Morgan Magazine 2006 Issue

MORGAN M

A

G

A

Z

I

N

E

WINTER 2006

Morgan Enters the Emerging Field of Advanced Microwave Research & Technology

Morgan State University is the Tom Joyner Foundation’s “School of the Month” for August, 2006. elp support students at Morgan State University by visiting www.givetomorgan.com and designate your donation for “School of the Month.”

H

.

newhorizons

The Campaign for Morgan State University

M MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

FOUNDATION, INC.

Morgan State University Foundation, Inc. 1700 E. Cold Spring Lane, Truth Hall, #201 Baltimore, MD 21251 443-885-3535 or toll free 888-458-8678

Greetings: Welcome to the Winter issue of Morgan Magazine!

As we look forward to another year of progress and accomplishment here at Morgan, we also take time to reflect on honors and achievements of our past. The resolve of our students and faculty embracing the challenges of a changing society is strengthened by the example of those predecessors whose innovation facilitated their opportunity for success.

The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has recognized Morgan as a doctoral research university. In addition to our growing level of research activity, this recognition is based on the increasing number of doctorates awarded by Morgan. We now rank among the top 20 traditional campuses in the United States in the number of doctorates awarded to African Americans.

One new ground-breaking academic initiative is the Center for Advanced Microwave Research and Applications (CAMRA), a collaborative research program with NASA. This unique project is allowing Morgan to cultivate new territory in research methods, and spearheading our efforts to increase opportunities for students, particularly minorities, in the field of engineering.

In this issue, you will relive the excitement of Homecoming, from the annual Gala to the game, and the exciting celebration afterward. You will also meet Morgan’s new athletic director Floyd Kerr, as he shares his blueprint to return the university’s athletic program to the prominence it once enjoyed. And finally, read what one Morgan graduate is doing about the staggering number of incarcerated minorities in this country. His efforts have garnered him national recognition in the field of corrections and rehabilitation.

The great strides that Morgan has made are due in large part to the dedicated generosity of alumni and friends. Your continued support will enable us to assist our students in enjoying the types of experiences that are critical to their development in tomorrow’s leaders.

Building a bridge between the past and the present is the path to Morgan’s continuing commitment to being Maryland’s Public Urban University.

Sincerely,

Earl S.Richardson president, Morgan State University

WINTER

2006

1

Ta b l e o f C o n t e n t s

On the Cover

MORGAN

MSU CAMRA Research Fellows: John Brice, Caroline Karangu & Eric Chikando

Morgan State University Morgan Magazine WINTER 2006

1 Letter from the President

3

4

6

7

8

14

What’s In A Name?

Homecoming

William and Cherie Roberts

Morgan Grad Helping Shape the World

CAMRA:

Bank President Supports Morgan Students and City Residents

McMechen Hall – Home of Earl G. Graves School Business and Management

Winning Adds Flavor to Homecoming Celebration

Gala CoChairpersons

Lea Gilmore, (MSU Class of '93)

Morgan’s Entry Into the Emerging Field of Microwave Research & Technology

Joseph Haskins, Jr.

15

16

21

22

24

29

The Hopkins Surgeon Who Gives From the Heart

Devon Brown ‘71

From New Orleans to Baltimore:

Accepting the Torch From Nathan Carter:

Cornering the Bear Market

Save the Date

Dr. Levi Watkins

M O R G A N Vice President Institutional Advancement Cheryl Y. Hitchcock

On the Battlefront for America’s New Invisible Man

Katrina Affected Students Find New Homes on MSU’s Campus

M A G A Z I N E Director of Public Relations and Communications Clinton R. Coleman

Dr. Conway Expects the Best from the MSU Choir

Floyd Kerr Brings New Level of Expertise to Morgan Athletic Dept.

S TA F F

Assistant Director of Public Relations and Communications Jarrett L. Carter

Publications Manager Ferdinand Mehlinger Art Director David E. Ricardo

Sr. Graphic Designer Andre Barnett Photographer P. A. Greene (Cover)

Morgan Magazine is published by the Division of Institutional Advancement of MSU for alumni, parents, faculty, students and prospective students. Morgan Magazine is designed and edited by the Office of Public Relations. Opinions expressed in Morgan Magazine are those of the individual authors and are not necessarily those of the University. Unsolicited manuscripts & photographs are welcome, but will be returned only if accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Letters are also welcome.

Correspondence should be directed to: Morgan Magazine, Morgan State University, 1700 E. Cold Spring Lane, Truth Hall, #109, Baltimore, Maryland 21251 • 443-885-3022 office • 443-885-8297 fax • public_relations@moac.morgan.edu MORGAN MAGAZINE

Morgan’s Schedule, Activities, and Events

2

Additional Staff: Contributing Writers Malachi Daraja Rasheim T. Freeman C. T. Goodman Jannette J. Witmyer

WHAT’S IN A NAME? McMechen Hall

by Malachi Daraja

A Glimpse at the Names of Morgan’s Buildings and Facilities

Home of the Earl G. Graves School of Business and Management George W. F. McMechen was born in Wheeling, West Virginia on October 29, 1871 to George and Mildred McMechen.

He enrolled at Morgan College in 1891, and was the institution’s first graduate, receiving his degree in 1895. He went on to study at Yale Law School, earning his degree in 1899.

McMechen began his career in law in Evansville, Indiana. It is also presumably where he met his wife, Anna Lee Mason. The couple married in 1900 and moved to Baltimore in 1904.

McMechen was admitted to the Maryland Bar on May 10, 1904 and quickly formed a partnership with W. Ashbie Hawkins. The two shared a law practice until Hawkins’ death in 1941.

George W. F. McMechen (1871–1961)

McMechen served as a trustee of Morgan College from 1921 to 1939 and as a member of the board of the Morgan Corporation from the time of the state takeover of Morgan in 1939.

In 1944, McMechen was appointed to the Board of School Commissioners, where he served for six years as its first African-American member. McMechen was also a member of the Advisory Committee to the Baltimore Charter Revision Committee.

WINTER

2006

3

After five decades of marriage, Anna McMechen died on August 1, 1950.

George McMechen retired in 1955 and passed away on February 22, 1961. The couple had four daughters; Mildred, Edythe, Katherine and Georgeanna.

In honor of his life and achievements, McMechen Hall stands in the academic center of campus. Originally started in 1972, the facility was completed in 1996 as the home of the Earl G. Graves School of Business and Management.

Approximately 1,500 graduate and undergraduate students are enrolled the School of Business and Management.

With a committed and innovative faculty, the School of Business and Management offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Marketing, Human Resource Management, Hospitality Management, and Information Science and Systems; a Masters in Business Administration; and a Ph.D. in Business Administration.

Winning Adds Flavor to Homecoming Celebration

By Rasheim T. Freeman

While homecoming celebrations typically create enduring memories that last a lifetime for alumni, students and university supporters alike, there was something special about the 2005 Morgan State University Homecoming Celebration. The Bears’ 7-0 victory over rival Howard University gave the crowd of over 14,000 Morgan’s first shutout win since 2001, and the events surrounding the game made this homecoming weekend one to remember.

Prince George’s County, MD who was sporting an orange and blue wig.

The halftime ceremony honored the historic 1976 Morgan State lacrosse team; an extraordinary collection of predominately African American players who made collegiate history in a sport played mainly by white athletes. The book entitled Ten Bears was written about the team, and a movie based on the book is currently in production and will be released by Warner Brothers.

