We are thrilled to announce the revival of the CAU magazine, a Panther Print Publication, after a decade, now in an all-new digital format! This issue features the Long family's six-generation legacy of education and Guiness Book of World Record's longest living married couple, the Gittens.
Powerful Stories of the Panther Spirit REIMAGINED REVIVED &
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Clark Atlanta Magazine
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TABLE OF 4 CONTENTS 26 LONG FAMILY
LETTERS FROM BOARD CHAIR, PRESIDENT & EDITOR
MANAGING EDITOR Pia Forbes EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Cecilia Cheeks
ART & FASHION DEPARTMENT The Long family’s enduring, six-generation CAU legacy A powerful evolution of CAU’s Art and Fashion Department
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Honoring their legacy WE ARE ONE IN MEMORIAM
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ART DIRECTOR Barri Jones
PHOTOGRAPHY Barri Jones Curtis McDowell COORDINATOR Ryann -Elise Bartholomew
Highlighting Homecoming 2025
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12 PANTHER SPOTLIGHT
The latest developments across the CAU community
Cameron Foreman Kemryn Lawrence Aysia McGhee Javari Carlton
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INSTITUTIONAL GROWTH
New graduate programs elevate CAU’s impact in tech and educational leadership
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Lovebirds Earn a Spot in the Guinness Book of World Records
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SPRING 2026 CALENDAR
Clark Atlanta University” and all related trademarks, service marks, and logos (“Marks”) in this publication are the property of Clark Atlanta University, Inc. (CAU) and are protected by applicable trademark laws. Unauthorized use of these Marks is strictly prohibited. This publication is for informational purposes. No reproduction or commercial use is allowed without written permission from CAU. For questions, contact communications@cau.edu.
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A WORD FROM THE BOARD CHAIR
2025–2026 Board of Trustees and Constituency Representatives
On behalf of the Clark Atlanta University Board of Trustees, I am beyond excited about the revival of the Clark Atlanta University magazine! It will serve as a reliable source for the Panther community to read about our news and alumni, students, and academic accomplishments. This issue reminds us of the legacy that is Clark Atlanta University, telling success stories of our families who choose the university over and over again, the alumni and students whose commitment to changing their communities is undeniable, and the collaborative efforts of administration, faculty, and staff that result in growth not only in our enrollment expansion but also in our academic programming and physical footprint. That said, I am equally excited by the potential of the publication to promote CAU’s brand as a hub for research innovation and discovery, a priority that distinguishes us from our peer institutions. I look forward to sharing what this university’s R2 designation looks like from a practical perspective and how our research serves Black communities, Atlanta, and the broader world through stories focused on, for example, the Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development, as well as prostate cancer disparities and other highly impactful research. As the magazine grows, I also see it becoming the university’s platform for capturing our impact in environment and urban communities; data, cyber systems, technology, and innovation; and social work, equity, and justice. Dear Clark Atlanta University Community,
George T. French, Ph.D. President, Clark Atlanta University Gregory B. Morrison Chair Leonard Walker Vice Chair Stephanie Russell Secretary
John Hope Bryant Valeisha Butterfield James H. Colon Salvador Diaz-Verson, Jr. Jeffrey T. Gilbert Ernest G. Green Richard Holmes Keith F. Holmes Tharon Johnson Ingrid Saunders Jones Valerie King Wendy Lewis Valerie R. Love Michael E. Melton Mark C. O’Riley Al B. Reid Bobbie Kennedy Sanford Isaac J. Snype, Jr. Errol B. Taylor Brenda W. Walker Charmaine Ward-Millner Carolyn M. Young
Gerry White, Ph.D. Faculty Assembly Chair
Kasim Alli, Ph.D Faculty Representative John Young Staff Assembly President Shaundra Clay Alumni Representative Rev. Dr. Michael T. McQueen United Methodist Church Representative Javari Carlton SGA Undergraduate President Jorvis McGee SGA Graduate President
The potential is endless. And it starts with this issue, which I hope you will read, savor, and share.
Sincerely,
Chair, CAU Board of Trustees
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A WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT
As we unveil this reimagined issue of the Clark Atlanta University magazine, I am filled with excitement and gratitude for our remarkable journey. My arrival in late 2019, just months before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, marked the beginning of a challenging era. Yet, through faith, hard work and resilience, we navigated these uncertainties, achieving one of the lowest COVID case rates among Atlanta University Center (AUC) schools. This success is a testament to our collective strength and commitment. In the wake of these challenges, our ambitious $250 million comprehensive campaign has flourished, raising $159 million as of November 30, 2025. This achievement, bolstered by historic gifts from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and MacKenzie Scott, underscores our mission and my unwavering commitment to providing gap funding for our scholars. Together, we are building a foundation for future success. Our dedication to excellence is further reflected in this year’s record enrollment. We welcomed the largest freshman class in our University’s history, boasting an impressive average GPA of 3.71. These achievements, alongside improved rankings in the Wall Street Journal, U.S. News & World Report, and LinkedIn’s inaugural top 10 HBCUs list, affirm our upward trajectory and enduring legacy. Innovation and growth are at the heart of our progress, exemplified by the construction of the Student Success Center and the Robert H. “Bob” Bell Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Development. These projects mark Dear Clark Atlanta University Family,
the first student-benefiting constructions in nearly 25 years, representing our commitment to future generations. As a lover of history, I am continually inspired by our rich legacy. The influence of W.E.B. Du Bois and the founding of Atlanta University on September 19, 1865, shortly after the Civil War, highlights our institution’s profound impact on higher education and American social consciousness. Our campus, standing on sacred and hallowed grounds, embodies the resilience and strength of our community. Our journey, much like this magazine’s revival, mirrors the ebbs and flows of a resilient institution and people. I invite you to read this magazine cover to cover and see why Clark Atlanta University is truly one exceptional university. I extend my heartfelt thanks to our students, Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, and alumni for your unwavering support and dedication. Your efforts propel us forward, and I am privileged to serve alongside you.
