The Harvey’s Donate Additional $553,000 for Faculty and Staff; Hampton University Gifts Total $4.2 Million

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HAMPTON, Va. (July 3, 2018) — Dr. and Mrs. William R. Harvey are donating an unexpected and unprecedented gift of $553,000 to their “Home by the Sea.” Hampton‘s first couple is no stranger to giving and giving back to the university they have led for 40 years.

This latest gift was given to the faculty and staff in the form of a 1% additional raise on top of the optional annual increase that is given at the start of each fiscal year. For an example, if the supervisor’s recommendation was a raise of 3%, Dr. Harvey’s gift will increase that raise to 4%. The Harvey’s personal generosity to Hampton University now totals nearly $4.2 million.

This offering truly displays Dr. and Mrs. Harvey’s heartfelt commitment to giving back to the university community they serve. There is no question that in the four decades of service, the Harvey’s have upheld THE standard of excellence that is Hampton University. The Harvey’s are more than President and First Lady of Hampton University, they are truly admired for being the heart and soul of this prestigious institution.

As a result of Dr. Harvey’s guidance, generosity, direction and service, Hampton University is an internationally renowned world-class leader in higher education. Dr. Harvey, with his wife of 52 years at his side, has transformed Hampton University from a small college to a world-class university. The students attending Hampton are destined for success as they join alumni who are leaders in some of the highest offices across a multitude of industries. Many alumni who were influenced by Dr. Harvey’s leadership will tell you how their alma mater excels above the rest.

The first couple’s history of giving includes covering salary increases during the lean financial periods. In 2011, Dr. and Mrs. Harvey gave a gift of $1 million to be utilized as incentives to increase faculty salaries. In 2011 and again in 2014, the Harvey’s gave donations of $166,000 and $108,403 respectively, to support wage increases for full-time permanent HU staff.

The Harvey’s also made a generous donation to scholarships in 2001. That year they gave a gift of $1 million to fund scholarships for students interested in becoming K-12 teachers.

In 2016, Dr. and Mrs. Harvey gave a $100,000 gift to the William R. Harvey Leadership Institute, which increased their endowment to over $3 million in scholarships for students to attend the William R. Harvey Leadership Institute (WRHLI). The students become “Harvey Scholars” after a rigorous selection process. Upon completion of the program, the fellows receive an 18-hour-minor in leadership studies and also attend a service learning initiative trip abroad.

The WRHLI was the brainchild of Dr. Harvey who convened several of his closest academic advisors with the clear purpose of creating an institute with a curriculum focused on character development, critical thinking, leadership theory and application, ethics and policy development.

As it relates to their latest gift, Dr. Harvey said, “Our Hampton community is a family. Ensuring each faculty and staff member receives what they are due is extremely important to me. We all work very hard to make Hampton University a dynamic and respected leader in higher education. With the help of everyone who gives so much to the campus, we have been able to become one of the top modest sized institutions in the world.”

The Harvey’s most recent contribution brings the personal donations to the university from its first family to $4,153,000.

As a visionary, Dr. Harvey has embraced HU founder General Samuel Chapman Armstrong’s mission to have every aspect at Hampton University excel. And excel it has under Dr. Harvey’s leadership. The William R. Harvey years, 40 and counting, will grace the record books as an unparalleled accounting of mega success, not just for the HU students, faculty and staff whose lives give testimony to the results of his labor, but for the global community of stakeholders who will continually reap the benefits of his astute leadership for generations to come.

Dr. Harvey has introduced innovations, which have solidified Hampton University’s stellar position among the nation’s colleges and universities. Ninety-two new academic programs, an endowment that has increased 866%, satellites on active missions in space, the largest free-standing proton therapy cancer treatment center in the world, speaks to his desire to leave the world better than he found it.

The Brewton, Alabama native is a servant leader who faces each day determined to enrich the lives of others. His blessed path led him from a small town to the coveted classrooms of Harvard University. With his Ivy League degree in hand, Dr. Harvey could have taken any one of so many prestigious university offers. However, he, the true educator, chose to lead at an HBCU where he could make a real difference in the academic worlds of young people who yearned for better lives. Dr. Harvey, the businessman, put his acumen to work placing Hampton on the fast track for growth and development as a world-class university.

Dr. and Mrs. Harvey continue to support Hampton University’s institutional vision and mission by ensuring high quality faculty and staff continue to thrive, to build character, and to help prepare promising students for successful futures. Hampton University truly thanks Dr. and Mrs. Harvey for their kindness, their faithful support, and their selfless generosity.

Spelman Alumna, Ouleye Warnock Works to Develop a Solution to Human Trafficking

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Ouleye Ndoye Warnock, C’2007, is a pioneer. As the inaugural senior human trafficking fellow for the City of Atlanta, she was recently featured in the “Atlanta Voice” for her work in helping Atlanta combat human trafficking.

Appointed by Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Warnock reports to the mayor’s chief staff and is considered a member of the mayor’s executive team. Her role, made possible by the Partnership for Freedom, is to develop a citywide response to preventing human trafficking and provide support for survivors.

Prepared to Lead. Destined to Change the World.

Using insight acquired as an undergraduate student at Spelman College and as a graduate student at Columbia University and Oxford University, Warnock is well-suited for the opportunities and challenges the position will present. She holds a M.Sc. in Migration Studies from Oxford’s Department of International Development and School of Anthropology, and a Masters in History from Columbia University where she is currently pursuing her Ph.D. She graduated from Spelman with honors, Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude, in the top 1% of her class with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, with a concentration on francophone Africa. 

Warnock, who led the first group of Spelman and Morehouse students to Senegal in 2007 through her service as president of the Student Government Association, began advocating for individuals impacted by sex trafficking as a result of scholarships and fellowships that afforded her opportunities to work in the field of human rights in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. She found her niche in human rights by working with African asylum seekers, and advocating for improved education and health of young girls in rural Senegal through the Women’s Health Education and Prevention Strategies Alliance’s 10,000 Girls Program.

