Two-time HBCU graduate Cedric Thomas is returning to his alma mater Alcorn State University as defensive coordinator. Get the story from the Alcorn State athletics release below.
Head Coach Fred McNair and the Alcorn State football program are pleased to announce the hiring of Cedric Thomas as the defensive coordinator for the Braves. The Cleveland native rejoins the Alcorn football staff after a prior stint as the defensive back coach from 2012-15 and the defensive coordinator in 2016 and 2017.
“I am excited to have Coach Thomas back at Alcorn,” said head coach Fred McNair. “He did an amazing job for us as defensive coordinator back in 2016 and 2017. He knows football, and he knows defense and will be an important part of moving thing this team forward.”
During his six seasons with the Braves, Alcorn won four straight SWAC Eastern Division Titles, including back-to-back SWAC titles in 2014 and 2015 and the inaugural Celebration Bowl.
Before returning to ASU, Thomas spent the 2021 season as the head football coach of his junior college alma mater Mississippi Delta Community College. He led the Trojans to a 5-4 season with three student-athletes receiving MACCC All-Conference awards. Defensive back Jeremiah Johnson was a first-team honoree, and wide receiver Lorenzo Perez and offensive tackle Austin Summerall were named to the second team.
Thomas spent the 2020 season as the defensive back coach at Southern Miss after a two-year stint as the head football coach at the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, his four-year alma mater.
In two years in Pine Bluff, Thomas helped lead the Golden Lions to a four-win improvement, as UAPB tripled their win total from two wins to six wins from 2018 to 2019. He coached 14 All-Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) honorees in his two years, including nine first-team selections.
Thomas served as the running backs coach at the University of Tennessee-Martin in 2002 before coming to Moorhead in 2003, where he also spent the 2004 season. After a two-year gig at Itawamba Community College in 2005 and 2006, he coached at MDCC for the 2007-2011 seasons.
The former MDCC and UAPB standout earned an Associate of Arts degree from MDCC in 1998, a bachelor’s degree in recreation in 2001 from UAPB, and a master’s degree in administration from Alcorn State in 2015.
The former East Side High School graduate is married to Kelunda, and the couple has one daughter, Loegan. Thomas also has a son, Cedric Jr.
The unusual bond that late rapper Young Dolph had with the Jackson State University football team will be forever memorialized. The HBCU has moved to rename the tunnel that players customarily come out of in his honor. Get the full story on their unusual bond from Michael Saponara at Hip Hop Dx below.
(Credit: Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
The Young Dolph legacy will live on forever in Jackson, Mississippi. Earlier in March, Jackson State University’s football team renamed their stadium’s tunnel where players walk out of every game the Paper Route Tunnel in honor of the late PRE boss.
“We should rename it,” a person who we assume works for Jackson State University said at a conference. “The name of the tunnel should be called Paper Route Tunnel. In memory of Young Dolph, the life and legacy.”
Dolph and Jackson State’s football team, which is coached by NFL legend Deion Sanders, are forever linked. The Memphis native pulled up to Jackson State’s 28-7 homecoming victory over Alabama State in October and joined the team’s celebration in the locker room where they turned up to his “100 Shots” anthem. The clip quickly went viral on social media.
Once reports of Young Dolph’s murder began to surface on November 17, coach Deion Sanders paid tribute to the late Memphis resident who visited his team a month prior.
“I hope to God these rumors ain’t true about my friend, my brother and a man dear to my Sons @YoungDolph,” the NFL icon wrote on Twitter. “Lord help us as a people stop the hate, the violence and the hopelessness. When we realize we matter others will as well. Lord help us right now.”
Young Dolph was shot and killed last November while at Makeda’s Cookies in his hometown. Three men have since been arrested in connection to his murder.
The award-winning Fisk Jubilee Singers® of Fisk University have been on a roll, having led a powerful performance at Carnegie Hall over the weekend. Get the story from the Fisk release below.
Saturday night marked an incredibly special occasion for the multi-award-winning Fisk Jubilee Singers®. Dr. Paul T. Kwami was invited by MidAmerica Productions, Inc. to serve as a guest conductor during the opening concert of its 39th season. Under Dr. Kwami’s direction, the Fisk Jubilee Singers® led several outstanding choral ensembles through a tour de force collection of the traditional Negro spirituals and a Ghanaian song. The concert took place on the Ronald O. Perelman Stage/Isaac Stern Auditorium in Carnegie Hall. The extraordinary arrangements included everything from John Work to Harry T. Burleigh and Paul T. Kwami.
Less than a month after performing at the Los Angeles Lakers game, the Fisk Jubilee Singers® among the combined chorus thrilled a full Carnegie audience including Rev. Jesse Jackson with their timeless voices and enduring spirit of hope and overcoming. At the conclusion of the show, the audience was in awe and gave a prolonged standing ovation for the remarkable arrangements and performances. The concert was presented by MidAmerica Productions, Inc. and considering the overwhelming response, it appears the Fisk Jubilee Singers® may be back in New York city before long.
The Fisk Jubilee Singers® have inspired audiences, broken barriers and built buildings for 150 years. Jubilee Hall, the oldest permanent structure on any Historically Black College campus, stands as a testament to the talent and perseverance of generations of Fisk Jubilee Singers®. Today, the ensemble continues to open minds, uplift hearts, promote education and inspire audiences across the globe. The unique power of music to change lives reverberates through their every performance and these timeless voices will surely continue to inspire for another 150 years.
Claflin University has big plans for a student center that will connect the university with the community. Get the story from Dionne Gleaton at The Times and Democrat below.
Breaking around on Claflin University’s new student center are, from left, Dr. Karl Wright, provost; Dr. Zia Hasan, Vice President of planning, assessment and information service; Tijuana Hudson, Vice President for Fiscal Affairs; Dr. Dwuan J. Warmack, president; James K. Lehman, board chairman; Dr. Cletra Peters, Vice President and chief of staff; Shirley Biggs, associate vice president for Human Resources/Title IX coordinator; Dr. Leroy Durant, Vice President for student development and services; Tony O’Neal, athletic director; Reynolda Brown, interim vice president for enrollment management, and Dr. Marcus H. Burgess, interim vice president for institutional advancement. (Credit: The Times and Democrat Correspondence Yon Line)
Claflin University broke ground on a $30 million, three-story student center on Friday.
Plans call for the center to include a theatre, performing arts center, 800-seat ballroom, eSports center, meeting/conference rooms and a food court with national, name-brand eateries.
“It’s just not for our campus. It will serve as the living room and a central gathering space for faculty, staff, students and community members,” Claflin President Dr. Dwaun Warmack said.
The university hopes to have the 85,000-square-foot center open by June 2023. It’ll be located at the corner of Magnolia Street and Goff Avenue.
