鈥淭he achievements of Sandy Chapman, Dr. Johnelle Sherald, and Veronica Mack Cohen reflect the enduring legacy of leadership, service, and excellence that Saint Augustine鈥檚 University instills in its graduates,鈥� said 探花精选 Board of Trustees Chair Sophie Gibson. 鈥淭heir national recognition through UNCF not only celebrates their individual accomplishments but also underscores the profound impact 探花精选 alumni continue to make in strengthening our communities, advancing educational opportunity, and uplifting the legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.鈥�

These honors highlight the enduring legacy of 探花精选 graduates who lead with excellence, service, and commitment to Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

鈥淭hese alumni represent the very best of 探花精选,鈥� said 探花精选 Interim President Dr. Jennie Ward-Robinson. 鈥淭heir national recognition through UNCF is a testament not only to their individual excellence but to the enduring power of an 探花精选 education rooted in service, leadership, and faith. We are immensely proud of their accomplishments and grateful for the example they continue to set for our students and alumni around the world.鈥�

Sandy Chapman 鈥�90 Inducted into UNCF Hall of Honor
Alumnus Sandy Chapman 鈥�90听received the prestigious Most Outstanding Alumni Award听and was inducted into the UNCF Hall of Honor, one of the organization鈥檚 highest distinctions.

The award recognizes alumni for exceptional dedication to their alma mater, community service, and steadfast support of UNCF鈥檚 mission.

A proud Falcon, Chapman consistently supports 探花精选 initiatives, builds alumni engagement, and leads with humility and integrity.

As part of the honor, Chapman鈥檚 portrait will be permanently displayed in the UNCF Hall of Honor in Washington, D.C., ensuring his legacy endures.

Dr. Johnelle L. Sherald 鈥�76 Receives 2026 NAA Presidents鈥� Cabinet Chairman鈥檚 Award
National Alumni Association of 探花精选 President Dr. Johnelle L. Sherald 鈥�76听was recognized as one of five recipients of the 2026 NAA Presidents鈥� Cabinet Chairman鈥檚 Award.

The award honors exceptional dedication, leadership, and service among National Alumni Association Presidents representing UNCF member institutions.

The UNCF National Alumni Council, founded in 1946, supports and strengthens Historically Black Colleges and Universities by promoting best practices and advancing student success. The NAA Presidents鈥� Cabinet includes leaders from 37 UNCF member institutions and serves as a vital network advancing fundraising and institutional leadership initiatives.

Dr. Sherald鈥檚 recognition highlights her leadership and advocacy for 探花精选鈥檚 alumni community.

Veronica Mack Cohen 鈥�77 Named 2026 UNCF Pre-Alumni Council Advisor of the Year
Alumna Veronica Mack Cohen 鈥�77听was honored with the 2026 UNCF Pre-Alumni Council Advisor of the Year Award, recognizing her decades of dedication to student leadership, professional development, and alumni engagement.

As Pre-Alumni Council Advisor at Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina, Cohen has consistently mentored students and ensured their active participation in national UNCF initiatives, including the Miss UNCF Coronation and leadership conferences. Many of her mentees have gone on to serve in national leadership roles within the UNCF Pre-Alumni Council.

In addition to her work with students, Cohen is a Life Member of the National Alumni Association of 探花精选 and serves as its Financial Secretary on the Executive Board, further demonstrating her lifelong commitment to the university.

A Legacy of Leadership and Service
These national recognitions underscore the profound impact of 探花精选 alumni across the UNCF network and beyond. From national leadership to student mentorship, 探花精选 Falcons continue to exemplify service, excellence, and commitment to advancing educational opportunity.

探花精选 and the National Alumni Association extend heartfelt congratulations to Sandy Chapman 鈥�90, Dr. Johnelle L. Sherald 鈥�76, and Veronica Mack Cohen 鈥�77 for their outstanding achievements and continued dedication to the mission of UNCF and 探花精选.

听to learn more about the National Alumni Association of Saint Augustine鈥檚 University
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鈥淒r. Prezell Robinson鈥檚 legacy is woven into the very foundation of Saint Augustine鈥檚 University,鈥� said 探花精选 Board of Trustees Chair Sophie Gibson. 鈥淔or nearly three decades, his visionary leadership strengthened this institution and expanded opportunity for generations of students. We are honored to celebrate his extraordinary life and the enduring example he continues to set for the 探花精选 community.鈥�

Dr. Robinson, now 105 years old, served as the eighth president of 探花精选 from 1967 to 1995, guiding the institution through nearly three decades of growth and national recognition. His leadership prepared generations of students for leadership and service.