Working to Put an End to Human Trafficking

With over a decade of experience working to support the rights of women and children throughout the world, Warnock continues to advocate for human rights — access to health care, education, prevention of sexual violence, and a safe place to call home — for all people. She has already made a significant impact in the city of Atlanta as a result of her work which first included making sure officials and the general public truly understood what human trafficking is.

“Human trafficking is modern-day slavery and involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Traffickers use force, fraud, or coercion to lure their victims and force them into labor or commercial sexual exploitation,” according to the United States Department of Homeland Security. 

Warnock, during her first eight months in her role as human trafficking fellow, developed a “comprehensive blueprint” to provide insight on the current state of sex trafficking, including analysis on survivor services, current anti-trafficking programs, policy recommendations and much more, as reported in an Atlanta Voice article by Martel Sharpe.

Educating and Empowering Government and Private Sectors

Committed to educating and empowering, Warnock created a human trafficking training guide that can be used by agencies and organizations. Specifically, the training has been requested by the Atlanta Police Department and the Super Bowl Host Committee and it’s over 10,000 volunteers.

In October 2018, Warnock organized the city of Atlanta’s first Human Trafficking Policy Roundtable which brought together more than 50 community leaders and 15 organizations from the public and private sectors to talk with experts on issues such as new policy trends and the evolution of the healthcare delivery system. Participants learned about current labor and sex trafficking practices. They also discussed factors such as signage in schools, hotels and convenience stores; parents’ roles in prevention and reporting; and ways to bridge the generational gap to better educate communities on human trafficking.

A HU Love Story, Reminisce With Three Alumni Love Stories

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WASHINGTON – Since 1867 many college sweethearts have found the love of their life at Howard University. One Valentine’s Day, Imani Pope-Johns and Misha Cornelius highlighted a few love stories that add to the “Howard mystique” turned life-long love that many know. Share your Howard love story online this February and tag #HowardLoveStory.

A Rankin Chapel Wedding in the 90s: 

KELLIE AND VERNON LEE - Howard Alumni 1995 at Rankin Chapel in DC.JPG

During the spring of 1988, Vernon Lee Jr., and Kellie Rodriguez-Lee (pictured), had a friendship that quickly grew, as they love to frame it.  It all started the day Vernon pushed open the elevator doors at the East Towers, just to get Kellie’s name. By 1991, they were college sweethearts.

“Over the years at Howard, we enjoyed many study dates and classic college meals like hamburger helper. It was because of our deep Bison love we decided to get married at Rankin Chapel in 1995,” said Kellie.

The young couple felt it was only fitting to get married on Howard’s campus since that’s where they fell in love. Throughout 25 years of marriage, The Lees have lived in three states and are the proud parents of a college senior named Alexis.

“We are forever thankful for all that Howard has given us,” said Kellie.

Their wedding didn’t have a theme, yet embodied that Bison love they always cherished.

Cooking Up Love in Business and the Community:

Ted and Janet Cook - Howard University sweethearts - parents of Quinn Cook Warriors.png

The love story of Janet and Ted Cook developed within two weeks of Janet arriving on campus. She was working toward a degree in business and Ted was in law school. It wasn’t long after they met that they decided to get married. And although they were students with little money, they committed themselves to a lifetime together and moved into a Washington D.C. basement apartment together. Janet affectionately reminisced on the story of how the two had very little in those early days but found themselves surrounded by an abundance of love and community.

Eventually, the Cooks went on to become serial entrepreneurs, opening a successful staffing agency in the D.C. area that notably staffed the development of a terminal in Union Station. The Howard couple raised two children – Quinn Cook, a successful basketball player for the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, and Kelsey Cook, who is pursuing a music career in New York.

When Ted passed in 2010, Janet and her family felt a sense of tremendous loss, but nevertheless remained strong and connected. Today, Janet runs the Cook’s businesses and remains tightly connected to the Howard community.

“We were able to pass down the fortitude and determination that Howard instilled in us as parents so that in the face of tragedy, both our children were able to stay focused. We were only able to do it because of the community,” said Janet. “In the Howard community, we adopt each other’s kids, so the community adopted my two and were there every step of the way. But also, we’ve been passing on the determination and supreme confidence that Howard instilled in us since the day our children were born. I owe everything to Howard.”

Déjà vu For Two:

Dana Hall and Jon Murphy on Howard University Campus.jpg

If you ask Jon Murphy and Dana Hall (pictured), when they first met, you may get a range of answers.  As Dana recalls, “it’s possible that our first interaction was at a random homecoming function, at a protest for Troy Davis, or a Swahili class.” However, they both remember the night when he interrupted her conversation with a friend and introduced himself as her waiter at the restaurant Uniontown Bar and Grille.

“He proceeded to give me a hug and asked ‘Didn’t you go to Howard?”  She later told her friend that the waiter was cute and hoped that they would exchange numbers before the end of the night.  

For Jon, the memory was sort of déjà vu. He felt that this had occurred before, and remembered that she was an alumna of Howard. “I came from around the bar and told the waitress that I’d take the first high top table where Dana and her friend were sitting. After Dana finished eating, he walked to the table to pick up the check.

“I came up with the master plan, but before I could execute it, her friend said, ‘So are you going to ask her for her number?’ As I stood there awkwardly, I couldn’t do anything else but get those digits and the rest is history.”

As a nod to Howard University’s role in their lives, the couple took baby announcement photos on The Yard. Last year, they welcomed a baby girl named Zora after the illustrious alumna Zora Neale Hurston.

# # #

About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, two Marshall Scholars, one Schwarzman Scholar, over 70 Fulbright Scholars and 22 Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States.  For more information on Howard University visit www.howard.edu

Media Contact: Imani Pope-Johns, Imani.popejohns@howard.edu                                    

Hampton Lady Pirates Take Big South Indoor Crown

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LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Hampton University Lady Pirates indoor track and field team made it a sweep on Saturday as they took their first-ever Big South Conference Indoor Championship in the meet held at Liberty University.

