Atlanta / Greater Georgia Alumni Chapter

Recipient: Mr. Charles Mobley
Graduation Year: 1949
Discipline: Education
Nominated by: Charles Bolden / The Atlanta/Greater Georgia Alumni Chapter

After receiving his Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Florida Memorial University, formerly Florida Normal and Industrial Memorial College, Mr. Mobley continues his pursuit for academic excellence by obtaining his Master’s Degree from Atlanta University. His desire to infuse our youth with the same love for learning led him to a career as a distinguished educator in the Georgia Public School System before joining the faculty of Albany State University. Following an illustrious tenure there he was named as Professor Emeritus.

Since the inception of the Atlanta/Greater Georgia Alumni Chapter Mr. Mobley has proven to be a staunch supporter of this chapter as he consistently exposes the virtues and uniqueness of Florida Memorial University to young people and encourage them to attend his alma mater. Although he lives approximately two hours from Atlanta he routinely attends chapter meetings. He also works diligently to encourage fellow alumni to get involved with their alumni chapter by writing letters of encouragement and praise to keep their spirit up.

Mr. Mobley is a proud Florida Memorial University graduate and is consistent in his financial support of both his chapter and the National Alumni Association.

Central Florida Alumni Chapter

Recipient: Mrs. Marjorie Woodley - Haley
Graduation Year: 1965
Discipline: Elementary Education
Nominated by: Estelle Taylor / The Central Florida Alumni Chapter

Mrs. Haley’s career was as a committed and dedicated teacher in the Orlando (FL) Public School System which spans more than three decades. She served as stellar teacher at the Lake Como Elementary School until her retirement. She not only educated her Lake Como pupils but she was and remains a consummate recruiter of students for her alma mater. During her career as a teacher she also labored tirelessly in service to her community and church; and following her retirement community service became synonymous with Mrs. Haley. Presently, she is an active member of the Central Florida Alumni Chapter where she focuses much of her attention as scholarship fundraiser for her alma mater as well as serving as a former Chairperson at her school for the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). Aside from her fundraising efforts for the UNCF she is the Chairperson for the L. Claudia Allen Scholarship Fund. Her other community service endeavor is the Christian Service Center for the Homeless.

Because of her love for our children, Mrs. Haley can often be found working as a substitute teacher and when the opportunity affords she volunteers as a mentor with the youth of Mt. Zion Baptist Church where she worships and sings in the choir. She also spearheads Mt. Zion’s involvement in the University’s Annual Donation Day.

North Dade Alumni Chapter

Recipient: Dr. Patricia A. Grimsley
Graduation Year: 1969
Discipline: English
Nominated by: Judy J. Barnes / North Florida Alumni Chapter

Following her graduation from Florida Memorial University, formerly Florida Memorial College, Dr. Grimsley took her first step toward fulfilling her dream of becoming a Principal and School Administration as she began her teaching career in the Miami-Dade Public School System as an English instructor. Her thirst for education is supported by the fact that after working thirty years as a public school teacher, principal and district administrator, she obtained her Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership.

As a dedicated educator, Dr. Grimsley insists on making opportunities to encourage young people about the values of higher education. In her community and church she constantly touts her alma mater as an institution which will provide educational opportunities second to none. Although she has retired from the public school system she continues to be force in the lives of our youth as she works part-time with the National Institute for Educational Options/Florida School Choice Resource at Nova Southeastern University.

Dr. Grimsley through her church has been a force and major contributor its participation in the University’s Donation Day, and she consistently supports her alma mater with her fiscal gifts. Recently she became a contributor to the Judy J. Barnes Scholarship Fund. Presently, she is coordinating with Judy J. Barnes to encourage memberships of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority to contribute annually to this scholarship fund.

North Dade Alumni Chapter

Recipient: Margaret Porter-Hall
Graduation Year: 2004
Discipline: Interdisciplinary Studies
Nominated by: LaWanda Williams / North Dade Alumni Chapter

Mrs. Hall is a twenty-eight year career employee of Miami-Dade County; however, her thirst for her educational goal was instrumental in her returning to Florida Memorial University to obtain her degree.