鈥淒r. Prezell Robinson鈥檚 leadership helped shape 探花精选 into the institution that so many generations of students proudly call their alma mater,鈥� said 探花精选 Interim President Dr. Jennie Ward-Robinson. 鈥淗is life is a powerful reminder of the transformative impact of education and the enduring role historically Black colleges and universities play in advancing opportunity, leadership, and service.鈥�

The celebration not only brought together elected officials, alumni leaders, and Raleigh community members but also served as a significant tribute to Dr. Robinson鈥檚 lasting impact on Saint Augustine鈥檚 University and the city he shaped.

鈥淭his is where we live. This is where we were born,鈥� said 探花精选 alumna Ms. Octavia Rainey, 鈥�78, community activist and organizer of the event. 鈥淪o, we pay tribute to our neighborhood. We pay tribute to our business. We pay tribute to our churches and, of course, to Saint Augustine鈥檚 University.鈥�

Among those offering tributes were U.S. Congresswoman Deborah Ross, NC Senator Dan Blue, Wake County Commissioner Tara Waters, Raleigh City Council members Corey Branch and Stormie Forte, and Shaw University President Dr. Paulette R. Dillard, who recognized Dr. Robinson鈥檚 contributions to education, civic leadership, and the advancement of opportunity in North Carolina. A message on behalf of 探花精选 Interim President Dr. Jennie Ward-Robinson was presented during the event, recognizing Dr. Robinson鈥檚 enduring legacy.

The program also featured reflections from the 探花精选 Class of 1975, and Ms. JeSanne Robinson Johnson, ’88, an alumna and the daughter of Dr. Robinson, gave personal remarks honoring her father鈥檚 dedication to education and his lifelong commitment to uplifting students through learning.

鈥淲hen people ask me about my father, they often talk about his accomplishments, nearly three decades he served as President of Saint Augustine鈥檚, the academic programs he expanded, the buildings he modernized, and the accreditation he strengthened,鈥� Johnson said. 鈥淎ll of that is true, and it matters deeply, but today they ask him, and I’m proud to say, how is he doing? And he’s doing great for 105.鈥�

Dr. Robinson鈥檚 story is deeply intertwined with Saint Augustine鈥檚 University. After joining the faculty, he rose through the ranks to become president, serving one of the longest tenures in university history. His leadership reinforced 探花精选鈥檚 mission of preparing students for lives of purpose and impact.

As 探花精选 builds on its tradition of leadership and service, Dr. Robinson鈥檚 life remains a testament to the lasting power of education and the vital significance of historically Black colleges and universities.

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鈥淭hese victories remind us that the mission of Saint Augustine鈥檚 University lives far beyond our campus,鈥� said Dr. Verjanis A. Peoples, Interim President of 探花精选. 鈥淥ur alumni are leaders, change agents, and bridge builders. We are incredibly proud of Mr. Bussey and Mayor Foushee for their continued commitment to serve their communities with excellence and integrity.鈥�

Grady Bussey, a member of the Class of 1996, was elected to the Knightdale Town Council, bringing decades of experience in youth development, public service, and community advocacy to the growing Wake County community. A proud Knightdale resident and longtime servant leader, Bussey has been a tireless champion for programs that empower young people and foster inclusive growth in eastern Wake County.

In a , that engaged over 1,200 followers, Bussey’s response was simple鈥�”We won!!”

Barbara Middleton Foushee, Class of 1986, was , after previously serving on the Carrboro Town Council. Foushee is a lifelong public servant and social justice advocate whose leadership has elevated equity and inclusion in Orange County. Her re-election affirms the community鈥檚 trust in her vision for a more just and vibrant Carrboro.

“I’m just very proud of the race we ran here in Carrboro,”听Foushee听said 听“I had an amazing team behind me, lots of community support, and I’m just ready to continue the work.”

As 探花精选 continues to navigate its own transformation, the achievements of these alumni reflect the institution鈥檚 lasting contributions to public service and civic engagement across North Carolina and beyond.