There was a certain energy that greeted “THERE ARE MORE CRANES In a game that friends, family and ON MORGAN’S CAMPUS, caused fans to hold alumni as they returned DR. RICHARDSON, THAN THE their collective to Morgan and a very WHOLE OF BALTIMORE CITY.” breaths with every different campus. There – Mayor Martin O’Malley tipped pass and seemed to be construcdeep throw, it all tion everywhere on boiled down to one campus. “There are more cranes on play on the game-winning drive for the Morgan’s campus, Dr. Richardson, than Bears. the whole of Baltimore City”, quipped Dropping back to pass on his own 47Mayor Martin O’Malley, the city’s top yard line, Bears quarterback Byron Selby elected official who visited the campus spotted Rodrick Wolfe breaking free on a during homecoming. slant from his left flank position. As Selby In the raucous “orange” section next to let the ball go, time seemed to stand still the band at Earl Banks Stadium, Morgan for both the capacity crowd, and for pride was overflowing. The crescendo of Wolfe. noise got so loud that the referees asked “It was a long time coming,” said an Morgan Head Coach Donald Hill-Eley to exhausted yet exuberant Wolfe, “It just quiet the section down so that Howard’s feels good to get a win—it feels like vicoffense could hear the snap count. The plea fell on deaf ears for the thousands of tory.”

Morganites who made the trip to enjoy As Wolfe caught the ball and sprinted to this one game. the end zone, years of frustration were released. Bear country went wild with “Everybody comes [to Morgan’s HomeWolfe’s game-winning score. coming] from all around, from all the different states for this game and to meet The game-winning touchdown was a perpeople they haven’t seen in years,” said fect Homecoming ending for the Morgan Danielle Williams of Rochester, NY, “I just cheering section. After the game, the came here to have fun.” familiar refrain of “Fair Morgan” echoed throughout the stadium and in the hearts “I’m a Morganite! I love Morgan,” said Jennifer Onye, a spirited sophomore from of all who attended.

MORGAN MAGAZINE

4

WINTER

2006

5

Hilary Roberts

William Roberts

Cherie Roberts

Paradigm of Paradise How Bill and Cherie Roberts Helped Make Morgan’s Gala XXI one of the best ever To many alumni, the game is not the only big event at Homecoming. Before the kickoff at game time, and before the parade steps off down Cold Spring Lane, it is the annual Morgan State University Gala.

Gala XXI: An Evening in Paradise was a night that brought the stars out for an evening of elegance and celebration at Martin’s West in Baltimore. The crowd of more than 900 included alumni who represented over a half-century of graduating classes at Morgan, as well as civic and political leaders, and friends of the university; all gathered to raise money for scholarships and other support students and Fair Morgan.

Worth noting is the fact that amid the black ties and evening gowns, among the dance lines and happy reunions that night, two Morgan graduates stood firm in a very public way in their commitment to the university and to each other.

William R. Roberts and Cherie Harp met as sophomores at Morgan in 1975.

MORGAN MAGAZINE

Thirty-one years later, they have shared their professional and private successes as husband and wife. He is the president of Verizon Maryland and a member of Morgan’s Board of Regents; she is a personal fitness trainer. With a common desire to give back to the university, they served as honorary co-chairpersons of Gala XXI. Both say that they used their professional resources along with calling on friends and associates to support Morgan’s efforts to raise scholarship funds. With their efforts, along with the work of the gala committee, the event raised over $50,000 to assist deserving young people to achieve their dreams of a college education.

“That’s what is most important. The more money we raise, the more opportunities students will have to attend and enjoy Morgan, says Cherie Roberts, who, aside from the joy of raising money for a good cause, says she had a wonderful time at Gala XXI, “Being able to see old friends that I had not seen

6

since graduation, inviting them to sit with us, it was also great to have our daughter Hilary there,” she said. Hilary Roberts is a 20-year-old sophomore attending Hampton University.

Husband Bill Roberts agreed, “We certainly had a great time. We got a lot of positive feedback from people we hadn’t seen since graduation. The foundation has been laid for those that will chair the event in the future, to put on a great time for a great cause.”

The consensus of the crowd in attendance was that the quality of the event itself was almost as impressive as the money raised. Lady Rhythm, an allfemale band that played an eclectic blend of contemporary R&B, timeless ballads and old-school funk, provided music. “It was,” said many who attended, “one of the best galas the Morgan State University Foundation had ever put together. We can’t wait until next year’s Homecoming.”

Morgan Grad Helping Shape the World

By Jannette J. Witmyer

Lea Gilmore, (MSU Class of '93) who grew up reading Essence magazine, is among 25 women being honored by Essence as "Women Who Are Shaping the World."

She says of the recognition bestowed by the magazine, "It is difficult to articulate the feeling. No one wants to admit to seeking validation, and we don’t do what we do in life in search of it. But that is what being in Essence was for me. It was an honor…"

Gilmore's accomplishments are as wide-ranging as the range of her voice, and she includes her experience at Morgan as one of the major influences on her life. She elaborates, "At Morgan, I learned to appreciate and love my history - the history that is often overlooked in the mainstream. My experiences there [at Morgan] filled me with excitement about the African American experience."

One could say that the vocally gifted political science and economics major's experiences at Morgan helped to strengthen her voice and mold her into a person described in her biography as "a blues, gospel and jazz singing civic activist who has lent her voice, literally and figuratively, to advocacy for the underserved of the world…"

Gilmore says, "As a singer, being a member of the choir is [still] an unprecedented experience for me. Dr. Nathan Carter humbled me, inspired me and gave us all the joy of music. It was a training ground for singers. Dr. Carter expected nothing but the best and you were willing to do whatever you could to provide that. The music department added skill to raw talent and armed me with determination."

She has used her joy, talent and determination to headline concerts in Europe, singing gospel music to raise money for the cause of ridding the world of leprosy and tuberculosis. To that end, Gilmore has raised more than

WINTER

2006

"Morgan taught me that I have the capacity to be whatever I want to be and gave me the foundation to do so." — Lea Gilmore a million dollars over the past six years. Also, the award-winning vocalist has used that joy to spread an understanding of and appreciation for blues, jazz and gospel music, by performing in concerts and conducting lectures throughout the United States.

Shortly after graduating from Morgan and visiting Europe for the first time nine years ago, a friend asked that she sing at his church. While she was there, and, thinking that she would be singing classical music, she agreed.

She explains, "I thought, 'OK, I get to practice some of the classical training I received while at Morgan.' But no, they wanted to hear gospel, and I was surely excited to do it. I sang "Precious Lord" and "Oh, Happy Day" for a mass. A representative from the Damien Founda-

7

tion was there and had a brilliant revelation to have gospel concerts to raise money for the organization. We thought this would be a small thing we would do once, but it was enthusiastically received by the country. And now, we have had two CDs; over 50,000 people have attended; and over one million dollars has been raised."

Nationally recognized as an authority on the reproductive rights of women of color, Gilmore is a former deputy director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Maryland. Additionally, she has lectured extensively on issues of human rights and diversity.

Lea Gilmore credits much of her success in that arena to the nurturing environment that the Morgan faculty's support created for her as a student.

CAMRA: Shining with the

By Jannette J. Witmyer

Morgan’s Entry Into the Emerging Field of Microwave Research & Technology

When NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center awarded Morgan State University a five-year, six million dollar grant to establish the Center for Advanced Microwave Research and Applications (CAMRA) three years ago, the two partners' commitment to success were as boundless as outer space itself.

Now, three years into the project, the results are shining as brilliantly as the stars and other heavenly bodies surrounding Goddard's satellites in space.

Morgan received the grant through NASA's Minority University Research Education Program. The program grants monies to historically black colleges and universities to help increase minority involvement in engineering and the sciences and to complement course work for students of participating universities.

CAMRA is divided into two main objectives: to provide technical training for

MORGAN MAGAZINE

8

Best and Brightest

Morgan's collaboration with NASA creates an opportunity for the university to become eligible for other grants and funding, through its extensive research in the CAMRA program.

"The funding, the program, and all that it stands for have already had a major impact on the university," says Dr. Carl White, director of the CAMRA program at Morgan. Dr. White says that when he came to Morgan in 1985, the School of Engineering only offered an undergraduate program, but Dr. Eugene

DeLoatch, Dean of the School of Engineering, assured him that if he "came and stayed and built things, Morgan would ultimately have a graduate engineering program."

Presently, the CAMRA program has five master’s and fourteen Doctor of Engineering degree candidates, which White says is probably half of the number of Ph.D. candidates of the entire program in the School of Engineering.