Yours in Service,
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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Greetings Panthers,
Stepping into the role of Associate Vice President of Marketing and Communications in August 2024, I knew reviving this magazine was a bold move I had to make. As a proud graduate alumna of this legendary university, bringing this publication back to life is more than a job—it’s a passion project. Get ready for an epic read! From highlighting a six-generation alum dynasty to young leaders blazing trails to a centenarian-plus alum couple making waves in the Guinness Book of World Records, this magazine is a vibe—and we’re just getting started. The Clark Atlanta University editorial squad led by senior editor/writer, Pia Forbes has dropped a masterpiece that I’m beyond excited to share with you. If it hits you like it hits me, then we’ve nailed it. This publication captures the essence of Clark Atlanta University, blending our rich history with the fresh energy of today. Clark Atlanta University is full of untold stories, and if you have one, we’d love to hear it. This is just the beginning. Dive in, explore every page, and discover why Clark Atlanta University is truly One Exceptional University.
With Panther Pride,
CAU MBA ‘08
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IN MEMORIAM Honoring Their Legacy The university’s legacy would not be what it is without the many Panthers who traversed the doors of Clark University, Atlanta University, Clark College, and Clark Atlanta University. Each individual left an imprint and is part of who we are today. We honor those whose lives have ended and are grateful for their achievements and contributions to the university, the Panther family, and their communities. While we cannot list the names of every departed Panther, we are pleased to begin a new tradition of paying tribute to fallen Panthers in each issue of the magazine, beginning with those lost so far in 2025.
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Roll of Remembrance Osiefield Anderson, Ph.D. Timothy A. Askew, Ph.D. Roger M. Boston Costella Fowler Brickhouse, MBA Lennett L. Cain Leon L. Carlton Callye F. Chatman Cameisha D. Clark, Ed.D. Claudia A. Cleveland Michael Decuir, D.A. Eddie J. Farmer Franklin L. Frierson, Jr. Paul L. Gaither Marlene Gibson, M.S. Barbara R. Hatton, Ph.D. Marvin F. Hill Rev. Carolyn Y. Huff, Ed.D. Oskar Ibru Gary L. Jones Henry L. King, M.D. Andre K. Lett Mr. Erick J. Malveaux Mr. Henry E. Marsh Hewitt W. Matthews, Ph.D. Bessie M. V. Monroe, M.A. Asia J. Rawls Orien E. Reid Nix William R. Rice Earl M. Roberts Velma B. Rucker Solomon E. Sears Sylvia I. Suitt Brenda B. Webb Rev. Joan Cole Weeks Beverly A. Wilkes Raymond T. Williams, M.S. James B. Wilson Joycelyn N. Wilson
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In October, Clark Atlanta University saw an unprecedented number of Panthers who had come home to celebrate their beloved ties to their alma mater and celebrate the friendships that were formed at CAU. The 2025 homecoming game attendance was record-breaking, and the buzz around a robust schedule of activities tailored to alumni and students alike was overwhelmingly positive. WE ARE ONE.
The Panther spirit was palpable, and we hope the photos we captured and are sharing here will bring forth warm memories for those who were present and inspire those who were her in spirit to join the experience in person in 2026.
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03 PANTHER SPOTLIGHT
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Real stories. Real Panthers. One CAU family.
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MR. CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY: Panther Spotlight STANDING ON BUSINESS LEADING WITH PURPOSE
Written by Pia Forbes Photography by Curtis McDowell
Cameron Foreman came to Clark Atlanta University because of the institution’s rich history and because the ideals resonated with him.
He says, “I wanted to be in an environment that challenges me academically and personally while surrounding me with a community that looks like me and aspires to greatness.” Cameron says CAU has met every one of the goals he set before his arrival, and equally so, he challenges himself to achieve excellence—something he has been doing since he was in elementary school. Cameron recalls having an allergic reaction to food he consumed at school, but even after passing out, he awoke asking how he had performed in the daily spelling contest.
The Macon, Georgia, native defines leadership as helping others find their path and purpose. A three-year walk-on football player and Mr. Clark Atlanta University, he says his official role is an ambassadorship for the university. student body. “ While his official duties include speaking on behalf of students at official events, including convocation and the National Black College and Alumni Hall of Fame competition (where he was named Mr. Congeniality), what Cameron finds most rewarding personally is that being Mr. Clark Atlanta University puts him in a position to serve, which is his purpose. “My role is really rooted in uplifting, motivating, and empowering students while carrying myself with integrity. I’m kind of like a big brother in a way or an uncle in a sense.”
