African-American Alumni Group hosts reception

Elon's African-American Alumni Group hosted its second-annual spring reception Wednesday evening, May 22. Details...

Graduating seniors, alumni, faculty and staff gathered in the Isabella Cannon Room May 22 for the second-annual spring African-American Alumni Reception. This event is held in honor of graduating African-American seniors and serves as an introduction to the African-American Alumni Group, which is part of the Elon Alumni Association.

President Leo Lambert greeted attendees as did Mary Coolidge Ruth ’66, director of alumni & parent relations; Lisa Ratliff Roper ’93, assistant director of alumni & parent relations; and Priscilla Awkard ’95, current president of the African-American Alumni Group. Sandra Reid ’85 was introduced as the incoming president. She will assume the post on June 1.

Brent Norfleet ’91, principal of Guy B. Phillips Middle School in Chapel Hill, N.C., addressed this year’s graduates. He shared his insights into Tavis Smiley’s book, “How to Make Black America Better.” Norfleet also shared reflections from his recent trip to South Africa.

Rev. Dr. Sir Walter Mack ’89, pastor of Union Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, N.C., closed the program with words of inspiration and a prayer of blessing for the graduates.