Coppin State University Ball hosts ‘powerful’ night of Black excellence

By Kendra Bryant
Special to the AFRO

Coppin State University (CSU) hosted its annual ball, “An Ode to Black Excellence,” on May 2 at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront, celebrating 126 years of nurturing potential and transforming lives. 

Each year, the ball serves as a time to honor the past, while also drumming up financial support for the future of CSU. 

“A couple of years ago, a lot of people thought this university was on life support,” said Dr. Anthony Jenkins, president of Coppin State University, to those gathered on May 2. “Today, she’s stronger and faster than ever. She’s the fastest growing university in Greater Baltimore and Maryland’s fastest-growing HBCU.”

Jenkins stepped into his role as the eighth president of CSU on May 26, 2020, just as a global pandemic kicked into high gear. Since that time, he has overseen a 400 percent increase in fundraising and grown the historically Black institution’s endowment by 126 percent. 

“Over the last six years, we have moved out of the shadows and boldly stood in the limelight,” said Jenkins “That is because we are Coppin State University. We are Eagle Nation.”

Standing in a room full of Black elected officials, community leaders and members of the CSU family, Jenkins spoke on how “powerful” the ball is each year and what the annual event is really about. 

“It’s about illuminating what Coppin State has been doing for 126 years. It’s about people seeing the best of her and the young scholars that we’re transforming,” he said. “It’s an opportunity to tip our hat to a university that has done so much not only for Baltimore, but for the great state of Maryland.” 

Today, CSU touts itself as the top historically Black college or university (HBCU) in the state of Maryland when it comes to growing enrollment numbers for Black men seeking higher education. Beyond the campus, the university has been key in revitalizing the West North Avenue corridor of West Baltimore. 

As the university expands and takes on new endeavors, it maintains its commitment to its student body, which ranges in age from 17 to 65 and older. According to information released by the institution, “Approximately 34 percent of the student population are between the ages of 30 and 59 and 75 percent are female…61 percent of Coppin’s students are working adults with young children, while 68 percent are first-generation college students.”

One student, Jayla McCullough, spoke to her time at the university as an elementary education major.

“Coppin has truly shaped me into the woman that I am,” said McCullough, who serves as the 93rd Miss Coppin State University. “The university has poured so much into me. I can’t wait to be one of these distinguished alumni and give back to the university.” 

Distinguished alumni for this year’s ball included Glen Griffin, of the CSU Class of 1972, and Alicia Ritchie, who earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the university in 1999, followed by a masters degree in 2001 from CSU’s criminal justice program.

Griffin is the founder of the Glen Griffin and Gwendolyn Jones Foundation Merit Scholarship. Ritchie is a partner at Nelson Mullins Riley and Scarborough LLP. She also serves as chair of the Coppin State University Development Foundation Board. Ritchie spoke to how her time as a student at the university set her up for success in life. 

“Playing basketball in college taught me discipline, resilience and accountability,” said Ritchie, as she accepted her award. “It shaped how I lead, how I work and how I show up in every aspect of my life. It taught me how to be a part of something bigger than myself.”

Ritchie urged those in attendance to help support the institution. 

“In this role, I’ve had the privilege of a very different vantage point,” she said. “I’ve seen how much it takes to sustain and grow this institution. As I accept this recognition, I also see it as a reminder of responsibility. Everything we value– scholarships, academic excellence, athletics, women, facilities and student opportunities–requires financial support and it doesn’t happen on its own.” 

“You are helping to shape not just the institution, but the future leaders who will walk out,” she said. “The next generation is counting on us. They’re counting on access, opportunity and they’re counting on leadership.”

Corporate honorees for the evening included Neil Meltzer, immediate past president and CEO of LifeBridge Health and Michele Newman-Lawrence, head of strategy, growth and operations for community and business development at JPMorganChase. Both organizations served as Feather sponsors for the evening. 

Other sponsors included Baltimore Gas and Electric, Truist, Opportunity Connection LLC, Nelson Mullins and the University System of Maryland Foundation.

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