Fair Dillard Forever Campaign
Author Archives: dualumni
Bleu Devil Love 2021 – Day 5
Welcome to Day 5 of Bleu Devil Love 2021
The Dillard University National Alumni Association (DUNAA) Awards Committee and the Dillard University Office of Alumni Relations will highlight married Dillard University couples that submitted entries.
We asked our Bleu Devil couples to tell us how their Dillard love story originated (while on the Oaks, after the Oaks with a Dillard alumnus, or they were married in Lawless Chapel). We had 40 couples respond and here are 8 of those couples.
James B. Stafford, IV ’99 and Ocpivia Johnson Stafford ’99
Celebrating 17 Years of Marriage
We meet sophomore year in Dr. Gavin’s English class.
Darlene Riggins White ’72 and Ronald Henry White ’71
Celebrating 49 Years of Marriage
Our paths crossed often between 1968 through 1971, since Ronald and I were both Chemistry majors from New Orleans (he from the lower 9 and I from Algiers) . We were both busy on and off campus but when we slowed down and talked in Stern Hall, the magic of connection and Love grew. He graduated and went to grad school. We missed each other so much we were married in November 1971.
Judy Pringle James ’86 and Roderick E. James ’86
Celebrating 32 Years of Marriage
In our freshman year I asked a fellow Dillard Alum my spouse’s name and he introduced us in the cafeteria of Kearny Hall. Shortly after that we began dating. After graduation his job brought him to my home town of Atlanta and 2 years later we were married.
Linda Soule Buckner ’71 and Coleman Buckner ’71
Celebrating 47 Years of Marriage
We met in class as freshmen because we had the same major and became friends. We used to hang out at the flag pole on campus with our other friend group (the Morale Boosters). Both of us dated other people throughout our first 3 yrs. Coleman started inviting me out to dinner senior year and we began dating. We got engaged on graduation day.
Marie A. Anderson-Simmons ’88 and Mark G. Simmons ’86
Celebrating 30 Years of Marriage
We were introduced on the Avenue of Oaks by my childhood friend, Trina Slaughter, my first semester. I mistakenly asked which freshman cluster he was in. He promptly corrected me and said he was an upper classman. We developed a friendship that turned into a lifetime love. We were married in Lawless Chapel on November 3, 1990.
Keyonna Glenn Watson ’04 and Jarvis Watson ’03
Celebrating 12.5 Years of Marriage
We would see each other around campus. He played on the basketball team so I knew of him. Apparently, he also knew of me but we did not actually “know“ each other. At a mutual friend’s party at the Chateau, we had our first real interaction, exchanged phone numbers and the rest is history.
George and Maria Johnson
Celebrating 16 Years of Marriage
In the summer of 1991, a young man stopped at a gas station in New Orleans, LA to make a quick stop with some new acquaintances. The young man, a transfer student to Dillard University from a school in north Louisiana, got out of his acquaintance’s car to see the most precious and beautiful woman that he ever beheld. She was pumping gas into the car she was driving. When he gazed upon her, all he could notice was her beauty and her shirt which proudly displayed the letters of her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. It was at that moment that he heard the voice of God whisper to him, “That is going to be your wife.” At that moment, the youthful gentleman declared back to God, “If she is my wife, bring her to me.” After he responded to God, he got back into the automobile and rode off with his newly found cohorts – never even speaking to this beautiful young lady. (She never saw him, by the way.)
At the first Dillard University Choir rehearsal for the semester, he saw her there! The young man, George Kimbrough Johnson, saw this beautiful woman and exclaimed to God, “There she is!!!” There was no response from God. After rehearsal, George was in hot pursuit of his bride to be. He ran up to her as she was rushing off to her next appointment and said, “Ma’am, may I speak with you?” She answered and said, “Actually, I don’t have time to talk right now. I am on my way to Bible Study, but you’re welcome to join me if you’d like.” George immediately jumped into the car with her. As they began to chat, George asked the young lady her name. She replied, “My name is Maria – Maria Denise Church.” Upon their arrival at the church in the Carrollton area of New Orleans, George said, “This church looks familiar.” Maria replied, “Really? That’s interesting.” George said, “I think my aunt goes to this church.” As they talked more before entering the church for Bible Study, they discovered that George’s aunt did indeed attend this church, and Maria knew her. (You see, Maria knew George’s aunt and family years before even meeting George! Interesting to say the least!) The two young people entered the church, and Maria introduced George to her family, which included her father who was the pastor of the church. After enjoying Bible Study and returning to Dillard’s campus where George resided, George asked Maria, “Remember I told you I wanted to talk with you about something?” Maria said, “Yes…what would that be?” George excitedly told Maria, “God said that you are going to be my wife!” Maria laughed. She said, “You don’t even know me, George.” “That’s what God told me,” George replied. Maria was in shock…in awe…happy, but confused. She felt these feelings because a little over 30 years prior to that, Maria’s father, (Rev.) Percell Church (Sr.), told her mother (the former Marie Modest Frank) almost the exact same words!