Zakarrius Hayes, a senior criminal justice major, is excited about the development of the student center. He said Warmack is doing a good job in elevating the university
“I feel really good about it. I will be graduating in May, but hopefully I will get a chance to come back to Orangeburg to be able to see this nice building. I am so glad that we have something that we can actually expand with our students and the Orangeburg community,” the 23-year-old said.
Warmack said, “Students spend 18 to 22 percent of their time inside the classroom in college. So that means 80 percent of their time is outside the class. If living and learning is not happening outside the class, we’re missing the boat. This center will allow us to make sure that learning is continuing to happen on our campus.”
Claflin Vice President for Fiscal Affairs Tijuana Hudson said the center will also be a place where student services will be consolidated in one location, including the “mail room, print shop, book store, and all other student service areas, such as career services, that focus on student success.”
“The state-of-the art facility will bring amenities and expanded services to the community, and it will continue to build upon previous investments in Orangeburg. We are excited about what today means for Claflin and the Orangeburg community as we continue our pursuit of elevation and transformation,” Hudson said.
Wells Fargo, the Innovate Fund, the South Carolina Community Loan Fund and PNC Bank were the four financial institutions involved in the project’s financing, she said.
Warmack said, “It is my goal that we burn every mortgage when we cut the ribbon when we move in here June 2023. So we’re going to raise $30 million to have this building paid for.”
He thanked Orangeburg city and county council members, along with the university’s trustee board members, for their support in making the student center project a reality.
“This is just the beginning. We’re looking for many more partnerships to come,” the president said.
Hudson said there will be many ways the community can use the student center, including as a job training site.
“It’s all about bettering the people that live within the community, where they are able to build themselves, get better jobs and be able to improve their living conditions,” she said.
Claflin Board Chairman James K. Lehman said, “We look to the future as we build this building. This building will shape generations of students to come, and we hope that it will have just as large of an impact on the community of Orangeburg as not only a gateway to Claflin, but a gateway to Orangeburg and to the community and activities in Orangeburg.”
Orangeburg City Administrator Sidney Evering said, “We’re beyond excited. Like Dr. Warmack said, this just doesn’t impact Claflin. I’s impacting the entire community. We’re all in this together. So what is good for Claflin is good for South Carolina State (University), it’s good for OCtech, it’s good for Orangeburg and vice versa.”
“So we all need to be working together to continue to move Orangeburg forward. This is just a huge step in that direction, and we all hope to take similar steps together,” Evering said.
Warmack said, “I’m extremely excited. God is faithful. We’re not taking for granted the favor that God has had. During this time, we have a lot of colleges, universities and businesses that are closing, a lot of folks who are furloughing and laying off, but we’re still in a growth mode.
“God has been faithful to this institution during this time. So we want to be good shepherds over what we have, and we hold a responsibility to be able to do that for our community and for our students.”
Greenville-based MCA Architecture Inc. is the architect for the project. Columbia-based M. B. Kahn Construction Co., Inc. is the general contractor.
The first recipients of the “Terry Thompson and John Cardwell” scholarships are pictured at the recent Hatter Hall Scholarship Luncheon at Bluefield State College. They are (seated, left-to-right): Damien Lynch, Aziyah Jackson, (standing, left-to-right) Michael Acheampong, Michelle Lawson, Kashif Alston, Terry Thompson (BSC retiree for whom, with John Cardwell, the scholarship was named), Patrice Sterling, Nia Lumpkins, and Desmond Freeman.contributed photo
Tosin (John) Falasinnu and his sister, Yemisi (Josephine) Falasinnu are proud Bluefield State College alumni. Following their graduation several years ago, they have enjoyed productive and fulfilling careers. Tosin is a Manager, iPhone Product Quality, at Apple, Inc. and Josephine is a registered nurse.
Both now live and work in San Jose, California. They’ve pledged $100,000 to help other students in their academic pursuits at Bluefield State College.
The scholarship program underwritten by their generosity is named in honor of two former BSC employees, Terry Thompson and John Cardwell, both of whom are now retired. “When Tosin and Josephine traveled from their home in Lagos, Nigeria to Bluefield State, John Cardwell and I took them under our wings, found housing for them, and helped both throughout their student years at BSC,” recalled Thompson, former Academic Advisor in the Counseling and Advising Center and Registrar at the College.
“Josephine and Tosin really appreciated our help and the support they received when they were students at Bluefield State,” Thompson continued, “and they decided to pledge $100,000 to enable more students to further their education at BSC. Both worked as tutors when I was an academic advisor in the Counseling Center. They were like my children the entire time they attended BSC, spending every holiday with me and my family.”
Cardwell also provided timely insight and support for the Falasinnu siblings, according to Thompson. “John treated them with such respect,” she said. “He was always available, sharing advice and insight to help both Tosin and Josephine. “He made sure they were financially stable, and he treated them with such respect,” Thompson recounted.
The Mercer County Chapter of the Bluefield State College Alumni Association received the Falasinnus’ pledge along with their initial $10,000 check. The scholarships will be awarded annually to Black or Hispanic students with financial need and who maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average.
“The Falasinnus are outstanding examples of BSC success stories,” added Cardwell, former Vice President for Student Affairs. “Now they are in a position to give back so others can have the same educational opportunities they had. Tosin and Josephine are true ambassadors for Bluefield State College.”
The first “Terry Thompson and John Cardwell Scholarship” recipients received $1,000 awards during the February 18 Hamilton Hatter Scholarship Luncheon at BSC. They are Damien Lynch, Aziyah Jackson, Michael Acheampong, Michelle Lawson, Kashif Alston, Patrice Sterling, Nia Lumpkins, and Desmond Freeman.
Thanks to a million-dollar donation, Rust College is preparing to establish the Ida B. Wells Social Justice Center and Interpretive Center on the Mississippi Industrial College (MIC)! The school will also be able to make additional improvements on campus. Get the full story in the article from Autumn Scott at WREG Memphis below.
Rust College announced that it has received $1 million for infrastructure and facility improvements.
In a press release, Rust College said the $1 million allocation will help in the creation of the Ida B. Wells Social Justice and Interpretive Center on the Mississippi Industrial College (MIC) campus in the Washington Hall Building.
Rust College purchased the closed HBCU campus in 2008 with the intention of utilizing the existing historic campus as an opportunity to grow programming and opportunities for students and enhance the Holly Springs community.
Its first Congressional special project appropriation was recommended by Sen. Roger Wicker.
“We are grateful to Senator Wicker and his staff for recognizing the potential of this project to positively impact Rust College and the surrounding community,” said Dr. Ivy Taylor, President of Rust College.
Rust College said the Ida B. Wells Social Justice and Interpretive Center will facilitate research and celebration of Mississippi’s civil rights history and accomplishments, while taking lessons from those ideals and best practices to have an impact on the social justice issues of today.
The goal of the center is to educate students and others on civil rights history, serve as a center for collaborative efforts to combat discrimination and poverty in Mississippi and influence policy change on key issues.
