4
The News Argus
Sept. 18, 2006
Ronald Williams survives the hardest year of his life
Patricia Commander
NEWS ARGUS STAFF REPORTER
The night of November 30,
2005, was just hke any other
night for Ronald Wilhams, a
student at Winston-Salem State
University. As he walked
home, it never crossed his mind
how close death was.Three days
later he woke up in intensive
care at Wake Forest University
Baptist Hospital.
Williams only remembers
walking down a sidewalk.
■ Williams was a victim of a
hit-and-rim.
' Williams may have never
been found were it not for driv
ers noticing glass and books in
the street. They called the
police for them to clean it up,
but the police ended up finding
him in the process.
Doctors thought he was dead
when the paramedics brought
him in. Williams remembers
one doctor said, “I don’t know
how you did it, but somehow
you did.” Williams responded,
“1 didn’t do it, but I know who
did.”
After waking, Williams
discovered he had suffered sev
eral injuries including: trouble
hearing, a paralyzed arm and
shoulder, broken leg, and sever
al bruises. Unfortunately,
Williams learned his trials were
not over.
After being examined by sev
eral doctors it was still uncer
tain when or if he’d walk again.
But Williams declared to them,
“Before I leave this hospital, I
will take a step.”
One night, a week after leav
ing the hospital, Williams called
the doctor to ask about a smell
coming from his cast. The doc
tors advised him to come to the
hospital right away. The doctor
said his leg had begun to rot,
and if he had come later that
night, or the next day, he’d
have to have his leg amputated.
Despite all, Williams remained
strong.
“Because of my faith, I knew
I’d make it. God didn’t give up
on me, so there was no way I’d
give up on myself. Giving up
will never give you an answer to
your situation.”
Williams was restricted to a
wheelchair, until March
2006.With continuous use of his
wheelchair; he also began using
a walker. By the end of April,
Williams was walking on his
own. He was even back on cam
pus in time for the 2006 sum
mer school session. He says,
“We don’t take the time to
acknowledge and appreciate all
the little things that we have
and can do. Trying to walk all
over was one of the hardest
things I have ever had to do.”
Williams believes that people
should pay more attention to
the simple things in life,
“Because those things matter
the most.” Too much emphasis
is put on the material things in
life, he adds.
Williams had many people
helping him get through this
hard time in his life. Art Malloy,
a former staff member at WSSU,
stayed with Williams for the
first two nights after the acci
dent. Soon after. Black Men For
Change, the WSSU organization
Williams belongs to, helped out
by supporting him and raising
money for him as well.
Williams’s church, Mount Olive
Baptist church, also assisted.
The University helped Williams
a lot also. Dr. Melody Pierce, to
this day, continues to support
and help him.Williams says, “I
don’t think it would have been
possible to overcome all the
problems I was facing without
the help of these people.”
Williams says he would also
like to give a special thanks to
his parents who did everything
for him when he could not do
anything for himself; to Angel
Lash, who was there for him
the whole year as a true friend;
to the WSSU English
Department for their donations;
and everyone else, for their
prayers and support.
Williams describes his acci
dent as, “The frosting on the
cake.” He states that 2005 was
the hardest year of his life-he
had someone to put a knife to
his throat, and had another to
pull a gun on him. Williams did
not, and has not, let the year of
2005 stop him. “No matter how
bad your situation may seem,
you can make it through any
thing,” he said.
Throughout life, everyone
encounters trials and tribula
tions. It’s up to us to choose
to wallow in those problems,
or to have faith and over
come. Williams believed he’d
be strong and survive through
his many ordeals. “The
first step is believing it will
happen.” He also said, “Things
don’t go wrong and break
your heart so you can become
bitter and give up. They
happen to break you down
and build you up, so you can be
all that you were intended to
be.”
After his accident, Williams
says he cherishes time and
opportunity the most. “With
time, comes opportunities.
When they come, make the
most of them.” Perhaps
Williams’ testimony serves as a
reminder, to take every oppor
tunity to cherish the breath of
life, and the ability to over
come.
Attend Saturday Academy
Sponsored by WinstonSalem State University &
co'sponsored by the S.Q. Atkins Community Development Corporation.
On fifth anniversary
of terrorist attacks,
WSSU students
reflect on Sept. 11
Sharrod Patterson
NEWS ARGUS STAFF REPORTER
September 11, 2006, marks the tragic fifth year anniversary of
9/11. On this day the nation became vulnerable to terrorism. This
day will forever live in the hearts of every American. The events
of 9/11 sparked a series of events that have been reshaping our
country ever since 2001.
Students at WSSU felt the impact and recalled where they were
five years ago.
■ A few of WSSU’s own shared their feelings and insight about
the day that changed
American forever.
