As you read the Spring 2017 Behold, I hope everyone is in good health and spirits. Norfolk State University recently wrapped up an outstanding 2016-2017 academic year under the leadership of President and CEO Eddie N. Moore Jr. Our University continues to grow and thrive, and we’re educating the next generation of Spartan scholars and leaders.
On May 6, NSU held its 100th Commencement Ceremony at the Norfolk Scope. Nearly 600 students received their bachelor’s, master’s and/or doctoral degrees. As I watched students walk across the stage, the excitement on their faces was evident as they achieved this important milestone in their lives.
This edition of Behold features stories about how Norfolk State University alumni, students and faculty are serving their communities. These individuals are making an impact in their respective communities in Hampton Roads, across the nation, and internationally. Members of the NSU community have made significant contributions in many areas to include education, public safety, government, social work and philanthropy.
Our cover story features Kathleen Magee, (Page 16) co-founder and president of Operation Smile, an international medical charity in Virginia Beach. The organization provides hundreds of thousands of free surgeries for children overseas affected by cleft lip and other facial deformities. Magee, who received her master’s degree in social work from NSU, has helped to cultivate a coalition of international volunteers who value commitment, leadership and giving back.
Norfolk State has also produced a long history of graduates who now serve the community by working in public safety and education. Earlier this year, Alvie Culanding, a 1996 alumnus, became the first Filipino-American Captain at the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office –Virginia’s largest city. BEHOLD (Page 10) follows Culanding around Norfolk State as he visits the campus for the first time in nearly 10 years.The magazine features an article (Page 12) highlighting our highly-effective teachers and educational administrators who touch the lives of their students every day.
During the spring semester, Norfolk State University and the U.S. Coast Guard established a partnership to increase diversity within the military branch. As partners, we will both promote the Coast Guard’s College PreCommissioning Initiative (CSPI) program to our students to help enhance the demographic profile of the Coast Guard’s officer corps.
This is an exciting edition of Behold. We hope you enjoy it. As I close, I want to express my thanks and appreciation to everyone who invested in the 2016 I Aa NSU Campaign. Because of your generosity, the University raised more than $3 million in cash and pledges, from more than 3,100 donors. I’m especially proud of our Alumni who contributed more than $1 million to support students and the University for the third straight year. Your continued financial support makes it possible to extend Norfolk State’s proud educational legacy well into the future.
If you have not made an investment in NSU’s future in 2017, please make a gift today. All gifts, of any size, make an impact and will help transform the lives of our students in profound and lasting ways.
So we can provide you an even better experience we are collecting feedback on how you enjoyed this issue of Behold Magazine. The survey typically take no more than 3 minutes to complete. If you have any questions please contact Regina Lightfoot at rllightfoot@nsu.edu.
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