After 18 years and other relationships, the couple realized that they were still in love with one another. They were joined in Holy Matrimony on July 24, 2010 in Atlanta, GA.
Gina Williams ’89 and Kirk Williams ’88
Celebrating 33 Years of Marriage
My best friend had met Kirk and felt there was something about him that made her think I’d like him. We were eventually introduced by my husband’s line brother who was trying to recruit me to be an Alpha Sweetheart. We became friends immediately and were soon inseparable. 33 years later, we’ve been blessed with two beautiful daughters and two handsome grandsons.
Note: All information above was submitted by our Bleu Devil couples. The order of appearance is based on the order the submissions were received.
Bleu Devil Love 2021 – Day 4
Welcome to Day 4 of Bleu Devil Love 2021
The Dillard University National Alumni Association (DUNAA) Awards Committee and the Dillard University Office of Alumni Relations will highlight married Dillard University couples that submitted entries.
We asked our Bleu Devil couples to tell us how their Dillard love story originated (while on the Oaks, after the Oaks with a Dillard alumnus, or they were married in Lawless Chapel). We had 40 couples respond and here are 8 of those couples.
Leah Oby ’09 and Michael Oby ’09
Celebrating 4 Years of Marriage
We met for the first time in 2005 in Williams Hall right before we evacuated for Katrina. We didn’t see each other again until post-Katrina at the Hilton aka “Hillard” when as fate would have it we ended up getting room assignments right next door to each other. Our love story began when we were able to return to the school campus in 2007.
Regenia Moore-Lee ’80 and Al Lee ’80
Celebrating 40 Years of Marriage
We met at Dillard as pre Freshmen students in the summer of 1976. Regenia was seriously involved in a comprehensive pre-med program. Al was having fun learning about Dillard and how to get around New Orleans. We married four years later in 1980 with DU best friends by our side the same weekend as we both graduated from Dillard, Summa Cum Laude.
Mattie Johnson Hobley ’77 and Billy Ray Hobley ’77
Celebrated 35 Years of Marriage
We met in 1973 in the freshman dormitory. Billy Ray apparently noticed me and told his friends he was going to talk to me. One day, he apparently overheard another basketball player say he was going to meet me in the dorm lounge. Billy arrived earlier and called me to the lobby. He introduced himself and said he needed to talk to me, at that point he took my hand and pulled me outside under the flagpole. He proceeded to tell me that I was going to be his girlfriend before we graduated from Dillard. Of course, I laughed since I didn’t know him and I already had a boyfriend at Xavier University. A few weeks later he invited me to the Athletics Awards Ceremony and the rest is history.
Danielle Williams ’16 and John Williams ’17
Celebrating 2 Years of Marriage
We formally met in Kearny. However, our first actual conversation was in the student union gym. About a couple of months later, he got my number at a Kabacoff party after the fashion show. Post graduation, we relocated and married in Las Vegas. That Coleman love… Should’ve known!
Cheryl Gabriel Harris ’78 and Emmet E. Harris ’77
Celebrating 41 Years of Marriage
We meet at Dillard and became sweethearts. We were the classic love story, basketball player meets cheerleader. After graduating, we married.
Trina Slaughter-Gibson ’88 and Brian Gibson ’89
Celebrating 30 Years of Marriage
We met in Biology class/lab in 1985. I was a year ahead of my husband but I took the wrong science my freshman year (chemistry) so by the time he came around his freshman year, I ended up in his Biology Class and Lab. He had been observing me for some time (according to him). One day in lab, while I was pledging AKA, I was sitting in the back of the class with my head on desk. He put his sweater around me. He then went on to try to be my lab partner (stating that I can prick his finger for a test). I was dating someone else so nothing happened until Fall 1986. I pursued him while he was pledging Kappa Alpha Psi…I kidnapped him for lunch one day and we knew we liked each other from that point. After he pledged, we started dating. Shortly after, I had to leave for NYC as I was accepted in a special 3-2 program with Dillard and Columbia University. We went onto have a 2 year long distance relationship. After we graduated from college, we moved to New Jersey together as we had made a pact that whomever got their job first we would move to that location. He proposed to me in New Jersey in 1989. Shortly after we moved to Chicago (his hometown) and we were married in my hometown of New Orleans on Brian’s birthday, October 20, 1990. We lived in Chicago 7 years before returning to Louisiana. We have lived in Slidell, LA for almost 27 years and we have 2 adult daughters (Josie Elaine Gibson-26yo and Jordyn Meona Gibson-21yo)
Shaniece Bell Bickham ’00 and Ralph Bickham ’00
Celebrating 20 Years of Marriage
We met in Stern Hall our freshman year during an advising session and have been inseparable ever since. We were married in Lawless Memorial Chapel in the summer of 2000, one month after graduation.
Tiffany Norflin Cloud ’98 and Dr. Cedric Cloud ’98
Celebrating 19 Years of Marriage
We met in history class our freshman year in the Fall of ’94, began dating our junior year and were married 3 years after graduation. Years later, we reflected on a comment made by our professor that we should find our spouses in college. At the time we didn’t understand the significance of her statement; now we’re living the power of her prophetic words!
Note: All information above was submitted by our Bleu Devil couples. The order of appearance is based on the order the submissions were received.
Bleu Devil Love 2021 – Day 3
Welcome to Day 3 of Bleu Devil Love 2021
The Dillard University National Alumni Association (DUNAA) Awards Committee and the Dillard University Office of Alumni Relations will highlight married Dillard University couples that submitted entries.
We asked our Bleu Devil couples to tell us how their Dillard love story originated (while on the Oaks, after the Oaks with a Dillard alumnus, or they were married in Lawless Chapel). We had 40 couples respond and here are 8 of those couples.
Jasmine Battles ’13 and Charles Battles III ’13
Celebrating 7 Years of Marriage
We met in high school and started dating our senior year of high school. We decided to go to Dillard together and we’ve been together ever since. We got married the day before we graduated from Dillard in 2013.
Lisa Hicks ’90 and Brian Hicks, Sr. ’91
Celebrating 28 Years of Marriage
Brian and I met in Kearny Hall through mutual friends. His story is that it was love at first sight. Brian had previously asked friends about me and they told him that I had a boyfriend and that I was the committed type. So, basically, don’t waste your time. Well, Brian listened and moved on and we became blushing acquaintances (from a distance) for 5 years. Fast forward 4 years later, I graduated in the Spring of 1990 and Brian graduated in the Spring of 1991. It was a spring night, Brian and I both attended a Sinbad concert at Dillard University. We spotted each other and stopped and talked, right in front of Kearny Hall. Brian, who is typically quiet had a little liquid courage (Crown Royal on Ice in my Jill Scott voice), approached me and the rest is history. We started dating in July of 1991. Brian proposed on Mother’s Day, May 10, 1992 and we were married in the Lawless Memorial Chapel on December 12, 1992. Two children (both HBCU graduates{Hampton and PVAMU} and 28 years later, we are still Happily Married. Thanks DU!!!
Jennifer J. Conner ’00 and Rashad A. Conner ’01
Celebrating 19 Years of Marriage
We met in Kearny in 1996 as freshmen, where many of the local students gathered between classes. However, our love story didn’t happen until our senior year, where would date and marry over a year later.
Destinee Showell ’14 and Matthew Jones ’14
Celebrating 6 Months of Marriage
Our story started as members of Dillard’s Track & Field Team. Our relationship was organic and instantly grew; we’ve been inseparable since. We have been together 10 years.
