About The Savannah tribune. (Savannah, Ga.) 1973-current | View Entire Issue (May 29, 2024)
2 The Savannah Tribune • Wednesday, May 29, 2024 Follow Us On Social Media! Twitter (X): @ Sa vanahTrib Instagram: @ savannahtribune Fb: TheSavannah Tribune Christopher Clark received the Master of Arts Degree in Orchestral/ Instru mental Conducting on May 17, 2024, from California State University, Fresno with both distinction (GPA 4.0) and as a finalist for the Dean’s Medal Award. Christopher is a native of Savannah and graduated from the Savannah Arts Acad emy (2000), Savannah State Two Mercer Seniors Awarded GEM Fellowships to Aid in Pursuit of High-Level Technical Careers Leila Kelly Mercer University seniors Leila Kelly and Ken nedy Mays have been accepted into the GEM Fellowship Pro gram. GEM recruits high-qual ity, underrepresented students looking to pursue master’s and doctoral degrees in applied science and engineering and matches their specific skills to the needs of GEM employer partners. Kelly, from Aurora, Colorado, is an environmental engineering major. “I feel incredibly blessed to have been awarded a GEM Fellowship,” Kelly said. “This fellowship will not only support me financially to pur sue a master’s degree but will provide invaluable research experience and opportunities to work alongside experts in the held to improve the sus tainability of our built environ ment.” At Mercer, Kelly is involved in the Engineering Honors Program, is vice pres ident of the American Society of Civil Engineering and helps lead worship nights with the Baptist Collegiate Ministry on campus. Kelly will be intern ing at the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) this sum- Kennedy Mays mer where she will research sustainable low-carbon con struction and building mate rials. She’ll then attend Villa- nova University in the fall to pursue an M.S. in sustainable engineering. Mays, from Savan nah, is a computer engineering major. “I am deeply honored to receive the GEM Fellow ship. It is an amazing oppor tunity to pursue my passion without financial burden,” Mays said. At Mercer, Mays is a member and previous chair of the Mercer Chapter Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, a member of Omi- cron Delta Kappa, a member of the National Society of Black Engineers and is on the Dean’s list and President’s list. “More than anyone else in the research group, Kennedy proved capable of taking on a specific challenge and seeing it through to com pletion,” said Dr. McNally. After graduation, Mays plans to attend Carne gie Mellon’s Master of Sci ence in Software Management (MSSM) program this fall. Kelly and Mays graduated on May 13. Congratulations Christopher Clark University (2006), Bachelor of Arts, Piano Studies, and Arm strong Atlantic State University (2006), Music Education Certi fication. He studied piano un der the late Dr. Christine Oliver from age six to his sophomore year at Savannah State Univer sity. Christopher also studied violin under Grace Han Gross, Thomas Kotias (concert master of the Savannah Symphony), and Bing Li. While studying at California State University, Fresno, Christopher continued his violin studies under Dr. Li- mor Toren-Immerman, Artistic Director of the Fresno State Vi olin & Viola Festival, and or chestral conducting studies un der Dr. Thomas Loewenheim, conductor of the Fresno State Christopher Clark Symphony Orchestra and Pro fessor of Conducting & Cello Studies. Christopher is cur rently employed by the Fresno Unified School District as Di rector of Instrumental Music at Wawona School K-8 where he conducts the string orches tra and symphonic band. He also teaches courses in piano, guitar, choir, and percussion. He has successfully established the music program at Wawona as one of the leading programs in the city of Fresno. Christo pher has been honored by the Fresno Unified School District as a two-time Excellence in Education Award finalist (2017 & 2024), a Faces of Fresno Unified Magazine featured ed ucator (emphasizing the impact that music has in developing the total person), and a Fresno Unified Highlight Award re cipient. In Fresno, Christo pher is a member of the violin coaching staff with the Youth Orchestras of Fresno and the Fresno Summer Orchestra Academy. Beginning the Fall of 2024, Christopher will serve in newly appointed positions as Orchestra Representative for the Fresno-Madera County Music Educators Association, New Horizons String Orches tra conductor, and professor at Clovis Community College, Clovis, CA. Christopher, his wife Issma, and their daugh ter Christin are long-standing supporters of the arts in Fresno and surrounding areas UJ > < CO 1st Lady Corine Ackerson- Jones and the S.ES.T.ER.S In Christ Women's Ministry of Thankful Missionary Baptist Church Invite you to our 3rd Annual Mind, Body, and Soul Women s Conference. StSTAS, WHY ARE WE SO M.A.D.? (MESSY, ANGRY, AND DISCOURAGED] PHILIPPIANS 4:2 Saturday, June 22 @ Sam Thankful Missionary Baptist Church 820 MLK, JR. BLVD. REGISTRATION STARTS: MAY 20 - JUNE 10 SCAN THE QR CODE TO REGISTER COST: $45 INCLUDES LUNCH Featured Guest Presenter: Dr. Chantrls© Sims Holliman, award-winning former educator, author, speaker, and 1st Lady of St. Phillip AME Church [INFORMATION: 912.2344810 ACKERSON JONES@GMAIL.COM CARVER' STATE BANK L . f i -B fc.jF' I ■ £/ % S» 1 1 EjnEy W m. r Carver is a financial leader because ofthe efficient service provided by dedicated professional bankers. 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