WSSU chancellor presents inaugural H.O.P.E. award and distinguished alumni honors at Founder’s Day Convocation
Winston-Salem State University’s Founder’s Day Convocation not only celebrated the institution’s proud legacy but also honored those shaping its future. Several distinguished alumni were recognized for their contributions, including the recipient of the inaugural Chancellor’s Legacy of H.O.P.E. award on Oct. 17 at the Benton Convention Center.
WSSU Chancellor Bonita Brown said the H.O.P.E. award recognizes alumni who have demonstrated an enduring commitment to Humanity, Opportunity Building, Partnership Development and Engaging the Future of WSSU, while exemplifying the values of leadership, service and excellence that define the Ram spirit.
Dr. Patsy O. Squire, Class of ’80, was named the inaugural awardee though she was unable to attend the program.
Squire earned her Bachelor of Science in early childhood education at WSSU, followed by a Master of Science in curriculum and instruction from Gardner-Webb University and a Ph.D. in educational leadership from Northcentral University.
She served the Winston-Salem Forsyth County School System as the executive director of the Title I program and was an adjunct professor at WSSU.
For nearly three decades, Squire opened her home and heart as a foster parent, mentoring countless children. She serves on the board of WS FLIP (Family Love & Involvement Program); holds a leadership role in the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc; is Alumni Spotlight chairperson for the WSSU National Alumni Association; is a member of the WSSU Board of Visitors; and was Scholarship Chair for the 2023 NC HBCU Living Legends Gala.
In September 2024, she and her husband, Ernest, established The Dr. Patsy O’Neal Squire and Mr. Ernest Squire, Jr. Endowed and Non-Endowed Scholarship Funds. For more than 23 years, she has given more than $15,000 in support of WSSU and continues as a sustaining member in the HORN$ Giving Society.
Simon Green Atkins Distinguished Alumnus Award
Dr. William U. Harris and Mrs. C. Estelle Harris are the 2025 recipients of The Simon Green Atkins Distinguished Alumni Award.
This award is the highest honor WSSU bestows upon its alumni. Named in honor of the university’s founder, the award recognizes alumni for their significant accomplishments in business, professional or personal life; for distinguished human service to their community, state or nation, and to the university or exemplary contributions to society that bring credit to the institution.
The Harris’ have devoted their lives to education, service and the betterment of communities for over six decades.
Dr. Harris earned his Bachelor of Science in elementary education from Winston-Salem State University, a Master of Science from Indiana University, and a Ph.D. from The Union Institute & University. He was as a teacher and principal in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School. He also served as chair of the WSSU Board of Trustees (2016-2019) and as chair of the Board of Visitors.
Mrs. Harris earned her Bachelor of Science in nursing from WSSU and served as a dedicated nurse for 25 years.
In 2010, they established The William U. and C. Estelle Harris Endowed Scholarship, ensuring that future generations benefit from higher education opportunities. The Harris family’s philanthropy spans three decades, with a lifetime giving total of $242,900, giving regularly to support their endowed scholarship.
Alumni Achievers
Chancellor Brown presented awards to seven alumni achievers for their professional and community service. They are nominated by WSSU alumni and departmental faculty and represent academic areas in the College of Arts, Sciences and Education; the College of Business and Entrepreneurship; and the School of Health Sciences.
Dr. Joevanné Estrada, Spanish, ‘05
Dr. Joevanné Estrada serves as executive director of academic engagement and director of the Center for Academic Success and Excellence at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte.
While at WSSU, she was captain of the Varsity Cheer Team and was selected for the prestigious Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program, which inspired her to pursue graduate study. After graduation, Estrada returned to WSSU as an academic instructor, athletics staff member and head cheer coach, leading a cultural renaissance in HBCU cheerleading. She redefined stomp-and-shake as both an art form and athletic discipline, establishing WSSU’s “Powerhouse of Red & White” as a national model and shaping what Ram Pride represents today.
A Morgan State University doctoral scholar, she co-founded UFIT, the first cheer and dance training company dedicated to stomp-and-shake, and is a member of the Gamma Phi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Dr. Sharon H. Porter, Elementary Education, ‘91
Dr. Sharon H. Porter has dedicated her career to public education, beginning in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and continuing with Prince George’s County Public Schools since 1995.
She has served as a classroom teacher, central office administrator, leadership development coach, assistant principal and is currently principal.
Porter earned two Master of Education degrees in curriculum and instruction and administration and supervision from National-Louis University and Johns Hopkins University, respectively, an Educational Specialist degree from Walden University and an Educational Doctorate from Howard University.
She is founder of Leadership SHP, which encompasses the Next In Line to Lead Aspiring Principal Leadership Academy and the New Principal Roundtable, programs designed to mentor emerging school principals. An award-winning educator and best-selling author, she also hosts “The I Am Dr. Sharon Show” and publishes “Vision & Purpose Lifestyle Magazine,” platforms that amplify educator and entrepreneur voices. She also created “The HBCU Experience Anthology Series.”
She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and an active leader in the National Association of Elementary Principals and the Maryland Association of Elementary School Principals.
Dr. John Burton, Jr., Mass Communications, ‘98
Dr. John Burton Jr. is founder of The Burton Group PR, where he has represented global brands including Disney, Saks Fifth Avenue, “The Los Angeles Times” and “The Howard Stern Show.”
Through his counseling practice, A Talk with John Counseling and Consulting, he helps clients bridge faith and mental health. A youth and children’s pastor at First Baptist Church-West in Charlotte, Burton previously served as an NBA chaplain for the Los Angeles Clippers.
He has served on numerous civic boards and considers himself an “unofficial recruiter” for WSSU, personally guiding future Rams to his alma mater. He was honored in the inaugural “40 Under 40 Alumni” class.
Burton will soon be inducted into the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. College of Ministers at Morehouse College.
Maria Howell, Biology, ‘83
Maria Howell is a celebrated actress, vocalist and voiceover artist whose nearly four-decade career spans television, film, theatre and music. She credits her alma mater with nurturing the discipline, confidence and faith that continue to guide her life and career.
Her screen credits include “Hidden Figures,” “The Resident,” and her recurring role as Tracy Tyler on CBS’s “Beyond the Gates.” As a professional vocalist and voiceover artist, she has narrated nine audiobooks by New York Times bestselling author, Kimberla Lawson Roby.
She has served for over 14 years on the Students Without Mothers Board of Directors and Advisory Board. She also serves with the James M. Dixon Foundation, Tosco Music and Ava’s Heart, advancing causes in Alzheimer’s and dementia research, music outreach and health, respectively.
She is a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Gastonia, where she shares her gifts through music and mentorship.
Keon M. Artis, Business Administration and Human Resources, ’15
Keon M. Artis works with R3 Government Solutions, supporting the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) in modernizing recruitment and promoting inclusive hirings.
He created the DCSA Ambassador Program and, in 2024, received the Glenn Hartung Integrity Award for his ethical leadership and service.
He earned his MBA from East Carolina University and achieved the Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) credential.
As president of Flood Family Foundation, a nonprofit founded by his family, Artis leads the We Are Ramily Scholarship, the Doris J. Flood Memorial Scholarship for HBCU-bound students, and Floodsgiving, which supports families in need during the holidays.
He is a WSSU “Forty Under 40” honoree and active member of the WSSU DC Alumni Chapter.
Major Victoria Williams, Healthcare Management, ‘13
Major Victoria Williams serves as a program manager with the Defense Health Agency, where she leads cloud migration projects that enhance the Military Health System’s capacity to deliver care.
She completed dual master’s degrees in health administration and health informatics at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, laying the foundation for a career in military medicine.
As a medical service corps officer in the United States Air Force, Williams has led critical healthcare, logistics and technology operations. From managing life-saving aeromedical evacuation missions at Scott Air Force Base and directing COVID-19 response teams in Charleston, SC, to serving as both chief financial officer and chief information officer at McConnell AFB. Her initiatives improved patient access by 55%, secured $1 million in new medical contracts, and earned top Air Force rankings for care access.
As an AmeriCorps VISTA, Williams developed STEM programs for minority and hospitalized youth. She mentors WSSU healthcare management students and advises campus organizations.
Dr. Racquel Richardson Ingram, Nursing, ‘96
Dr. Racquel Richardson Ingram serves as the founding dean of the Teresa B. Caine School of Nursing at High Point University, where she led the program to achieve full approval from the North Carolina Board of Nursing and a 100% NCLEX-RN pass rate for its inaugural class.
From humble beginnings in Cleveland Avenue Homes near campus, she went on to complete her Master of Science in nursing and doctoral degree at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Over her career, she has developed three North Carolina-based nursing programs and two RN-BSN options, creating pathways for both aspiring nurses and educators statewide.
As chair of the North Carolina Board of Nursing, Ingram plays a pivotal role in shaping policy and advancing professional standards across the state. Her research on health literacy and social determinants of health reflects her deep connection to underserved communities.
She was a 2024 recipient of the WSSU Alumni Foundation Simon G. Atkins Champion of Education Award. She has completed the National League for Nursing “LEAD” Leadership Program and serve as am AV Cockroft Nurse Fellow in Nursing Leadership.
She developed Camp FUN in 2023, which is an annual camp that mentors youth and expands access to healthcare education.
“Each honoree represents a different chapter of our story, but together they remind us that the spirit of Winston-Salem State University is alive and thriving through the lives they touch and the legacies they continue to build,” Brown said.
