Newspapers / Winston-Salem chronicle. / May 22, 2014, edition 1 / Page 2
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
WSSU Photos by Garrett Gam Tonia Walker (second from left) celebrates with her husband, children and other loved ones. Walker ready to chart new course as AD BY LAYLA GARMS THE CHRONICLE Newly-appointed Winston-Salem State Athletic Director Tonia Walker has hit the ground running. The 43-year-old Hampton University alum na has spent her career preparing for this moment, having served in various positions within the C1AA and as the right-hand woman of several former WSSU ADs "For the last 14 years. I have worked hard to push the vision of the three ath letic directors for whom I've worked, and I've learned an incredible amount about college ath letics from those three ath letic directors. I think now is my time to put my stamp on the program," said the mother of two. "...Being that person that is in charge of the program, it comes with a lot of responsibility, but 1 am up for the chal lenge." Walker, who was first recruited to the university in August 2000 as assistant director and head volley ball coach under then-AD Anne Little, succeeds Bill Hayes, a former WSSU football coach who returned to the university in 2010 and shepherded it through its tumultuous transition back to Division II athletics and the CIAA after a brief stint as a mem ber of the Division I ME AC Walker has led the department in an interim capacity since Hayes announced his retirement earlier this year. "Tonia has done an out standing job in every role she has been given within the WSSU athletics pro gram and has a wealth of knowledge of intercolle giate athletics beyond our campus." said Chancellor Donald J. Reaves. "Having Tonia as the athletic direc tor brings strong leadership to the program and pro vides stability for our play ers. coaches and staff. Tonia has certainly earned this opportunity, and 1 am absolutely delighted that she is moving into this position on a permanent basis." Over the years. Walker has displayed "impeccable character" and a sincere commitment to helping stu dents succeed that Assistant AD Kevin Manns believes will only elevate the program's visibility and reputation "She has a genuine love and respect for these stu dent-athletes. to make sure that the student-athlete experience is second to none." he said. WSSU's sports teams have enjoyed considerable success in recent years, winning championships in several different sports, and Rams fans can fully expect that trend to continue under Walker's leadership. Manns said "The expectations are high here, the bar has been set high, and we're not try ing to go back the other way," he said. "She's going to do just fine." Among Walker's chief objectives are sharpening the focus on academics by raising GPAs and increas ing graduation and reten tion rates among student athletes. "Much of what we do will be based on a founda tion of relationships; build ing relationships with fac ulty and administrators is going to be key." said Walker, who also holds a master's in sports manage ment from Old Dominion University. "We're going to put the onus on student athletes and holding them accountable ... so that they can benefit from their time here academically." Establishing new and improved fundraising ini tiatives and fostering and repairing relationships between the department and former student-athletes and community supporters are also among her top pri orities. Walker said. Walker, who has been married to her college sweetheart Wayne Walker Sr. for nearly 19 years, was a finalist in the athletic director search when Hayes was hired four years ago, but said she withdrew her name from the applicant pool because she wanted to dedicate her time to her daughter Daijah, an incom ing WSSU freshman, and son Wayne Jr., a junior at Reynolds High School. Being an athletic direc tor can be a demanding job, but Walker said she has bided her time, waiting until the right period - in her personal life as well as her professional career - to take on the role. "I wanted to first be tt|p best mother that 1 could be. I would have the rest of my life to be AD." she remarked, noting that her children are older now and more independent "So now is a really great time for me. My family is ready. We've talked about this; we've prayed about this opportunity, and I feel con fident that we will be able to balance it." Since WSSU made the official announcement on April 30, Walker said she and her family have been inundated with an outpour ing of commendation and support from the Winston Salem community. "1 don't think any of us anticipated the (congratula tory) remarks that came from the community, for my children and my hus band as well," she declared. "Everyone is excited, everyone is extending their well wishes, and for that, we're very grateful and appreciative." While she has enjoyed being in the limelight. Walker said it's time she got back to what is truly important: making Rams Athletics the best it can be "It's been great," she said of the accoladesr"but I'm ready to get to work. I'm ready to dig my heels in and get back to work." Chancellor Donald Reaves announces Tonia Walker as WSSU's new AD earlier this month. WSSU Choir headed to South Africa CHRONICLE STAFF REPORT The Winston-Salem State University Choir, under the direction of Maestra D'Walla Simmons-Burke, accompa nist Dr. Myron Brown and bassist Dr. Ronald Patterson, will depart for South Africa on May 28. Simmons-Burke and the student performers Will pres ent lecture/performances in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Pilanesberg and will collaborate with several South African choirs in performances that showcase cultural differ ences and simi larities. Simmons Burke, along with her research partner Dr. David Tang of Charlotte, have worked with the research project "Singin' Black and White" since 2012. Simmons Burke and Tang, who is also trav eling with the WSSU contin gent, say the project aims to ^ build better com munities while making better choral music through ongoing and intensive musical col laborations and professionally-facilitated work on the sub jects of race, identity and singing. The Winston-Salem State University Choir is one of two lead " Singin' Black and White" choirs, and as such, the group will extend the research across the waters to South Africa. There will be joint performances with the Wits Choir (a culturally mixed choir) of Wits University, the Cape Town Youth Choir (formerly Pro Cantu) and the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy Choir. The choir is also slated to visit Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, Pilanesberg National Park and the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg. The Chronicle (USPS 067-910) was established by Ernest H. Pitt and Ndubisi Egemonye in 1974 and is published every Thursday by Winston-Salem Chronicle Publishing Co. Inc., 617 N. Liberty Street, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27101. Periodicals postage paid at Winston-Salem, N.C. Annual subscription price is $30.72. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Chronicle, P.O. Box 1636 Winston-Salem, NC 27102-1636 WSSl) Photo Maestra D'Walla Simmons-Burke *>ith Dr. Myron Brown. I Could yoii^H at risk for diabeWs or already hav^Uabetes? | Good News. You may qualify for our free Diabetes Management and Prevention Program. This special program is funded by the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust and includes the following benefits: ? A consultation to determine how we can best help you ? If needed, a free A1c test to measure your blood sugar average ? Diabetes education or diabetes prevention counseling by certified diabetes educators ? ? A follow-up evaluation and Ale test three months after beginning the program To qualify for this free program, you must live in Forsyth County, meet the household income requirements, have been diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes and be uninsured or underinsured. Call 277-1660 to see if you qualify for this program. Novant Health Diabetes Center 1900 S. Hawthorne Road, Suite 504 Winston-Salem, NC Trie Kate B Reynolds Charitable Trust was established in 1947 and is now one ot the . largest private trusts in North Carolina Its mission is to improve the quality of life and quality of health for the financially needy of North Carolina The Poor and Needy Division responds to basic life needs and invests in solutions that improve the quality of life aqd health for financially needy residents of Forsyth County The Health Care Division promotes wellness statewide by investing in prevention and treatment Wells Fargo Bank. N A , serves as sole trustee Nl NOVANT ? HEALTH 5/5 RA9689 rdlsh^ Starting At... $1925 ? or t? months *.?/ Ho'Me tor Hopper or tPadm.n ofa Upgrade to PISH TOPAY1 Imagine The Difference You Can Make ? DONATE YOUR CAR 1-800-337-9038 ~ am FREE TOWING ?JflPWL# TAX DEDUCTIBLE JHh Help Prevent Blindness Get A Vision Screening Annually fMHcntdjzc yior.hcBiinH C^gaaar^l
May 22, 2014, edition 1
2
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75