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Our Alma Mater
June 2021
Springtime at Fisk – Growth, Renewal, New Beginnings
Springtime is always special on the Fisk campus. The campus is lush and green and the blossoming cherry trees are beautiful. And the excitement of graduating students as well as returning alumni is palpable. While we bask in fond memories during this season it is also a time for growth, renewal and new beginnings, and much of that has been occurring at Fisk. Highlights of significant news items reported by the University include those summarized below, with links to the full news releases.
Investments in the University
During the first half of 2021 the University has seen a surge in donations supporting growth and improvement across various areas of the institution, including:
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$2.5 million in support of the John Lewis Center for Social Justice, the single largest gift from a Nashville family since Fisk’s inception in 1866.
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$1.1 milliion from an anonymous donor to fund 10 graduate students in astrophysics, physics, and materials science the Fisk Vanderbilt Master’s-to-PhD Bridge Program. Fisk has a nationally acclaimed STEM program and Fisk alumni earn more doctorate degrees in the natural sciences than African-American graduates from any other college or university in the nation.
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$500,000 from the Brewer Foundation to aid in the renovation of the University’s science labs.
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$500,000 from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to support the conservation, and other improvements, of the Fisk University Galleries.
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$180,000 from the Council on Library and Information Resources to the John Hope and Aurelia E. Franklin Library to digitize the Fiskiana Collection.
Exciting Additions to Academic Programs
Fisk has announced a 4-year graduation pledge that includes a bonus Master’s degree at a reduced cost and the opportunity for automatic admission into one of four Master’s programs; Social Justice, Psychology, Healthcare Management, and upon SACSCOC approval, Executive Leadership where students can continue their preparations for a successful future.
The University has also received approval of its new Master’s program in Healthcare Management program that will provide business, management, and leadership skills. The 18-month program prepares graduates for careers such as healthcare administration, healthcare management and training, healthcare marketing, healthcare economics, health law, and health IT.
Since 2019 Fisk has been offering degree programs for students who have an interest in finishing incomplete degrees, providing an opportunity for students at any age or level of completion. The “Finish with Fisk” program offers two degree paths for potential students along with access to on campus counseling and support services to facilitate success. This program has seen many students return to complete their degrees at Fisk, representing a win-win opportunity for all.
Recent Faculty Additions
Dr. John D. Jones has been appointed to serve as the new Provost & VP For Academic Affairs for Fisk University effective June 1, 2021. Dr. Jones currently serves as Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs/Dean of Graduate Studies at Alabama A&M University. Welcome Dr. Jones!
Renowned journalist and television personality Roland Martin will serve as the University’s inaugural “Reavis L. Mitchell,” Distinguished Scholar in Residence. Mr. Martin will be teaching current affairs and will have an affiliation with the Fisk Honors Program. Students will undoubtedly be excited by his presence on campus.
Excellence in the Classroom and Beyond
Three Fisk students from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences were recently named as fellows for the UNCF/Mellon Mays Undergraduate fellowship. Sophomores Connor Joseph, Jasmine Mitchell, and Chaunece Reed were selected for this competitive program that aims to increase the number of talented undergraduates who choose to enroll in Ph.D. programs and have a serious interest in becoming college professors. Congratulations to Connor, Jasmine and Chaunece for continuing the Fisk tradition of MMUF scholars.
The entire Fisk University family shared the excitement of a 2021 GRAMMY® win for the Fisk Jubilee Singers’® album, Celebrating Fisk! (The 150th Anniversary Album), in the Best Roots Gospel Album category. With this collection of songs the Fisk Jubilee Singers once again have made the Fisk family proud and brought global recognition to the University.
Fisk University athletics will return to the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference, effective this coming fall season. Fisk Athletics compete in volleyball, outdoor track & field and basketball among GCAC-sponsored sports to go along with golf, men’s soccer and indoor track & field and looks forward to the competitive rivalries within the conference.
Moving Forward Post-Pandemic
The University is planning for what will be a more normal fall semester in which most classes will be held in a traditional face-to-face format. As the University continues to transform lives via academic excellence and a treasured student experience, the growth, renewal, and new beginnings occurring on its campus foretell an even more prodigious future. Fisk Forever!
Fisk Forever!