I serve as a representative and voice for our
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If it were easy, everyone would do it. “
Cameron understands the importance of informal mentorship, as he has been the beneficiary of it his entire life. The youngest of six children, he was just three years old when he lost his father, but he says he never lacked male role models because his older brothers’ and uncles’ presence and guidance were consistent. He adds that while his mother worked hard and things were not easy for the family, he always excelled academically, and whether he would go to college was for him never up for debate. Now a senior business marketing major, Cameron is using the lessons he has gathered on his path and preparing for success after his undergraduate experience. Entrepreneurial in nature, he says, “In every part of the world, business is involved. And I’m the type of person who doesn’t want to limit himself.” The truth in that self- assessment is evident in the strategic, though challenging, decisions he has made about his education. For example, Cameron, , could have chosen simply to take the final exam in his risk management class, but he accepted the professor’s challenge, in lieu of the final, to pass the property and casualty insurance certification exam through the State of Georgia. He, along with five other CAU students, took and passed the exam—and just seven or eight days later, he took the life and insurance exam that was required for him to move forward with his
internship with Northwestern Mutual, where he spent the summer working as a college financial representative, helping families plan their finances, including life insurance, estate planning, and investing. He passed that exam, as well, and after graduation, he will join Northwestern Mutual as a financial advisor. In five years, the proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., plans to have an MBA and to be actively pouring back into the next generation, showing them how badly they are needed in every space in the world. He says he will share his story with the hope that it inspires a young person to find their purpose while he pursues his and succeeds professionally. Cameron believes being prepared—as CAU has done for him—coupled with confidence— is the secret sauce. He is clear that success comes on the back end of hard work and perseverance. “If it were easy,” he says, “everyone would do it.”
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Alumni Spotlight
Written by Pia Forbes YOUNG ALUMNI: AN EYE ON THE FUTURE
It was the same resolute spirit that introduced her to CAU during an eighth- grade college tour. In another part of the Atlanta University Center, she spotted CAU and was intrigued by what was going on behind the gates. She did her research, and when the time came, she applied only to CAU. Winning scholarships from UNCF and the White House Initiative on HBCUs, Kemryn was admitted and thrived academically and in 2020 launched Project HBCU (Helping Beautiful Children Unite), a nonprofit dedicated to disrupting the school-to-prison pipeline and helping marginalized Black students prepare for and attend HBCUs. Five years later, the nonprofit has expanded and is run by a staff, with Kemryn as an active board member. Kemryn says CAU made her the leader and visionary she is today. “Clark Atlanta literally changes you and it builds you into the next leader. I promise you I was not thinking about Berkeley. CAU opens the door for programs like this.” In addition, she credits CAU with helping to establish her identity and is quick to tell anyone who asks why she attended.
Kemryn Lawrence—who earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Clark Atlanta University—is pursuing a doctorate in education with an emphasis on people, politics, and leadership from the University of California at Berkeley. She has, without debate, come a long way from the little girl who could not read until the fifth grade. The Galveston, Texas, native, who was raised between her hometown and New Orleans, could have opted for bitterness against a system that failed to diagnose the dyslexia that was holding her back. Instead, Kemryn (BS ’22, MPA ’24) chose activism and made a conscious decision to work within the system to improve it and help it work for those who come behind her—starting with standing up against a classroom of racist peers when she was in the ninth grade in Galveston. “Someone spit on my umbrella, and I got called the N word,” she recalls. But coming from a culture that was Afro- based, Kemryn says she was resolute in letting them know they could not turn her around with their words or actions. “They figured out I was coming from a different place. I let the whole class know I am not to be greeted with racism. Let’s just say I left them with something to think about.”
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As for a network, she adds, “Either you leave Clark Atlanta with connections or you leave from Clark Atlanta with connections. It all depends on what you do with those connections.” As Kemryn works on her doctoral degree, she has an eye on the future: Her short-term goal is to become a college president, culminating at an HBCU. “The president is the biggest fundraiser,” she says enthusiastically, “and I want to do that for our HBCUs.” As excited as she is about becoming an HBCU president, she is equally enthusiastic about the step beyond that. After 20 years, the long-term goal is to start an HBCU hub, called Harvesting Tomorrow’s Knowledge, that will serve as a pipeline between HBCUs and African countries to bring African students to HBCUs. It is an idea she has been developing since she first went to Ghana in 2022 as a W.E.B. DuBois scholar. Now a second-year doctoral student, Kemryn has been appointed as the diversity and community fellow for Berkeley’s Office of Graduate Diversity. As she works with the office to conduct policy-informed outreach and community engagement. But that not all—she is also continuing her research, which focuses on policies that affect HBCU enrollment and retention—and conducting focus groups in a Berkeley-funded project that looks at how Project HBCU affects matriculation and access to HBCUs. Kemryn is undoubtedly managing many priorities, but she does not look at them as competing. In fact, for her, the common thread that has woven itself through all her studies and the initiatives she undertakes is how she uses them to support aspiring scholars and HBCUs, especially her own. “I can’t wait to be able to give to my institution like my institution gave to me!” Clark Atlanta literally instilled in me ‘I’ll find a way or make one’—on the lesser, find a way; heavy on the make one.