Hampton scored 162.50 points to edge out High Point with 159, while Charleston Southern took third with 95 points.  Campbell finished in the fourth spot with 77 points, Radford finished in fifth with 52, and USC Upstate is sixth with 44 points. Gardner-Webb finished in seventh with 32 points, while Winthrop stands eighth with 21 points and UNC Asheville rounds out the standings at ninth with 18.5 points.

The Lady Pirates got on the board on Saturday with a 1-3-6 finish in the 60 hurdles as Autumn Smith won the race in 8.55 with Mallory Pitchford coming in third (8.71) and Kaitiln Scott in sixth (9.01).for a total of 19 points.

In the 400 meters, Sashana Hinds took second in 57.25 and Smith came in fourth in 57.68 to give Hampton 13 points.  The 60 meters gave Hampton another nine points as Pitchford took second in 7.59 and Isis Brooks was seventh in 7.65.

DeVonya Brown took seventh in the 800 (2:23.66) and Shakeira Johnson was eighth in 2:26.90 for three points.  The 200 meters gave Hampton 20 points with Pitchford (24.51) edging out Brooks (24.52) for first while Asha Copeland was seventh in 25.56.

The field events saw Hampton set a couple school marks.  In the weight throw, Hampton went 1-2 and set a school record as Corneisha Mitchell won it in 18.68 meters with Ayana Culhane taking second in 18.27.  Culhane set a school record on Friday in the shot put with a toss of 14.58 meters.

Kameryn Trussell was fourth in the triple jump (11.47 meters) and Smith was sixth (11.30) for eight more points.
In the 4×400 relay, Jaelen Leonard, Smith, Alysha Evans and Hinds took second in 3:51.71 to ice the team win finishing ahead of High Point who was third.

Head Coach Maurice Pierce was named Coach of the Year for the first time in the Big South and has a share of a Coach of the Year title now 15 times.  The Lady Pirates won the MEAC title 2001, 2003-07, a share in 2008, 2009, 2011-16.  Culhane was named to the Big South Conference All-Academic team at the conclusion of the meet. 

For more information on Hampton University women’s indoor track and field, please contact the Office of Sports Information at 757-727-5757 or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com

Amir Hall Named 2018 BCFHOF Player of the Year

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Atlanta, GA – The Black College Football Hall of Fame has announced that Bowie State senior quarterback Amir Hall has once again won the Deacon Jones Trophy, being named the 2018 Black College Football Player of the Year.

Black College Football Hall of Fame Trustees James “Shack” Harris and Doug Williams made the announcement during the 2019 Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Atlanta on Saturday night. The Award recognizes the most outstanding football player from a Historically Black College & University (HBCU) that embodies the rich tradition of athletic excellence and integrity associated with HBCUs.

Hall led the Bulldogs to a second consecutive berth in the NCAA Division II playoffs and a first-round win, in what was the most successful season Bulldogs Football history. He threw for 4,152 yards, 38 total touchdowns, and set the CIAA all-time leading passing record in yards and touchdowns along the way. Hall was named the CIAA Offensive Player of the Year and was invited to play in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.

After three years as the Bulldogs starting quarterback, Hall owns nearly every school passing record, including passing yards, touchdowns and passing efficiency. Additionally, he is a two-time winner of the SBN Doug Williams Offensive Player of the Year Award.

“The four finalists this year had outstanding seasons,” said Harris. “Amir had one of the most prolific seasons for a quarterback in Black College Football history, and we congratulate him on winning this prestigious award for the second time.”

The Player of the Year was voted on by a five-member Selection Committee, which is composed of Black College Football Hall of Fame Co-Founders James “Shack” Harris and Doug Williams, Sheridan Broadcast Network’s Director of Sports Ty Miller, former USA Today sports writer Roscoe Nance and ESPN College Football Analyst Jay Walker.

Hall was also the recipient of the Deacon Jones Trophy for the 2017 season. The inaugural winner in 2016 was Tarik Cohen of North Carolina A&T State University, who is now a star on the Chicago Bears. Tarik was named First Team All-Pro and selected to the NFL Pro Bowl after this past season.

Other Black College Football Player of the Year Award Finalists included DE Darryl Johnson(North Carolina A&T State University), QB Noah Johnson (Alcorn State University) and QBCaylin Newton (Howard University).C

FAMU Partners With Ross University To Increase Physician Diversity

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) – With the goal of driving diversity among U.S. doctors, FAMU and Ross University School of Medicine have announced a new agreement to help more African-Americans attend medical school. 

Florida A&M and Ross University School of Medicine made the announcement Friday afternoon. 

The two universities have agreed to establish an educational pathway program, making it easier for FAMU graduate school students to study medicine at RUSM. 

Qualified FAMU students who earn full acceptance into the medical school will receive a scholarship covering full tuition for the first semester. Those FAMU students would then spend the first two years of medical school at the RUSM campus in Barbados.

“This is an exciting opportunity to partner with the Ross University School of Medicine,” said FAMU President Larry Robinson, Ph.D. He added, “For 131 years, FAMU has produced outstanding graduates who are making an impact on society. The University is already noted for being a leading institution of origin for African Americans pursuing degrees in the natural sciences. This partnership will allow us to play an even greater role in the production and development of African-American physicians who will positively change the healthcare outcomes for people from all aspects of society.”

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Tarik Cohen and Darius Leonard Named 2018 Black College Football Pro Players of the Year

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ATLANTA (February 13, 2019) – The Black College Football Hall of Fame announced today that Chicago Bears running back and return man Tarik Cohen and Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard have been named the Black College Football Pro Player of the Year Award, Presented by the NFLPA. The Award recognizes the most outstanding professional football player from a Historically Black College and University. Arizona Cardinals safety Antoine Bethea was selected as the inaugural recipient in 2017.

