by David Chapman
Staff Writer
Big results, bigger goals for EWC
Much like a group of ducks gliding on a pond, to the unknowing it might seem as if things aren’t in motion at Edward Waters College.
But, as President Dr. Claudette Williams analogizes, look under the water and one will see those ducks — just like Edward Waters — are busy kicking, paddling and setting things in motion.
“We’re on our way and working,” she said, smiling.
Much has changed in and around campus since Williams was inaugurated to lead the city’s historically black college last March. During the event, CSX CEO, Chair and President Michael Ward bestowed a $1 million personal donation to the college, with much of the funds going toward overall campus and quality of life improvements that are now evident.
“His generous gift has gone a long way,” said Williams, “and we’ve been able to improve many things that were needed.”
Roof repairs to two dormitories and an academic hall, equipment for the school’s weight room and band equipment and uniforms are near completion or finished. The band improvements were on full display when the school was invited to participate in a battle of the bands competition in Atlanta in January. The achievement and pride of taking the field for the school in new attire and song still makes Williams beam.
The beautification of the campus is something that is still taking place, as many new plants and trees were donated by restaurant company Darden, based in Orlando.
Revamped tennis courts and outdoor volleyball facilities have been completed A new outdoor basketball court is on the horizon. A second-story cafeteria in the Student Life Building will debut later this month, complete with flat-screen TVs and additional amenities and improved qualities of life and resources for students.
“They haven’t had them (such amenities) in a long, long time,” said Williams.
While her work in continuing the school’s on-campus metamorphosis is time consuming, it’s her off campus efforts in networking and establishing relationships through her second year that she hopes pay future dividends. She’s on the board for several nonprofits such as Jacksonville Community Council Inc., Girl Scouts of Gateway Council, YMCA of Florida’s First Coast along with others, and said each commitment is important.
It’s those allies within the community and influential circles that will help further her vision — a broader focus about which she’s adamant.
“This institution is not just sitting in the community,” she said. “It is the community.”
Her community focus is evident in the way she describes projects, such as a future joint clinic that will offer medical services to both the community and students or a police substation that will offer additional security for an area that, as she said in so many words, hasn’t always been exemplary.
It’s the projects in the works Williams couldn’t go into detail about that might have the biggest and longest lasting impact. Three, in particular, she teased that if even one came to fruition would be monumental.
“It would change the way the community sees Edward Waters College,” she said, smiling. “It will become a different school.”
The symbiotic partnerships and projects involving both the local community and outside businesses alike continue to move forward and could be announced — if all goes well — before the end of the year.
“Things don’t happen overnight,” she said, on working with numerous parts. “Unfortunately, they just don’t.”
Things also don’t happen without money, she admitted, and while the economy has affected the school, progress is still being made.
“Like everyone else, we lost money,” she said.
The surprising growth is a result of her staff’s resiliency, ability to engage in best sustainable practices and fiscal belt tightening, even though some of the casualties came in the form of offered scholarships.
“It’s tough, because 99.9 percent of our students need financial assistance for school,” she said.
Students began classes several weeks ago and enrollment has remained steady at around 850 students. Along with their new amenities, has come a new requirement, as students are now required to perform community service hours to graduate.
On the academic side, six areas of study were eliminated and will soon be replaced by additional undergraduate and graduate programs. They’ve yet to be announced, but one area Williams discussed was her desire to further the school’s green sciences.
Along with the new students on campus, the administration also has a few new faces who will help Williams advance the college’s goals, or as Williams describes them, as “hard working individuals willing to roll up their sleeves.”
Much like the ducks paddling along the pond in the right direction, Williams hopes the efforts under the radar will soon be rewarded — and the campus, community and Jacksonville will see them flying high.
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