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6 The Panther April 15-30, 2017 Clark Atlanta University Annual Spirit of Greatness Gala raises money for scholarships Continued from page 1 owner of Wade Ford. The event was emceed by KDKA-CBS Pittsburgh Anchor Lisa Washington Rushing and former DeKalb County Interim CEO Lee May, both Clark Atlanta University 1998 alumni. Barris, who started his career by selling jokes to comedians, kept the crowd laughing during his acceptance speech but then turned sentimental as he reminisced. “Clark Atlanta University played an integral part in the success I enjoy today,” he said. “The lessons, friendships, trials and triumphs gained during my time at CAU all helped propel me to where I am now.” Like Barris, several of the honorees spoke of their humble beginnings: “My mom had me at the age of 15, we didn’t have much, said White whose emotional speech had the crowd in tears. “We couldn’t afford for me to go to college, then one day I got a call from CAU, they accepted me, and that’s why I am here today,” the tearful 12-time Emmy Award winner added. The Spirit of Greatness Gala to date has raised more than $1.5 million for CAU students. Alumni from all over the country attend the black-tie gala. This year, actor/comedian Justin Hires of “Stomp the Yard,” “21 Jump Street” and “Rush Hour” made a surprise visit. Guests dined and danced to the sounds of Grammy-winner Howard Hewett. Sanders sets sights on NBA draft By Craig Allen Brown SPORTS EDITOR Tim Sanders has been a standout on the basketball court since he was in high school. He has exceled alongside great players like current University of Alabama standout Daniel Giddens. and current Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown. So now that his time as a basketball player for Clark Atlanta University is up, it only makes sense that he takes his career to another level. Sanders has declared for the 2017 NBA Draft. The 6’2“ shooting guard from Memphis, Tennessee had an exceptional senior campaign. His team won a share of the regular season SIAC East division championship and the SIAC men’s tournament championship. Along with those accomplishments, Sanders also won the Most Valuable Player Award for the SIAC tournament. Sanders gives much of the credit to first-year head coach Darrell Walker. “Playing for Coach Walker was difficult at times, but it was more positive than anything,” he said. “Overall, playing for him was a good learning experience, and a lot of fun.” Sanders led a Panther team that only tallied nine wins last year, to 21 wins this year. With this being his final year, he stated that he couldn’t have picked a better way to go out. “We won three tough games in a row Tim Sanders in order to clinch a share of the SIAC East,” he said. “And to beat Lane College for my last game in front of the CAU home crowd was amazing.” Sanders hopes to have similar success on the next level. He is revising his meal and workout plans in an attempt to get his body more NBA-ready. He will participate in the upcoming NBA combines, an event designed to demonstrate how physically and mentally ready a player is to NBA scouts and coaches. Ronald McCullough Jr. McCullough to graduate in Mav two gears early By Aliyah Janae Johnson A former child genius is set to graduate in May from Clark Atlanta University two years early. Ronald McCullough Jr., an Atlanta native, will receive his B.A. in Biology on May 22. He will graduate with honors at the age of 19. McCullough skipped the second grade which allowed him to graduate from Maynard Jackson High School at a youthful age of 15. Following his mothers’ footsteps, who is a CAU alumna, he enrolled at CAU in the fall of 2013. During his matriculation at CAU, McCullough has become a member of numerous honor societies, including the Isabella T. Jenkins Honors Program and the Kappa Phi Honor Society —which is set to provide students with the ultimate learning experience. Growing up McCullough was recognized by his peers, family and teachers as a genius but says he has always felt like a regular teenager. He said, “I will not consider myself a genius. I was placed in a setting for my love of learning to manifest. Much was expected of me and there was little room for disappointment.” McCullough aspires to be an astronaut. Upon his graduation, he plans on going into a graduate engineering program. McCullough has been recruited by several of post-graduate engineering programs but says he intends to enroll in the biological/agricultural engineering program at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. “I just wake up in the morning and do the right thing,” he said when asked about being so successful at a young age. “Just by doing what I believe is the right thing for my future. I’ve been rewarded greatly.” Alana K. Howard The Panther newspaper’s new leadership team Craig Allen Brown has been selected as the edi tor-in-chief of the Panther newspaper for next year. Alana K. Howard has been named the managing editor and Alexis Cran ford will be the new Lifestyle editor. Brown and Howard are Mass Media Arts majors. Cran ford’s major is English. Craig Allen Brown