Allen Receives Excellence Award
Soror Crystal Thompson Allen of the Alpha Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter in Humble , Texas , recently received the 2021 Excellence in Teaching First-Year Experience Award from the National Resource Center and Penguin Random House . This award is given to one exceptional instructor selected by a National Advisory Board and other leaders in higher education . Soror Allen was chosen out of 250 nominations . She is an alumna of Prairie View A & M University . Soror Allen will be honored at the 40th Annual Conference on the First-Year Experience and present a conference session entitled Diversifying the First-Year Experience : The Multicultural A . C . T . I . O . N . Plan .
Austin-Cathey Honored
Soror Donnica Austin-Cathey , a Lambda Tau Omega Chapter member , received an award from the Skyline Metropolitan Chicago Chapter of Top Ladies of Distinction , Inc . as the 2021 Healthcare honoree . For more than 20 years , she served in leadership positions in health care . She was promoted to serve as president of Holy Cross Hospital in Chicago while also serving as the vice president of operations for the Acute Care Hospitals at Sinai Health System . Through her leadership , she has been instrumental in consolidating services across the health system and working on capital and construction projects , contract negotiations , and union campaigns . In addition , Soror Austin-Cathey serves as a committee and board member for several organizations , including the American Heart Association . Soror Austin-Cathey holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Health Administration from Governors State University .
Blackburn Promoted
Soror Botswana Blackburn , a member of Kappa Chi Omega Chapter in Columbia , Mo ., was promoted to associate chairman of the Department of Health Sciences at the University of Missouri — Columbia ( Mizzou ). She started with the department as an adjunct professor in 2011 and became a full-time professor in 2012 . In 2018 , she participated in the prestigious Kemper fellowship , only awarded to five outstanding professors each year . She taught many courses ranging from health care organization and leadership and public health principles and practice . Through her contributions to the Department of Health Sciences , Soror Blackburn consistently exceeds campus expectations in her pursuit of innovative programs that accomplish both the department and university ' s educational mission .
Brown Honored for 68 years of Service
Golden Soror Lelia Brown has been a member of the sorority since 1953 . She helped to charter Eta Phi Omega Chapter in 1963 and was its first basileus . She served the community as an educator and school counselor , as a founding member and officer of the WCEH Neighborhood Association , and was one of the originators of the Jefferson School African American
Heritage Center , which highlights Charlottesville ' s Black history and culture of the African diaspora . She is one of the oldest members of Trinity Episcopal Church . The local Daily Progress has recognized her as one of the Distinguished Dozen . TV affiliates NBC and CBS filmed her while Eta Phi Omega Chapter members held a drive-by parade in her honor due to the pandemic . In addition , flowers were presented to her on the front porch of her home . Soror Brown stated , " This made me feel very special , very special ." Soror Brown is nearing 90 years old .
Brown-Hughes Honored
Soror Travonia Brown-Hughes , Ph . D ., of Gamma Upsilon Omega in Hampton , Va ., is one of the 2021 recipients of the Chancellor and Provost ' s Academic Excellence Award . In addition , she was recognized by her respective school dean for her outstanding efforts . Selected faculty members demonstrated innovation in teaching , motivating students , maintaining high academic standards , and keeping pace with current practices in their disciplines . As an assistant professor at Hampton University ' s School of Pharmacy , Soror Brown-Hughes ' research is grounded in the study of aging , care transitions , Alzheimer ' s Disease , and dementia care . She has been active in developing and facilitating several research and communitybased projects focusing on cognitive aging in diverse populations , barriers and facilitators to research participation among minorities , and comorbidity and treatment burden in older adult populations .
Buchanan Appointed Vice President
Soror Eboni Thompson Buchanan , a member of Xi Zeta Omega Chapter , Washington , D . C ., was appointed vice president of physician services at Woman ' s Hospital in Baton Rouge , La . Soror Buchanan will be responsible for the strategic direction and growth of woman ' s physician practices and the continued advancement of clinical services . Soror Buchanan , a Baton Rouge native , was born at Woman ' s Hospital and returns from MedStar Health in Washington , D . C . She served as senior director of Women ' s and Infants ' Services . She has experience leading clinical operations and strategy for subspecialties in health systems across the Washington , D . C ., metropolitan area . She is passionate about the opportunity to help improve the health of women and infants in her home state . Soror Buchanan earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of New Orleans and her Master of Health Services Administration from the University of Michigan . She currently serves as the chapter ' s anti-tamiouchos .
Capers Owns First Female Engineering Firm
Zeta Theta Omega Soror Halle Jones Capers believes in being the first in many aspects of her life . With a background in civil engineering and active in Akronarea community organizations and events , Soror Capers formed Halle ' s Engineering & Design LLC . Soror Capers was featured in the Akron Beacon Journal newspaper and was highlighted , saying , " I want to see more Halles ." Her firm is the first minority female-owned engineering firm of its kind in the Akron community . Basileus Dana K . Lagarde and Zeta Theta Omega Chapter members congratulate Soror Capers .
50 I vyL eaf ® Spring 2021 Centennial edition