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Dr. Taylor earned his B.A. in American History from Saint Augustine鈥檚 College (now university) in 1969 before pursuing graduate degrees (M.A., Ph.D.) in history at the University of Minnesota. Over a career spanning decades, he held professorships at institutions such as Washington State University, the University of Oregon, and the University of Washington, where he served as the Scott & Dorothy Bullitt Professor of American History and contributed transformative scholarship on African American experience in the American West.

In 2007, Dr. Taylor founded BlackPast.org, envisioning an ungated, reliable, and expansive digital resource to preserve and disseminate Black history. Under his leadership, the site evolved into the world鈥檚 leading online encyclopedia of African American and global African history, reaching tens of millions of users. 听 His scholarship included acclaimed works such as 鈥淭he Forging of a Black Community: Seattle鈥檚 Central District鈥� and 鈥淚n Search of the Racial Frontier: African Americans in the American West,鈥� among many others, that reshaped how historians鈥攁nd the public鈥攅ngage with the narrative of Black life in America.

鈥淎s a proud alumnus of Saint Augustine鈥檚 University, Dr. Taylor exemplified the power of education, scholarship, and courageous vision,鈥� said Dr. Verjanis A. Peoples, Interim President of 探花精选. 鈥淗is tireless commitment to making Black history accessible to all, his intellectual daring, and his love for truth will continue to guide us. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, his many mentees, and the entire BlackPast community.鈥�

We celebrate Dr. Taylor鈥檚 legacy鈥攏ot only as a historian but as a mentor, storyteller, and bridge between generations. He remained deeply committed to illuminating untold narratives and elevating the voices of often-marginalized figures in historical discourse. His life reminds us that knowledge and memory are bridges to justice and empowerment.

探花精选 encourages the university and broader communities to honor Dr. Taylor鈥檚 memory by visiting BlackPast.org, reflecting on his writings, and supporting efforts to sustain access to Black history education. May his legacy continue to bless future historians, students, and readers worldwide.

to read the official announcement at Blackpast.org.

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A proud graduate of 探花精选, Mr. Lee was a member of the 1997 CIAA Championship Men鈥檚 Basketball Team and was later inducted with his teammates into the He was also honored in 2017 as part of the second 鈥�45 Under 45鈥� cohort, recognizing exceptional young alumni for their professional achievements and commitment to community service.

Beyond his legacy on campus, Mr. Lee faithfully served the residents of District 1 in Smithfield as a town councilman since 2013. He also mentored countless students as the head coach of the Clayton High School varsity women鈥檚 basketball team.

鈥淥n behalf of Saint Augustine鈥檚 University, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, community members, and supporters of Mr. Marlon Lee,鈥� said 探花精选 Interim President Dr. Marcus H. Burgess. 鈥淗e was a devoted servant leader who cared deeply for his community and alma mater. His commitment to public service, his mentorship of young people, and his love for 探花精选 will always be part of his legacy. We honor his life and pray for peace and healing for all who mourn this tremendous loss.鈥�

The University will share details on memorial arrangements as they become available. In the meantime, we ask the entire 探花精选 community to join us in celebrating the life of a Falcon who soared and served with passion and purpose.

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鈥淭his year鈥檚 commencement is more than a ceremony鈥攊t is a declaration of our resilience, faith, and relentless commitment to transform lives,鈥� said 探花精选 Interim President Dr. Marcus H. Burgess. 鈥淲e are proud of each graduate and deeply grateful to every partner and supporter who continues to believe in Saint Augustine鈥檚 University and its enduring mission.鈥�

探花精选 alumnus, The Rev. Dr. Allen F. Robinson, 鈥�92, Rector of Grace Church, Brooklyn Heights, will deliver the keynote address. Special musical guests, 探花精选 alumnus Marcel Anderson, 鈥�08, acclaimed Neo Soul and Jazz artist, and alumna Monique Lipsey, 鈥�04, celebrated gospel singer and author, will lend their powerful voices to this year鈥檚 celebration.

In a remarkable show of academic excellence,听half of 探花精选鈥檚 student body, including members of the Class of 2025, earned Dean鈥檚 List honors during the Spring and Fall 2024 semesters, resulting in the third consecutive semester of academic excellence. Their achievements are a testament to the tireless commitment of 探花精选鈥檚 students, faculty, and staff during a pivotal time in the university鈥檚 history.

