Norma Ely grew up in Columbus, Ohio, where she graduated from Mifflin Sr. High School with the help and support of her minister, the late Rev. Varner at Advent Community Church. Rev. Varner helped her to obtain a $750 scholarship at Florida Memorial College (FMC) located in Miami, FL. Norma began to follow her dream as she boarded a plane with $50 in her pocket and became a 1986 graduate of now Florida Memorial University (FMU).

In 1982, the university was quite different. Norma had decided that she would return to Columbus Ohio but, it was what she heard at the Freshmen’s welcome ceremony that convinced her to stay.

President Willie Robinson said: “Our institution has the best money can buy, some from the University of Miami; you cannot get a better education than we offer here. We have provided you with the best educators so you will only get out of this institution what you put into it…nothing more and nothing less.”

Norma put all she had into her FMU education and got nothing but outstanding results — to this day.

Norma was one of the first two graduates to earn a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in the Aviation Science Program. She is the second Florida Memorial student commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in one of the best leadership courses in the country, the U.S. Army Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). She is the first female student to attain this distinction. She attended Strayer University in Suitland, Md., where she received her Master of Business Administration (MBA), in Human Resource Management.

Norma has been an Air Traffic Control Specialist with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) since she graduated from FMU, due to her internship with the FAA when she was a sophomore at FMU in 1983. She was hired by the FAA within 30 days after her graduation on April 27, 1986.

For the past 26 years, she has worked for the FAA at the following Air Traffic Organization’s Terminal Services air-traffic facilities: Opa-Locka tower, Fulton County Tower, Columbus Approach, Jackson McKellar Automated Flight Service Station, Savannah Approach, Baltimore Approach, Potomac Tracon and Washington, D.C. FAA Headquarters.

Norma is currently working as the Air Traffic Manager at one of our world’s highest visibility airports: Andrews Air Traffic Control Tower on Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. She is responsible for all departures and arrivals of the President of the United States, the Vice President, their families and all distinguishes visitors to the Washington area.

Norma is a Citizen Warrior, who, in her military Army Reserve occupation, is Col. Norma Ely. She has served in the U.S. Army Reserves for 29 years and is currently serving as the Brigade Commander of the 206TH Regional Support Group (RSG), in Springfield, IL. The only time Norma served on active duty in the US. Army Reserves was when she called to active duty on Nov. 15, 2003 and deployed to Iraq in the position of the Support Operations Director. She was promoted to lieutenant colonel on March 8, 2004 and was selected to become the Battalion Commander of the 77TH Corps Support Provisional Battalion (CSB) at CSC Scania Iraq and, was awarded the Bronze Star.

Norma has held many other challenging and rewarding positions in the FAA, in the Military and at Shiloh Baptist
Church on Duke Street in Alexandria, Va. She loves and will be quick to tell you that she is doing what the Lord has gifted her to do through his grace and mercy.

Norma also has received many career accolades: Florida Memorial University’s President’s Fountain of Excellence Award, National Black Coalition’s Bessie Coleman Award, Federal Aviation Administration’s Terminal Services Vice President’s Excellence Coin and the Columbus Ohio Public School’s Hall of Fame.

Norma currently lives in Fort Washington,Md., with her “wonderful husband Christopher, beautiful daughter Bria and two energetic Jack Russell Terriers Jaxx and Jazz.

I am a native of Miami, Florida, growing up in its Overtown section. My grandmother was the spiritual leader of our family and the molder of my early years. I am a product of Booker T. Washington High School and a son of the Saint John Institutional Missionary Baptist Church. I was a leader in youth groups at Saint John. God used a missionary (Sarah Williamson Coleman) to open my eyes and soul to God’s call into ministry. I was licensed on Thanksgiving 1958 and ordained on Thanksgiving 1966.

After graduation from Florida Memorial University in 1962, I have earned Master’s degrees from Andover Newton Theological School and Temple University. My first ministerial assignments were at the Newark and the Rankin Christian Centers. Following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I worked as an urban strategist for the ABC Board of National Ministries.

In December 1968 I was called to the pastorate of the Emmanuel Baptist Church of Jamestown, New York. My emphases were on preaching, counseling, church growth, discipleship and community outreach. During my first year as pastor the church celebrated its 50th anniversary.