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Student Spotlight
AYSIA MCGHEE: Class President and Purpose-Driven Leader
Written by Pia Forbes
Aysia McGhee’s college trajectory has not been typical. Born into a military family, before graduating from high school in Atlanta, she had lived in Kentucky, Germany, Hawaii, and Alabama. She first enrolled in college in 2018, but COVID happened and she decided to take some time off. She says she did some odd jobs, went to cosmetology school, and worked in that industry. But it was becoming a mom in 2021 that changed everything for her. “That lifestyle and having my daughter is what made me realize that I wanted more for myself, and I needed to be able to have a sustainable life.” On a whim, she applied to Clark Atlanta University and after getting her acceptance letter, she went to Admitted Students’ Day, where she found about the Google Scholars Academy and got in. Since then, she says, “I have taken advantage of every opportunity possible.”
At the close of the intensive three-week program that helped prepare her for re-entry into the college environment, she gave the end-of-ceremony speech. On the spot, the then global head Business Development, Marketing and Public Sector at Google offered her a full-time, post-graduation job—and equally important, Aysia realized she had been inspired to be a leader and leave a mark on CAU. The mass media arts major (with a concentration in radio, TV, and film) was elected Miss Freshman 2024 by her class, and she says being an official representative of the freshman class gave her the opportunity to build relationships with her classmates, as well as the administration—both of which were valuable when she campaigned to become sophomore class president, a role she says allows her to advocate more effectively for her class.
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“My spirit is one of just trying to make sure things are going smoothly and figuring out problem solving. I like to go to the root of a problem to figure out where it can be solved. Last year, I started fostering relationships with the administration. This year, I’m pushing forward to be a good advocate, so when I come to administrators with certain issues for my class, they’re willing to help me out.” Aysia, an aspiring creative director, says relationships are critical to successful leadership. She explains, Leadership isn’t all about what you do. It’s about the impression you leave on people. It’s the ability to be able to guide, influence, and inspire others for a common goal. And she adds that helping others and inspiring them to live sustainable lives is her purpose—both of which CAU has nurtured. As she walks the campus, she says she feels a passion that continues to fuel her creative side. “Clark has the avenue, the culture, the heart. The Black history that has come through here is something I feel. And now, I feel like I’m a part of the passion that is CAU. This university gave me a chance, and it felt like it was ready for me and me for it.” And because she feels so connected to the university, she foresees one day giving back in a personal way. I would love to be able to hear students’ stories and award scholarships. I want to give back so much that when I come back to campus, I’ll see my legacy in front of me.”
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Student Spotlight
JAVARI CARLTON Leading For Reach, Not Recognition
Written by Pia Forbes Photography by Curtis McDowell
Javari Carlton came to Clark Atlanta University reluctantly, but deciding to stay, he says, helped him discover his destiny. He says his mother, whose dream had been to attend school in the Atlanta University Center, was thrilled when he got his acceptance notice—and when he got to campus, he understood why. “I immediately fell in love with the atmosphere! I had never seen so much Black in my life.” But it was not simply seeing so many students, staff, and faculty who looked like him; he was impressed by the excellence they represented. He adds, still in awe, “I never knew about doctors of philosophy and juris doctors until I got here to Clark.” Following new student orientation, where the idea of student leadership was sown into Javari, he stood in front of Wright-Young Hall and proclaimed to his mother that he would become the student government president. His proclamation came to fruition, and he says, “Three years later, sitting in my office, I realize why I was waitlisted at what I thought was my dream school.” A senior, president of the Undergraduate Student Association (UGSA), and university trustee, he believes being in student leadership has influenced the way he approaches challenges both in the classroom and in life. For example, he started as a business marketing major but realized after a semester that most business majors were marketing or management. He asked a professor, “If numbers make the world go round, then why are students afraid of the numbers?”
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Seeing the possibility for greater student success and career potential in finance, he changed his major. “Honestly, it has given me opportunities, including consulting, finance, policy development, and law. It is a challenge, but I’m applying the skills I’m learning in the classroom to my professional experience and in my role as UGSA president, where I’m in charge of managing and allocating certain funds.” Still, while handling the responsibilities of being a student leader, he advises aspiring student leaders, “It’s important to know that to be a student-leader, you have to be a student first. Being USGA president is very demanding. You have to set boundaries, and if you have class at the same time as a meeting, you have to go to class—it doesn’t matter what the meeting is. Being a student comes first.”
Asked to define leadership, he said definitively,
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It’s being your authentic self and not apologizing for it. Societal norms change and want us to change with it.
