By Laurie D. Willis

Livingstone College News Service

SALISBURY – Jacqueline Kendall was Miss Livingstone College during her senior year, from 1980-1981. Two decades later, Dr. Janet Vaughn held the coveted title during her senior year, from 2001-2002.

Both women will be in Salisbury this weekend to help their alma mater raise money at the Royal Endowment Scholarship Gala, being held at 7 p.m. Saturday in New Trent Gym. Tickets are $125 and can be purchased by going to www.livingstone.edu and clicking on the 10 Years of Excellence link, or at the cashier’s office in the Price building from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.

The Royal Endowment Scholarship Gala is being hosted by Livingstone College First Lady Dr. Faleese Moore Jenkins and is the kickoff event for “A Decade of Excellence,” a weeklong celebration of her husband, Livingstone President Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins, Sr., who’s celebrating his 10-year anniversary at the institution.

Other 10-year anniversary events include an Ecumenical Prayer Breakfast, being held Nov. 17 at 9 a.m. in New Trent Gym, and the President’s Scholarship Masquerade Gala, being held Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. in New Trent Gym. Cost for the breakfast is $30; masquerade gala tickets are $125-$225.

“Attending the Royal Endowment Scholarship Gala is my way of giving back,” said Kendall, who lives in Dubai and spent 19 hours on a plane getting back to Salisbury. “I hope we raise a lot of money. I’m coming half-way around the world to attend this event because I love Livingstone College. Attending Livingstone instilled the confidence in me that I could accomplish anything.”

Kendall earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Livingstone and now teaches it in Abu Dhabi. She earned her master’s degree in health education from the Ohio State University.

“I’m coming back for the gala because I want to represent the institution that took a chance on me and gave a first-generation college student an opportunity to live out her dream,” she said. “As a former band member that marched with over 100 members, including during some NFL performances, I’ve got to give back to Livingstone whether it’s out of pocket or word of mouth.”

Kendall will be escorted by her mother, Florence Kendall, who she said decorated the gym years ago for her coronation. “She made my sash, and, in some ways you could say she reigned as queen with me.”

Vaughn earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Livingstone and her master’s and doctorate degrees in social work, from the University of South Carolina and Morgan State University, respectively. Serving as Miss Livingstone was rewarding because it increased her awareness of the world, she said.

“Being a former Miss Livingstone College has opened doors for me to network among communities that I may not have been exposed to otherwise,” Vaughn said. “It also increased my awareness for custody and customs and how to appear to a variety of people with maturity and sincerity. My time as Miss Livingstone truly developed my sense of grace, style and community involvement.”

Deciding to attend the gala was easy, Vaughn said. “I love visiting my alma mater, and there isn’t a better way to do that than by wearing a formal dress, raising money and being honored for my time as Miss Livingstone.”

Moore Jenkins said she wanted to host the Royal Endowment Scholarship Gala to leave a meaningful legacy at Livingstone College and to support to her husband of 51 years.

“I thought it would be a unique way to raise scholarship money and to help students that may not be able to come to college if they didn’t get some help,” Moore Jenkins said. “It also gives me an opportunity to leave a legacy that keeps on giving and has a far-reaching impact on students by reinvigorating the Queen’s Society, which I understand was started on Livingstone’s campus some years back. My hope is that after this year the queens will continue holding other events to raise money for students.”

Moore Jenkins earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Elizabeth City State University and her master’s degree in special education from Old Dominion University. She also earned a certificate of advanced graduate studies and a doctorate of education in educational administration, both from Virginia Tech. For 35 years, Moore Jenkins taught education at all levels, from kindergarten through college, and is an accomplished educator.

That she’s passionate about children and education has been evident since she arrived at Livingstone in February 2006 with her husband, so it’s no surprise she jumped at the chance to host a gala to raise money for students.

“My goal is $100,000, and I feel I’m going to reach that based on the sponsors that have already stepped up to support this endeavor for the college, and based on the anticipated attendance,” Moore Jenkins said. “This is so important because Livingstone, like many HBCUs, makes college a reality for students in ways that some other institutions don’t. My husband has spent his life trying to make a difference in the lives of young people, and I’m honored to host a gala that will provide him with much-needed resources to do just that.”

The Royal Endowment Scholarship Gala will feature Christine Sperow, an award-winning journalist and anchor at WBTV in Charlotte, as mistress of ceremonies. Renowned singer Virginia Rush will provide entertainment.

“This black-tie gala has been well-planned and will be outstanding,” Moore Jenkins said. “I truly hope people will come out for an exciting, fun-filled evening and support us.”