"With the funding that we've received, approximately $1.2 million per year, we have been able to build a very, very strong pipeline of students, starting with undergrads,” says Dr. White.

“Today, we have about 30 undergraduate students in the pipeline. CAMRA has played a major role in putting Morgan in the top 10 universities producing African American Engineering Doctorates."

2006

“CAMRA has played a major role in putting Morgan in the top 10 universities producing African American Engineering Doctorates."

Dr. Carl White CAMRA Program Director

Dr. White's goals are ambitious, but the fervent degree of planning, dedication and collaboration that he and his coun-

S C H O O L WINTER

DR. CARL WHITE

students, and core research that support the development of advanced technology for NASA. Students in the program participate in hardware and software development and other NASA-related projects. Upon completion of the training, students are expected to have the knowledge-base to work in the technological research industry or to work on core NASArelated projects. In some cases, students are trained in multiple disciplines which give them flexibility in choosing research fields.

9

O F

E N G I N E E R I N G

CAMRA terparts at NASA share, equate to a surefire formula for success. He credits Dr. John Day, Chief of NASA’s Electrical Engineering Division and CAMRA's original technical monitor, with being a friend and mentor in helping him to "maneuver and understand the culture" of NASA Goddard.

"He is a very gentle, quiet man, but a forceful man as well. He is very thorough and methodic in everything he does,” White says. “He has been not only a mentor to me since I've been the director of the center, but he's also been a very good friend and has shared words of wisdom and helped me tremendously to develop and shape this center. And he still works with us behind the scenes."

Michael Johnson, Assistant for technology in the Electrical Engineering division at NASA and CAMRA's technical monitor for the past year, agrees wholeheartedly with White's assessment of his predecessor and also credits the strong working relationship between Morgan and NASA as being instrumental in helping to develop the center's success.

"We both have an understanding that we at NASA want to do everything we can to help them succeed and Morgan

MORGAN MAGAZINE

State is willing to do everything that it can do to work with NASA so that as a team we can make this a successful activity," Johnson says.

White supports the statement, saying, “We have a very good working relationship with them [NASA]. We use their facilities, and they use the facilities at Morgan. We have a very good exchange of personnel as well as funding. They also encourage us to leverage the technology that we are developing for them with industry partners."

As a result, CAMRA has successfully leveraged technology, bringing corporate partners such as Applied Physics Labs (APL), Northrop/Grumman, L3 (a Boeing spin-off) and Boeing/ Lockheed to share human and capital resources.

Johnson, who has been thoroughly impressed with the success of the CAMRA students, adds, "Key elements for success in this program and any other are the motivation and dedication of those who are involved in managing the program and doing the actual work."

He describes the work of CAMRA's students, administrators and the center's results as "stellar" and credits the staff at Morgan with devoting an unwavering commitment to the center's two main

10

components: research and training. He says that CAMRA is "training students and increasing their academic standing so that they can succeed in a college, undergraduate environment and have the academic basis and background so they can be successful as graduate student as well."

The center's Academic Training Career Management Office (ATMO) addresses the mentoring, tutoring and academic excellence arm of CAMRA. Referring to the research component, Johnson says, "The goal is for CAMRA to have an ongoing research program and establish itself as a center of technical excellence in advanced microwave research."

White says that a strong research component is necessary in order to produce a technology base in microwave devices, components and systems, and says that CAMRA's undergraduate students go through a rigorous program that exposes them to academics, research training and different types of research methods, as well as training and developing them as young professionals.

CAMRA's research component consists of a collaboration of three research offices: Signal and Sensors (SIGSENS);

Morgan Research Fellow, and Doctor of Engineering candidate, Eric Chikando explains miniaturization of the hand-held radiometer he helped develop to NASA engineer, Kangpop U-Yen. Mr. Chikando and Mr. U-Yen perform advanced microwave research at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Beltsville, Maryland.

Center of Microwave, Satellite and RF Engineering (COMSARE); and Semiconductor Center for Electronic Devices and Circuits (SCEDC).

graduate school. They are tracked as CAMRA students, and if they enter another university, Morgan does followup.

In addition to an intensive infusion of training and research-related activities, CAMRA students also are taught interviewing skills and have coaches who assist them in areas where they may be lacking. They are required to publish papers before finishing undergraduate courses and must apply to at least three graduate schools. Also, they must maintain a 3.5 grade point average.

White explains, "Because the whole idea is to increase the number of minority students who go on to get advanced degrees, it doesn't matter where they go. And, hopefully, we can put students in universities all over the country. That would make CAMRA a very diverse center - to have students at MIT, Berkley, Stanford, Georgia Tech, as well as Morgan, Howard, Cornell…

That's what we really want to try to do."

"By the end of their senior year, they've been so exposed and so preconditioned that if we get 10 in the program and at least 5 to go on to advanced degrees, then we've made a significant impact. If they maintain a 3.5, they can apply; and with their GRE scores, they can get into almost any university of their choice," says White.

NASA gives Morgan credit no matter where the student chooses to attend

"If we want to say that we're going to be a first class research institution, with the best and brightest, we want to be able to place these students around the country,” White continues. “And that brings this center and the university and the School of Engineering national recognition. It shows that Morgan students are equipped to handle an academic experience at any institution of higher learning."

S C H O O L WINTER

2006

11

O F

In discussions about CAMRA's students and their accomplishments, there is one name that receives consistent mention, 2006 Doctor of Engineering. candidate, Eric Chikando. A 1998 graduate of Bladensburg High School in Prince George’s County, Maryland, Chikando initially enrolled at Morgan as a biology major, with thoughts of pursuing a degree in pre-med. After attending an engineering day program for incoming freshmen and hearing presentations by recruitment and retention Coordinator Ms. Grace Mack and Dr. DeLoatch, his interest soon became heightened in Engineering.

"I have to say that, that one was really effective for me because I went there as a biology major. After listening to them talk, all the great things they had to say and the good experience they had, I really felt convinced; and from that day, I changed my major."

Chikando completed his B.S. in electrical engineering in four years and graduated summa cum laude, with a 3.7 GPA. As a result, he was able to enroll directly into the doctoral program in the fall of 2002, an impressive feat. But Chikando is an impressive fellow. When he arrived in the U.S. from Cameroon, he entered the 11th grade speaking only French. Ten years later,

E N G I N E E R I N G

"The goal is for CAMRA to have an ongoing research program and establish itself as a center of technical excellence in advanced microwave research.”

—Michael Johnson, NASA

MICROWAVE TECHNOLOGY

CAMRA he is near completion of Morgan’s Doctor of Engineering program.

As fate would have it, or in Chikando's words, through "a pretty good coincidence," just as he enrolled in the doctoral program, Dr. White was getting his grant from NASA, the CAMRA grant.

With the encouragement and assistance of Dr. White and Dr. Willie Thompson, a 2003 Morgan Doctor of Engineering graduate who was at NASA and became acting director of COMSARE, Chikando was able to get into NASA as a CAMRA student, and allowed access to the facility and some of their engineers.

One of the many engineers that Chikando worked with is Dr. Jeff Piepmeier, an electrical engineer at Goddard in the Microwave Instrument Technology Branch, the group that develops technologies and instruments primarily for remote sensing of the earth's environment. Dr. Piepmeier approached a reluctant Chikando with an idea that he had. He wanted to develop a hand-held radiometer, an instrument that measures microwave thermal emissions - the naturally occurring radio wave that everything in the universe emits.

Mr. Chikando wanted to develop an

MORGAN MAGAZINE

instrument that operates in the same wavelength and with the same principles as the space-borne sensors, but one that is much, much smaller - one that a student and/or scientist in the field could carry along to make similar measurements to those of satellites but making them very close to the ground.

"The work is similar to measuring infrared thermal emissions or infrared wavelengths. However, because microwave wavelengths are longer than infrared wavelengths, the sensors used tend to be larger,” Dr.Piepmeier says.

