Tuskegee University News December 9, 2015 James Pollin, “Friend of Tuskegee” makes additional gift of $50,000 to Tuskegee University, towards School of Nursing improvements “Friend of Tuskegee” James Pollin has given an outright gift of $50,000 towards upgrades and improvements in Basil O’Connor Hall, which houses Tuskegee University’s School of Nursing. Once combined with gifts he has made in the past (including another $50,000 in 2014) Pollin has provided well over $100,000 to this institution. The motivation behind his most recent gift centered on his interest in the history and trajectory of Tuskegee University: “I have chosen to support Tuskegee University because it is building a positive momentum into the 21st Century, by providing its students with the latest in technology, allowing them to excel. This momentum began with Booker T. Washington and is being continued through President Johnson. Whenever I visit this campus, I see a very positive learning environment. It is an honor to be a part of this great institution.” Upon learning of this most recent gift, President Brian Johnson expressed gratitude, saying “Tuskegee University thanks Mr. Pollin for his generosity. More importantly, we thank him for investing into our nursing students and the impact of this act of generosity upon society as a whole. Health care is an important societal issue and nurses – especially Tuskegee nursing graduates – will play an important role in addressing it.” Pollin’s gift will address four specific project initiatives, the first being a “smart system” for classroom and auditorium space. This smart system will consist of a smart podium, smart board, and a projector-screen system that will provide video, videoconferencing, and remote presentation capability. Other initiatives include new carpet for the same rooms, and new seating for each space (including chairs and tables designed to enhance classroom collaboration). Lastly, it will fund lighting improvements, creating new LED lighting with dimming capability. Mr. Pollin added that he is “supporting the Tuskegee Nursing School because of the fantastic leadership of its Dean, Dr. Doris Holeman, as well as the Tuskegee Nursing Alumni Association led by Walter Wortham, Jackie McCarroll, and Georgia Simpson, Their dedication to Tuskegee University has shown me what a fantastic nursing program Tuskegee has.” Mr. Pollin viewed the school firsthand, and was moved to make a difference. “I toured the Basil O’Connor Hall classrooms and auditorium and saw that they needed some renovating and I am honored to help in this matter. Nurses are the backbone of the medical field, something I learned while spending many months in the hospital with my father. Doctors can perform an operation and bring any patient through. However, it is the nurses working 12-hour shifts that really help the patient heal.” Robert Blakely, vice president of the Office of Advancement and Development, expressed his gratitude as well: “We are deeply grateful for Mr. Pollin’s generous commitment to Tuskegee, and just as much for his friendship toward our institution. It’s clear that he has a passion for our history and mission, and what we are working to accomplish. He is a partner that we are so glad to have in this journey. As a friend to the University, he sets an example for all in his involvement and his deeds.” 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 Like us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance/ 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.