Howard University News February 14, 2011 Atlanta Mayor, Alumnus Orator for Charter Day Convocation Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed will deliver the keynote address at Howard University's annual Charter Day Convocation at 11 a.m. Friday, March 11, in Cramton Auditorium. This year marks the University's 144th anniversary. Reed (B.A. '91, J.D. '95) was inaugurated as Atlanta's 59th mayor last year. Since taking office, Reed has worked to improve public safety, create new opportunities for youth and restore financial stability. Prior to his election, he served for 11 years as member of the Georgia General Assembly. He was first elected in 1998 as a State Representative and served two terms. He also served in the Georgia State Senate, where he was vice chairman of the Senate Democratic Caucus. As an undergraduate member of Howard University's Board of Trustees, he created a fundraising program that has contributed more than $10 million to the school's endowment. Reed was appointed Howard University's youngest General Trustee in June 2002 and remains a member of the Board of Trustees. Reed grew up in the Cascade community of Atlanta. Six other distinguished alumni -- Academy Award-nominated actress Taraji P. Henson, attorney Weldon H. Latham, businessman Mark A. L. Mason, businesswoman JoAnn H. Price, engineer Lydia W. Thomas and clinical investigator A. Eugene Washington -- will be recognized at the Charter Day Convocation and awarded Distinguished Postgraduate Achievement Honors at the 87th Gala Dinner on Saturday, March 12. The special awards honor graduates who have achieved distinction in their respective professional fields. Charter Day is a time of celebration because it marks the approval of the charter that founded the University in 1867. The dinner will be held at the Hilton Washington and Towers Hotel. For tickets and additional information, please call 202.238.2349 or email nbernard@howard.edu. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Program Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 404.592.4820 Skype:sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree Street 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.