Happy New Year!

It's been a while since we've connected virtually, but it's time to do what we need to do!

First, we have implemented what we believe to be a practical and stress-free plan to raise money for our 2015 class gift. As mentioned in class treasurer Chuck Dortch's letter last November, we're asking that each classmate donate $25 a month, or whatever you can afford to give, over the next three years. Our goal is to raise at least $125,000 by the time we return in 2015 through our donations and corporate matches--if those still exist!

Judge Dortch has set up a special account for these donations and we need you to start sending those checks by 15jan. Please make your checks out to HU Class of 1980 Reunion 2015 and mail them to Chuck at:
15 Silver Hill Lane
Vorhees, NJ 08043

Secondly, it's not about competing with other classes to raise the most money. This is about the kids. Every little bit helps some deserving student find his or her way to our home by the sea. Some of you might have benefitted from alumni giving back in the day. It's time to pay and pray it forward. Also, if we don't have to spend time collecting money during our reunion weekend, we can spend more time enjoying each other.

Lastly, if anyone--particularly you accounting and business majors--would like to serve with Chuck on the fundraising committee, please reach out to him directly at Charles. Dortch@comcast.net. You can also reach him by phone, 856-889-3638.
We can do this! On behalf of the Reunion 2015 Committee, thank you and God bless.

Are You Ready To Partay?!!!

Wow. Homecoming 2011 is just a little over a month away and your class leadership has been working diligently with the leaders from '79 and '81 to ensure that a good time will be had by all.

'Ol School Jam 7 will be held at the McGrew Towers Conference Center on campus. Ticket sales and parking issues are still be worked out and we'll let you know what's up as soon as we know.

We look forward to seeing you all in October! Please spread the word that 'Ol School 7 is the place to be Homecoming Weekend!

HOMECOMING NEWS

Need A Room?

Our room block is nearly full. The cutoff date for booking reservations at our special $159 rate is Sept. 30. The Homecoming committee will be meeting this later this week to fine tune all the details for the Saturday night jam. We look forward to working with '81's new leadership--Charles Corley and Kenneth Lewis--and promise that this year's party will be bigger and betta than ever!

CLASS NEWS

Comedy in da Park

The ever enterprising Bill Young has organized another Ubiquity fundraiser. This one is Comedy in the Park starring Hampton's own Willie Brown & Woodie, Laughing Lenny and Alycia Cooper. It will be held Sept. 10 at Fort DuPont Park in D.C. Hosted by Rob Miner, tickets are $35 and includes a light buffet. See ad below for other details.

Wanda is Super!

On June 14, 2011, Dr. Wanda Parker Dawson was appointed Superintendent of the Pamlico County Schools system located in eastern North Carolina. Dr. Dawson has worked in the district for the past 31 years as a speech pathologist, assistant principal, special education director, assistant superintendent and associate superintendent. Dr. Dawson will begin in her new position on August 1, 2011. She can be contacted at wandadawson@pamlicoschools.org

The Offspring

Congrats to Brett Pulley's oldest daughter Zoe, she's off to Spelman this month. Also, Larry & Cheryl Smith's daughter Lauren graduated from Emory last spring and has relocated to New York City to work for Macy's.

Was I the Only One?

Had a chat with Harry Belafonte last week and when I mentioned I had gone to Hampton, he looked as though he'd seen a ghost. "I went to Hampton," he said. Was I the only one who didn't know this? Apparently, he was stationed in Norfolk and was involved in some sort of military trade-0ff where enlisted men could attend nearby colleges. Although he met his first wife there, caused some sort of ruckus and then was deployed somewhere far, far away!

Birthdays

August

Brenda Mallory, Aug. 6
Yvette Lee Davis, Aug. 9
Gregory "Trammel" Groce
Leonard Chester, Aug. 18
Lauren Jones, Aug. 19
Pam Jones Johnson, Aug. 20
Janice Tyson, Aug. 24
Karen Randolph, Aug. 26
Donna Porter, Aug, 29

September

Valerie Millsap Harrison, Sept. 2
Kelvin "Stone" Johnson, Sept. 17
Altamarie Burroughs, Sept. 18
Mary Morrow-Sutton, Sept. 18
Andre Rush, Sept. 22
Danita Locks Smith, Sept. 23
Gayle Burnett Heyer, Sept. 25
Karla Morris Holmes, Sept. 26
Renee Allen, Sept. 27
Vincent Bayyan, Sept. 27
Rosiland Murray-Port, Sept. 29

HOMECOMING NEWS

Just A Reminder!

