Forty Under 40 alumni class raises $54,000 for scholarships
The Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) Young Alumni Council celebrated young alumni at the Forty Under 40 Alumni Awards Gala on Saturday, April 13.
The alumni honorees also gave back, raising $54,181.42 for scholarships for WSSU students, a record for the event. There were 825 donors.
“This entire weekend was phenomenal,” said Isaac Moore, director of Alumni Engagement. “Our alumni came from around the United States and as far as the United Kingdom to be in the midst of their Ram family. The WSSU alumni network is unmatched in its passion and desire to keep this a world-class institution. I’m honored to serve them as they serve us.”
The biennial event, held at the Benton Convention Center, recognized young alumni who “have gone above and beyond to ‘Depart to Serve.’ “ WSSU graduates from 2000-14 were inducted into the 2019 class.
In addition to the money raised for scholarships, alumni also collected more than 200 pounds of food for the Rams Health Hands Food Pantry, which provides emergency food for students.
Sponsors of the event were: RAMA Consulting, Abbot Downing and Duke Energy.
Speakers included WSSU Chancellor Elwood L. Robinson; Rashad Little ’10, executive director of Candid Yams Kickback; Victor Bruinton ‘82, president of the National Alumni Association; and WSSU Student Government Association President William Gibson. Music entertainment was provided by Randal K. Calloway ’94.
Inductees were first announced in December.
WSSU’s Young Alumni Council (YAC) was established to strengthen the connection and participation of young alumni to the university; providing specific support, programs and engagement opportunities for WSSU alumni who graduated since 2000.