Cohen attended North Carolina A&T State University, from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, and was drafted by the Chicago Bears in 2017. During the 2018 season, Cohen rushed for 444 rushing yards and three touchdowns. He also had 71 catches for 725 yards and five touchdowns, along with a league-leading 411 punt return yards. He was named to the 2019 Pro Bowl roster and first-team All-Pro as a return specialist.

The 6-foot-2, 234-pound Leonard played for Coach Buddy Pough at South Carolina State University, and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He finished his rookie season with 163 combined tackles (111 solo), eight pass deflections, seven sacks and one interception. His 163 tackles led the NFL and broke the Colts’ franchise record. Leonard was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, first-team All-Pro and selected to the Pro Bowl.

The formal presentation of the Black College Football Pro Player of the Year Award will be made at the Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on February 16, 2019.

“This award was established to shine a light on the immense talent of current Black College Football players at the highest level,” said James “Shack” Harris, BCFHOF Co-Founder and 2012 inductee.

The Black College Football Pro Player of the Year Award was voted on by a Selection Committee, composed of media members D. Orlando Ledbetter (Atlanta Journal Constitution), Jay Walker (ESPN), John Williams (The Undefeated) and Steve Wyche (NFL Network); NFL front office members Doug Williams (Washington Redskins Senior Vice President of Player Personnel) and former NFL scout Charles Bailey.

“Today, there are about 30 players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities on active NFL rosters,” said DeMaurice Smith, NFLPA Executive Director. “Some of the best players in NFL history are from HBCUs, and it’s exciting to honor today’s stars.”

The 2019 Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by the Atlanta Falcons, takes place at the College Football Hall of Fame on February 16. The 2018 Black College Football Player of the Year will also be announced during the Ceremony. Tickets and sponsorships are still available at www.BlackCollegeFootballHOF.org.

“On behalf of the Black College Football Hall of Fame Trustees and Selection Committee, we congratulate Tarik and Darius on this historic accomplishment,” said Doug Williams, BCFHOF Co-Founder and 2011 Inductee. “These men are great role models and an inspiration for youth across the country.”

TSU Launches Student-run, E-radio Station

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HOUSTON (February 15, 2019) – Texas Southern University students have a new voice – The Voice – with the launch of KTSU2, a student-run, streaming radio station that officially launches on Tuesday, February 19. 

“This will be a landmark day for TSU,” said TSU President Dr. Austin A. Lane. “KTSU2 meets students where they are – online and mobile. This project gives our students greater access to gain experience in the quickly-changing media landscape, and it will be another form of communication for the Tiger community.”

The operation of KTSU2, also known as “The Voice,” is embedded in the School of Communication, with faculty and staff working directly with students.

“This is a true collaborative effort,” said Dr. Rockell Brown Burton, interim dean of the School of Communications. “Our journalism and communications faculty are working hand in hand with the KTSU team and our students to make this a robust learning laboratory. Our students will gain real-world experience on a daily basis with the launch of KTSU2.”

Additionally, staff of KTSU 90.9 FM, TSU’s public broadcast station of almost 50 years, will provide the student station with additional support.

“It’s an honor for us to work with the students and the School of Communication faculty and staff to make an impact in the minds of our future broadcasters,” said Ernest Walker, KTSU 90.9 FM general manager.

The 24-hour operation is the first of its kind at TSU.  It features music geared toward current TSU students.  Programming also includes hourly news and sports updates and public affairs programs highlighting TSU, Third Ward and the greater Houston community.

“This is innovation at its best,” said Serbino Sandifer-Walker, interim assistant dean in the School of Communication. “There is no other operation in Houston that features the kind of content we have on KTSU2.  The internet and mobiles are going to drive our content to have a global influence.” 

Students have trained for over a year on how to independently run the operation.

“This is a labor of love and true voice for our students and the community,” said Val Wilson, KTSU2 coordinator and Radio, Television, Film Department professor in the School of Communication.

During the Feb. 19 launch day, the community is invited to tour the KTSU2 facilities inside the KTSU Building (3100 Cleburne St.) as part of an open house from 12:30-3:30 p.m.

The KTSU2 website and live stream can be accessed at www.tsu.edu/ktsu2, as well as on social media: KTSU_2 (Facebook); @KTSU_2 and @KTSUNews (Instagram and Twitter).
 

N.C. A&T Aggie Kayla White Runs The World’s Fastest 200m

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North Carolina A&T State University’s track star, Kayla White just broke a world record. According to NCA&T Athletics; the senior out of Miami ran against some of the best athletes in the country in the 200m fastest race at the prestigious Tyson Invitational hosted by the University of Arkansas at the Randal Tyson Track Center on Saturday during the second day of competition.

“She’s special,” Duane Ross, N.C. A&T’s director of track and field programs shared with media. “She was due to drop something fast. Her training has been going well and she’s hungry to be the best. I knew the race was won once she stepped into the blocks. Her focus and preparation were great this weekend.”

White blew away the field with the fastest time in the world this year, a 22.82 sprint to finish ahead of Alabama’s Tamara Clark who finished her race in 23.07.

The rest of the top-5 included LSU’s Sha’Carri Richardson in third (23.074), LSU’s Kortnei Johnson in fourth (23.077) and Arkansas’ Payton Chadwick in fifth (23.15). White is now No. 1 in the world, the nation and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) while also ranking nationally in the top-10 in two other events – the 60-meter hurdles and the 60m.

On Friday, White ran a personal-best 8.04 in the 60mh moving her into fourth place nationally in the event. White’s accomplishments at N.C. A&T are numerous. She earned NCAA indoor All-American honors last season in the 60mh. She earned second-team All-American honors in the 4×100-meter relay and the 100mh during the outdoor season in 2017.

