As the Sam Cooke song lyrics illustrate, change is going to come, and so it has. Indeed, we at Norfolk State University understand the truth of that observation. 2017 has been a year of growth and change. We bid farewell to President and CEO Eddie N. Moore, Jr., launched new future-forward branding and dedicated a new learning complex.
President Moore, who announced his retirement in September, guided Norfolk State through a particularly challenging period. Using his years of vast experience serving several institutions in the Commonwealth, he provided the leadership necessary for Norfolk State to weather the storms and begin a promising, strong and bold future (Page 3). With his guidance, the University experienced an increase in enrollment and retention, expanded its physical footprint with the addition of state-of-the-art academic facilities and unveiled a forward-looking new brand and website. Moore’s indomitable spirit and drive for excellence has created an exciting momentum and set NSU on a path to reach its greatest potential.
As part of the momentum the President began, NSU rolled out our new brand in August 2017… a process that included research and hundreds of interviews with recent graduates, new and prospective students, alumni, faculty, staff and other diverse audiences. One resounding message came through from all of our focus groups and surveys – Norfolk State University has transformed the lives of generations of students and alumni, who often exceed their own expectations (Page 16). They credit their success to NSU. This viewpoint helped shape our new tagline, “We See the Future in You.”
Our ongoing fundraising initiatives continue to assist our students. And, speaking of raising funds . . . the Norfolk State University versus Virginia State University Battle of the States was a success with NSU winning the battle hands-down, raising more than $300,000 (Page 21). In addition to being great fun, NSU engaged its largest number of donors to date through this online giving campaign.
The Norfolk State University Board of Visitors met in November and issued a resolution to officially name the building formerly known as the Business and Humanities Multiplex to G.W.C. Brown Memorial Hall. The Board noted a growing interest within the Norfolk State community, including alumni and retirees, to name the building after G.W.C. Brown, one of the founders of Norfolk State.The opening of the new G.W.C. Brown Memorial Hall completed the construction of the University’s quadrangle. The 154,000 square-foot building houses futuristic classrooms, a new performing arts theatre, administrative and faculty offices, and is the new home for the College of Liberal Arts, Ethelyn R. Strong School of Social Work, School of Business, Robert C. Nusbaum Honors College and Title III.
In closing, I would like to thank the many donors, alumni, faculty, staff, corporations and friends who have supported Norfolk State in 2017. If you have not made a gift to NSU this year, please do so today. All gifts of any size make a positive impact on the University and help provide an outstanding education to our students. To make a gift, go online to nsu.edu/givenow or use the envelope enclosed in this issue and mail it before December 31. As we say good-bye to President Moore and 2017, we look forward to 2018 and welcoming Dr. Melvin T. Stith ’68, Interim President and CEO, and his wife, Dr. Patricia Lynch Stith ’68 to Norfolk State University in January. Our future is bright . . . and together we will forge onward with boldness.
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