KAPPA NEWS
Dr. Herman J. Felton, Jr.: President of Wiley College
to coalesce around the direction in which we will move and run feverishly to accomplish our stated mission. While he believes it is to early to determine his impact, “I can say without reservation the commitment to this historic institution by all of her constituents is amazing and energizing. Home to the Great Debaters (who won several national titles in 2018), the World Renowned A Cappella Choir Wiley College, (Who have appeared in three motion pictures and preformed for two presidents and around the world), a 2018 Fulbright Scholar (Ta’Mara Hill), and National Champions in Track and Field for the 2018 seasons, we have a demonstrated history of excellence in and outside the classroom. Suffice it to say my intention is to ensure there is educational stewardship of our meager resources and tow the line in the making pervasive the Judeo-Christian principals of the United Methodist Church. My goal is to equip excellence. Further I will exercise excellent every person affiliated with Wiley College the unmitigated confidence to, “Go Forth Inspired” while transforming the lives of every person they come in contact with. In discussing the significance of fundraising, President Felton stated, “I
remember Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins, Sr, 12 th president of Livingstone College, telling me while serving as president of Edward Waters, “you need two things young man to become president, a terminal degree and the skill of a fundraiser.” Those words were imparted in fall of 2000 and could not have been more accurate. One of the more desirable skill sets for today’s president is that of a fundraiser. With the constant assault on state appropriations, small endowments, and marginal alumni support the need to secure funding to bridge gaps between revenue generated from tuition and fees verses the budget dictated by operations and fixed cost. Besides the internal desire to be the absolute best, my fellow brothers featured in this article have set the bar high and serve as a constant reminder that excellence in every endeavor, particularly fundraising, is the only acceptable standard for fundraising. Exceptional fundraising allows innovation to collide with excellence. Finding alumni and friends who are enamored with Wiley College, and giving them opportunities to invest into the lives of our students and the college is mission critical and essential. As a professional fundraiser in higher education, every year has welcomed a trend that exceeded my previous year. I suspect with my
Dr. Herman J. Felton, Jr., is the 17 th President of Wiley College. In discussing his vision as president, he stated, “My tenure at Wiley College began July 1, 2018. My challenges are analogous to the process of adaptation and change. In this particular instance, I am privileged to continue the historic tradition of building upon the work of my predecessor. Our history is replete with presidents, who have communicated and led with a simple desire to use one another’s plateau as the next presidents launching
pads. So the continuity of success for me would dictate a keen focus on moving a cadre of internal and external constituents succinctly. Further, while simultaneously conducting an environmental scan to ensure the pace in which we are moving allows us to compete with our peer institutions, nationwide, and ultimately all around the globe. I suspect my biggest challenge will come after the practice of shared governance has occurred with respect to the strategic direction for this administration and marshaling folks together
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THE JOURNAL 84 TH GRAND CHAPTER MEETING ISSUE | 41
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