Last season at the MEAC outdoor championships, she won gold in the 100m, 200m, 100mh and the 4×100. At least season’s MEAC indoor championships, White finished first in the 60m and 60mh.

White’s teammate and freshman Cambrea Sturgis finished ninth in 23.53.

The men’s 200m fastest race was led by junior Akeem Sirleaf for the Aggies. Sirleaf finished second in 20.76 to break his personal record. He is now ranked 11thin the nation in the 200. Senior All-American Rodney Rowe placed eighth in 21.13. Rowe ranked eighth in the nation thanks to the 20.70 he ran last week at the Carolina Challenge.

N.C. A&T has one more meet before both the men and the women both go after their respective third straight MEAC indoor titles. The Aggies will head to Virginia Tech for the third time this season as they will compete in the Virginia Tech Challenge, Feb. 15-16. The following week, Feb. 21-23, the Aggies will head back to Landover, Md., in search of making more history.

This HBCU Will Soon Be Offering Free Tuition

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Beginning with the 2019-2020 academic year, students who have graduated from secondary school in the U.S. Virgin Islands will have one less concern about their college careers: tuition payments.

That’s because the Territory has adopted legislation to provide financial aid for tuition to residents of the Virgin Islands for post-secondary education at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI).

“With the passage and signing of Act 8155, the Virgin Islands becomes the first Territory and the University of the Virgin Islands now becomes the first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) that provides comprehensive free tuition to students within its state or jurisdiction,” said President of the University of the Virgin Islands, Dr. David Hall. “This is one of the few programs in the nation that provides free tuition for baccalaureate degrees.”

The Virgin Islands Higher Education Scholarship Program (VIHESP) is available to residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands who have graduated from a private, public or parochial high school without regard to age, date of graduation or household income.

The full-tuition scholarships can be applied towards study for a student’s first associate’s or bachelor’s degree. In order for new students to qualify for the funds, they must apply for full-time admission to UVI no later than the published application deadline and must have applied for federal assistance through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For 2019, the deadline for applying for admission to the University is March 1, 2019. New students applying for admission in the Spring 2020 semester must apply by October 15, 2019.

In signing the bill into law, then-Governor Kenneth E. Mapp stated: “This new law and the opportunities it creates will be a positive ‘game changer’ for many families. Providing tuition for young Virgin Islanders sets

 them on a path of achieving their dreams and aspirations.” Newly elected Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach, then senator, was the main sponsor of the legislation.

Approximately 1,700 students are expected to qualify to receive the tuition benefit, according to President Hall, potentially helping to increase the percentage of Virgin Islanders who have college degrees and move the territory to a “more appropriate” level of degree-holders in the population. 

“A college degree is no longer a luxury that the rich and the academically and athletically gifted individuals can obtain,” Dr. Hall said. “Higher education is a basic necessity and must be provided in the same way we provide other basic necessities.”

Recipients of the tuition aid, which would supplement students’ federal scholarship awards, university scholarships, and private donations, will be required to maintain a GPA of 2.50 GPA.

“What truly makes the Virgin Islands approach to free tuition unique and compelling is that funds are also being set aside to support students in their quest to excel. The Act provides funding so that the University can establish new academic support programs to help more students in high school obtain a 2.5 Grade Point Average (GPA) and new programs at the college level that will help them to maintain a 2.5 GPA,” said President Hall. 

The other unique feature the program is that it applies to any individual who meets the requirements regardless of when they finished high school. 

“There are individuals in the Virgin Islands who have put their educational dream on hold five, 10, 15 or even 20 or more years ago,” said Dr. Hall. “This policy enables and inspires them to now pick back up those dreams, brush them off, and pursue the fulfillment of that degree that they never were able to achieve in the past because of financial limitations.”

The free tuition law includes an in-Territory work service requirement, ranging from two months to three years, for all students who receive a scholarship. The obligation to work in the Territory must be completed within seven years after graduation.

The University will collaborate with the Virgin Islands Department of Labor to secure job placement for scholarship recipients.

VIHESP provides for an annual appropriation of $3 million from the Internal Revenue Matching Fund to the University of the Virgin Islands Scholarship Revolving Fund. In addition, President Hall stressed that “private donors must continue to support the University with scholarship contributions in order for this transformative program to sustain itself.”

“I encourage all Virgin Islanders to take advantage of this transformative opportunity to make their future brighter and their educational burden lighter,” said President Hall.

This GoFundMe Campaign Wants HBCU Students In Virginia to Find Blackface Yearbook Photos

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This GoFundMe campaign is raising money to pay students at HBCUs $25 hourly wage to find racist blackface photos in college yearbooks is staking to raise $10,000.

From the genocide and displacement of indigenous people by the first European colonized until today, an intolerable amount of racism is systemically baked into Virginia’s government at all levels, and in every political party. And it has to end now. This GoFundMe is to raise funds to pay Virginia HBCU research students from local colleges $25 per hour to do the due diligence that should have already been done on all of Virginia’s state elected representatives. The plan is for research students to go through all of the yearbooks and then publish the results for public reference for current elected officials and those running for office in future elections.

#ICYMI, this is why this project matters in Virginia today:
– Governor Ralph Northam’s 1984 medical yearbook page with photos submitted by students including a photo of a person in blackface and a klan costume was released to the media.
– Governor Northam admitted that he was in the photo and apologized.
– The following day, Governor Northam reversed his position claiming it was not him; however, he has done blackface in the past.
– Following a scandal breaking with the Governor Justin Fairfax, it came to light that the Attorney General Mark Herring has also put on black face in his past. Herring is the third person in the line of succession for the Governor’s office.
– Anti-fascist community members uncovered evidence of a Virginia Capitol Police officer having possible affiliations to a white supremacist organization. Virginia Capitol Police patrol the Capitol grounds which includes the Governor’s mansion.
– Then blackface photos from a fraternity party surfaced in the yearbook of the next person in line for succession, Speaker of the House Kirk Cox which, while they were not photos of Speaker Cox, made people see the issue of offensive photos in yearbooks is more prevalant than originally realized.

