Bojangles’ Franchise Pulls into Union Station with first Washington D.C. Location 

Franchise Owner, Keith Haywood 1977 graduate of NCCU

Bojangles’, the famous chicken ‘n biscuits chain known for its unique flavor profile and made-from-scratch biscuits and breakfast served all day, has partnered with FDY, Inc. to expand its footprint with the historic opening of its first location in Washington, D.C. with its Grand Opening on March 31.

Teaching Fellow Alumni Named Teachers of the Year In Their Schools

Jason Jowers, 2007 graduate of NCCU, was named teacher of the year at Southern School of Engineering in Durham County.  He has also been named as one of the 10 semifinalist to advance to compete for the honor of DPS Teacher of the year.   

Arine Loweryarine, 2006 graduate of NCCU, was named teacher of the year at Parkwood Elementary School in Durham County.  

Trapp named 2010-2011 DPS Teacher Of The Year 

Takesha Trapp, a fifth-grade teacher at Pearsontown Year-Round Elementary School, has been named the Durham Public Schools' 2010-11 teacher of the year.

Trapp received the honor Wednesday night at a banquet recognizing teachers of the year from all 53 schools in Durham public school system.

Trapp was selected by a committee comprising former school-level teachers of the year.

"My students have a high level of character, integrity, academic discipline, and motivation," said Trapp in her application portfolio. "Every morning, our day begins with our pledge: 'We pledge to never say we can't. Ask if we don't understand. And never talk back!' This pledge has defined acceptable and unacceptable behavior for my students. I take pride that under my leadership, my students have learned the importance of good study habits and organizational skills."

Trapp has taught for five years, all at Pearsontown. She holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education from N.C. Central University.

"Takesha Trapp represents the very best in what a teacher can be," said Interim Superintendent Hank Hurd. "A good teacher inspires, encourages and motivates students, while ensuring that they are progressing at their highest potential. We are proud of Takesha and know that she is a fantastic representative for DPS at the regional and state levels!"

Trapp will now compete for the Central Region Teacher of the Year.

Sponsors of the Teacher of the Year Banquet were Triangle Orthopaedics Associates and North Carolina Specialty Hospital

Curtis Massey Class of 1982

Whether it is collecting shoes for the Haitian earthquake victims, clothing for the homeless or donations to fight cancer and MS, departmental employees are used to being asked by the Employment and Training Administration's Curtis Massey to contribute to one of his many charitable projects. His latest efforts involved raising funds to provide scholarships to disadvantaged students attending his alma mater, North Carolina Central University in Durham .

Curtis sponsored fish fry's and cocktail parties out of his own pocket, and sold raffle tickets. Those efforts eventually raised more than $8,000 for the scholarship program. Now because of his tireless charitable efforts, Curtis has just been awarded the "Mr. Alumni" award by his school's National Alumni Association. He will spend the year representing NCCU at historically black college events and talk to prospective students. Curtis said he was honored to have won the award from a university that had given him so many opportunities to succeed in life. "You have to give back the blessings you receive," he said of his charitable efforts. 

Cressie Thigpen '68 - Court of Appeals Selection

Cressie Thigpen (BA’68), was the first African-American elected president of the North Carolina State Bar, has been appointed to fill a vacancy on the state Court of Appeals. Gov. Beverly Perdue's office announced the appointment on August 30, 2010. Thigpen will serve the remaining four months on the term of Judge Jim Wynn, who now sits on the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Wynn's old term expires at the end of this year. Thigpen plans to file next week to run for a full eight-year term on the Court of Appeals that would begin in January. Thigpen has been a special Superior Court judge since 2008. In 1999, he became the first black attorney elected to president of the state bar.