“The instruments that would fly in space to measure the soil moisture have an antenna reflector or aperture that measures about 6 meters (20 feet) in diameter. The one that we're building to measure the ocean's surface salinity, how salty the surface water of the ocean is, has an aperture that's 2 meters in diameter."

"At the early stage of this project, I really wasn't aware of what a radiometer is or what it does. That was a very new field for me. I was more of the electro-physics guy,” Chikando says. “I was just used to messing with transistors and microwave devices, doing microwave device modeling and design, and when it came to devel-

12

oping these three highly sophisticated microwave sensors, which the radiometer is part of, I really didn't have that kind of experience."

Not dissuaded by Chikando's reluctance, Dr. Piepmeier saw an opportunity to involve "a really smart and capable guy" and was thoroughly pleased when Chikando agreed to sign on with him. Once they had proven the feasibility of developing the instrument, Subsequently, the duo was able to develop a hand-held radiometer with an antenna that measures about a foot, weighs only a couple of pounds and that will cost less than $200.

Since completing his doctoral coursework requirements and maintaining a 3.85 GPA, Chikando has continued the radiometer work for his dissertation.

"For my dissertation, my goal is really to improve on its sensitivity - on its overall performance," he says.

Chikando is no stranger to successfully completing NASA projects, having previously completed work on a RadioFrequency Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (RF MEMS) project. Both the radiometer and RS MEMS, were a part of NASA Goddard's Directors' Discretionary Funds (DDF) program, a program that funds projects that are con-

sidered high risk, in terms of the likelihood of success, but of tremendous benefit if successful.

Piepmeier recognizes that his work with Chikando is extremely beneficial on many levels. One can sense his excitement as he says, "The work that Eric is doing and that we are doing with Morgan State is important because the field that we're in here is very specialized. The CAMRA program and Eric's project, specifically, have turned out to be a good way to develop a student at a local university, tailored to our needs - someone that I hope my division is able to hire eventually. " He goes on to say, "We developed this project [the hand-held microwave radiometer] so we can go teach students about it at an early time, in high school, and hopefully get them interested in it so they will pursue similar degrees in college and graduate school, and seek the right career opportunities and internship opportunities. Hopefully we create some excitement and get people interested in the field. Eric is someone who can share that experience with the university so they can create some excitement about the field and create awareness."

A message that resonates throughout the culture of CAMRA at Morgan and NASA is one of reaching students early in their academic careers and moving them forward. And Chikando, who taught mathematics as adjunct faculty at Coppin State University during the fall 2005 semester, is no exception.

"I really have a passion for doing research, and I have a passion for also wanting to inspire students who will be coming after me in getting involved in some of these things,� he says. “It's tough. It's challenging. But when you have the right support mechanism around you, and I have to say I did with people like Doctors White and Thompson, these kinds of things are so essential when you are doing a challenging project. So, I'd like to be able to give back once I'm done with this dissertation."

Dr. White says that the next venture for CAMRA will be to develop a marketing campaign that will allow him to go out and get other students from other universities to come into the center, pursue a degree and to expand CAMRA's relationship with NASA.

2006

Dr. Eugene DeLoatch Dean of the School of Engineering

"Now that we have solidified the pipeline here, we want to diversify the pipeline by going out and heavily

S C H O O L WINTER

recruiting other students from other universities to come into our graduate program through CAMRA. The thrust of the mission is to produce a significant number of highly qualified Engineering Doctorates. Another part of the mission is to produce the technology base for Goddard in the area of microwave devices, components and systems."

13

O F

E N G I N E E R I N G

Executive Banks on Morgan Students and the Future of Baltimore City Joseph Haskins, Jr.

J

Joseph Haskins, Jr., (MSU Class of ’71), president of Harbor Bank, is an unassuming, think-before-you-speak sort of man who doesn't like to brag about the gifts he has made to Morgan State University over the years.

The soft-spoken bank executive won't discuss details about his contributions; he'll only say that they are in the tens of thousands of dollars. Haskins says that he doesn't donate money for publicity purposes. "The numbers aren't important, really. I just want to help out. I want to support universities that are meaningful in the community, and Morgan State is certainly one of them."

Haskins’ friends and associates say his polite demeanor and low-key style are polar opposites of his competitive nature when it comes to business ventures. With the former Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the helm, Harbor Bank’s total assets have grown to $246 million dollars as of late 2005. Harbor Bank consistently ranks in Black Enterprise magazine’s top ten largest minority-owned banks in America.

“I want to support universities that are meaningful in the community, and Morgan State is certainly one of them." — Joseph Haskins, Jr.

Haskins has served as an advisor to three Maryland governors, two Baltimore mayors, and a state comptroller. Commended by the area business community for being an example of success in entrepreneurship for minorities throughout the region, Haskins has led Harbor Bank all the way from a humble

MORGAN MAGAZINE

14

three-room office, which opened in 1982, to six Maryland branches in the Baltimore region and Prince George's County.

Despite all of his success, the Morgan alumnus has not forgotten his roots. "I am a product of Baltimore City," he says proudly from his office overlooking the world famous Inner Harbor.

Haskins is constantly working to give back to the city. As the board chairman of the East Baltimore Development Corporation, he is directly involved in the development of the $200 million East Baltimore Bio-Tech Park. A joint effort between city and state agencies including Morgan State, and Johns Hopkins University, the project is one of Haskins’ most ambitious efforts to date.

The goal of the Bio-Tech Park is to lure top pharmaceutical companies to the region. The normally mild-mannered Haskins becomes energetic when he talks about all of the opportunities for Morgan students and others at the twomillion square foot Bio-Tech campus.

"The (Bio-Tech Park) is great because it will provide entry level job opportunities to high school graduates as well as more advanced positions to college graduates from minority and other underserved populations," says Haskins. “When completed and fully operational, it will have the potential of creating 8,000 jobs in East Baltimore.”

The Hopkins Surgeon Who Gives From the Heart Dr. Levi Watkins

D

Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr., is the associate dean of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and a full professor of cardiac surgery.

Earl Richardson. He has done a magnificent job in the continued growth and development of Morgan. I don’t think anyone could have done better.”

After earning his undergraduate degree in biology at Tennessee State University, Watkins became the first African-American to graduate from the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Tennessee in 1966.

“Secondly, my best friend, Dr. Homer Favor, is a former dean and professor at Morgan. He was a professor, but he was a fierce fighter in the civil rights movement. We were brothers in the movement together,” he says.

Despite his affiliation with other institutions, Dr. Watkins will go to his checkbook and make a substantial donation to Morgan State University’s scholarship fund this year, as he has done in years past.

“And, of course, there was my close friendship with Dr. Nathan Carter. (Dr. Carter, now deceased, directed the world renowned Morgan State University Choir, until 2004). He was a very private man. I wasn’t his personal physician but whenever he visited Hopkins, he would stop by to talk,” Watkins says.

“Morgan is not my alma mater but that doesn’t matter. I am a member of this community and every time I give that $10,000, I am helping to educate some youngster who needs financial assistance,” Watkins says.

“Other than Johns Hopkins, where I work every day, I feel closest to Morgan.

“I remember in1997 when President Clinton attended Morgan’s graduation. I sat on the same podium. He and I were awarded honorary doctorate degrees by Morgan,” he says. “I’ll never forget that day.”

Along with his memories at Morgan, Watkins says there are many reasons he is committed to supporting Morgan.

“First, is my long term friendship and admiration for Morgan’s president, Dr.

The noted cardiologist’s yearning for excellence and equality has been evident since his childhood. He began to distinguish himself as early as high school, graduating class valedictorian and being selected to the Montgomery, Alabama all-star basketball team.

Growing up in Alabama, he witnessed discrimination and prejudice, and the early years of the civil rights movement.

He personally met Dr. Martin Luther King and was close friends with Dr. Ralph D. Abernathy, one of the pivotal participants in the movement.

Dr. Watkins believes that his early exposure to the civil rights movement and its leaders sealed his commitment to racial equality. His work on an admissions

committee of the Hopkins medical school helped to increase minority representation by 400%. Similarly, there has been substantial growth in minority faculty hiring and house staff.

