Reverend Dr. Alyn E. Waller
Senior Pastor, Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church

Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church has been led by the Reverend Dr. Alyn E. Waller since July of 1994. Enon Tabernacle, the oldest African American Baptist Church in the Germantown section of Philadelphia has been a beacon light in the community for 147 years. Under Dr. Waller’s dynamic leadership, the church has experienced exponential spiritual and numerical growth. Enon Tabernacle strives to be “a place where people encounter God”. Dr. Waller leads Enon in meeting the needs of its congregants, the Philadelphia community, the nation, and the African diaspora through more than ninety culturally relevant ministries. Enon Tabernacle has been a leading church in addressing the issues faced in our region and beyond. The church has engaged in highlighting educational, health and economic disparities in the African American community, deepening civic engagement, understanding and accountability, unapologetically protecting and actively engaging youth through athletics, joining the fight to eradicate human trafficking. In addition, Enon blesses many with its award-winning music ministry.

Rev. Dr. Alyn E. Waller speaks truth to power through his preaching, teaching, and exemplary leadership skills. When presented with a need, the gifted visionary Dr. Waller, leads Enon Tabernacle in finding a solution that meets the need and blesses all involved. God uses Rev. Waller’s love for humanity to transform lives with The Gospel Message. Rev. Dr. Alyn E. Waller’s partner in marriage and ministry is Ellyn Jo Waller, Ed. D. Together they have two accomplished adult daughters, Eryka Lynn Waller and Elynn Morgan Johnson; son-in-law Corey M. Johnson; and a beautiful granddaughter, Kori Lynn Johnson.


Dr. Guy Generals
President, Community College of Philadelphia

Dr. Donald Guy Generals is the sixth president of Community College of Philadelphia, serving more than 25,000 students from diverse backgrounds.

Previously, he served in leadership positions at Mercer County Community College, the Katharine Gibbs School, SUNY Rockland Community College, and Passaic County Community College.

His book, Booker T. Washington: The Architect of Progressive Education, was published in 2013. Dr. Generals earned his Ed.D. in Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education at Rutgers University.


Dr. Ronald A. Matthews
President, Eastern University, a Dual Admissions Partner

Ronald A. Matthews joined Eastern University in 1992 and was appointed the 10th President of Eastern University effective March 1, 2018. Prior to this call, Dr. Matthews served as Professor of Music, Chair of the Music Department, and since 2010, Executive Director of the Fine and Performing Arts Division.

From 1982-1992, Dr. Matthews was the Chair of the Department of Music at what is now Cairn University. For several years, he was a Thomas F. Staley Foundation lecturer/artist and served on professional and denominational boards and task forces. From 2005 until 2018, he was the Pastor of Worship Arts at Church of the Saviour in Wayne, PA.

Dr. Matthews has conducted, recorded, and performed in France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Switzerland and the Vatican. He is a commissioned and published composer. He has performed and recorded regularly with his younger brother, Rev. Dr. Gary Matthews, in concerts and workshops throughout the United States and internationally. His older brother, Dr. John T. Matthews, is Professor of English at Boston University. Dr. Matthews' most recent release is a jazz piano Christmas recording, Holly and Ivory.

Scenes from the 2024
An Evening of Jazz: The Presidents and The Pastor

 

  2024 Jazz Evening The Presidents and The Pastor

The Community College of Philadelphia Foundation Presents

An Evening of Jazz:
The Presidents and the Pastor 

Featuring 
Dr. Donald Guy Generals, president, Community College of Philadelphia 
Dr. Ronald A. Matthews, president, Eastern University, a Dual Admissions Partner 
Reverend Dr. Alyn E. Waller, senior pastor, Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church  

With opening performance by
the Community College of Philadelphia Student Jazz Ensemble 
and
Grammy-nominated, CCP Spring Garden Records Artist-in-Residence
Christopher Michael Stevens

Friday, November 15, 2024
7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Bonnell Building Auditorium
Community College of Philadelphia, Main Campus
1700 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA

Funds raised will support the Community College of Philadelphia Scholarship Program.

Complimentary parking is available in the College's garage.

THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT

Featuring

Dr. Guy Generals, President, Community College of Philadelphia

Dr. Guy Generals
President
Community College of Philadelphia

Read Bio

Dr. Donald Guy Generals is the sixth president of Community College of Philadelphia, serving more than 25,000 students from diverse backgrounds.

Previously, he served in leadership positions at Mercer County Community College, the Katharine Gibbs School, SUNY Rockland Community College, and Passaic County Community College.

His book, Booker T. Washington: The Architect of Progressive Education, was published in 2013. Dr. Generals earned his Ed.D. in Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education at Rutgers University.

Dr. Ronald A. Matthews, President, Eastern University, a Dual Admissions Partner

Dr. Ronald A. Matthews
President
Eastern University, a Dual Admissions Partner

Read Bio

Ronald A. Matthews joined Eastern University in 1992 and was appointed the 10th President of Eastern University effective March 1, 2018. Prior to this call, Dr. Matthews served as Professor of Music, Chair of the Music Department, and since 2010, Executive Director of the Fine and Performing Arts Division.

