Johnson C Smith University - Golden Bull Yearbook (Charlotte, NC)

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THE PRESIDENT ' S CHARGE TO THE CLASS OF 1971 Today, the sixteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord, one thousand nine hundred seventy one belongs to you only, and yet it belongs to you individually and collectively. You are among a precious few black youths who will receive the baccalaureate de- grees this year. This is true in spite of the fact that this is the largest class in the history of Johnson C. Smith University. Your challenge is to work with all your strength, mind and soul in order that it may be possible for many more to follow you. If we are to overcome the bitterness of oppression, the hurt of persecution, the hunger pangs of poverty, and the deliberate denials of our civil rights, many, many more must pass this way. You are tomorrow ' s leaders, like it or not, the responsibilities and penalties of leadership will be thrust upon you. Therefore, you should wear the name of Johnson C. Smith with noble pride and human dignity. NEWSOM ALPHA ' S MAN OF THE YEAR Dr. Lionel H. Newsom was named Man of the Year by the Beta Nu Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., of Charlotte. N. C. He was selected because of his out- standing service to the Charlotte community and Johnson C. Smith University. The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity awarded Attorney Julius Chambers the award last year because of his outstanding work in civil rights. Dr. Newsom is a member of the fraternity and more than thirty-five thousand men have been initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha since its found- ing in 1906 at Cornell University. The fraternity has been interracial since 1945 and there are now 155 college chapters and ' 220 alumni chapters in the 41 states including Africa, the West Indies. Europe and Vietnam. Since the announcing of Dr. New- som ' s resignation as president of Johnson C. Smith University he has been honored numerous times prior to his departure to Central State University, Wilberforce, Ohio where he is to assume his new presidency. PRESIDENT LIONEL H. NEWSOM was elected a member of the Charlotte Board of North Carolina National Bank. Durmg the year, Dr. Newsom received another precedent appointment in Charlotte when he became a member of the Charlotte Civil Service Board. He became the first Black member and will serve a two-vear term on the five-man committee. BUILD A NEW JERUSALEM Most of us are from, what was called when I was young, the slum; but now we ' ve given it a fancy name called the ghetto. It ' s the same. The houses are dilapi- dated; the rats are as big as cats. Roaches still run across your beds. We still have outhouses, and we still live without electricity. We have the highest rate of crime, the highest incident of infant mortality, the highest tubercular rate, (and we could go down the line listing all of these things.) And the highest il- literacy rate. How are we going to change h ' We are only going to change it in institutions like Johnson C. Smith University. One writer said — and I think that it was William Blake — Bring me my bow of gleaming gold. Bring me my idles of desire. My sword shall not sleep in mv hand, oh chariot of fire. We shall build within this country a new Jerusalem. We shall build Johnson C. Smith a stronger and a better institution. We must do this not by ' burn baby burn. I know that the ten- sions are high in the ghetto, but we only burn our- selves up. increase the poverty, and raise the pile of ashes high. But. what we should be saying is to get mad with opportunity — learn baby learn. Your parents, relatives and friends want to help. I have talked with many parents who have come to me about you; I have talked to you, and I will continue as all of these other people will continue to work with you to help you become what you want to become. The only way we can do that is by having your help.

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DEDICATION We were both new and eager to prove that we could stand the pressure and accomplish the task that we had set out to do. And time proved us right. Dr. Newsom, you demonstrated not only ability, but you showed us another side not often seen by students in an educational institution. You showed us the human side. We could always depend on a warm smile and a heart handshake. Your doors were always open, ready and willing to listen to our complaints and problems. You were a friend to us when we needed a friend most. The Senior Class takes great pride in dedicating this edition of The Bull to you, Dr. Newsom, for trulv vou deserve it. DR. LIONEL H. NEWSOM mh PresitlenI ■lohnsim C. Smith I nirir.sK.v

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SPECIAL TRIBUTE At the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. Vince was the winner of a Gold medal. He was the lead man on the United States team composed of Ron Freeman (University of Arizona), Larry James (Villanova), and Lee Evans (San Jose State). The U.S. team was clocked at 2:66.1.