Cheyney University News January 29, 2015 New Possibilities Highlighted at Cheyney University 2015 Spring Convocation Cheyney University held its Spring Convocation on January 29 under the theme "Building on the Excellence of Cheyney University." Ushers gave each person attending a Cheyney Pride Pin with the school's shield and a Cheyney Piggy Bank. Interim President Frank G. Pogue encouraged students, faculty, staff, alumni and guests to wear the pins daily and to fill their pig with loose change and turn it in to University Advancement Staff so that the money can be used to help Cheyney students. The goal of the piggy banks is to encourage support of the nation's first HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) and to get students into the habit of giving back before they even collect their diplomas. Dr. Pogue talked about the possibilities at Cheyney: holding separate annual Appreciation Days for Students, Faculty, Staff and Alumni, erecting a 25-30 foot wolf statue on campus, increasing enrollment, and creating a student-centered environment that's caring, trusting, collegiate, and supportive. "Whenever one of us is in trouble, we will throw our arms around you and help you make it--not watch you fail," he vowed. "Our job is to transform Cheyney." He implored everyone to "join me in at least having the sense of a goose who, when flying in V-formation has 71% greater flying range soaring together as a flock than alone. We share a common direction and we need to travel together," he insisted. Top Cheyney Administrators-- Vice President of Finances & Administration Al Skudzinskas ; Dr. Phyllis Worthy Dawkins, Provost and Sr. Vice President of Academic Affairs; Associate Director of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid, Deborah Bowles; Interim Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. J. Michael Harpe; Interim Vice President of University Advancement and External Relations John Graham; and Dean of the Keystone Honors Academy Dr. Tara Kent; then took to the microphone, one by one, to acknowledge more possibilities at Cheyney. They talked about renovating existing and constructing new buildings including an athletic complex, offering new programs to take CU into the future, growing enrollment, asking alumni to reinvest in the university, and expanding University relationships with corporations and foundations. Convocation ended with everyone joining hands and singing Cheyney's beloved alma mater, a tradition that will now take place at every event on campus, including sports games. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.