Subsequently, he became Mr. Junior and interned with CAU’s lobbyist before running for his position in SGA, where he is proud of what he has accomplished thus far—including co-authoring a five-pillar strategic plan focused on servicing and advocating for CAU students, as well as eliminating homecoming activity costs to students. After graduation, Javari plans to attend law school, practice law, and explore the corporate environment—all of which he believes will make him a better executive for the nonprofit he has already formed—The First in Our Generation Foundation, which provides financial literacy, mentorship, and career and professional development services to current and aspiring HBCU students. “As a first-generation college student, it is important to me to pour into the next generation and ensure they have the resources they need to overcome any obstacle they meet trying to get into the collegiate space.” After a moment of thought, he added, “I heard a quote by Thasunda Brown Duckett while I was at the National Black MBA Association Conference my sophomore year. She said, ‘Do it for reach, not for recognition.’ Since then, I’ve reminded myself every day that we use our talents and gifts for the uplifting of others. I was called to do it because someone needs to see me do it to jumpstart what they want to do.”
But how can we say we’re authentic if we’re always changing? Leadership starts with leading yourself.” Moreover, he says, “A leader’s responsibility to his followers is to deliver. If you’re telling me to trust you, I’ll do so until you fail to be a man or woman of your word. If you don’t have anything else on this earth, you have your name and your word—and you can tarnish one or the other by neglecting one or the other.” Javari lives by those words and carried them to his professional experiences, which include an externship with Price Waterhouse Coopers, where he served a strategy consultant, doing market research and analysis to determine how the client could expand its target audience. His next opportunity was with Home Depot as a finance extern. He provided cost efficient methods to help ensure departmental savings while preserving the quality of their products. At Rap Snacks, Inc., a Black-owned brand of snack products influenced by the hip hop genre, he was the youngest in the marketing department, serving for nearly two years as the HBCU partnerships coordinator and leading the brand’s College Advisory Board to help bring the brand to HBCUs.
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Panther Spotlight
A LEGACY OF LOVE: Clark College Couple Celebrates 83 Years of Marriage CLARK COLLEGE LOVEBIRDS EARN A SPOT IN THE GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS
NOTE: Special thanks to Angela Gittens for facilitating the interview with her parents.
Written by Pia Forbes
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Lyle Gittens, 108 and a Clark College graduate, said Clark taught him to open his mind to hearing and appreciating other perspectives. He said, “I was from New York, where I knew everything. But when I got to Clark, I found out that other people had opinions quite different from mine.” That was a gift that he also credits with helping him be a good manager. Similarly, Eleanor Rogers Gittens, 107, and a graduate of Clark University, said the institution taught her two, equally important lessons. “I learned I could be a leader and that I could be a follower—and that both are strengths.” They agree Clark was pivotal in their lives, but perhaps the best gift they received from Clark College was each other. Now married 83 years, the Gittenses recently made the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest (aggregate age) living married couple and the oldest (aggregate age) married couple ever. The couple met in 1939, began dating in 1941, and married in 1942 while Lyle Gittens, who was being sent to Italy to fight in World War II, was on a three-day leave. When asked exactly how they met, Mr. Gittens, a star basketball player in his day and now a member of the Clark Atlanta University Men’s Hall of Fame, chuckled. He recalls Clark being a small school where most of the members of the student body of less than 500 knew one another. Dr. Eleanor Gittens, offering more detail, said, Mr. Gittens says their marriage is built on a firm foundation of friendship, emphasizing that how you feel about your spouse is key. “We like each other more and more each day.” He explained that marriage takes work, adding, “Especially in the beginning, both parties come with baggage that might upset you. But you have to learn to live with it.” Dr. Gittens, though reluctant to give marriage advice, echoes her husband’s sentiments about having a We met each other at dances and other events the college and other organizations gave—and we learned each other.
relationship grounded in friendship being important. “You have to like your partner. If that doesn’t happen, nothing else will. We like to do things together. Liking each other has made all the difference, maybe even more than loving each other.” Dr. Gittens had a career in education, and she earned a doctoral degree in urban education at the age of 69. The parents of three children, the first of which was born while Mr. Gittens was on his tour of duty in Italy, the Gittenses worked together in government in later years. They raised their family in New York City. The couple currently lives in Miami, with their daughter Angela and another relative as their caretakers.
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SAVE THE DATE FEBRUARY 12 - MAY 1 Mark your calendars for the Clark Atlanta University Art Museum Spring 2026 Exhibit: Trevor Arnett Hall 223 James P. Brawley Drive SW Atlanta, GA 30314 Hours of Operation: Tuesday - Friday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Uncommon Nature: The Abstractions of Freddie Styles *
*Mr. Styles (b. 1944) attended Morris Brown College and is one of the few surviving artists that competed in the Atlanta University Art Annuals Competition hosted by Atlanta University from 1942 to 1970.
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If, as theologian Jaroslav Pelikan said, tradition is the living faith of the dead, and legacy is the impact of past events or actions on a person’s life, the Long family history is steeped in both rich tradition and enduring legacy. This family continues to place high value on education and achievement, repeatedly turning to the institution that was walking distance from their family home to meet their educational and cultural needs. Photography by Barri Jones Written by Pia Forbes 05 LONG FAMILY
Newnan to Atlanta for a better life following slavery, the Long family has—for six generations—turned to Clark College, Atlanta University, and Clark Atlanta University to achieve their educational goals and prepare them for significant achievements. After studying theology at Clark University, Isaac became a pastor, building several branches of his church. He and his wife were parents to Blanche Decatur, an Atlanta University graduate who married William Boston Long, an 1892 graduate of Clark University. Their union marked the beginning of the second generation of the Long family at Clark-Atlanta and produced the third generation. The first, second, and third generations are now ancestors, but the fourth, fifth, and sixth generations of Longs are holding the family’s proverbial banner high and representing their shared alma mater well in their personal and professional lives.
