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Spelman Welcomes Ninth President:Beverly Daniel Tatum

n April 2002, the Board of Trusteesappointed Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatumas the ninth president of Spelman

College. Dr. Tatum comes to Spelman froma 13-year career at Mount Holyoke Collegewhere she was acting president and dean ofthe college.

“The Board, and especially the membersof the Search Committee, have worked dili-gently to find the right woman to lead andinspire Spelman College,” says Trustee ChairDr. June Gary Hopps (C’ 60). “We haveselected the best and we are confident thatDr. Tatum will build on Spelman’s traditionsand enhance Spelman’s mission to developthe intellectual, ethical and leadershippotential of its students.”

A scholar, teacher, author, administratorand race relations expert, Dr. Tatum is notedfor her critically acclaimed book, “Why AreAll The Black Kids Sitting Together in theCafeteria?” And Other ConversationsAbout Race. She is also the author ofAssimilation Blues: Black Families in a

White Community. She has been a featuredlecturer on the subject of race relations andhas appeared on several panels around thecountry, including President Clinton’s Initia-tive on Race. Prior to joining Mt. Holyoke,she was an associate professor and assistantprofessor at Westfield State College in West-

field, Mass. She was also a lecturer at theUniversity of California at Santa Barbara inthe Department of Black Studies.

Raised in Bridgewater, Mass., Dr. Tatumis a fourth generation professor. She earneda bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan Univer-sity in psychology, a master’s degree and adoctorate in clinical psychology from theUniversity of Michigan.

“Spelman holds a very special place inhigher education. I am tremendously hon-ored by my selection as the next president,”says Dr. Tatum. “I look forward to getting toknow the entire Spelman Community – fac-ulty, staff, students and alumnae. I want thePresident’s Office to be an open placebecause communication is key to the suc-cess of our initiatives. In order to be the bestwe can be, we have to have everyone rowingin the same direction. The more people feelconnected, the more vested they will be inthe success of the College.”

Dr. Tatum assumed her official duties onAugust 1, 2002.

Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum

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“In the selection of Dr. Beverly DanielTatum, Spelman College continues to beblessed with women of genius. Dr. Tatum’scapability and work in building an entirecollege community will serve Spelman well.Her impressive leadership talents andunique sense of academic mission areextraordinary.”- Yvonne Jackson (C’70), SearchCommittee Chair, Spelman Board ofTrustees

“Beverly Daniel Tatum is a prime exampleof the next generation of collegepresidents. Not yet 50, she is a talented

academic, an experienced administratorand wise in leading people. All of us at TheHollins Group, Inc. were excited by her as acandidate and expect great things from herpresidency at Spelman College.”- Nancy Hall White, Vice President andManaging Director, The Hollins Group, Inc.

“A gifted teacher and accomplishedscholar, Beverly Daniel Tatum is also anatural-born administrator. She is aninspired choice for the presidency ofSpelman. In her 13 years here, Dr. Tatumhas exerted a powerful influence on thisinstitution and worked very effectively to

expand our success as a diversecommunity. As a teacher, she has inspiredcountless students. As a scholar andwriter, she has helped shape the nationaldiscussion on issues of race. And as anadministrator, she has played an importantrole in maintaining Mount Holyoke’sleadership in the liberal arts. I amconfident that Dr. Tatum will build onSpelman’s proud traditions with the sameclear-sighted energy, courage and caringshe has brought to Mount Holyoke.” - Joanne V. Creighton, Mount Holyoke

College President

Quotes of Note: In Praise of Spelman’s President

E D I T O RCathy Lee

E D I T O R I A L S T A F FTomika DePriestTrisa Long PaschalJo Moore Stewart

C O P Y E D I T O R

Jan Barstow

P H O T O G R A P H YWilford HarewoodBud Smith Craig BromleyAlbert Thompson

Inside Spelman is published three timesper academic year for areadership that includesalumnae, trustees,parents, students, faculty,staff and friends of theCollege. The newsletter isdedicated to informing theSpelman College familyabout news, upcomingevents and issues in thelife of the College.

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pelman College was chosen as thefirst American site of the fourthInternational Narrative Therapy

and Community Work Conference. The pre-conference began June 10, extending to thegrand opening event on Wednesday, June19, closing on June 21. Countriesrepresented included Ghana, Australia, NewZealand, Sweden, Israel, Norway, HongKong and Mexico.

The purpose of the conference was toprovide learning and networking opportunitiesfor psychologists, family therapists, doctors,nurses, mental health workers, counselors,teachers and community workers. Expertsoffered presentations on working withchildren, HIV/AIDS, mental health issues,survivors of violence and traumas,addictions therapy, gay, lesbian andtransgender experiences and spirituality.