Student Highlights:

This year鈥檚 graduating class includes stories of hope, perseverance, and excellence:

• Cameron Moore (Business Administration major)听鈥� A Presidential Scholar with a 3.83 GPA, Moore excelled academically and professionally, securing multiple internships at Deloitte and earning acceptance into High Point University鈥檚 MBA program.
• Naseem Sharpe (Psychology major)听鈥� A Washington, D.C. native, Sharpe blossomed as a student leader and artist, serving as Section Leader of the Superior Sound Marching Band, member of the Chamber Singers, and mentor through dance and cultural empowerment programs.
• LeMonte’ Quarles (Criminal Justice major)听鈥� At 54 years old, Quarles returned to complete a lifelong dream inspired by a 25-year career in corrections. He plans to teach Criminal Justice at a community college after retirement.
• Tillia Leary (Accounting major, School of Business, Management & Technology)听鈥� Originally from The Bahamas, Leary served as Student Government Association President, Miss School of Business, and a proud Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. member. A Chapel Scholar and Dean鈥檚 List honoree, she will attend Ball State University to complete her master鈥檚 degree in accounting. She has also been honored to receive numerous scholarships to support her graduate studies.
• Steven Judd (Religious Studies major)听鈥� Diagnosed with ADHD while enrolled, Judd overcame academic challenges, earning Dean鈥檚 List, Provost鈥檚 List, and President鈥檚 List honors before graduating at age 54 with deep gratitude to 探花精选鈥檚 dedicated faculty.

These reflections exemplify the strength, character, and future leadership that 探花精选 continues to cultivate.

A Gift of Hope:

Thanks to the generosity of Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, and the advocacy of 探花精选 alums Gilbert, ’76 and Carolyn Knowles, ’77, the student account balances for the graduating class of 2025 were fully covered鈥攅nsuring that these determined scholars could walk across the stage debt-free and ready for their following chapters.

Meet Our Distinguished Guests:

• 听Rev. Dr. Robinson is the Rector of Grace Church, Brooklyn Heights, an 探花精选 alumnus who earned his Master of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary and Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary. A passionate preacher, teacher, and community leader, Rev. Robinson represents the excellence and global impact of 探花精选 alumni.
• 听A Neo Soul, R&B, and Jazz artist whose powerful vocals and inspirational music have captivated audiences nationwide.
• 听A North Carolina native, Lipsey is a singer, worship leader, and author of two poetry collections. She has shared stages with prominent gospel artists and will release her newest single, 鈥淕ive Him Praise,鈥澨�on May 2, 2025.

How to Support 探花精选:

Friends, alumni, and supporters who wish to help sustain the future of 探花精选 and its extraordinary students are encouraged to give to the听

听for more information about the 2025 探花精选 commencement ceremony.
听to help support future generations of 探花精选 students and invest in their success.

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While no historical record can be found showing that Dr. King ever visited campus, there is ample record that he had a connection with at least one of our own 鈥� Millie Dunn Veasey, class of 1953.

Archives from The Pen, the former student newspaper of Saint Augustine鈥檚, show that students were of Dr. King, and other local newspapers showed that 鈥� likely including from Saint Augustine鈥檚 鈥� were among the attendees at civil rights protests in the 1960s. And, of course, the university鈥檚 student center was named after Dr. King .

But historical records 鈥� as well as interviews with Ms. Veasey鈥檚 relatives 鈥� show a more personal connection to Saint Augustine鈥檚. Mrs. Veasey worked with Dr. King and was so helpful that she got a front-row seat at the pivotal March on Washington in 1963. They were close enough that he was a dinner guest at her sister鈥檚 house.

Ms. Veasey, who died in 2018 at the age of 100, is best known recently for having a post office in Raleigh named after her. In January 2025, through the support of Congresswoman Deborah Ross and President Joe Biden, the post office at 2777 Brentwood Road was named the 鈥淢illie Dunn Veasey Post Office.鈥� The renaming honored Ms. Veasey鈥檚 service in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only all-Black, all-female unit to operate overseas, during World War II.

