College exec's sights set high

Philander Smith’s Duvall touts basics, $5.1 million goal

7/29/14
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/STEPHEN B. THORNTON
C.J. Duvall, Jr. is Philander Smith College's new Vice President of Institutional Affairs.

7/29/14 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/STEPHEN B. THORNTON C.J. Duvall, Jr. is Philander Smith College's new Vice President of Institutional Affairs.

Sunday, August 17, 2014

C.J. Duvall Jr. smoothed his yellow-and-blue-checked tie with his left hand as he swept the other out in front of him to point out the heavy wood and laminate conference tables on the second floor of the D.W. Reynolds Library and Technology Center at Philander Smith College.

Duvall walked toward the tables, arranged six deep and extending to the doors of small, private study rooms along the back wall.

The two-story, 49,404- square-foot library and technology center at the state's first historically black, private four-year college was immaculate and quiet. Thousands of books neatly lined the shelves, and artwork -- from canvases to free-standing sculptures by Arkansas artists -- hung on walls, was displayed in corners and adorned tabletops.

Students in a group in one study room simultaneously lifted their gazes at Duvall's entrance, then grinned broadly and nodded.

Duvall recently gave up a college board seat he had held since 2010 -- and turned down a corporate consulting contract -- to fill the long-vacant position of vice president for institutional advancement for the college.

He believes in the mission of Philander Smith College so much, he said, that he refused to take a salary for the full-time fundraising position. The college's Internal Revenue Service Form 990 for 2012 shows salaries for similar positions ranging from $79,593 to $98,600, plus benefits and outside compensation.

Getting back to the basics of what first drew him to Philander Smith College in 2005 is what it will take to drum up increased financial support from corporate donors and alumni, Duvall said.

He tapped a lean index finger on the laminate top of a nearby table. The library, he said, is where he had spent countless volunteer hours over the past nine years mentoring students, not only academically, but in life skills like financial management, integrity and work ethic.

"We have jewels right here on campus that need to be exposed," said Duvall, 55, a St. Louis native and former Alltel Corp. executive.

"My position is that education is relevant and therefore Philander Smith College is relevant. Forget about the title of historically black college. And I know there are a lot of African-Americans who will say, 'What are you saying?' I would say to them you have to listen to it purely and not be upset. There are kids -- I've met them and I know them -- and they are here because they want to be educated. They choose to be here."

It's that loyalty, that pride in Philander Smith College, Duvall said, that he is counting on to take financial contributions to a new level for the college.

Notable Philander Smith College alumni include Joycelyn Elders, former U.S. surgeon general; "Geese" Ausbie, former Harlem Globetrotters player and coach; Al Bell, founder of Stax Records and former president of Motown Records; the late Elijah Pitts, former Green Bay Packers player; and Lottie Shackelford, former mayor of Little Rock and a state and national Democratic Party leader.

"I've met doctors, lawyers, teachers, community volunteers who have graduated from here. There's such a pride in this college because they went here," Duvall said. "Philander Smith College is a strong brand."

Interim President Lloyd Hervey -- who took the college's helm after the abrupt resignation in February of President Johnny Moore -- said Duvall has "hit the ground running" in his new position and has already met with several potential donors to the college in and out of the state.

"His expertise from the corporate world and his personality will be very instrumental in telling our story and convincing people that we are worth investing in," Hervey said. "We are certainly blessed to have him want to serve in that position. He's doing a very good job."

Duvall said his priority is increasing funding to get Philander Smith more in line with current technology by building more computer labs and increasing bandwidth.

His first order of business, however, is reaching a self-imposed goal of raising $5.1 million by Oct. 1 to complete the construction of a 15,700-square-foot campus center at the college. Duvall said Friday that $4.6 million has been donated, and he is "very hopeful to close our campaign before Oct. 1."

Duvall -- who earned a bachelor's degree in behavioral science and business from Missouri Baptist University, a master's in industrial/organizational psychology from Purdue School of Science, and a master's in theology from the Eden Theological Seminary -- and his wife, Karen, donated $1,189,578 to the college, according to the college's 2012 IRS Form 990.

"His philanthropy goes all the way to the bone," said Pat Lile, Philander Smith College board member. "He is the only million-dollar donor we have. He is so passionate about the organization and causes for which he serves."

Lile said Duvall's addition to the staff in such a key position will strengthen the college's chances of attracting higher-caliber applicants for the open president position.

"If you have a vacuum in that position of institutional advancement, it's hard to recruit good candidates for the president's office," Lile said.

She added that Duvall's business experience will serve the college well, but it's his devotion to the students and to the college as a whole that will be the most valuable.

"He is just an extraordinary man. To have such a wonderful African-American role model is so important, not only to students at Philander Smith College, but to the whole state," Lile said. "He has been involved in all aspects of the college and was one of the most engaged board members I've ever met. He really lives out his Christian values through his philanthropy, through his service on the board and to the students."

Metro on 08/17/2014