CRYSTAL DEGREGORY, PH.D. ’03 NAMED DIRECTOR OF THE ATWOOD INSTITUTE FOR RACE, EDUCATION AND THE DEMOCRATIC IDEAL  
Kentucky State University has announced that Crystal deGregory, Ph.D. has been named Director of the newly founded Atwood Institute for Race, Education, and the Democratic Ideal. The Atwood Institute will advance research, dialogue and the exploration of solving social problems such as poverty.  deGregory is the founder and executive editor of HBCUstory, Inc., an advocacy initiative preserving, presenting and promoting inspiring stories of HBCU’s. A native of Freeport, The Bahamas, deGregory holds a bachelor’s degree from Fisk University, a master’s degree from Tennessee State University, and a master’s and doctoral degree from Vanderbilt University.

JASON MERIWETHER, PH.D. ’07 NAMED VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT SUCCESS AT RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE   

Rhode Island College has announced that Jason Meriwether has been named Vice President for Student Success. In this role, Meriwether will be responsible for overseeing the newly created Division of Student Success, which brings together student affairs and academic affairs units with departments focused on student life, enrollment management and academic support and services. Meriwether holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Louisville, a master’s degree from Fisk University, and a doctorate from Indiana State University.

FLORENCE LYONS, PH.D. ‘74 NAMED HONORS PROGRAM DIRECTOR AT ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY

Albany State University has announced the appointment of Florence Lyons as the new director of the ASU Honors program, effective Aug. 1. Lyons currently serves as Professor of Speech at ASU. In addition, she oversees the cultivation and managing of partnerships between ASU and graduate schools to provide research opportunities for Albany State undergraduates. Lyons holds a bachelor’s degree from Fisk University, a master’s degree from Oklahoma City University, and a doctorate from Louisiana State University.

GLENN DAVIS ‘76 FEATURED IN  THE HARTFORD BUSINESS JOURNAL
The Hartford Business Journal recently featured Fisk alumnus Glenn Davis in its Faces of Business edition. Davis currently serves as the Vice President for Community Development at Liberty Bank in Connecticut. In the article, Davis discusses his role in making investments and providing resources to empower low-and-moderate income communities. In addition to his VP duties, he is also the bank's Community Reinvestment Act officer, making sure that loans and mortgage options are made available to underserved communities. Davis holds a bachelor’s degree from Fisk University and a master’s degree from Cambridge College.

MARIE RICHARDSON ’80 RECOGNIZED BY THE NATIONAL BLACK MARATHONERS ASSOCIATION
Marie Richardson was recognized with the Seven Continents Half Marathon Finisher achievement award from the National Black Marathoners Association (NBMA) for completing seven half marathons (13.1 miles) races on seven continents during their annual summit in St. Louis, Mo. She completed her seventh continent half marathon race on March 10, 2017 in Antarctica and became an official Seven Continents Club Finisher thus becoming a member of this elite racing group. Richardson is the third person of African descent in the world and only the second African American to complete seven half marathon races on seven continents.



CAROLYN MAULL MCKINSTRY ’69 TO RE-RELEASE “WHILE THE WORLD WATCHED” THROUGH TYNDALE HOUSE PUBLISHERS

Tyndale House Publishers has chosen While the World Watched by Carolyn Maull McKinstry for its August promotional re-release.  The memoir tells the story of a young girl growing up in segregated Birmingham, Alabama and includes an eyewitness account of the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church. The book has garnered McKinstry an Alabama Library Award, has been placed on the National Common Core Reading List, was listed on the Wall Street Journal Best Sellers List, and was #1 in E-book sales on Amazon.






In Memoriam 

CHARLOTTE BROOKS POLK ‘57- of Memphis, TN passed away on Friday, July 14, 2017. Memorial services were held on Friday, July 21, 2017. In lieu of flowers, direct contributions to the Charlotte Brooks Polk Music and Academic Scholarship at Martin Memorial Temple.

VIVIAN NELL GANDY - of Darlington, SC passed away on Monday, July 17, 2017.  Memorial services were held on Friday, July 21, 2017 at Saint James United Methodist Church. 

ALWYN CLODA JENNINGS ‘67– of Roanoke, VA passed away on Monday, August 14, 2017. Memorial services were held on Saturday, August 19, 2017 in the Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home Chapel

MADELINE SWANN, Ph.D. ‘73– of Mitchellville, MD passed away on Wednesday, July 12, 2017. Memorial services were held on Saturday, August 12, 2017 at Sargent Memorial Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Dr. Madeline B. Swann to Sargent Memorial Presbyterian Church Scholarship Fund or Fisk University, Class of 1973.