April 29, 1988 The Compass Page 3 Ridley named new President in FounderDay Ceremony ■Emeritus March 3 By Robin Pincus “I can’t think of any experi ence that is as poignant for me as this moment,” said Chancellor Dr. Jimmy Jenkins. “I just want to say, ‘Thanks for the mem ories.’” Jenkins’ comments came dur ing the convocation ceremony for Walter Nathaniel Ridley, who was installed as ECSU’s fifth President-Emeritus on March 3. The ceremony took place during the University’s annual Found er’s Day program. “The drama has unfolded,” said Jerkins, who recalled that he and his wife Faleese were stu dents at ECSU when Ridley was president of the institution. I believe God’s purposes are being achieved through us. On these beliefs I am anchored. ” Walter Nathaniel Ridley “We’ve come full circle. Not even in my wildest dreams did I imag ine I would stand here as chan cellor, to have the honor and priv ilege of this moment.” Ridley, the first Black to earn a doctorate from a southern Uni- versity, served as president of i Mrs. Bessie Moore Wesley pauses in Oak Grove Ceme tery, where the ECSU family and friends laid wreaths on the graves of the University’s Founding Fathers. ECSU. Mrs. Wesley is the daughter of Peter W. Moore, president of ECSU from 1891 to 1928. photo by Matthew coates ECSU from 1958-1968. During his administration, ECSU advanced from a small, black teacher’s col lege into an interracial insitution offering a rich diversity of career majors, and fully accredited by the Southern Association of Col leges and Schools. “I came back to take a test,” Ridley quipped, during the cere mony. The audience laughed and applauded. “I believe God’s purposes are being achieved through us,” Rid ley told the ECSU family. “On these beliefs I am anchored. I pledge that I wUl do all that is within my power to promote the welfare of ECSU.” Levin Culpepper, Chairman of ECSU’s Board of Directors, de scribed Ridley as “one of the country’s most distinguished scholars and gentlemen,” during the Greetings section of the cere mony. Ridley’s installation was the highlight of ECSU’s 97th Found er’s Day Observance, which hon ors the University’s founders. Many relatives of the founders were in the audience Dr. Bishop Patterson explained the significance of Founder’s Day in a speech during the Greet ings section of the program: “We have seen the visions and dreams of our founders continue to unfold. They were men of thought and action, who lit the torch and cleared the way for us. They were great builders, not of temples, but of men and women.” Chancellor Jenkins also spoke on the significance of Founder’s Day: “We are gathered here today to nurture our roots,” said Jenkins, “so we will be able to stand strong, and face the trials and tribulations, the wind and rain. “We recognize that education is not just reading, writing and arithmitic, but learning to under stand all facets of life, discover ing the truth so that we might be liberated.” Malcom Corrin, President of the Interracial Council of Busi ness Opportunities, was guest speaker for the event. Corrin voiced concern for black males, adding that because of problems associated with drugs, and a high drop-out rate, “some people say the black male is an endangered species. But I want to say to the male student, you have to be stand and be counted. There’s a lot of strength in the black race. Stand up for your families, be creative, go into business, and be shining exam ples.” Citing examples of black suc cesses in business and politics, Corrin declared, “Yes, there is hope. People have faith in those who can produce.” The Founder’s Day program also featured performances by the ECSU Choir, and the Univer sity Concert Band. Ms. Rachel Gragson was organist for the pro gram. Following the ceremony, the ECSU family participated in a pilgrimaage to Oak Grove Ceme tery, to place wreaths on the graves of ECSU’s founding fa thers. Counseling services assist EGSU students By Nancy Porter “You don’t have to wait until something goes wrong to see a counselor,” says Dr. Leon White. “Share the good things that are happening to you on campus.” White is understandably proud of the counseling serv ices available to students here on campus. The services are only one of many activities White administers as ECSU’s Director of Student Affairs. The counseling services are provided by Student Services, and are responsible for New Student Orientation, the Com muter Student Program (VANS), Sattehte Course, In dependent and Group Refer ral, ECSU Ambassadors and University testing. “Freshmen orientation is a two-day period that is filled with activity,” said White. During that time students are given placement tests and are oriented to campus life.” Counselors for New Student Orientation are Dr. Olive Wil son, Ms. Donna Davis and Ms. Brenda Creecy. White explained that the members of ECSU’s com muter program (VANS) have regular meetings and send out newsletters informing com muter students of events hap pening on campus. “Some of these students are screened and serve as mentors to help with freshmen testing, and orienting new students to the campus,” White said. “They are part of a support group called ‘Big Brother/Big Sister.’ It makes life easier for the new student if the student has someone helping him or her on campus.” Student members of the Commuter Club meet with new students and answer any ques tions they have about cam pus,” said (]!ynthia Ruiz, presi dent of the Commuter Club, and a member of the Big Brother/ Big Sister group. “Counseling has been very in strumental in my success on campus.” Donna Davis is counselor for the Commuter Club. ECSU’s Ambassadors pro gram is aimed at extending ECSU’s influence in the com munity. Student members of this program conduct outreach activities in the public schools- -including helping students with preparing for the SAT tests. The Sattelite Program is now on hold until it can be lo cated in a facility. However this program promises much benefit to ECSU students. Under this program, a coun selor is assigned to a dorm, and will be there once a week during posted hours. This will benefit the student who may be reluctant to go to Student Serv ices. “About 30% of the students use the counselling service,” said Dr. Olive White. She added that counseling is pro vided for academic, social, and personal problems. Student Services offers coun selling in Independent and Group Referrel. The program wiU also counsel in^viduals with drug abuse problems, and, if necessary, arrange ap pointments at other facilities, should the person need additio nal help. Counseling is also responsi ble for administering National and University tests, including the Graduate Record Exam, the National Teacher’s Exam, The Scholastic Aptitude Test, and the Graduate Manage ment Admissions Test. Whatever the need, counsel ing services will meet it-in- cluding advising students who may be consdering leaving school. “Sometimes they can pre vent a student from withdraw ing from college,” said Dr. Wilson. “The student needs to know someone cares.” YOU may be eligible for a Minority Presence Grant ELIZABETH CITY STATE UNIVERSITY Office of Admissions Elizabeth City, NC 27909 APPLICATION FOR M1 NOR 1TY PRESENCE GRANT NOTE: Please print, using pen. Please complete all sections and furnish al1 requ i red substantiating documents. 1. Name Last Fi rst Middle 2.. Permanent „ .,. Number Ma111ng Address Street Apartment Number City State Zip Code Are you a resident of N.C.? ^Yes Telephone Number: ( ) Ethnic Group No If yes, how long? 7. Sex: 5. Social Security Number 8, Birthdate: STUDENT INFORMATION ndicate semester for which funds are sought: Fall 19 Spring Summer School c: Semester hours planned b. Proposed Major: d. Classification: Incoming Freshman Transfer Student 10. Marital Status: a. ^Single a. Number of Dependents: : Ages c. Spouse's Name: Continuing Student Readmit Student Living with parents Married Divorced 11 . 12. 13. d. Address (if different): Have you received monies previously from Minority Presence Grant Awards $ Have you completed the (FAF) Financial Aid Form and mailed it to College Scholarship Services, Princeton, N.J.? I hereby affirm that all information supplied in this application is complete and accurate. I understand that withholding or giving false information will make me ineligible to be considered for the Minority Presence Grant while attending this i nst i tut I on. S i gnature Date BELOW FOR ADMISSIONS USE ONLY Date Application Received Recommended by Date form sent to Financial Aid Office Bring this application to the ECSU Admissions Office 131 Tiioppe ilaU or caii 335-3305 to see if you qualify. i

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