The Olive Branch - Issue #01 - Fall 2018

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OLIVEBRANCH THE OFFICE OF STUDENT LIFE & DEVELOPMENT

FALL 2018| ISSUE 01

MEN'S EMPOWERMENT MONTH

HOMECOMING 151

2018

STUDENT

ORGANIZATION SUMMIT

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OLIVE BRANCH the olive branch Fall 2018 issue 01 Cover Image OSLD Student Organization Summit Editorial Natasha Lewis-Williams Editor Contributors Kayla N. Lawrence, Courtney Souvenir Jr., Johnathan Williams, Stephen Thompson Jr, Danny T. Molock Jr.

Connect With Us Visit www.morgan.edu/studentlife or contact studentlife@morgan.edu instagram @msuosl_IG Twitter @msuosl Phone: 443-885-3470

POWERED BY THE MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY OFFICE OF STUDENT LIFE & DEVELOPMENT

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OLIVE BRANCH

CONTENTS 14

HOMECOMING 151

THE OFFICE OF STUDENT LIFE & DEVELOPMENT

03 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

07 FRESHMAN INDUCTION CEREMONY

10 BACK TO SCHOOL WEEK

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EXCLUSIVE!

FALL MEMBERSHIP INTAKEÂ

18 RAISING THE BAR

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STUDENT MEN'S EMPOWERMENT ORGANIZATION SUMMIT MONTH

25 2018 WINTER COMMENCEMENT

EDITOR'S NOTE

When I think about an olive branch, I think about the unique connection between different elements coming together to produce something natural and beautiful. This is the same way I would describe the Office of Student Life & Development. With over 100 student organizations, 1, 500 student leaders, exciting events, endless opportunities and an array of personalities that make up the foundation of campus life.

Therefore, I wanted to create a visual compilation that highlights the events, students and partnerships campus-wide. Take a journey into the lives of amazing student leaders, outstanding opportunities and exciting programming that will shape the lives and experiences of all who encounter them.

Please enjoy the first Issue of the Olive Branch as we recap the Fall 2018 semester and look out for the Spring edition.

In Morgan Spirit, Natasha Lewis-Williams Natasha Lewis Williams Coordinator of Student Life & Development

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MISTER & MISS MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY: INAUGURAL FRESHMAN INDUCTION CEREMONY Mister & Miss Morgan 2018-2019 was dedicated to enhancing the experience of the Freshmen early on in thier Morgan State University tenure.

The purpose of Freshmen Induction Ceremony was to welcome incoming Freshmen men and women into the Morgan State University legacy.

Ultimately Mister & Miss Morgan wanted students to feel like they are apart of something, in hopes to help them stay motivated and involved within the Morgan Community. Men and women all around campus in addition to alumni will be invited to pin the freshman women into the legacy. They aspired to instill sisterhood, service, academic excellence, leadership, respect, diversity, innovation,excellence, and integrity from the first day of their college career. The alumni will be invited back specifically to show what it means to be apart of such a rich and tireless legacy. Each freshman man received a navy blue tie and each freshman woman received an orange scarf.

A FUN FILLED SEMESTER

The Fall semester is a time when students see their peers, meet new friends and have new experiences. The Office of Student Life & Development ensures that there are an array of opportunities for students to achieve these expectations. Through amazing collaborations with the Campus Activities Board, the Student Government Association and Campus departments, there are events occurring everyday campus-wide.

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CLASS OF

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2022

Suit- Up Event

The Center for Career Development (CCD) are dedicated to assisting students in achieving academic and career success. The Office of Student Life & Development (OSLD) and the Office of Residence Life & Housing (ORLH) partnered with the CCD to assist promotion as well assistance at the event. The event was so successful that in addition to the event held in the Fall semester that another event was held in the Spring semester. Both events had over 100 students and over 20 volunteers attend, which has garnered a strong and lasting relationship with JC Penny.

BACK TO SCHOOL WEEK

The Campus Activities Board is the student-led and student-run board that plans activities that encourage and support school spirit. The 2018 Back-to-School Week theme encouraged both social interaction in person and on social media. There was something for everyone!

