Profiles of Legacy


no surprise they kept it in the family and made Central State their choice. The Lister family consists of six Centralians and one current student, Mark Barton, a junior accounting major. One of the Lister’s daughters, Gigi Lister-Barton graduated in 1989, and three of his grandsons are graduates: Jeremy Toney ’16, Myles Barton ’14, and Kiel Barton ’17.


This past March, David Lister was inducted posthumously into the 2018 Alumni Achievement Hall of Fame, along with six other outstanding alumni. His grandson, Myles Barton, wrote in the nomination letter: “David Lister was a strong believer in Central State University and the dynamically solid education it provided... He passionately worked to influence and encourage his children and grandchildren to attend Central State University.”


Barton went on to say, “He always maintained a sense of pride for the opportunities that Central State University provided for him and his family members. As a result, he constantly worked to improve their lives, goals, and foundations.”


During his career, he worked at Manufacturers Hanover Trust, Beech-Nut®


, Chock full o’Nuts®


“No matter where you were from, we were family.”


and Johns Hopkins Hospital. He held many progressive and upwardly mobile executive positions including associate vice-chancellor at the University of Massachusetts, vice president for Human Resources at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, and deputy chief executive officer for Human Resources Management and Development for the Detroit Public Schools.


The last time David Lister was on campus was spring 2017 for his grandson Kiel’s graduation. He died later that year in November.


Mark Barton says his grandfather was excited when he told him that he had selected Central State. “That’s where he always wanted all of us to go. He was just so happy for me,” Barton says with a smile.


David Lister, CSU’s 2018 Alumni Achievement Hall of Fame Inductee


Central State prepared David Lister for more education and executive-level


David Lister’s Alumni Achievement Hall of Fame Award


positions. After graduating in 1962 with a BA degree in geography, he earned his Juris Doctor degree from Stetson University College of Law, St. Petersburg, Florida in May 1977. He was only the second black student to enroll in the law school. David Lister’s story was published in Florida’s First Law School: History of Stetson University College of Law. Additionally, David Lister earned a Certificate in Equal Opportunity & The Law from Cornell University in 1978.


Barton has followed in the footsteps of his brothers by getting involved on campus. This academic year, he was a residence advisor, treasurer of the Student African American Brotherhood Chapter, and


chief justice on the Student Government Association. And at homecoming this year, Barton assumed what might be his greatest role—representing the University as Mr. CSU. What would his grandfather think?


“I think he would probably never stop smiling,” he says.


,


7


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16