He initiated an annual symposium at Hopkins to commemorate Dr. King.

Notables such as Nobel Laureate Desmond Tutu, Maya Angelou and the late Rosa Parks have been guest lecturers at the popular event.

Dr. Watkins’ achievements in medicine far surpass his outstanding work in other areas, however. While pursuing a research interest at Harvard Medical School’s Department of Physiology, his work, coupled with other research, broke new ground in the use of angiotensin receptor blockers in the treatment of congestive heart failure. He also performed the world’s first human implantation of the automatic defibrillator in 1980.

Referring back to scholarship donations and education, Dr. Watkins feels one of the worst tragedies in education is the lack of support of black colleges and universities. Some, he says, have had to close their doors and others are financially challenged.

“We should be supporting these schools, politically and financially. There are people who spend money beautifying their swimming pools when they should be giving money to our black institutions,” he says.

DONOR PROFILES: WINTER

2006

15

On the Battlefront

MORGAN MAGAZINE

16

for America’s New Invisible Man

By Ferdinand Mehlinger

After the release of Ralph Ellison’s literary classic, Invisible Man, (1952) the title of his book became a metaphor for law abiding but disenfranchised African American citizens struggling to retain their sense of dignity and worth, in an inequitable social system.

More than four decades later, a new invisible man began to emerge in America’s cities. United States citizens by birth, most have served, or are serving mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent drug crimes. After serving their time, they are set adrift, stripped for life of one of America’s most coveted civil rights…the right to vote.

Devon Brown New Corrections Chief Washington D.C.

After gaining a national reputation as an ‘innovator’ running the state’s largest correctional system, Devon Brown (MSU Class of ‘71), New Jersey’s former corrections commissioner takes his prison reform crusade south, to the nation’s capital.

Through his personal efforts and message of urgency, he seeks to change the course in which corrections officials, states, and Americans view and manage the mass incarceration of African Americans and Latinos.

WINTER

2006

17

The War on Drugs, enacted during the Ronald Reagan administration, created mandatory sentences for nonviolent offenders that were seen by some as exorbitant when compared with the crime. Along with the harsh sentencing came a new social phenomenon appropriately referred to as the prison industrial complex.

Brown came along when state officials began taking notice that their prisons were bulging with non-violent, minority drug offenders. Many were incarcerated as users of illegal

drugs not as pushers. And many of the new inmates were women. As a direct consequence of the nation’s rush to imprison, correctional budgets surged, often outpacing those for education and human services.

Brown became New Jersey State corrections commissioner in 2002 and gained national attention shortly after taking office when he initiated unprecedented

changes in corrections rehabilitation. A lawyer with two master's degrees, one in psychology and another in public administration, Brown attributes his innovative approach to directing and running correctional institutions to his education at Morgan.

His signature initiatives, such as mandating inmates to watch "educational" television programs that he selected,

Dr. Carrol Perrino came to Morgan State in 1968 and has taught psychology to more than three generations of Morganites.

participate in chess tournaments and develop capital growth skills in the Stock Market Game were both surprisingly however successful. Brown was not surprised how quickly prisoners became engrossed in pursuits that require intellectual muscle (93% of New Jersey prisoners are now in school and or have jobs with 81% of them receiving their GED at first testing).

Devon Brown, new Corrections Chief for Washington D.C., graduated from Morgan in 1971 along with his wife, Beverly Cooper-Brown, and his brother, Vernard S. Brown. Devon and Beverly Brown’s son, Mark S. Brown, graduated from Morgan in 1995.

Teacher and student: Dr. Carrol S. Perrino, Associate Professor of Psychology and former student, Washington Brown. Brown calls Dr. Perrino his “mentor and guardian angel.” Brown’s Morgan education helped shape his view

MORGAN MAGAZINE

18

“One thing you have to keep in mind when you’re working with an inmate population is that an inmate population is made mainly of individuals who have committed drug offenses. A successful drug dealer is not without skills, without some intellect.” As Brown saw it, the key is to direct the inmate’s intellect toward socially constructive, worthwhile pursuits.

Brown’s prison chess team won a competition (captured by Sports Illustrated Magazine and ESPN) against a team of nationally-ranked chessmasters from Princeton University during a televised match shown around the world.

behind prison walls (81%).

Recalling how he introduced The Stock Market Game to prisoners in New Jersey, he said, “It started back in 2002 at East Jersey State Prison (the infamous Rahway Penitentiary). The goal was to teach inmates skills that could be used successfully in our society. Paine Webber, a major stock exchange from New York, sent a team to participate in the competition in which we were involved. We beat them badly. We beat them so badly that they took their marbles and went home. They would not play us again.”

Brown was nominated for the Michael Franke Award for outstanding leadership in the field of corrections in 2003. In 2005, he received the E.B. Henderson Presidential Award from the International Community Corrections Association (ICCA) in recognition of his outstanding leadership and contributions to advancing quality correctional practices. In that same year, the American Correctional Association (ACA) named him “The Best in the Business” for progressive correctional leadership. Since his arrival in the nation’s capital, Brown has been selected to join the Board of Directors of the nationally acclaimed, “Sentencing Project,” one of the country’s premier organizations promoting criminal justice reform.

Appointed by former Governor James McGreevey, Brown stepped into the New Jersey state correction system quickly, proving that he is no ordinary corrections bureaucrat. His signature initiatives made him appear more like a professor than a warden, a social architect than a jailer.

Another initiative that gained national attention was aimed directly at prison and street gangs. Brown’s “Be Smart, Choose Freedom” anti-violence campaign was so successful that it was adopted by the NAACP to lead it’s national crime prevention program.

Brown stressed education for his staff and inmates. He urged officers to go back to school, and he created programs to get inmates to learn. Turning off Jerry Springer in favor of the History Channel and other educationally enriching broadcasts was one move. The New Jersey State correctional system houses 27,000 inmates at 14 state prisons and employs about 9,500 guards and support workers. Brown reduced the prison system’s overtime costs by over $50 million. Not commonly known is the fact that New Jersey leads all other states in the disproportionate number of minorities who are

“We put together what was at the time the only crime prevention initiative to come out of corrections: ”Be Smart, Choose Freedom” that had several components, one focused on drugs, going out with inmates who have had addictive problems to alert students in schools. Also gangs, where reformed gang members go out to persuade children in the schools from getting involved in gang activities.” A principal component of this initiative was the development of 12 cleverly crafted public service announcements (PSA’s) promoting the

“A TEACHER CAN NEVER KNOW THE FULL GRAVITY OF HIS OR HER INFLUENCE.” —DEVON BROWN

n D.C. Corrections Chief, Devon ws that drive his reform ideals.

WINTER

2006

19

Devon Brown Washington D.C. Corrections Chief

theme that “Jail is the worst Four Letter Word” and the “Worst Thing That You Can Do Is To Establish a Criminal Record.”

These messages are presently being displayed on billboards and bus stops throughout California, New Jersey, and New York with the PSA’s airing on television stations from New York City to Philadelphia.

“ONE OF THE HIGH POINTS OF MY LIFE IS THAT MY SON HAD THE BENEFIT OF DR. PERRINO’S EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, AND WISDOM. SHE COULD HAVE GONE TO ANY UNIVERSITY IN THIS COUNTRY. SHE COULD HAVE GONE OUTSIDE THIS COUNTRY, TO AN OXFORD OR TO A YALE, OR A HARVARD WITH HER SKILLS… DR. PERRINO CHOSE MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY, AND GOD KNOWS WE ARE ALL DEEPLY GRATEFUL THAT SHE DID.” — DEVON BROWN

MORGAN MAGAZINE

The United States has approximately 2.2 million people behind bars. Of those, 50.5% are serving time for violent crime, leaving more than 1.1 million people imprisoned for nonviolent offenses, mainly property and drug crimes. African Americans, who make up just 13 percent of the U.S. population, comprise 47 percent of the country's prison population.