Virginians have continued to call for the resignation of Governor Ralph Northam as these scandals continue to break. Virginians have called for his resignation on social media, in protests, and most recently in an open letter to First Lady Pam Northam. Governor Northam, has refused to listen and in the midst of his refusal to leave office additional politicians have fallen under scrutiny.

With the potential of multiple of our elected officials having racist behavior and imagery in their past, we are in a crisis of leadership. Furthermore, this is all occurring during Black History month in 2019 which is the 400th commemoration of the first African human trafficked to the Commonwealth of Virginia. We live in the former Capital of the Confederacy surrounded by countless racist monuments not far from Charlottesville where in 2017 white supremacists gathered for the violent Unite the Right rally that resulted in violence and murder of Heather Heyer. Racism is alive and well in the Commonwealth of Virginia especially with our elected leaders and this must end.

As our elected officials make policy and work on the people’s behalf, it is extremely concerning for these incidents to come to light after we have cast our vote because we see the evidence of their bias in their decision making. As Jamil Smith succinctly put in his recent Rolling Stone piece, “Blackface is Just One Part of the Problem.” It is for that reason we are seeking to fund HBCU students researching our current and future elected officials. Please consider donating and sharing this GoFundMe to support the people of the Commonwealth of Virginia moving forward past our horrific past.

***NOTE: we are looking for a non-profit who already does work in this field to support the student’s efforts. If you are a non-profit who is interested in supporting this effort, please contact us at info@rvadirt.com ****

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Morgan State Awarded $1.6 Million Base 11 Grant

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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND — The nonprofit Base 11 today announced that Morgan State University is the winner of a three-year, $1.6 million Aerospace Workforce and Leadership Development Grant, which will fund a state-of-the-art rocketry lab and launch a student rocketry team. Former NASA astronaut Leland Melvin was on hand to formally present the check to and inspire university students who were in attendance, to pursue aerospace as the “Next Frontier.”

The commercial space industry is expected to become a $2.7 trillion economic sector in the next 30 years, according to Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Yet the industry faces challenges in recruiting a diverse workforce. According to the National Science Foundation, African Americans make up just 5 percent of the science and engineering workforce.

“We want to ensure that the next generation of space innovators is just as diverse as America,” said Melvin, a veteran of two Space Shuttle missions. “I am excited to see this generation of students getting critical hands-on experience in rocket technology, and I encourage Morgan State’s students to seize this incredible opportunity to reach for the stars.”

The grant, which aims to improve diversity in the aerospace talent pipeline, was announced in June 2018, and drew proposals from eight Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Leland Melvin was joined by experts from Dassault Systèmes, Blue Origin, SpaceX, Sigma Pi Phi fraternity, and Base 11 in reviewing the applications.

“The proposals for the HBCU Aerospace Workforce and Leadership Development Grant were quite impressive,” said Base 11 Chairman and CEO Landon Taylor. “Morgan State is especially well positioned to leverage their existing resources, faculty expertise, and industry partners to launch a successful and sustainable rocketry program that brings hands-on, experiential learning to students.”

The grant will fund the build-out of a liquid-fuel rocketry lab at Morgan State, as well as the recruitment and hiring of an aerospace faculty leader to create a world-class liquid fuel rocketry program. Morgan State aims to bring together these elements to successfully build and launch a liquid fuel rocket that reaches 150,000 feet by 2022.

We are honored that Morgan State University was selected for this competitive grant, and confident that it will further advance our efforts to increase diversity in the STEM talent pipeline, while also turning out workforce-ready talent in high-demand industries like aerospace,” said David Wilson, president of Morgan State University. “At Morgan we encourage our students to be bold and to aim for the stars, and with the launch of this program, we can provide them with the resources to take on that challenge literally.”

Morgan State will house the fledgling rocket program in its Center for Built Environment and Infrastructure Studies (CBEIS) building, the home of The School of Architecture and Planning and some of the University’s engineering programs. CBEIS is a gold certified LEED green building with solar water heating panels and a bioretention pond. Designed for the needs of the modern university student, CBEIS is also the home to the only earthquake simulator on the east coast and a supersonic wind tunnel. Students studying in this contemporary facility have access to printing labs that contain 2D and 3D printers and a fabrication lab where students can use technologically advanced cutting tools.

“With this very generous grant, we will bring together a cross-disciplinary team of faculty and external collaborators to develop and prepare our students for future opportunities in the commercial aerospace industry. This is an area loaded with opportunities for innovation and creativity, and in need of a more diverse workforce” said Dr. Willie E. May, vice president of research and economic development at Morgan State University.

The nonprofit Base 11, which focuses on increasing diversity in STEM fields, first entered the world of student rocketry in 2018, with the announcement of the Base 11 Space Challenge. This $1 million+ competition offers prizes for the first university team to design, build and launch a liquid-fuel rocket to the edge of space (100 km.) by the end of 2021. The challenge attracted entries from 32 teams from across the U.S. and Canada.  Morgan State hopes to join forces with one of the teams competing in the Base 11 Space Challenge and help build a winning rocket.

“While many universities across the country have rocketry teams where students gain hands-on experience, what we’ve seen is that the number of women and underrepresented ethnicities on those teams remains quite low,” said Base 11’s Taylor. “That’s why this grant to Morgan State is so exciting – we have an opportunity to significantly diversity the pipeline the talent pipeline in aerospace.”

Wiley Student Taylor Barnes Wins Miss National UNCF Title

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Marshall, Texas) Wiley student Taylor Barnes has been crowned Miss National UNCF. Miss Barnes was named the winner Saturday night during the Miss National UNCF Coronation at the organization’s Annual National Alumni Council Leadership Conference and Alumni Summit in Atlanta, Georgia. Barnes  defeated  Miss UNCF Queens from competing HBCUs to earn the title. Her win makes her the seventh consecutive Wiley student to be named Miss National UNCF, and  the 16th  Wileyite  to win the title since 1999.

