Six Morgan State University alumni, with graduations dating between 1973 to 2003, hold powerul jobs in the City of Annapolis. Two are elected members of the City Council, two are department directors, one is an executive in the Mayor’s office, and one is the tenured recreation specialist.
George “Lassie” Belt, Class of ’73 serves as the recreation dpecialist with the Department of Recreation and Parks for the City of Annapolis, based at the Stanton Community Center.
Alderwoman Sheila M. Finlayson, Class of ’74 was first elected to the Annapolis City Council in 2007. She serves on Economic Matters and Finance Committees and chairs the Rules and City Government Committee. An English major at Morgan State, Finlayson spent 35 years in public education, teaching English in Anne Arundel County Public Schools.
Alderwoman Rhonda Pindell Charles, Class of ’76 became a member of the City Council following her election in 2013. She serves on the Transportation Committee and the Audit Committee, and chairs the Public Safety Committee. She earned an undergraduate degree in Business Administration with a minor in Economics. After earning a law degree from the University of Maryland School of Law, Pindell Charles spent the next two decades as a prosecutor in Baltimore City. She is currently a school and Community Relations and Outreach Specialist for Anne Arundel County Public Schools.
J. Rick Gordon, Class of ’86 is the director of the Department of Transportation for the City of Annapolis. He graduated from Morgan State in 1989 with a BS in Urban Studies with a concentration in transportation. Later, he earned a masters in transportation planning.
Archie J. Trader III, Class of ’02 is the director of the recreation and parks for the City of Annapolis. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in physical education with a concentration in recreation. After graduation, Trader became the activities director at Morgan State for the National Youth Sports Program.
Adetola O. Ajayi, Class of ’03 serves as the African American liaison on the Community Service team for Mayor Gavin Buckley. He graduated with a degree in economics and went on to have a successful career in banking.
