Dillard Notables of 2018: #6 We’re Going To Need a Bigger Trophy Case
Each year we have so many people (and groups) that receive accolades. 2018 was no different. Of course Dillard University is a perennial superstar, always a top tier ranked university.
But new metrics also rank Dillard high as an engine of social mobility.
But we have lots of individuals doing great work. Let me highlight a few of them:
Chevel Powell ’19 was named a White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities 2018 HBCU Competitiveness Scholar, one of 63 students from 54 HBCUs
Coach Norbert Rome was named coach of the year and the Dillard women’s basketball team was named team of the year by HBCU Digest
The Beta Upsilon chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. was honored for having the 3rd highest chapter GPA in the South Central Region
Beta Phi chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha won the following awards at their Louisiana district convention: Louisiana chapter of the year, Chapter with the highest GPA, College brother of the year (Ron Davalos), and College brother with the highest GPA (Erienne “RJ” Lewis)
Brianna Thomas ’20 came in 1st in the Grainger product pitch competition, and 2nd in the National Sales Network All-Star Round at the 4th annual Student Sales & Marketing Conference. In addition, she is the only student on the newly formed Louisiana Advisory Council on Historically Black Colleges and Universities under the jurisdiction of the Board of Regents.
Raelyn Fazande ’18 (nursing) reigned as Queen Nomtoc XLVIII during Mardi Gras 2018
Athletic Director Dr. KiKi Barnes was honored during halftime at the Pelicans game as part of the Black History Month activities, recognized for being the ONLY woman athletic director in the entire state of Louisiana. She was recognized by Women of More Magazine, and she was in the 2018 class of CityBusiness “Women of the Year.”
Shaelynn Moore was a semi-finalist for the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar presented by Diverse Issues in Higher Education and pictured in their April 5th magazine. She was one of only 2 HBCU women among the 19 semifinalists.
Dr. Roland Bullard was appointed to a 2-year term on the New Orleans Children and Youth Planning Board, effective July 1, 2018, by the New Orleans City Council
Alumnus and Board chair Michael Jones was featured in the National Law Review for his work as the lead attorney with the Maryland HBCU lawsuit.
Judge Carl Stewart (alumnus and trustee) was inducted into the National Bar Association’s Fred David Gray Hall of Fame during the National Bar Association Convention
QCS Logistics Founder Ronald “Ronnie” V. Burns, Sr. (Dillard alum and trustee) received his industry’s highest award from the Customized Logistics and Delivery Association (CLDA) — Induction into the CLDA Hall of Fame
Malik Bartholomew and Dr. Trivia Frazier-Wiltz are two Dillard alums in this year’s 40 Under 40 by Gambit
Robert Mitchell was selected for the Alabama State University 2018 Class of 50 Under 50
La’Toya Lewis was elected president of the Louisiana Association of Housing Officers
Professor Carolyn Nur Wistrand won the Inkslinger award for her play “She Danced with a Red Fish,” which was done by the Dillard Theater program
Trustee Kim Boyle was an honoree by the National Bar Association’s Women Lawyers Division
Dr. Steven Day won 1st place for best paper at the MFCA 2018 annual conference Barbados at the University of West Indies
Dr. Yolanda Page has been selected to serve on the Council of Independent Colleges Chief Academic Officers Advisory Task Force for a three-year term
Alumna Dr. Kelly Nash was named by San Antonio Business as one of the 40 Under 40
Dr. Sharon Hutchinson (nursing), left, won a silver leadership award from HBCU Grow.
