WSSU celebrates Atkins' legacy

SP
Sandra Phoenix
Mon, Oct 9, 2017 12:21 PM

Winston-Salem State University News
September 28, 2017
WSSU celebrates Atkins' legacy

Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) took time to honor its visionary founder during a day of events marking its 125th anniversary on Sept. 28.

WSSU commemorated Dr. Simon Green Atkins with an original mixed performance production, "I Dream a World: The Life and Dreams of Simon Green Atkins." The program, which incorporated the talents of faculty, staff, students and community members, told the story of Atkins, a man who had an audacious dream to create a university that would educate the children and grandchildren of recently freed slaves with the same excellence and ideals as Ivy League schools.

The event, with an audience of about 1,200 people at K.R. Williams Auditorium, included performances by the WSSU Choir, the Burke Singers and actors portraying Dr. Atkins and his wife, Oleona Pegram Atkins.

A highlight of the program was a message from WSSU Chancellor Elwood L. Robinson.

"Simon Green Atkins started a revolution like no other," Robinson said. "Creating this school in 1892, he was a brilliant individual with a great mind who had a pedigree like none other. We find him among some of the greatest scholars of the day. He believed it was about educating, not individuals or mechanics, but educating the entire human being - the heart, the soul and the mind. He orchestrated a different kind of educational experience for recently freed slaves. So, every day at Winston-Salem State University, the work that is done here is centered around that historic vision."

At the conclusion of the program, the Atkins family joined the cast, choir and Chancellor Robinson on stage for the singing of the alma mater.

Other Events

The family of Dr. Simon Green Atkins also was honored during a luncheon and panel conversation Thursday afternoon. The panel, moderated by Dr. Michele Gillespie, dean of the College at Wake Forest University, included Simona Atkins Allen, granddaughter of S.G. Atkins; Elinor Atkins Smith '57, granddaughter of S.G. Atkins and daughter of former President Francis L. Atkins; Eydie Martin '82, great-great niece of S.G. Atkins; and Christopher Simkins III, great-great grandson of S.G. Atkins.

"When I was a little girl, and I was born on this campus, it looked different," Smith said. "The streets weren't paved. The areas were grassy. There were no more than six buildings, and when I think about the way it has magnified itself, the different buildings, the different areas, it just amazes me. It's just marvelous, and Papa Atkins would just say, 'Wow!' "

The commemoration Thursday also included a birthday party in the K.R. Williams Sculpture Garden with cake and jazz music.

Thursday's events were sponsored by Reynolds American.

WSSU is continuing its 125th celebration week with the Second annual Winston-Salem Football Classic on Friday-Saturday (Sept. 29-30). The football game, in historic Bowman Gray Stadium, will include a special halftime performance from the Red Sea of Sound featuring national recording artist Earnest Pugh and a 125th anniversary community chorale. Following the game, fireworks will light up the sky in honor of WSSU's birthday.

SANDRA M. PHOENIX
HBCU Library Alliance Executive Director
Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library
111 James P. Brawley Drive SW
Atlanta, GA 30314
404-978-2118 (office)
404-702-5854 (cell)
http://www.hbculibraries.org/
sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.orgmailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org%3cmailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org>
Honor the ancestors, honor the children.

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Winston-Salem State University News September 28, 2017 WSSU celebrates Atkins' legacy Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) took time to honor its visionary founder during a day of events marking its 125th anniversary on Sept. 28. WSSU commemorated Dr. Simon Green Atkins with an original mixed performance production, "I Dream a World: The Life and Dreams of Simon Green Atkins." The program, which incorporated the talents of faculty, staff, students and community members, told the story of Atkins, a man who had an audacious dream to create a university that would educate the children and grandchildren of recently freed slaves with the same excellence and ideals as Ivy League schools. The event, with an audience of about 1,200 people at K.R. Williams Auditorium, included performances by the WSSU Choir, the Burke Singers and actors portraying Dr. Atkins and his wife, Oleona Pegram Atkins. A highlight of the program was a message from WSSU Chancellor Elwood L. Robinson. "Simon Green Atkins started a revolution like no other," Robinson said. "Creating this school in 1892, he was a brilliant individual with a great mind who had a pedigree like none other. We find him among some of the greatest scholars of the day. He believed it was about educating, not individuals or mechanics, but educating the entire human being - the heart, the soul and the mind. He orchestrated a different kind of educational experience for recently freed slaves. So, every day at Winston-Salem State University, the work that is done here is centered around that historic vision." At the conclusion of the program, the Atkins family joined the cast, choir and Chancellor Robinson on stage for the singing of the alma mater. Other Events The family of Dr. Simon Green Atkins also was honored during a luncheon and panel conversation Thursday afternoon. The panel, moderated by Dr. Michele Gillespie, dean of the College at Wake Forest University, included Simona Atkins Allen, granddaughter of S.G. Atkins; Elinor Atkins Smith '57, granddaughter of S.G. Atkins and daughter of former President Francis L. Atkins; Eydie Martin '82, great-great niece of S.G. Atkins; and Christopher Simkins III, great-great grandson of S.G. Atkins. "When I was a little girl, and I was born on this campus, it looked different," Smith said. "The streets weren't paved. The areas were grassy. There were no more than six buildings, and when I think about the way it has magnified itself, the different buildings, the different areas, it just amazes me. It's just marvelous, and Papa Atkins would just say, 'Wow!' " The commemoration Thursday also included a birthday party in the K.R. Williams Sculpture Garden with cake and jazz music. Thursday's events were sponsored by Reynolds American. WSSU is continuing its 125th celebration week with the Second annual Winston-Salem Football Classic on Friday-Saturday (Sept. 29-30). The football game, in historic Bowman Gray Stadium, will include a special halftime performance from the Red Sea of Sound featuring national recording artist Earnest Pugh and a 125th anniversary community chorale. Following the game, fireworks will light up the sky in honor of WSSU's birthday. SANDRA M. PHOENIX HBCU Library Alliance Executive Director Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library 111 James P. Brawley Drive SW Atlanta, GA 30314 404-978-2118 (office) 404-702-5854 (cell) http://www.hbculibraries.org/ sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org%3cmailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org>> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/ and Twitter https://twitter.com/HBCULibAlliance Check out "PULSE!" The HBCU Library Alliance's News Source! - https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/