Student Spotlight
Ayinde Chism
Our New Student Tuskegee Airman at Holiday Party
Bay Area senior Ayinde Chism passed his Check-Ride flight on Monday, November 25th, 2019. He is officially a pilot licensed to fly single-engine planes. Does anyone have travel plans? Congratulations to Ayinde who continues to represent Tuskegee excellence!!
Ayinde's mother, Marilyn Chism, sent us the following wonderful news!!!
I wanted to let you all know that Ayinde, along with four other cadets, was accepted into the Air Force's coveted two-year undergraduate pilot program. Ayinde and two other students will train to fly Air Force jets; the other two young men will fly Air Force planes. I am attaching some photos of Ayinde preparing for his solo flight as part of obtaining his private pilot's license.
We are so proud of all of these young men! They are the next generation of Tuskegee Airmen.
Mikayla Johnson
Student Spotlight
Hello everyone. I am a junior animal science major at the illustrious Tuskegee University. August 12, 2016 has special meaning to me for several reasons. Not only was it my 18th birthday, but it was the day that my Tuskegee experience began. As I set foot on the beautiful campus I believed God allowed me to plant a seed. From that day forward my life was changed for the better. At first , I was shy, nervous, and terrified from being so far away from home. I struggled to adapt to the southern culture because there were so many differences. As I planted my seed on campus I knew it would take time to grow. Throughout my first semester of freshman year my seed began to blossom. I joined many organizations on campus such as the Marching Crimson Piper Band, community service committee and the pre-veterinary medicine club. These organizations allowed me to grow as a person. I came out of my comfort zone and learned all about Mother Tuskegee.
Since 2016, Tuskegee has taught me many networking, leadership, and communication skills. These new skills have allowed my seed to keep blossoming each year. In 2016, I became a pre-veterinary medicine scholar. This has allowed me to network with many Tuskegee veterinarians. In 2017, I was honored to be on the Dean’s List. This year, I received an amazing ten week summer internship opportunity at South Dakota State University where I was a resident assistant and conducted research on the effect of volatile fatty acids on ruminant digestion in dairy cattle. I was able to apply what I learned in all of my animal science classes this semester.
After graduating from Tuskegee University, I plan to attend Veterinary school and become a mixed animal practice veterinarian. I am very thankful for BATAC and my amazing Tuskegee experience and will continue to grow my seed.
Taurus Thompson
BS, Animal Science
Thank you BATAC for the congratulations. I will be moving to Georgia to work for Perdue Farms Inc. as an Operations Supervisor. I have enjoyed the fellowship and meeting different Alumni. I appreciate the gift cards because they helped me with books, as well as my graduation gown! I truly love the family oriented group and I will definitely be involved in an alumni club in Georgia and when I come to California to visit.
Tuskegee has taught me that giving back continues the cycle of getting our youth into Tuskegee and keeps Tuskegee University up and running. Thank you all for everything! It is amazing to see the effect Tuskegee has had on students and alumni from Oakland.
Sequoia Ellis
BS, Political Science
I want BATAC to know that their most gracious act was much appreciated and it truly helped to change my life. After losing my Achievement Scholarship for my last semester, I was left with a steep tuition deficit. I informed BATAC of my situation and they took a chance on me!
Thanks to BATAC, I completed my BS in Political Science! But wait, there's more! I finished this semester with a 3.5 GPA, having 19 hours and still serving on SGA! I also accepted an internship at the San Francisco Maritime National Park and will work there full-time until I begin law school next fall. I plan to be an active member of BATAC to help ensure other students finish strong as well.
Jade Finch
Tuskegee Vet Med Scholar Lands Internship at Oakland Zoo
Jade Finch, a Batac Scholarship recipient and junior Animal Science major at Tuskegee, has been awarded an internship at the Oakland Zoo this summer, a first for a Tuskegee Animal Science/Vet Med major. The Oakland Zoo is one of the premier zoos in the country, having won numerous awards for conservation and animal care. Jade will be working alongside Dr. Andrea Goodnight, Associate Veterinarian at the Zoo's new hospital.
Earlier this summer, Jade was selected by her College to visit 6 agriculturally based industries including FFA Headquarters, DowAgro, Elanco, Cargill, Royal Canin and Pigs Improvement Company. It has been fascinating to follow Jade's academic progress. Your scholarship donations make it possible for talented students like Jade to matriculate at Tuskegee.
Jade Finch, BS, Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine
A special thank you to BATAC! It has been a tremendous help to my success at Tuskegee University. BATAC has been generous with their financial assistance which was always appreciated! They were very instrumental in leading me to my first ever internship last summer at the Oakland Zoo. This was a phenomenal eye opening experience! BATAC is extremely active, caring, and supportive of students. They never cease to amaze me with all they do! They keep us connected with one another as well as with alumni with networking and communication.
As a Cum Laude graduate, I plan to continue my education by getting my M.S. in Animal Nutrition and later my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. Without the help of BATAC I would not be where I am today and I could not be more thankful!
Kendra Edozie
MS, Occupational Therapy
I was first introduced to the Bay Area Tuskegee Alumni Club through the late Carl Ray, Tuskegee alum and recruiter in the Bay Area. Little did he know, that he was exposing me to one of the greatest gifts to accompany my Tuskegee University experience. Tuskegee University recruits many students from California, however, the number of students from the Bay Area comprises a small niche. Being a part of such an organization has allowed me to build connections that go beyond the events hosted in California. They carry over to the campus away from home. I am a firm believer that individuals simply just do not arrive at points in their lives without influential people to assist them along their journey. I am so thankful for the influential people within BATAC who have assisted me in reaching such a wonderful accomplishment. I am currently completing my occupational therapy clinical rotations at a pediatric clinic in San Jose. After I pass my state licensing exam, I look forward to exploring employment opportunities in a pediatric outpatient or rehab facility specializing in interfacing with children with disabilities or athletes in the Bay Area.
Jeffrey B. Robinson, Jr.
Student Spotlight
effrey is a sophomore in Tuskegee's Robert R. Taylor School of Architecture and Construction Science. This summer he has an internship getting hands on experience with C&M Construction Company. He has been recommended by his professors to apply for the Summer Institute in Classical Architecture in New York City next summer. His goal is to someday be CEO of his own architectural firm.
Jefferey would like to thank the Bay Area Alumni Club for the bookstore scholarship that helped him purchase studio tools and supplies.