What were you doing?
How did it affect you?
How do you feel when you
ihink back on that day?
Bryant Lewis, sophmore,
music major:
“I was in my 9th grade
social studies when another
teacher came in and made
us turn the TV on.[The
tragedy] made me appreci
ate life more. I do not feel
as if the US handled the sit
uation well enough.”
Quiotti Ratliff, freshman,
nursing and biology major:
“I felt bad because inno
cent people lost their lives.”
Tiona Robinson, fresh
man, special education
major:
“I was in my eighth
grade Technology class.I
was sad and shocked it did-
nit seem real at first. 1
guess the [government] did
the best they could do.”
Mone't Macallister, fresh
man, nursing major:
“I’m from Brooklyn, but
I was in Wilson NC and it
was my brother’s birthday.
I was alittle scared because
my mom and brother were
up near it all.[I feel]more
things could have been
done.”
Derrick Jones, senior,
mass communication major
“I was in history class. I
was in shock could not
believe it happened. I was hurt emotionally because most of
my family who live in Harlem.”
LEWIS
ROBINSON
JONES
Learning is lifelong and it is not a privilege or right; it is simply a necessity for anyone,
young or old, that must live with the escalating pace of change in the family,
on the job, in the community and in the worldwide society. (Cross, 1981)
Learning is a lifelong proccss. It is related at all points to the life experiences of individuals. It is to this end
that the Saturday Academy has been designed.
The Saturday Academy hou.ses and provides year-round opportunities to develop new skills, expand interest
in new and exciting topics, learn job skills or enjoy enriching sessions in the arts. Classes are designed for all
ages from elementar\ youth to retirees and include areas of language acquisition, professional and business
development, basic education, personal enrichment, art, music, dance, drama and recreation.
Class Schedules
Spanish C-lOO October 7, 14, 21, 28; November 4, 11, 18;
(Bo.'iic Conversational Slxinish I) December 2, 2006
Time: 9:00 am - Noon 10/0V06
Fee: $9i (inchkies cowse
Instructor: IV. I')aniel U>pc*i
RcKUn: 245 Ander;»n Center
This Loursc is an inrnKliicrt’Tv ctinvcrsiititniiil S]iiinish course i.k:>igm’.d rn TiuH:r the
neevls of .srthlenrs or working pnireMionr)l*i vA\o Jesire general -ipolcen undenrrandinj’
of Spanish. No previous kno\v!ei);;e of the language h required. Tl'iis cotir^. rh* first
in a >erie5, emphasiref Spanish for basic communicarion. Spanish C-100 adiresses
d'lo fuiklauK'Uiai oi ipciJdny. rca^iliiig, svTiiiiuj, aiui cukurc
but pruiuirilv l\)eu*c5 on .>|vakiny, hstciiiiig and vc»tahuiary acquisition ior rcal-worlJ
pnicticul iij«{'ii(.iUjoo. Bij.sic oral cotninuniciJtior^ is rhc ci\d (’oiil oi tfiiscotjrsc’.
Octolx^r 7» 14, 21 and 28, 2006
RcgL'itratiun Deadline'. IOA)J/Of>
Business & Professional
Writing -100
Time: 9:00 am - Noon
Fee: STS (mdide^ couw
Instructor: Eliiaberh PriesJ
RtK>iu: 204 Hiill PutterscTn
Room: 259 Ander.wn Center, Oct. 21 only
This fours** i'l rin explorr«(on of principles or rorr«T fjr.Tmmsr, «irnicTi5re
tind f’linctuation. In thH four^p^rt coui-«* you will learn to; l(V)kat yo!r mc?'S^4ge
Iroui yoiir anJcrs yoini of \ icw; deciJc whai inloniLUloii to incLu-lc anJ orgaiiiic
it follow yotir ivriiii»g pLin svritc a first Jr.Ut; use ;.ictiVL' laiigiuiijc aiiJ
plain Enj^lish th:«t consmunic^ft.o t.loarly to any rc;Kk.T; jiikI, vMhr^.' more ct>nc»Noly
by currinji oiit nnneces.sjirv- u-orJ>.
Fundiimentais of Spcech Oi tober 7, 14, 21 and 28, 2006
Time: 9:00 ;im — Noon t>eu(iUrW': 10/03/06
Fee: S60 {j'mhfck's c«rsi.’
Jnstructor: Sonya Mclton-Micklcs
Room: 247 Anderson Center
The j-nirr'>4eirfthi’4Cotirse i« ro help \*(Muievflop skill-c atkI rev-hnk^ues neevKl ro
pK-piUW pie^ont aiui cvaluaic I’anivipani^ \v dl in tiucodixiory,
cxp)aiiory arvJ [.x;r$ua>ivc pfcK.’iuaiit.itis, hKlividi.iai .xikl group cviduaiituw will
jmn-idc {ccdh.ick tit.it will Kk.tir.ilyMiciujtlwinii.luffW.nKUV'ely inn,Tovam.-iits.