Mrs. Hall’s commitment and dedication to Florida Memorial University was evident prior to her graduation as she worked diligently with the North Dade Alumni Chapter in promoting and securing signatures which paved the way for the University to get its State Auto Tag. Since receiving her degree she has been an eager supporter of her alma mater by volunteering in various capacities. Upon realizing that the North Dade Alumni Chapter was on the verge of becoming a dormant chapter she immediately stepped forward to act as the Interim Chairperson and garner support for her dream for an active North Dade Chapter. Mrs. Hall leads by her example and she challenges her fellow alumni to do more in support of their alma mater, i.e., she has supported the University with her finances and her time and she constantly seeks qualified students to recruit.

Aside from her joy and pride in seeing her alma mater grow and prosper Mrs. Hall finds the opportunity to be an active member of St. Matthews United Free Will Baptist Church and she involved in several community service programs. She has received several commendations for her community service work; and presently she is serving as the President of the Greater Miami chapter of Florida Women in Government and as Director of the Southeast District; and she Life Member of NAACP.

Washington , D.C. Alumni Chapter

Recipient: Alvin S. Delaney, Jr.
Graduation Year: 1971
Discipline: Urban Studies
Nominated by: Walter O. Weatherington / Washington, D.C. Alumni Chapter

Mr. Delaney upon receiving his degree embarked on a career in Miami-Dade County in the area of public service where he is currently is serving as Director of the Resource Management Division of the County’s Community Action Agency. He has served more than three decades in service to the residents of Miami-Dade County and the State of Florida. Mr. Delaney is also the Assistant Pastor of the Holy Spirit Ministries, Inc. and is a volunteer chaplain at the Everglades Correctional Institution.

Mr. Delaney is extremely proud to be an alumnus of Florida Memorial University and is quick to acknowledge that the educational opportunities provided by his alma mater proved to be the foundation for the success he has experienced in vocation and in service to his community and church. His dedication to Florida Memorial University is most notable in financial support and his self acclaimed role as an ambassador for his alma mater as he consistently proclaims the value of his education obtained here, as well as the values learned from faculty and staff as he recruits students and promotes Florida Memorial University whenever the occasion presents itself. Additionally, Mr. Delaney has demonstrated his love for this outstanding institution by stepping forward to participate in the Alumni “Talented Tenth” which is a scholarship fund. Additionally, he is always available when he is needed.

President’s Fountain of Excellence Special Recognition

Recipient: Lieutenant Colonel Norma Ely
Graduation Year: 1986
Major: Aviation Science
Nominated by: Office of Alumni Affairs

Since earning her baccalaureate in Aviation from her beloved alma mater in 1986, Lt. Col. Norma Ely has distinguished herself as a courageous member of the U.S. Army. Her notable military exploit was her recent deployment in Iraq where while in Iraq she was she served as a Battalion Commander. As a result of her outstanding service where she mobilized her Support Operations Directorate to Iraq and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on March 8, 2004. Also, she was selected by the 13th COSCOM Chief of Staff and Commander of the 300th Area Support Group to become the Battalion Commander of the 77th Corps Support Provisional Battalion at CSC Scania.

Lieutenant Colonel Ely, a 1986 graduate of Florida Memorial College was one of the first two graduates to earn a B.A. in the Aviation Science Program.  LTC Ely was the second Florida Memorial College student commissioned to Second Lieutenant in the United States Army, and she was the first female student to attain this distinction.

Lieutenant Colonel Ely has been an Air Traffic Control Specialist with the Federal Aviation Administration for the past twenty years.  She has worked in both the Terminal and Flight Service options and is currently assigned to the Potomac TRACON in Warrenton, Virginia. 

We are all pleased to have Norma back safely in the US, and we are extremely proud of her service for her country and the people of Iraq!