SALISBURY POST
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2011 • 3A
AREA
Tony winner still uses lessons from Livingstone Waters struggled to establish himself as a musician after graduating from Livingstone in 1978. “I worked in Cleveland as a substitute teacher, nightclub pianist, soul band keyboardist and car valet at a country club,” he said. “Good for building character, but I don’t miss those days.” Waters finally got his break when he was hired as associated conductor for the musical “Leader of the Pack.” Since then, he’s worked with entertainers including Eartha Kitt, Sammy Davis, Jr., Cab Calloway and Gregory Hines. His hard work and deterBennett Raglin/WiRe image foR tony aWaRds PRoductions mination paid off last year, Joe diPietro, david Bryan and daryl Wa- when he won a Tony Award ters attend the 64th annual tony awards at for Best Orchestrations for the sports club/la on June 13, 2010, in the play “Memphis.” But, Waters still credits new york city. Waters, a 1978 livingstone his time at Livingstone with graduate, won the tony for Best orches- helping him succeed. tration for the play ‘memphis.’ “Livingstone did what every good school should do fessionally.” to prepare you for the future, Although he played piano, vio- equipped me with the educational lin, baritone, horn and trumpet, and personal tools to deal with
Tony Award winner Daryl Waters admits he barely graduated from high school. “There was way too much time spent on music, way too little on academics,” he said in an e-mail to the Post. So, when Livingstone College’s marching band director, Henry Duncombe, Jr., offered him a scholarship after graduating from Shaw High School in East Cleveland, Ohio .he decided to take the deal. “I figured I’d stay a year, pull my grades up, then transfer to a music conservatory,” he said. “Next thing I knew, four years at Livingstone had flown by and I was graduating with honors.” Waters still remembers his first brush with fame, when he produced Livingstone’s student talent show called “Star Time Revue.” “We had loads of incredible vocalists singing all kinds of music, a comedian, and even a hula hoop dancer using hoops that were on fire,” he said. “I was a star on campus for the next week for making it all happen so smoothly and pro-
Lauding Livingstone In my occasional visits to the South, I observed that education is most urgent, especially among its colored population. It is encouraging, however, to see that the colored people are doing something for themselves in this direction. Mr. Price represents work of the kind.
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— Stephen Ballard, donor of Ballard Industrial Hall
Livingstone College was the font form which students and teachers drew their inspiration and motivation for high scholarship standards, pride of accomplishments, well-being, determination, desire for advancement and abiding faith in the spirit of brotherhood among alumni.
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— Elizabeth Duncan Koontz, head of the Women's Bureau of the U.S. Department of Labor during President Nixon's administration
Livingstone has borne an excellent reputation in our midst. The students are orderly and polite and the community in which the college is located is made up of peaceable and respectable citizens. In fact, such is the reputation of the college that some of our most wealthy and progressive citizens are building costly residences in the neighborhood of the college. This speaks well for the management and reflects credit upon the training growth there.
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— Salisbury Daily Sun from the Sketch Book of Livingstone College and East Tennessee Industrial School published in 1903
The founders, presidents, faculty and academic community at Livingstone College have not only been involved with the Livingstone-Salisbury community but with a national community. Many have provided a national focus to the town through their teaching, preaching and writing and their involvement in national issues.
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— D.T. Rose, a consultant from the N.C. Division of Achieves and History, during a visit to the Salisbury-Rowan Community in 1975
Livingstone College, an instructor for the higher education and industrial training of the Negro, and one of the best in the South, is located here.
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— Salisbury Chamber of Commerce from the Sketch Book of Livingstone College and East Tennessee Industrial School published in 1903
Compiled by Sarah Campbell, education reporter for the Salisbury Post
Livingstone’s HBCU status a point of pride BY SARAH CAMPBELL scampbell@salisburypost.com
Salisbury Mayor Susan Kluttz says Livingstone College is an important part of the city’s history. “I am very proud to have a Historically Black College in this city,” she said. “I think that’s something that really enriches us a city and our quality of life here.” Students at Livingstone say attending a Historically Black College is meaningful for them. Senior music major Sir Davis said the fact that Livingstone is nestled in Salisbury makes it unique. “A lot of other Historically Black Colleges and Universities are in cities that are a bit more urban,” he said. “It’s significant in that it’s an advantage to have a Historically Black College here because we get to learn about our heritage even though the town we are in isn’t as diverse.” The Rev. Willie E. Givens Jr., a senior religious studies and psychology major, said Livingstone is a beacon of hope to minority students. “It really gives proof that African-Americans can excel and defy stereotypes,” he said. Kluttz said she is grateful for
the caliber of students who graduate from Livingstone and go on to become leaders in the community. “I’m always amazed the type of leaders that Livingstone produces who contribute all over the country and the world,” she said. The Rev. Vivian Williams, a senior history and religious studies major, said there is a sense of pride in belonging to a Historically Black College. “It allows for a place of reference and record keeping of our heritage,” she said. “There are a lot of historical buildings here so the community of Salisbury has a jewel right here in the middle of the city.” Williams said her own experience at Livingstone has allowed her to live her dream. “I was never a good student the first time around, but I’m on the Honor Society now,” she said. “Livingstone has brought a lot out of me.” And, Williams said, Livingstone isn’t just a good college for African Americans. “It’s a great resource that anyone can tap into, it doesn’t matter the color of your skin,” she said. Contact reporter Sarah Campbell at 704-797-7683.
suBmitted Photo
daryl Waters directs an outdoor performance during founder’s day at livingstone college. life’s challenges while providing a nurturing environment to explore who I am,” he said. Water still carries the greatest lesson he learned from Livingstone with him everywhere he goes.
