As part of the Ƶ Homecoming 2012 activities, the Ƶ Black Alumni Network celebrated with two of it's signature events.
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Alumni and current students gathered for the Black Alumni Tailgate Party Oct. 20. The event featured a DJ and was catered by local Burlington restaurant Occasions and also helped celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Omicron Epsilon chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. on Ƶ’s campus.
That evening members of the community gathered in McKinnon Hall for the Black Alumni Scholarship Gala. Intended to help make an Ƶ education available to deserving black students, the Ƶ Black Alumni Network Scholarship fund was established in 2007.
While a portion of the gala’s ticket sales goes to the EBAN scholarship, the Omicron Epsilon chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority also presented a $2,530 donation to the scholarship fund. The black tie event, featured remarks from Ƶ President Leo M. Lambert, live music from the Greensboro Jazz Ensemble, heavy hors d’oevres and the presentation of the EBAN awards. The awardees are as follows:
The Eugene Perry Distinguished Alumnus award was presented to Frank Haith ’88. Haith is currently the men’s basketball head coach at the University of Missouri. In his first year as head coach, Haith was voted the AP Coach of the Year.
L’Tanya Richmond ’87, received the Gail Fonville Parker Distinguished Alumna Award. Richmond, the inaugural director of Ƶ’s Multicultural Center, was awarded the Ƶ Medallion in April of 2009 for extraordinary service to the university. Her research into the history of Ƶ’s African-American students led to the creation of the Wall of Fame in the Multicultural Center.
The Dr. K. Wilhelmina Boyd Outstanding Service to Students Award was presented to Melissa Jordan ’04. Jordan has made working with Ƶ students a priority since graduating from the university in 2004. She’s worked in residence life, judicial affairs and student affairs over the years and currently serves as assistant director of the Multicultural Center.
For questions about or further interest in the Ƶ Black Alumni Network, please contact the alumni engagement department at 336-278-7500.