Our room block at the Crowne Plaza for homecoming this year is filling up fast, so if you want to roll, you can book a room online using our secret code which was sent to you in an email blast two months ago. The rate is $159 per night and includes breakfast. The dates are: Oct. 21-23, 2011. Be there!

CLASS NEWS

Now here's a trip I wish I could take! As previously mentioned, Bill Young has organized a fundraising trip to Atlantic City, NJ, leaving April 30 at 2 p.m. from a parking lot directly across from the Bowie Town Center Mall in Bowie, MD. The bus, which has been graciously donated by Marcia Fields Milton, will make a quick pit stop in Baltimore and then arrive in AC at 6 p.m. and leave at 11 p.m.

The price is $35 and there will be a $15 rebate. There are 25 tickets left and Bill says he needs to pin down commitments. To do so call Bill Young at 301-335-2052 or Cindy Woods at 202-251-9424.

Condolences

Our deepest sympathies to classmates Kenny Malloy and Charlene Alexander-Taylor. Kenny lost his grandmother two weeks ago and Charlene lost her aunt earlier in the month.

Run, Mary, Run

Our best wishes to Mary Radden Hicks and her son PJ, who are participating in a 10k run in Richmond this weekend. I'll be thinking of you both while I'm chilling by the pool in Palm Springs!

Birthdays

Rhonda Rhea Byrd, April 3
Bruno Lee, April 13
Kimberly Perkins Holloway, April 15
Ronald Johnson, April 17
Bert Allen, April 19
Maurice Chapman II, April 20
David Stith, April 25

Tia Johnson, May 5
Cheryl Dunn Badger, May 10
Brenda Barnett Torrence, May 13
Vanessa Brown Jones, May 15
Lorri Young West, May 18
Myra Smith, May 22
Kenny Vereen, May 23
Welton B. Doby, May 23
Bill Young, May 28
Steve Blair, May 30

HOMECOMING NEWS

As was previously announced, we have secured a 30-room block at the Crowne Plaza for Homecoming 2011. The negotiated rate of $159 includes free breakfast for Saturday and Sunday. Homecoming is Oct. 21-23 and the Pirates will be hosting the North Carolina Central Eagles.

There is an online code to book reservations. If you did not get it let me know and I'll send it back out to you.

We are also working on securing space for the Saturday Night Jam, but more on that later.

CLASS NEWS

Miki and Doreen Get Veep Positions

Miki Turner and Doreen Mills have been named vice presidents for the Far West region of the NHAA. Our national convention will be held in L.A. in 2012 and we'd like to see Ubiquity well represented. Doreen has amazing ideas and I have a wine cellar. So, that should be enough incentive for you to hop a flight!

Get On The Bus!

Bill Young and the D.C. crew will be sponsoring a bus trip to Atlantic City on Saturday, April 30. The cost of the trip will be $35 and the bus, donated by our own Marcia Fields, will leave from the parking lot across from the Bowie Mall. Cindy Woods will be responsible for collecting your check. You can send it to:

4737 Queens Chapel Ter., N.E.

Washington, DC 20017

Sounds like a good time and a great way to raise money for our class!

Birthdays


March

Linda Dent Datcher, March 4

Dyanne Boone Baldwin, March 11

Toni Thornhill-Harris, March 12

Elveeda Howell Dixon, March 1

Billy Taylor, March 14

Renita Gayle Simril, March 15

Barbara McWilliams Rhem, March 17

Russell Easter, March 19

Anthony Avery, March 31

April

Rhonda Rhea Byrd, April 3

Bruno Lee, April 13

Kimberly Perkins Holloway, April 15

Ronald Johnson, April 17

Bert Allen, April 19

Maurice S. Chapman II, April 20

David Stith, April 25

no. 116

CLASS NEWS

Here We Go 2011!