That battalion was responsible for ensuring that soldiers received mail from home, thus helping to maintain the troops鈥� morale. Their role in the war is the subject of a movie released by Tyler Perry in December of 2024. While Ms. Veasey鈥檚 role was not specifically highlighted in the film, she was very much part of the battalion鈥檚 heroic efforts.

Millie Dunn Veasey was born in in Raleigh in 1918, and it was to there that she returned after sailing back to the United States in 1945, according to a profile of Mrs. Veasey on the National Park Service website. Mrs. Veasey eventually earned her bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees, both in business administration, from Saint Augustine鈥檚 and North Carolina Central University, respectively.

Mrs. Veasey went to work for Saint Augustine鈥檚, holding several administrative positions over a 30-year period, but she was known to the wider community in a different capacity. The supplies details:

Millie Dunn Veasey was also active in the civil rights movement. She participated in sit-ins throughout Raleigh to integrate lunch counters. In 1963, she helped organize a bus trip to Washington, D.C., where she participated in the August 28th March on Washington. As an organizer, she had a front-row seat near the Lincoln Memorial where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered his 鈥淚 Have a Dream鈥� speech.

On Feb. 21, 1965, Mrs. Veasey was of the Raleigh branch of the NAACP. It was in that capacity that she became personally known to Dr. King. Mrs. Veasey hosted a dinner for Dr. King when he came to Raleigh in 1966. Although some details are lost to history, the dinner most likely occurred as part of a visit Dr. King made to Raleigh to take part in a , to protest the shooting of civil rights activist James Meredith.

Mrs. Veasey鈥檚 niece, Eugenia Moore Pleasant, a resident of Wake Forest, N.C., remembers the dinner; she was there. Now retired, she was a freshman at North Carolina A&T at the time but had come home.

鈥淭he dinner was in my mother鈥檚 home in Raleigh,鈥� Mrs. Pleasant recalled. 鈥淩ev. Charles Ward, pastor of the First Baptist Church, was there. Ralph Campbell [who had preceded Ms. Veasey as president of the Raleigh NAACP] was there. My mother [Mary Moore] was there 鈥� she was the cook. My aunt [Ms. Veasey] was there.鈥�

The dinner had come about, Mrs. Pleasant said, because Mrs. Veasey had invited Dr. King to dinner while he was in Raleigh. 鈥淗e said he wanted a home-cooked meal,鈥� Mrs. Pleasant recalled. 鈥淲e had fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, collard greens and cornbread. I forget the dessert 鈥� probably peach cobbler.鈥�

Mrs. Veasey got to know Dr. King well enough that he personally inspired her. In a on the Public Broadcasting Service, she spoke about her impression of the iconic figure: “I found him to be a most remarkable young man, always with dignity,” she said in the documentary. “He was always interested in what you were doing, what the individual was doing, and persuaded them to do more.”

Martin Luther King鈥檚 birthday is celebrated Monday, Jan. 20, a national holiday. As the Falcon community celebrates the day and honors Dr. King鈥檚 towering legacy, we can take pride in knowing that a Saint Augustine鈥檚 University alumna was among those who played an important role in advancing the great leader鈥檚 campaign for justice and righteousness.

The 6888th Battalion in England in 1945.

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She earned a Master鈥檚 in Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2024 and is now participating in a program that will allow her to produce health training manuals and other materials, a career path that would combine her education in communication and health.

But Jakeina鈥檚 path has been a lot more difficult than the average Falcon. At the relatively young age of 30, she already has had two heart transplants and a kidney transplant. Now, she needs another kidney transplant.

鈥淗ey y鈥檃ll! I鈥檓 currently looking for a living donor,鈥� Jakeina said in a recent Facebook post. 鈥淚 pray God will see it through. I鈥檓 currently doing dialysis for almost 5 years and I鈥檓 blessed to still be here. 鈥鈥檝e been dealing with health issues all my life and I would like to get over this and move forward and explore the rest of my life. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions. Just know I bend but don鈥檛 break.鈥�

Jakeina was born with the hereditary condition of cardiomyopathy, a condition that causes the heart muscle to lose the ability to pump blood well. She had her first heart transplant at only four months old. She had a second heart transplant at age 15, and a kidney transplant at the same time.

Now, the medicine that she takes for her heart is affecting her kidney and she needs another kidney transplant.

