Cheyney University Alumni Chapter of Philadelphia (CUACP) is proud of the work that our president James E. McKelvey does to support our alma mater, Cheyney University.
President James “Jim” E. McKelvey’s journey began as a freshman in 1978. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1982 in Business Management. Subsequently, James earned a Master’s degree from Cheyney University in Adult Continuing Education in May 1997. He went on to earn a second Master’s degree from Florida Institute of Technology in Logistics Management in April 1998.
James is an ardent supporter of Cheyney University, the “oldest institution for higher learning for African-Americans.” He is a Life Member of Cheyney University National Alumni Association (CUNAA), a member of the Cheyney “C” Club, an organization that supports all sports on campus including cheerleading and, of course, a member of Cheyney University Alumni Chapter of Philadelphia (CUACP).
Jim McKelvey immediately joined the Public Relations Committee, the Membership Committee and the Recruitment Committee. Eventually his hard work paid off and he was elected president of the Cheyney University Alumni Chapter of Philadelphia.
As president he has been a man of action. In 2014, he provided a major helping hand to Cheyney University’s Enrollment and Recruitment efforts by attending and representing CUNAA at six high school and college fairs within the Philadelphia area. In the area of membership, he also took the initiative and recruited 10 new alumni chapter members each year for the last several years.
In addition, President McKelvey has lead CUACP in ticket sales to benefit a number of fundraising efforts to support scholarships. His outreach expanded to the Internet when it was decided to tap into social media and a Facebook page was created to further spread the word about CUACP. Also, our president made it a point to reach out to alumni through the use of printed brochures to encourage chapter membership. His charismatic personality has even helped bring Cheyney University staff to chapter meetings to keep alumni informed about our alma mater.
While our chapter is dear to his heart, supporting CUNAA events, such as the “Greet & Meet” with incoming students and parents, is just as important. Jim also supports other Cheyney University events and special programs. These are all examples of his dedication and support to our alma mater, Cheyney University.
Jim married his college sweetheart, Rochelle Reading, who is also a graduate of Cheyney. They are the parents of four children. Their youngest daughter, Janelle McKelvey, also graduated from Cheyney and was Miss Cheyney University 2012-2013.
A quote by Lt. Col James E. Doolittle best describes James McKelvey. “There is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer.”
Story submitted by Sandra Smith ’72 and Claire Hamilton-Oliver ’98.