Giving To Sojourner-Douglass College
"President's Message"

I have spoken at length on many occasions about the importance of a college in partnership with the community. As you may gather, community partnerships is something about which I am truly passionate; and Sojourner-Douglass College, a community-controlled institution that I have been proud to lead since its inception has been an integral part of the community for over 34 years. As I meet with alumni and community and business leaders, I am reminded time and time again of the impact that Sojourner-Douglass College and its students and alumni are making on the community. I have been told by many that Sojourner-Douglass developed their analytical abilities, self confidence, will power, goal setting competencies, and instilled in them the vision that enabled them to become self-motivating agents of social change, serving the best interests of the community. Some have offered that Sojourner-Douglass College transformed and even resurrected their lives.

This is what captures our imagination and inspires our devotion and commitment. To provide students a learning model to aid them in increasing their capacity for self-development and self-expression, and facilitate their engagement in effective social action as members of the world community, is our goal.

This is the character of Sojourner-Douglass that we cherish and wish to preserve. We want to continue to make the investments necessary to provide the highest quality educational experience we can. This requires attracting the best faculty in their fields who are also practitioners to support the applied aspect of our academic programs.

Our commitment to financial assistance to needy students must remain strong, and our ability to provide financial aid must be strengthened. We must provide our students and the community access to modern technology for research, and cutting edge academic programs that fosters growth and learning, and community development. To me, education is a key factor in shaping the social and economic health of our community.

This vision and mission requires support from those upon whom Sojourner-Douglass College's future and the development of our community rest. It is essential that together we work to preserve the character, strength, and integrity of one of the world's most unique, community-controlled institution of higher education.

Charles W. Simmons, Ph.D.
President
Sojourner-Douglass College