“Really listen,” he said. There is poetry, music and knowledge everywhere.” Contact reporter Sarah Campbell at 704-797-7683.
Profiles of notable Livingstone alumni Elizabeth Duncan Koontz Born June 3, 1919 in Salisbury, Elizabeth Duncan Koontz attended the city's public school system before graduating from Livingstone College in 1938. She received her Masters Degree from Atlanta University in 1941. Koontz worked as teacher for much of her life before serving as the KOONTZ first Black woman president of the National Education Association (NEA) in 1968. She was the director of the Woman’s Bureau of the U.S. Department of Labor during the Nixon adminstration. Koontz died of a heart attack at the age of 69 in 1989. Koontz Elementary School, at 685 E. Ritchie Road, was named after her when it opened in 2006.
Dr. James R. Gavin III
dent and Professor of the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, Ga. Prior to taking this position, Gavin was Senior Scientific Officer at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) in Chevy Chase, Md., and Director of the HHMI-National Institutes of Health Research Scholars Program. Gavin graduated from Livingstone College with a degree in chemistry. He earned his doctorate in biochemistry at GAVIN Emory University in Atlanta and his medical degree from Duke University School of Medicine. Active in clinical research, Gavin has authored and coauthored more than 180 articles and abstracts for such publications as Science, Journal of Applied Physiology, Diabetes, and the American Journal of Physiology. He is chairman of the National Diabetes Education Program and a past member of the Advisory Council to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders.
Dr. James R. Gavin III, is Presi-
Ben Terrence Coates Born Aug. 16, 1969, in Greenwood, S.C., Ben Terrence Coates played one season of football at Greenwood High School and was voted the team’s Most Valuable Player. After graduating he majored in sports management at Livingstone College, where he was a multi-sport athlete, earning Most Improved Player honors on the COATES Livingstone track team as a sophomore. In 1991, Coates was drafted by the New England Patriots. From 1991-99, he became the Patriots all-time leading receiver at tight end. Coates retired from the National Football League in 2000 after winning a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens. He returned to Livingstone in 2001 to become the tight ends coach under Head Coach Gregory Richardson. He was the head football coach for the Blue Bears from 2002 to 2004. In 2004, he worked with the Dallas Cowboys as an assistant for tight ends.
Students reveal why they chose Livingstone College Why I chose Livingstone: “The first time around I went to Mars Hill College, which is a predominantly white college. This time I wanted to experience what it would be like to be among my own people.” — The Rev. Willie E. Givens, Jr., 44, religious studies and psychology major
“I wanted to come here because this is such a historical school and the foundation of the church began here. It’s heartwarming to stand on the shoulders of those who have come before.”
“I was urged by my episcopal father, Bishop George W.C. Waker Sr., chairman of the board of trustees, to attend Livingstone. He’s big on education and wanted his ministers to be educated on how to serve the people.”
— The Rev. Kirby Woodard, 44, business and adminstration major
— The Rev. Vivian Williams, 51, religious studies and history major
“I came here because it’s smaller. I really like the fact that I’m a name and not a number. — Jamie Chatman, 24, business and adminstration major
ECU fraternity suspended after alcohol arrests GREENVILLE (AP) — East Carolina University has suspended a fraternity after two people were arrested and more than 60 were cited for alcohol violations. Pi Kappa Phi fraternity spokesman Christian Wiggins told The Daily Reflector of Greenville on Friday that the national organization based in Charlotte will investigate the case. The arrests stemmed from a Feb. 5 search by Alcohol Law Enforcement Division agents who seized alcohol, mar-
ijuana, drug paraphernalia and a poster encouraging members to drink to excess. Members of the fraternity on campus would not speak to the newspaper. Wiggins says the East Carolina chapter has about 30 members and has never been in trouble before.
Cold snap hurts winter vegetables in Pee Dee SCRANTON, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina’s spate of cold temperatures has taken its toll on winter vegetables.
“Going to a Historically Black College there are still a lot of people from different backgrounds. And, you really get the oneone-one help you need.” — Lakia Warthaw, 22, English major The Morning News of Florence reported Sunday that cabbage and collard crops have been hit especially hard. For Scranton farmer Stan McKenzie, it means a loss of his mainstay winter crops that help him pay the bills. McKenzie says severe cold temperatures in December and January killed half his collards and all of his cabbage. McKenzie says he’s not the only one to see losses and people will see the difference at the market. A 50-pound case of cabbage usually sells for $8-12. But he says this year, it’s selling for about twice that.
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