At Friday’s formal installation in the position that he took over last July, Warmack noted that he didn’t have the best grades or the highest test scores in high school. “All the indicators said I wasn’t college material,” he told a crowd of friends, family and colleagues at the festivities, which included tributes, a bit of history and a video explaining to his young daughter why he wears a bow tie.
He added that people saw in him what he didn’t see in himself and pushed him to succeed. Now, as head of the area’s only historically black college or university, he says it’s time to give back.
“Our mission is to serve an underrepresented population that is in large percentage low socio-economic, first-generation,” Warmack said in an interview after the inauguration ceremony. “Sometimes, that’s the voice unvoiced. So my job is to make sure that population has a voice and that their voice can be heard.
“I think Harris-Stowe has taken a chance on finding diamonds in the rough and provided them an opportunity that allows them to be successful.”
Read more here.
Cosby is a longtime supporter and advocate of our country’s 107 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
In a 10 second video wearing pajamas, Cosby breaks his silence for the first time since up to 20 women claimed that he sexually assaulted them.
He says that he wants his fans to enjoy a wonderful video message filled with laughter.
Says Cosby: “Hey, hey, hey, I’m far from finished.”
He adds that he will be “hilarious” for his show in Wheeling, West Virginia at the Capitol Theatre, also known as the Capitol Music Hall.
“Donna Brazile has been a trailblazer in the political arena and a staunch advocate for human and civil rights,” said President Beverly Daniel Tatum. “We are pleased she will have an opportunity to impart words of wisdom to Spelman graduates as they begin the next phase of life’s journey, and join the ranks of Spelman alumnae who have made a choice to change the world.”
With a lifelong passion for political progress, Brazile had worked with a candidate every presidential campaign from 1976 through 2000, when she became the first African American to manage a presidential campaign. Today, Brazile is founder and managing director of Brazile & Associates LLC, a general consulting, grassroots advocacy, and training firm based in Washington, D.C. She is also the vice chair of voter registration and participation at the Democratic National Committee and former interim national chair of the political organization.
Author of the best-selling memoir “Cooking with Grease: Stirring the Pots in American Politics,” Brazile is an adjunct professor at Georgetown University, a syndicated newspaper columnist for Universal Uclick, a columnist for Ms. Magazine, and O, The Oprah Magazine, and an on-air contributor to CNN and ABC, where she regularly appears on “This Week.”
Brazile remains active in her hometown of New Orleans, where she was recently appointed to serve on the executive committee of the Tricentennial Commission, responsible for the celebration of the city’s founding in 2018. Last fall, President Barack Obama appointed her to the Fulbright Board – where she helps select candidates in the Caribbean and Latin America that will participate in the Fulbright Program.
Brazile has received honorary doctorate degrees from Louisiana State University, North Carolina A&T State University, Grambling State University, Morehouse School of Medicine, Northeastern Illinois University, Thomas Jefferson School of Nursing and Xavier University of Louisiana.
Honorary Degree Recipient: Yvonne Jackson, C’70, founder and president, BeecherJackson Inc.
Yvonne Jackson is founder and president of BeecherJackson Inc. As president of BeecherJackson Inc., she leads the company’s consulting practice working with and serving public and private company boards on governance, organizational and succession issues. Jackson is also a former senior executive of three Fortune 50 companies and a public company director. She is chair of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges and immediate past chair of Spelman College Board of Trustees, retiring from the board after 15 years. An outspoken leader and spokesperson, she is known as a pioneer in corporate America and in her work as an advocate and developer of programs and initiatives to support the advancement of women and people of color in the workplace. Jackson is an alumna of Spelman College and holds a Management Development Certificate from Harvard Business School.
Honorary Degree Recipient: Lisa Jackson, vice president of environmental initiatives, Apple
Lisa Jackson is vice president of environmental initiatives at Apple. She oversees Apple’s efforts to minimize its impact on the environment by addressing climate change through renewable energy and energy efficiency, using greener materials, and inventing new ways to conserve precious resources. From 2009 to 2013, Jackson served as an administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Appointed by President Barack Obama, she focused on reducing greenhouse gases, protecting air and water quality, preventing exposure to toxic contamination, and expanding outreach to communities on environmental issues. She has also served as chief of staff to New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine and as commissioner of New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection. Jackson holds a master’s degree in chemical engineering from Princeton University and a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Tulane University. She currently sits on the boards of Princeton University, Tulane and the Clinton Foundation.
