“You know how some people dread getting up in the morning. I haven’t.”– Carolyn Thomas, class of ’72, Honors Program staff
By:Brittani Parker
Carolyn Thomas remembers Winston-Salem State as a very different place than it is today. Thomas entered WSSU in August 1967.
Thomas, a Winston-Salem native, has seen the University go through several renovations.
“Oh my goodness, it’s changed quite a bit,” Thomas said.
“Diggs Gallery was an auditorium. There was no Rams Commons. Across the [Martin Luther King Jr. Drive] street there were houses. Also there were more dorms on this side of campus,” she said.
During her time at WSSU, Dr. Kenneth R. Williams was the chancellor. There were no classes on Wednesdays, from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. because students had to attend a religious service in the auditorium.
“This is how the University Hour revolved,” Thomas said.
Thomas said that one of the best parts of her college experience was meeting different people and developing friendships. Thomas also admits that she has some regrets.
“I wish I would have gone away to school,” she said.
After graduation, Thomas worked as a bank teller at Wachovia. In January 1999, Thomas got married and moved to Indonesia.
While there, she taught business law and substituted at the International School in Surabaya, a school for children of ex-patriots.
In March 2002, Thomas returned to the United States. In 2004 Thomas said she heard about a job with the Honors Program through Dr. Shirley Manigault, former Honors Program director.
As a program assistant for the WSSU Honors Program, Thomas has worked with students for the last five years.
The telephone calls, emails, and cards that she receives from students give her confirmation that she is meant to work with the Honors Program, she said.
“Ms. Thomas is a wonderful individual who loves to help students in any way she can,” said Grace Sturdivant, a sophomore, elementary education major.
“I have had several personal encounters with her where she has reached out and gone above the limit to make sure that I am successful in all of my endeavors.”
Lassiter Speller, a senior, psychology major, refers to Thomas as “Mama.”
“I come to her with problems and she always has an answer,” Speller said. “She scolds me when I mess up, so she is like a mother away from home.”
Thomas said her job gives her fulfillment.
“You know how some people dread getting up in the morning. I haven’t.”
“I loved being a student here.”– Marilyn Roseboro, class of ’73, associate professor in Mass Communications Department
By: Trygenia Dowell
In 1969, Marilyn Roseboro was among the first five students to receive a scholarship through the R.J. Reynolds’ Scholastic Achievement Program.
She entered Winston-Salem State as a business major; but graduated with an English degree.
During her time as a student, she worked on The News Argus and became the first paid Editor in Chief her senior year.
“It took so much more planning for the paper because of no technology,” she said.
Roseboro was also in the marching band and wrote scripts for the band’s announcer for the half-time show at the football games.
“I loved being a student here. I lived for the marching band,” Roseboro said.
In her sophomore year, the band played for the NFL’s Baltimore Colts.
She became a member of Alpha Kappa Mu and Sigma Tau Delta honor societies and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1973.
Upon graduation she began working as a news reporter covering court trials for WBTV- Charlotte.
“The beat I had was kind of depressing. I covered a couple of major murder trials,” Roseboro said.
Roseboro then decided to go into public relations for the city of Charlotte. She was the Information and Communication Specialist for the city.
She returned to WSSU in 1979 as director of Public Relations. She is respected by her students and peers. Ashleigh Taylor is one former student who has had her life touched by Roseboro.
“Ms. Roseboro definitely cares about her students,” Taylor said. If you saw her on the field [yard] she would always ask how I was. She takes an interest in your life outside of the classroom.”
Roseboro is now an associate professor in the Mass Communications Department and serves as the University’s Internship Coordinator.
Roseboro also works closely with Career Services and helps students with their internships.
Sophomore Mass Communications major Jasmine Braden has visited Roseboro several times for assistance on an essay for a scholarship and packaging a resume.
“She made it where I can understand exactly what I needed,” Braden said. “In the short time that I’ve gotten to know her and work with her I found her to be warm and supportive.”
“No matter where I am, I serve , not just at WSSU.”–Sonya Melton-Mickles, class of 1996, adjunct professor /Honors Staff
By: LaTasha Miles
Sonya Melton-Mickles received her degree in English from Winston-Salem State in 1996.
Mickles came to WSSU on a choir scholarship. She was a member of the Gospel Choir and an original Burke Singer.
“Mrs. Melton-Mickles was always in good standing academically, or she would not have been able to travel with either ensemble,” said D’Walla Simmons Burke, director of Choral and Vocal Studies.
Although she was not involved in a lot of organizations, she was very instrumental in a lot of causes, such as protesting against Dr. Alvin J. Schexnider, who was the Chancellor of the University at the time.
Mickles was member of the Nation of Islam Student Association and asked for Minister Louis Farrakhan to speak at the University, but the Chancellor felt it wasn’t appropriate.
She also advocated for the African-American Culture course to become a graduation requirment for all majors.
After Mickles graduated, she taught in public school systems and at NC A&T. While at A&T, Mickles taught Terrence Jenkins, better known as Terrence J, a co-host of BET’s 106 & Park.