Ocu>ber 7, 14,21 and 28, 2006
Rt’gisfrotwwi [fexuHitw: 10/03A^
Microsoft Word 2003
Time: ‘>=00 am - N«>n
Fee: $50
Instructor: Micbiel Milton, Computer Consultiint, A+Certified
Room: C'107 Anderson Center
Leiim rhe hisics of word pri'cessiny. ttMir session course is desi^Titivf
ro explore rhe Ktsic uspecrs >Ks«wiiireij wirh cre-iring, form;irfing ;int! tinishmi^
^ word pr(X"es.sin^ dKMmenr. TIti?; course covers feanfres ,iswx‘i.ired wirh
»ord prcKcssiiig si-'plic^tions mch st suuvdiird lablcs, usiiis ficiures
i«id iiiuit!cs iviiliiu a d:H;muL-nt, iiui-xjrtiiij; oL'icctj Jiid icim: m;til tnctgc hmU.
For More Information
To learn more or to get a registration
form online go to ivww.wssu.edu
and click on Saturday Academy or
caU (336) 750^2633.
ORE Test Prep November 4t lit IB; December 2, 2006
Time: 9:00 am ~ 5:00 pm OeatUaw': iO/Jl/06
Fee: $29.5 (tncluJc.*; amr.st'nvcxcrioJs)
Instructor: Yuri l^itif, Udaykumar V\^s
Room: 259 Anc^rson Center
A comprehei^sive iS-hour review been liesigneJ to help you develop (he -jkitls
ncc'dcU for loi 1 he pti’graui proN-idts iiii t)\'Crv icu of ilu.-
variou.’) the C.JRE - C.'AT cxaui, To»t. tjikitii; sir.ttx'yio for eacli jisfjcct will
U; covcrcvl.
ParticipantH will re\*iesv:
• Verbal Skills - a rht^RHigh orienrarion ro rhe (IRF exam and the extensive
review of the impotrant Reading (lA>mpfehension section with ample practice
maiofiAls. Analogies, Anionyms and SctiienccC^r’mpletion are expbii\ed
dicouyh helpful cxcrcise scis dlid imiruCLOr Iccturc. Coverage includes, die
newly requircJ Anulyticiil Wntir\g As,s.-isnicixl with detailed lecturc inatcriul
and .in opporfiiniry in class to Jnjfr a response.
• Math Problems - ^in cix’erview .inrhmeric, pen'.ents, rarlfw, aljjebr.j. pKine
gek-merry anl gr^ph> with an effecrive a>mbiiw?ion of lecture, exrjniple?^.
cxcri>es aj\d pru:ticc aca.
• Problcm-Suivin^ and Quantitative Comparison ■ a {h'.»r(.)URh prcsscntaiion
of h;iftic appn»;u. hcs and ctnimion .sense ^tnltegic^ f«ir .v^vin*; ukaiii pn)bieiu>.
An in-depth of the unique Quantitative Couipiirison .section will
be explored.
SAT Test Prep November 4, 11, 18; Detember 2, 2006
Timt?: 9:00 ani ~ 2:00 pin Rt^gistrmim* I0/3i/06
Fee: $125 (mdwik'i mifcTudsj
Injsfruclor: Elixabeth Priest, Tracey Keck
Room: 247 Anderson Center
I.er Winsu»n-SAlem Snre Univeriity prep^ue you to meet rhe ohj^llenge^; rhe test
i:h;^f will opjKJftuniues to and university experience-^. Tliis program
pros idc^ in-clasf ind home study Icanving aciiviiies thvii will help yoo develop the
skill?* iiL'cded t(i m;t>ter the SAT ex;.uu. The review will I'c prc,-vented in iour pan.\
anti otterc-vl m-er hnir consecutive vSaturdavs- ^Students will:
• Re exp«vstt,j ro rbe i^ue»rion't\7>es that appear on rhe SAT exam
through pre' and pt^f-resring and insmicrorded presenrarion«i.
• Be provided with extensive home «udy materials.
• Explore stwicgies, iritks. cest-laking t«.n:luuques Atid useful
exerciac^ thut will help lo uiaxiiuiic a siudeni'i poLctuidl the SAI.
Co-sponsored by
SIMON
GREEN
ATKINS
c Q V w U K I r Y
orvfTi orufnT
e:oi«ooKArtc3H
CONTINUING
EDUCATION
WINSTON
SALEM
STATE
UNIVERSITY
DIVISION OF
LIFELONG
LEARNING