Triumph Gala at 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 14, at the Charlotte
Convention Center Ballroom.
The signature black-tie event of the university, the Arch of Triumph
Gala honors distinguished JCSU alumni and notable philanthropic
achievers. This year, the university will acknowledge those who have
made a significant impact in the arena of foster care, a personal
cause of Dr. Ronald L. Carter, president of JCSU and former foster
parent of four youths.
This year's Arch of Triumph Gala Award recipients include: Mary and
Carl Brown, executive directors of the South Carolina Foster Care
Association; Talmadge Willard Fair, a JCSU alumnus and President and
CEO of the Urban League of Greater Miami; Dr. Catherine McKee
McCottry, a JCSU alumnae and Charlotte's first African-American female
physician; and Victoria Rowell, actress, author and foster care
advocate.
The ceremonies during the gala will also spotlight the university's
newest initiative, The Foster Village Network Center, and its ground-
breaking Phasing Up to New Possibilities program. The program is
designed to ease the transition for at-risk youth phasing out of
foster care. The program seeks to maximize community partnerships and
provide a holistic approach to supporting the unique needs of
nontraditional college students.
"As a former foster parent, I've seen first-hand the ambition and
determination of students who have risen from the constraints of
foster care to lead incredibly influential and successful lives," said
Carter. "Because of our unwavering commitment to improving our
communities, we as a university cannot overlook the youth in the
foster care system who have the potential and the talent to better our
city and our country."
Proceeds from the Arch of Triumph Gala go to support the JCSU Fund,
which provides needed funds for scholarships, teaching and learning
initiatives, in addition to programs that are vital to providing a
high-quality education to JCSU students. The inaugural Arch of Triumph
was held in 2009 and grossed more than $128,000 to benefit the JCSU
Fund, bringing more than 690 Charlotte residents, local corporations
and members of the philanthropic community together for the black-tie
occasion.
For more information on sponsorship opportunities with the Arch of
Triumph Gala, contact Sharon Harrington at 704-330-1437 orsharrington@jcsu.edu
. To purchase tickets, contact Katrina Gordon at 704-330-1424 or klgordon@jcsu.edu
.
Founded in 1867, Johnson C. Smith University is the premier
independent urban liberal arts university located in the heart of
Charlotte, N.C. It offers a progressive liberal arts curriculum with
26 fields of study to nearly 1,500 students. The University prepares
students for success through excellent academic programs with a focus
on servant leadership, civic engagement and global responsibility.
