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President panelist on Wells Fargo HBCU program

In News, News & Events by KHarrington

CHARLOTTE – Livingstone President Dr. Anthony J. Davis will serve as one of three panelists on Tuesday, Feb. 21, for Wells Fargo’s Black History Month Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Panel Discussion. Davis will join Dr. Michael Lomax, president and CEO of the United Negro College Fund, and Rep. Carla Cunningham of the 106th District of North Carolina, House of Representatives, on the panel. The intent of the panel discussion is to invite listeners to learn how HBCUs are empowering the next generation of leaders and igniting opportunities for companies such as Wells Fargo to partner with HBCUs to advance a more diverse talent pipeline and equitable society. Davis is the 13th president of Livingstone College, the first alumnus in 25 years to lead the institution, having graduated magna cum laude in 2001. Prior to becoming president on Oct. 1, 2022, Davis served as senior vice president/chief operating officer for Livingstone. In that role, he was responsible for supervising and providing leadership for the entire fundraising enterprise. He also managed the day-to-day operations with the responsibility of providing strategic oversight in key areas on campus to create synergy that promotes economic growth, revenue generation and sustainability. Dr. Davis is a foster care survivor who emancipated himself from the foster care system at age 17 and joined the United States Air Force. He attended The Fundraising School of Indiana University – Bloomington’s Center of Philanthropy (Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis); earned his master’s degree in philanthropy and development from St. Mary’s …

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President secures $7M for campus upgrades

In Dr. Jenkins, News, News & Events by KHarrington

SALISBURY – Livingstone College made a major announcement at its Founder’s Day program Friday that will contribute millions of dollars into refurbishing the campus residence halls. “In my first 120 days, I have secured capital investment to the tune of $4 million that we will use to begin refurbishing our student residence halls,” said Livingstone President Dr. Anthony J. Davis before a full audience. “Wait a minute, that’s not all,” Davis said, adding that he has found an additional $3 million in the college’s budget to go toward the project, for a grand total of $7 million. Davis received a standing ovation for the announcement. “The least we can do is make students comfortable while they are on their journey,” Davis said. “We will begin construction in May. I’m paying it forward because my students deserve it.” In addition to this announcement, Davis also said Mondale Robinson, a 2011 graduate of Livingstone College and the mayor of Enfield, has pledged $60,000 per year over the next 10 years. And, Dr. Laticia Godette, owner of Ottendorf Laboratories, presented the college with a check for $50,000, as part of an ongoing pledge. Challenging infrastructure has plagued the 144-year-old historic black college with students sometimes venting their frustrations on social media. Davis referenced a social media comment from an individual who said the college “should have closed a long time ago.” “Initially I was bothered,” he said. “But I realized that of all that was said, that was most factual. This institution should …

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Davis named 13th president of Livingstone College

In News, News & Events, Pebbles by KHarrington

The Livingstone College Board of Trustees voted unanimously to name Dr. Anthony J. Davis as the 13th president of Livingstone College. The announcement was made Thursday, Sept. 22, during the Board of Trustees’ annual fall meeting held on campus, following an executive session. Davis, an alumnus of Livingstone College, currently serves as senior vice president of Institutional Advancement and chief operating officer. “The Search Committee was very intentional on finding someone that would embrace students, understand the culture of the school and be familiar with the community,” said Bishop Kenneth Monroe, chairman of the board. “We had good candidates. We had to look at the vision of the person and if that person was able to connect with the ideals we were looking for.” In his current role, Davis led the college through the COVID-19 pandemic as chair of its task force and managed the day-to-day operations of the college, all while supervising and providing leadership for the entire fundraising enterprise at Livingstone College. “I recognized Dr. Davis’ talents and his willingness to roll up his sleeves and to work hard. That’s why I appointed him chief operating officer,” said Livingstone President Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins, Sr. “In essence, he has been practicing to step into the seat of president.” “I’m happy, I’m humbled, and I’m honored to be selected to serve as the 13th president of Livingstone College,” Davis said. “Twenty-one years ago, I started on this journey to become president. It is true what poet Langston Hughes said, …