From 1982-1992, Dr. Matthews was the Chair of the Department of Music at what is now Cairn University. For several years, he was a Thomas F. Staley Foundation lecturer/artist and served on professional and denominational boards and task forces. From 2005 until 2018, he was the Pastor of Worship Arts at Church of the Saviour in Wayne, PA.

Dr. Matthews has conducted, recorded, and performed in France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Switzerland and the Vatican. He is a commissioned and published composer. He has performed and recorded regularly with his younger brother, Rev. Dr. Gary Matthews, in concerts and workshops throughout the United States and internationally. His older brother, Dr. John T. Matthews, is Professor of English at Boston University. Dr. Matthews' most recent release is a jazz piano Christmas recording, Holly and Ivory.

Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church

Reverend Dr. Alyn E. Waller
Senior Pastor
Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church

Read Bio

Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church has been led by the Reverend Dr. Alyn E. Waller since July of 1994. Enon Tabernacle, the oldest African American Baptist Church in the Germantown section of Philadelphia has been a beacon light in the community for 147 years. Under Dr. Waller’s dynamic leadership, the church has experienced exponential spiritual and numerical growth. Enon Tabernacle strives to be “a place where people encounter God”. Dr. Waller leads Enon in meeting the needs of its congregants, the Philadelphia community, the nation, and the African diaspora through more than ninety culturally relevant ministries. Enon Tabernacle has been a leading church in addressing the issues faced in our region and beyond. The church has engaged in highlighting educational, health and economic disparities in the African American community, deepening civic engagement, understanding and accountability, unapologetically protecting and actively engaging youth through athletics, joining the fight to eradicate human trafficking. In addition, Enon blesses many with its award-winning music ministry.

Rev. Dr. Alyn E. Waller speaks truth to power through his preaching, teaching, and exemplary leadership skills. When presented with a need, the gifted visionary Dr. Waller, leads Enon Tabernacle in finding a solution that meets the need and blesses all involved. God uses Rev. Waller’s love for humanity to transform lives with The Gospel Message. Rev. Dr. Alyn E. Waller’s partner in marriage and ministry is Ellyn Jo Waller, Ed. D. Together they have two accomplished adult daughters, Eryka Lynn Waller and Elynn Morgan Johnson; son-in-law Corey M. Johnson; and a beautiful granddaughter, Kori Lynn Johnson.



Eastern University Transfer Agreement

Featuring

Christopher Michael Stevens

Read Bio

Camden native and Temple University graduate, Christopher Michael Stevens, has had a lifetime’s worth of career experiences that began when he was just a teenager. In his early days, he traveled the world with Sony Music recording artist, Tye Tribbett and G.A. as a member of the band Soundcheck. He has since gone on to work with an array of award winning artists across several genres such as The Roots, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Darryl Hall, Michael McDonald, Eddie Levert, Earth, Wind & Fire and more.

Christopher is a Grammy Award ® nominated songwriter and an accomplished performer/arranger. He has credits on several dozen recordings including Diana Ross’ most recent album, “Thank You”. As a touring musician, Christopher has been around the world with artists such as John Legend and Eric Roberson. While those experiences are very rewarding, Christopher is a bandleader at heart. He founded two bands of his own, Vertical Current in 2009 and The Chris Stevens Quartet (CSQ) in 2015. They have a number of recordings available and new material in the works.

Additionally, his work in the world of film and television is expanding. He is finally realizing a childhood dream of composing music for as well as acting on the big screen. He has had on-screen roles in the highly decorated film “La La Land” and the Amazon original series “A League Of Their Own”. He also scored four feature films (Who Is Christmas Eve?, Love You Right: An R&B Type Musical, Walking On, and Lowest Places: Lost Time) and two short films. He can be heard as a featured soloist on the 2021 film “Really Love" as well as on the television shows “Cherish The Day” and “The Equalizer”.

Most recently, Christopher obtained a position as an in-house content creator for Splice, where he has written nearly 80 pieces in the last nine months. He is passionate about sharing the joy of music with all who will listen and inspiring everyone whom his music reaches. There’s no telling what comes next, but if the past is any indication of God’s plan then you can expect something wonderful when you see or hear the name Christopher Michael Stevens.

Discography

Community College of Philadelphia Music Department’s Jazz Ensemble

Jazz Ensemble Bio

The Community College of Philadelphia Music Department’s Jazz Ensemble is one of the longest running ensembles in the department.  The band is currently under the direction of Professor Evan Graver, whose musical approach has expanded the ensemble’s repertoire to include popular music hits from many decades interpreted in a jazz setting.  The ensemble is made of up of students enrolled in the department's Music Performance degree as well as Sound Recording and Music Technology students.

Find out more about Community College of Philadelphia's professional recording studio, Spring Garden Records, HERE

 

Community College of Philadelphia Foundation
1700 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 751-8042
foundation@ccp.edu
EIN 23-2612698

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