Alumni Update Alumni establishes scholarship foundation

resources to attend their alma mater. In return we requested that students study hard, participate in volunteer campus activities, dream big and achieve their career goals.

Dear Alumni and Friends;

WE DID IT! You are to be con- gratulated for exceeding the $25,000 James Hill Scholarship Fund chal- lenge. THANK YOU Central State University family!

Many alumni contributed to the James Hill Scholarship Fund to provide students with the financial

When I challenged our alumni dur- ing Homecoming 2009, to match my pledge I wasn’t sure if we would make it. We not only met our goal, we exceeded the goal—we raised over $100,000. What a pleasant sur- prise. Once again we stand united.

Alumni are a vital part of Central State’s recruitment efforts, as the one-on-one contact often inspires a student to become a Marauder.

Early Childhood Education major makes a difference

Even though Steven Mills considers himself to be “just” a kindergarten teacher at Dayton Boys Preparatory Academy, there is a lot to be said for this “Teacher of the Year.” Mills’

that rose,” says Mills after revealing his struggle with literacy. He was un- able to read until his ninth grade year. After being taken in by foster parents, both educators, he received the tools he needed to grow intellectually.

Steven Mills, ’08 continues to work on his dream of becoming a school principal and college professor.

journey was not a paved street; thus, he likens himself to a rose that grew from concrete. “Witnessing a rose grow from concrete is a rare, but, an extraordinary sight. I consider myself

14 CENTRAL STATE UNIVERSITY

After graduating with a 1.9 GPA, Mills did not know if he would at- tend college. However, after being urged by Paul Logan, a Central State Alumni, Mills enrolled. In 2008, Steven Mills, a once illiterate young black male statistic from the East Side of Cleveland, graduated from Central State University cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. As a result of his scholastic achievements at Cen- tral State University, Mills attended Miami University (Ohio) graduating with a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and a 3.9 GPA.

With his classroom motto “Anything, less than your best, is failure,” Mills has raised his quarterly assessment

score from 60% to 90% within one school year. He takes time to visit the neighbors in the community where his school is located; visit students and parents at home; and participates in community projects with his students on the weekends. Steven Mills, the self-proclaimed “rose that grew from concrete,” won’t just be teaching kindergartners at the Dayton Boys Preparatory Academy this fall; instead, he will be molding the next generation of scholars.

CSU graduate receives Columbus Music Educators award

Byron Lockett ’89 music education graduate is one of the winners of the 14th Annual Columbus Symphony Music Educator awards. Winners were selected for their dedication to influence the lives of Central Ohio citizens through music education. Byron teaches elementary school at Ecole Kenwood French Immersion Schools, Columbus, Ohio.

Supporting Central State University is supporting the future leaders in your neighborhood, your community, your state and your country.

Again, congratulations my fellow alumni, for making the “James Hill Scholarship Fund ” challenge a success.

Respectfully, James Hill, Jr.

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