Ashanti Turner ’05 and Corey Turner ’04
Celebrating 9 Years of Marriage
Corey and I first crossed paths in 2001 inside the Cook building, both being Mass Comm majors. As a freshman and Corey a sophomore, we would see each other off and on, primarily in Cook between classes. Corey hesitated to approach me at the same time when we ran into each other. It was then, at an off-campus party at Rhythm City, where we first interacted. We eventually exchanged numbers during another encounter at the nurses office on campus, and the rest has been history ever since leaving Fair Dillard. Nine years of dating, nine years of marriage, and two kiddos later, we’re still doing this thing called love. #TeamTurner #BleuDevilLove #FairDillard #MyDu #OurDU
Adrienne Bradley Chatters ’87 and George K. Chatters ’89
Celebrating 29 Years of Marriage
We were introduced by a mutual friend, Lori Bolden Love (Miss Dillard) in Kearney Hall. While we don’t recall seeing each other prior to that introduction, afterwards, we kept “running into each other” (with a little effort on his part). We became fast friends as he was a fixture in Camphor Annex. Thirty-six years later we remain each other’s best friend and so much more. We are thankful for our beginnings at Dillard University and are blessed by how God has used our marriage to shape us into the people we are today. We are excited to see where He takes us next!
Lisa Jones Brown ’93 and John O. Brown, Jr. ’92
Celebrating 26.5 Years of Marriage
In August 1989, John was standing with friends at the Flagpole when he saw me walking to the Chapel. He asked a fellow classmate who I was and the classmate shared my name with him. The classmate introduced us and our first meetup was on the terrace in front of Dent Hall. We dated through our college years and were married in July 1994. The classmate was in our Wedding! We’ve been together 31 years and married 26 years. We have 3 young adult sons.
Leslie Atkins Stone ’00 and Calvin Stone ’02
Celebrating 15 Years of Marriage
I was sitting on the Oaks in Fall 1999 when Leslie and a friend passed by and complimented me on my cheek bones. We got to know each other better when we found out our roommates were dating. One game of truth or dare led to happily ever after.
Note: All information above was submitted by our Bleu Devil couples. The order of appearance is based on the order the submissions were received.
Bleu Devil Love 2021 – Day 2
Welcome to Day 2 of Bleu Devil Love 2021
The Dillard University National Alumni Association (DUNAA) Awards Committee and the Dillard University Office of Alumni Relations will highlight married Dillard University couples that submitted entries.
We asked our Bleu Devil couples to tell us how their Dillard love story originated (while on the Oaks, after the Oaks with a Dillard alumnus, or they were married in Lawless Chapel). We had 40 couples respond and here are 8 of those couples.
Tanisha Johnson ’06 and Rance Johnson ’06
Celebrating 13 Years of Marriage
We met in front of Straight hall in 2002 (our freshman year) through mutual friends. We began dating in 2004 (our sophomore year). We graduated July 2006 and married 17 months later on December 15, 2007.
Tiffany White ’02 and Maurice White ’02
Celebrating 16 Years of Marriage
We met on the Avenue of the Oaks our freshman year in 1998. We became great friends, but did not start dating until our senior year. We got married three years later in 2004.
Nicole Narcisse Sterling ’99 and Jamal Gibran Sterling ’99
Celebrating 20 Years of Marriage
We met through mutual friends in the Dillard Concert Choir. I knew of him, but it wasn’t until his best friend hyped him up to write a note and throw it at my head during choir practice did he pop onto my radar. We began dating during Spring 1996 tour, graduated together in ‘99 and were married on July 15, 2000.
Sylvia Hamilton ’77 and Stephen Hamilton ’76
Celebrating 40 Years of Marriage
We met on yard during lunchtime in 1973.
Chasidy Cornealius-Walton (1996-1999) and Adrian Walton ’99
Celebrating 22 Years of Marriage
During Fall 1996, we met in the lobby of Straight Hall. We were married in August 1998. We have one daughter, India Walton, formed by our Union. India graduated Summa Cum Laude Dillard’s class of 2020.
Channing Bias Smith ’09 and Derek J. Smith ’03
Celebrating 7.5 Years of Marriage
We met in 2006 while I was at the Hilton, began dating a year later, and were married in Lawless Chapel in 2013.
Dana Clark ’09 and Johnathan Clark ’09
Celebrating 10 Years of Marriage
In 2006, we met through a mutual friend at Dillard who invited us to you party. At the party, we danced the night away and have been inseparable since, easily becoming best friends. We were not Greek when we met, but it was destined to be a Coleman Love story for us. My husband becoming a member of Omega Psi Phi in the Spring of 2007 and I becoming a member of Delta Sigma Theta the Fall of 2008. We graduated in 2009. Two years later we wed on Valentines Day. We will be celebrating ten years of marriage this year!
