Our Story
The birth of the Virginia Union University Metro Atlanta Alumni Chapter was perpetuated by the charge our beloved Alma Mater issues to each of its graduates. As alumni you are to “ E E’R Revere The Cause For Which It Stands and to be a Majestic Light, that will send Rays Throughout The Land.”
The remembrance of the Cause and responsibility of being a Majestic Light ignited in local Atlanta alumni Rev. Arthur Williams ’24, Ms. Daisy Bibbs ’34, Ms. Laverne Beavers ’37, Rev. G. Murray Branch ’38, and Mr. & Mrs. William D. Reese, the desire to become our earliest contributors to the University.
Their contributions spearheaded an attempt, in 1980 and 1981, by Dr. Betty Clark and Mr. Marshall Reese to start a local Atlanta Alumni chapter. However, it was not until 1983 that a group of Virginia Union University Alums formed an Alumni Chapter in the Atlanta Metropolitan area. It was the following year, 1984, that the first officers were installed. They were Moses L. Stith, President, Rev. James Shumake, Vice President, Claudia Stith, Recording Secretary, Dorothy T. Lassiter, Corresponding Secretary, Marshall Reese, Treasurer and Rev. John H. Cross, Chaplain.
Dr. Betty Clark became the 2nd President of the Atlanta Alumni Chapter and served from 1985 to 1993. It was during Dr. Clark’s presidency that the Virginia Union University Concert Choir performed at Green Forest Baptist Church in Decatur, Georgia,1985 and Friendship Baptist Church in College Park, GA, 1986 & 1987.
John McCall became the 3rd President of the Atlanta Alumni Chapter serving faithfully with support from his wife, Geneva, from 1993 to 2003. It was during Mr. McCall’s tenure as President that the Atlanta Alumni Chapter hosted the 8th Biennial National Alumni Convention and the Virginia Union University Metro Atlanta Alumni Chapter was officially chartered along with the Alumni Chapter’s name being changed to the Virginia Union University John H. Cross Metro Atlanta Alumni Chapter. It was also with Mr. McCall at the helm, 1995 – 1996, that the local Atlanta Alumni Chapter was honored by the University and designated as giving the largest per capita of any Virginia Union University Alumni Chapter.
Catherine Brackett became the 4th President and served from 2004 to 2007. It was Cathy’s leadership and vision for the chapter that forged an alliance with other local HBCU Alumni and partnership with (AIAC) Atlanta Inter-Alumni Council which still remains to date. It has been the partnership and alliance with these two organizations that has afforded the local Virginia Union University Alumni Chapter fundraising opportunities and College Fair exposure.
Patricia Harris became the 5th President serving from 2007 to 2011. In, June 2008, the local alumni chapter took pause to give recognition and celebrate the Founders of the Virginia Union University Metro Atlanta Alumni Chapter. The following year, June 2009, local Atlanta Alumni hosted the 11th Biennial National Alumni Convention. Continued representation at the various College Fairs and participation in Mayor Shirley Franklin’s Youth Program saw enrollment in Virginia Union from the Atlanta Metro area increase from 10 to 21 students.
Pamela Johnson became the 6th President in 2011 and served until 2013. In 2011, Pamela initiated the Honoring the Heritage Weekend and received a proclamation from the state of Georgia declaring the last weekend of August Virginia Union University weekend.
Barbara McNeil became the 7th President in 2013 and served until 2017. Barbara continued the Heritage Weekend activities and our commitment to recruitment. In April 2014 the Alumni Chapter hosted its first Annual Awards Banquet.
Chandra Winford became the 8th President of the Alumni Chapter (July 2017). Chandra continued the Alumni Chapter’s activities such as the Awards Brunch, participation/partnership with the Atlanta HBCU Alumni Alliance, 5K Run/Walk and HBCU Mixer.
Terri Harmon became the 9th President of the chapter on July 1, 2021.