Dear Alumni,

The Nominations/Elections Committee presents the candidates who are vying for offices in the National Alumni Association of Bethune-Cookman University. This ballot has been issued to comply with By-laws and Manual of Operating Procedures. The following candidates have adhered to the guidelines and are eligible to run for office. Please adhere to the return date. All Ballots must be postmarked on or before June 13, 2008.

Sincerely yours,

LuCretia A. McBride, Chair

Nominations/Election Committee

 Nominations/Elections

Committee

LuCretia A. McBride, Chairperson

 Gloria Bartley

Rev. Obie L. Burns

David Hill

Charleston Holt, Sr.

Carolyn Martin

Lucille Morris

Elizabeth Munnings

Bethune-Cookman University National Alumni Association

2008 ALUMNI ELECTION CANDIDATES

Jennifer L. Quash-Adams

Orlando, Florida

Employment: Database Analyst

Civic/Fraternal Organizations: Orlando Chapter National Hook-Up of Black Women, Inc. (President), Orange County Healthy Start Coalition (Vice Chair), Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (Parliamentarian), Grace Community of Faith (Clerk)

Alumni Local/National Offices held: Past President Orange County Chapter, Past Secretary, Parliamentarian and Vice President

Alumni Association Committees: By-Laws, MDPAC, Membership and Awards

Platform Statement: I am Jennifer Quash-Adams and I am seeking the office of President of the National Alumni Association of the great Bethune- Cookman University. I bring a depth of experiences having served as National Vice-President (3) years, Parliamentarian (4) years and Secretary (6) years. As President, I would seek to unify the Alumni association by fostering an environment that nurtures accessibility and accountability. Membership is the core of our association and I would seek to increase overall chapter membership by engaging in ongoing dialog, site visits and teleconferences with each chapter within the first six months of office. It will be an honor to serve as your President.

Evelyn B. Walker

Pensacola, Florida

Employment: Retired Educator

Civic/Fraternal Organizations: National Council of Negro Women- Life Member, Pensacola Branch of the NAACP-(Life Member), Tiger Bay Club, The Links Incorporated, Pensacola Chapter-(President), Delta Iota Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.-(Parliamentarian- Life Member)

Alumni Local/National Offices held: 2006-08- B-CU Nat’l Alumni Representative- Board of Trustees; 2004-06- B-CU Nat’l Alumni Representative- Board of Trustees; 1991-94- Escambia County Alumni Chapter –President; 1991-94- B-CU Nat’l Alumni Secretary

Alumni Association Committees: 2008 - Alumni House Chair Fundraising Committee, 2004-06- Alumni House Procurement Committee, 2001-04- Mary McLeod Bethune Bronze Statue Project Committee, 1992-98- Chairperson-Ms. Alumni Contest, 1991 Chairperson- B-CU Nat’l Alumni Convention, Escambia County, 1980 Chairperson- B-CU Nat’l Alumni Convention, Escambia County, 1971-72- Chairperson- Nomination Election Committee

Platform Statement: Thank you for your continued support and words of encouragement along the way. You have continued to entrust me with the responsibility to serve our organization and I have remained committed to the work. At this time, it is imperative that we unify our association and call upon all to work in a spirit of togetherness, as we strive for a higher level of participation, cooperation, productivity, and financial support to the great Bethune-Cookman University. As an Alumni Association, we have a unique opportunity to make a difference in our communities and in the lives of our youth. We must remain committee to the charge of our founder when she says, “The drums of Africa still beat in my heart, it won’t let me rest until every negro girl and boy have an opportunity to prove his/her worth.” I solicit your vote and look forward to leading our association to future success. Working together we can make a difference!

A. Ray Brinson

Jacksonville, Florida

Employment: Retired Manager, Prudential Financial

Civic/Fraternal Organizations: Big Brothers & Big Sisters, Minority Interchange, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity

Alumni Local/National Offices held: Public Relations Director (1998-1999), Chapter President (1987-1996) (2007-president)

Alumni Association Committees: Chapter of the Year Criteria, Alumni Representative – Board of Trustees (1987-1991)

Platform Statement: The greatest resource of advocacy for Bethune-Cookman University is the alumni. One of the best kept secrets about Bethune-Cookman University are the alumni. It's the job of the National Alumni Association, to connect, engage and inspire the alumni of Bethune-Cookman University and the Public Relations Director should play a major role in this endeavor. We have a rich heritage of supplying leaders in all vocations, A - Z and that story beckons for exposure. It does not stop with a few stars, i.e., Larry Handfield, Larry Little or John Chaney. In fact, their stories are only a small fraction of the complete Wildcat picture. Thousands "Entered to Learn and Departed to Serve" and are doing exemplary jobs in the communities where they live and work. My commitment as Director of Public Relations will be to share the success stories, the achievements and accomplishments of wildcats everywhere! An example of  this vision is The "Magnificent 100 Alumni", an event I introduced and coordinated during the 2005 Gateway Classic Weekend to recognize 100 of the most outstanding Alumni of Bethune-Cookman.