“I am so thankful  to have this opportunity and this platform to  raise funding for scholarships that will be used to help students afford a college education ,” said Miss Barnes about her win.   “It has been so rewarding to compete for the title alongside Sasha Jefferson. We share a common goal of wanting  to remove barriers to a better life and a bright future for so many students.”  

Barnes was  crowned Miss UNCF for Wiley College in January.  She  is a sophomore from Chandler, Arizona. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Management. She is a member of Wiley’s Emerging Leadership program, the Pre-Alumni Council, and the Student Union Advisory Board.

Miss Jefferson, her opponent, is a sophomore from Houston, Texas. Collectively, with financial support from their families, Wiley alumni, and friends of the College, the students raised $53,000 during their Wiley campus campaigns. Barnes, as the winner of Wiley’s title, raised the most funding. The campaign total topped the funds earned by the competing schools, thus earning her the national victory.

All the campaign dollars support student scholarships at Wiley and are used to help the College meet an annual UNCF three-to-1 match challenge to its member schools, which is realized by raising a minimum of $100,000.

Barnes will spend the next 12 months raising awareness around the country about the value of pursuing and earning a college degree and letting students know that resources are available to help them do so.

In photo, Miss Barnes is pictured with Wiley College President Herman J. Felton Jr.  just after being crowned Miss National UNCF on Saturday night at the coronation during the Annual National Alumni Council Leadership Conference and Alumni Summit in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Dr. Austin A. Lane Appointed to Texas Children’s Hospital Board of Trustees

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HOUSTON (January 29, 2019) – Dr. Austin A. Lane, president of Texas Southern University (TSU), has been appointed to serve on the Texas Children’s Hospital Board of Trustees.  Ranked 4th nationally among all children’s hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, TCH is a leader in pediatric and women’s health.

“To be appointed to the Texas Children’s Hospital Board of Trustees is an honor,” said Dr. Lane. “I look forward to supporting the great work being done at Texas Children’s Hospital under the direction of (President and CEO) Mark Wallace.”

ABOUT TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY

Texas Southern University (TSU) honors our designation as a special-purpose institution for urban programming and research. TSU is a comprehensive university providing higher education access to the nation’s underserved communities. TSU’s academic and research programs address critical urban issues, and prepares its diverse student population to become a force for positive change in a global society. TSU offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs and concentrations – bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and professional degrees – organized into 10 colleges and schools on a 150-acre campus nestled in the heart of Houston’s historic Third Ward. The University’s enrollment has a population of approximately 10,000 undergraduate and graduate-school academic candidates. Texas Southern has been a distinguished educational pioneer since 1927, and the University has become one of the most diverse and respected institutions in Texas. TSU has positioned itself as a proactive leader in educating underserved students and many who are the first in their family to attend college.

This story was written by Texas Southern University Public Relations. This story is published here with permission.

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Morgan State University Announces Multi-Year Financial Technology Program With Silicon Valley-Based Firm

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Ripple Partners with MSU to Fund Education and Research in Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Cybersecurity and Related FinTech Disciplines  

Bolstering its position as a preeminent public urban research institution, Morgan State University (MSU) has received funding from Ripple, a leading Silicon Valley financial technology (“FinTech”) company. The funds will underwrite a five-year academic partnership bringing advanced education and research programs to the University. Morgan joins a select number of institutions now participating in Ripple’s University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI), a global effort designed to further accelerate academic research, technical development and innovation in blockchain, cryptocurrency and digital payments. The UBRI program fosters increased engagement and participation in FinTech among faculty and postdoctoral and graduate students.

Through the efforts of the Center for the Study of Blockchain and FinTech Innovation (the Center) at Morgan’s Earl G. Graves School of Business and Management, the University’s UBRI program will encompass the development of specialized curricula, expansion of academic courses, hosting of conferences and awarding of scholarships to faculty and students pursuing work in blockchain, cryptocurrency, digital payments and related topics. The Center will also serve as a funding hub for other Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) seeking to develop their own FinTech initiatives.

“We are absolutely thrilled to announce the UBRI partnership with Ripple, as it further strengthens Morgan’s commitment to advancing the next generation of engineers, entrepreneurs and tech professionals,” said David Wilson, president of Morgan State University. “We are a modern research institution vested in innovation and critical study, and this caliber of transformative higher education is a testament to the progress of our mission. We are very proud that Morgan is among a select number of UBRI partners and the only such partner in our region.”

The UBRI program at Morgan will be housed in and administered by the Graves School in cooperation with the University’s Department of Information Science and Systems, as well as other engineering, computer science, finance and business departments. The addition of UBRI follows a number of other recent advancements within the University’s Computer Science Department and School of Engineering that included the opening of labs and research centers, among them the Cybersecurity Assurance and Policy (CAP) Center.

“Blockchain has the potential to be a disruptor in many businesses and industries, and universities must be flexible to adapt to the changing environment. Based on this premise, we plan to expand our campus-wide engagement in research and curriculum development in blockchain, cryptoeconomics, and FinTech innovation,” said Ali Emdad, Ph.D., associate dean and professor of Information Science for the Graves School. “The Center for the Study of Blockchain plays an important role in providing opportunities to the faculty and students at Morgan and at other HBCUs to push the boundaries in this exciting new space.”

Introduced in June 2018, UBRI supports 29 domestic and international university partners and has cultivated a vibrant global network of researchers and practitioners in its field.

“In less than a year, our initial UBRI partners hit the ground running with the launch of new research projects, events, course offerings and more,” said Eric van Miltenburg, senior vice president of Global Operations at Ripple. “Expanding the ecosystem to a more global, diversified network of UBRI partners, including such esteemed and historic universities as Morgan, will only continue to enrich these projects.”

