Newspapers / Elizabeth City State University … / April 1, 1983, edition 1 / Page 20
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Page 20—- CHoniftaHH Founder's Day By Harold Stokes “And so my friends, because of all these things and because I myself have experienced once more just recently in my lifetime, the healing power of faith and hope and therefore, believe even more firmly in these blessings, I ask you to join me in continuing faith and hope, not for a single person, but for this institution and because of the dreams of it’s founders.” Those words spoken by Chancellor Thorpe brought emotional response from the listeners and made ECSU’s Founder’s Day program even more signifigant. Com memorating the 92nd an niversary of it’s founding, the ceremony, held in Moore Hall Auditorium, served to show how much ECSU has grown in 92 years, as well as honoring those who were instrumental in it’s growth. Citing recent developments such as: The Zoo Bed Com plex, the Education and Psychology Building, and the Graduate and Continuing Education Center as evidence of ECSU’s growth in nearly a century, Dr. Marion D. Thorpe welcomed all those present to share in the commencement. “We all have a role to play and I ask each of you to join in this Founder’s Day program so that we may honor our founding fathers,” Dr. Thorpe urged a capacity audience. Among those honored was Maceo A. Sloan, a former member of the Board of Trustees, appointed by Governor Moore, then Governor of North Carolina. Revealing his apprehensions when first coming to ECSU via the Dismal Swamp, Sloan repeatedly asked himself, “For What”? “But since that time I have come to love ECSU,” he added. Sloan insisted that it was a “Master Stroke of Luck” in selecting Dr. Thorpe to replace Dr. Ridley as Chancellor, who was resigning. Referring to Chancellor Thorpe as “A man of destiny”, who came along at just the right time, Sloan could not conceal his ad miration for him. One of the. new Resident Hall’s is named in honor of Sloan and there his portrait hangs to immortalize this man of generosity and for titude. Mr. Clarence W. Griffin, another honoree, and whom the Education and Paychology Building is named in honor of, spoke of 4he crisis they were con fronted with during the early years of ECSU. A former Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Griffen recalled how they were forced to do without some of the things the established colleges had. “There were so many things we needed but had the courage to do without,”he emphasized. The. audience applauded Griffin’s proclamation that ECSU has taken it’s rightful place as a great institution of fine quality education. "Bhe late Lorimer Midgett, a former member of the Board of Trustees, was honored and the new Graduate and Con- tinuning Education Center was named for Dr. Kermit E. White. Dr. White, a former Chairman of the Board of Trustees at ECSU, spoke of ECSU as one of the largest employers in the area and hoped the school would not soon forget him. Immediately following the ceremony, members of the audience participated in the annual pilgrimage to Oak Grove Cemetary where wreaths were placed on the graves of the Honorable Hugh Cale, Dr. Peter Weddick Moore, and Dr. John Henry Bias. Each of these men were instrumental in the growth of ECSU. To all of those blessed with the sensitivity,the Founder’s Day program was inspiring as well as emotional. Un fortunately some fail to realize the meaning of Founder’s Day Activities nor do they realize that they, as members of this institution are responsible for it’s development. The true purpose of Founder’s Day is to show the“comminiversity” how rapidly the school has progressed and to give them something to reflect upon and a challenge to surpass. Our founding father’s diligently paved the way so that we may enjoy the luxuries of the New Com plex,the convience of a football stadium, and the opportunities afforded by a Graduate and Continuing Education Center. To sacrafice an afternoon in remembrane of them is minimal in comparison to what they have done for us. “ I ask you to join me in continuing faith and hope, not for a single person, but for this institution and because of the dreams of it’s founders.” -Dr. Marion D. Thorpe Religious Emphasis Week “Keeping Religous in the Winds of Change” was the theme of Elizabeth City State University’s observance of Religous Emphasis Week, Feb. 13-17. The observance began with music by the ECSU Afro-American Gospel Choir and Rev. John E. Trotman delivered the evening message. Rev. Trotman, Director of Religious Activities at ECSU and Pastor of the Corner Stone Missionary Baptist Churclu joined Rev. Leon Pickett, President of ECSU* United Campus Religious Fellowship (UCRF) in ex tending an invatation to the public to attend the opening Vesper and other programs during the week. The Gospel Extravaganza program featured musical selections by several com munity groups including the Celestial Chorus, Robinson Family Singers, Williams Ensemble, Twenty-First Century Gospel Singers, along with groups and soloists. The Afternoon Meditation in Moore Hall auditorium featured organist Leonard R. Ballou and “Music and the SpokenWord.” There was a 7:00 A.M. Prayer Breakfast in the Viking Room of the Ridley University Center , and a symposium, in the University Center. With senior English major Lynnette Watson, “Miss ECSU,” serving as moderator, three panelists gave their their views on topics surrounding the theme. The panel included: Dr. L.W. Chase, Dean, Roanoke Bible College; Rev. Arthur W. Walls, pastor. Riverside United Methodist Church; and Rev. A.C. Robinson, pastor, New Chapel Bapist Church, Plymouth, N.C., and Assistant Vice Chancellor for Fiscal Affairs at ECSU. The closing service was the afternoon message by Dr. Richard C. Council, pastor. Greater Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church, Norfolk, Va. Music for the service was provided by the University Choir, Billy C. Hines, director, and Dr. Rachael W. Gragson, organist. Navajck Indian legend says that Ship Rock, a towering monolith in northwestern New IVIexico, was once a giant bird that brought their people to the area.
Elizabeth City State University Student Newspaper
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April 1, 1983, edition 1
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