According to Rust College Board Chair and alumnae Cecelia Sawyer, “Reclamation of the Washington Hall building and creation of our Ida B. Wells Social Justice Center will contribute to the academic, social, and personal development of students and provide opportunities for educational, cultural, and leadership development.”
Savannah State University is kicking off a new certificate program with an unlikely partner! Get the full story from Destiny Wiggins at Fox 28 below.
Savannah State University students meet Speedy Artis, Harlem Globetrotters guard. (Credit: Destiny Wiggins/WTGS)
Savannah State University has partnered with an American exhibition basketball team to give students real-world experience on what it takes to build a career in the live entertainment industry.
“We know Savannah is the hostess city and we have events all the time. With our students, a lot of them are from the region, from the area, we like them to stay here in Savannah. We like to keep our people that we grow here, to stay here. So, understanding one of the major industry’s in this town, which is events, conferences, so on, for them to get an understanding of it a detailed program that that will give them the knowledge, the professional development, to go and get the jobs out in the city and also in the region,” said Christopher Torrance, Savannah State University Assistant Professor of Management.
SSU’S new live events certificate program will create opportunities for students to learn about merchandising operations, tour management, licensing requirements and all things to play a role in putting together live entertainment. School officials say students have already shown interest in the program.
Plus, students also got to meet Harlem Globetrotters guard, Speedy Artis.
“What’s unique about our program is, it’s being associated with a world-famous organization like the Harlem Globetrotters, which I don’t believe anyone else has. Along with it, our students are extremely excited. They are very interested in event management, sport management, a lot of our athletes are very excited about it. So, I think this is going to provide a very unique niche for our university and our programs here at Savannah State University,” said Torrance.
The program is being launched under the university’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The certificate will offer non-credit, developmental course modules for registered participants of the CIE.
Registration for the class will open in April.
The program will begin its pilot program in Fall 2022.
“WE MUST THINK BIG, DREAM BIG AND ACHIEVE OUR GOALS. CENTRAL STATE UNIVERSITY, IF OUR DREAMS DON’T SCARE US, THEY ARE NOT BIG ENOUGH!”
As he was teaching himself how to read and write, Frederick Douglass, a formerly enslaved person, kept stumbling over one monolith of mystery — why is it that while many will pray for change for twenty years (and the evil institution of slavery that once limited the best-kept secret in the world’s history from its due: the United States Constitution), only some will recognize that change, it happens eventually: This mainly occurs when you pray with your legs. And the crucial puzzle piece: That fire that started to kindle within his spiritual being and physical body as a self-educated black boy who later became a giant among men, black or white.
The same fire that kindled in Douglass, which made him the most photographed man in the 19th century, is the fire that kindles in Central State University President Jack Thomas, whose inauguration address earned standing ovations from the audience earlier this month as some of his family, friends, and loved ones who had come from far and near watched in attendance. Others unable to join him that day for this particular occasion instead watched virtually.
Born to godly parents that could not get a formal education because they had to work in the fields and lived through the tumultuous battles of civil rights, Thomas compared himself to many of the honorees that Friday, March 4th: He too was a first-generation college student. Thomas grew up on a farm in Calhoun, a small community in Lowndes County, Alabama (which sits between Selma and Montgomery, Alabama). Of one of his earliest memories of his mother, who is no longer with us physically, he told the audience that he remembers her saying:
“Son, I want you to finish high school and college. Someone has to do something a little different from what your father and I have done.”
Through his mother’s encouragement, the CSU leader shared that he began to excel in his studies. He continues:
“I want to dedicate this address to honor my mother, who passed away several years ago. She is symbolized in the audience today by a bouquet of roses, carried in by an usher during the procession. Mom, I know that you are smiling down on me! My father taught me the importance of a strong work ethic. My mother has passed away, but my father still lives on the family farm. Central State University, I acknowledge the solid foundation and values instilled in me by my parents. Let’s honor my parents with a round of applause.”
Observing the pandemic challenges that rocked the entire world, Thomas mentioned how he had to remain steadfast, long-suffering, meek, kind, and humble as we all prayed for better days on our blocks. He adds:
“When I accepted the position as the 9th President of Central State University in February of 2020, I had no idea that I would be starting my tenure during a worldwide pandemic. In my previous transition, I rose from Provost to President within the same organization. I began that presidency by reviewing the university budget, developing a strategic plan, and meeting alumni and community stakeholders. Here, I started with Zoom meetings conference calls and by making difficult decisions about small classes, wearing face coverings, testing and vaccinations, and by wondering if we would ever return to normal. I am proud to say that we are still standing, poised, and prepared to take Central State University to unimaginable heights of academic excellence!
Central State students, faculty and staff enjoyed a tremendous 135th Charter Day celebration. Thomas recalls that this was the first traditional Charter Day held since his arrival on campus. He reflected on how fortunate he is to be surrounded by excellent students and committed faculty and staff:
“I then paused again back in my office following Charter Day and thought of how all of us kept pushing past all obstacles. We all kept working; we kept answering phones; we kept raising money; we kept processing applications; we kept teaching; we kept enrolling students; we kept processing financial aid forms; we kept cleaning and sanitizing; we kept giving, and we kept providing wrap-around services under challenging circumstances. In the words of Langston Hughes, our lives over the past two years “ain’t been no crystal stair,” but we stayed connected, composed, and committed to Central State University and students. I stand before you today, a proud President. Proud of the sacrifices we all have made and proud that we have all made it back to this point. Please give our resilient students, staff, and faculty a round of applause! I know that it has not been easy. There have been many changes, but we are here. We are thankful and blessed.”
Check out the full inauguration address by CSU Prez Jack Thomas below.
“To Chairman Hatcher, other members of the University Board of Trustees, my fellow Presidents, other distinguished guests, University Leadership Team, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and to my family, friends, and loved ones who have come from far and near – thank you for your presence! I especially want to thank my wife, Linda, and our sons Patrick and Darius (please stand to be recognized). My father, Mr. Clinton Thomas, Sr., my sister Helen Thomas Bell, and my brother Mr. Marshall Clifford Thomas were unable to join me today for this occasion, but I know they are with me watching virtually.
I would also like to acknowledge the eight presidents who came before me. We stand on their contributions and take great pride in being a part of the Central State tradition:
President Charles H. Wesley
President Harry E. Groves
President Dr. Herman R. Branson
President Dr. Lewis A. Jackson
President Lionel H. Newsom
President Emeritus Arthur E. Thomas
President Emeritus John W. Garland
President Emeritus Cynthia Jackson-Hammond
I am incredibly humbled and honored to serve as the ninth President of Central State University and I am reminded of one of my favorite passages from Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, a Baptist minister, and former President of Morehouse College, which reads:
“The tragedy of life doesn’t lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach. It isn’t a calamity to die with dreams unfulfilled, but it is a calamity not to dream. It is not a disgrace not to reach the stars, but it is a disgrace to have no stars to reach for. Not failure, but low aim is sin.”
