2011 Black Student Association Awards Ball

Celebrating 50 Years of African African Achievement

Alvin Crawford, MD

The first AfricanAmerican to beadmitted to andgraduate in 1964from the UT Collegeof Medicine. He is anative Memphianand alumnus ofMelrose H.S.

Earline Houston, MDIn Memoriam

The first AfricanAmerican female tograduate from theUT College ofMedicine in 1967. She was a nativeMemphian and analumnus ofManassas H.S.

William F. Owen Jr., MD

In 2005 appointedas the first AfricanAmerican Chancellorat UT Health ScienceCenter and withinthe University ofTennessee System.

Noma Anderson, PhD

In March 2005, Dr.Anderson wasappointed Dean inthe College of AlliedHealth Science. Sheis the first AfricanAmerican to holdthe title of Dean atUTHSC.

Kennard Brown, JD, MPA, PhD

He earned his PhD inhealth policy atUTHSC in 2007. In2008, Dr. Brown wasappointed ExecutiveVice Chancellor forUTHSC and he is thefirst African Americanto hold this executiveleadership position.

Veronica Mallett, MD

In August 2005, Dr.Mallett wasappointed as Chair,OB/GYN in theCollege of Medicine.She was the firstfemale and AfricanAmerican to have this appointment atUTHSC.

Todd Robinson, MD, PhD

Dr. Robinson is a1992 alumnus ofUTHSC and he also the first AfricanAmerican to obtainboth the MD andPhD. He also holds afaculty appointmentin Preventive Medicineat UTHSC.

Beverly J. Williams-Cleaves, MD, BS

The 2nd AfricanAmerican female tograduate from UTCollege of Medicinein 1969. She is alsoan Associate Professorin Medicine-Endocrinology in the College of Medicine.

Todd Smith, DDS

First African Americanvaledictorian in the College of Dentistry(COD) in 2007, and currently serves as an instructor in COD while also working inprivate practice.

Wisdom Coleman, DDS, MPHAIn Memoriam

In 1997, Dr. Colemanwas appointed asthe first AfricanAmerican AssociateDean in the Collegeof Dentistry. Histotal years ofemployee servicewith UTHSC was 39years.

Jesse McClure, PhDIn Memoriam

Appointed asUTHSC’s first maleAfrican American to serve in the campusleadership positionof Vice Chancellorfor University Relationsin September 1990.

Mona Wicks, PhD, RN

Appointed as thefirst AfricanAmerican Associate Dean for Research inthe College ofNursing (CON) in2007.

Eldridge Johnson, PhD

Has given 39 years ofservice as a member ofthe faculty in Collegeof Medicine. He alsoplayed a critical role in1980 and beyond forUTHSC with healthcareer programstargeting AfricanAmericans.

Isaac O. Donkor, PhD

In 2008, Dr. Donkorwas appointed asthe first Associate Dean for HealthCareer Programs inthe College of Graduate Health Sciences.

Lue Ida Walls-Upchurch

Serves as the chiefof campus policeand the director ofParking AuthoritySince 1997. She isalso the first femaleAfrican-American tohold this position inthe UT System.

Bobby Thomas, MPA

First AfricanAmericanAssistant Dean forAdministration in the College ofPharmacy.

Chandra West-Alston, MBA, CAP

In 2008, ChandraWest-Alston wasappointed as the first Assistant Deanfor Administration in the College of AlliedHealth Sciences.

Celebration Luncheon

• May 28, 2011Noon Luncheon -SAC Center Lounge

• Speaker: Todd Robinson, MD, PhD

• Cost: free to new graduates and family and UTHSC faculty alumni.

• Free event for faculty, staff, alumni and the public but you must RSVP with the Office of Equity and Diversity.

Wine Down Reception

• September 16, 2011Soulsville/Stax Museum

• Cost is $20 per ticket for UTHSC faculty staff, alumni and public, and $15 for UTHSC students.

Diversity Day

• African American college student recruitment program that will take place November 12, 2011 on the UTHSC campus. For additional information call 448-2112 or hsc-oed@uthsc.edu.

Message from the Chancellor “UTHSC has demonstrated a consistentcommitment to diversity since thedesegregation of the Health ScienceCenter and the Geier Consent Decree. We continue to be progressivein supporting equal opportunities forAfrican-Americans to succeed in allareas of our institution – from student enrollment and retention, to hiring andretention of faculty and staff.”

Chancellor Steve Schwab, MD