Brette Adams-Brunt ’09 and Edward A. Brunt IV ’12
Celebrating 5 Years of Marriage
We met in the bottom of Kearny in 2005 while I was playing a spades game with my roommate during freshman orientation week. We talked, laughed in good company and connected over an exchange of a cell phone. We spent the first two weeks at Dillard hanging out touring the City and then Katrina hit. Only separated for a couple of weeks, we reunited at Alabama State University for the rest of the semester. We kept our relationship going and reunited after returning to Dillard where our new home would be the Hilton Hotel. It’s been history ever since! Just like our historical Oak Trees our love has stood the test of time and we will forever love our DU!
Note: All information above was submitted by our Bleu Devil couples. The order of appearance is based on the order the submissions were received.
Bleu Devil Love 2021 – Day 1
Welcome to Day 1 of Bleu Devil Love 2021
The Dillard University National Alumni Association (DUNAA) Awards Committee and the Dillard University Office of Alumni Relations will highlight married Dillard University couples that submitted entries.
We asked our Bleu Devil couples to tell us how their Dillard love story originated (while on the Oaks, after the Oaks with a Dillard alumnus, or married in Lawless Chapel). We had 40 couples respond and here are 8 of those couples.
Shirley J. Williams-Kane ’97 and Glenn Kane (1993-1996)
Dillard University National Alumni Association National President and Husband
Celebrating 16 Years of Marriage
We met in Rosenwald because Glenn was interested in Alpha Phi Omega. However, our love story didn’t happen until years after the Oaks.
Shirlean McEwen-Law ’98 and Brian Law ’97
Dillard University National Alumni Association Awards Committee Chairpersons
Celebrating 23 Years of Marriage
Shirlean saw Brian first inside Dent Hall during her freshman week. Shirlean whispered over to a new friend (Melanie Finley, Miss Dillard ’98) and told her, ” You see that guy, he will be my guy soon.” Shirlean nervously introduced herself to Brian in front of Camphor. Not long after, they began to talk on the yard. By the Spring of 1995, they began dating. They would try to hide their relationship from their professors in fear of them finding out (especially Marva Smith).
After Brian graduated in 1997, he went back home to Texas to pursue a career in the medical field. He and Shirlean kept in touch and even visited each other often. By this time, they were very serious about the relationship going to the next level. October 1997, Brian flew down from Houston and set up an engagement dinner for two with his old roommate’s help (Andrew Randall ’97). He popped the question that night at Augie’s Glass Garden in Metairie. They wed in May 1998.
The key to their sustainable marriage is to keep the communication open- even if it’s not good. Also, understanding that it’s okay to disagree. Working through the hard times makes them stronger. The couple resides in the Houston area.
Drs. Angela Anderson ’98 and Otis Anderson III ’98
Celebrating 16 Years of Marriage
We met in our University Scholars Honors course. We began dating our sophomore year and continued dating until we married 8 years later. We have been married for 16 years.
Latosha Rhone ’06 and Bruce Rhone Jr. ’06
Celebrating 12 Years of Marriage
We met in 2002 while I worked work study for Dr. Love. He was a student in her class. We admired each other from afar the four years we were on campus, each being in separate relationships. Eventually, he asked me out on a date when we lived in the Hilton after hurricane Katrina. We temporarily lost contact after graduation and connected again in January 2007. We never lost contact again and were married on January 24, 2009. We now have two beautiful daughters and live in Houston, TX.
Alicia Brown ’03 and Bruce Brown Jr. ’02
Celebrating 16 Years of Marriage
We met in Dr. Fugar’s Statistics class in 2001. My spouse expressed interest in me. We have been together ever since . We have been married for sixteen years!
Stacia Knight ’15 and Christian Knight ’12
Celebrating 2 Years of Marriage
Stacia Neal and Christian Knight met in 2011 on the yard at Dillard University. Stacia and Christian couldn’t keep their eyes off of each other. Eventually, Stacia made the bold move and asked a mutual friend of theirs, “who is this guy, and why does he keep looking this way.” Later in the evening, the mutual friend contacted Christian and asked him to come closer to Stacia to meet finally. Instead, Christian played “hard-to-get” and told the mutual friend that he would text Stacia later. Well, Christian texted Stacia immediately and invited her out on their first date. After seven years of friendship, the two soulmates finally married on September 29, 2018. They continue to reside in Slidell, LA, where they plan to raise a family in the future. Christian is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, and Stacia is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated.