鈥淏end but don鈥檛 break鈥� is a good description of how she has managed to get through her education and her career, thus far. At both Saint Augustine鈥檚 and UNC-Greensboro, Jakeina sometimes had to ask for alternative dates to take exams or turn in assignments. She had to take a year off in graduate school. But she got all her work done.

鈥淚 always let my teachers know what鈥檚 going on but I made sure to turn everything in,鈥� Jakeina said. 鈥淎 lot of that comes from my mom鈥檚 perseverance. She always told me that when you start something you have to finish it. When I was growing up, she would tell me, 鈥楧on鈥檛 make excuses for yourself鈥欌�t has been like that all my life.鈥�

Growing up in Rose Hill, N.C., as the oldest of three children, Jakeina said she could not afford to give in to her health problems. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 have a choice but to be like a parent [to her two younger brothers]. Who was going to take care of the household?鈥�

Since graduating from Saint Augustine鈥檚, she has worked a few jobs, including an office worker for Spectrum and an airline flight attendant, but has struggled to keep a job because of her health conditions 鈥� mostly her need for dialysis. She admits she has gone through periods of depression but said she did not let it linger.

鈥淵ou have to get out there and live your life as much as you can, and that鈥檚 what I鈥檝e been doing,鈥� Jakeina said. 鈥淚f you just sit in the house and mope what will that do for you?鈥�

Jakeina Sutton is currently in Stage 4 kidney failure. If you are able to donate a kidney or know someone who can, please call UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill, (984) 974-7568.

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The commencement speaker will be Retha Bogier, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bogier Clinical & IT Solutions, Inc. with expertise in staffing, clinical and statistical programming, and consulting using SAS and PL/SQL. Ms. Bogier earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Saint Augustine鈥檚 College (now University) in 1988.

She is a member of the 2003-2004 Who鈥檚 Who in Executive Professionals and attended the 2003, 2007, and 2010听Minority Business Executive Program class at Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.听Prior to starting Bogier Clinical & IT Solutions, Inc., Ms. Bogier gained (CRO) industry experience from PPD, PharmaNet, and ClinTrials Research.听 During her tenure at these companies, she gained Clinical and Statistical Programming experience in numerous Phase II, IIIb, and IV clinical trials.

Music for the commencement ceremony will be provided by Luther Barnes, Pastor of Restoration Worship Center in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. In 1976, Pastor Barnes graduated from Saint Augustine’s College (now University) in Raleigh, North Carolina with a BA Degree in Music Education. He then taught Music in the Nash and Edgecombe School Systems and also taught private lessons in voice and piano.

In 1984, Pastor Barnes left teaching to devote full time to his music ministry. He traveled extensively and played keyboards for a number of years with his father and Sister Janice Brown after they recorded the ever-popular song “Rough Side of the Mountain.” Over the years Pastor Barnes has evolved into one of gospel music’s premier male vocal artists while recording over 25 albums and CDs with The Red Budd Gospel Choir and the Sunset Jubilaires.

探花精选 traditionally holds commencement in May, but the additional ceremony is being added to ensure all of its students have an opportunity to celebrate the completion of their degrees.

鈥淭he December commencement was added with students in mind,鈥� said Interim President Dr. Marcus H. Burgess. 鈥淭he fight for 探花精选鈥檚 accreditation with SACSCOC has overshadowed the outstanding achievements of our students. We want to reclaim our story and focus attention on our academic excellence, not on the University鈥檚 past financial challenges.鈥�

The university will undergo a review of its accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges听(SACSCOC)听at its Annual Meeting Dec. 7-10 in Austin, Texas. If 探花精选 receives an unfavorable ruling from SACSCOC, the university would appeal and its accreditation would be temporarily restored while the appeal process plays out, explained 探花精选 Provost Dr. Janelle Jennings-Alexander.

