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CAMPUS IN]
THE R.D. WITH AN Ed.D.
by Carla M. Cherry
We are living in a time when many
African American scholars and leaders
are distressed about the low number of
African-Americans that possess doctoral
degrees. In addition to the faculty
members who hold doctorates, Spelman
is fortunate to have a Resident Director,
Dr. Beverley Richardson, with bars on
her robe. She is the only R.D. with this
distinction of holding a Ed.D. However,
there are three other R.D.S who are in
the process of pursuing doctoral degrees.
Richardson is enjoying her second year at
Spelman College. She was R.D. of Laura
Spelman during the 1989-90 school year,
and is now located in Packard Hall. She
was attracted to the position because of
Spelman’s outstanding reputation.
Richardson says that she wanted the
opportunity to "have some positive
influence over young people and gain
some other experience."
Richardson was bom and raised in
Valdosta, GA, 225 miles south of Atlanta.
She was the second of five children, bom
into a family of educators. Her mother
was an especially "positive force" in her
life who she says, "stressed the
importance of being a good Christian as
well as good student."
Richardson took the advice of her tenth
grade teacher who told her to "do my
best, and the best would come back to
me" and graduated from Echols County
High School with high honors at the age
of fifteen.
That fall, she entered Valdosta State
College where she received a B.S. in
early childhood education in 1978 at the
age of eighteen. After graduation,
Richardson taught kindergarten and first
grade in the Lanier County School
Dr. Beverley Richardson
System in Lakeland, GA while she
worked on her Masters degree of early
childhood education which she received in
1981.
On a roll, she went on to receive her
second M.Ed in educational
administration/supervision in 1985 while
acting as assistant principal at Lanier
County Primary School. She received her
specialist degree in early childhood
education in the spring of 1987. In the
fall of 1987, Dr. Richardson began her
doctoral work at Atlanta University, and
she received her Ed.D in educational
leadership in 1990.
Why did she get all of these degrees?
She responds, "I love school, and I love
learning. After I got my first MA, I
started picking up education classes to
enhance my skills and became interested
in administration."
Her ultimate goal is to become the state
superintendent of the Georgia school
system. To achieve this lofty goal, Dr.
Richardson plans on obtaining a law
degree, and has been accepted at Georgia
State University Law School, where she
will begin her legal studies in the fall of
1991.
Besides being a scholar, Dr. Richardson
is heavily involved in community service.
She is a member of such organizations as
the Southeastern Advocates of Literature
for Young People, the National Georgia
Association for Young Children, and the
Metro Atlanta Big Brother/Big Sister
Program.
Dr. Richardson advises youth to "believe
in yourself" and "don’t be a copy of
someone else, set goals you believe in,
then work to achieve those goals."
Take heed, Spelmanites, and follow her
shining example.
Be Sick Continued
Dr. Gordon received her Ph.D form the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and
interned at Boston Beth-lsreal and had a
fellowship at Harvard Community Health
Center, a Health Maintenance Organization in
Boston and worked at both places prior to
coming here.
"In the Black community there is a tendency
not to talk openly about issue like rape, sex
abuse, and drug and alcohol abuse. These
issues will be emphasized and discussed in
forums planned to be held throughout the
year. Even "taboo" subjects like gay and
lesbian issues will be focused on in these
forums, especially "since they are more
widespread than most people believe." added
Dr. Gordon.
To further expand the helpfulness of the
program, another nurse practitioner was
added. Nurse practitioners are just like
doctors with the exception that they can not
prescribe medicine.
In the counseling department, there are now
three full-time equivalent counsellors. Two are
part time and two are full time.
The counseling program hopes to help
prevent mental illness and will aid in crisis
intervention, stress management and help
students through difficult periods in there
lives. Forums in freshman dorms will begin to
facilitate the transition from high school to
college, inform students on the dangers of
drugs and alcohol, how to manage
relationships here and at home and
information about rape and abuse.
Throughout the year, a series on sexuality is
planned. Male/female relationships,
responsible sexual behavior, sexual
orientation, and spirituality and sexuality all
will be the central focus. If any group or
association on campus wants to plan a forum,
the Spelman College Health Services will work
closely with them in all areas.
The emphasis of having a healthy mental
attitude is at a premium.
Dr. Gordon would like the students to know
that personal counseling is available on a
short-term basis for all students on and off
campus. All of the services are free for all
Spelman students and are strictly confidential
as well.
There is also a referral service for those who
would like to receive long-term counseling or
would just prefer to see someone off campus.
To make an appointment call 223-1451 and
ask for any of the staff:
Flhea Gordon, Ph.D, Director
Rosemary Allwood, MSW.LCSW
Brenda Ftobinson, MSW.LCSW
Ave Marshall, MSW.LCSW
Saundra Maass-Robinson,MD
For after five emergencies, call 223-1454 if
your R.D. is not available.
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