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‘All I wanted was a chance’

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Livingstone SGA president Terrell Richardson, left, works with Salisbury Mayor Al Heggins. He was the first intern for the City of Salisbury mayor’s office and will graduate May 5 with a bachelor’s in social work.   Livingstone’s Terrell Richardson found life at the stone When he steps to the podium, the audience quiets with anticipation. He’s developed a reputation of saying something so arousing that even bishops stand to their feet. Following electrifying introductions, he gives his name: “Greetings, I’m Terrell Richardson, the 89th president of the Student Government Association of Livingstone College.” Though he has the mannerisms of a clergyman, he shuns those references, at least for now. His dream, he says, is to become a college president of a historically black college or university. On Saturday, he will become one step closer toward that dream as he walks across the stage as a Livingstone College graduate. “I didn’t choose Livingstone College. Livingstone College chose me,” he said. “I didn’t have a choice. Livingstone College was the only place that gave me a chance.” Richardson took advantage of his only chance and excelled during his matriculation at Livingstone. In addition to being the SGA president, he was the junior class president and a member of the Rotaract Club, the Livingstone NAACP chapter, Phi Alpha Honor Society, Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society and a resident assistant. A social work major, he was also a member of the Social Work Action Group. Last summer, he was selected as a Walton Fellow, …

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First Lady of Livingstone presented Key to the City

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Dr. Faleese Moore Jenkins, second from left, the First Lady of Livingstone College, is presented with a Key to the City by Salisbury Mayor Al Heggins, left. Joining in the presentation are Jenkins’ daughters, from left, Attorney Ginger Cartwright and Dr. Lisa Lopez.   Dr. Faleese Moore Jenkins, the first lady of Livingstone College, admitted that it’s hard to pull a surprise on her. But on Monday, she got one of the biggest shockers of her life. During a Sorority Luncheon on the school’s campus, Salisbury Mayor Al Heggins read a proclamation proclaiming April 30, 2018, as Dr. Faleese Moore Jenkins Annual Sorority Day. Following the announcement, Heggins presented Jenkins with a Key to the City. “I am just overwhelmed, humbled, surprised and appreciative that the mayor would think about me to present such a cherishable token,” Jenkins said. “When I travel – and travel abroad – I will tell them about this.” Awarding Keys to the City is up to the discretion of the mayor, Heggins said. “Dr. Faleese Moore Jenkins meets the criteria of someone who does outstanding work, one who is a collaborator and someone who is doing everything to enhance our community and bring different voices together.” Heggins presented the award with Jenkins’ daughters, Attorney Ginger Cartwright and Dr. Lisa  Lopez, by her side. Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins, Sr., Livingstone College president, said he is extremely proud of his wife and the honor bestowed upon her. “She is the wind beneath my wings and is deserving …

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Livingstone College wins $30,000 Home Depot grant

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Above, Livingstone College staffers are shown at the awards ceremony with “A Different World” cast members. Shown, from left, are Kadeem Hardison; Patrice Evan Saunders, Babcock Residence Hall director; Cree Summer; Jasmine Guy; and Anthony Brown, director of student activities.   Actor Laz Alonso of “Jumping the Broom” fame, shown far left, and Melissa Brown, Home Depot senior marketing manager, shown far right, present a $30,000 ceremonial check to Livingstone staffers, Anthony Brown, director of student activities, and Patrice Evan Saunders, Babcock Residence Hall director, at the Home Depot headquarters in Atlanta, Ga., Monday.   SALISBURY – Livingstone College has won a $30,00 grant from Home Depot’s Retool Your School Campus Improvement Grant Program. The award was announced and presented Monday, April 30, at The Home Depot Store Support Center in Atlanta, Ga. The Home Depot Retool Your School program gives Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) an opportunity to make upgrades to their campuses. Nine campus improvement grants totally $360,000 are awarded each year. Schools are divided into three clusters based on their student enrollment population. All grants are awarded based on consumer voting (unlimited) and project proposal scores, which are determined by a panel of judges Livingstone College placed third in Cluster 3. The grant money will be used to upgrade the outdoor student pavilion next to the cafeteria. The Home Depot Retool Your School Campaign was led by Anthony Brown, student activities director; Justin Walker, communications project and technical specialist, and Vincia Miller, director of Alumni Affairs. …

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Senator Dan Blue keynote speaker for Livingstone College commencement Saturday