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President, daughter, headlines next ‘Fridays at the Stone’

In Dr. Jenkins, News, News & Events by KHarrington

  Livingstone College will host its fourth installment of ‘Fridays at the Stone’ on March 25 and it will be a family affair. The featured speaker will be Livingstone President Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins, Sr., as he reflects on his 16-year tenure at Livingstone. The business spotlight speaker is Dr. Lisa Davis of Smiles by Design, the president’s daughter. Networking begins at 7:15 a.m. at the Livingstone College School of Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts, 530 Jake Alexander Blvd., South. The program will start promptly at 7:30 a.m. Fridays at the Stone is a series of networking and relationship building events, hosted by Livingstone College. Each program typically features three elements: A Livingstone College program spotlight; a minority local business/nonprofit spotlight; and an alumni spotlight. There will not be an alumni spotlight in March. Jenkins announced his retirement in February, effective July 1. He is the second longest-tenured president in the history of the college. Most recently, he was inducted into the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Hall of Fame and the CIAA announced it was creating a scholarship in his honor. Davis has 20-plus years of dental experience, specializing in cosmetics, oral surgery and pediatric dentistry. A graduate of Rutgers Dental School, she completed her residency at the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. She has also had specialty training at the University of Texas at San Antonio. “Fridays at the Stone” is an intentional effort by Livingstone College to network and engage more with the community and business leaders, …

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President inducted into CIAA Hall of Fame

In Dr. Jenkins, News, News & Events by KHarrington

Athletic association also creates scholarship in his name  SALISBURY – Livingstone President Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins, Sr., was inducted into the CIAA 2022 Class of the John B. McLendon Jr. Hall of Fame on Feb. 25 at the Baltimore Convention Center. The induction was among several recognitions for the outgoing Livingstone College president, who announced his retirement two weeks prior to the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association basketball tournament, held in Baltimore, Md., Feb. 22-26. CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams also announced on Friday during the semi-finals that the CIAA was creating a scholarship in Jenkins’ name. Jenkins is the longest-tenured president among the CIAA-member institutions and currently serves on the CIAA’s Board of Directors. “I couldn’t believe it,” Jenkins recalled when McWilliams informed him he was being inducted into the Hall of Fame for his 28 years with the CIAA. The CIAA recognizes inductees for their excellence in the conference, significant contributions in the community, leadership within CIAA athletics, and commitment to the conference mission. “When I first joined, I was the youngest member on the board. And now as I depart, I’m the oldest member on the board,” Jenkins quipped during a talk-show style interview at the induction ceremony. “And just to have my colleagues who are younger than I to see something in me to the point where they voted me into the Hall of Fame is something that I will remember and cherish for the rest of my life.” Jenkins is credited with saving the historically black college …

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President Jenkins announces retirement

In Dr. Jenkins, News, News & Events by KHarrington

Dr. Jenkins is second longest tenured leader in college’s history  SALISBURY – Livingstone College President Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins, Sr., announced to the Board of Trustees on Feb. 9 that he will retire from his role on July 1, 2022, after 16 years of service. Jenkins was appointed to lead the historically black college in February 2006. He is the second longest tenured president in the history of the school. Prior to Livingstone, Jenkins served as president of Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, Fla, where a gymnasium there bears his name. Before that, he made history by becoming the first alumnus of Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) to serve as chancellor, after earning both his master’s and doctorate degrees in biology from Perdue University. A science building at ECSU is named in his honor. The Livingstone Board of Trustees reluctantly accepted Jenkins letter and recognized his constructive feats as president. New board chairman Bishop Kenneth Monroe said that Jenkins will remain in his role as president until a successor is appointed, and trustees and the college prepare for a series of events commemorating his tenure. “Having labored 38 years as a college and university president has been exhilarating and exhausting,” Jenkins said. “I am grateful for the great support from the Livingstone College Board of Trustees, our alumni, the people and leaders of the City of Salisbury and Rowan County, donors and friends of the college. There is a strong sense of melancholy in the realization that a long career …

