Morgan State University • National Alumni Association, Inc.
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ALUMNINews ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR (Posthumously)
The Honorable Clarence W. Blount - Retired Senator, Decorated War Veteran and Educator uring our National Alumni Association meeting, held on March 1, 2003, the Honorable Clarence W. Blount, a graduate of Morgan State University’s Class of 1950, was unanimously voted to receive the coveted “Alumnus of the Year” award. Senator Blount, who passed away on April 12, 2003, was a dedicated and well-respected member of the Maryland State Senate and provided continuous public service for more than 32 years. He retired in 2002 as the Senate’s first African-American Majority Leader, a position he held for 19 years. A native of South Creek, North Carolina, Senator Blount served in the U.S. Armed Forces from 1942-1946 and fought in World War II. In 1950, he graduated from Morgan with a degree in Political Science, then later attended Johns Hopkins University and earned his M.L.A. degree in 1965. He completed four years of graduate study work in International Law and International Relations at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, and received honorary Doctor of Law degrees from Morgan State University in 1980 and from Western Maryland College in 1982. Prior to serving in the Maryland State Senate, Senator Blount worked as an educator and administrator for 24 years. During this period in his life, he was Principal of the Paul Laurence Dunbar Community High School and Chairman of the
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Inside Alumni Day 2003 . . . . . . .2 Chapter & Class News . . .4 Alumni on the Move . . . . .6 Necrology . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Calendar of Events . . . . . .11
Department of Social Science and Executive Assistant to the President for Baltimore City Community College. Senator Blount was recognized for his achievements throughout the years and received a number of honors. He has been listed in Who’s Who in American Politics, the Ebony Success Library’s 1,000 Successful Blacks, Who’s Who in Black Corporate America, and the handbook of State Legislative Leaders. He attended Grace Presbyterian Church and also served on its Board of Trustees. In addition, Senator Blount served as Trustee
Emeritus at McDaniel College and on the boards of the Associated Black Charities, Sinai and Provident hospitals, and the Kennedy Krieger Children’s Hospital, Inc. Always a well-rounded person in the community, Senator Blount was a member of the Baltimore Urban League; the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Gamma Boule, as well as a member of the Democratic National Committee and the Academy of Political and Social Science. As a life member of the Morgan State University National Alumni Association, Inc., Senator Blount remained an avid supporter of his alma mater. He worked tirelessly to sponsor and support legislation for parity in funding for the University. To honor his tremendous efforts, Blount Towers, a 600-bed residence hall on Morgan’s campus, was erected in 1991. In recognition of his public service, leadership, financial support and community service, the MSU National Alumni Association, Inc. is pleased to name Senator Clarence W. Blount as the 2003 Alumnus of the Year. He will be sadly missed, and his proud legacy will never be forgotten.
LT. GOVERNOR TO ADDRESS STUDENTS AT MORGAN’S 2003 COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY n Sunday, May 18, 2003, we will celebrate Morgan’s graduation. The commencement speaker for this year’s 127th graduating class will be the Honorable Michael S. Steele,
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Lieutenant Governor for the state of Maryland. The ceremony will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. in the W.A.C. Hughes Stadium. All attendees are urged to be seated by 9:45 a.m. The Honorary Degree Recipients are: Mr. Charles Cawley, President & CEO, MBNA and Mr. John Slaughter, President & CEO, The National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering.