Henry Golatt, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff- c/o 1990, Accounting
Name : Henry Golatt
HBCU : University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Graduation Year : 1990
Major : Accounting
Email : golatth@outlook.com
Where are you from? Who introduced you to HBCUs?*
I grew up in eastern Arkansas about 45 minutes to an hour west of Memphis, TN. I was exposed to HBCUs from many of my teachers in school due to the fact that many of them were alumni of HBCUs such as LeMoyne Owen, Philander Smith and my alma mater, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff formerly Arkansas Branch Normal College.
I also had recruiters from HBCUs visit my small high school during my junior and senior year.
Do what you love.
Why did you choose an HBCU over a pwi?*
I received and accepted academic scholarships from predominantly white institutions but a young lady that I was interested in had been accepted into UAPB.
So, I sort of followed her but of course my young self was too proud to admit that at the time. Plus, I also chose to attend UAPB because I knew others who were either already enrolled there or who were enrolling the Fall semester with me.
What is the story of your "experience" at Your HBCU given its heralded status as a stellar and prestigious institution?*
I came to my HBCU from a limited resource family that was rich in love, respect, self worth. My parents coupled with a nurturing and wisdom-filled environment equipped me to think broadly and ask questions. My HBCU environment provided me with an opportunity to add experiences to the wisdom that I had obtained from my father and mother, aunts, uncles, church members, teachers, and family friends.
My alma mater also gave me a chance to test everything I knew or thought I knew in real time. I made new friends, tried new things, made mistakes and recovered all in the safety of the HBCU campus and community.
My HBCU later provided me with the privilege of exploring and developing my professional passions and talents. I learned that I could go anywhere and do anything based on what I learned, saw, and experienced at my alma mater. As a work study student, I learned professional discipline that proved useful during my first internship.
After interning, I returned to another work-study position. However, this time I really found my passion in community economic development. I went on to be hired by the university and ended up spending over 25 years working to advance the mission of my school and impacting the communities and constituencies it serves.
Make your work bigger than you.
"First time" experiences at your HBCU?*
While it certainly has been more than a few moons, what I remember about my first few days on campus at my HBCU was having my family there with me as I checked into the dormitory after having driven me down as the first of my siblings to actually leave home not to move up north or join the military but to go to college.
Indelibly etched in my mind was seeing my then love interest in the still fairly new Health Physical Education and Recreation (HPER Building - Built in the mid to late 80s) during freshmen registration. She would appear the next evening on a bench in front of my dorm after having summoned me to come outside. We married during our sophomore year!
Who are the professors that have impacted your life in and out of the classroom? How did they do that?*
During my college years, I was impacted by many including Dr. McMurray, Dr. Josetta Wilkins, Dr. Viralene Coleman, Dr. John E. Fluker, Mr. Mathew Henry to name a few.
They nurtured a sense of pride not only in my studies but my culture, heritage, university and community.
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University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
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Students: 2,821
- Athletics: Men's sports also include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, tennis and track & field; Women's sports include basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field and volleyball.
- Notable Alumni: Smokie Norful - Class of 1995 - Pastor, Grammy award winning gospel singer and pianist**L. C. Greenwood - Class of 1969 - football player; former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman, a member of the famous Steel Curtain defense**Terron Armstead - professional football player currently with the New Orleans Saints**Martha S. Lewis - Class of 1944 - government official in New York city and state**Danny K. Davis - Class of 1961 - U.S. Representative for 7th Congressional District in Illinois**
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