CNN political pundit Bakari Sellers speaker at Founder’s Day FridayThree honorary doctorates to be awarded Livingstone College will celebrate Founder’s Day on Friday, Feb. 26, with a virtual program premiering at 10 a.m. on its official YouTube Channel. The annual program celebrates the life and legacy of one of its founders and first president, Dr. Joseph Charles Price, and is held in February, the month in which Price was born. The speaker for the occasion will be attorney Bakari Sellers, son of a civil rights activist, a history maker and a rising star in the Democratic Party. Sellers made history in 2006 when, at just 22 years old, he defeated a 26-year incumbent state representative to become the youngest member of the South Carolina State Legislature and the youngest African American elected official in the nation. In 2014, he won the Democratic nomination for Lt. Governor in South Carolina, and has also worked for United States Congressman James Clyburn and former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin. Sellers was born into an activist family. He has followed in the footsteps of his father, civil rights leader Dr. Cleveland Sellers, in his tireless commitment to public service while championing progressive policies to address issues ranging from education and poverty to preventing domestic violence and childhood obesity. Sellers earned his undergraduate degree from Morehouse College, where he served as student body president, and his law degree from the University of South Carolina. He is the author of The New York Times best-selling book My Vanishing Country: A Memoir, which has been described as part memoir, part historical and cultural analysis – illustrating the lives of America’s forgotten black working-class men and women. He also hosts the Bakari Sellers Podcast, a twice-a-week show part of The Ringer Podcast Network that addresses politics, race, sports, media and more. Sellers currently practices law with the Strom Law Firm, LLC

In Pebbles by Donnie ButlerLeave a Comment

 Three honorary doctorates to be awarded Livingstone College will celebrate Founder’s Day on Friday, Feb. 26, with a virtual program premiering at 10 a.m. on its official YouTube Channel. The annual program celebrates the life and legacy of one of its founders and first president, Dr. Joseph Charles Price, and is held in February, the month in which Price was born. The speaker for the occasion will be attorney Bakari Sellers, son of a civil rights activist, a history maker and a rising star in the Democratic Party. Sellers made history in 2006 when, at just 22 years old, he defeated a 26-year incumbent state representative to become the youngest member of the South Carolina State Legislature and the youngest African American elected official in the nation.  In 2014, he won the Democratic nomination for Lt. Governor in South Carolina, and has also worked for United States Congressman James Clyburn and former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin.  Sellers was born into an activist family. He has followed in the footsteps of his father, civil rights leader Dr. Cleveland Sellers, in his tireless commitment to public service while championing progressive policies to address issues ranging from education and poverty to preventing domestic violence and childhood obesity.  Sellers earned his undergraduate degree from Morehouse College, where he served as student body president, and his law degree from the University of South Carolina. He is the author of The New York Times best-selling book My Vanishing Country: A Memoir, which has been described as …

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Livingstone College president panelist at State of Black N.C. Conference

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Board of Trustee member among ’50 most influential’ in Piedmont Triad SALISBURY – Livingstone College President Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins, Sr. will serve as a panelist at the 2018 State of Black North Carolina Conference during a session on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The panel discussion, “HBCUs: Their Mission, Their Value, Their Future,” will be held Thursday, May 10, from 8:30-10:15 a.m. at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem. HBCUs are under attack from many corners, organizers said. Their value is being probed and the question that used to be whispered is now being shouted: “Do we still need black colleges?” “This panel of HBCU leaders will discuss the vital roles HBCUs play in the community and the indisputable roles their graduates play in larger society,” said Richard Williams, president and chief executive officer of Black Business Media LLC, the founder and convener of the State of Black North Carolina Conference. Jenkins will join Dr. Elwood Robinson, chancellor of Winston-Salem State University; Dr. Phyllis Worthy Dawkins, president of Bennett College; and Dr. Karrie G. Dixon, interim chancellor of Elizabeth City State University. “HBCUs are just as relevant today as they were when first established,” Jenkins said. “In addition to producing skilled, educated leaders, HBCUs have and continue to shape the economic and social landscape of North Carolina and the nation. I’m looking forward to discussing the narrative of Livingstone College.” The State of Black North Carolina Conference is presented by Black Business Ink Magazine and BBM Strategic Marketing …