Brown says that something has to be done about the alarming growth in prison populations.

At 56 years old, one does not get the impression that Devon Brown is planning his retirement anytime soon. Just the opposite; his mission is critical and the battle is just beginning. Brown wants to continue creating opportunities for inmates to engage in positive reform and he wants to attract attention to his reform programs at a national level. Thus far, his efforts seem to be gaining momentum as many states have emulated his “Be SmartChoose Freedom” program. In addition, at the time of his move to the District of Columbia, New Jersey had become one of only 11 states showing a decrease in their prison population.

“My job is to alert the criminal justice system and society at large that too many people are being incarcerated. That while we as Americans take pride in being number one, that there is part of our existence that is worthy of shame in being number one and that is that we incarcerate more of our citizens than any other country…any other country on this planet.”

“For African Americans, and minorities in particular, this poses a very serious consequence. One has to realize that in most states, all but three, when you are convicted as a felon you lose your freedom

20

and along with it one of the most precious gifts that this country has to offer, and that is the right to have your voice heard.

The right to vote.”

Brown also wants to desperately break the cycle of prison life which complicates an already precarious existence for many African American families: “In prison, inmates learn ‘Do what you can to survive’, even if it means stealing from another, exploiting another, or harming another," he says. "They're taking those values back into our communities."

Washington’s new corrections chief wants juveniles to avoid the criminal justice system at all costs. He goes out into communities with programs targeted to impressionable juveniles in schools, encouraging them not to get involved in gangs or other negative activity. To do this effectively and convincingly he enlists reformed gang members to tell their own stories of social redemption so that others will not fall to the wayside. “The goal is to encourage governments to both understand that prevention is truly the best intervention and to have inmates leave prison as better people than when they arrived, to get a job, and to hold a family together.”

A correctional professional for more than three decades, Devon Brown said that his interest in the field started at Morgan.

“My interest in public safety and furthering the application of psychology in all areas of government had its origins at Morgan. That foundation and that preparation are a tribute to the professors of Morgan State University and to the professors in the psychology department.”

Commissioner Brown says that the times in which he grew up and his professors helped shape his views that drive his reform ideals.

Brown’s family has a rich history and tradition at Morgan. “I met my wife in one of my psychology courses. My son graduated from Morgan and likewise benefited from some of the same wonderful staff, and my brother and I walked across the stage, receiving our diplomas together in 1971.”

From New Orleans to Baltimore: Katrina Affected Students Find New Homes on MSU’s Campus

By C.T. Goodman

It began as most storms do, rain and wind—normal weather conditions experienced by cities throughout the country.

But soon it became evident that these conditions were more serious than usual. A hurricane named Katrina was to earn the dubious distinction of becoming the most destructive and most expensive natural disaster in United States history.

Baltimoreans and people throughout Maryland, though hundreds of miles away, were affected by the storm.

Watching the tragedy unfold on television, many were emotionally moved to send money, clothes, food, water, blankets, anything they could think of to aid the victims. Administrators and professors at Morgan State University made the decision to do more than send items of need. The university decided to help students displaced by the storm continue building on their planned hopes, their dreams.

“The hurricane hit that weekend. By that Tuesday, the decision was made here for the university to extend itself to those students that needed it,” says A. Recardo Perry, Vice President of Student Affairs.

Perry, a member of the response team assembled by Morgan State University, has since become one of the primary contacts for the New Orleans’ students displaced by the hurricane and now enrolled at MSU.

WINTER

2006

“We wanted to be at the forefront of responding to the tragedy. Interestingly enough, our president had just visited the Dillard University campus not too long before the hurricane hit and developed several contacts there that actually made the effort a bit easier,” Perry says.

“It has been a challenge, particularly in acquiring students’ records and working out financial situation. We just told the students, ‘come in, we’ll work out financial issues later.’ The goal was to step up to the plate and care for people.”

Another vital component throughout the entire process was the Morgan State University Foundation, which established the Hurricane Katrina Student Relief Fund to assist students displaced by the hurricane in the purchase of clothing, books, and other basic necessities.

Most of the 24 displaced students that enrolled at Morgan are from campuses similar to MSU—historically black, liberal arts focused, with relatively small populations. The MSU Foundation arranged airfare, identified campus housing, and began communication with the many campus departments to facilitate the moves “The students have really become acclimated to the campus,” says Perry. “You really don’t see them; they just melt in with the population which I suppose is a good thing.”

21

Perry admits being a bit concerned about the initial transition to the campus. In addition to the physical move to the area, many of the students were emotionally traumatized by their experiences during the hurricane. Anjel Magee, a freshman studying nursing at Dillard University, left the area just prior to the storm. Evacuated from Dillard that Saturday, Magee left New Orleans with her mother and 14-year old sister that Monday morning, crossing a bridge out of the city just moments before authorities closed it. During her first four weeks on the Morgan campus, she was unaware of her father’s health or whereabouts.

Melissa Amos, another New Orleans native from Dillard, is also now enrolled at MSU. Though her exit from New Orleans was less traumatic, her arrival in Baltimore is just as miraculous. A sophomore psychology major at Dillard, Melissa was just about to move into her own apartment when Hurricane Katrina hit. She left the day before the city flooded.

Both young ladies have found Baltimore to be a very different place than New Orleans, but they have adjusted well.

Thanks to the generosity of Southwest Airlines, all of the Katrina-affected students were able to return home for the holidays. Many of them have decided to return to Morgan for a second semester.

Accepting the Torch From Nathan Carter: Conway Expects the Best from the MSU Choir

By C.T. Goodman Rehearsal for the Morgan State University Choir is about to begin. It’s Tuesday, 2:57 p.m., and a few students are traveling up the walkway of the Murphy Fine Arts Center towards the rehearsal room. They’re singing as they enter the lobby.

Two students, in particular, are challenging each other, note for note, laughing as they leisurely walk in the door. In a few weeks, the choir has a major concert scheduled. A quiet excitement fills the air, with all members assessing their interest and wondering if they’ll be selected as soloists.

With the death of the gifted and demanding Dr. Nathan Carter, many believed the internationally renowned Morgan State University Choir would suffer a mighty blow. The overseas appearances, sold out performances and critically acclaimed recordings—what would happen without the guidance, the genius of Dr. Carter? Who would be able and willing to accept the challenge of following his legacy?

Enter Eric Conway. Quiet, unassuming with a bright and easy smile, Dr. Conway has been a part of the MSU Choir for 22 years. The choir’s pianist, Dr. Conway remembers a confession by Dr. Carter once after Conway had missed a performance, “My psyche is just not right if you’re not there,” and spoke often of their “one, two punch.” They were a formidable duo. Conway himself remembers thinking once, “I feel sorry for the fool who follows Nathan Carter.”

“I never had any aspirations to lead the choir,” admits Conway, when asked during a recent interview in his office, which is filled floor-to-ceiling with awards, memorabilia and photos of an illustrious and prideful career. There are pictures with Conway posing with political figures, national entertainers, wife and sons. There are plaques and statuettes recognizing artistic excellence and community involvement. “I just enjoyed being involved with the choir. I believe the Lord planted a seed over 20 years ago for me to be here with Dr. Carter and to learn from him.”

Never a formal student of Carter’s, Dr. Conway always felt he was more of a colleague. In his own right, Conway is an accomplished sought after musician and dynamic soloist, revered and requested by a number of orchestras, conductors, and musical organizations throughout the country.

Here at home, he performs regularly as a piano soloist with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

MORGAN MAGAZINE

22

whenever the orchestra offers a program of 20th century music. Over the years, he has performed as soloist with the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, Baltimore Concert Artists, Johns Hopkins Symphony Orchestra, Peabody Symphony Orchestra and Georgetown University Orchestra. He has toured Eastern Africa, Japan, Korea and Taiwan and worked closely with some of the greatest conductors of the 20th century.

He has won numerous awards, including the Yale Gordon Concerto Competition, Liberace Scholarship and acceptance into Pi Kappa Lambda, an honorary music fraternity.