Beginning with Isaac Decatur, who came from nearby
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Family Values
Ouida Potts Randle (Clark College ’77) is the daughter of Elizabeth Long Potts, a Clark College graduate. Mrs. Potts, who was a freshman at Clark alongside her sister and brother in the early 1940s, told Ouida when she was just five years old that she, too, would attend Clark. Ouida says she had plans and a scholarship to attend another institution, but she chose Clark because of her family’s legacy. Majoring in sociology/social welfare, with a minor in alcohol and drug counsel, Ouida says she never regretted the decision and, despite her family’s ties to Clark, she learned a pivotal lesson about self-sufficiency. “I knew the history, that people would be looking, so I knew I couldn’t embarrass my family. That made me want to leave my own stamp, to make a name for myself. A lifelong learner, Ouida is now pursuing a second bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary science with a minor in African American studies at Clayton State University. Upon graduation, she has plans to open an African American research library and museum in her community and to name it in honor of her maternal and paternal grandparents. Susan Freeman first enrolled at Clark College in 1972 as an undergraduate— and while she transferred and graduated THE FOURTH GENERATION
from elsewhere, when she was choosing a graduate school program, she chose Clark Atlanta University, where she earned her teaching certificate and master’s degree in education in 1991. Susan’s mother, Ferra Hall Cosby, earned a master’s degree from Atlanta University. Her father attended Clark College during the 1930s and was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame. Her sister Vivian graduated from Clark College. Susan says what she values about Clark was being seen, supported, and connected. “The environment was nurturing, the classes were smaller, and the professors truly knew and cared
about me. I was able to build a strong sense of community and develop meaningful professional connection. Clark felt like home.” Suan was admitted to Clark Atlanta University’s doctoral program in education in 1995, which she says prepared her for a career as a school administrator. She retired in 2015. Susan’s other sister, Lynda Cosby- Pinnock, chose Clark Atlanta University for her graduate program. In 1995, she earned a master’s degree in education to prepare her for a career change. She says she chose CAU because she needed to be able to work full-time, but she got even more than she had expected. “I was exposed to pedagogy from the professors as well as working professionals throughout the Atlanta area. The lessons taught were authentic and relevant to the actual classroom settings.” In addition, she got invaluable hands-on experience while meeting her substitute teaching requirement at the Atlanta Detention Center. She recalls, “In working with at-risk youth, I learned
Clark felt like home. “
I was able to build a strong sense of community and develop meaningful professional connections.
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Clark Atlanta Magazine
that teaching went beyond academics. I learned a lot that summer.” Ralph Long Jr., first cousin to Ouida (his father and her mother were siblings) and Susan and the family’s oldest living member, graduated from Clark College in 1966 with a dual bachelor’s degree in mathematics and physics and a minor in education. A transfer from Georgia Tech, he arrived at Clark already having pledged Omega Psi Phi, another affiliation that runs deep among the Long men. He played competitive tennis, and as an alumnus, he and two other alumni started the Clark Atlanta Athletic Booster Association in 1989. Retired after a pioneering career that included being IBM’s first Black new hire in the southeastern region and managing technology departments at the City of Newark Board of Education, Rutgers University, AT&T, and MARTA, Ralph affirms that Clark helped prepare him to be a trailblazer. But when he asked to share one of his most enjoyable memories as a student, he says it was presenting the Q.E.D. (the abbreviation for the Latin phrase quod erat demonstrandum, which loosely translates to “end of proof”) to his professor and seeing the smile on his face. “It was my senior project, and I was before Dr. James Dennis. My task was to prove to him that parallel lines meet in infinity, using mathematical, geometric letters.” Ralph is the uncle to the fifth generation, which includes Rolanda Blanding Fowler (Clark College ’88) and Beth “David” Blanding (Clark College ’87), siblings, as well April Long Banks Wyatt (Clark College ’87). They are the children of his late sisters Wylma Long Blanding (whose husband was also a graduate of Clark College) and Carolyn Long Banks, both of whom were proud graduates of Clark College.
THE FIFTH GENERATION
April Long Banks Wyatt, Carolyn’s daughter, is an attorney and educator. From Clark, she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing and finance and later earned both a doctorate in education as well as a law degree. She says, “When it came time for me to choose a college, attending Clark was a natural decision,” she recalls. “It was more than a school; it was a continuation of my family’s legacy and a testament to the principles my grandparents lived by.” A member of the tennis team and the Marketing Club, April attributes her commitment to service and excellence to her family. “From an early age, I witnessed firsthand the countless sacrifices my grandparents made to ensure that the needs of students, athletes, and families with limited resources were met.” And later, she experienced her mother, Atlanta’s first Black woman to be elected to city council, serving on the national and internation stage. “Watching her serve the community with grace and strength instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility to serve others. Her example inspired me to follow in her footsteps as an educational leader and to become a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.” April adds, “Clark also instilled in me the importance of pursuing the highest level of education and excellence. But my greatest
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Clark also instilled in me the importance of pursuing the highest level of education and excellence.
