Page 25 - The Scepter - Summer-Fall 2018

Top Teens of America
Vivien Coe Richards TTA Academy

2018 HBCU Tour – Visit 5
Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Alabama

Est. 1881
“Knowledge, Leadership, Service”

An air of excitement and anticipation surrounded the Top Teens as we approached the campus of Tuskegee Uni-
versity. The students had read about this historic institution and its rich legacy, but they really didn’t know what
to expect. The Admissions Department staff welcomed us to the campus and immediately summarized the histo-
ry of this great university. The campus tour included visits to the grave sites of Dr. Booker T. Washington and
Dr. George Washington Carver, the College of Engineering, the College of Arts and Sciences and the student cen-
ter. The Top Teens showed interest in some of the demonstrations that the award-winning Aerospace Science
Engineering Department performed. The staff informed them of potential career opportunities that are available
in aerodynamics, flight simulation, fluid mechanics, propulsion and structural dynamics among others. They em-
phasized the importance and the necessity of obtaining degrees in STEM to achieve these career goals. They were
enthralled with a video entitled “Heroes of the Air” about the infamous Tuskegee Airmen.
The highlight of the campus tour was a visit from members of Phi Boule of Tuskegee. Archons John Robinson,
Milton Davis, Hal Bentley and Aubrey Ford warmly greeted the Teens, took selfies and group photos and shared
encouraging words with them. These gentlemen are supporters of the Boule Foundation which provided the
TTA Academy with a $10,000 grant to support this HBCU tour. Each archon addressed the students and they
were encouraged to attend a HBCU, preferably Tuskegee University, be passionate about life and their chosen
profession, have a good attitude, never to forget your family and after you “make it”, don’t forget to send the lad-
der back down. It was a remarkable experience for the Teens and the Top Ladies. Special kudos to the archons
of Phi Boule for caring and sharing and making the visit to Tuskegee University an extraordinary experience.

“Participation Is Our Foundation As Leaders of Tomorrow”