鈥淎 hearing on the appeal would most likely take place in February 2025,鈥� Dr. Jennings-Alexander stated. 鈥淭he result of that hearing could be restoration of 探花精选鈥檚 accreditation without interruption. We are confident we have a good chance of ultimately prevailing but we do not want students who are able to graduate now to go through a period of uncertainty unnecessarily.鈥�

Dr. Burgess emphasized that 探花精选 has made significant process in the past year toward gaining financial stability and positioning the university for future success. This progress includes:

• Completing four financial audits for fiscal years 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, ensuring transparency and accountability in our financial practices.
• Securing a critical agreement with Gothic Ventures, ensuring operational continuity for the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year.
• Implementing a comprehensive cost optimization strategy alongside a robust financial sustainability plan to better position the university for the future.
• Strengthening and improving oversight of essential financial policies, procedures, and internal controls, laying the groundwork for responsible governance.
• A partnership with 50 Plus 1 Sports that retires 探花精选鈥檚 debt with a $70 million cash infusion and, for decades to come, provides ongoing revenue streams.

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More than 600 attended the prestigious event at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel. The keynote speaker was Representative James E. Clyburn, a Democratic Congressman from South Carolina and one of the most influential members of Congress. However, two Durham residents with ties to 探花精选鈥攁lumna Minnie Forte-Brown, ’72, and former professor Dr. Bruce Bridges鈥攔eceived much of the spotlight.

Ms. Forte-Brown graduated from Saint Augustine鈥檚 College (now University) in 1972. Dr. Bridges taught at 探花精选 in the 1980s, in what was then known as the Department of History and Government.

The Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People dates back to 1935 and whose mission is to 鈥減romote the welfare of Black people in civic, cultural, economic, educational, health, housing, political, youth, and religious and human affairs.鈥� The group stated in its program that Ms. Forte-Brown and Dr. Bridges have led 鈥渓ives of service [that] exemplify the founding vision of the Committee.鈥�

The program stated about Ms. Forte-Brown: 鈥淎s a Durham Public School Board member for 16 years and developer of the Durham Children鈥檚 Initiative, Ms. Forte-Brown has worked tirelessly to improve access to education. Her selfless commitment to this mission is admirable and will leave a lasting mark on our community.鈥�

Regarding Dr. Bridges, the Committee stated: 鈥淒r. Bruce Bridges has also been a pillar in the Durham community throughout his life. A Durham Native and North Carolina Central University alumnus, Dr. Bridges is an esteemed history professor at NCCU and Saint Augustine鈥檚 College. A remarkable author, exceptional speaker, and brilliant professor, he has made it his life鈥檚 mission to make change through his words, touching the hearts of countless people globally.鈥�

Ms. Forte-Brown is a retired communications specialist and master teacher, formerly in the Department of English and Mass Communications at North Carolina Central University. She has received numerous awards for teaching excellence and community service and is a frequent presenter locally and statewide.

A Durham native who grew up in segregated schools, Ms. Forte-Brown, is nationally recognized for public school advocacy and board of education leadership. Her extensive resume includes president of the NC School Boards Association, National School Boards Association officers, and the Council of Urban Boards of Education, as well as university professor and other management roles.

Ms. Forte-Brown was elected to the Durham Public Schools Board of Education in 2004 and was a member, vice-chair, and chairperson until 2020. During her career, she taught at NC Central University.

Her statewide experience includes Governor Bev Perdue鈥檚 appointment to the NC Council of the Status of Women and the NC Gang Advisory Task Force. SNC is a co-founder of the East Durham Children鈥檚 Initiative (now Durham Children鈥檚 Initiative) and former chair of the Homeless Services Advisory Committee.

In 2021, the Durham Public Schools Board of Education unanimously voted to rename the Durham County Board of Education鈥檚 Staff Development Center in her honor.

Ms. Forte-Brown majored in speech and English at Saint Augustine鈥檚. Her career goal was to be a speech pathologist; however, that major did not exist at Saint Augustine鈥檚, so she had to take many of her courses at Shaw University.

She credits Saint Augustine鈥檚 crucial role in her personal and professional development. 鈥淪aint Augustine鈥檚 was great,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 still have close friends from there. I grew up at Saint Augustine鈥檚. Saint Augustine鈥檚 nurtured me.鈥�

Ms. Forte-Brown said that the university鈥檚 small size was important. She recalls that she was weak in science, but teachers took a personal interest in her and helped her succeed. 鈥淚 shouldn鈥檛 have been good in science, but I had a nun as a biology teacher 鈥� I don鈥檛 remember her name, but she was an excellent teacher. I soared in science.鈥�

Ms. Forte-Brown also recalls that the university chaplain 鈥� whose name she does remember, Father Clyde Beatty 鈥� was an anchor for her and other students as they navigated a transformative part of their lives. 鈥淲e got into so many good discussions,鈥� she said.

