May 2018


www.hamptonroadsmessenger.com


NSU Family Member Dr. Sandra DeLoatch Dies


The Hampton Roads Messenger 15


Retired Educator Rev. George Griffin Passes


Courtesy of Crocker Funeral Home Dr. Sandra DeLoach, a lifelong


resident of Suffolk, Virginia, was born in Nansemond County. She was the fifth child of the late David W.


DeLoatch, Sr. and Essie M.


DeLoatch. Dr. DeLoatch graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 1967. She received a B.S. degree in mathematics


(Magna Cum


Laude) from Howard University and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. She earned graduate


degrees in


mathematics and computer science and attended University of Michigan (M.A.), Indiana University (Ph.D.), and The College Mary (M.S.)


of William and


Dr. DeLoatch joined Norfolk State University (NSU) in 1972 as a mathematics


founding Science


of the College


subsequently held many positions including Computer Dean of


the Engineering


professor, but Chair


Department, of


Science, and Technology and


acting university President. She last served as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs before retiring in February 2017. She has broken many barriers in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering


and


Mathematics (STEM). Dr. DeLoatch has been an innovator, collaborator, champion and distinguished leader. She was one of the University’s most charitable donors, having been inducted into the Lyman Beecher Brooks Society in March 2015 for giving more than $100,000 to the institution.


made to


Through the years, Dr. DeLoatch extraordinary


the science, engineering


contributions and


technology fields. She championed programs, on and off campus, that have encouraged women, girls and minorities to enter scientific fields.


She achieved many “firsts” during her career including serving as the Principal Investigator for one of the first two research contracts ever awarded to an HBCU by the National Security Agency (NSA). Her pioneering efforts in information assurance and computer science laid the groundwork for NSU’s emerging prowess and success in Cybersecurity.


Dr. DeLoatch administered more


than $50 million in external funding for computer science and mathematics research and educational projects from agencies such as the National Science Foundation, Atmospheric


National Oceanic and Administration, NASA


Langley Research Center, Department of Defense (National Security Agency), Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Education, Department of Energy and others. She also authored research articles, reports.


Dr. DeLoatch was revered by her peers, colleagues, students, the community


Her awards include


NAACP (Norfolk) Trailblazer Award, YWCA Woman of Distinction Award, Information


Scouts and Lambda Gamma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Sorority.


and her beloved Girl Alpha


the Technology Executive


Ivory Dome Achievement Award, and the Virginia Association of Educational Office Professionals Administrator of the Year, among others. As a Girl Scout, she received many recognitions. Those included three sponsored by Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast: Woman of Distinction Award, Famous Former and the Dorothy Barber


Achievement Award. She also received two Girl Scout national awards – Thanks


Badge and Thanks Badge


II. In recognition of her substantial contributions to STEM initiatives


Courtesy of JT Fisher Funeral Services


George Redden Griffin was born April 24, 1939 in Pantego NC to the late Leroy and Mary Alice Griffin. He is the second of six children. George attended


Beauford County Public textbooks, and technical


Schools for the Colored community. He graduated from high school in 1957. He graduated from Elizabeth City State Teacher’s College in 1963. He was a student teacher at Beauford County High School. He married the late Mary Ann Waters Griffin in 1962 and from their union, 4 children were born. He started his teaching career in Suffolk, VA. In 1968, George accepted a teaching position in the Portsmouth VA Public School System and he moved his family to Cavalier Manor. After settling in Portsmouth, George continued his education. He attended William and Mary College in 1966, Old Dominion University (Masters in Education) 1972, Old Dominion University (Advance Study in Education Administration)


1982,


and Virginia Union University School of Theology 1996 and Tidewater Community College 2005.


George taught at I.C. Norcom High School, Harry Hunt Jr. High School, and Churchland


Middle


School. He was the head of the Science


Department Lifetime at Churchland


Middle School. George teaching career expanded over 39 years and he retired from Churchland Middle School in 2002. During the course of his career, George received numerous awards and certificates to include but not limited to; Churchland Junior High School


Outstanding Service School & Community (1979-80), Science


Educator of the Year in 1991, Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) Life Member Award 2009 and 2014 Golden Service Award (Portsmouth Alumni Chapter of ECSU.


George was a deacon at Zion


Baptist Church, Chesapeake, VA. He received his licensed to preach the gospel in January 1997. Reverend George Griffin was an Associate Minister at New Baptist Church Taylorsville, Portsmouth, VA.


George volunteered in


the community for a variety of organizations. He cut and donated firewood, tutored, and built handicap ramps for the elderly. He worked the election polls. He was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Elizabeth City State University National Alumni Association, Association (AARP).


Inc. and for Retired During his marriage


American People


to the


late Mary Ann Waters Griffin, 4 children were born; Angelo Griffin (Cassandra) of Petersburg, VA, Sharon Griffin Nichols (Milton) of Chester, VA, Gwendolyn Griffin Goodwyn (Daryl, Sr.) of Portsmouth, VA, and Maria Griffin Lowery (Deshun, Sr.) of McDonough, GA. He has 15 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchil- dren. He has 4 brothers Theodore Griffin, Sr, the late William Brantley Griffin, Melvin Griffin, Sr., Horace Griffin, Sr. and one sister, Lossie Griffin Davis and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and colleagues.


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