The Cornell Black Alumni Association (CBAA) recently launched a campaign to fund a new scholarship named for James and Janice Turner. James Turner, professor of African-American politics and social policy, was the first director of Cornell's Africana Studies and Research Center; Janice Turner is a retired associate dean in the College of Arts and Sciences.

The James and Janice Turner CBAA Scholarship Endowment honors the Turners for their combined nine decades of service to Cornell and will provide scholarships for qualifying African-American students who attend Cornell. The goal is to raise $400,000 for the scholarship in time for CBAA's next reunion on campus in 2012.

As of mid-December, the endowment had already generated more than $140,000 in pledges, according to Ruth Trezevant Cyrus '79 and Deborah Arrindell '79, Endowment Development Committee co-chairs. CBAA initially announced the campaign at a gala banquet and awards ceremony held Nov. 6 at the Uptown Grand Restaurant in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan (and owned by Joe Holland '78, '79). At the gala, which attracted about 150 members and supporters, Jonelle Bradshaw de Hernandez '96, CBAA president, presented recognition awards to the Turners.

The early financial support for the endowed scholarship was generated by prelaunch efforts by CBAA's board of directors, led by de Hernandez, co-chair Conrad Kenley '74 and committee members Katrina James '96, Michael Littlejohn '79, Kenneth McClane '73, Rochelle Woods '74, Keith Norris, Debra James '75, '78, Sonja Hutchins '79 and Vanessa Sampson-Stroman '79.

Founded in 1976, CBAA seeks to promote the professional development of its members and to provide giving opportunities to its members, support for black students at Cornell through endowment of scholarships and development of other resources and assistance in recruitment efforts.

CBAA established its first tradition fellowship (this is unrelated to the Cornell Tradition program) in 1989; it now sponsors four fellowships.

For more information, go to http://www.CBAA1976.com.