Ciara Mercadel Lowe ’05 and Joshua Lowe ’07
Celebrating 10 Years of Marriage
We both crossed our respective sorority/fraternity the same semester, but I graduated a year early. Then, Hurricane Katrina came. Once students returned to campus, Josh ran into my cousin, Chanel, and put the bug in her ear that he wanted to reach out to me. The rest is history. We began dating shortly after that, and on May 15, 2010, we were married.
Danielle Harris Davis ’08 and John R. Davis Jr. (2006-2008)
Celebrating 13.5 Years of Marriage
John and I met at James Lewis Extension Middle School in New Orleans. We decided to become a couple a few months after we met, but it didn’t last long because he said I was too bossy. We then reconnected in high school, dated while attending Dillard, and married in June 2007 – one year before graduating from Dillard. We now have a two year old daughter and currently reside in Houston, TX.
Note: All information above was submitted by our Bleu Devil couples. The order of appearance is based on the order the submissions were received.
2020 NBCAF Legacy of Leaders Alumni President of the Year
Congratulations Shirley J. Williams-Kane, Dillard University National Alumni Association National President, is the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Foundation’s 2020 Alumni President of the Year. Since graduating from Dillard University in 1997 with her Bachelors of Arts in History, Shirley’s passion has been advocating for and promoting attendance and graduation from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, especially her alma mater, Dillard University.
Shirley consistently stresses the pipeline of creating an engaged alumni starts with alumni engagement before and during their tenure at the University. In the past, she has personally garnered over 1,000 applications for acceptance into Dillard University. For those students who attend Dillard, she maintains a personal relationship with and ensures they are connected with alumni events.
Her passion for the development of alumni is shown in her willingness to go above and beyond even driving more than two hours to visit a recent high school graduate who has decided to attend Dillard University but is nervous about leaving home amid the global pandemic.
Also, under her leadership, the Association continued the tradition of donating $2,000 to the Dillard University Pre-Alumni Council. This donation supports the Pre-Alumni Council’s activities with the United Negro College Fund Pre-Alumni Conference.
Shirley understands student scholarship needs, especially since a significant portion of our student population is Pell-eligible. The Association and its chapters have donated over $37,000 in this fiscal year to either the DUNAA Endowed Scholarship, Chapter specific endowed and non-endowed scholarships, the Student Assistance for Emergencies (S.A.F.E.) Fund and chapter book scholarships given directly to students. One chapter is currently developing a new non-endowed scholarship to assist students in their area.
Shirley has personally recruited ten new members to the Association this year and has fostered the re-activation of two chapters and the creation of a new chapter. She has profoundly impacted the lives of all she has come into contact with. She inspires the youth to attend Dillard University or other Historically Black Colleges. She encourages recent college graduates that she mentors to join their own college’s national alumni association.
Shirley emphasizes the importance of providing information to alumni on the importance of active membership in the Association and effective alumni involvement with pre-alumni. Under her leadership, the Association held its first Fall Conference, with over 50 registered attendees, that featured alumni presentations and discussions with Dillard University Pre-Alumni Council, the University President, and other University officials. This ensured that alumni were receiving a well-rounded point of view of how alumni can be involved. Shirley secured pre-alumni volunteers to ensure dialogue was had between alumni and pre-alumni. Many attendees utilized the information from the conference to ensure their chapters were more involved in the development of pre-alumni to alumni.
For more information about the 2019 Fall National Conference, please click here.
Congratulations National President Shirley J. Williams-Kane for being recognized as the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame 2020 Legacy of Leaders Alumni President.
And, THANK YOU for your service to the Dillard University National Alumni Association and our Fair Dillard!
2020 NBCAF Legacy of Leaders Small Alumni Chapter of Year
Congratulations to the Dillard University National Alumni Association Washington, DC Metropolitan Area Alumni Chapter for being recognized as the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame 2020 Legacy of Leaders Small Alumni Chapter!
For the past five decades, the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area Alumni chapter has been the place where a group of distinguished alums have come together to perform a magnitude of works for their alma mater and the community at large. The story of how each alumnus arrived in the DC area is unique, but all members share an unyielding passion to exemplify the mission of Dillard University. Small, but mighty, the Chapter boasts a diverse membership with 25 members. The executive board alone includes members from the classes of 1982 to 2013.