Gina Petty Sanders

Tampa, Florida

Employment: World Languages Teacher, Hillsbourgh County School Board

Civic/Fraternal Organizations: Classroom Teachers Association, Florida Foreign Languages Association, Episcopal Church Women, St. James House of Prayer (Vestry Clerk)

Alumni Local/National Offices held: Local Chapter - Vice President (1998-2002), President (2002-2006), Vice-President (2007-present) National – Miss Alumni 2000

Alumni Association Committees: Nominating, Miss National Alumni Committee

Platform Statement: I am an advocate of our persuasive motto "Enter to learn, depart to

serve." For ten years, I have boldly committed, supported and served on the local and national level, offering exemplary leadership to enhance the vision of our great institution for future generations. Let's embrace this year as one of renewed progress, and together you and I can make a conscientious difference as we continue to sustain the legacy of faith, scholarship and service. Your vote for me in this endeavor as Director of Public Relations will be greatly appreciated.

John H. Williams

Miami Gardens, Florida

Employment: Retired Principal

Civic/Fraternal Organizations: Omega Psi Phi Fraternity

Alumni Local/National Offices held: National President (1996-2000), National Parliamentarian (1979-1983), Miami-Dade Chapter President (1976-1978), National Vice President (1992-1996)

Alumni Association Committees: Life Membership, Chapter Committee, Scholarship Committee

Platform Statement: If elected Parliamentarian, I will do my best to assist the national President or, Chairperson in ensuring that meetings are conducted in accordance with our By Laws and Roberts Rules of Order. I view the Parliamentarian's role not as to dominate or overly restrict the running of meetings, but to facilitate and ensure smooth and orderly operations. In the past at two different conventions, I was asked to conduct workshops on parliamentary procedure for Chapter Presidents. I again will assist wherever requested.

Lee Bryan

Orlando, Florida

Employment: Retired Counselor

Civic/Fraternal Organizations: President of Sickle Cell Disease Association, Past President of Sickle Disease Association of Florida, Past President of Moderneers Social and Civic Club, Vice President of National Hook-up of Black Women, Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Member The Housing and Development Board, Children and Families Services Board

Alumni Local/National Offices held: Treasurer, Representative Trustee Board

Alumni Association Committees: By Laws, Scholarship, Fundraising, Miss Alumni Committee, Recruiting

Platform Statement: Working for the community is Lee Bryan’s motto. Lee has held this position before and is familiar with the responsibilities and what is expected of the Alumni Representative.  Lee vows to attend all meetings and make accurate reports to the body.  Lee fully supports the University and would like to see the Representative have a more active role on the Board of Trustees. Lee enjoys working for her school.  She is constantly recruiting students for the school.  For the last two years Lee and her husband has supported two students financially and given them moral support. Lee says that she can get the job done and represent you well.  Lee Bryan is a 1964 graduate of Bethune-Cookman University.  She is a member of the Orange County Alumni Chapter and a life member of the National Alumni Association.   She is the former Alumni representative to the Board of Trustees and is seeking another term. Lee is a retired educator of the Orange County Public School System.  She is very active in her church and community.  She received the Humanitarian Award given by LBS Foundation of Onyx Magazine. She also received the Pappy Kennedy Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2005 Shaft of Light Award, which is the highest award given by the National Alumni Association.

Audley Coakley

Pembroke Pines, Florida

Employment: Owner/President, Rainbow Mortgage Corporation

Civic/Fraternal Organizations: Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, New Way Baptist Church, New Horizon Mental Health Board, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Foundation Board

Alumni Local/National Offices held: Director Public Relations, Miami Alumni Chapter, Broward Alumni Chapter, Miami Booster Captain, Football Training Center Steering Committee, Vice President National Alumni Association

Platform Statement: Once again, I am asking for your support and vote to be your next Alumni Representative to the Board of Trustees for the National Alumni Association of Bethune-Cookman University. During my terms as Director of Public Relations, I was able to have a positive impact in the decision making process of the NAA, most notably, the revised selection outcome for Miss Alumni and her court, allowing all chapter levels (large, medium and small) to have equal representation in the contest. The Miami-Dade and Broward Alumni Chapters can attest to my active participation, passionate involvement and leadership skills that promoted progress within the organization. Let us continue to surge that will propel our great institution to the next level. In order to sustain our growth, it is imperative that you vote for the individual that will embrace the vision. I am committed to putting forth the time and energy to serve you as Alumni Representative to the Board of Trustees.

Deborrah Threet

Lithonia, Georgia

Employment: Instructional Designer, Bank of America

Civic/Fraternal Organizations: American Society of Training and Development (ASTD), Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Greater Atlanta Community Forum, Team Bank of America Environmental, Toastmasters

Alumni Local/National Offices held: Webmaster, Booster chair, Public Relations/Newsletter, President’s Football Training Center Steering Committee, President’s Football Task Force

Alumni Association Committees:

Platform Statement: After years spent learning about the National Alumni Association, its principles and mission, I firmly believe that I am positioned to be a valuable contributor to its continued growth. I have received invaluable training from my current and former jobs and can use those skills of negotiating, planning, questioning, and creativity to further strengthen the bridge between the National 'Association and the Board of Trustees. My platform would be to listen to and wholeheartedly negotiate for the needs of alumni, the school, and the students we serve.