First Lady of Livingstone College Presented Key to the City of Salisbury, North Carolina

by 05/04/2018

Dr. Faleese Moore Jenkins, second from left, the First Lady of Livingstone College, is presented with a Key to the City by Salisbury Mayor Al Heggins, left. Joining in the presentation are Jenkins’ daughters, from left, Attorney Ginger Cartwright and Dr. Lisa Lopez.

SALISBURY, NC – Dr. Faleese Moore Jenkins, the first lady of Livingstone College, admitted that it’s hard to pull a surprise on her. But on Monday, she got one of the biggest shockers of her life.

During a Sorority Luncheon on the school’s campus, Salisbury Mayor Al Heggins read a proclamation proclaiming April 30, 2018, as Dr. Faleese Moore Jenkins Annual Sorority Day. Following the announcement, Heggins presented Jenkins with a Key to the City.

“I am just overwhelmed, humbled, surprised and appreciative that the mayor would think about me to present such a cherishable token,” Jenkins said. “When I travel – and travel abroad – I will tell them about this.”

Awarding Keys to the City is up to the discretion of the mayor, Heggins said. “Dr. Faleese Moore Jenkins meets the criteria of someone who does outstanding work, one who is a collaborator and someone who is doing everything to enhance our community and bring different voices together.”

Heggins presented the award with Jenkins’ daughters, Attorney Ginger Cartwright and Dr. Lisa Lopez, by her side.

Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins, Sr., Livingstone College president, said he is extremely proud of his wife and the honor bestowed upon her. “She is the wind beneath my wings and is deserving of the accolades for her great service to the Salisbury community and the impact she has on our students.”

The event was the third annual First Lady’s Sorority Luncheon, which was started by Terri Stevenson, associate vice president of Student Affairs for Livingstone College, who enlisted the help of Dr. Faleese Moore Jenkins to garner support for the initiative. Jenkins now serves as honorary chair.

There are nine historically black Greek letter organizations known as the Divine Nine, which are members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Represented at the annual luncheon were four-member sororities: Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Zeta Phi Beta and Sigma Gamma Rho.

Jenkins, who is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, told the young scholars at the luncheon that they may represent different sororities, “but we have our common causes, no matter what your colors are. We either stay together as one or fall apart.”

She spoke about the importance of being kind today. “No matter how hard you try, it’s difficult to forget someone who is kind to you. Some people may mistake your kindness for weakness, but it takes strength to be kind,” she said.

In her remarks, Heggins told the ladies to use their positions to lift up others. Ask yourselves, “Am I cute?” Cute, she said, is an acronym for Courageous, Uniquely you (and understanding), Talents and Enterprising.

After the program, the sorority members marched to the Blue Bear Plaza on campus to release teal and purple balloons in observance of April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and to make a donation to the Family Crisis Council of Rowan County.

 


About Livingstone College

Livingstone College, founded and supported by the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, is a private historically black institution located in Salisbury, N.C. Through a Christian-based environment suitable for learning, it provides excellent liberal arts and religious education programs for students from all ethnic backgrounds designed to develop their potential for leadership and service to a global community. For more information, visit www.livingstone.edu.

 

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