Donors Raise Scholarship Funds to Celebrate Love for AKA, NCCU

When members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. decided in 2017 to create a scholarship endowment fund at North Carolina Central University, the initial fundraising requirement of $25,000 seemed a vast sum. 

In a short time, however, the group exceeded that goal and set a new, bigger one – $100,000 – with plans to announce the achievement at Homecoming 2020. 

Again, the sorority members exceeded expectations, said Tania B. Davis, ’94, co-chair with Vicki Hussey, ’92, of the NCCU AKA Scholarship Committee. 

“We gave ourselves five years to raise $100,000, but it only took three,” Davis said. “We raised the largest chunk the first year, and it has been harder with the economic downturn. The last few months were a challenge.” 

However, a social media push early in the summer put the goal within reach.  

“We were putting messages out on a frequent basis to remind our members,” Davis added.  

NCCU Advancement Services Director of Annual Giving Kara Endsley celebrated with the group when the good news arrived in mid-July. 

 “The members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. have worked hard and stayed focused on their fundraising efforts to leave a legacy at NCCU,” Endsley said.  

“We are excited this scholarship will be available for deserving students.” 

Co-chair Hussey said raising funds for scholarships was a way of celebrating love for both Alpha Kappa Alpha and NCCU. 

 “Establishing an endowment is a very important investment to benefit students who want to excel academically, compete globally, take advantage of internships, and, more importantly, become gainfully employed upon graduation,” she said.  

“The NCCU AKA Endowed Scholarship Committee wants to thank the many Sorors and supporters for their generous donations.” 

Despite Homecoming 2020 now being planned as a virtual experience, enthusiasm and support for NCCU have not diminished. “We want to stress that anyone celebrating a class reunion this year at Homecoming can donate to the NCCU AKA scholarship fund and still  get credit toward their class goal,” Davis said. In addition to Davis and Hussey, members of the NCCU AKA Scholarship Committee are Lauretta  Holloway ’74, Donna Bellamy ’89, Bonnye  Anthony ’89, Sonya Laws ’89, Gina Dean ’90, Michelle White ’90,  Kristi Marshall ’06, Claudine Daye Lewis ‘65 and Lorna McAllister ‘90.

Couple’s Gift Names Dean’s Office for Former Professor 

NCCU School of Business alumnus Cornell Slade ’75 and his wife, alumna Bess Slade ’75, of Wilmington, N.C., made a $100,000 gift to the School of Business in honor of retired faculty member Randal M. Rogers. The gift calls for the dean’s office in the new School of Business to be named in Rogers’ honor. 

Cornell Slade is a member of the School of Business Board of Visitors and NCCU Foundation Board. He and his wife, a sociology major, have been generous contributors as well as active volunteers supporting the growth and development of programs at NCCU. 

The Slades recall their former professor as a “respected instructor.” “He was a presence on campus,” Cornell Slade explained. “I recall seeing him walk around interacting with students. He was a good person just to talk to, even in an informal setting. He showed us how to be successful yet approachable.’‘ 

The couple’s contribution ensures that the business school will have additional resources as it becomes a state-of-the-art institution. “We need to have students leave our campus confident that they can compete with the best,” Cornell Slade said. “They must be willing to venture out to seek new opportunities, and learn how and be willing to move mountains.” 

The Slades have achieved success as former owners of Best Egg, supplier of the egg products served in McDonald’s restaurants. Cornell Slade is also a partner in 5B Capital Group LLC.   

Rogers is a triple Eagle, having received a bachelor’s degree in commerce in 1962, a master’s in business administration in 1968, and a law degree in 1972. He lives in Durham with his wife Gracie, NCCU Class of 1967.  

 “I always want to have an impact, not make an impression,” Cornell Slade said. “I want future students to go into the world with a desire to cause change. I want them to challenge the status quo. I don’t really care if they know who I am. But I want them to build confidence in themselves and pride in their educational heritage.”