because they are not making satisfactory academic progress.
“If we can find solutions for even half of these populations, both graduation rates
and retention will improve,” she said.
Dr. Hoy is excited about this new opportunity and the possibility of reaching
discouraged students, but she’s realistic and lets them know that they must do
their part too. “If you’re willing to do what needs to be to done,” she said, “we can
help you.”
University Establishes Position that Oversees Student Retention, Graduation
She’s theCzar
The College of Science,
Engineering and Technology
is offering a new degree
program that will provide graduates
with both the theoretical framework
and practical skills to meet the
demands of today’s information
technology (IT) profession.
The new bachelor of science in
information technology program is
an addition to the bachelor of
science in computer science degree,
which is more theoretical. According
to Dr. Aurelia T. Williams, chair of the
Computer Science Department, IT is
a relatively new discipline compared
with the other sub-disciplines of
computing. It is a more applied
discipline—focused more on
meeting the needs of users.
The new curriculum emphasizes
networking and web design/
management with strong emphasis
on computer security and
databases. “A graduate will have
experiences in teamwork, planning
and needs assessment,” said
Dr. Williams, “while gaining an
appreciation of information
assurance and the societal and
ethical impact of computing.”
This new emphasis comes about
because of the dependence of
companies on computer networks
that must be managed, maintained
and secured to meet their needs.
Computer Science Offers New IT Degree
Dr. Eleanor Hoy
Dr. Cyntrica Easton, assistant profes-
sor of computer science, was recently
accepted into the Department of Home-
land Security Summer Research Pro-
gram for Minority Serving Institutions.
She will conduct research at the Uni-
versity of Massachusetts, Lowell.
Dr. George C. Harrison, professor of
computer science, was appointed as a
commission member of the 2013–2014
ABET Computing Accreditation Com-
mission by the ABET Board of Directors
Executive Committee. This is his sec-
ond one-year appointment.
Zenora Spellman,
Science, Technology,
Engineering and
Mathematics (STEM)
education administra-
tor and the Science
and Technology
Academicians on
the Road to Success (STARS)
research program coordinator, was
awarded the 2013 Thurgood Marshall
College Fund’s Outstanding
Service Award.
Dr. Carla Miller, assistant professor
of sociology, was selected to participate
in the Crime and Justice Summer
Research Institute: Broadening
Perspectives and Participation that
will take place at The Ohio State
University from July 8-26.
Sandra Olanitori, faculty/advisor/re-
cruiter for nursing and allied health,
was appointed by the Chesapeake City
Council to the Chesapeake Commis-
sion for the Prevention of AIDS. Her
term runs through January 27, 2014.
Dr. Messaoud J. Bahoura, associateprofessor of engineer-ing, organized the2013 NanoDays, aunique, nanotechnol-ogy educational out-reach event held at
the Children’s Museum of Virginia inPortsmouth. The event included 25hands-on activities for children.
Dr. Khadijah O. Miller, associate professor and chair of interdisciplinary
studies; Dr. Karen Y. Holmes, associate professor of psychology; and Dr. Ernestine A.W. Duncan, assistant professor and chair of psychology; presented “The Impact of Popular Culture’s Strong BlackWoman Image on Black Women Faculty at Historically Black Colleges and Universities: A Multidisciplinary Analysis” at Virginia State University.
Dr. Stephanie
Richmond, assistant
professor of history,
and E. Arnold
Modlin, instructor
of geography,
presented papers
at the Interdiscipli-
nary Nineteenth Century Studies
Conference hosted by the University
of Virginia.
Dr. Renuka Verma, associate profes-
sor of mathematics, served as the head
judge for the Mathematical Science
category of the 28th Annual Virginia
State Science and Engineering Fair
held at the Virginia Military Institute.
She also assisted in selecting the state
fair’s grand prize winner who will com-
pete at the International Science and
Engineering Fair in Phoenix in May.
Arnold Modlin, geography instructor,
took part in a research trip to plantation
sites in Louisiana as part of a joint
project with historical geographers
from six universities that examines
tourists’ roles in remembering
slavery at plantation museums.
Dr. Charles H. Ford, professor
and history chair, presented “The
Other Face of Dixie: Desegregation
in Norfolk, Virginia,” a detailed analysis
of the 10-minute Norfolk segment of
the 1962 CBS documentary, “The
Other Face of Dixie,” at the Virginia
Forum held at Randolph-Macon
College. Dr. Ford, Dr. William
Alexander and Dr. Stephanie
Richmond also served as logistics
coordinators and judges in the Annual
History Day, District Six competitions
held at St. Patrick’s Catholic School.
Making Waves 5
Zenora Spellman
CAMPUS BriefS
Faculty and Staff Provide Expertise nationally
Dr. Messaoud J. Bahoura
Dr. Stephanie Richmond
army Provides Strong Support to nSU Lieutenant Colonel Daryl Collins, director of Norfolk State University Army ROTC
(left), and Master Sergeant Robert Ferguson, senior military instructor (right),
present a check for $104,862 to Dr. Tony Atwater, president of Norfolk State
University (middle) at the NSU Army ROTC Spartan Military Ball. The check
represents the amount of support provided to NSU and Army ROTC cadets by the
U.S. Army during the second semester of the 2012–2013 school year.
Making Waves 6
For more information, contact University Advancement at 823-8323.
Annual FundINVEST NOW!
I AM NSU
Everyone knows that the library is housed on three floors of the new Brooks
Library building, but there are also other University departments that are
housed in the Brooks Library Building.
These departments include the Honors College, located on the third floor, which
is led by Dr. Paige Laws. Additionally, the department of Assistive Technology is
located on the first floor and is managed by Mr. Marvin Clemmons; 700 Perk Café
is on the first floor and is managed by Thompson Hospitality; the OIT Lab is
managed by Mrs. Robin Price and offers students use of 70 computers available
84 hours per week; and Distance Education occupies space on the third floor.
InterLibrary Loan (ILL) If Lyman Beecher Brooks does not own an item you need for research, teaching
or study, you may request it through the InterLibrary Loan service. This free service
allows users to borrow materials from other libraries and pick them up at the first-
floor Circulation Desk.
Users may request books, articles, DVDs and other movies and dissertations.
Requests are generally processed within three days. Books can take up to 14 days
to arrive. Articles generally take between three to seven days. Users may check
out materials for at least one month. Some items may be checked out for less time.
To request an item through InterLibrary Loan, log onto the Illiad service at
http://nsu.illiad.oclc.org/illiad/logon.html. First time users must create an account.
To do so, click on the "First Time User" link.
After requesting an item, you will receive a confirmation email. You will also be
notified when the material arrives at Lyman Beecher Brooks Library and when it
can be picked up.
For any questions about InterLibrary Loan, contact the ILL supervisor