She said she learned her much-honored teaching style from Saint Augustine鈥檚: 鈥淭hat鈥檚 exactly how I received teaching at Saint Augustine鈥檚鈥t will be challenging, but it doesn鈥檛 have to be painful.鈥�

Dr. Bridges is a native of Durham, NC. He and his six siblings lived in the McDougald Terrace community. As an elementary student at Burton School, he often visited the school library and the Stanford Warren Branch Library in his neighborhood. There, he developed an early love for reading, which is still with him today.

He attended the all-African American J.H. Whitted Junior High School, but due to integration, Dr. Bridges went to Durham High School, where he graduated. As a participant in the Operation Breakthrough student job program, he received an interview with Howard Fuller. This interview not only resulted in a maintenance position at The Scarborough Nursery School, but it was also a 鈥渃onscience-raising鈥� meeting for Bruce Bridges. He often discusses how Fuller exposed him to the contradictions of capitalism and racism in the American system. The meeting inspired him to join the boycott against the Durham Merchants Association. He regularly attended sessions with the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People, The United Organization for Community Improvement, and the Sunday night weekly solidarity meeting. Dr. Bridges read an original poem about the African-American experience at most Sunday night programs.

Dr. Bridges had no intention to continue in the arena of education. Benjamin Ruffin changed all of that. Bridges tells the story of how furious and disappointed Ruffin was when Ruffin asked him what he would do after high school. Bridges said, 鈥淚 am going to find a job.鈥� Ruffin jumped up from behind his desk in the UOCI office and said to Bridges that he had all his life to work. He then suggested to Bridges to 鈥渆nroll at North Carolina Central University.鈥� As a student at NCCU Bridges continued to be active on campus and in the community of Durham. He consumed the works of Stokely Carmichael, H. Rap Brown, Angela Davis, and other Black revolutionaries. While a student at NCCU, Dr. Bridges was invited to the local Muslim Mosque. After hearing Elijah Muhammad鈥檚 teachings, he organized fellow students to visit the Mosque. He was known to suggest that fraternities and sororities have their members attend the Mosque as a part of their initiation. Dr. DBridges won a free trip to Chicago to hear Elijah Muhammad in person for introducing many students to local Mosque #34.

He received a graduate scholarship to the University of Cincinnati. Upon his return he became a faculty member at NCCU. Many of his students were so inspired by the knowledge gained in his classes that they urged him to create a lecture series for the Durham community. The lecture series was created and became known as The Cultural Awareness Seminar. Lectures were conducted by Bridges every Thursday night in the student union of NCCU. The sessions were designed to last only during the summer while the space was available in the student union. Due to the growing interest Bridges moved the Cultural Awareness Seminar to St. Joseph AME church on Fayetteville Street. Several seminar students thought the knowledge they received was so necessary that more people in the Durham community should hear it. These students took it upon themselves to contact radio station WDUR and to have the Thursday night sessions as a part of the regular programming.

Dr. Bridges has lectured, conducted workshops and seminars on several college campuses, across America and the Caribbean. Civic organizations, family reunions, and even maximum-security prisons have invited him to speak. While on the faculty at Saint Augustine鈥檚 College, he was asked by the president of North Carolina State University to bring his knowledge and ability to that campus. He became the first person to ever teach African American Studies at North Carolina State University and was instrumental in the development of its African Studies curriculum and the Black Cultural Center on the campus.

Dr. Bridges said he came to Saint Augustine鈥檚 because of differing approaches to teaching that developed between himself and administrators at NNC Central. Dr. Bridges said NC became passionate about using his lessons in a meaningful way.

鈥淚 always applaud Saint Augustine鈥檚 because that was where I got started doing things the way I wanted to do them,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey let me teach courses centered on our people.鈥�

Among the courses he taught at Saint Augustine鈥檚 was Introduction to African Civilization.

鈥淩everse the plight of less fortunate individuals 鈥� that has always been my focus,鈥� he explained. 鈥淲hat good is it to have all this knowledge and all these degrees if you鈥檙e not able to help anybody?鈥�

Dr. Bridges is also an entrepreneur; among his accomplishments is opening the first African American bookstore in Durham County.

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