From Happy Hill Gardens to RJR Tobacco's Chemistry Lab j
By FELEC1A P MC MILLAN
Special to The Chkohicle
How does an African-American
male born the second of six chil
dren to a single mother in Happy
Hill Gardens manage to claim two
college degrees from Salem College
? one in 199?, the other in 1997 ?
\Vhen\tbe obstacles are stacked
against him? According to Charles
Ortega Brooks, "You do it with
faith ? there is no other force on
earth that will enable you to accom
plish those things that seem impos
sible. My mother Lillie Mae Brooks
gave me the tools to endure."
Session 225 of the commence
ment exercises of Salem College
took place in the May Dell on
Saturday, May 24, at 10 a.m.
Charles was the only male among
the 164 graduates. This year he
completed his bachelor's degree in
business administration with a
minor in marketing; last year, he
completed his bachelor s degree in
chemistry. "I am truly overjoyed
today. This is our second time, and
we made it," said Ms. Brooks.
Brooks says that completing two
degrees so close together was quite
challenging. He started the journey
in 1991 while working full-time dur
ing the day and going to school in
the evening. He is currently a
research and development associate
at R.J. Reynolds Tobacco
Company, where he analyzes tobac
co products. He took three or four
classes per semester to complete
both programs.
"It is a lonely journey. There are
sacrifices I had to make and obsta
cles 1 had to overcome. I eventually
saw that I was no longer in control
of destiny. When I discovered that I
was fulfilling God's purpose for me,
that's when the journey became
easy," Charles said.
He was greatly inspired by his
mother. Lillie Mae Brooks, who
earned her high school diploma
from Forsyth Technical
Community College in 1989. While
working as a custodian at Union
Cross Elementary School and
working two jobs, she completed
high school in three years. "My
mother is some lady," he said, fight
ing back the tears. "She never gave
up in the midst of the obstacles she
faced. She is a survivor," he said.
"With determination and faith
in God as my master, I have come
this far. I try to share Him with
everybody," said Ms. Brooks.
Charles, she says is a son that any
mother would be proud of. "He
knows what he wants to do, and he
does it," she said.
Although Brooks' mother was a
strong encourager, there were many
other motivators along the way. The
challenge to provide a secure future
for his son Jaison gave Brooks
endurance. "We are responsible for
the next generation. The more we
grow and enhance ourselves, the
more value we can add to their
lives," he saidr Brooks also believes
that he has a responsibility to his
cultural heritage. "If we can perse
vere and succeed, we can serve as
examples for others to follow. We
must resolve to continue for the
sake of the community," he said.
Brooks' community involvement
is connected to his graduation from
the Project Blueprint program. He
serves on the United Way
Distribution Fund Committee and
on the Board of Step One. Step One
offered him the chance to have an
impact on "one of the most devas
tating problems in the black com
munity ? substance abuse." This
objective also keeps him moving
forward.
Another motivating factor in his
success was his advisor Vicki
Sheppard, assistant dean of contin
uing studies. She is very special to
him because when things were the
most difficult, she was very encour
aging. She advised him to pursue
the business administration degree
to make himself more marketable.
According to Ms. Sheppard,
Brooks is the only African
American male to graduate from
Salem College with two degrees.
According to her. Brooks was high
ly visible on campus although he
was an evening student. He was a
member of Salem Connections, a
program that allows students to
reach out among the student body
to discover its diversity. "His high
spirits and fellowship with students
was clear to all who came in contact
with him," Sheppard said. Dr. Alice
Patterson, dean of continuing edu
cation at Salem, commended his
"zest for living" and his "coura
geous way of facing life." She said
she is proud to have him as a Salem
College alum.
Brooks' business degree from
Salem is already opening doors.
This summer he will move to the
Marketing Department to complete
a summer internship with Camel in
Brand Marketing. Getting his
chemistry degree improved his ana
lytical skills, but business and mar
keting are areas of achievement that
come natural. He said he is grateful
to the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco
Company for giving him the oppor
tunity to cross train in anothef
department. He said he will miss aO
of his colleagues in the lab but looks
forward to trying his wings.
Several of his colleagues and
family members sponsored a gradir
ation party in his honor following
the commencement exercises. Hp
cited the names of five mentor!
Janet Wheeler, Brenda Hodge,
Lynn Beasley, Harold Threatt, and
Dr. Carl Ehmann.
He is proud to be a graduate of
Salem College. "I fit Salem, and
Salem fit me because I recognizp
and appreciate the intellect, thfc
strength, the resolve, the power of
the female that comes from my
mother. These qualities enable one
to overcome insurmountable odds,"
he said. | y '
His mother, Lillie Mae Brooki.
is ready for the next task Brooks'
next objective is to pursue his
MBA. "I'm ready for it. I know he
can do it. He can accomplish any
thing he chooses to," Ms. Brooks
said.
Chariot Brookt placet a tample vial in the tample tray in thm chorn
ittry lab at B.J. Reynold* Tobacco Company.
"When I discovered I
was fulfilling God's
purpose for me, that's
when the journey
became easy."
- Charles Ortega Brooks
CharloM Brook? grootod Mm mothor,
Lillio Mao Brook*, and Mm nophow
Julian Brook* aftor graduation.
'J ' ' __ L'l '
Brook* greett ono of hit montors in thm Chomittry department,
Janot Wheeler.
i
SI i i\ 17
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