As I mentioned on Charter Day and I’ll say it again today, we must think big, dream big and achieve our goals. Central State University, if our dreams don’t scare us, then they are not big enough!
On Monday evening, I attended a reception held to recognize our Charter Day honorees. Each honoree was asked to reflect on the question, “If not for Central State, where would I be?” I was inspired by their stories and found that we have much more in common than any of us expected. I discovered that like many of our honorees, I too was a first-generation college student. I grew up on a farm in Calhoun, a small community in Lowndes County, Alabama (which sits between Selma and Montgomery, Alabama). My parents were not able to get a formal education because they had to work in the fields and lived through the tumultuous battles of civil rights. I can remember my mother saying “Son, I want you to finish high school and go to college. Someone has to do something a little different from what your father and I have done.” Through my mother’s encouragement, I began to excel in my studies. I want to dedicate this address in honor of my mother, who passed away several years ago. She is symbolized in the audience today by a bouquet of roses, carried in by an usher during the procession. Mom, I know that you are smiling down on me! My father taught me the importance of a strong work ethic. My mother has since passed away, but my father still lives on the family farm. Central State University, I acknowledge the solid foundation and values instilled in me by my parents. Let’s honor my parents with a round of applause.
When I accepted the position as the 9th President of Central State University in February of 2020, I had no idea that I would be starting my tenure during a worldwide pandemic. In my previous transition, I rose from Provost to President within the same organization. I began that presidency by reviewing the university budget, developing a strategic plan, and meeting alumni and community stakeholders. Here, I began with Zoom meetings, conference calls, and by making heavy decisions about remote classes, wearing face coverings, testing and vaccinations, and by wondering if we would ever return to normal. I am proud to say that we are still standing, poised, and prepared to take Central State University to unimaginable heights of academic excellence!
On Tuesday, as we enjoyed a tremendous 135th Charter Day celebration, I recall that this was the first traditional Charter Day held since my arrival on campus. I reflected on how fortunate I am to be surrounded by excellent students and such committed faculty and staff. I then paused again back in my office following Charter Day and thought of how all of us kept pushing passed all obstacles. We all kept working; we kept answering phones; we kept raising money; we kept processing applications; we kept teaching; we kept enrolling students; we kept processing financial aid forms; we kept cleaning and sanitizing; we kept giving; and we kept providing wrap around services under challenging circumstances. In the words of Langston Hughes, our lives over the past two years “ain’t been no crystal stair,” but we stayed connected, composed, and committed to Central State University and to students. I stand before you today, a proud President. Proud of the sacrifices we all have made and proud that we have all made it back to this point. Please give our resilient students, staff, and faculty a round of applause! I know that it has not been easy. There have been many changes, but we are here. We are thankful and blessed.
As President, I embrace the mission, the legacy, and the rich traditions of this University. I am a graduate of two 1890 Land Grant Universities, Alabama A & M and Virginia State Universities, and I have held positions at two 1890 Land Grant Universities. My connection and experience with such institutions have uniquely positioned me to understand and appreciate the work that lies ahead. I am impressed by the rich legacy of Central State University. In 1958, then CSU President Charles H. Wesley hosted Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as the commencement speaker, where he encouraged students to embrace the new era ahead. Central State University, I pledge to do my absolute best, utilizing my many years of experience in higher education, to move this great University to the level that it so well deserves, a University of distinction.
Every two weeks, I hold informal conversations with separate Presidential Roundtables of faculty, staff, and students. No topic is considered off limits. We discuss everything from the condition of residential halls, the quality of customer service, all the way to library hours. All constituencies are always very respectful and thoughtful. What I get from these meetings is, first, I get to connect directly with the University’s most important populations and second, I get to hear firsthand that WE ALL recognize the greatness that lies within Central State University. The conversations also cause me to reflect on the progress we’ve made, along with the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Winston Churchill once said, “A Pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an Optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” Before I begin to talk about the future, let me talk briefly about what we have accomplished together thus far.
Enrollment Management
When I arrived at Central State University, enrollment had decreased as it had at University’s across the country due to the pandemic. We pivoted quickly to hybrid delivery and distance learning and made quick technology adjustments. As a result, we stabilized a declining traditional enrollment and increased overall online enrollment with the launch of Central State Global that grew from 28 students to over 4,000! Overall enrollment rose by 97%.
Institutional Advancement – University Fundraising
University fundraising is a primary indicator of success, and the University Board of Trustees has charged me with starting and completing a multi-million dollar capital campaign –we are off to an excellent start! Over the last 18 months, corporate partnerships and corporate philanthropy at Central State University increased significantly. To date, the University has over 30 committed corporate partnerships and has raised over $7M towards the $30 M capital campaign goal. Additionally, the University’s public profile has been elevated.
1890 Land-Grant Mission
The goal of an 1890 Land Grant university is to improve the lives of the working classes through a liberal and practical education focused on agriculture, military tactics, and the mechanical arts as well as classical studies. CSU has a demonstrated history of “serving the underserved” and “reaching the unreached.” Central State is meeting its obligation to reduce the disparities in wealth, health, and education by conducting research addressing current societal problems, sharing knowledge through extension services, and providing first class education to our students. CSU provides over $2 M in scholarship awards to students majoring in agriculture related fields. We must encourage more students to major in agriculture.
Last year, the University received nearly $27M in research and external funds, which is the highest amount ever in CSU’s history.
Honors College
If you take a drive around campus like I do daily, you will notice construction of our new honor residential hall. The hall crystallizes the University’s commitment to academic excellence, scholarship, research, and service. Our focus is to attract, recruit, and enroll high achieving students who will enrich the academic experience of all students, enhance our overall academic profile, and increase our rankings in US News and World Report, the Princeton Review, and other rankings.
There are so many more milestones and accomplishments I could list. However, while it is important to give credit where credit is due, it is equally important to resist resting on our laurels. I established a Blue-Ribbon Task Force of educational professionals to review and recommend priorities. Will Blue Ribbons Task Force members stand to be recognized? Those nine (9) priorities we set when I first took office in July of 2020, we have accomplished them all, together (APPLAUSE)! Central State University is not and will never be second or third class! We are a first class University, and we must demand to be treated as such in all our encounters, both in public and in private!
While it will always be important to recognize wins, it is even more important to continue to move forward. Any discussion about what we’ve accomplished as a University must be accompanied by a conversation about where we plan to go. Failing to plan means planning to fail. President Abraham Lincoln once said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” We are planning and collectively looking to the future with renewed energy, creative innovation, and laser focus. As such our University Strategic Plan theme is Reach Higher. Go Farther. Thrive.
Each goal in the strategic plan is accompanied by strategic initiatives, metrics, methods, and measures of success. All of us will play a critical role in embedding the plan into the very fiber of the University. Soon, across campus, you will begin to see elements of the plan reflected in new signage, new core values, and yes, new construction. The cornerstone of the plan is our bold and aggressive push to build the future Central State University – Project Innovation!
