Monday, July 23, 2007

Ryan Lipscomb Graduates from Howard University, Delivers Surprise Dinner Speech
On May 12, 2007, Ryan Lipscomb graduated from Howard University in Washington, DC. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Marketing. Ryan surprised his parents and grandmother, Wilhelmina, as he rose to the podium to deliver a magnificent speech.
His parents are Ruth and Kenneth Lipscomb of Atlanta, GA. He is the grandson of Nelda and the late B.B. Lipscomb and Rev. W.E. and Wilhelmina Green of Dallas, TX. His grandfather, Rev. W.E. Green, is a retired minister in the CME Church. Grandmother Wilhelmina Green is a member of Porter Temple CME Church, Dallas, TX. Rev. Freddie Moore, pastor.

Good evening. For those of you who do not know me, I will say this one last time, but with a slight alteration. Hello, my name is Ryan Lipscomb, from Atlanta, GA, and I am a Howard University graduate with a degree in marketing. Four years ago, I sat right here in this room as a high school senior making my first visit during the School of Business’ Parent’s Weekend. I hadn’t yet made my college decision and I had been accepted at a number of schools, but I was looking for something special. I was looking for a school that felt like home. I was looking for a school that would give me my "Different World" experience. I had come from a predominantly white high school in a predominantly white suburb on the northside of Atlanta and I had never seen a huge mass of young people of color all trying to do great things with their lives. So I sat here in this banquet hall, and I remember Dean Paschal sat next to me and we spoke briefly, about what I don’t remember, but I do remember that I decided right then and there that I was going to make sure I took his class if I ever came here. Then I watched as all of these students in suits went up on stage and accepted awards because of their high GPAs and their work with their sponsor companies, and I got the feeling that all of these students were going to go on to do great things. Then I went to the auditorium and I sat and listened as Mr. Gray gave his famous “get your groceries” speech where he begged us students not to waste our time here and to get as much out of this experience that we could possibly get so that we could go out into the world as leaders. That’s when I knew that this place, the Mecca, was my school. I remember that my mother saw this goofily inspired look on my face when Mr. Gray finished that speech, she leaned over and gave me a hug, and she whispered in my ear, “I think you like it here.” And of course, she was right.
Now it is four years later and my time at the Mecca is ending. And to be honest, I don’t know yet if I’ve gotten my groceries. I don’t think I’ll know that until ten years down the road when I’ve gotten my MBA and, if Dean Paschal has his way, my law degree, and I’m running my own, hopefully successful, company. Maybe then, I’ll know. Maybe then I’ll be able to see what God had already laid out for me today.
Right now, that’s not for me to know. But what I do know is that after four years of school of B exams, late night study sessions, group projects and presentations, battles with the administration, protests and marches on the national mall and many deep, late-night discussions, as well as all of the homecomings, the yard on a sunny day, and the social scene around Howard and DC, and getting to know all of the people that I have come across in the past four years, I wouldn’t trade my time here for anything. And here I have grown as a man, and I hope my father’s proud. And here I have grown as a human being, and I hope my mother’s proud. And it was here at Howard that I was prepared to go out into the “real world” as an adult and do great things just like every other graduate in this room is prepared to go out and make their own dreams come true. And, I want to thank Howard University for that. We haven’t always seen eye to eye but in the end, I will always have fond memories of this place and everyone here. And even if we’ve never spoken, you will always be my family because we’ve been through a lot together in our four years, good times and bad times.
We’ve experienced tragedy, the Iraq war, the devastation of Katrina, and the tragic events of Virginia Tech, which hit particularly close to home because the victims were just like us, students simply trying to strive for something more. One of the victims, Ryan Clark, was a triple major with a 4.0 GPA. He would have graduated this month. His loss reminds us that there is nothing more tragic than unrealized potential. His memory should be honored by our increased determination to achieve our own success.
I want to say one last thing before I go. My parents are here and I want to thank them because I would not have made it here without them to keep me focused and grounded. I remember I told my mother just before I graduated high school that I wasn’t really all that excited about my high school diploma, and that I wouldn’t be truly excited until I graduated from college because that’s when I would know that I had finally made it. Now that time has come, and I know that it is all because of them.
So I want to thank all of the parents here for making the sacrifices that they made, because I feel that this is more for them than it is for any of us. And to the graduates, you are the future; you are the next generation of leaders for Black America and for this country and you should strive for nothing less than greatness. Because this is our time now. I’m told that there is no such thing as familiar things ending, just new things beginning. So I want to leave you with a quote. Some of you may recognize it and some of you may not, but I find it inspiring and you may find it inspiring as well. "Shoot for the moon and if you miss, sit amongst those stars."
Submitted by Clarice Jordan Lamar, Dallas, TX.

