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 Dr.
Ronald L. Carter
Johnson C. Smith
University
By Henry Bostic
Dr. Ronald L. Carter, who became president of Johnson C.
Smith University on July 1, 2008, brought his vision for
a world class private university with a public purpose
to Charlotte Rotary on November 11.
"There's lots of excitement," the former chief academic
officer of Coker College in Hartsville, SC, proclaimed.
"The 1,526 students, 120 faculty and 200 staff" are
going through a "turning point experience." We are
"raising questions" to "move us where we need to be." If
we haven't "stretched," we haven't "done what we are
capable of."
The 13th president of the school, located just west of
Center City Charlotte, shared the four areas of where
questions are being raised, then proceeded to answer
them:
- Why are we a university? Why not Johnson
C. Smith "college"? Should JCSU offer
programs at the graduate level?
- What is the quality of our knowledge
base? What do our students need to know?
- Should JCSU be a private institution
with a public purpose? We must engage the
Queen City of the South. "We must close the
gap between Trade Street and Beatties Ford
Road." We must work "hand in glove" with the
city to excel.
- Can we be a major urban university
without diversity? This will be a delicate
decision because it speaks to the very
meaning of the university.
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The former Coker College provost and dean of the faculty
for the past 11 years said JCSU will begin to offer
graduate degrees. It will offer a master's degree in
computer engineering ("we have the faculty to do"), in
management information systems ("we have the
resources"), and in social work ("we have the passion to
do"). On November 20, the university will announce new
programs in applied research in four areas: diversity,
health disparities, homeland security and research in
global education.
In the global education arena, all JSCU students are in
the process of applying for passports at the
university's expense. All the students' names will be
placed in a container; 12 will be chosen to participate
in their first trips abroad as part of the global
education experience.
Dr. Carter described himself as "a dedicated
communitarian," not to be confused with communism, he
joked. Communitarianism emphasizes balancing individual
rights and interests with those of the community as a
whole. Dr. Carter wants JCSU engaged in the community.
"It is the responsibility of institutions of higher
education to work with cities and states to mine social
capital." The new president has directed each college at
the university to develop a sustainable "signature
program with some agency in Charlotte" that will
significantly increase contact with the community. In
the summer, for instance, the university will bring 50
young people from the city's Northwest corridor to the
campus for a six-week Freedom School. The emphasis will
be on helping the students develop and improve their
reading skills. Because of his own experience with
foster children (he and his wife have fostered five) his
office will develop programs for foster kids.
The High Point native also expects senior administrators
at the university to become involved in the "life blood
of the community" by joining and becoming active in
civic clubs. Dr. Carter acknowledged JCSU's historic
ties to the Presbyterian Church, but said the university
also acknowledged the world's religious pluralism. He
plans to bring some of the "great religious thinkers" of
the day from Islam, Judaism and Christianity to the
campus to engage with students.
A former administrator at the University of the
Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa, Dr. Carter
also recognizes the importance of students learning the
languages of the world. He is "broadening" the
university's language requirements so graduates will be
able to engage with the world.
Speaking to the question - can JCSU be a major urban
university without diversity, Dr. Carter acknowledged
that Smith must build on its "wealth of tradition" as a
historically black university to engage whites, Latinos
and Asians. Because of the university's more than 140
years of successful experience helping its students
succeed despite legal, institutional and cultural
barriers, it could help other students with handicaps
overcome them. "At Johnson C. Smith University we know
how to help you saddle your dreams," said the Phi Beta
Kappa graduate of Morehouse University in Atlanta.
The former dean of students at Boston University said he
is eager to engage with the other colleges and
universities in the area. "We're not in competition," he
said, noting that CPCC's Tony Zeiss has already been
helping to show him the ropes in the community. What
world class city does not have a wealth of diversity in
higher education? Dr. Carter asked. "We must work
together for the common good" of the community.
