Endowed Professor Named in FSU School of Education
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r. Gail L. Thompson has been appointed to the Wachovia – A Wells Fargo Company – Endowed Chair of Education at Fayetteville State University (FSU). The announcement was made by FSU Chancellor James A. Anderson and Dr. Leontye Lewis, Dean of the School of Education. Dr. Thompson earned her undergraduate degree in journalism from the University of Southern California and her master’s and doctoral degrees in education from Claremont Graduate University also in California. Dr. Thompson, who taught junior high for three years and high school for 11 years, is a former member of the California State Board of Education’s African American Advisory Committee. She has received several awards from student organizations and a civic award for teaching. In 2009, Claremont Graduate University awarded her its Distinguished Alumna Award. An accomplished author, Dr. Thompson has written six books: The Power of One: How You Can Help or Harm African American Students (2010), which was nominated for the 2010 National Staff Development Council “Book of the Year” award; A Brighter Day: How Parents Can Help African American Youth (2009); Up Where We Belong: Helping African American and Latino Students Rise in School and in Life (2007); Through Ebony Eyes: What Teachers Need to Know But Are Afraid to Ask About African American Students (2004), a book that has received a considerable amount of attention from educators, talk show hosts, and news reporters across the nation; What African American Parents Want Educators to Know (2003); and African American Teens Discuss Their Schooling Experiences (2002). One of her essays was published in USA Today, and her work has been published in numerous academic journals and three edited books. Dr. Thompson has appeared on PBS television’s Tony Brown’s Journal, National Public Radio, and Tavis Smiley’s radio show. She has been interviewed for Scholastic Instructor and Inside Higher Education and has been quoted in numerous newspaper articles. She has served as a reviewer for the Educational Broadcasting Network, Millmark Education, Houghton Mifflin, and several academic journals, and has done presentations, keynote addresses, workshops, and consultant work throughout the United States and two presentations in Canada. Dr. Thompson is married to Rufus Thompson, a veteran educator. They have three children: Dr. Nafissa Thompson-
Spires, NaChe’, a graduate student; and Stephen, a college undergraduate.
Announcing the School of Education Dean’s Advisory Board The School of Education (SOE) convened its inaugual Dean’s Advisory Board on Friday, April 29, 2011. The Dean’s Advisory Board is intended to support the Dean in achieving the mission of the School of Education. Specifically, the Board is designed to provide high-level advice that will help to ensure the School’s programs are balanced, comprehensive, and aligned with current educational policies and successful strategies. Members of the Board will advise the Dean in the overall development of the School; serve as role models for our students; provide guidance in maintaining programs and curriculum to meet the needs of a global learner in a 21st Century society; assist the Dean in fundraising; and promote a positive image of the School. Board members serve a three year term with staggered rotation off the Board and will meet three times a year: September, January, and May. Board members selected the Dean to convene the full Board meetings. Two committees were formed to achieve the specific objectives of the Board and committee chairs will convene those meetings. Specific fund raising projects have been identified for immediate development. Membership includes alumni, business leaders, faithbased representatives, and SOE faculty. • Ms. Gloria Moore Carter, Alumna • Mr. Henry McKoy, Assistant Secretary, Department of Commerce • Mr. Samuel Greene, Alumnus • Mr. Charles Worthy, Alumnus • Ms. Carrie J. Sutton, Alumna and Cumberland County School Board • Ms. Mary C. Owens, FCCMC • Dr. Ethel Gore, Alumna • Ms. Cynthia McCormic, Alumna • Mr. James Hargett, Alumnus • Mr. Greg Reames, Wachovia Bank • Mike Baldwin, Walmart General Manager • Dr. Frank Till, Superintendent, Cumberland County School System • Dr. Leontye L. Lewis, SOE Dean
Spring/Summer 2011
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