Spring Break
Reception raises money for equity scholarship
Katie Farnam and Bryan Shettig
Issue date: 10/30/07 Section: NEWS
NT alumni and students gathered Friday at the NT Dallas campus to raise money for the Legacy Scholarship, an endowment tied to diversity at NT.
The Legacy Reception was an effort started by black Dallas/Fort Worth alumni with the division of equity and diversity at NT.
Houston alumni hosted the reception, the first of its kind, in February 2007.
"This is not a black issue, a white issue or a brown issue, it's an equity issue," said Sen. Royce West. "We must make certain our children can get a quality education."
About 150 people listened to speeches by NT alumni and administrators for the fundraiser, which focused on black issues at NT.
Joe Atkins, chair of the alumni committee and the first black student at NT, said he wanted to raise $50,000 Friday night for the endowment. The amount raised was not available by press time.
"It's an opportunity for African Americans to once again come together with a meaning and a purpose," said Billy Ratcliff, NT alumnus.
NT President Gretchen Bataille said since financial aid cannot discriminate based on race, the scholarships would go to students who are committed to equity and diversity.
"How do you ensure an African American gets a scholarship?" Ratcliff said. "You can't do that."
Bonita Hairston, chief of staff in the president's office, said the alumni committee would meet this week to decide if the event will become annual or not and tally how much money was raised.
"As a student at NT, I must be thankful because what you're saying to me by being here tonight is 'keep going young brother,' " said Marcedes Fuller, San Antonio senior.
John Price, director of the NT Dallas campus, said in 2007, NT Dallas had $880,000 in scholarships. Price said by 2009 he hopes to have $1 million in scholarships at the campus.
"We are one of the most diverse campuses in the nation," Price said. "Once we stand alone in the NT system, I believe we will be nationally recognized as a diverse campus."
The Legacy Reception was an effort started by black Dallas/Fort Worth alumni with the division of equity and diversity at NT.
Houston alumni hosted the reception, the first of its kind, in February 2007.
"This is not a black issue, a white issue or a brown issue, it's an equity issue," said Sen. Royce West. "We must make certain our children can get a quality education."
About 150 people listened to speeches by NT alumni and administrators for the fundraiser, which focused on black issues at NT.
Joe Atkins, chair of the alumni committee and the first black student at NT, said he wanted to raise $50,000 Friday night for the endowment. The amount raised was not available by press time.
"It's an opportunity for African Americans to once again come together with a meaning and a purpose," said Billy Ratcliff, NT alumnus.
NT President Gretchen Bataille said since financial aid cannot discriminate based on race, the scholarships would go to students who are committed to equity and diversity.
"How do you ensure an African American gets a scholarship?" Ratcliff said. "You can't do that."
Bonita Hairston, chief of staff in the president's office, said the alumni committee would meet this week to decide if the event will become annual or not and tally how much money was raised.
"As a student at NT, I must be thankful because what you're saying to me by being here tonight is 'keep going young brother,' " said Marcedes Fuller, San Antonio senior.
John Price, director of the NT Dallas campus, said in 2007, NT Dallas had $880,000 in scholarships. Price said by 2009 he hopes to have $1 million in scholarships at the campus.
"We are one of the most diverse campuses in the nation," Price said. "Once we stand alone in the NT system, I believe we will be nationally recognized as a diverse campus."
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