Project Innovation – Investing in Tomorrow Today
Central State University will embark on an aggressive capital infrastructure and building campaign to expand the campus footprint and capacity. The University will make a $65 M investment that will change the physical environment of the campus and begin the campaign of making Central State University a destination point for students, faculty, and professionals from around the world (APPLAUSE). If that doesn’t give you goose bumps, I don’t know what will! Let me share with you the initial projects that comprise Project Innovation:
New Honors Residential Hall and Administrative Complex
The facility will have apartment style units and the facility is scheduled to be complete in Fall 2022. These units will be available to Honors students only and will contain the latest technology and amenities and will house the administrative offices for Honors College. The facility is scheduled to be completed in Fall 2022.
CSU Health and Wellness Center
The University’s plan is to repurpose the existing facilities to create a new Health and Wellness Center. The building will include new spaces for health and wellness as well as administrative offices. The facility will also house a new Center for Minority Health Disparities Research. The expected completion of this facility is Fall 2023.
Facilities and Logistics Center
The new Facilities and Logistics Center will be the headquarters of campus physical infrastructure monitoring and logistics and capital development. The expected completion of this facility is Spring 2023.
Proposed College of Health and Human Services
The project will renovate the former Steam Plant structure, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The expansion of health-related majors in CSU’s academic plan will expand our offerings and recruitment efforts. The expected completion of the facility is Spring 2023.
The final three projects will enhance our residence communities. They are Honors Hall West, Stadium Hall East, and other off-campus living options.
WE MUST THINK BIG, DREAM BIG AND ACHIEVE OUR GOALS. CENTRAL STATE UNIVERSITY, IF OUR DREAMS DON’T SCARE US, THEN THEY ARE NOT BIG ENOUGH!
On March 4, 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Did you catch that date? March 4, 1933. Exactly 89 years ago today, during what was also his FIRST INAUGURAL address [PAUSE], President Roosevelt shared those powerful words. He was addressing Americans who were in the clutches of the Great Depression. People were hopeless and afraid. They could not imagine a future that was full of promise. Now, I understand that this is not the Great Depression, and we are not hopeless, but the sentiment still rings true. To achieve BIG goals, we must all get comfortable with being uncomfortable!
The University’s most valuable resource is the commitment, energy, intellect, and connectedness of the people who fill our classrooms, our residential halls, our dining facilities, our financial aid offices, and our facilities offices. We absolutely cannot achieve these lofty goals and plans without each of you. We must be a community of people who accepts nothing less than excellence and demands the same from everyone with whom we interact. Let’s hold each other to a higher standard of excellence and in good service in all our interactions.
As I stated before, we are looking to grow and forge ahead. We realize that this growth will position Central State University to continue to be the global influencer that it has been for over 135 years. We will be remiss if we did not take a pause and look locally. Therefore, it is my honor to announce today our new DTXS Public School Scholarship initiative. Starting immediately, Central State University will be providing free tuition scholarships for students from the following public-school districts. Dayton public schools, Trotwood Madison city schools, Xenia community schools, and Springfield city schools. We are excited to work with these high schools to help their students not only choose Central State, but be uniquely positioned to enroll and thrive! This is only the beginning and allows us to continue to grow globally while remaining connected locally.
Central State started as the Combined Normal Industrial Department at Wilberforce University, created by the Ohio General Assembly in 1887. The objectives of the new state sponsored program were to provide teacher training and vocational education to stabilize these programs by assuring a financial base similar to other state supported institutions.
In alignment with our history, I am pleased to announce that in the Fall of 2022 we will renew our focus on the founding objectives of our University. The Ohio Classroom Teacher Initiative will focus on creating the next generation of classroom teachers in Ohio. This is a four-year program that provides tuition free for students maintaining the academic standards in the College of Education.
Students will be immersed in mentorship with classroom teachers and CSU alumni educators in Ohio. It is our goal to sustain the rich tradition of success in the classroom and empower Ohio’s newest, best, and, brightest educators.
Finally, I want to leave you with the words of George Bernard Shaw, which reflects my leadership style and my commitment to Central State University and the community:
My life belongs to the community, and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live. Life is no ‘brief candle’ to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have…for [only] a moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.
Central State University – the future of this great institution is in our hands. We must work while we still have breath in our bodies, hope and determination in our hearts, energy and fire in our bellies, lessons and experiences to teach our students and the courage to stand even if we have to stand alone.
Central State University experienced the forces of nature in 1974.A tornado came and destroyed over 80% of the campus. Through that experience, we realized that this fine institution was destined for greater things. That is when we realized our “clock tower resilience.” The vision of Charles Wesley, the courage of Lionel Newsom, the audacity of Arthur Thomas, the discipline of John Garland, the tenacity of Cynthia Jackson-Hammond, all of them including (add other presidents) played a key role in building the foundation upon which we stand today. We stand on broad shoulders and now it is our turn, it is our responsibility, it is our duty be innovative, creative, flexible, because we are not just going to be on the cusp and just survive, we are going to thrive!
North Carolina Central University announced veteran athletics administrator and NCCU alumnus Dr. Louis “Skip” Perkins as the university’s next Director of Athletics during a press conference on Wednesday. Perkins will begin at NCCU on June 1.
A dynamic higher education leader with more than 20 years of experience in intercollegiate athletics and institutional advancement, Perkins has served as Director of Athletics at three different NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) institutions with teams capturing 10 conference championships during his tenure.
“Dr. Perkins is a passionate and dynamic leader who is fueled by building winning programs focused on student-success,” said NCCU Chancellor Dr. Johnson O. Akinleye. “This ‘homecoming’ of sorts for Dr. Perkins brings him back to a place where he was not only cultivated as a student, but also grew to become a distinguished athletics and development administrator regionally and nationally.”
A 1994 graduate of NCCU, Perkins holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and master’s degrees in public administration and instructional media, also from NCCU. He earned his Doctor of Education from Delaware State University, with a focus on educational leadership.
As a four-year team captain on NCCU’s tennis team, Perkins received multiple academic all-conference honors. He was also a recipient of NCCU’s inaugural Forty Under Forty Alumni Awards in 2012, and is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., the NCCU Alumni Association, Inc., and the United States Professional Tennis Association.
“I am truly thankful and excited to be back where I started my journey in intercollegiate athletics, as a student-athlete on North Carolina Central’s tennis team,” Perkins said. “The foundation that was instilled in me during my time competing on and off the court at NC Central has helped me become the person and leader I am today.
“One of my goals when I left NCCU in 2007 was to one day return to ‘The Nest,’ bringing back with me all of the experiences and knowledge I gained from a far to help return NC Central to its championship ways,” added Perkins. “I look forward to not only helping my alma mater win on its various fields of play, but to continue its focus on turning student-athletes into scholar-athletes.”
