TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
ASU, Baker had a distinguished career as an educator at various levels, includ- ing classroom instructor, principal in two school systems, Head Start program director and as a varsity coach. In 1991, he was selected as the ninth president of ASU leading the historic HBCU until 1994. When Baker became president, ASU experienced unprec- edented growth, including the accredita- tion of the College of Business Admin- istration (COBA), the re-accreditation of the social work program, the opening of the Olean Black Underwood Tennis Center and C. J. Dunn Tower, and the dedication of the Acadome. Baker was a Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi and affiliated with the Mont- gomery (AL) Alumni Chapter. He was also a member of Sigma Pi Phi Frater- nity. Dr. Clifford C. Baker is survived by his wife of 41 years, Alma Jean (née Bibb) Baker and a host of family and friends. C.C. and Jean Baker Scholarship Fund at Alabama State University is named in his and his wife’s honor.
The G.I. Bill afforded Morris the op- portunity for higher education. He made history and paved the way for many fellow Bethune-Cookman students when he became the first student waiter employed at S&S Cafeteria in 1952. In 1955, he helped to build the mound on which Dr. Bethune is buried. He graduated from Bethune-Cookman in 1956 with a bachelor’s degree in sci- ence. He subsequently earned a M.A. in Administration and Supervision from Florida A&M University in 1975. Upon graduation, he returned home to serve and build on a rich legacy and a historic mission. Morris dedicated his life to strengthen- ing the philosophies of education and empowering minds of his students as a Driver’s Education Instructor in Hills- borough County for more than thirty- five years. His moral, intellectual and spiritual reputation has created bonds of respect, admiration and friendship throughout the community.
Harry T. Morris 1927–2018 Educator, U.S. Army
Harry T. Morris, Sr. (Gamma Theta 1953) entered the Chapter Invisible peacefully with his family by his side on June 27, 2018 at the age of 91. He was born Janu-
ary 17, 1927 in Clearwater, FL to the late Mr. and Mrs. Virgil (Ozella Hanker- son). His first formal education began at St. Peter Claver Catholic School where he was double promoted to third grade. After completing eighth grade, he attended Booker T. Washington Junior High School then continued to Middle- ton Senior High School. In 1945, Don Thompson Vocational Technical School (now Howard W. Blake High School), opened and he became a devoted and staunch Yellow Jacket. He played on the first basketball team under Coach Joe Alberry. He was the first all-state basket- ball player in Hillsborough County. Morris joined the United States Army in 1948 and served honorably for four years. During His time in service, he studied and excelled in pharmacy with memorable experiences during the days of segregation. He was the first to set up the pharmacy laboratory at Percy Jones Hospital in Battle Creek, MI. Addi- tionally, he had the experience of receiv- ing the first quadruple amputee from the Korean War when the patient was flown to Percy Jones Hospital from Germany. As a basketball fanatic, he played on the Army Basketball Team and made lasting friendships. After he was discharged from the military, Morris went to Philadelphia, PA to pursue a career in pharmacy. On his way to Philadelphia, he made a trip to Daytona Beach, FL to visit childhood friends who were attending Bethune- Cookman College (now University) at the time. His friends encouraged him to give Bethune-Cookman one year and the rest is history.
Clifford C. Baker, Ph.D. 1929–2019 Past President of Alabama State University, Educator
Lt. Col. (Ret.) Alfonza B. Battiste 1931–2019 Military Professor, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Alfonza Benjamin Battiste (Alpha Lambda
Past president of Alabama State University (ASU), Dr. Clifford C. Baker (Beta Zeta 1950) entered to the Chapter Invis- ible on November
1949) entered the Chapter Invisible on July 16, 2019, at the age of 88. Born on May 12, 1931, he was the second son of the ten boys and two girls born to Luther James and Geraldine (née Gourdine) Battiste of Kingstree, SC. After gradu- ating from Tomlinson High School at the age of 16, he matriculated at South Carolina State College (now University) in Orangeburg, SC where he joined the Reserve Officers Training Corps and Kappa Alpha Psi ® . To finance his educa- tion, Battiste worked as a house painter; and this job also enabled him to assist some of his siblings with their expenses
3, 2019 at the age 89. Clifford Cor- nell Baker was born on December 29, 1929 in Gadsden, AL. He earned two degrees from ASU: Bachelor of Science in Mathematics in 1954 and the Master of Education in 1956. He subsequently earned a Doctor of Education from Au- burn University in 1973. Baker began his educational career in Andalusia, AL. He served as Assistant State Superinten- dent of Education, 1976-1989, the first and highest level ever held by an African American in the Alabama Department of Education. Prior to his tenure at
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