For more information about Ripple’s University Blockchain Research Initiative and its partners, visit https://ubri.ripple.com.

About University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI)

UBRI is a partnership between Ripple and top universities around the world to support academic research, technical development and innovation in blockchain, cryptocurrency and digital payments. Ripple is providing both financial and technical resources to university partners and collaborates with faculty and students on research and technical projects. UBRI launched in June 2018. Some university partners began conducting research and technical development immediately. All partner programs are expected to be underway by fall 2018.

About Morgan
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified doctoral research institution offering more than 100 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland’s Preeminent Public Urban Research University, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.

This story was written by Morgan State University Public Relations. This story is published here with permission.

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Morgan State University Names New Head Football Coach

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BALTIMORE, Md. — Morgan State University Director of Athletics, Edward Scott has announced the hiring of Tyrone Wheatley as its 22nd head football coach effective February 21, 2019.Wheatleybrings an extensive coaching résumé to Morgan State and has experienced tremendous success, both as a player and as a coach, at the professional and collegiate levels.

He comes to the Morgan State Bears after serving the last two seasons under head coach Doug Marrone, as the running backs coach for the National Football League’s (NFL) Jacksonville Jaguars. Wheatley also worked with Marrone at Syracuse University from 2010-12, and then with the NFL’s Buffalo Bills from 2013-14.

As a college assistant coach, Wheatley was one of Michigan’s best recruiters and ranked No. 6 nationally on 247Sports “recruiter rankings.”

“We are thrilled to bring a person and football coach of Tyrone Wheatley’s caliber to Morgan State,” said Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Edward Scott. “Tyrone is an outstanding recruiter and understands the game of football at every level, both as a player and a coach.  We are confident Tyrone can build broad support and engagement in our program while continuing to advance our football program in the classroom and on the playing field.”

“It is with great pleasure and honor that I accept the Head coaching position at Morgan State University. I would like to thank President David Wilson and Mr. Scott for this incredible opportunity,” said Tyrone Wheatley. “I consider it a privilege to lead the young men of Morgan State using football as a vehicle to implement a continuation of development, mentorship, and productivity beyond the field and when their playing days are over. I can’t wait to become united with the city of Baltimore and become woven in the fabric of the community.”

The University will host a press conference on February 12, 2019, at 11 a.m. in the University Student Center to officially introduce Wheatley as Morgan’s new head football coach. The press conference will also be live streamed via the University’s main and athletic websites.

Wheatley finished his Michigan football playing career as the program’s second-leading rusher (now fifth). He was the Big Ten’s “Offensive Player of the Year” in 1992, and also earned All-America honors in the 110-meter hurdles as a track athlete in 1995. He enjoyed a 10-year career in the NFL before starting his coaching career.

Wheatley guided the running backs for the Buffalo Bills from 2013-14 under head coach Doug Marrone. During his time with the Bills, he mentored pros like Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller. The Bills averaged 3.7 yards per rush in 2014 and 4.2 yards per rush in 2013.

Prior to coaching in the NFL, Wheatley spent five seasons in the collegiate ranks. From 2010-2012, he coached running backs at Syracuse University. While with the Orange, he coached Delone Carter to a 1,000-yard season in 2010 and a second-team All-Big East selection. He also helped Syracuse win two Pinstripe Bowls during his tenure (2010, 2012).

Wheatley spent one year each at Eastern Michigan University (2009) and Ohio Northern University (2008) as the running backs coach. At EMU he also served as the program’s recruiting coordinator.

Wheatley got his start in coaching at his high school alma mater, Robichaud located in Dearborn Heights, Mich. in 2007. He took a team that had gone 0-9 before his arrival and led them to a 9-2 record and appearance in the state playoffs. He also coached track and field.

Shortly after retiring from the NFL, Wheatley held two appointments as a Minority Coaching Fellow in the league, first with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2006) and then with the Pittsburgh Steelers (2008). While completing his degree at U-M in kinesiology, Wheatley served as a volunteer assistant with the Michigan track and field program (2005-06).

Wheatley played 10 seasons in the NFL after being selected 17th overall by the New York Giants in the 1995 draft. He played in New York through the 1998 season, and then joined the Oakland Raiders. Wheatley played with the Raiders from 1999-2004 and appeared in the 2003 Super Bowl. During his playing career he amassed 6,562 all-purpose yards as a running back and kick returner, and he scored 47 touchdowns.

Wheatley had a distinguished career in the Michigan backfield from 1991-94, including three straight All-Big Ten selections (1992-94). As a sophomore in 1992, he won the Big Ten’s Offensive Player of the Year award and capped that season with a 235-yard game in the Rose Bowl, earning him the game’s MVP award. He rushed for 1,357 yards and 13 touchdowns while adding three receiving TDs and one on a kickoff.

He would break the 1,000-barrier in both his junior and senior seasons as well, totaling 1,129 and 1,144, respectively. Wheatley finished his Michigan career with 4,187 rushing yards, 510 receiving yards, and 53 total touchdowns.

He also had a standout track and field career in the Maize and Blue winning three letters (1993-95). He earned an All-America citation for his eighth-place finish in the 110-meter hurdles at the 1995 NCAA Championships. He won the Big Ten’s Outdoor title in the 110-meter hurdles in 1994. Wheatley still owns top-five times in Michigan history in the 100-meter dash (5th) and 110-meter hurdles (4th).

A native of Inkster, Michigan, Wheatley earned his bachelor’s degree in 2008 from the University of Michigan. He and his wife Kimberly have five children: Tyrone, Jr., Terius, Tyrique, Tiana, and Tamari.

He was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.

About Morgan
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified doctoral research institution offering more than 100 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland’s Preeminent Public Urban Research University, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.

This story was written by Morgan State University Public Relations. This story is published here with permission.

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