Perkins will join NCCU from his current role as assistant vice president for development at Morgan State University since 2020. Under his leadership, he worked in conjunction with the president of the university and the MSU Foundation Board to secure more than $67 million in fundraising contributions during the 2020-2021 academic year, which set a new university record.
Prior to his role as senior development officer at Coppin State University, Perkins was the associate vice president and director of athletics at Delaware State University from 2015-17. During that time, the Hornets secured four Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championships, boasted the highest grade point average (3.1) in the athletics program history, and more than $5 million was raised in athletics development.
As director of athletics at Howard University from 2010-15, Perkins oversaw more than $10 million of renovations to Burr Gymnasium, while the Bison added another conference title to his ledger. In the same role at the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff from 2007-10, the Golden Lions achieved one of the highest graduation rates in school history and won five conference championships under his leadership.
Perkins also served as an assistant athletics director for development at NCCU from 2006-07, and as executive director of communications and external affairs at Saint Augustine’s University from 2005-06.
This weekend, the Fort Valley State University men’s volleyball program, which began this year, will be looking to show what it can do in a historic game. Get the story from staff at The Telegraph below.
Fort Valley State University volleyball coach Larry Wrather (center) during a women’s volleyball game last season. Wrather and the Wildcats’ men’s volleyball team will kick off their inaugural season Friday night. (Credit: The Telegraph)
The Fort Valley State Wildcats are set for the biggest week of their inaugural men’s volleyball.
FVSU will work together with the most successful collegiate men’s volleyball program, UCLA, in giving back to the Peach County community before the two teams take to the HPE Arena court Saturday evening.
The 19-time NCAA champion UCLA Bruins are coming to Georgia for a weekend-long trip that’s about more than playing two times on the men’s volleyball court.
On Saturday, the teams will put on a volleyball Serve/Pass clinic from 1-3 p.m. for the Big Brother/Big Sister organization of Peach County in FVSU’s HPE Arena. The Wildcats and Bruins will finish the day by playing in the same arena starting at 6 p.m.
Head coach John Speraw and his Bruins will work with both the Atlanta and Peach County communities in youth and coaching clinics, as well as playing both first-year Morehouse and Fort Valley State programs aimed to help the growth of men’s volleyball in Georgia.
“Being able to have UCLA come out and play us on our home court speaks volume to what we’re trying to do here in the SIAC and at Fort Valley State University,” said Wildcats head coach Larry Wrather. “As we continue to try to grow this game on the boys/men’s side, having a top 10 program in your gym to train with and compete against only helps our guys get caught up to that level faster.”
Fort Valley State University volleyball coach Larry Wrather during a women’s volleyball game last season. Wrather and the Wildcats’ men’s volleyball team will kick off their inaugural season Friday night. (Credit: The Telegraph)
FVSU, UCLA GROWING MEN’S VOLLEYBALL
“We are excited about the opportunity to play Fort Valley State and Morehouse College which are two of the six new men’s volleyball programs in the SIAC conference,” UCLA Men’s Volleyball Head Coach John Speraw said “This trip affords our student-athletes the chance to play our first ever match in the state of Georgia — a state where we expect boy’ volleyball to rapidly increase in participation and popularity over the coming years.
“Our players and staff are eager to make this an impactful week and appreciate the experience this will provide all the institutions.”
Led by Speraw, the Bruins team will conduct several youth and coaching clinics for local club, middle school, and high school athletes and coaches in the greater Atlanta and Peach County areas. They will end the week with matches against Morehouse College and Fort Valley State University, two of six new HBCU collegiate men’s volleyball programs in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
“Partnering with UCLA to reach out to the community and grow the sport is honestly awesome. We get a chance to inspire that next generation to look into volleyball and wanting to get interested in playing. That’s a big part of what we strive for here at Fort Valley as we want to grow the game in our community more, so our men are fighting hard every day in the gym and in matches to try to inspire that next kid to want to be involved,” added Wrather.
FIRST POINT HELPING FUND TEAMS
In 2019, the SIAC received a $1 million grant from First Point Volleyball Foundation ($600,000) and USA Volleyball ($400,000) to fund the addition of men’s volleyball. First Point Volleyball Foundation was co-founded Speraw in 2016.
As a result of First Point and USA Volleyball’s gift, the SIAC began its inaugural season in January with six participating programs: Benedict College, Central State University, Edward Watters College, Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, and Morehouse College.
A NEW HBCU VOLLEYBALL DOCUMENTARY
A team of students from Ball State University will also join the Bruins in Atlanta. The Ball State team is producing a documentary titled Match Point 2.0, which will chronicle the SIAC’s inaugural season and explore how the addition of six new programs at HBCUs is increasing opportunities for minority athletes.
West Virginia State University (WVSU) has been awarded a $764,792 grant by the Kanawha County Commission for the establishment of a Cybersecurity Innovation Center (CIC) at the university.
The funding comes from American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds that can be used to assist communities recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. The commission approved the grant funds at its Thursday meeting.
“We are grateful to the Kanawha County Commission for their support in helping us to establish the Cybersecurity Innovation Center at West Virginia State University. As West Virginia struggles to emerge from the pandemic, and overcome the economic disparities that were compounded by the pandemic, establishment of a strong and diverse economic foundation for the future is critical,” said WVSU Interim President Ericke Cage. “The creation of this center will contribute to this effort by helping ensure a safe environment for business development in the Kanawha Valley and throughout the state, and by preparing students for high-demand jobs in this rapidly growing field.”
The Kanawha County Commission issued the following joint statement, “We cannot thank Interim President Ericke Cage enough for his leadership of WVSU at this time. President Cage led senior leadership through the process of applying for these funds and initiated this idea for a Cybersecurity Innovation Center. His leadership with WVSU has been outstanding, and he has the full support of the Kanawha County Commission. We were pleased to approve the American Rescue Plan Grant for West Virginia State University at last night’s meeting. WVSU is ‘our’ University, and implementing a CIC is greatly needed at this time as many businesses are seeking assistance daily in how to protect their infrastructure. WVSU will work to ensure that its students have the opportunity to participate in this important program. We were proud to support WVSU, especially on Founders Day and their Day of Giving.”
Establishment of the CIC at WVSU will address economic and social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic by providing academic degrees, community-based training and youth outreach to populations that have been disproportionately affected by health and economic concerns.
WVSU students who have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic will receive priority consideration for scholarships and paid internships, and graduates with credentials in cybersecurity will be well positioned to obtain and succeed in jobs related to cybersecurity.
In addition, government agencies, small businesses and community organizations will have the support and training to adopt practices and invest in resources that lead to fewer data breaches and increased understanding of and confidence in how to keep their organizations safe; data security will be especially important as many organizations continue to have a significant number of their employees working from home.
And finally, community members and youth from underrepresented communities enrolled in K-12 programming will develop increased awareness of the importance of cybersecurity, tools to keep their personal data safe, and careers available in this field.
