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WVSU Alumni Assn. Names Katherine G. Johnson Scholarship

The Hampton Roads West Virginia State University Alumni Association hosted a Line Dancing Scholarship Luncheon at the Dr. Clarence V. Cuffee Community Center in Chesapeake.

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The Hampton Roads West Virginia State University Alumni Association hosted a Line Dancing Scholarship Luncheon at the Dr. Clarence V. Cuffee Community Center in Chesapeake.  Jean Jeffrey welcomed the guests; and Ada Wilson Weaver prayed a beautiful Prayer and Blessed the Food. Alumna Eva Rice gave the Occasion/Purpose for the affair which was to raise funds for the newly named HAMPTON ROADS/WEST VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY’s KATHERINE G. JOHNSON SCHOLARSHIP to be given to a student who plans to attend that institution of higher learning.  

Katherine Johnson, a 1937 distinguished graduate of West Virginia State, was one of the great African-American ladies featured in the movie “Hidden Figures.”  Because of her outstanding work at NASA Langley, Johnson was considered to be a “human computer” who the records state, calculated trajectories for America’s first space flights.  After having worked for NASA for over 30 years, this great mathematician was awarded, in 2015, America’s highest civilian honor – THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL of FREEDOM.  Also, one of the newest facilities, at NASA Langley, which will “enable innovative research and development supporting air mobility and space exploration missions” has been named THE KATHERINE G. JOHNSON COMPUTATIONAL RESEARCH FACILITY.

A sea of dancers of all ages moved, from noon to 4:00 p.m., to music from the 50s to today’s sounds played by disc jockey Charlie Billups.  For those who didn’t know the dances; to those who needed steps to be refreshed; and to those who knew all the steps line dance instructors were present. The outstanding dance instructors were Akil McLamore, Wanda Gardner and Sandra Tyree.  Pat Painter led the group in doing the Pat Painter Strut.  In between the dancing, guests feasted on a delicious buffet repast catered by Melvena Winder.

Members of the Hampton Roads/West Virginia State University Alumni Association present and enjoying the afternoon with their guests, were Doris Jones, Odessa G. Johnson, Dr. Orren Rayford, Areena Lowe, John Reppert, Yvonne Brown, Dr. Haywood, Eva Rice, Lawrence Rainey and Paulette Ellis.  Chairperson for this wonderful afternoon of dancing and fellowshipping was Jean Jeffrey.

The WVSU Alumni Association meets the 3rd Saturday of each month from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. For more information on meetings and other activities call 461-1149.  An upcoming event, in August, will be a trip to the campus of West Virginia State for the unveiling of a BRONZE STATUE in honor of this great lady’s 100th BIRTHDAY!!!

By Ola Goss

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