A simple rule for parents: "Tell your children that they can, and they will; if you (and society) tell them they can't, they won't," says Robert Atkinson, director, Procurement Business Planning at Merck & Co., in Whitehouse, NJ.

Surely, Atkinson's parents told him "he could," and "he did." From junior high through college, Atkinson did it all, from lettering in sports, receiving academic honors, to playing five musical instruments--piano, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, flute and bass violin.

The holder of four degrees, three of them advanced, Atkinson earned a B.S.E.E. from Iowa State University in 1965; a MBA from Washington University , St. Louis, in 1971; and both a M.S. and Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, in 1973 and 1976, respectively.

"The key to a successful future for African Americans is education--you can never have enough," says Atkinson who reduced the total cost of graduate school through the GI Bill. Inducted into the U.S. Army after graduating from college, Atkinson went to Officer Candidate School (OCS) and, the only African-American in his class, graduated first in his class as a distinguished military graduate--top 10 percent. He received the Bronze Star, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal.

As much as Atkinson values education, he never wanted to teach, despite devoting 18 years of his life to teaching at institutions of higher learning. He began his career as an engineer and while serving in Vietnam received a fellowship from the Consortium for Graduate Study in Business for Blacks (now known as the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management) to attend Washington University. "My plan was to market myself as a well-rounded MBA."

However, fate stepped in and the father of four wanted to be available for his children, so he accepted a position as assistant professor of marketing at the College of Commerce and Business Administration, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL.

Eight years later, Atkinson moved to Florida A&M, an HBCU in Tallahassee, taking a position as associate professor at the School of Business and Industry (SBI). "I felt that I had something to offer African-American students. The reward far out-weighed the real value of education."

Atkinson never let any obstacle prevent him from achieving his goals: "There are only two things that stop African Americans from being successful: us--because of our inability to cooperate and support each other--and trust.

"We expend enormous effort attempting to teach children the 3 Rs: reading, (w)riting, and (a)rithmetic when the most important "R" is relationships," he says. "A CEO once told me: "My job is to gather eagles and then get them to fly in formation."

Atkinson has done just that, passing his knowledge to his students and to his children. He told them they could; and they did.
 

As Human Resources Partner/Consultant-Finance and Administration at Bellcore, Inc., Lisa R. Shepherd provides all aspects of HR support to client groups within the organization by working closely with senior management to help them develop HR strategies in support of business objectives.

Shepherd earned a BS in Personnel and Industrial Relations from Norfolk State University and certification in HR Management from Rutgers University. Her career in HR spans 12 years and has included recruiting, employment, staffing, organization design/restructure, force adjustment reduction, university relations, scholarship, and summer intern and high school program administrator. She is President of The Ementus Network for Black Employees and Chair of the Black Employee Resource Group.

Shepherd's career objective is continued learning as a HR professional and working with programs and people who help our youth recognize and use their potential.

Shepherd's advice to students: "Set high, yet achievable goals. Stay the course. Expect some distractions and delays, but remember that delay is not denial. Draw from those who have gone before you by identifying a variety of mentors and advisors."
 

Ralph T. Parkman, Jr., a Regional Personnel Administrator at JC Penney, is responsible for benefits, training, and recruiting in the ten market region.

Receiving a BA From Walsh University in Ohio, Parkman has held several positions at JC Penney: Selling Specialist, Management Trainee, Merchandising Manager, Personnel Manager, General Merchandising Manager, Assistant Store Manager and Special Assignment Diversity Facilitator. His goal is to experience all levels of management at JC Penney.

Parkman's advice to students on how to succeed: "Set realistic goals for yourself. When your goal is reached, know what is expected of you. Finally, perform always with high standards, performance which can give you greater opportunities within the organization."