ALUMNI ON THE MOVE Doreen Allen, ’09, has joined the Black Emergency Managers Association (BEMA), a group dedicated to providing information, networking and professional development opportunities to its members, and to assisting in the long-term recovery of African-American and other minority communities. Allen earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Morgan and is now enrolled in the University of Cincinnati’s Master of Science program in criminal justice/law enforcement/crime prevention. She is employed as an Autism Source Specialist at the Autism Society, in Bethesda, Md.
Clarkston Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC) recently announced the appointment of Irvin T. Clark, III, Ed.D.,’05, as the college’s Vice President of Student Affairs, in the newly established administration of GPTC President Dr. Jabari Simama. Dr. Clark previously served as the Interim Vice President of Student Learning Support/Student Services, Associate Vice President of Student Development/Student Services and Dean of Student Services at Frederick Community College in Frederick, Md. He earned his doctorate in Community College Leadership Program from Morgan State University.
Yacob Astatke, D.Eng., ’91, ’10, has received the American Society for Engineering Education’s (ASEE’s) National Outstanding Teacher Award. Dr. Astatke, a professor and associate chair of Undergraduate Studies in Morgan’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, is the first African-American to be honored with this award from ASEE. He also received the Society’s Mid-Atlantic Distinguished Teacher Award in 2012. Dr. Astatke earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and his Doctor of Engineering degree at Morgan.
Shawn B. Coates, ’03, has been selected as the Chief of Staff of the National Intelligence Council at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. He is responsible for leading and overseeing the day-to-day business operations and administrative functions of the Council. Since leaving Morgan, he has received Dual M.B.A./M.I.S. degrees from North Carolina Central University. He has been working in the intelligence community for the past nine years.
Ava Barnett-Morrow, Ph.D., ’80, has retired as Professor of Microbiology at Gallaudet University, in Washington, D.C. Dr. Barnett-Morrow began her career at Gallaudet as a laboratory technician after graduating from Morgan with a B.S. degree in biology. She earned an M.S. degree and a Ph.D. in microbiology from Howard University. In addition to teaching, Dr. Barnett-Morrow was the director of the mentoring program for new teachers and the coordinator of the internship program. Beginning in September 2013, she will serve as the Vice President of the Morgan State University Alumni Association Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area Chapter. A certified sign language interpreter for the deaf, Dr. BarnettMorrow has interpreted for Morgan’s Commencement for the past 18 years.
Ruben J. Brooks, ’89, has been selected as the Atlanta Multifamily Hub Director for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), where he is responsible for managing and minimizing the credit losses on a portfolio that approximates $4.6 billion in multifamily loans, 153,487 units and more than 2,000 loans. A native of Baltimore, Md., Brooks received a Bachelor of Science degree in management from Morgan State University, an M.P.A. from the University of Baltimore and an M.S. in real estate from The Johns Hopkins University Carey School of Business. Before joining HUD, he spent 19 years at Fannie Mae in a number of production, managerial and leadership positions.
David J. Burton, ’67, was recently honored by the Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights, with the group’s Frank R. Parker Client Award. The annual award, given this year during the Committee’s 50th Anniversary celebration in Washington, D.C., is for long-term commitment, perseverance and dedication to the cause of civil rights. Burton is president of the Coalition for Equity and Excellence in Maryland Higher Education. The Coalition has filed suit against the Maryland Higher Education Commission, charging that Maryland’s four HBCUs have been the victims of historical unfair treatment as a result of the State’s maintenance of policies of a racially segregated system of higher education.
David R. Craig, ’83, Harford County (Md.) Executive and a member of Morgan’s Harford County Alumni Chapter, recently announced his candidacy for Maryland governor. Craig, a Republican, joined the race on June 3. The Republican primary is scheduled for June 2014. Craig earned a Master of Arts in history from Morgan’s College of Liberal Arts. “Lazarus: The Musical,” a stage production rearranged and updated by Bill W. Cummings, D.W.S., ’68, recently premiered at the Mead Center for American Theater in Washington, D.C. Dr. Cummings, a renowned worship leader, music director, lyricist, musician, composer, arranger and conductor, is the Music Minister at Little Rock A.M.E. Zion Church, in Charlotte, N.C. He received his Doctor of Worship Studies degree at the Institute for Worship Studies at Wheaton College and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in music education from Morgan. The Daily Record has named Lorece V. Edwards, Dr.P.H., ’04, Director of Community Practice and Assistant Professor of Behavioral Health Sciences at Morgan, as one of its Top 100 Women for 2013. The honor recognizes outstanding women for their professional accomplishments, community leadership and mentoring. The awards ceremony for the Top 100 Women took place at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore, Md. Tisha Edwards, ’03, has been appointed interim Chief Executive Officer of the Baltimore City Public Schools. Edwards will lead the system through the 2013–14 school year, while the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners completes a search for a replacement for former CEO Andrés Alonso, who stepped down on June 30. Edwards, who has four academic degrees, including a Bachelor of Science in health education from Morgan and a Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland School of Law, had been Dr. Alonso’s Chief of Staff since 2009. Alicia B. Harvey-Smith, Ph.D., ’84, has been appointed President of River Valley Community College in New Hampshire. A noted scholar and educator, Dr. Harvey-Smith is a nationally recognized author, poet, speaker and consultant, with 25 years’ experience in education, leadership, instruction, organizational dynamics, strategic planning, and training and development. Her husband, Donald, a U.S. Capitol Police Officer, is also a Morgan alumnus, Class of 1983. Before taking her current post, she was Vice President for Student Affairs at Baltimore City Community College.
Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley has named Jeanne D. Hitchcock, Esq., ’68, as his Chief Legislative Officer. As she takes on this new responsibility, Hitchcock will remain Secretary of Appointments for the Office of the Governor, a position she has held since 2007, making appointments to more than 600 statewide boards, commissions, judgeships and cabinet positions. As Chief Legislative Officer, she leads the Governor’s legislative agenda and priorities. She earned her B.A. in sociology at Morgan.
The Board of Trustees of Monroe County Community College (MCCC), in Monroe, Mich., has chosen Kojo Quartey, Ph.D., ’82, ’83, as the college’s fifth President. Dr. Kojo earned his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and his master’s degree in economics from Morgan, and his doctorate in applied economics from Mississippi State University. He served as Provost for the City Colleges of Chicago before taking his current position at MCCC.
Bass vocalist Soloman Howard, ’09, appeared with the Washington National Opera ( WNO) as Il Commendatore in “Don Giovanni,” during the company’s 2012–13 season. Howard, who earned a B.A. degree in music education from Morgan, is in his third year of WNO’s Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program. His recent credits include a debut with Washington Concert Opera as Leone in Verdi's “Attila,” and performances at the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage with the Conservatory Project. Previous engagements include many concerts with the Morgan State University Choir, including the role of Porgy in Gershwin's “Porgy and Bess,” under the baton of Paul Freeman.
Morgan engineering graduate Shawna Stepp-Jones, ’08, is Miss Maryland Plus America for 2013. Stepp-Jones, who earned her Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering at MSU, is the founder of Divaneering Foundation, whose goal is “to partner with K–12 schools and community organizations to promote STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education and career paths for young girls through fashion, health and beauty design challenges that focuses on using core STEM subject matter. The foundation is sponsored by Miss Maryland Plus America 2013.
Albert Lewis, ’07, language arts teacher at Walker Mill Middle School in Capitol Heights, Md., has been named the 2013 Prince George’s County Teacher of the Year. Lewis has been teaching at Walker Mill since 2007, the year he received his Bachelor of Science degree in telecommunications from Morgan. “Mr. Lewis brings a wealth of intellect, experience and expertise to his job,” says Nicole Clifton, Ed.D., principal of Walker Mill. “His dedication and passion for the craft and his community are evident in his instruction and other areas, as well.”
H. Keith Moo-Young, Ph.D., P.E., ’91, has been named Chancellor of Washington State University Tri-Cities. He had served as Dean of the College of Engineering, Computer Science and Technology at California State University, Los Angeles since 2006. Dr. Moo-Young earned his Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Morgan and began his professional career at the University as an assistant professor. He is a licensed professional engineer with an active research agenda focusing on solid and hazardous waste management and how water transports contaminants through soil.
Ron Owens, ’61, was cited by the American Advertising Federation as one of the Advertising Industry’s Pioneers of Diversity at its Advertising Awards Program in New York City.
Decorated U.S. Army General (ret.) William “Kip” Ward, ’71, has joined SENTEL Corp. as a Senior Adviser. In this role, Ward leads the company's international expansion efforts from its headquarters facility in Alexandria, Va. Before joining SENTEL, Gen. Ward was an active duty general and inaugural Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), the nation’s newest interagency geographic command, responsible for all U.S. defense and security activities on the African continent and its island nations. Gen. Ward earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Morgan and his master’s degree in political science from Penn State University.
Musician Danton Derelle Whitley, ’10, has released a CD titled “Danton Whitley, Featuring Mosaic Sound.” Whitley is Minister of Music for the Refuge Temple Church of God in Christ (COGIC), in Aberdeen, Md. He is also the State Choir Director for the Greater Maryland 1st Jurisdiction of the COGIC and Minister of Music for the Southern Baptist Church – Harford County. He earned his B.A. degree in fine arts (vocal performance, emphasis in classical voice) from Morgan. His CD and its first single, “It’s Settled,” are available for purchase on iTunes.
Danny Winborne, ’83, was recently elected for a third five-year term as a Planning Commissioner for the city of Gaithersburg, Md. Winborne was the first and is still the only African American to serve as a Planning Commissioner for Gaithersburg. He has a B.A. in economics from Morgan’s College of Liberal Arts.
The Rev. Thomas R. Pumphrey, ’84, senior pastor of Inter-Denominational Church of God in Gaithersburg, Md., and retired administrator in the Montgomery County Public Schools, was honored with a Black History Month Proclamation from the city of Gaithersburg in February. The honor, which was covered in an article in The Washington Post, recognized the importance of his work to the continuing growth and development of the city. Rev. Pumphrey was a custodian at Burtonsville Elementary School when he decided to enroll at Morgan, where he earned a B.A. in sociology. He went on to become an assistant principal at Burtonsville.
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