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The Halifax-Northampton Alumni Chapter of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University celebrated their 50th Chapter Anniversary recently at Littleton Food and Spirits.

Over 100 guests, family and friends convened to celebrate this great milestone for the chapter.  The mood for the occasion was set by the smooth jazz music being played by Mr. Therman Taylor III.  

Mr. Noah Davis served as the master of ceremonies for the program.  

President Georgette Kimball extended the greetings, followed by the invocation by Rev. Mary Mallory Hewitt and the Purpose by Ms. Waynette Kimball. A beautiful musical selection was given by Rev. Mary Hewitt and her daughter, Shauna Eans. 

Charter members

Ms. A. Faye Young and Mrs. Schwanda Mason Bowser recognized each charter member and officers, and former presidents. 

The three charter members who have remained with the chapter since its existence are: 

Alfred Riddick Sr., former president for over eight years; Benjamin “BB” Sledge, who served as chapter treasurer for over 40 years; and Daniel Shields, former president for over 10 years, and recipient of one of A&T highest Alumni Awards, the Howard Barnhill Outstanding Service Award. Other charter members recognized were Alfonzia Knight, the chapter’s first president; Barbara Keith-Parker, first recording secretary; Mauryce Johnson Hedgepeth; Patricia Russell; Elizabeth Wills and Jeremiah Wills.  

Due to family/personal obligations, the following members were unable to attend; Robert Clark; Edward Mills, former president; Walter Jones, Luther Morris, Fred Brown and Tyus Few. Their 50-year medallions and other special tokens were received for them by chapter members.

Honoring late members

Many of our beloved members who have entered eternal rest were acknowledged.  

Their family members were present to accept their special tokens.  

They were:  

Rudolph Edwards Sr., former president, represented by his  daughter, Coletta Edwards Warren

Gwendolyn Elaine Bell Few, second vice president, represented by her brother, Keith Bell 

Irvin Broadnax, parliamentarian, represented by his relative Therman Taylor III

N. Bush Buffaloe, represented by Tosca Townes 

Joseph Cotton, represented by his daughter Cassandra Cotton Mayo and his two grandsons Edwards Fields, received by his wife, Shirley Fields

Thomas Sledge Sr. represented by his brother Benjamin Sledge

LaDale Buffaloe Taylor by Tosca Townes 

Those other deceased members recognized were: Otto Whitaker, Carlton Sessoms, Mary P. Combo, James Dunson, and Turner Battle. 

The late Barbara Bell Jones, former President for over 10 years, was represented by her niece, Valencia Hawkins Turnage.  

Other recognitions

Also recognized was Maurice Smith, former president and current President Georgette Brown Kimball, also a recipient of the Howard Barnhill Outstanding Service Award.  

A most moving candle light memorial tribute was presented by Mr. and Mrs. James and Stephanie Tillery.  

Dreamers scholarships

The Northampton County recipient of the Dreamers to Achievers Scholarship was presented to MaKayla McNair from Gaston. The Halifax County Winner is LeNayal Hines from Scotland Neck. 

Chapter highlights

Highlights of the chapter were given by Vice President Audrey Harding.   

The chapter received its charter on September 28, 1972. 

A beautiful media presentation composed by Schwanda Bowser was presented for this special occasion.  

The delicious meal was catered by Odessa’s from Gaston.  

Mr. Alfred Riddick Sr. extended a blessing over the food. 

Guest speakers

Ms. Melinda Hardy introduced the guest speakers who shared some of their Aggie experiences and acknowledged how the alumni chapter has been a positive influence in their lives.  

Those who presented were: 

Dr. Walter Lowe — the 70s

Mr. Noah Davis — the 80s 

Rev. Erica Smith — the 90s 

Mrs. Laveka Peterson Jarrell — the 2000s

Dr. Jessica Webb Young — the 2010s 

Ms. Aprie’la Warren — the 2020’s. 

Special presentations were made to the presenters by Tosca Townes and Julia Horsley.  

The anniversary toast was given by Dr. Maurice Davis. 

Before the program concluded, roses were presented to President Kimball for her dedicated service to  the chapter, the community and her family from her husband, Wayne Kimball Sr. and her Aggie children, Waynette Kimball and Wayne Kimball Jr.  

Special thanks was extended to all by Chapter President Georgette Kimball.  

She stated: “Many thanks to all the alumni, family, friends, community partners and all who helped to make this event a special occasion. We are truly grateful. To God we give all the glory.”  

The program concluded with the singing of the university’s alma mater.

Many thanks to the anniversary planning committee for their time and dedication to the assignments.  

The members were: Audrey Hardy, Stephanie Tillery, Schwanda Bowser, A. Faye Young, Noah Davis, Melinda Hardy, Alfred Riddick Sr., Benjamin Sledge, Julia Horsley, Tosca Townes, Debra Taylor, Therman Taylor III, Ruth Allen, Waynette Kimball, Alma Hinton, and Georgette B. Kimball, ex-officio.

Current officers are chapter President Georgette B. Kimball; vice president Audrey Hardy; treasurer Stephanie Tillery; recording secretary Melinda Hardy; corresponding secretary Schwanda Bowser; and parliamentarian Alfred Riddick Sr. 

We currently have over 200 alumni and current students in the area. 

Other chapter information

For the past 49 years, this chapter has sponsored innumerable programs and projects, just to name a few:  Aggie Recruitment Night, A&T Gospel Choir, Little Miss and Master A&T Pageant; Annual Aggie Send-Off and Aggie gatherings; Distributing school supplies and personal needs items to area schools; Aggie Mentoring Programs; Aggie Source Contributors; Annual Worship Service and fellowship — Chapter Anniversary, A&T Anniversary Observance, and Black History Month — Recognition of Veterans at area churches; Domestic Violence Awareness; February 1 Activities and Reading Project; Just Wear the Mask Campaign and was the vanguard chapter in establishing the Roanoke Valley HBCU Collaborative Association, Inc. 

In 2014, the Halifax-Northampton Alumni Chapter was named Small Chapter of the Year. 

In 2021, it was recognized as number 4 of the 10 Ten Alumni Chapters.  

President Kimball stated, “We are often recognized as a small but powerful chapter. The outstanding graduates of A&T from the Roanoke Valley Area have been and continue to  be outstanding and astute citizens — educators, administrators, orators, spiritual leaders, engineers, lawyers, judges, city officials, accountants, doctors, nurses, supervisors — in this area and beyond.