DATE: Saturday, August 30, 1997             TAG: 9708300414

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY MATTHEW BOWERS, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   32 lines

VIOLA MADISON WILL SUCCEED HER LATE HUSBAND ON NSU BOARD

Viola H. Madison will succeed her husband, the late J. Hugo Madison, on the Board of Visitors of Norfolk State University.

Hugo Madison, a longtime area lawyer, civil rights activist and mentor for a generation of local leaders, died in July. Gov. George F. Allen appointed Viola Madison to finish her husband's unexpired term ending Jan. 31, 2001, the governor's office announced Friday.

``I like the idea of serving my community, and most particularly Norfolk State University, which I am an alumnus of,'' Madison said. She and her husband both attended the school, and Viola Madison previously served on its board from 1979 to 1983.

``We think it's wonderful,'' said the board's rector, William R. Miller III. ``She's been very active along with Hugo on many things having to do with Norfolk State University. I think it's a wonderful choice.''

Madison said one of her prime interests will be raising funds for scholarships. She worked to establish one in her husband's name after his death, for NSU students interested in becoming teachers; a formal announcement will be made soon, she said Friday.

``I'm very excited about that,'' she said.

She was a teacher herself before rearing three children with Hugo Madison. The Virginia Beach resident volunteers at a local day-care center and is a board member of the YMCA in Virginia Beach.

The 13-member NSU Board of Visitors is the governing body of the university, setting policy and hiring the president.

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