At Carter’s right hand for so many years, Conway could see, probably sooner than most others, when Carter’s health was beginning to fade. Conway started conducting more and more of the choir’s concerts and in early 2004, Carter asked him to conduct the choir’s Spring Concert, one of their most popular and prestigious performances.

“He was truly a charismatic and much beloved man,” Conway offers in remembrance.

Following the passing of Dr. Carter in July 2004, Conway was asked by the university to serve as interim choir director as well as interim director of the Fine Arts Department. Six months later, both positions were made permanent. So integral to the choir prior to his new appointments, Conway posed no major transition for many of the students.

They were used to seeing and working with him, and he knew that his own personality and academic and professional backgrounds would bring changes both artistically and administratively. (In addition to Conway’s Doctorate of Musical Arts from Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University, he also holds degrees in Accounting and Business Management and is a Certified Public Accountant.) His style, described by colleagues and associates that interact with him daily, is very businesslike, organized and detail oriented.

WINTER

2006

“I probably communicate with the students a lot more. I email them twice a week with information and prepared schedules about upcoming rehearsals and performances,” states Conway. A ‘computer nerd,’ of sorts, Conway himself built the choir’s website between choir performance and rehearsals, student office visits and faculty meetings.

In less than two weeks, he created (in three languages) an online stop for any inquisitive mind to gather a broad range of information about the Morgan State University Choir, past and present.

(There’s even a tribute page to Dr. Carter.) The site receives an average of over 600 hits per week.

“I like to give all young people a chance to grow as vocalists. We currently have 17 different soloists. Everyone has a chance to audition and possibly be chosen as a lead voice. This is a learning institution so although the students are members of an accomplished choir, they still have to learn. I hold auditions for the soloist positions giving everyone a chance. I think the choir members appreciate that. No favorites.”

Fluent in several languages, Conway also teaches choir members the

meaning of what they sing when performing in languages other than English. Conway believes that putting forth such an effort may be a bit more difficult for the singers, but makes performances more meaningful .

The chairman in the department of Fine Arts, the Director of MSU Choir, BSO accompanist, website designer, Dr. Conway is truly a busy man on the MSU campus and in the Baltimore classical music community. At home and in his own community, it is more of the same, regularly donating performance time to his church and other requesting organizations. His wife of 20 years and his three boys (ages 3, 10 and 12) get plenty of quality time as well, occasionally traveling with the choir or performing together at home (each studies an instrument including his wife whom Conway met while both were studying piano at Peabody.) Despite a schedule that seems packed with no opportunity for casual activity or rest, Conway works in his office leisurely. Students and colleagues stop in, callers leave messages yet Conway travels throughout his day, directed and focused, but without stress and anxiety.

“I’ve done this my whole life—worked at this pace,” he says simply. “If this is all you know, as long as you love what you’re doing, it’s not an effort.”

“Dr. Conway relates to the students on a different level,” says a colleague. “He’s respectful of them as artists and enjoys their company. There’s creativity in the air here, still. Dr. Conway is a remarkable man, and the choir? The choir is still fabulous. I assure you, Dr. Carter is as proud now as he ever was.”

Visit http://www.msuchoir.org for more information on the Morgan State University choir.

Dr. Eric Conway, director of MSU’s 140–member choir and, chairman of the Department of Fine Arts.

23

Cornering the Bear Market Floyd Kerr Brings New Level of Expertise to Morgan’s Athletic Department The search committee toiled intensely in its hunt for a new athletic director.

Applicants from around the country were making their case for a chance to lead Morgan’s historic sports program back to prominence.

Around the same time, Floyd Kerr was leaving Southern University in Baton Rouge. Selected as one of Sport’s Illustrated 101 Most Important Minorities in Sports, Kerr was responsible for the resurgence of the Louisiana school’s recognition and marketability while serving as its director of athletics.

cant part of Morgan’s return to national recognition in intercollegiate athletics.

"We have made significant progress in many areas of the university and our athletic programs are no exception.

With the wealth of knowledge and experience that Mr. Kerr brings to Morgan, we are convinced that he can help make the difference for our program and our student athletes."

Sometimes hard work and luck join together to form a tandem conducive to success, and the tandem of Kerr and the Morgan State athletic program seems ripe for greatness in the seasons to come.

At Southern University, Kerr is credited with increasing the graduation rate of athletes from an anemic 27% to over 63% from 2000 to 2004. He implemented Southern’s first homegrown television fundraiser called the Jag-a-thon, raising over $738,000 in three years. In fact, Southern University’s sports program increased its revenues each year during his tenure.

Morgan president Dr. Earl s. Richardson, views Kerr’s appointment as a signifi-

"Given Mr. Kerr's level of experience and professional background, there was no

MORGAN MAGAZINE

24

By Rasheim Freeman disagreement among members of the search committee,” says Tanya V. Rush, Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs and chair of the search committee. “We felt that he was the right choice. Morgan’s sports program needs a leader, imagination and someone with a track record of success. We believe we have found our man."

After a stellar collegiate career at Colorado State, which included leading the Rams to the Elite Eight in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, Kerr was drafted by three professional sports teams: the Dallas Cowboys (NFL), Phoenix Suns (NBA) and Utah Stars (ABA). The Phoenix Suns also drafted Kerr’s twin brother, Lloyd, but they both chose to play for the Harlem Magicians, a semi-pro basketball team that was an offshoot of the Harlem Globetrotters.

Marques Haynes, an NBA Hall of Famer,

“We want to create a sports powerhouse...”

— Floyd Kerr

became a friend and mentor to Kerr. As owner of the Harlem Magicians, Haynes took Kerr under his wing, and Kerr says that Haynes’ guidance taught him the principles of sports entertainment, management and marketing that he brings to the job everyday.

Alumni and other major supporters of the sports program laud Kerr’s appointment. “The AD has to be the face of the (sports) program,” says Varsity M Club President Dr. Willie Thompson II, “And with Kerr, I feel that the (alumni) body is one hundred percent behind him.”

Ravens and the Orioles. We have to do a much better job of telling the Morgan story,” says Kerr.

His dogged labor and love for sports branding and marketing helped Kerr rank 75th on the list of influential minorities in sports. Sports Illustrated drew an ‘up’ arrow next to Kerr’s name, indicating that his prospects were quickly rising in the ranks of minority executives.

the only ranking NCAA executive.

“Not many African Americans are on the sidelines running the show. They’re used to seeing us running around on the court. So, I felt proud for people to see that Blacks can run the court and help run the tournament,” he says.

Encouraged by the recent increase in sports interest at Morgan, Kerr says he believes the Bears athletes and programs are already experiencing success.

“The university is already an academic powerhouse, especially in areas like science and math, we want to create a sports powerhouse to go along with that,” says Kerr, “Winning companies want to partner with winning programs, so I think a lot of raw materials are in place here for that to happen.”

Kerr was one of only

While Kerr has achieved much prior to coming to Morgan, he says his goal is to produce greater numbers at Morgan State than he has ever achieved before. “While we are doing well now at a 65% graduation rate of our student athletes, we want to be well over 70% in five years,” he says.

Fortune 500 companies like Verizon and McDonald’s are all on Kerr’s wish list, much in the same mold as the partnerships he established while at Southern University with the Chrysler Group, Powerade and Adidas.

Kerr says his approach to running a strong athletic department is using corporate models of heavy marketing and consistent public rela“IN FIVE YEARS I WANT US TO BE VIEWED AS A tions. He was responsible for WHOLE PROGRAM, ACADEMICALLY AND ATHbringing a $2.5 million dollar LETICALLY. I BELIEVE MORGAN SHOULD BE AT scoreboard to Southern, the THE TOP OF THE MEAC (SPORTS CONFERENCE), “We want to formalize biggest in the Southwestern AND WE EXPECT TO BE THERE CONSISTENTLY.” sponsorship goals with Athletic Conference. He says — Floyd Kerr these major companies the scoreboard helped to and groups like the Prince Hall increase fan support as one of the three minorities to sit on the 10 person Masons, who sponsor the game with attractions of coming to the games. At NCAA men’s basketball tournament Bowie State, and the Fullwood FounMorgan, he wants to put the Morgan selection committee. His responsibilidation, which backed the Florida A&M State Bear’s likeness in lights, high up ties included selecting the best colleges game,” says Kerr. “It’s called affinity on the marquee. to go to the NCAA basketball tournamarketing and it’s the same reason 160 “My job at Morgan is to see where ment, a multi-billion dollar annual venplus companies come to Morgan to Morgan fits into a pro sports town like ture that is the most prestigious in colrecruit our students each year.”

