Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 16 August 2001 — Page 6

The Muncie Times, August 16, 2001, page 6

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Foster

Dr. Robert O. Foster Career Highlights: First African American male teacher in Muncie, first African American principal at Longfellow Elementary School, executive director, Action Inc., director, Office of Special Programs Ball State University. He retired in 1993. He has served on numerous boards and committees in the past but now his only work is for the Lord. Education; Muncie Central High School, 1950; bachelor’s degree, speech correction and hearing therapy, teaching Ball State University, 1955; master’s degree, elementary education, administration, Ball State University, 1960; doctorate (Ed. D.), school administration, minor higher education curriculum, Ball State University, 1978. Personal Comments: “All of my schooling took place in Muncie,” said Foster. “I attended Longfellow Elementary, McKinley Junior High School, Central High School and Ball State University. “I’ve been privileged to see this community’s growth lifelong,” he said. “I have very special remembrances of church picnics and fun in the park.” The park is McCulloch which has been a focal point of activity in the Whitely community. “I remember the Muncie Reds Baseball team and how all of the black teams would

Muncie come to Muncie to play. “I always wanted to participate in the Soap Box Derby back then and now The Muncie Times has its own Soap Box Derby Car.” There were good times with neighbors as well Foster recalled. “Christmas was always such a special time for families and neighbors to visit,” he said. “I didn’t really see myself as being economically deprived, but, my parents probably thought differently,” said Foster. “I can remember the neighborhood entrepreneurs growing up,” he said. Whitely was a nice place to live. There was not a lot of crime. “I see that now. It was a pleasant time, walking to school with friends, participating in a lot of good things.” “I grew up in Union Missionary Baptist Church. Sometimes I sang in the junior choir. My dad was a deacon and my mom was on the mother’s board.” “I can’t put my hand on when I knew I wanted to be an educator, but I do know that the more I searched for truth, the more I wanted to continue in that search.” In school I was a good runner, jumper and set records in track. I had good leadership skills and became president of the Student Council. I earned letters in track and football. The Lord was also giving me favor with my teachers and I blossomed. “In my freshman year of high school, I entered a state oratorical contest. That’s when I met Julia Edwards and others affiliated with the Masons. This organization had a strong interest in education. “I didn’t win the first time out but Mrs. Edwards and others such as Mrs. Gordon who lived in Washington, D. C. (sister to the owner of Parrott’s Grocery store) helped me develop a better presentation. Mrs. Gordon brought me books about successful African Americans. This opened my vision and I came into another area of growth.” The next year Foster

won the contest and a scholarship which paid for his first year in college. “I would have to say the Lord has blessed me with inquisitiveness. My motivation has been to enjoy what I’m doing and do the best with what lim doing. Itis been an exciting and interesting venture. I can remember a coach, Odie Barnett, saying to me: give your best and the best will be given back to you. “I’ve tried to live by that philosophy and be positive.” “Also, it’s important to associate with people who are positive.”

McCallum

Howard Ray McCallum Jr. Born in West Memphis, Arkansas on March 6, 1961 to Howard and Yvonne McCallum, Howard Ray McCallum, Jr., resided at 1007 N. Macedonia with his siblings Darwin, Lisa Young, Robert and Yvette. The McCallum’s are members of Union Missionary Baptist Church. McCallum graduated from Muncie Central High School in 1979, after helping the Bearcat boy’s basketball team to the Indiana High School Athletic Association State title in 1978 and 19. He went on to Ball State University where he was a member of the Men’s Basketball Team, and graduated in 1983 with his bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology. After graduation, he became assistant Coach at Wisconsin from 1983-93. In 1993 he accepted an

assistant Coaching position at the University of Michigan and later in October of that year, accepted the position of Head Coach of the Ball State Menis Basketball Team. McCallum worked under his former Ball State coach Steve Yoder, along with Stu Jackson, where he helped Wisconsin to NIT appearances in 1989, 1991 and 1993, the school’s first post-season showings since 1947. McCallum was an integral factor in signing Michael Finley, Tracy Webster and Rashard Griffith while he was at Wisconsin. After 10 years with Wisconsin, McCallum joined Steve Fisher’s staff with the Michigan Wolverines in the spring of 1993. As head coach with BSU Menis Basketball Team, McCallum guided the Cardinals to two'post-season appearances in his five years at the helm. He has led Ball State to an average of nearly 17 wins per season. He has an overall record of 88-56 during his five year career at BSU and his MAC season record is 56-34, while he has the homecourt advantage with a record of 62-10. McCallum’s community services includes volunteering his time with the United Way, the Exchange Club Center For Prevention Of Child Abuse and he is also on the Board .of Directors for the Delaware Easter Seal Society and Isanogel Center, Inc., an organization dedicated to helping children with disabilities. McCallum has many accomplishments and has been honored on many occasions for his accomplishments. Heis won the Naismith Award as the nation’s outstanding collegiate senior under 6-feet tall, he’s 1980 MAC Freshman of the Year and All-MAC Second Team, in 1981, 1982 and 1983 he was the All-MAC First Team. He led BSU to the 1981

MAC Tournament title, itis first NCAA Tournament and led BSU to their first MAC Championships in 1981 and 1982. In 1981, he was the MAC Tournament Most Valuable Player and in 198183, he was on the MAC AllTournament Team. He was the 1983 MAC Player of the Year and has scored in double figures in 106 of 115 games in his career. McCallum is the only BSU athlete to ever have his number (#10) retired, and he currently ranks fourth on the MAC’s all-time scoring list. McCallum a four-time letter winner graduated as the MAC’s all-team leading scorer with 2,109 points and Co-captained the Cardinals his senior year. McCallum was drafted in the 8th round to the Indiana Pacers,' but was released because of his height. He entered the 1997-98 season as Ball State’s alltime leading scorer and held that record from 1983-88. McCallum said that his motivation to achieve started at home with his family, but what’s special about this is being recognized by the Whitely community. iThe Whitely community had a positive effect on my development because of the positive support I had growing up from people in the community, encouraging and supporting you to do the right thing and make the right decisions,” said McCallum. McCallum said that along with being one of the charter members in this group and having known and had a relationship with so many of the charter members during his time is just positive for him and that makes it special. “So many of the charter members had a positive effect on my development as well. From the educators to a guy like Dr. Sanders, who lived right up the street, if I wasnit going to get a basketball opportunity, he PIOksERS SEE PAGE 28