Page 10 - Florida Sentinel 4-27-18

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Tampa Native Valerie Wilson Reed To Be Honored By Her University
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
Tampa native Valerie Wilson Reed will be one of several alumni and friends who will be honored this week- end by Marquette University. They will be guests of National Awards Weekend, April 26-28, and will be honored for their personal achievements and support of the university.
Mrs. Reed will receive the “Service To Marquette Award,” and will be recognized on Sat- urday night during the black- tie event.
Mrs. Reed is no stranger to this event. She knows just how it works as she has only missed one (2017) in the past 17 years. She has watched oth- ers get recognized and now it’s her turn.
“I am so honored and very excited,” she said, while preparing for the trip. “These events are so inspirational. It’s so wonderful to see alumni get recognized for what they have done in the community and for the university,” she said.
The inspiration she re-
MRS. VALERIE WILSON REED
ceived has spilled over to oth- ers. She has recruited 10 stu- dents to attend the university, two of them from Tampa – Shirley J. Foxx, her second recruit, a resident of Boston and Theo Baden. Her first recruit is in management with the Chicago Bulls.
“Oh yes, I stay in touch with all of them. If I don’t con- tact them, they’re calling me to let me know how they’re doing or for advice and I help as much as I can. I understand some of the recruits will be there this weekend, Shirley is one of them. And, they’ve told
Mrs. Reed is one of 6 that will receive special awards.
plained. “I saw snow for the first time October 31, 1975. I remember that so vividly.”
Her daughter, Francesca had no choice in the college she’d choose – she had been on the campus of Marquette so much, until she felt right at home when it was time for her to go away to college. She graduated from the College of Communications in 2014.
Mrs. Reed, who resides in Chicago, is often on the cam- pus of Marquette. She was just there Monday for the Women and STEM event. That’s when she learned that her picture had been posted on a Mar- quette marquee in the school’s union hall, pointed out by stu- dents.
Even though Mrs. Reed is dedicated to the service she gives to Marquette, her food and entertainment business, Valcooks, LLC keeps her busy.
Mrs. Reed is the wife of Tampa native, Reginald “Reggie” Reed, and the daughter of Mrs. Evelyn Jones Wilson and the late Atty. Charles Wilson.
me there’s a surprise, I’m ex- cited to see what that is,” she said with a chuckle.
As the former President of the university’s National Alumni Association (2010- 2011), Mrs. Reed said she traveled all over the country, met with alumni, families and community members.
“I wear my spirit gear every- where. So, when I’m out and about I’m often asked about the university, and I’m glad to share. Someone recently told me that my business venture is volunteering for Marquette.”
It’s ironic how Mrs. Reed
ended up at Marquette Univer- sity, a Catholic University. She and her brother, Federal Ap- peals Court Judge Charles “Chuck” Wilson, have Catholic schools backgrounds in Tampa.
“My parents told me I could go as far away to college as Chuck (who attended Notre Dame). I literally took a map, ruler and drew a line from Tampa to South Bend, Indiana. I told myself I’d go about 1⁄4” further and that’s how I wound up at Marquette, sight unseen,” she proudly ex-
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