Elon Black Alumni Network to honor alums, professor

Tickets can still be purchased for a banquet to honor three people whose professional successes and service have impacted countless lives.

Three outstanding individuals will be honored during Homecoming 2011 for their professional achievements, community service, and contributions to Elon black students at the 2nd Annual Elon Black Alumni Network Scholarship Banquet.

Banquet tickets remain available for purchase.

Each year EBAN honors alumni who have achieved tremendous success in their careers and individuals who have provided continuous support for Elon black students. All alumni and friends are invited to celebrate the honorees on Oct. 22, 2011, at 7:30 p.m. in McKinnon Hall.

This year’s recipients are:

Outstanding Alumni Award
Dr. Donna Hill Oliver ‘72

Outstanding Alumni Award
Priscilla Awkard ‘95

The Outstanding Service to Students Award
Dr. Matthew W. Clark

Oliver is the sixth president and first woman to lead Mississippi Valley State University. She is also the first African-American female president to lead a Mississippi public university.

Awkard is employed by Coastal Federal Credit Union as a relationship manager for business development. She is the immediate past president of the Elon Black Alumni Network, formally known as the African American Alumni Group.

Clark is an associate professor of biology. Since arriving at Elon, he has served as the advisor for Diverse Students of Science and the Elon University Gospel Choir.

About the Black Alumni Network Scholarship:

Intended to help make an Elon education available to deserving African-American students, the Black Alumni Network Scholarship fund was established in 2007. Thanks to pledges and gifts from EBAN members and friends of the university, the scholarship was endowed in just three years and the first award was given to Janelle Bennett ’14 at the African-American Commencement Reception in May 2011. To date, alumni and friends have donated more than $98,000 Black Alumni Network Scholarship fund, and the scholarship will be awarded annually to an African-American student with demonstrated financial need.