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Bishop Proctor is Baccalaureate speaker Friday night  SALISBURY – The 2018 graduating class of Livingstone College will experience a full circle moment on Saturday during May commencement. Senator Dan T. Blue Jr. was the guest speaker during Fall Convocation in 2014 when these class members were freshmen. Four years, later, he is returning as the keynote speaker for their graduation. Livingstone College will hold its 136th Annual Commencement on Saturday, May 5, at 9 a.m. at the Alumni Memorial Football Stadium. “Having Senator Dan Blue to return to address the same student body he did four years ago is serendipitous,” said Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins, Sr., Livingstone College president. “He welcomed them in on the first leg of their journey and now he will bid them a fond farewell on the next chapter of their lives with what I’m sure will be great advice for success.” A native of Lumberton, Blue was first elected in 1980 to the North Carolina House of Representatives, representing Wake County, and has been re-elected 10 times. He held several leadership positions in the House, including chairman of Judiciary and Appropriations committees. From 1991-1995, Blue was twice elected Speaker of the N.C. House of Representatives and is considered a leader and mentor among his peers. After serving 22 years in the N.C. House, he left the Legislature to run for the United States Senate in 2002. He returned to the House in 2006 and now represents Wake County in the N.C. Senate, where he is …

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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 …

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Tony Baldwin receives honorary doctorate degree

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Tony Baldwin of Livingstone College, far right, receives his honorary doctorate degree from Invertis University in Bareilly, India, April 18, from Shri Keshav Prasad Maurya, deputy chief minister of Uttar Pradesh and chief guest, far left, and Dr. Umesh Gautam, Invertis University chancellor.   Livingstone employee receives honorary doctorate from Indian university

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Livingstone College heading to New Orleans to recruit band members, students

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By Kimberly Harrington Livingstone College News Service  SALISBURY – Attention New Orleans: Do not be alarmed. That mighty roar you are about to hear on Tuesday is the Livingstone College Blue Thunder­ Marching Band rolling into town for an event you won’t soon forget. The Livingstone College New Orleans Takeover begins at 4 p.m. on April 24 at the Landry-Walker High School, located at 3520 General Degaulle Dr., Suite 2001. The college will conduct on-site admissions, on-site band auditions and mass band workshops. In order to be accepted on the spot, students must submit the following prior to the event: a completed online application; have Livingstone added to their completed 2018-2019 FAFSA; and high school transcripts. (Livingstone’s FAFSA code is 002942.) Transportation to Livingstone College may be provided for accepted students in the fall. Livingstone College, located in Salisbury, N.C., is founded and supported by the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. It is a private historically black institution that provides excellent liberal arts and religious education programs for students of all ethnic backgrounds. “This New Orleans recruitment effort intends to establish a pipeline between the high schools in New Orleans and Livingstone College,” said Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins, Sr., 12th president of Livingstone College. “This event gives students in New Orleans a chance to meet personally with our faculty and staff, to ask questions of our financial aid and admissions’ officers, and to be entertained by our dynamic marching band,” he said. Livingstone College boasts a marching band, symphonic band, …

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Livingstone College Music Department striving to become a Steinway Institution

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By Kimberly Harrington Livingstone College News Service SALISBURY – What’s in a name? When it comes to Steinway, everything. The name Steinway has become synonymous with high quality and prominence in the piano business and Livingstone College’s Music Department is striving to be one and the same. Livingstone’s Music Department has replaced two of its 11 pianos with Steinways and is endeavoring to become a Steinway Institution, which means all of its pianos will eventually be in the Steinway and Sons family. The first Steinways were delivered last winter, thanks to a $17,500 donation from the Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society (WHOMS) of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. “It’s a forward-thinking idea to become a Steinway Institution. It is noble for us to be pursuing this considering our size,” said Dr. DaVaughn L. Miller, chairman of the Music and Theater Arts Department at Livingstone for 11 years. He is also director of college choirs. This project is a step toward quality in our music department, echoed Lawrence Quinnett, assistant professor of music at Livingstone College since 2016. “Steinway pianos last longer than other brands and students get to practice on quality instruments.” All music majors are expected to be proficient in piano. In addition to practice, the pianos are used for performances, concerts and private lessons. Steinway pianos mature over time, Miller said. Their value will be greater 10 years from now than today. Livingstone has to purchase a minimum of 10 Steinway pianos to be considered a …

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Livingstone College to hold children’s book festival April 28 on the lawn

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SALISBURY – Livingstone College will hold its annual Children’s Book Festival on Saturday, April 28. The festival will be held on the front lawn of the campus from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., and is for children ages preschool through 12 years. Each child will receive new books, food and enjoy fun on the lawn, said Deborah Johnson, book festival organizer and UNCF director of the college. “The purpose of the book festival is to create a love and appreciation for books in children,” Johnson said. The book festival was first held at Livingstone College in 1991 under then President Dr. Bernard Franklin with Wilson Cherry as organizer. According to the Education Testing Services, the more reading materials in a home, the higher students are in reading proficiency. Children who do more reading at home are also better readers and have higher math scores. “Our book festival is a tradition that we intend to uphold because it helps to instill a love for reading in children that will benefit them as scholars,” said Livingstone College President Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins, Sr. “Today, young people are easily distracted by video games and cell phones. It is our responsibility as an educational institution to help them rediscover the fun and adventure of books,” he said. The festival is open to the public. For more information, call Deborah Johnson at (704) 216-6118 or Marsha Mitchell at (704) 216-6120.   About Livingstone College Livingstone College, founded and supported by the African Methodist Episcopal Zion …