WATAC – Washington Area Tougaloo Alumni Chapter

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MOTP Forever...

Don’t Stop the Spirit of Giving

Mississippi On the Potomac as we have known it, may be a sweet memory. So for this year, let’s replace our social gatherings with another example of social responsibility and show our love for our beloved institution and our community with the dollars that continue to support the students who will stand in for us, on our shoulders as we now stand on the shoulders of so many others.

Some may want to GIVE to Tougaloo 365 and that’s great! Others may want to DONATE at a level that corresponds with their favorite MOTP Event. Of course, the idea is to give so we can continue to support, build and perpetuate a spirit and culture that strengthens our village to contribute effectively to the global community. Please give to support scholarships at Tougaloo College. All funds will be donated to the General scholarship fund and WATAC Scholars and are tax deductible. Thanks for your generous spirit!

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Alumni Milestones – Congratulations to:

WATAC MAKING GREAT STRIDES

Each year the Washington Area Tougaloo Alumni Chapter strives to do more and give more. We are continuously growing and attracting dedicated alumni who are following the lead of our committed and stalwart founding alumni family members. We seek to fortify the foundation that they created by increasing participation, membership, partnerships and sponsorships for our beloved Tougaloo College. Every year is the Year of the Eagle Queen!!! WATAC eagerly welcomes the participation of our area Young Alums as they engage with the chapter to strengthen ties and build bridges. We strive to increase efforts towards WATAC being a true intergenerational organization contributing to the stability of our beloved alma mater.

From 1992 to present, Mississippi on the Potomac has been our signature event contributing over $700,000 to both Tougaloo College for General Scholarships and to the WATAC Scholars Program. We sincerely appreciate the sponsorship and participation from our Tougaloo family, friends, and supporters. WATAC awards scholarships to traditionally seven students, selected by the WATAC Scholarship Committee. This year we have six awardees. A scholarship of $1,000 is awarded to each of the scholars who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership and community service. WATAC is excited to congratulate the 2023-2024 WATAC Scholars.

Outstanding Highlights of the 2023-2024 WATAC Scholars

Raniah Bracelet

Hometown: Gulfport, Mississippi
Classification: Senior
Major: Mass Communication Major emphasis in Public Relations & Advertising
Organization Affiliations: Student Government Association, Senior Class Vice President, (TAMS); Tougaloo Ambassador Society, Tougaloo Cheerleader, Member of the Mass Communication Society
GPA: 3.6

Kevin Byrd

Hometown: Jackson, Mississippi
Classification: Senior
Major: Health and Recreation
Awards: Dean’s List every semester; WATAC Scholar; Tougaloo Honors Award
Organization Affiliations: Tougaloo NAACP member; Tougaloo Men’s Basketball; member Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
GPA: 3.5

Rokiyah Hobbs

Hometown: Greenville, Mississippi
Classification: Junior
Major: Political Science
Organization Affiliations: Student Government Association -Secretary, Reuben V. Anderson Pre-Law Society -Chaplin; Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity- Secretary; MAMA (Maternal Advocacy For Medical Access @Tougaloo)- Vice President; Provost List Scholar; Public Policy Scholar; HBCU Power To Decide Student Ambassador; Black Girl Vote Coalition @Tougaloo Leader.
GPA: 3.70

Carlyn Payton

Hometown: Greenwood, Mississippi
Classification: Sophomore
Major: Elemenrary Education
Organization Affiliations: National Honor Society, Chick Fila Leadership Academy Member; Founding Member of Mentoring for Girls, Inc. Leflore County P.E.A.R.L.S. Chapter President as well as currently serving as P.E.A.R.L.S. State President. The Inaugural Miss Greenwood Leflore Consolidated School District. Participates in the Tougaloo Sophomore Class Volunteer Events and Campus Involvement
GPA: 3.47

Carla Smith

Hometown: Hazlehurst, Mississippi
Classification: Senior
Major: Mass Communications with emphasis in Radio, Broadcasting and Television, Public Relations, Advertising, and Journalism
Organization Affiliations: Student Government Association (Parliamentarian) Tougaloo Ambassadors of Meritorious Scholars (SAC Representative), Mass Com. Society (Treasurer) the NAACP, Harambee Newspaper (Editor and Chief), Pre-Alumni Council (President), Womanhood, Residential Life (Residential Assistant), Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., and Alpha Delta Lambda Honor Society
GPA: 3.95

Antoinette Thigpen

Hometown: Hazlehurst, Mississippi
Classification: Junior
Major: Music Education
Organization Affiliations: Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, Pre-Alumni Council, Jackson Heart Study member, Hazlehurst High School Hall of Famer
GPA: 3.53

Andria Turner

Hometown: Clinton, Mississippi
Classification: Senior
Major: Biology (Pre-Dental)
Organization Affiliations: President, Gamma Psi Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Research Intern at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Intern at Reddix Medical Group (2022), National Honor Society, WATAC Scholar for 4years; Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, Attaché Show Choir, Clinton High School, Tougaloo Dance Team Co-Captain, Tougaloo Concert Choir Secretary, Pre-Alumni Council, Tougaloo Miss Senior Class; Jackson Free Clinic Ambassador, Volunteers at Mississippi Animal Rescue League
GPA: 3.35

Shopping at the WATAC Store.

WATAC is very excited about the last addition to the Tapestry Throw Row that rounded out the “trilogy”….The Tougaloo College Gate Tapestry Throw…Entrance to the “safe haven” evoking Equality, Freedom, Justice and Peace.

Thanks to many of you, the Woodworth Chapel Tapestry Throw and The Mansion Tapestry Throw continue to be WATAC “treasured keepsakes.” The store also offers: The Woodworth Chapel Ornament and The ArtLot (Mirian Gibson-Bowden).

Additionally, you may purchase the DVD, “An Ordinary Hero: The True Story of Tougaloo Alumni Joan Trumpauer Mulholland” by Loki Mulholland. This is an amazing true story of one white Southern woman’s courage to choose her convictions and join the Civil Rights Movement. Joan is an active member on “team WATAC”.

The restored Historic Robert O. Wilder Building…” The Mansion” is forever memorialized as a Tapestry! It has been a delight to hear the stories of “this is where I met my sweetheart for life” or “my first job was at the Mansion”. Capture those remembrances…. The Mansion Tapestry Throw, available in the WATAC Store. [click here to order]