The Saint flugustine's College Student Neuuspaper Congratulations Class of 19961! Volume 5, No. 1 December 1996 I* by Debra Derr FIRST LADIES EMERITI- First Lady Shirley Franklin, wife of President Bernard Franklin, presented Mrs. Lula Robinson and Mrs. Emma Boyer with special First Ladies Emeriti Honors. From left. President Emeritus Dr. Prezell R. Robinson, Mrs. Lula Robinson, Mrs. Franklin, President Emeritus Dr James Boyer and Mrs. Emma Boyer. College, business owners plan venture on Tarboro st. By L. Michelle Fox Business students may soon have another experience to add to their resumes, a student-run enterprise that would serve as an entrepreneurial laboratory. In an interview with^^e Pen, President Bernard Franklin said the project would involve the purchase of a site at Tarboro and Oakwood Streets, directly across from St. Augustine’s College. The projected cost of buying and renovating the site, which now consists of a strip mall with three or four stores, and several houses is $ 1.8 million. President Franklin said the project is in line with the college’s goal of community involvement. “It creates the vision that the college is an active partner in the life of the community. We want to renovate the center and put in it different types of businesses that currently are not located in the community.” He said the school has appealed for a $500,000 U.S. Housing and Urban Development grant, which it hopes to use to obtain additional funding through bank loans. He is also (continued on page 6) Former first ladies Robinson, Boyer honored at autumn convocation By Saralee Johnson Emma Perry Boyer and Lulu Harris Robinson received First Lady Emeriti awards during St. Augustine’s College annual convocation held October 8. The awards were presented by Shirley Franklin, wife of Dr. Bernard Franklin. “I felt humble to have been chosen, and joyful to have been given the award. The plaque is a very beautiful one made of solid mahogany with a bronze plate and a blue background which bears the seal of St. Augustine’s. I would like to give special thanks to the Board of Trustees and to James Wade, chairman of the board, and Dr. Franklin,” said Mrs Boyer. Mrs. Robinson exclaimed that she, too, felt very happy and grateful for being honored by such a prestigious award. “The college means a lot to”my husband and me for it is our alma mater. I, too, would like to give special thanks to Dr. Franklin and the St. Augustine’s Board of Trustees.” Mrs. Boyer, wife of Dr. James A. Boyer, the sevenui president of St. Augustine’s College, received her early education at Crosby Garfield School and St. Augustine’s High School. Later she received a certificate from Bishop Tuttle School of Reli gious Education and Social Work at St. Augustine’s College, after which she pursued a Masters Degree at the Atlanta University School of Social Work. A wife and a mother, Mrs. Boyer’s personality won a multitude of friends nationally and internationally for St. Aug, as a hostess during her See inside: Hurricane Fran stories pages 4-5 Rukel's summer in the city page 7 Why are you thankful? page 3 The women are winning! page husband’s tenure. Noted for her community service, Mrs. Boyer was characterized by Franklin as a “Living Legacy.” Mrs. Robinson, wife of Dr. Prezell R. Robinson, the College’s eighth president, received her early childhood and adult education at St. Mary’s High School. Mrs. Robinson attended Fort Valley College, obtaining her Bachelor of Science degree in Religious Education in 1944. She went on to matriculate at Gammon Theological Seminary, Union Theological Seminary, Columbia University, the Univer sity of Wisconsin and Duke University Divinity School. Mrs. Robinson received her Master of Religious Education degree from Atlanta University. Mrs. Robinson served as Director of Christian Education and Associate Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Saint Augustine’s College for 25 years. She also served on the Board of (Continued on page 2) Hurricane victim begins long road to recovery Photo by Omar White KEEP IT CLEAN- Hurricane Fran left no stones unturned as she leashed her fury on North Carolina. Here, Charmus Burnside, president ofZeta Phi Beta, helps to clean the campus. By Wanda Henderson When people think of hurri canes they think of mass destruc tion, heavy rains, and hostile winds. Students at Saint Augustine’s College think of Martin Dixon. Martin Dixon, junior history major from Rochester, N.Y., was severely injured while walking between Baker and Latham Halls at 11 p.m. when he was struck by a falling tree limb. Onlookers estimated 12 students, including Dixon, were out in the quadrangle area during the hurricane. One student reported, “When Martin was struck we tried to lift the limb off of him, but because of the flying debris, we had to lay the tree back on him until the winds had calmed down.” After the limb was lifted Martin was rushed to Wake Medical Center. He had multiple injuries and had immediate surgery. He was in surgery for nine hours due to the severity of his injuries. Now in stable condition at Wake Medical, Dixon is unable to walk. Doctors believe that with time and patience, however, Dixon may regain his ability to walk. Dixon’s reasons for being outside at a dangerous time are (Continued on page 5)