“He was about his business,” Mickles said. “I’ll always feel like I had a little part of his success,” she said.
Mickles was fullfiling her desire to work in higher education at A&T. However, her job fell victim to budget cuts.
Mickles returned to WSSU in June 2001. Although many things had changed structurally on campus, she did find a familiar face. Dr. Soncerey Montgomery, the current interim director of the Honors Program, who was one of her professors, was still a teacher here.
Mickles now works with Montgomery and her other former professors.
“Mrs. Melton-Mickles is a collegial, well-rounded individual who is an asset to the Honors Program as well as the University,” Montgomery said.
“She is committed to scholarship, professional development and student success. By no means is she afraid to venture out into uncharted territory.”
Mickles says she loves her job because she can teach and do administrative work.
“It’s how you measure success, and I feel I am [successful],”?she said. “No matter where I am, I serve, not just at WSSU.”
“WSSU is pretty much all that I know.” –Derrick Hargrove, class of ’04 and ’08 technology support analyst
By: Corderius Cowans
After Derrick Hargrove earned his bachelor’s degree in Computer Science in 2001, he worked on campus in the Thompson Center as a student service manager for a year. In addition, he worked part-time for the YMCA.
In 2004, he moved to High Point and worked as a computer instructor at Guilford Technical Community College.
The same year he returned to WSSU to complete his master’s degree in Computer Science and Information Technology.
After graduating in 2008, Hargrove remains at WSSU serving as a Technology Support Analyst for the College of Arts and Sciences.
“WSSU is pretty much all that I know,” he said. Hargrove was accepted at UNCG, Morehouse and the University of Miami. WSSU was still his first choice. Hargrove said it was due to its convenient location and the “welcoming” feeling it offered.
Hargrove and his fraternal-twin brother, Errick, enrolled at WSSU as freshmen in the fall 1998.
While Errick was a member of the University’s football team, Derrick was very active on campus. He was a member of Campus Activities Board, Mozik Modeling Troupe, Honda Campus All-Stars, The Honors Program, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Hargrove said one of his fondest memories as a student happened one evening during his freshman year when he and other freshmen sat outside of the Thompson Center and “chilled”?all night.
He said that is when he truly felt like he was an “official” college student.
“I met a lot of good friends that day, some that I still talk to now,” he added.
Hargrove said because there was no Facebook, MySpace or cell phones, the main method of communication back then was face-to-face conversations, and there was much more school spirit compared to the current campus climate.
“Students had such a tight bond back then,” he said.
“I am excited about the growth and expansion.” –Gregory Hairston, class of ’83, director of Alumni Relatons
By: Marcus Cunningham
Gregory Hairston, director of Alumni Relations, graduated in 1983.
Hairston, a Winston-Salem native, majored in Political Science and Public Administration.
After graduation, Hairston attended graduate school at UNC-Chapel Hill where he earned a master’s degree in Public Administration.
Hairston said he saw himself working in government. In 1986, he worked with the city of Winston-Salem bringing him back to WSSU.
The temporary job lasted less than a year.
His work during that year earned him a job in Career Services in 1988.
Hairston worked there for eight years as a job location and development coordinator. He was the interim director for two years.
Hairston was named the Interim Alumni Relations Director in 1996 and assumed the position permanately in 1997.
“It is ever changing, and no day is the same,” Hairston said.
In 2000, Chancellor Harold Martin placed a greater emphasis on fund raising. Since these changes have been implemented, Hairston said that the position is always challenging and allows him to be creative.
“The previous role of Alumni Relations was to engage members of the WSSU National Alumni Association to raise funds for WSSU,” Hairston said.
“With the new changes in place, Alumni Relations engages the entire Alumni population.”
Stanley Johnson is the secretary of alumni affairs of WSSU’s Student Government Association.
“Mr. Hairston has been supportive along the way,” Johnson said.
He said that Hairston believes it is important for every student to develop a healthy philanthropic spirit while in undergrad.
“We, as African Americans, often times do not give back to the very organizations [colleges] that have invested into us, “said Johnson, a political science major from Lansing, Mich.
Since his time as a student at WSSU, Hairston says that things have changed tremendously.
“I am excited about the growth and expansion,” Hairston said.
“When I was a student here [WSSU] had two dorms for males [Bickett and Brown] and four for women [Atkins, Dillard, Moore, Pegram].”
Hairston said he can remember when there were no graduate programs, computer science major and the school of business was much smaller.
Hairston’s family is deeply rooted with WSSU as well.
“Greg has aunts, uncles, and cousins who attended WSSU as a family tradition,” said Beth Hairston, associate professor in the School of Education and Mr. Hairston’s wife.
Mrs. Hairston has taught in the education department since 1988. His father, Peyton Hairston was the president of the WSSU National Alumni Association from 1998-2002.
“Greg is very passionate about Winston-Salem State University,”?she said.
“He was born and raised in Winston-Salem and good times in the young Hairston household revolved around attending sporting events at Winston-Salem State University.”