MOREHOUSE ODK MONTHLY
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Photo credit: Phil McCollum
THE REVIVAL: THE MOREHOUSE CIRCLE GROWS BY 19 On February 16, 2022, the Morehouse
opportunity for extraordinary
Circle of the Omicron Delta Kappa
examples of accomplishment and
National Leadership Honor Society
achievement.
expanded with the induction of 19 new members in a ceremony in the historic
The new members of the Morehouse
Sale Hall Chapel for the Inward Journey.
Circle include the college president, senior administrators, faculty, staff
Organized by advisers Dr. Leah Creque,
and students.
Dr. Kipton Jensen and Mr. Keith Asberry, the rebirth of the Morehouse Circle of
As is customary, elections were held
ODK is a high-water mark for servant
and the new officers were installed
leadership on-campus and provides the
during the program as well.
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Dr. Timothy Reed, Omicron Delta Kappa's Vice President for Membership and Operations traveled from ODK National Headquarters in Virginia to address the crowd of newly inducted members and he spoke about not only the importance of ODK's legacy, but its bright future as well.
Morehouse's Circle of ODK was founded on May 1, 2001 in Sale Hall Chapel with 20 members, 13 students and 7 faculty, staff and administrators.
On February 16, 2022 the Morehouse Circle expanded with the following new members: Students Calvin Bell '24, Grant Commodore '23 Johari Dean-Lindsey '22, Aylon Gipson '24, Evan Gray '23, Jared Holt '23, Kamar Montgomery '24
Faculty Ms. Kimberly Blaise, Dr. Kendrick Brown, Ms. Reona Bush, Joseph Carlos III '04, Dr. Lawrence Carter Sr., Ms. Victoria Johnson-Burton, Dr. Kimberley Marshall, Dr. Muhsinah Morris, Christian Myrick '18, Ms. Iretha Stoney, Dr. David Thomas, Dr. Ethell Vereen
All photos by Phil McCollum
MOREHOUSE ODK MONTHLY
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2022
MEMBER NEWS
Please note: The number in parentheses is the member's induction number to the Morehouse ODK Circle
DAVID A. THOMAS capital campaign launch
On February 17, 2022, Morehouse President, David A. Thomas, Ph.D. (#433) recently launched an ambitious and historic $500 million comprehensive capital campaign, 'Making Men of Consequence'. The four pillar campaign is the largest in Morehouse's history.
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GEOFF BENNETT '02
stepping up to the big chair
Geoff Bennett '02 (#22), a Washington journalism veteran, was named chief Washington correspondent for PBS NewsHour, and he will also take over weekend anchoring duties for the program, which is moving its weekend broadcast from New York to the nation’s capital in April.
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EVAN GRAY '23
candle in the dark presenter On February 19, 2022, Evan Gray (#433) was a presenter at the 34th annual 'A Candle in the Dark' gala. Gray, a junior Economics/Pre-Med major from Atlanta, holds a 3.92 GPA and in 2021 was a summer analyst at PIMCO.
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MEMBER NEWS MUHSINAH MORRIS
making metaverse history
Dr. Morris (#426), winner of the 2021 Vulcan Teaching Award, and director of the VR program, Morehouse in the Metaverse, recently completed the first ever 'A Candle in the Dark Gala' in the Metaverse to coincide with the 34th annual gala, on February 19th.
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J.K. HAYNES '64
bennie award distinction At the 34th 'A Candle in the Dark' Gala, Dr. Haynes (#46) was presented the Bennie Trailblazer Award for his outstanding career as an educator, sickle cell anemia pioneering researcher and a former dean of science and mathematics at Morehouse.
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KENDRICK BROWN
black men's research institute pioneer Provost Brown launched the Black Men's Research Institute with a four-year grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. This pioneering initiative will study "the economic, social, cultural, and personal outcomes of issues affecting Black men, particularly where disparities exist in the U.S. and internationally."
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MEMBER NEWS UZEE BROWN '72
moving music ed forward
Dr. Brown (#262), a professor and the chair of Morehouse's Division of Creative and Performing Arts was interviewed by Teaching Music magazine. He discussed a range of topics including the future of teaching music.
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VICKI CRAWFORD
mlk celebration for the ages
Dr. Crawford (#273), Director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Collection at Morehouse, recently organized and executed a series of outstanding programming in January 2022 to commemorate the life and work of Dr. King. Programming included panel discussions, a film screening, a crown forum and a host of other thought provoking events.
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CALVIN BELL '24
servant leadership in action Bell (#422), the newly elected President of the Morehouse Circle of ODK, is an active campus leader who was also recently awarded the Social Justice and Leadership Innovation Award from the Andrew Young Center for Global Leadership.