THE SIXTH GENERATION Amir, the eldest, is a 2014 graduate of CAU and was initiated into Omega Psi Phi through the university’s Beta Psi Chapter. A talented musician, he says he didn’t realize that so many of the musicians who influenced him had roots at Clark, and he didn’t think about applying. He had been accepted by the music department, but the official acceptance was delayed— and in the interim, he started exploring other options and was encouraged by his mother to apply.
takeaway is that lifelong friendships are essential to happiness and success in all areas of life. Clark taught me the value of supporting those who support you, reaching back to help others, and serving with graciousness. I learned to always put my best foot forward and to live by the guiding principle of ‘each one, teach one.’ These lessons have shaped every part of who I am—as an educator, a leader, and a servant to my community. April’s first cousin, Rolanda, graduated with a degree in mathematics and a minor in physics. She is currently on staff at CAU, working as the enterprise applications manager in the Office of Information Technology and Communications. Asked if there was ever a thought of going somewhere else for college, she responded adamantly, “Absolutely.” Thoughtfully, she added, “I was groomed for engineering, plus I didn’t want to do what everybody else did, so I didn’t apply to Clark. At all. And I ended up getting an acceptance letter—with a scholarship.”
was. She joined the tennis team, playing alongside her older sibling (her doubles partner, a four-year conference finalist, and captain for a year) and cousin—and while, she says, she was enticed by the scholarships, she remained at Clark and grew to love it because of the relationships she built and how Clark prepared her professionally. Rolanda was also initiated into Delta Sigma Theta through Clark’s Sigma Chapter—just as her Aunt Carolyn had been—says it is important to sow seeds into the institution which her family’s tapestry is so intricately woven. As the family explores its history and legacy at Clark, they are also making plans to endow a scholarship. She adds, “We’re working with Alumni Engagement, but saying it here in print will hold us accountable to moving forward.” Three of Rolanda’s four children are also graduates: Amir Henry (CAU ’14), Ahmad Henry (CAU ’16), and Chiana Fowler (CAU ’25).
He says he didn’t realize the significance of Clark to his family when he arrived, but eventually he understood. “It wasn’t until after I pledged that I understood how deep the family legacy was,” he reflects. A commercial composition major with a minor in business, Amir adds, “It was a great experience. It helped mold who I want to become. Learning the things that happened on that campus and the marks my family has made is part of why I love the school so much. It’s a circle of life.” Younger brother Ahmad—a dual business major (supply chain management and international business), with a minor in biology, who also became a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., at CAU— says he hadn’t thought too much about where he would go to school. But in late
In the end, she says, her parents made her go where the money
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July, it was time to make a decision, so he went to the registrar’s office and applied. Accepted the same day, he says legacy is what Clark Atlanta University is all about for him. “There’s a shared legacy among the generations of building meaningful relationships that transcend classrooms and carry over into every corner of campus life. It was nearly impossible for me to walk across campus without someone recognizing me as Amuck’s (the late Shaheed Henry, a Morehouse alumnus) son, Roland Blanding’s grandson, or Ralph Long’s great-grandson. On any given day, I could also be known as Rolanda’s son or Wylma’s grandson. Being surrounded by faculty who had personal relationships with my family made the university feel more like home. They knew me beyond my student ID—some even had my mother’s number and could call her at any time, for better or worse.” He recalls as a child visiting the home of his grandfather’s best friends and playing in a basement filled with Coca Cola memorabilia, from pool tables to vending machines. As it turns out, that friend was Carl Ware, a former executive president of Coca- Cola. Ahmad says, “One of the most surreal moments came when I walked into the CMW building and saw the mural of Carl and Mary Ware on the wall. That moment perfectly captured what CAU means to me: a place of legacy, community, and deep-rooted connections.”
Chiana Fowler, a 2025 graduate, started her college tenure at the University of Alabama, but she says Clark just made sense when it became clear that she was ready to transfer. “It turned out to be a great experience, honestly.”
Spending three years at Clark, she became a cheerleader and also was initiated into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.—the same chapter as her mother and great aunt. Horace Wyatt, Jr. (HJ), April’s oldest son, was headed to Clark, but when his basketball coach accepted an offer from the University of Arkansas Little Rock, HJ accepted a scholarship and was Arkansas-bound. Then, COVID hit. HJ came home and enrolled at Morehouse. When his coach there passed away suddenly, he took a year off before coming to CAU. He says, “Everything happens the way it’s supposed to. I just wanted to finish school, and I ended up enrolling as a regular student.” The 6’6’’ former small forward is majoring in sociology with a minor in criminal justice and is scheduled to graduate at the end of this semester. With six generations of Atlanta University, Clark College, and Clark Atlanta University graduates, this family is proud of its CAU roots and acknowledges that the cycle is not at its end. Ralph Long IV, grandson of Ralph Jr., just received his acceptance letter. And Ahmad’s daughter, Israel, who is nearly 12, has already declared that she is CAU-bound, making her the beginning of the seventh generation of the Long family’s Clark College-Atlanta University-Clark Atlanta University legacy.