1 Campus 6 Events A Whole Lot of FUN!

“We had a lot fun. We hope everyone keeps That Same Energy all semester both inside and outside of the classroom.�

2018 STUDENT ORGANIZATION SUMMIT

""If you want to make an impact during your lifetime, you have to trade the praise you could receive from others for the things of value that you can accomplish." ~John Maxwell

THE MAKING OF MORGAN EXCELLENCE

The Student Organization Summit presented by the Office of Student Life & Development is an event that convenes each September at Morgan State University in which all student organizations are required to attend. The learning outcomes are to equip student organization's with the tools they need to be successful both on and off campus. Topics discussed are, but not limited to:Leadership Development, Fraternity / Sorority Life, Health and Wellness, Organization Budgeting, Parliamentary Procedures, Community Service, Civic Engagement, Campus Marketing, Fundraising, Event Planning, Work- Life Balance, Being an effective leader and more.

"Ask for what want, but take what you can get. Use what you take until you get what you want"

- Otto GrossÂ

FALL SEMESTER KICK OFFS

Freshman Week Block Show

Fun Fair

Every year, Office of Residence Life & Housing host Freshmen Week to provide an opportunity for the freshmen class to transition into campus life through events, workshops and social activities. The Block Show introduced the Morgan State University Fraternities, Sororities and Social Fellowships. The organizations put on an amazing show for the students filled with music and energy. It is a great way to show the Freshmen class how the organizations interact and represent.

The Student Organization Fun Fair, sponsored by the Office of Student Life & Development is held annually during the fall semester. Its purpose is to provide registered student clubs and organizations with the opportunity to recruit new members.

Each group is given table space to display the organization’s purpose, achievements, and activities (through fliers, news articles, pamphlets, and paraphernalia).

Tour De Morgan

Labor "Stay" Weekend Labor "Stay" Weekend started in 2016 to

have engaging activities on campus for the students to stay on campus for Labor Day weekend. The 2018 Labor "Stay" Weekend included game night, a cookout, a football game and a outdoor social.

The Tour De Morgan was curated to expose students to a new activity. The OSLD partnered with the Morgan Community Mile and the Baltimore City Parks & Recreation to do a bike tour that took riders around the Morgan State University campus and surrounding area named Morgan Park. The tour also took riders to Montebello Lake where they did one lap around the lake then took a path back to campus. The total ride was roughly 3 miles and it showed the beautiful community surrounding our National Treasure.

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H O M E C O M I N G

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"The Morgan State University homecoming is the most unique experience that anyone can have.

There is something for everyone to do. I can honestly say, this homecoming season was definitely one for the books!"

For 151 years, Morgan State University has been the pillar of excellence around the world. Last year in 2017, the University celebrated its milestone sesquicentennial year (150 years). Now in 2018, the celebration continues and students, staff , faculty and alumni wave the Morgan State flag in pride. The Morgan State University homecoming is the most unique experience that anyone could have. There is something for everyone to do. I can honestly say, this homecoming season was definitely for the books!Â

AWARENESS IS THE GREATEST AGENT FOR CHANGE Eckhart Tolle

RAISING THE BAR

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“Awareness is a key ingredient in success. If you have it, teach it, if you lack it, seek it." ~Michael Kitson

wareness is the cornerstone of advocacy. The Office of Student Life & Development along with countless student organizations and community partners believe that it is of the utmost importance to bring awareness to matters that impact our community. During the Fall of 2018, OSLD shined light on Hazing, Breast Cancer Awareness, Voter education/registration and the AIDS epidemic.

They kicked off their awareness conversation with "School Haze: The evolution of hazing, pledging and intake." School Haze facilitated by the Harbor Institute, taught students about the dangers of hazing, how hazing became illegal, and membership intake replacing pledging to ensure the safety of new aspiring members.

In October, OSLD hosted their annual Morgan State Votes campaign where they provided voter education, worked with the Board of Elections to train students in voter registration, partnered with student organizations on social activities to promote voting and assisted with absentee ballot education. Also, during the month of October, they facilitated their Annual Paint Morgan Pink Day where students, staff and faculty were encouraged to wear pink, student organizations had awareness tables with information and games. It was concluded with an on-campus Breast Cancer Awareness walk hosted by Strong Men Overcoming Obstacles Through Hard-work.

In November, the Student Government Association hosted their annual AIDS Lock-In. This year, they were creative in making it a festival where more student organizations were able to participate in bringing awareness and providing prevention materials. Then closed with their annual AIDS Lock-In Showcase where different groups performed and had over 700 attendees.