The Grand Opening was of greathistorical significance. For the first timesince the Trail of Tears in 1839, leaders fromthe United Keetowah Band of the Cherokeefrom Oklahoma and North Carolinareturned to the land of their origin. Here onSpelman’s campus, the Cherokee nationwelcomed the world to their first homeland.Conference planners indicated that the

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350 Spelman Lane S.W., Atlanta, Georgia 30314

Features1 Spelman Announces New President

2 International Narrative Therapy andCommunity Work Conference

3 Environmental Focus Links ThreeSchools

3 The Spelman Scarf: A Symbol of Giving

3 New Names On Campus

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Cherokee presence was essential to theirongoing mission of reconciliation towardsminorities.

The conference was co-hosted bySpelman College and the Dulwich Centre,based in Australia. The Dulwich Centre isknown as the home of narrative therapy – a therapeutic approach utilizing the storiesof individuals, families and communities to achieve healing and reconciliation. Co-founder Michael White delivered thekeynote address and led workshops,discussions and seminars. Also in attendancewere indigenous Australian, Maori &Samoan leaders in the field of health, aswell as America Bracho, a nationallyrespected Latino health worker and AfricanAmerican family therapist Kenneth V. Hardy.

Attendees gave Spelman high praises forits hospitality, beautiful campus, and inparticular, for the College’s commitment toeducation, community service and thepreservation of black culture. “I have feltincredibly honored to be hosted on thiscampus,” wrote one guest. “The integrityand passionate dedication to education andthe uplifting of communities lives in everytree and breathes through the very walls ofyour history.”

Decatur-based drummers Giwayen Mata join dancers from the Malcolm X CommunityCenter for the opening ceremony.

Diversity/Reconciliation Key Themes AtInternational Narrative Therapy AndCommunity Work Conference

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Environmental Focus Links Three Colleges

pelman College and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) haveengaged in a three-year linkage with Mangosuthu Technikon ( Mantec), in Durban,South Africa. By establishing the framework for an Environmental Policy and Science

Research Program, Spelman and FAMU will assist Mantec in strengthening its institutionalcapacity to provide increased access and quality educational opportunities for historicallydisadvantaged individuals in key areas.

Both Spelman and FAMU will benefit from this project as they broaden their academicprograms to include greater international opportunities for students and faculties. All threeschools should benefit as they produce a more skilled and marketable workforce, expandservice/learning opportunities for faculty, students and staff and begin developing a long-termstrategic plan for future collaborations with a particular focus on environmental issues.

amed actor and community activist Danny Glover gave theaddress for Spelman’s 121st commencement on May 19 atNew Birth Missionary Baptist Church. During the ceremony,

Mr. Glover, who is the current Goodwill Ambassador for the UnitedNations Development Program, received an honorary degree.

Mr. Glover encouraged graduates to become active, involvedcitizens, both locally and globally. He closed with a passage from thepoem, “Interim” by Clarissa Scott Delaney, “ ‘…Another day willfind me brave, And not afraid to dare.’ – That’s my charge to you,Spelman graduates. Be not afraid to dare.”

Other honorary degree recipients included Dr. Eleanor Traylor(C’55), chair of the English department at Howard University, andAmbassador Bismarck Myrick, a career member of the United StatesSenior Foreign Service who presently serves in Liberia.

Actor /activist DannyGlover served as thisyear’s commencementspeaker and receivedan honorary degree.

t a lavish event hosted by Atlanta LifeInsurance Company, the President’s Recep-tion recognized leadership donors and

members of the Guardian Society. Special alumnaedonors from reunioning classes were festooned witha beautiful Spelman scarf, hand-made of importedsilk chiffon and embellished with 84 tiny SwarovskiCrystals. The sapphire scarf was awarded to majordonors and the ivory scarf was awarded to membersof the Guardian Society. These generous women arehelping to insure the Spelman legacy.

Donors pictured clockwise, beginning upper rightcorner, are: Joy San Walker Brown, C’52, HattimarieParks Davis, C’47, Daisy Carroll Harris, C’47, Rose HarrisJohnson, C’57, Bettye Lovejoy Scott, C’57, Jodie ClementSmart, C’82, Mildred Collier Walton, C’47, TonyaHarding Ward, C’92 and Mildred Ponder Stennis, C’47.

Tomika DePriest Spelman’s new Director of Public Relations,Tomika DePriest (C’89) officially joined the Institutional Advancement staff in February 2002.However, as both an alumnaeand contributing writer for theSpelman Messenger, she isnot new to Spelman.

Tomika earned an M.A. inAfricana Women’s Studies fromClark Atlanta University andserved as a Poynter Institute of Media StudiesJournalism Fellow. She received a SpelmanCollege Alumnae Achievement Award in 1998.

