Message From the New
National Alumni Association President

Letter from Sherry Miller

The National Alumni Association of
Saint Augustine's College, Inc

St. Augustine's College was founded in 1867 in Raleigh, North Carolina by prominent Epsicopal clergy for the education of freed slaves. Over the years, it has become one of the country's most highly respected private, accredited, historically black, co-educational institutions of higher learning.

Of St. Augustine's more than 10,000 living alumni, a high percentage have distinguished themselves in many enterprises and professions. Among them: (1) North Carolina's current State Auditor, the Hon. Ralph Campbell, Jr. '68, the first African-American elected to that position in this state; (2) George Williams, '65, internationally acclaimed track and field coach; (3) Ruby Butler DeMesme, '69, former Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (ret.) for Manpower, Installations and Environment; (4) Hannah Diggs Atkins, '43, first African-American woman elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives (1968-1980) and recipient of numerous awards and honors for distinguished service; (5) the remarkable Delany sisters, "Bessie" and "Sadie," who became the country's most renowned centenarians in 1993 when they were 102 and 104 years of age, upon publication of their best-selling memoir, "Having Our Say," later made into a Broadway play.

The National Alumni Association of Saint Augustine's College, Inc. was established in 1933 with Dr. Edison Blackmon '13 serving as president from 1933 - 1947. The following alumni have served as President of the National Alumni Association since 1947:

The National Alumni Association of Saint Augustine's College, Inc. currently operates as an incorporated, not for profit corporation under Section 501(C) (3) of the Internal Revenu Code. Affiliate local alumni chapters aligned under a regional structure comprimise the body memebership of the National Alumni Association. The dedication and commitment of National Alumni members have forged a foundation for a partnership with Saint Augustine's College through the Office of Alumni Affairs for the past seventy-five years.

The mission of the National Alumni Association of Saint Augustine's College, Inc. shall be:

• to foster a closer relationship between members of the alumni;
• to arouse more determined and productive efforts in the interest of the College;
• to promote and advance the interests and welfare of the College through activities of alumni associations on all levels;
• to utilize the collective energy, expertise and influence of its members to generate programs and initiatives to serve the educational needs and ambitions of the College; and
• to establish endowments, scholarships, and trusts in aid of and supplemental to the educational programs of the College.

The National Alumni Association has 19 chapters and grows each year. The National Alumni visits chapters as part of its Reconnection, Regeneration, and Recruitment Project. Membership in the national association is a chance to add your voice to the many voices of our alumni who vote in elections and speak on behalf of Saint Augustine's College on issues which are important to us. Membership also gives you the chance to display your Falcon Pride and support an organization and an institution that has produced many wonderful and successful alumni, and continues to offer opportunities to young people.

Membership gives you the chance to be involved in and rewarded for community service and to be involved in decisions involving scholarships. Most important, your school needs your full support.

THE BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

Scholarships
The National Alumni Association Scholarship Committee is responsible for overseeing and awarding two of the Association's three scholarships:

The Lloyd E. Quarterman Scholarship is given annually to a junior with a 3.00 accumulative average and a minimum of 9 hours in a declared major. The student must demonstrate leadership in promoting the ideas and spirit of alumni support as a pre-alum and a commitment to maintaining that level of involvement after becoming an alumnus.

The College Mascot Scholarship is awarded to a student who is charged with promoting school spirit at all athletic events and is recognized as the college's official FALCON.

The General Scholarship is given to the college annually to assist any seniors that may need financial assistance to graduate.

Awards
The Awards Committee administers three awards funded through the dues program:

The Saint Augustine's College Service Award is presented each year to an alumnus/na whose active participation in the affairs of the college has advanced and strengthened the academic achievements programs of the college.

The Community Service Award is given to an alumnus/na for assisting in improving the quality of life in their community, city, and nation.

The Special Achievement Award is given to recognize an alumnus/na for outstanding achievements in his/her career field.

Life Membership
To become a Life Member, the cost is $500.00 per member and paid in full within a two-year period. These funds will be placed in an investment account. Life members will receive a plaque, a plastic "gold" membership card, and free admission to the Alumni Luncheon for three consecutive years. Please see Membership Application.

Finally, the National Alumni Association and the Local Chapter must perform various administrative tasks in order to serve you and the college effectively, now and in the future. Dues are relatively inexpensive. The Association and the Chapter must now count on you for your membership each year to help supplement its operational budget and support alumni programs.