Meeting |
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Report |
Meeting |
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Report |
April 16, 2002 |
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| When calling the weekly meeting to order a bit early
Tuesday, President Jim explained that he knew that the speaker for the day — a
fellow college president and friend from his Georgia Tech tenure — "had a lot to
say and if I don't give her adequate time, she'll still cover the same material only
quicker." And he was not wrong. Dr. Dorothy Cowser Yancy, Alabama native, 12th president and first female to head John-son C. Smith University, did not disappoint. In the few minutes allotted, she took Rotarians on a whirlwind tour of Charlotte's own HBCU (historically black college or university). Along the way, she shared some surprising facts about this Presbyterian-related institution just west of Uptown Charlotte. For those who could not keep up. Dr. Yancy provided all in attendance a CD-rom "viewbook" of the university — just one of the technological innovations of this first and only historically black IBM ThinkPad® University. "If you don't know how to use the CD," joked the JCSU graduate, "just ask one of your grandchildren. I'm sure they can make it work." As president of Smith since 1994, said Mary Mack, herself a University trustee, Dr. Yancy "has marshaled in phenomenal growth and progress. She exceeded a goal of $50 million for the Campaign of the 90's, (centered mostly in Charlotte) raising $63.8 million. For this achievement, she was heralded as one of the best fundraisers nationally." Prior to this historic feat, she led the University during a three-year period of strategic planning in technology and faculty/staff development, resulting in an integrated approach to a liberal arts higher education. Two Presbyterian ministers established the university in 1867, the year the Rev. S. C. Alexander and the Rev. W. L. Miller saw the need to establish an institution in this section of the South and began to devise such plans as would secure the desired results. Information concerning the school was brought to the attention of Mrs. Mary D. Biddle, a Philadelphia churchwoman, who pledged $1,400. In appreciation, the newly established school was named Biddle Memorial Institute after her late husband. Colonel W. R. Myers, a wealthy Charlotte citizen, donated the first eight acres of land for the school at its present site. "He was not even a colonel," said Dr. Yancy, "just a captain, according to one of his Charlotte relatives I've gotten to know." It is the highest peak in Charlotte and the campus now occupies more than 100 acres. We also have "the largest bull in the world," she said, thanks to the generosity of department store heir Irwin Belk. Pointing to a picture of the bronze statue of the school's mascot that stands in the school athletic stadium visible from 1-77 uptown, the president said the bull is 14 feet tall and stands on a six-foot marble pedestal. It's 18 feet long. She also noted that the stadium, which was built jointly with the city-county Parks and Recreation Department, should soon be open after several delays due to faulty construction. JCSU this year has 1567 students representing 30 states. Twenty-seven percent are from North Carolina and 18 percent from South Carolina. Sixty percent are female and 40 percent male. In 1984 the school had 750 applicants; last year there were 4,000 for the entering freshman class. Seventy-eight percent of faculty have doctorate degrees. In 2002 the school was ranked 25th for Best Colleges in the South by "U.S. News & World Report" magazine and in 1999/ 2001 is ranked 18th and 25th, respectively, in "Black Enterprise" — Day Star's Top 50 Colleges and Universities for African Americans — ahead, she pointed out proudly, of UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke. Dr. Yancy said the idea for the university's focus on technologically enhanced instruction actually came from a student with whom she shared lunch in the student cafeteria in the early 90's. "He told me every student should have a laptop. I asked him if he served on a committee of students, faculty, and administrators. Several years later each student now receives a school-provided laptop with complete access to a campus-wide network and internet services. But education drives technology," she emphasized. Obviously proud of Smith's educational and technological accomplishments. Dr. Yancy also pointed out that its athletic teams are achieving special results in the CIAA conference, including three men's tennis conference championships in a row with only 1.5 scholarships each year. The school won its first basketball championship in 56 years in 2000 and finished second this year. In answer to a question from the Club, Dr. Yancy said the fact that the university was included in the Duke Endowment by the late James B. Duke has been its saving grace. Since 1924 the school has received more than $50 million including annual operating funds and special grants. In other meeting activity, two new members were introduced. Bob Culbertson introduced his son-in-law. Ken Samuelson, and Mary Mack introduced a new Wachovia colleague, Joel Walters. Harley Dickson introduced guests and visitors; Phil Van Hoy provided Health and Happiness, mentioning that John Nicolay was recently married. Howard Chadwick led the singing. Joe Becker gave the invocation. Those at the head table in addition to Dr. Yancy, President Jim and Joe were Bill Loftin, Jr., Winn Maddrey, Mark Meetsma, lou Solomon and Mary Mack, who introduced the speaker. * * * |
New Member
2002 Banking, Private Wachovia Corporation Joel V. Walters is a senior vice president of First Union National Bank. In the new Wachovia, he serves as the regional managing director of Wealth Management for greater Charlotte. Walters joined First Union's Corporate Real Estate Group in 1986 as a relationship manager and was promoted to vice president in 1988. In 1992, he became a relationship manager in Private Capital Management and later that year was promoted to managing director. He became regional managing director in 1995, responsible for the Carolinas, and his responsibility was expanded to include Georgia in 2001. Prior to joining First Union, he was with Andersen Consulting (now known as Accenture). Walters is a native of Rockwell, N.C., and is a 1981 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He holds a Master's degree in Business Administration from Wake Forest University in 1983. He was a member of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at Chapel Hill. Walters has been active in the United Way, the Arts & Science Council, and the YMCA. He led the Small Business sector for the 1997 ASC campaign. Former community service includes service on the boards and annual campaigns of the James J. Harris and Hemby Center YMCAs as well as United Family Services. He is a member of Myers Park Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, where he also serves as a youth sports coach and Cub Scout leader. Joel and his wife, Priscilla, have two children, Whitney (10) and Grey (8) who a'.tend Selwyn Elementary School. He enjoys an occasional round of golf and watching team sports (especially when his children are involved). Welcome to Charlotte Rotary, Joel. * * * POWELL'S
POWELL MAJORS Mike Crurn is looking for a Lexan case in which to keep a basketball signed by Ken Lewis, Ken Thompson, and other notables.Jerry Orr was pictured on the front page of the "Wall Street Journal" March 29th. The accompanying article was about his views on airport screening. John Tabor points out that the new rehab code makes housing more affordable in a letter to the editor of the "Observer". * * * |
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