By Laurie D. Willis
Livingstone College News Service

You could say March 28 was Livingstone College Day – sort of.

Despite frigid temperatures, the college held a parade at 9 a.m. to celebrate its men’s basketball team’s CIAA victory. The parade began at Soldiers Memorial AME Zion Church and ended on campus, where a brief ceremony was held to commemorate the historic win.

Rowan County Board of Commissioners Chairman Greg Edds, Salisbury City Council members Pete Kennedy and Karen Alexander and Salisbury-Rowan NAACP President Scott Teamer participated in the parade and ensuing on-campus celebration.

“We are in an elite class in the CIAA,” Livingstone President Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins, Sr. said to the crowd gathered in front of the bear on the institution’s front lawn. “To be back-to-back champions is clearly something that happens once in a lifetime.”

Jenkins later joked to the crowd, which included his wife Dr. Faleese Moore Jenkins, that he expects the team to “three-peat.”

The victory celebration was only one of many activities featuring Livingstone College students on March 28.

As the parade was winding down, members of the Livingstone College Concert Choir, led by Director Dr. DaVaughn L. Miller, were on their way to Charlotte to perform at Northeast SDA Church. The choir also performed at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh on Sunday.

“As usual, the choir gave an uplifting performance that many in the audience enjoyed tremendously,” Miller said. “It’s not always easy to get college students excited about an early morning performance on a Saturday, but they did well and I’m proud of them.”

Also Saturday, Livingstone’s track and field team competed in The Winthrop Invitational in Rock Hill, S.C.

Sophomore Ebony Moore, who throws the shot put, broke a 23-year-old Livingstone College record with a distance of 44 feet, placing third behind two competitors from Division I schools. And sophomore Garland Archie finished first among male competitors with a distance of 48 feet.

“I’m very proud of the overall effort displayed by the team, particularly given the cold weather on Saturday,” Head Coach Justin Davis said. “The meet at Winthrop University was our second of the season, and I’m confident both the men’s and women’s teams will continue progressing as we endeavor to make an outstanding showing at this year’s conference championship meet beginning April 17 at Johnson C. Smith University.”

The golf team, led by head coach and athletic director Andre Springs, competed at a CIAA meet in Elizabeth City. The squad won its first tournament in five years, defeating Elizabeth City State, Virginia State and Virginia Union universities.

“I’m very proud of the way we performed,” Springs said. “This is my first year coaching players with previous golf experience, and their skills are being demonstrated on golf courses this season.”

Golf of a different sort was enjoyed by Livingstone students Tijana Smith and LaBarbara Amaker, who participated in the 27th Annual VIP Putt-Putt Golf Tournament sponsored by Rowan County Parks and Recreation. Tanya Turner, coordinator in The President’s Office, attended with them.

“While playing putt-putt is certainly fun, I wanted to expose the students to the event because it was for blind or visually impaired individuals,” Turner said. “It’s important for our students to realize how blessed they are. Being of service to others is a human obligation we want to instill in them now so they will carry it with them for life.”

At Woodleaf Lanes on Jake Alexander Boulevard, Livingstone students, faculty and staff participated in the annual UNCF Bowl-a-Thon. Organized by UNCF Director Deborah F. Johnson, the Bowl-a-Thon lasted from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and featured door prizes donated by local businesses.

Veronica Wells, executive administrative assistant in the office of Institutional Advancement, participated with sons Monte’ and Cameron.

“I had an awesome time,” Wells said. “It was a nice family event, and the fact that we were raising money to support the United Negro College Fund wasn’t lost on me.”

Of course, everything Livingstone students participated in on March 28 didn’t involve sports or recreation.

Five students and four professors attended a luncheon sponsored by the Rowan County Democratic Party, which featured U.S Rep. Alma Adams of the 12th Congressional District.

Student attendees were Kenya Glover, Cristian Henry, Raven Langhorne, Justin Walker and Kenneth Wayne White, Jr. Professors Dr. M.J. Simms-Maddox, Dr. Chris White, Dr. Da’Tarvia Parrish and Michael Connor also represented Livingstone at the luncheon.

“Even though it was a chilly Saturday morning and we had to arrive around 10:30, I was humbled by the opportunity to get to meet and talk with Congresswoman Adams,” Walker said. “It’s not the typical outing for a college student on a weekend, but I know the experience was invaluable and is something that will look good on my resumé. I’m grateful to attend a college that emphasizes education beyond the classroom.”