THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 22, 1995 TAG: 9510200203
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close Up
SOURCE: Rebecca A. Myers
LENGTH: Long : 118 lines
A flowing satin sash, a rhinestone-studded tiara and a bouquet of long-stemmed roses. It's the stuff little girls dream of.
Linda Piersawl was no exception. The only difference was she had to wait a tad longer than most little girls for her dream to come true.
``It's really neat to be almost 50 and finally be a `Miss Something,' '' said Piersawl, who was recently named ``Miss Alumni'' of Norfolk State University for 1995-96.
The dream didn't materialize sooner, Piersawl concedes, because in high school she was ``somewhat of a nerd.''
``I was real quiet, stayed on the honor roll and just didn't get involved,'' said Piersawl, who grew up in Tampa, Fla. ``I kept a very low profile in high school.''
Her ``bookishness'' continued through four years at Norfolk State, where in 1970 Piersawl earned a bachelor's degree in biology.
Then just three years ago, Piersawl returned to her alma mater to attend graduate school, where she maintained a 4.0 grade point average and earned a master's degree in urban affairs in two years.
``I wish I had done it sooner because there was just something about graduate school that gave me, first of all, a lot more confidence,'' she said.
``It increased my level of understanding. It just opened up a whole new world of knowledge and understanding and the way I feel about myself. So I really would have enjoyed having gotten all this positive information sooner.''
Piersawl, an eligibility worker supervisor for Chesapeake's Department of Social Services, was elected ``Miss Alumni'' by members of the Portsmouth Chapter of the NSU Alumni Association, where she holds the position of first vice president.
Once a year, each active chapter under the national association takes turns selecting a woman for the honor.
Piersawl makes her debut appearance as ``Miss Alumni'' Thursday evening at a function honoring all Norfolk State coaches.
The following night, she will be introduced during a ``Welcome Home Disco'' for alumni from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Norfolk Airport Hilton.
On Saturday, Piersawl will begin her day on a float in the university's homecoming parade. That afternoon, she will be introduced during half-time to NSU fans attending the football game.
Piersawl's dream weekend concludes Saturday night with a semi-formal alumni ball from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. at the Norfolk Airport Hilton.
But if she has her way, Piersawl's reign as ``Miss Alumni'' won't end there.
``I wrote a letter to the alumni relations director and the president of the chapter, making some suggestions because I've always thought that the position could be better utilized in promoting the school in a better way other than just at homecoming,'' she said.
Piersawl suggested that ``Miss Alumni'' be used to make appeals for additional scholarship funds and to increase membership in alumni associations.
``I did attend a homecoming committee meeting where they are addressing it and looking at it so that `Miss Alumni' will reign for the entire year and not just reign in name only, but actually participate in some of the activities that are sponsored,'' she said.
Piersawl's love for her alma mater runs deep. For the past 10 years, she has served as vice president and president of the Portsmouth Chapter of NSU Alumni, in addition to serving on several committees.
As the current chair of the chapter's Ways and Means Committee, Piersawl's primary goal is to raise money to provide college scholarships.
``I really love Norfolk State. I think they do a fantastic job as far as educating predominantly African-American students. . . It's sort of like a family affair,'' she said.
``And being a part of the Portsmouth Chapter gives me the opportunity to give back some of what I received from (NSU).''
Name: Linda D. Piersawl
Nickname: None
Neighborhood: Former resident of Cavalier Manor who now lives in Chesapeake
Number of years in Portsmouth: 15
Birthplace: Jacksonville, Fla.
Birthday: Oct. 16
Occupation: Eligibility worker supervisor
What job other than your own would you like? Director of a human services agency
Marital status: Divorced
Children: Two adult sons, Michael Rondell Piersawl, 25, and Derrick Lamont Piersawl, 21
Grandchildren: Two grandsons: Jonathan Beard, 5, and Michael Jamall Piersawl, 1 week
Fondest childhood memory: Waking up on Christmas morning and seeing all the gifts under the Christmas tree, then getting to open them along with my sisters and brothers
What song or book title best describes your life? ``Please Be Patient With Me. God Is Not Through With Me Yet.''
If you won the lottery, what's the very first thing you'd buy? A new home with large closets!
Biggest accomplishment: Raising two sons to adulthood
Most embarrassing moment: Too embarrassing to discuss
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Would have gone back to graduate school sooner
Perfect way to spend the day: Doing whatever I want to do, whether it's relaxing with a special friend or snow skiing or reading or whatever
I can't resist: Sweets. I really enjoy desserts.
Favorite Portsmouth restaurant: Commodore Theatre
Favorite Portsmouth hangout: My grandson's home
Biggest problem facing Portsmouth: Reduction of its tax base
If you had three wishes for Portsmouth, what would they be?
What I wish for all cities:
Two well-adjusted parents for all children
No abuse of alcohol and drugs
Equal rights and justice for all its citizens
Other than its small-town atmosphere, what do you like about living in Portsmouth? While living in Portsmouth, I really liked my neighbors. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MORT FRYMAN
by CNB