Sunday, July 15, 2007

Passing and Arrangements for Service of Mrs. Jennie Betts. It is with deep regret to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Jennie Betts, the mother of Rev. Dr. Nicholas Betts, pastor of Davis Chapel CME Church in Richmond, California. A faithful and lifetime member of the CME Church, Mrs. Betts served as a stewardess and missionary at Greenwood CME Church in Memphis, Tennessee. She was an active and lifetime member of the NAACP. Funeral services for Mrs. Betts will be held on Friday, July 20, 2007, 11:00 a.m., at Greenwood CME Church, 3311 Kimball Avenue, Memphis, TN 38111. Telephone: 901-744-7531. The Rev. Dr. Travis Robinson is the pastor. Senior Bishop William H. Graves is the presiding prelate of the First Episcopal District. Please keep Dr. and Mrs. Betts and their family lifted in prayer. Cards and condolences may be sent to Dr. Betts at 118 Staples, Hercules, CA 94547 You may contact Dr. Betts by telephone at 510-459-7405. Submitted by Bishop Henry M. Williamson, Sr.

Monday, July 09, 2007

Editor Kenneth Jones Named Academic Dean at Miles College
Editor of The Christian Index Dr. Kenneth E. Jones is the new dean of Academic Affairs at Miles College in Birmingham, AL. The announcement of Dr. Jones' appointment was made by Miles President Dr. George T. French Jr. at the College's leadership retreat in Marrietta, GA on May 23, 2007. Dr. Jones assumed the position of dean on July 1, 2007, after the retirement of Dr. Hattie G. Lamar, who served as academic dean for 10 years. In his announcement of Dr. Jones, Dr. French expressed confidence in him to provide dynamic leadership in his new role.
A native of Holly Springs, MS, Dr. Jones holds a PhD in Mass Communications from Howard University in Washington, DC. He also holds a doctor of ministry degree from the Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA. Prior to his appointment as dean, Dr. Jones served nine years as chairman of the Division of Communications at Miles and associate professor. A significant portion of that time was spent in the role of director of Public Relations for the college. Before coming to Miles, Dr. Jones was an assistant professor in the School of Communications at Howard. He has an extensive background that combines experiences in government and corporate public relations, as well as academic research, administration and communications education. Dr. Jones is an accomplished journalist, having served as a reporter at several newspapers. Since 1998, he has served as Editor of The Christian Index, the official publication of the CME Church. He is married to the former Frances Washington. They reside in Pleasant Grove, AL.
Established in 1905 and located in Fairfield, AL, Miles College is one of four CME-affiliated institutions of higher education, including Lane College, Texas College, Paine College, and the Phillips School of Theology.

Thursday, July 05, 2007

Arkansas Region Lay Banquet Visited by Governor Mike Bebee
Little Rock, AR (June 19, 2007)—The Arkansas Region Annual Conference entertained the state’s number one citizen as Arkansas Governor Mike Bebee was guest speaker at the annual Lay Luncheon. The governor was received by Senior Bishop William H. Graves, presiding prelate of the 1st Episcopal District, which includes the states of Arkansas and Tennessee. Mrs. Donna Graves joined her husband, Bishop Graves, and the many clergy and lay in attendance. Brother Manuel A. Twillie gave greetings at the afternoon affair and introduced the governor. Other guests were State Senator Emma Brown (D-Little Rock), former State Senator Bill Walker, the governor’s deputy chief of staff, Lamar Davis, and Renee Bullock, the governor’s liaison for Minority Affairs. Along with Twillie and Presiding Elder Larry Ross, all were instrumental in securing Governor Beebe for the luncheon. Also present was Dr. Kenneth E. Jones, Editor of The Christian Index. In addition to the governor’s address, several laypersons were honored during “Lay Recognition.”
In his address, the governor used the opportunity to thank his supporters, many of whom were in attendance at the luncheon, for their efforts in helping him achieve his goals in the recent governor’s election. He went on to talk about successes and priorities in his administration. Among these were reductions in state sales tax and the goal of free education for pre-schoolers. In general, however, the governor said what was most important is keeping promises. The governor said that even when goals you have set ultimately are unattainable, you must at least be able to say you tried. “Keeping your promise is the most important thing you can do,” said Governor Bebee.
Mike Beebe was born in Amagon, AR, in 1946. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Arkansas State University in 1968 and a law degree from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville in 1972, all while serving in the U.S. Army Reserves. Bebee served in the State Senate for 20 years before being elected governor in November of 2006. He is the 45th governor of the State of Arkansas. Beebe and wife, Ginger, have three adult children and are active members of Trinity Episcopal Church in Searcy, AR, where he has served as senior warden and member of the vestry.