MEN'S EMPOWERMENT MONTH In the Fall of 2015, the Office of Student Life & Development curated Men’s Empowerment Month during the month of November to provide recognition, information, and resources to the Men of Morgan State University. During this month, there were a number of events sponsored by OSLD, the Office of Residence Life & Housing and a number of student organizations. It was imperative that we gave Morgan men a time to feel valued and supported. With amazing partnerships with the Office of Residence Life & Housing, the Morgan M.I.L.E., Mister Morgan State University, the Student Government Association and a number of student organizations, we were able to uncover some deep underlying issues that affect young men in college.

MEMBERSHIP INTAKE FALL 2018 During the Fall semester, organizations within the National Pan-Hellenic Council conduct Membership Intake.

Each organization is required to follow a 10 week timeline, in which they have the option to have a New Member Presentation to conclude the Membership Intake Process (MIP). New Member Presentations, formally known as "probates," provides the campus with an inside look at the traditions, historical songs, steps and poems, as well as presents the new members to the Morgan State University community. In the Fall of 2018, the National Pan-Hellenic Council, MSU Section initiated 158 new members into the Greek Life community.

One of the largest intake classes since 2009.

WINTER FEST PARTY UGLY SWEATER EDITION

On Thursday, December 6th, the Office of Student Life & Development ended the fall semester with their Annual Winter Fest Party: Ugly Sweater Edition. The event was hosted by the Campus Activities Board and encouraged students to fellowship for a night in celebration of an amazing semester. Students came with their ugliest holiday sweaters and enjoyed indoor winter activities, including: indoor ice skating, customized hot chocolate bar, winter desserts, giant Jenga, giant uno and an ugly sweater contest. The most vital part of the event was the service initiative attached to it. In order to enter the event, attendees were required to donate gloves, winter hats, scarves or socks to support the Warm Hearts for the Homeless initiative.

ENDING THE SEMESTER WITH A BANG! It is often thought that as the end of the semester draws near, events and activities slow down. Well in the words of Iyanla Vanzant, "not on [our] watch!" The Office of Student Life & Development amped up the opportunities Students were able to enjoy after conquering the fall semester. The 2018 Holiday Spirit Week was filled with both passive and active activities for each day of the week.

Events included Movie Night, Trap Karaoke, hosted by the Campus Activities Board, Baltimore Ravens Watch Party with Thread and a Mental Health Conversation with Charlamagne Tha God. To infuse a week of fun, with a dialogue necessary for the black community may seem out of place. However, the event garnered maximum attendance and created a space that truly refuted the stigmas placed upon mental health. It is safe to say that the last week of the semester was one for the books!

MORGAN OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT M.O.L.D. Leadership Curriculum The goal of the Office of Student Life & Development Leadership Curriculum is to help students prepare for current and future leadership roles by designing resources for a comprehensive, integrated leadership and social responsibility education model. The model incorporates broad themes of individual and social responsibility, systems thinking, and interactive pedagogy.

During the fall of 2018, the Morgan Opportunities for Leadership Development (M.O.L.D.) served as an interdisciplinary resource for the undergraduate students on Morgan State University’s campus. The program has provided its participants with a diverse list of experiences and training to develop their leadership and professional skills. This was achieved through participants discussing topics on such as Public speaking, servant and transformational leadership, building trust, and enabling others.

Congratulations to Class II of the Morgan's Opportunity for Leadership Development (M.O.L.D.) program!

FALL 2018 COMMENCEMENT Commencement is always a bittersweet occasion. While it's sad to see students leave, it is always great to witness them conquer their obstacles and take on the next chapter.

On December 14, 2018, Morgan State University hosted its sixth December Commencement Exercises. Four Hundred-plus bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree candidates filled the Talmadge L. Hill Field House as they awaited the fulfilling moment of walking across the stage. Sen. Elizabeth Warren delivered the commencement address charging students to change the rules. Senior Class President, Emani Majors followed with a challenge for graduates to "show the world who Morgan State University is through [their] work ethic." Congratulations to the December graduating Class of 2018.

"UNDER THE RULES OF COMMENCEMENT SPEAKERS, I AM REQUIRED TO SAY, ‘WORK HARD.’ WHICH YOU SHOULD, BUT I’M HERE WITH A BOLDER MESSAGE: ‘IT’S TIME TO CHANGE THE RULES." SENATOR ELIZABETH WARREN