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MEMBER NEWS LEAH CREQUE
leadership in action
Dr. Creque (#358) was appointed as the inaugural Associate Provost of Pedagogy and Assessment. In this role she will manage faculty and curriculum initiatives, including general education, crown forum, and the honors program which she directed for ten years. She also recently coordinated the outstanding 2022 Moss Oratorical Contest.
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MELVIN RAHMING traditions continue
Dr. Rahming, co-founder of the The International Conference on Caribbean Literature (ICCL) hosted the 20th Annual Conference in November. The three-day conference was presented in a virtual format, but hopes to be on-location again in the near future.
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GRANT COMMODORE '23
perfecting the user experience
Commodore (#425), created the UX or user experience for the award winning project, Relibe in Zillow's problem solving Hack-A-Thon last fall. The computer science major is a UX savant, as well as an MLT Career Prep Fellow, and the UX Track Co-Lead for the Black Venture Capital Consortium.
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MEMBER NEWS DAWUD CROOMS '04
attorney leads historic acquisition Crooms (#65), Senior Counsel for 7-Eleven Inc., led their $21 billion acquisition of a convenience retail competitor, Speedway. Crooms worked for months to shepherd the Irving, Texas-based company’s purchase of Speedway’s more than 3,000 stores in states across the country.
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MICHAEL SUMMERS '09
marketing the atlanta united
As Head of Marketing for the 10th most highly attended soccer club in the world, Atlanta United FC, Summers (#224) thrives on shaping the culture we live in through marketing strategy, cultural relevancy and business innovation.
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KEITH CORPREW-ASBERRY '17 upwardly mobile
Corprew-Asberry (#413), was recently named the Assistant Director of the Howard Washington Thurman Honors Program at Morehouse College. He recently served as the honors program's Program Manager and also as the Circle Coordinator for the Morehouse Circle of ODK.
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MEMBER NEWS LAWRENCE E. CARTER presidential distinction
Dean Carter (#437) was recently named to the Presidential Volunteer Service Award Honorees list for his exemplary work throughout his storied and accomplished career. Presented by Americorps, the award is given to individuals for their relentless hours of service to others on behalf of President Biden and VP Harris.
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ETHELL VEREEN
men's health article published Dr. Vereen (#431) recently had an article published in Health Education. The article's contribution is that it presents "...one of few biology courses in the nation that intentionally focuses on the unique health challenges of Black men while empowering college students to develop culturally competent strategies to improve their health outcomes.
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ARTESIUS MILLER '09 groundbreaking educator
Dr. Miller (#216), Superintendent of Utopian Academy for the Arts announced the opening of his third school, Utopian Academy for the Arts High School. Miller is recognized as a visionary leader in K-12 education who founded Georgia’s first state-approved charter school.
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MEMBER NEWS CHRIS HOLLINS '07
running for mayor in houston Hollins (#155) announced his bid to run for mayor in Houston, TX. The former Treasurer of the Democratic Party of Texas, Hollins led the 2020 elections effort in Harris County as County Clerk and gained national acclaim for protecting and expanding voting rights for 2.5 million Houston-area voters.
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KAREN MILLER
chief administrative officer Attorney and higher ed leader, Karen Miller (#249) is the Chief Administrative Officer and Board Secretary at Morehouse. Experienced Vice President Human Resources and Chief Risk Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry.
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JC LOVE III '01 making a difference
Love (#7) is the probate judge for Montgomery County, AL. In this role, he has been heralded for being innovative in creating ways for citizens to participate in elections and a variety of other civic related constituent services.
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MEMBER NEWS JUSTIN BAYLESS '07
investing in morehouse's future
Healthcare industry trailblazer Justin Bayless '07 (#113), CEO of Bayless Integrated Healthcare, has contributed a $1.5 million gift to Morehouse College to support student scholarships and faculty development.
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HENRY GOODGAME '84 leading from the front
Goodgame (#261), Morehouse's VP for External Relations and Alumni Engagement recently chaired Morehouse's 155th Founder's Day Executive committee and directed the planning of successful signature events including Morehouse's first in-person 'A Candle in the Dark' gala since February 2020.
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SHANNON JOYNER '08 marketing the falcons
Joyner (#160), is the Director of Marketing for the NFL's Atlanta Falcons. He cut his teeth as the Global Brand Director for Nike Direct and working in Global Marketing Partnerships for the National Basketball Association..
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MEMBER NEWS CLARISSA MYRICK-HARRIS leadership in action in all phases
Dr. Myrick-Harris (#364), Chair of the Humanities Division and Professor of Africana Studies, participated in Georgia Power's Generating Moments to Momentum Black History Month panel. Dr. Myrick-Harris is also Morehouse's lead for the Listen Learn Act to End Racism initiative in partnership with the Points of Light Foundation.