Hi All, This will be the final newsletter of 2010 and there really isn't much news to report! Let us just be thankful, however, that we made it this far because as you know, some of us didn't. In reflection, let us remember the good times we had at our 30th reunion in May and at Homecoming 2010 this past fall. Let us share our good memories of all of our classmates who have gone home and most important, let's just celebrate our spirit. It's been said many times that there's no love like Ubiquity love and I'm so proud of the way we stay connected and reach out to those in need--whether it be an expression of sympathy, a virtual Hampton Hug or bus fare! :-) We do what we do and we do it well. As we come into the new year the reunion committee will be looking at new ways to raise funds and we've already secured a place for next year's old school jam in an effort to avoid the last-minute scuffle that took place this year. And, as always, we'd appreciate your collective feedback and suggestions. This is an Obama-like administration and we need and appreciate you all. Thanks for all that you do to support our team. So, here's hoping that you've had a blessed holiday season and will have a happy and prosperous new year. Cheers, mik

Birthdays

Tom “TJ” Jones, Jan. 2

Debbie Patterson Ashton, Jan. 2

Miki Turner, Jan. 3

Doreen Mills, Jan. 5

Michelle Hurd, Jan. 10

Evadney “Peaches” Rogers Key, Jan. 14

Kent White, Jan. 15

Paula Stewart Dickerson, Jan. 15

Al Green, Jan. 16

Rodney Dawson, Jan. 19

Marilyn Cain Gordon, Jan. 22

February

Bonita Layson, Feb. 1

Trudy Perry, Feb. 2

Janice Phillips, Feb. 2

Jan Johnson-Johnson, Feb. 6

Michael Byrd, Feb. 8

Tony Perry, Feb. 12

Sharon Ford-Bell, Feb. 13

Dennie Lathan, Feb. 17

Hamlet Herring, Feb. 18

Sandra Mugomba, Feb. 20

Dot Lee-Murray, Feb. 25

END NOTES

And lastly, here's a little something you can take into the New Year with you courtesy of Cindy Woods Pearson. Enjoy!

http://thedailystride.wordpress.com/2010/11/11/why-i-love-my-home-by-the-sea/

You might enjoy this, too! Deja vu baby!

http://www.myjet247.com/JETInsider/Perspective/Content.aspx?topic=Remembering_Lady_T

Check out the next JET!

HOMECOMING REPORT

We Represented--Again!

Here's hoping that everyone has arrived home safely after a horrifically cold but fabulously good time at Our Home By the River (let's just call it what it is, OK? LOL)

Anyway, it was a good weekend. Among those who fellowshipped and partied were: Miki Turner, Andre DeBose, Les Arthur, Charlene Alexander-Taylor, Billy Taylor, Carl Coleman, Lauren Jones, Marilyn Cain, Cheryl Dunn Badger, Baron McKeithan, Tony Chetham, Bert Allen, Micheal Robinson, Krista Carter Skinnner, Rhonda Carter, Marcia Fields Milton, Michael Byrd, Chuck Dortch, Vincent Bayyan, Rhonda Rhea Byrd, Cindy Woods Pearson, Mary Radden Hicks, Wiletta Monroe Sawyer, Altamarie Burroughs, Gail Chapman, Brett Pulley, Sylvia Hazel Hunter, Ricky Harris, Rodney Dawson, Ron Simmons, Russell Minus, Dyanne Boone Baldwin, Eddie Keller, Carolyn Harris Brown, Christa Hill, Darryl Jones, Bubby Johnson, Wynton Ivey Norvel-Dillard, Bill Young, Leah Crocker, Daphne Henderson and some other folks I may have missed.

We all got together Friday night in the shared 80-81 hospitality suite. On Saturday a few of us braved the chilly temperatures to watch Wynton participate in the parade with 14 other past Miss Hamptons; as well as Bert on the NHAA float. Then there was the game. The Pirates were underdogs going in but fought the good fight before falling to Bethune-Cookman. After the game and the tailgating and the impromptu step shows and serenading, most folks went back to the hotel and chilled before hitting the party at the Crowne Plaza or hanging in the Board Room Suite to sample some of Andre's "specials."

There were a few last minute wrinkles with the Old School Jam but cooler heads prevailed and it was a success. We took a moment at 11 p.m. to remember Debbie Maxie Cowling and REO's son. Thanks again to Wynton for providing us all with the purple ribbons (pancreatic cancer awareness) and I encourage everyone who hasn't donated their $5 or more to the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation in Debbie's name, please do so ASAP. It's so simple. All you do is go to the site, www.pancreaticcancerfoundation.com, click donate, fill out the payment option page and then when you get to the final page, click the link that says "special instructions" and type "In Memory of Deborah Maxie Cowling," your name and HU Class of 80.

Who Dey? Some Peeps You Might Know!

We had a good 'ol time!