But he was quick to point out that he wants JCSU to be
visible in those cooperative efforts. For instance, he
noted that although the university participates in the
ROTC programs, he didn't see much evidence of it on
campus. When he learned that most training took place on
the UNC Charlotte campus, he pushed for activities at
JCSU. The result, Dr. Carter said, is that on November
18, there will be a major ROTC training exercise on the
university's campus at Beatties Ford Rd and W. Trade St.
involving four Black Hawk helicopters and more than 500
cadets. "I want our students to see what makes America,
America," the former member of the Hartsville Rotary
Club said.
The new president of JCSU ended his message with an
invitation to Charlotte Rotarians to engage with the
university. As we engage with Charlotte, he explained,
we want Charlotte to engage with us. "Johnson C. Smith
University is wide open. Come to see us. Get a feel for
the university. Walk on our beautiful campus. See where
we are today. We're only a quarter of a mile from the
Center City and in no time we will be part of it."
Dr. Carter was introduced by Jim Woodward, retired
chancellor of the UNC Charlotte and a member of the JCSU
Board of Trustees along with another Charlotte Rotarian
Tim Newman.
In the process to replace Dr. Dorothy Yancy as president
of JCSU, Woodward said, "clearly early on Ronald Dr.
Carter emerged as the best candidate." Said Woodward,
one of the things that recommended Dr. Carter to Smith's
Trustees was that his "portfolio grew" the longer he was
at Coker.
Head Table:
Joe Gass, Brenda Lea, Mac McCarley, Jim Woodward,
Marilynn Bowler, Michael Elder;
Invocation:
Mary Lynne Calhoun;
Visitors & Guests: Meg McElwain; Health &
Happiness: Trent Merchant; Song & Piano: Thomas Moore;
Photos: Bert Voswinkel |
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VOLUNTEER ITEMS
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Honor Air: WW II Veterans will be flown to
Washington, DC to see the Memorial. Refer to website:
www.flightofhonor.org. Details in next week's
Reporter.
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Crisis Assistance Ministry: Warm clothing,
hats, gloves, blankets, will be collected during the
month of November. Jim Adams
has arranged drop-off tables at the McDowell St. and 3rd
St. entrances in the hotel parking deck.
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Second Harvest Food Bank:
Shay Merritt and
Carol Jordan are
coordinating a collection of canned foods during the
month of November. Items needed: canned food, fruit,
soup, vegetables, peanut butter, macaroni & cheese,
cereal. Look for the collection barrel at the entry of
the meeting room each week.
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Salvation Army Bell Ringing: Mark Norman
will kick off the bell ringing schedule next week. Those
wishing to volunteer may do so
by clicking
here. Questions may be directed to
Mark Norman.
CALENDAR ITEMS
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December 16, 2008:
Excellence in Leadership Award.
Rotary Club of Charlotte, Charlotte Business
Journal and the Charlotte Chamber will present the 21st
winner of the Excellence in
Leadership Award on December 16th.
Nominations should be emailed to Phil Van Hoy by
11/17/08. Criteria for the award is
available by
clicking here. |
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Should you question the eligibility of
any nominee, contact the Rotary office by 11/25/2008. |
Gray Langley
Farris, Cooke & Associates
(Accounting, Certified Public);
Sponsor: Tod Thorne;
Endorsed: Tony Zeiss and Alan Simonini |
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Attendance Record |
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Wedding Anniversaries |
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Birthdays & Birthplaces |
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11/11/08 |
11/13/07 |
| visitors &
guests |
12 |
24 |
| club members |
181 |
162 |
| total
attendance |
193 |
186 |
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19 Barbie and
Gene Williams
21 Kathy & Steve Montgomery |
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19 Pat Millen,
Charlotte, NC
20 Jessica Graham, Minneapolis, MN
22 Floyd Davis, White Plains, VA
23 Terri DeBoo, Louisville, KY
23 Brent Royall, Covington, KY
24 Jim Woodward, Sanford, FL |
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Visitors on 11/04/08: n/a
- - - -
New Members: Mary Erwin
Resignations: n/a
Roaming Rotarians: n/a
Support The Rotary Foundation -
$100 Every Rotarian, Every Year
Go to
www.ourfoundation.org to read The Rotary
Foundation's newsletter
Rotary Club of Charlotte
-- 841 Baxter Street -- Suite 118 -- Charlotte
28202 |
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