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KIPTON JENSEN
morehouse beyond borders in action Dr. Jensen (#380) has been instrumental in the efforts of the Andrew Young Center for Global Leadership's Prison Education Initiative. In partnership with Common Good Atlanta, Morehouse faculty associated with the Andrew Young Center have been teaching courses in the humanities to men and women in prisons or reentry programs in Georgia.
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AYLON GIPSON '23 on the move
Gipson (#429), a sophomore Economics major from Montgomery, AL is the Political Participation Coordinator for the Morehouse College Bonner Scholars program. He is also a Bayless Family Success Scholar and a member of the Morehouse Student Senate.
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ON-CAMPUS MEMBERSHIP Keith Corprew-Asberry, M.T.S. '17 - 5/3/2017 Calvin Bell '24 - 2/16/2022 Kimberly Blaise, MHR - 2/16/2022 Kendrick Brown, Ph.D. - 2/16/2022 Uzee Brown, Ph.D. - 11/3/2008 Victoria Burton - 2/16/2022 Reosha Bush, Ed.S. - 2/16/2022 Joseph Carlos III, M.B.A. '04 - 2/16/2022 Lawrence Carter, Ph.D. - 2/16/2022 Grant Commodore '23 - 2/16/2022 Doug Cooper - 2/3/2009 Vicki Crawford, Ph.D. - 2/3/2009 Leah Creque, Ph.D. - 3/25/2014 Johari Dean-Lindsey '22 - 2/16/2022 Melvin Foster, Ph.D. - 11/12/2012 Aylon Gipson '24 - 2/16/2022 Henry Goodgame '84 - 11/3/2008 Evan Gray '23 - 2/16/2022 John K. Haynes, Ph.D. '64 - 4/29/2002 Keith Hollingsworth, Ph.D. - 4/25/2006 Jared Holt '23 - 2/16/2022 Kipton Jensen, Ph.D. - 4/15/2015 Mansa King, Ph.D. - 11/3/2009 Kimberley Marshall, Ph.D. - 2/16/2022 Artesius Miller, Ph.D. '09 - 4/9/2008 Karen Miller, Esq. - 11/3/2008 Kamar Montgomery '24 - 2/16/2022 David Morrow, D.M.A. '80 - 11/12/2007 Muhsinah Morris, Ph.D. - 2/16/2022 Christian Myrick '17 - 2/16/2022 Clarissa Myrick-Harris, Ph.D. - 3/25/2014 Mary Peaks - 4/9/2008 Melvin Rahming, Ph.D. Iretha Stoney - 2/16/2022 David A. Thomas, Ph.D. - 2/16/2022 Ethell Vereen, Ph.D. - 2/16/2022 Patrick Washington, Ph.D. '02 - 4/29/2002
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MESSAGE FROM THE CIRCLE COORDINATOR
In the Fall of 2000, I was walking through campus and I was stopped by Brian Phifer, the Dean of Student Activities. Dean Phifer asked me to provide a list of names of the top leaders on campus who had at least a 3.0 grade point average. I gave him a list of 20 names, and later those students were the first initiates of the Morehouse Circle of the Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership National Honor Society.
Flash to 22 years later, when I have the opportunity to not only join Morehouse's Circle of ODK, but to help lead and guide it as the Circle Coordinator. This is truly a thrilling moment. Given our membership's outstanding leaders with diverse skill sets and talents, we have the opportunity to elevate the campus' current level of servant leadership, such that we are a shining example for all other institutions and most importantly, for our students.
I look forward to working with you on this journey, and I am confident that we will make history and change lives in the process.
Let's go.
Joe Carlos III, MBA '04 Circle Coordinator, Morehouse College Circle of ODK Sr. Director, Content Marketing Strategy joseph.carlos@morehouse.edu • 404.713.0864
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Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society, was founded December 3, 1914 at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia by 15 student and faculty leaders. The founders for formulated the idea that leadership of exceptional quality and versatility in college should be recognized, that representatives in all phases of college life should cooperate in worthwhile endeavors, and the outstanding students, faculty, and administrations should meet on a basis of mutual interest, understanding, and helpfulness. Omicron Delta Kappa was the first college honor society of a national scope to give recognition and honor for meritorious leadership and service in extracurricular activities and to encourage development of general campus citizenship. Since its founding, Omicron Delta Kappa has initiated over 300,000 members. For more information about Omicron Delta Kappa visit the national website at www.odk.org.
The Morehouse Circle is sponsored by the Howard Washington Thurman Honors Program.
JOIN US IN LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY TO CELEBRATE LEADERSHIP, SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES, AND PROPEL YOURSELF TO THE HEAD OF THE FIELD. THE NATIONAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE OFFERS THE CHANCE TO LEARN FROM NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED LEADERS, DISCOVER BEST CIRCLE PRACTICES, AND AWARD ACHIEVEMENT. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE.
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MOREHOUSE ODK
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