Establishment of the CIC will begin immediately with the hiring of a director, investment in the technology infrastructure needed to deliver the programs, and development of curriculum for university students as well as community outreach.
The first cohort of cybersecurity students will enroll in fall 2022, the first community outreach programs will begin during the 2022-2023 academic year, and K-12 youth programs will begin in the summer of 2023.
The funds awarded to WVSU will be used to provide scholarships and paid internships for students, and provide support for outreach programs to county employees, community members, and K-12 youth.
Grambling State University students are being exposed to the ins and outs of the real estate industry thanks to a partnership with Arizona State University below. Get the full story from Ndumiso Shongwe and Kinaya Washington at The Gramblinite below.
Dr. Mark Stapp, left, and Clifton Johnston were two of the panelists at The Grambling State University/Arizona State University Real Estate classes. (Credit: Jalien Edwards)
Grambling State University and Arizona State University recently teamed up for an informational session concerning real estate classes taken through ASU that are credited to GSU’s students’ transcripts.
This panel conducting the session in the GSU Nursing Building auditorium on March 7 included event moderator Murphy Cheatham, a 1998 GSU graduate who is a real estate finance and fintech executive; Dr. Mark Stapp, director of Real Estate Programs at Arizona State’s W.P. Carey School of Business; Wayne Brown, founder and senior vice president of Brown Builders Inc., a development and property management company in Bossier City, Louisiana; Clifton Johnson, a 2002 GSU graduate and owner of Titan Realty Group; and Bonnie Moore, a 1979 GSU graduate who serves as director of Community Development for her native city of Shreveport, Louisiana.
The session held in GSU’s Betty E. Smith School of Nursing Building Auditorium spotlighted the university’s partnership with ASU’s W.P. Carey School of Business that enables eligible students from Grambling State to take real estate classes through Arizona State and have credits for those courses transferred to their Grambling transcript. The classes include Real Estate Fundamentals, Real Estate Appraisal, Real Estate Law, Real Estate Land Department, and Real Estate Investment.
Stapp pointed out the classes are offered online and are scheduled according to the students’ convenience.
“The five classes are offered via zoom. When setting up the schedule, the student’s Grambling existing schedule is taken into consideration, and we also work around the difference in time zones,” Stapp said.
Stapp challenged students to have an insatiable thirst for learning.
“Be a lifelong learner — do not stop learning,” Stapp said.
The program has already seen two students from Grambling enrolled in the ASU program — K’tricia Borum, a Mass Communication major with a minor in Marketing, and Kimberly Jackson, a Management major.
Borum said she was thankful to her professors who made her aware of the program and also provided her perspective on the program.
“I was not aware that even as a Mass Communication major, I could take Real Estate courses through ASU, therefore I would like to give credit to my teachers and thank them, especially Mrs. (Susan) Wiley (Student Success Instructor and lecturer with the Management and Marketing Department at GSU). For me, this program provides an opportunity like no other, and when opportunity knocks you open the door,” Borum said.
Jackson expressed her appreciation for GSU’s administration for making the program available.
“My favorite aspect of the program is the administration,” Jackson said. “They have been very helpful. At first, it was difficult to enroll because classes clashed with my Grambling schedule, but the administration worked with me until we found a way to make it work. I highly recommend that eligible students apply for the course.”
Grambling’s Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Connie Walton said that as administration they are looking forward to having more students take advantage of the partnership.
“We are hopeful that next fall we will have 15 to 20 students taking the Real Estate courses through this partnership,” Walton said.
GSU President Rick Gallot Jr. was thankful to Grambling alumnus and Arizona State University for making the partnership possible.
“To Mr. Murphy Cheatham II and our friends at Arizona State University, thank you for the investment of time and treasure in making these opportunities available for our students here at Grambling State University,” Gallot said.
Students who attended the information session said they were inspired to enroll in the program.
“I think this is an awesome opportunity for students and I definitely want to enroll before I graduate,” said junior marketing major Kayla Wiley.
“I am a graduating senior, so I still have to find out how I can apply and enroll. I will certainly be in contact with the relevant personnel,” said criminal justice and sociology major Skyy Harrison.
Wiley said the immediate response to the session explaining the program was strong.
“The response to the real estate information session has been great,” Wiley said. “Ten students are already planning to take the Real Estate Fundamentals course in the fall. The valuable knowledge, experiences and words of wisdom shared by our real estate experts introduced our students to various career opportunities in this field.”
The program is open to all majors. For now, it is available in the spring and fall semesters. Interested students in enrolling may contact Wiley at wileysb@gram.edu.
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff alumnus Terron Armstead is yet again making us proud after signing a huge new NFL contract. Get the full story from Kyle T. Mosley at Sports Illustrated’s HBCU Nation below.
The former UAPB alum and HBCU great, Terron Armstead, signed a mega-deal with the Miami Dolphins.
Terron Armstead entered free agency as one of the top offensive linemen available, and the Miami Dolphins signed the former Arkansas-Pine Bluff alum and New Orleans Saints left tackle.
Armstead, 30, anchored the Saints’ offensive line for years and protected Brees’ blindside before the future Hall of Famer decided to retire after the 2020 season. New Orleans couldn’t keep the best left tackle in the team’s history due to salary-cap limitations. He and Ryan Ramczyk were considered the best tackle tandem in the league.
The UAPB great has protected other notable quarterbacks on the gridiron like Jameis Winston, Taysom Hill, Trevor Siemian, and Teddy Bridgewater.
CONTRACT WITH MIAMI
Miami invited Armstead for a visit, and both sides agreed on a five-year, $87.5 million contract with $43.7M guaranteed on March 22.
Since the Dolphins QB is left-handed, the ex-Golden Lion will take his talent to South Beach and protect Tua Tagovailoa’s front side. Nevertheless, Miami landed one of the best offensive linemen in the league.
ABOUT COMING FROM AN HBCU
One reporter wanted to know, “what does today mean for you being a product of an HBCU and being a 10-year vet?” While wearing a classic Dan Marino No. 12 jersey, Armstead said, “It’s amazing. It’s a blessing for sure. I thank God for the opportunity, for being here, for being here for so long, for being an HBCU guy, a small school guy. It’s a longer road. It honestly is. It’s a longer trip to get here and to stay here, but it’s possible. It’s becoming more and more frequent and evident that the talent is in those buildings and in those spaces. I was at the HBCU Legacy Bowl. A lot of talented players, a lot of NFL scouts and front office people making decisions. I think it will continue to grow as they continue to get exposure.”
ARMSTEAD’S COMBINE LEGACY
The New Orleans Saints took notice of Armstead during the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine after Armstead ran a 4.71 second 40 yard-dash. His time remains the top 40 of any offensive linemen at a combine. The Saints selected him as the 75th overall pick in the 3rd round of the 2014 NFL Draft.
In ten seasons and 97 professional game appearances, Armstead earned three trips to the NFL Pro Bowl (2018-20) and was honored as a second-team AP All-Pro in 2018. Before entering the draft, the Cahokia, IL native was a three-time SWAC first-team selection from 2010-12.