While in Jamestown my community involvement including the Jamestown Rotary, the Commission on Human Rights, Family Service of Jamestown, the Jamestown Ecumenical Ministries, Meals on Wheels and the Northside Community Center. I joined two church leaders in starting a food small food store which we affectionately called, “The Ko-op.” During this time God used me to bring persons to Christ and strengthen the faithful.

In 1972 Baptists in the Pacific Southwest asked me to direct the Mutual Assistance Team Endeavors Program (MATE). This effort of multi-ethnic cooperation was recognized for its ability to stress things in common as opposed to differences. In 1986 the Board of International Ministries called me to direct American Baptist mission work in Africa. I traveled to many other African countries, and in 1991, was the first American Baptist to deliver assistance to Baptists in Liberia following their civil war.

I served as Minister of Mission Support for the ABC of New Jersey and the Philadelphia Baptist Association from 1994 to 1999. From 1999 to 2004 I served as the Executive Director of the Ministerial Leadership Commission of the American Baptist Churches, directing American Baptist efforts to find and support ministerial leaders. In May 2008 I completed work as Minister for Mission Development for the ABC of the South. From September 1, 2008 to December 31, 2009 I served as the Interim Pastor of the King’s Community Baptist Church in Cherry Hill, NJ.

I have extended my ministry into Christian Financial Planning. This calling is to promote “fiscal fitness,” i.e., to help Christians honor our Lord Jesus in the use of the resources given them. God has used me in this ministry to help thousands develop new financial lifestyles. Preparation for this phase of ministry has included work toward the designation as a Certified Financial Planner.

I am married to Mrs. Murine George, the love of my life! Affectionately named “The Queen” by Baptists in the Congo, she is a retired nursing instructor. We live in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, are the parents of three children and the grandparents of four of the world’s most wonderful grandchildren.

God has now called me into the ministry of caregiving. He is providing physical, spiritual and emotional strength to care for my beloved wife of 34 years. God is using this ministry as a testimony of faith and trust and as a witness of His grace and mercy.

Through it all, I’ve learned to trust in Jesus! I’ve learned to trust in God! I want to honor God in all that I do with all that He gives me.

The Nathan Collier Meritorious Award was named after president Nathan w. Collier who served at the Florida Baptist Institute and Florida Normal and Industrial Institute from 1896 to 1941.This award is the highest honor that may be bestowed upon a male individual by the institution.This annual award is given for exceptional service to the university and outstanding achievements in his community.

Mr. Daniel McNeill is a sterling example of the university’s motto: leadership, character, and service.Mr. McNeill was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. He graduated from Florida Memorial College, now University, in 1976 with a BS degree in accounting. He received an MBA in finance from temple university in Philadelphia, PA.

He was employed with Pratt-Whitney – united technologies corporation as a commodity manager for twenty-six years. He is a life member of the NAACP of palm beach county, a life member of phi beta sigma fraternity, a member of the sickle cell foundation of palm beach county and the recipient of many honors and awards for his philanthropy and community service.

Mr. McNeill has distinguished himself in his career, in the community, and at his alma mater. Dan has consistently over the years provided financial support to the school of business, the athletic department, to students, as well as the entire university. By giving his financial contributions, his talent and time, his contributions are incalculable.

He is married to Mrs. Ann McNeill his college sweetheart and they are the proud parents of two daughters Danelle and Ionnie. They also have one grandson, Malachi.

When i asked his first born, Danelle, what must i say about her father otherwise, I would be remise, she said “be sure to mention that he is a family man in every sense of the word. He has always held high standards and values that he lives by. At the same time, he does not ask much of others, just that they too have standards that are legal, ethical, and moral. His accounting background, probably contributed to his high standards, but make no mistake about it, he actually lives by the very same code across the board.”

We hold heartily concur with Danelle’s sentiments. On more than one occasion Mr. McNeill has been asked to be featured with his annual gift to Florida Memorial University, and on each occasion he has declined to be recognized as the exception, and asked instead if we might find ways to encourage other alumni to do the same.

His favorite scripture comes from Luke 12:48 “to whom much is given, much shall be required.” And certainly Mr. McNeill embodies this scripture.

Please join me in recognizing the recipient of Florida Memorial University’s 2011 Nathan Collier Mauritius Service Award, Mr. Daniel j. McNeill.