“My goal will be to position Spelman Collegeas one of the top among historically black collegesand universities, as well as colleges and universi-ties in general,” says Ms. DePriest. “I am a part ofSpelman’s 121-year legacy of educating AfricanAmerican women. Now, I get to play a key role inpromoting the institution.”

Dr. Deborah E. King Dr. King is the Director of Corporate Relationsand Major Gifts and serves as a strategic partnerin providing funds for capital, operational, pro-grammatic and endowment needs for the College.Dr. King has over 15 years of experience in highereducation and non-profit fundraising. She is therecipient of the prestigious Woodrow WilsonFundraising Fellowship and has a Ph.D. inhigher education, focusing on fundraising andevaluation.

Professor Barbara Nesin Professor Barbara Nesin is the new Chair of theFine Arts Program, coming to the College fromFront Range Community College in Fort Collins,Colorado. An instructor in drawing and painting,Professor Nesin has a special interest in art thatfocuses on multicultural issues. She holds aB.F.A. from Pratt University, an M.B.A. from LongIsland University and an M.F.A. from IndianaState University.

In The President’s OfficeDr. Sherry TurnerThe new Assistant to the President and Secretaryof the College is Sherry Turner, from Mt. HolyokeCollege. During her 12 years there, she served asAssistant Professor of Psychology, Assistant Deanof the College and Ombudsperson. Dr. Turnerholds a B.A. in Psychology / Anthropology-Sociology, an M.S. in Developmental Psychology,a Masters in Theological Studies and a Ph.D. inPsychology.

Yvonne Skillings also comes from Mt.Holyoke and now serves as the Executive Assistantand Office Manager to the President. Previously,Ms. Skillings served as a staff member who wasalso enrolled in the Frances Perkins ScholarsProgram. She served Dr. Tatum in the area ofstudent affairs.

N E W N A M E S O N C A M P U S The Spelman Scarf: A Symbol of Giving

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FSpelman Celebrates 121st Commencement

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2002 Presidential AwardsExcellence in Teaching Award Professor Jann Primus (C’81), her second award, this one posthumously.Dr. Kathleen Phillips Lewis, Associate Professor of History.

Scholarly Achievement AwardDr. Jeffrey Ehme, Chair of the Department of Mathematics.

Distinguished Service AwardDr. Margery Ganz, Chair of the Department of History. Dr. Cornelia Gillyard, Chair of the Chemistry Department.

Emeritus AppointmentsDr. Lois Moreland, Professor Emerita of Political Science in 1999.Dr. James Gates, Professor Emeritus of French in 2002.Dr. Etta Falconer, Professor Emerita of Mathematics in 2002. Dr. Norman Rates was named Dean Emeritus of Sisters Chapel in 2002.

Fanny Lou Hamer Achievement AwardIn recognition of her significant contribution to the community outsideSpelman College, Dr. Victoria Durant Gonzalez received the Fanny LouHamer Achievement Award.

ScholarshipsGifts to the following scholarships can be made by contacting Trisa LongPaschal at 404-223-1485.

The Norman M. and Laura Lynem Rates Annual ScholarshipEstablished March 7, 2002, this scholarship will assist a deserving studentmajoring in religion or social science.

Dr. Etta Zuber Falconer Endowed Scholarship In MathematicsUpon the retirement of Dr. Etta Zuber Falconer, Calloway Professor ofMathematics, the Falconer family has established an endowed scholarshipto be awarded to a full-time rising junior or senior mathematics majors.

Spelman Salutes Famed actress and activist Ruby Dee stars in Ayoka Chenzira’sstage production of Flying Over Purgatory. South African actressMabel Mafuya also starred in the production, making this her firstvisit to the U.S. in 30 years. This was a culminating event cele-brating the installation of Spelman College’s first Cosby Chair of

Fine Arts, ProfessorAyoka Chenzira. Premier-ing April 18 – 21, theperformance was posi-tioned as a fundraiser togenerate money for theSpelman College Fine ArtDepartment.

For years Merck has been an integral partner with Spelmanto promote educational excellence in the sciences. For their generosity,the foyer in the new Science Center is named on their behalf. Pictured left to right are Dr. Gladys Bayse, Spelman; Jerry BryantJr., Ph.D., Director, Science Education Initiatives, The College Fund,UNCF; Susan Rhue Jenkins, Human Resources Consultant, Merck;John R. Taylor, Senior Director Public Affairs, Executive V.P. of theMerck Company Foundation; Danny Flannigan, V. P., Business andFinancial Affairs, Spelman; Angela D. Knight, Director of StaffingInitiatives, Merck; and Dr. Al Thompson, Spelman.

In MemoriamDr. James Gates, Professor Emeritus, Foreign Languages, died onMay 29, 2002. He served on Spelman’s faculty for 35 years.