Omega Psi Phi chapters pay tribute to several notable Valley residents

Photo

Lottier

Eight people received achievement awards.

STAFF REPORT

GIRARD — The Psi Omicron and Zeta Gamma chapters of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity recently honored several local people and offered a special tribute to James P. Lottier Sr. of Youngstown at its annual achievement week scholarship banquet earlier this month.

The event was at the Mahoning Country Club.

The winners of the fraternity’s essay contest were students Tawni McClendon, first place; Roslynn Porch, second; and Jacqueline Carlisle, third. The essay topic was “How has President Obama influenced your career goals and aspirations?”

Michael A. Cotton, 16, a sophomore at Chaney High School, received the fraternity’s talent hunt award. Michael is a mime instructor at New Bethel Baptist Church and is a member of Western Reserve Ballet of Youngstown. He also participates in Chaney’s drama club and choir.

Achievement awards went to:

•David Townsend, a former Youngstown State University football player who is now in his third year as sprint coach for YSU’s track and field program.

• William Douglas Franklin, former Warren councilman and currently Warren’s safety-service director.

• Henrietta Williams, longtime Youngstown City School District teacher and principal of The Rayen and East High schools, who recently retired.

•Clifford O. Johnson, teacher, counselor and consultant for Youngstown schools, and a member or former member of several community organizations, including Humility of Mary Health Partners board of directors, United Methodist Community Center board member, and life member of Youngstown State University Alumni Association.

•Sterling A. Williams of Warren, a Rayen School graduate and owner and operator of the Sterling-McCullough Williams Funeral Homes of Warren and Youngstown, and an active member of several community organizations, including the Mahoning, Trumbull & Columbiana County Funeral Directors Association, Roberts Deliberating Club, and a trustee of the YSU Penguins Club. He is a 33rd degree Mason and was past president of the Warren-Trumbull Urban League.

•Dr. Cryshanna A. Jackson, an assistant professor at YSU in the department of political science. She received her doctorate from the University of Akron in public administration and urban studies. She also belongs to several professional organizations, including the American Society of Public Administration and America Political Science Association. She is a member of the Akron Black Women’s Leadership Caucus and is secretary for the Women’s History Project of the Akron area.

•Carrington George Moore, a Chaney High graduate, who is president of the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at YSU. He received YSU’s 2008 Diversity Leadership Award as well as the university’s Multicultural Student Service Award.

•Kimberley S. Sullivan, who died in an automobile accident in January of this year, worked at Sojourner House Domestic Violence Services for 15 years. She helped more than 1,200 people in her position as judicial advocate for victims of domestic violence. She also was a liaison for the “Call to Men-Youngstown” program, which is committed to ending violence against women.

Special recognition went to Lottier, a founding member of the fraternity’s Psi Omicron Chapter. Lottier, 94, is a South High School graduate. He was the first black teenager to play quarterback in the Youngstown school system.

He was a graduate of Wilberforce University, where he was selected for the national Negro College All-American football team in 1938. He was a World War II Navy veteran.

Lottier served 20 years as the physical fitness and program director of the West Federal Street Branch of the YMCA, and he had several administrative positions with the Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority, including manager of Westlake Terrace Homes housing project and director of housing management.

He served as a member of the Mayor’s Human Relations Committee under former Youngstown mayors Anthony Flask and Jack C. Hunter and on numerous associations and boards.

He is a 73-year member of Omega Psi Phi and a lifelong member of St. Andrewes AME Church, where he had served on its trustee board. His wife, Pauline, is deceased. He has a son, James P. Jr., a grandson, and three great-grandchildren.