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Divided but not conquered Mathematician determined to add positives to negative situation Photo by Melvin Jackson To Sir With Love: A faculty favorite, Dr. Abdulalim Shabazz By Kimathi Lewis Staff Writer There is something extraordinary about the gray haired man sitting behind the desk with his chair sometimes turned toward the blackboard covered with signs and figures. Something so extraordinary that it is felt both locally and nationwide. Dr. Abdulalim Shabazz has been cited, written about and quoted in more than seven publications across the United States for his philosophy of and his contributions to mathematics education. But it is for his contributions and philosophy that many believe he was dismissed as chair from the Clark Atlanta University Mathematics Sciences Department. Many, especially his students, find this move very hard to believe. After all, Shabazz can take much of the credit for producing half of the estimated 200 Black doctorates in mathematics in the United States. Half of which can be traced back to Atlanta University’s alumni from 19$7 to 1963, during which time Shabazz served as associate professor and chairman. “At that particular time, he was the only known Black Ph.D. in math in this country,” Wallace Maryland, a former student was quoted as saying in a 1993 issue of The Atlanta Journal- Constitution. When Shabazz, 68, returned to CAU in 1986—and became chairman of the math department in 1990—records indicate that no students graduated. Butwithin a course of five years, there were 23 students with bachelors degrees in math. Shabazz's philosophy was simple: Have faith in the students and they will have faith in themselves. “You can’t treat them like you have no faith in them, they won’t achieve,” he said. “You cannot teach a person if you don’t believe they can be taught.” He said students placed into remedial courses saw themselves being treated like dummies and they were insulted. So, the first thing he did as chair of CAU’s math department was to get rid of the remedial courses. Shabazz said all students can achieve if they put their mind to it and put forth the effort. It is simply a question of one’s perception. And it was under his guidance and philosophy that CAU’s math department was ranked among the top 10 in the nation in 1995, according to the Math Horizons that is published by the Mathematical Association of America. But despite these accomplishments, Shabazz was removed as chair of the math department. According to Dr. Larry Earvin, dean of the school of arts and sciences, this move is Continued on P 4 Inside P2 Art department in disrepair P4 CAU's new chief straight from NASA P8 Steps to Success in mustp P10 Find Fishburne in Features CAU says farewell to Safety Inspector Eric Rose Staff Writer Lives of great men all remind us we can make our lives sublime. And departing leave behind us footprints on the sands of time. - Henry Longfellow As the Georgia sun slowly coaxed the dawn into becoming Jan. 27, it brought light into a day that would seem very dark to many. That was the day when John C. “Butch” Williams made his way back home to the God he loved. Williams held his post as Clark Atlanta University’s safety inspector with the sense of quiet pride and love that shone through to all who met him. However, few of the students knew about the man behind the smile. An Atlanta native, Williams matriculated through the Atlanta Public School System for his primary education. He went on to attend New Hampshire State College and the University of Georgia where he received certification as an instructor in Elementary Education and radiological monitoring respectively. From there he went to the U.S. Fire Administration National Fire Academy to become an arson detector for arson investigations. From 1964 to 1966, he carried a badge as a police officer and later traded it in for the badge of the first black corrections officer in Atlanta. From 1966 to 1992, he saved lives and livelihoods as a fireman in the Atlanta Fire Department. The next year he joined the Public Safety Department of CA U and the rest is CAU history. Throughout his career he received many awards and was a part of many Orders and associations. However, one cannot help but feel that one of the most important was the Society of CAU. This is nowhere more evident than in the comments of those who knew him. “He was a really nice man,” said Eric Taylor, a Journalism major. “He spoke to everyone in a friendly manner. I had seen him a short while back and he greeted me with a ‘ Whatup, boy! ’ He will be missed.” “Knowing him was an enjoyable experience, especially spiritually,” said Ms. Felecia Bratton, a friend in his department. “Mr. Wiliams loved the Lord and it showed. He was like a father figure to me.” “Mr. Williams and I were sparring partners ... he could always get me to smile,” remembered Ms. Pat Kinnebrew, also a friend in his department. “I just got my hair cut the other day and I came to work looking for him to say something...” Although Williams left this world, it can be assured that he lives in the hearts of those who had the honor of meeting him and gather together as one voice in saying, “Death be not proud, for you too shall die!”