The Saints will miss his leadership and locker-room presence. He was a great interview and highly personable with media during my time covering the New Orleans Saints. The big man is a philanthropist and a darn good rapper. The Dolphins landed a gem in the HBCU legend, Terron “T-Stead” Armstead.
Competitive gaming is a thriving industry, but for girls and women, it is an unleveled playing field. Learn what Tennessee State University is doing to change that in the Nashville Tennessean article by Molly Davis below.
Kiara Davis (left) teaches Sydnei Everett (right) how t play a video game during an esports gaming event hosted by Tennessee State University Wednesday, March 16. (Credit: Molly Davis/Tennessean)
Jayla Anderson didn’t know many people when she transferred to Tennessee State University this year. She had taken two years of online classes at a community college in Memphis, and when she arrived in Nashville she was thrilled to be a part of a campus community.
“Taking online classes, I felt really detached,” Anderson said. “Coming here has been really eye-opening. It has been the best experience.”
Anderson grew up playing video games with her older brother. When she arrived at TSU, she used video games to foster her own network of friendships. She plays in her dorm with her best friend, who she calls her brother, and plans informal tournaments in another friend’s off-campus apartment.
“Whenever any of my friends is playing sports games, basketball shooting games, I’m there with them,” Anderson said.
Tennessee State University hosted an event Wednesday, March 16 focused on women in esports gaming to engage more students like Anderson in the establishment of the Academic eSports Center on campus.
The SMART Global Technology Information Center will oversee the new center, which will serve as the academic hub for new classes on the history of esports and video game coding and creation. Dean of Graduate Studies Deborah Chisom said a primary initiative at the center is to recruit young women into STEAM professions through esports gaming.
Kiara Davis was the first female on the esports team at Tennessee State University. She has helped to recruit more women to the team. (Credit: Molly Davis/Tennessean)
“It opens up a whole world, especially for females,” Chisom said. “It teaches them leadership and organizational skills, and it’s important that we open up the field of gaming to women.”
The National Association of Collegiate Esports estimates that 8.2% of collegiate esports players are female, and Black women are underrepresented in the worldwide gaming community. Program director Effua Ampadu-Moss said esports and online gaming is a unique opportunity because it doesn’t have to be about what someone looks like. Ampadu-Moss wants the new center to be open to everyone, regardless of what they look like or where they come from.
The esports gaming team at TSU attends biannual national competitions and hosts internal tournaments. Kiara Davis, a freshman at TSU, said she wants to put the eSports team among the top five HBCU’s in the U.S.
Davis learned how to play video games with her dad and brother. She said competing on the team has helped her get out of her comfort zone and build a community of friends at college. This year she was the first girl on the mostly male team, so she tries to get more women involved any chance she gets.
“I can bond with guys, but it’s unique to have girls on the team,” Davis said. “When we finally got more girls on the team, I was so happy. Hopefully we will get more.”
Students stopped by to try out video games at the event, which was focused on engaging students ahead of the opening of the new academic center for gaming at TSU. (Credit: Molly Davis/Tennessean)
As students stopped by the event to learn more about the team, Davis took the initiative to show them the ropes.
When looking to the future, Chisom and Ampadu-Moss want to expand gaming and academic opportunities to women of all ages. They hope to offer summer camps for youth in Nashville when the center is finished.
“People ask me why girls should be in gaming,” Chisom said. “The question to me is why not?”
Jackson State University head football coach Deion sanders will continue to do all he can for HBCU talent to be scouted, even if it ruffles some feathers. Get the story from Adam Wells at Bleacher Report below.
Credit: AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.
Jackson State head football coach Deion Sanders is unhappy with those NFL scouts who didn’t attend a pro day in Mississippi for HBCU football players.
Speaking to NFL Network after Monday’s event (h/t Khari Thompson of the Mississippi Clarion Ledger), Sanders called out the 10 teams that didn’t have scouts present.
“You 10 that’s missing, if I catch you at Mississippi State or Ole Miss it’s going to be a problem, that’s all I’m going to say. That’s all I’m saying, it’s going to be a problem. Our kids are that good, you should have shown up too,” he said.
Sanders announced last month that Jackson State was going to be hosting a pro day for players from several HBCU programs, including the Tigers, Mississippi Valley State and Alcorn State.
“I’ve heard from the NFL,” Sanders said. “Not only are they sending a plethora of scouts, but they’re sending the NFL cameras as well, because our kids deserve the same thing as the Power Fives.”
Thompson noted Jackson State linebacker James Houston IV, who finished second in FCS with 16.5 sacks last season, gained valuable exposure from Monday’s pro day after not being invited to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis earlier this month.
There has been a significant push to get draft-eligible players from HBCU schools more access to NFL scouts leading up to the 2022.
The Black College Football Hall of Fame adopted the HBCU Legacy Bowl that was played Feb. 19 in Mobile, Alabama. The Legacy Bowl is an all-star game in the same vein as the Senior Bowl except it only features athletes from HBCUs.
These efforts came after no HBCU players were selected in the 2021 NFL draft. For comparison, there were four HBCU players selected in the 2019 draft, including Tytus Howard in the first round (No. 23 overall) by the Houston Texans.
A new report has outlined just how much more difficult the COVID-19 pandemic has made life for some HBCU students, and what can be done to help. Get the full story from Lily Bohlke at Missouri News Service below.
A survey of students at the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) found nearly half have been food insecure in the last 30 days.
More than half experienced housing insecurity during the pandemic, with many students reporting choosing between paying rent or buying food. The report noted the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on HBCU students exacerbated existing racial inequities.
Terrell Strayhorn, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Virginia Union University and director of the Center for the Study of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, who co-authored the report, said investing in student needs is key to increasing student success.
“It’s hard to feel you belong in higher education when your basic needs are not met,” Strayhorn explained. “When you don’t have enough money to pay your bills and have food and have a place to lay your head, but you’re expected to show up for biology class.”
The report noted HBCUs account for more than 20% of Black Americans’ bachelors degrees, and they serve many Pell Grant-eligible students, meaning they qualify for the federal needs-based grant program.
Public HBCUs rely on federal, state and local funding for more than half their revenue, compared with 38% for their predominantly white counterparts.
Andre Smith, political scientist at Fayetteville State University, formerly of Harris-Stowe State University, said Missouri’s funding model for universities is performance based, and the two HBCUs as well as Missouri Western, a predominantly white institution in St. Joseph, end up on the low end.
“They have the neediest students who are going to require at an institutional level the most assistance,” Smith pointed out. “But due to the funding model in Missouri, these three schools get the least amount of funding.”
The report is a joint effort by the Hope Center for College, Community and Justice, and Virginia Union’s Center for the Study of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. It makes state and federal policy recommendations for lawmakers, including expanding financial aid and emergency aid options for HBCU students.