Likewise, three members of the Chapter currently serve on the executive board of the Dillard University National Alumni Association and two others recently served.
Also, four Chapter members were honored by Dillard University via its alumni awards in 2020.
During the 2019-2020 fiscal year, the Chapter was pleased to continue its yearly tradition of donating to the University via its Fannie N. Ridgeway Endowed Housing Scholarship and the Student Assistance for Emergencies (S.A.F.E.) Fund. Even with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chapter donated $10,000. The Chapter raised the money through efforts that included its 16th Annual Scholarship Jazz Brunch, and the 7th Annual Washington DC Metro HBCU Alumni Alliance Run/Walk.
In addition to fundraising, the Chapter develops the pipeline for its future alumni. The Chapter hosted its annual Summer Send Off for incoming Freshman and continuing students. The Chapter’s High School Recruitment Committee attended 4 high school recruitment events over the last year and due to their efforts, at least eight students will enroll at Dillard for the Fall 2020 semester. This is no small fete for at least 5 HBCUs within driving distance of the Washington, DC Metro area.
For the Class of 2020 graduates from the Washington, DC metro area, the chapter honored them with individual posts on social media and hosted a watch party for the virtual degree conferral held on May 9, 2020.
The Chapter is also supportive of the collective HBCU community via membership in the United Negro College Fund (UNCF)/Washington Inter Alumni Council (WIAC) and the DC Metro HBCU Alumni Alliance. The Chapter had attendees at the UNCF 2020 A Mind Is.. Gala, the UNCF/WIAC Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast, the Alliance’s HBCU Alumni Black-Tie Gala and the Alliance’s DC Metro HBCU 5k Run/2k Walk.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chapter was planning a 3rd Annual Mardi Gras/Masquerade Ball with the Xavier University of Louisiana alumni chapter. This event has been postponed to 2021.
Chapter members, under the leadership of the executive board, have already hit the ground running considering the current pandemic. The Chapter has gone virtual with meetings and events. The Chapter has hosted a Movie Night, its annual Summer Send Off, a trivia night, and its chapter meeting, all virtually.
Congratulations Washington, DC Metropolitan Area Alumni Chapter for being recognized as the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame 2020 Legacy of Leaders Small Alumni Chapter.
And, THANK YOU for your service to the Dillard University National Alumni Association and our Fair Dillard!
For more information on Washington, DC Metropolitan Area Alumni Chapter, click here.
15 Days of DUNAA Chapter Excellence – Atlanta
Class Year:
1995
Major/Minor:
English
Chapter Name:
Atlanta
DUNAA Life Member
How long have you been a chapter president?
4 Years
Why did you become a chapter president?
I became a chapter president because of my desire to create awareness for Dillard University in the Metro Atlanta Area.
What is your favorite alumni moment/memory since becoming a chapter president?
I have so many favorite moments…I guess my most memorable moment was presenting a certificate to a 100 year old alumnae of Dillard/Straight University at her birthday party. And she was able to tell stories of her days at Dillard University and how she met her husband on campus.
What does Fair Dillard Forever mean to you?
Fair Dillard Forever means sharing DU History, Culture and Experience through our generations and generations to come. Keeping the spirit of the Dillard University Bleu Devils a live is how Fair Dillard Forever continues to thrive.
Professional Background
20 Years -UUA Printing, CEO, Director of Marketing
10 Radio Marketing/Sales /Promotions – Clear Channel Radio
Strategic Sales & Relationship Development
Certified Marketing Professional
Project Management Specialist
Awards and Recognitions
2019 Woman in Business Awardee
2019 Ada Green Recruitment Awardee, DUNAA-Atlanta
2020-17 PRESIDENT Dillard University National Alumni Association – Atlanta & VICE PRESIDENT Dillard University National Alumni Association – Atlanta
2018-16 BOARD MEMBER Campbell Athletics Booster Club, Smyrna, GA VICE PRESIDENT Campbell Middle School PTA, Smyrna, GA
2017 Ada Green Recruitment Award, DUNAA-Atlanta
2015 HONORARY RECIPIENT Mayor’s Education Award for Community Dedication & Service City of Smyrna
2010 HONORARY RECIPIENT Martin Luther King’s Humanitarian Award City of Smyrna
2006 HONOREE DHL Business Partner Atlanta, GA
15 Days of DUNAA Chapter Excellence – Jackson (Magnolia)
DU ALUMNI NEWS 