Baltimore. People need to know about lege sports. He was required to visit the Bears just like they know about the prospective tournament sites, often as WINTER

2006

25

It’s your home -

Make it Comcastic!

Comcast High-Speed Internet With speeds up to 8Mbps, Comcast allows you to download video and information faster than ever before.

Plus, Comcast High-Speed Internet comes with amazing features like Video Mail, security by McAfee and The Fan, which allows you to click-and-play video clips*

Digital Cable with ON DEMAND Over 250 channels available without a dish.

Plus, ON DEMAND delivers thousands of hours of movies, shows, music videos, new programs, and more!

HDTV and DVR also available.

Call for a special offer today!

1-888-COMCAST • comcast.com *Comcast speed tiers range from 4.0 to 8.0 Mbps download speed (maximum upload speed from 384Kbps to 768Kbps respectively). Pricing may vary depending upon the speed tier received. Actual speeds may vary and are not guaranteed. Many factors affect download speed. Video Mail requires additional equipment and is not compatible with Macintosh. Call Comcast for details.

MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION, INC.

Golf Tournament Monday, May 8, 2006 Turf Valley Resort and Conference Center 2700 Turf Valley Road Ellicott City, Maryland 21042

7:30 a.m.Registration opens 9:00 a.m.: Shot gun start $125.00 per person

For information, contact Joe McIver at (443) 885-3050 • Milton Hawkins at (443) 885-3821, or Mary Clay at (443) 885-3080.

COLLECT A new LIMITED EDITION PRINT BY A RENOWNED AFRICAN AMERICAN ARTIST, PROCEEDS WILL BENEFIT THE morgan State university visual arts depARTMENT.

w SIGNED & NUMBERED LIMITED EDITION OF 3000 w SIZE 24” X 18” All prints are signed and numbered by the artist, and come with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Each reproduction retails for $100.00 (Plus $9.50 shipping & handling) Yes, I would like to support the Morgan State Visual Arts Dept. and add “Ebony 7” to my art collection.

Name: __________________________________________________ Address:_________________________________________________ City:_____________________________ State:_____ Zip _________ Telephone:______________________________Quantity: ________ Amount Enclosed: ________________________________________ Email: ___________________________________________________ We accept personal checks and money orders.

Make all checks payable to: msu foundation/visual arts Mail to: Morgan State University, Visual Arts Department, 1700 E. Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore, MD 21251 (443) 885-3020 E-mail: kroyster@moac.morgan.edu

S

A

V

E

Alumni Calendar of Events

T

H

E

D

A

T

E

For more information: Alumni Relations Office – 443-885-3015

Apr. 9

Philadelphia Alumni Chapter - MSU Choir in Concert; St. Luke Episcopal Church, Philadelphia, PA • 4:00 p.m ; Tickets $15/$25 Genester Nix Miller 215-884-6413 Apr. 20 New Jersey Alumni Association - MSU All Classes “Meet and Greet” Reception at Union League Club, NY, NY. VIP 6–7 p.m., Gen. Reception: 6:30–9:30 p.m. Tickets $125/VIP $150; Marsha Worrell 732-356-1763.

Apr. 22 Howard County Alumni Chapter’s Oldies But Goodies Fundraiser Dance 8:00 p.m. at Kahler Hall; Tickets $25 Mr. Dennis 301-474-6270 May 8 MSU 17th Annual Golf Tournament, Turf Valley Resort & Conf. Center, $125per person, Reg. 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., J. McIver 443-885-4675 May 20 Alumni Day, Business Meeting - 9:30 a.m.; Murphy–Recital Hall May 20 66th Alumni Awards & Class Reunion Luncheon; Student Center – Ball Room Reception 12 p.m.; 1 p.m. Lunch & Program; Celebrating classes ending in "1" & "6" May 21 MSU Commencement, Ceremony 10:00 a.m., Hughes Stadium Jun 17 MSU National Alumni Association Board Meeting – 12 p.m.

Aug. 6 Washington, DC Metropolitan Area Chapter Alumni Association 22nd; Annual Crab Feast @ Martin’s West, 6817 Dogwood Rd., Baltimore, MD. Tickets $50.00 per person.

Sept. 16 MSU National Alumni Association Board Meeting - 12:00 noon Oct. 20 Alumni Homecoming Meeting - 12:00 noon Oct. 20 Gala XXII – Martin’s West, 6817 Dogwood Road, Baltimore, MD, Mary Clay 443-885-3080.

Oct 21 Homecoming, Morgan State University vs Delaware State University; 1:00 p.m., Hughes Stadium Oct 22 Memorial Service for Deceased Alumni, Faculty, Staff and Students Nov. 18 MSU National Alumni Association Board Meeting - 12:00 p.m.

Murphy Fine Arts Center

For more information: Events 443-885-4440 • Tickets 443-885-4443

Mar. 30-Apr. 2 Ragtime–The Musical, Ragtime was proclaimed “the Best Musical of the Year” by USA Today in 1996 and nominated for 13 Tony Awards when it hit the Broadway stage. Tickets: $20, $15, $10. Group rates (25+) available.

Apr. 15 XBox Presents Chris Brown – The Concert, Baltimore’s own Bossman and a few of his friends, 6:00 p.m.; Tickets: $20, $17, $15. Group (15+ tickets) rates available Apr. 20–Apr. 23 Steel Magnolias, Theatre Morgan production Directed by Jan Short. Tickets: $15, $10, $5 Apr. 23 Symphonic Winds, MSU Symphonic Band, Directed by Melvin N. Miles, Jr., 6:00 p.m., Tickets: $10, $5 May 7 MSU Choir Annual Spring Concert, Sun., Directed by Dr. Eric Conway, 4:00 p.m., Tickets: $25, $20, $10 May 13 MSU Jazz Ensemble Annual Concert, Directed by Melvin N. Miles, Jr., 8:00 p.m. Tickets: $10 May 27 Urban Comedy Showcase II, 7:00 p.m.

Morgan State University Fine Arts Department Annual Spring Musical

Mar. 30-Apr. 2

Directed by Shirley Basfield Dunlap

Ragtime–The Musical

Music Direction by Melvin Miles, Jr.

Tickets: $20, $15, $10.

Group rates (25+) available.

Choreography by Timoth David Copney.

This fascinating musical is based on one of America’s most beloved and admired novels of modern times, E.L. Doctorow’s “Ragtime.” Proclaimed “the Best Musical of the Year” by USA Today (1996). Ragtime–The Musical takes an informative look at the history of America during the turn of the century and its treatment towards immigrants and BlackAmericans.

WINTER

2006

29

Who: Morgan State University Band, Morgan State University Choir, Theatre Morgan, and the Visual Arts Program When: Thursday, Student Matinee, March 30, 11:30a.m. Friday March 31, 7:30p.m. Saturday, April 1, 7:30p.m. Sunday, April 2, 2:00p.m.

Where: The Murphy Fine Arts Center, in the Gilliam Concert Hall Admission: $20 General, $15 NonMSU Students and Senior Citizens, $10 MSU Students, Faculty and Staff

Giving to Morgan has never been easier!

www.givetomorgan.com

DREAM.

Celebrating those who dare to DREAM.

Visit us at www.morgan.edu 1700 East Cold Spring Lane Baltimore, Maryland 21251 Office of Public Relations and Communications Truth Hall #109 443-885-3022 www.morgan.edu

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit #4995 Baltimore, MD