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Fall 2025
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ART & FASHION DEPARTMENT CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY’S REDEFINING CREATIVE EDUCATION
Photography by Barri Jones Written by Pia Forbes
When Assistant Professor Mrs. Billi Arnett arrived at Clark Atlanta University in 2014, the Department of Art and Fashion had approximately 100 students, six professors, and a budget of approximately $6,000 to cover the costs of providing industry exposure to its students. Today, however, with an infinite amount of dedication and commitment from the faculty, staff, and students, the department is in a different space. With approximately 300 students majoring and minoring in creative disciplines, 12 professors—each of whom is a leader in their respective fields, and a million dollars dedicated to funding industry experiences, CAU’s Department of Art and Fashion is graduating professionals who are not only competitive, but they are setting standards in their respective disciplines. Recognized nationally and internationally for fashion merchandising and fashion design, the department also offers majors in studio art and advertising design, with minors in art, fashion design, and fashion merchandising.
Now department chair and special assistant to the dean of Arts and Sciences, Arnett (nicknamed “B.J.” by her college classmate Vanna White) says, “The beauty of a scholar’s matriculation at Clark Atlanta’s Art and Fashion Department is that they’re not only getting the bachelor of arts degree, but they’re also getting an experience that matches industry.” Asked to expound upon what that looks like from a student’s perspective, she adds, “If you are studying fashion design, for example, you’re going to meet with designers. You’re going to have Zooms. You’re going to have designers who are working in the industry come in the building. You’re going to be able to be mentored and to mirror. You’re going to have professional experiences that align with the industry that you are looking to walk into.” And that is a promise the department has delivered on, with students traveling the globe to explore and work while learning, as well as being given opportunities to shine. Among those opportunities is Art and Fashion Week, the departmental showcase of their students’ excellence through exhibitions,
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runway presentations, industry-led workshops, panel discussions, and portfolio reviews. Additionally, in 2018, Trends and Tours NYC, an immersive, week-long study experience was launched to give fashion merchandising and design students backstage access to Broadway costume production, visits to millinery and pattern houses, discussions with FIT faculty, workshops with Bloomingdale’s, and a panel with Women in Television & Film NYC. The experience also includes visits to the Metropolitan Museum, the Brooklyn Museum, and the Museum of Modern Art and challenges scholars to design a custom shoe at Nike’s design studio and participate in guided conversations on buying, marketing, and career pathways. Approximately 16 students are selected for this program annually. In simple terms, the department’s chair—whose passion for her work and students is palpable—says, “We try to give our students exceptional experiences that will shape them.” In her retail management class, Arnett, who is also an actress-director-producer, requires her students to read Nikole Hannah-Jones’ “The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story” because she believes history is why formal education is as important in creative disciplines as it is in other disciplines—and that cultural context helps you shape future trends. “In order to go to the next level, you’ve got to know where you came from. You must know you were the first merchandise of these United States.” Among the many students who took that message to heart is Agnes Godwin Hall, an alumna of the fashion merchandising program and CAU’s MBA program, who has worked her way up the ranks at Macy’s and now serves as the senior director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Another won two Virgil Abloh Awards, while another—Aaliyah Dasque, a fashion merchandising alumna—returned to CAU to serve as the department’s program manager and executive assistant. Yet another student, who became wheelchair dependent during her collegiate experience, fought her way back to the classroom, graduated, worked at a Michigan design school, and continues to thrive as a creative. With tears in her eyes, Arnett declared, “We train warriors up in here.” The department’s student warriors are soaring—winning awards, having their work shown in museums, acing their internships, being offered fulltime jobs, and seizing opportunities to design independently, for film sets, and for retailers, including American Eagle and Macy’s. And if the chair has anything to do with it, the Department of Art and Fashion will continue to fly higher, as she believes art and fashion are necessary. “Without the creative, there is no scientific. It is a must to feed the heart and the soul in order feed everything else.” Without the creative, there is no scientific. It is a must to feed the heart and the soul in order feed
everything else. “
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University News
UNIVERSITY NEWS Awards, and Accomplishments
COMMENCEMENT 2025 Commencement Week: A Tribute to Excellence and Achievement
Commencement 2025 carried with it an air of joyful expectation and hope for the future. More than 800 students transitioned into the next phase in the lives, leaving Clark Atlanta University prepared and undergirded by faith in their abilities and supported by a community of Panthers who believe in their greatness. We are grateful to all who made the day possible, including the platform guests whose words, songs, and prayers will linger with us indefinitely.
As the university begins to prepare for our 37th Commencement Exercises, it is our pleasure to take a look back at the ceremony and surrounding activities from the Clark Atlanta University Class of 2025. It is our hope that the members of the class, their loved ones, alumni, the board of trustees, program participants, faculty, staff, and the extended CAU community will enjoy this pictorial review of this celebration of the culmination of the most recent graduates’ journey toward their degrees.
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