National Community Service Award Recipient: Mike Feinberg, co-founder of the KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) Foundation and executive vice chair of KIPP Houston
Mike Feinberg is co-founder of the KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) Foundation and executive vice chair of KIPP Houston, which includes 22 public charter schools: ten middle schools, eight primary schools and four high schools serving more than 11,000 children. In 1994, he co-founded KIPP with Dave Levin and established KIPP Academy Houston a year later. In 2000, he co-founded the KIPP Foundation to help take KIPP to scale. Today, KIPP is a network of 162 high-performing public schools around the nation serving nearly 58,000 children. In 2004, Feinberg was named an Ashoka Fellow, awarded to leading social entrepreneurs with innovative solutions and the potential to change patterns across society. Feinberg received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1991 and a master’s degree in education from National-Louis University in 2005. In 2010, Yale University awarded him an honorary doctorate of humane letters.
National Community Service Award Recipient: Dave Levin, co-founder of the KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) Foundation
Dave Levin is co-founder of the KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) Foundation. In 1994, he co-founded the Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) with Mike Feinberg. In the spring of 2000, Levin and Feinberg co-founded the KIPP Foundation, which supports the opening, growth, and evaluation of KIPP schools around the country. Levin currently heads up the KIPP Foundation’s Teaching and Learning Lab focused on instructional innovation, leadership development and teaching training. Passionate about innovative teaching, Levin co-authored KIPP Math, a comprehensive math curriculum for students in grades five through eight that culminates in students completing a two-year high school Algebra I course by the end of eighth grade. Levin is a graduate of Yale University and earned a master’s degree in education from National Louis University.
Baccalaureate Service
Renita J. Weems, Ph.D., a bible scholar and ordained elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, will serve as the baccalaureate speaker for the Class of 2015. Dr. Weems, a former visiting professor at Spelman College, is the author of several acclaimed books on women’s spirituality and wholeness. She has been celebrated by EBONY magazine as one of America’s top 15 preachers and is currently the academic dean and professor of biblical studies at American Baptist College in Nashville, Tenn. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Wellesley College, and her master’s degree and Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary. Dr. Weems’ daughter, Savannah Espinosa, a psychology major, is a member of the Spelman Class of 2015. Baccalaureate service will be held Saturday, May 16, 2015, at 9 a.m. on the Spelman Oval.
Media Contact:
Audrey Arthur
(404) 270-5892 (office)
aarthur3@spelman.edu
Twitter: @SpelmanMedia
The 5’9 wide receiver ran a sub 4.4 40 yard dash twice on March 24, impressing long-time NFL scout Gil Brandt.
[quote_box_center]”Wide receiver/return specialist Desmond Lawrence (5-foot-9 5/8, 190 pounds) ran the 40-yard dash in 4.35 and 4.38 seconds, which were very impressive times given that those were run on a less-than-ideal grass surface. He had a 34 1/2-inch vertical jump and a 9-foot-10 broad jump. He did the 20-yard short shuttle in 4.15 seconds and the three-cone drill in 6.93 seconds. He performed 18 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press.
Lawrence is a potential priority free-agent pickup following the conclusion of the 2015 NFL Draft; anybody who can run that well is worth a priority free-agent look.”[/quote_box_center]
Read more at HBCUGameday.com.
Brought to by Models Inc., the event did not disappoint.
From the minute the doors opened until the very end it was a turn up situation! here’s what you missed:
There were four troupes competing in this year’s battle: Bloomsburg University’s “Vice Versa Models,” Bowie State University’s “Vision M.A.D. Fashion,” Virginia State University’s “Urban Couture,” and Towson University’s “Trend Models.” Along with three special exhibition performances from the local high schools and middle schools, last year’s winner, University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s “Bazaar Models” also performed as well.
Before the show started, captain of Bazaar Models, Carlton Mays, had this advice for the competing teams: “Have so much fun!” And that we did!
The show kicked off with performances from Universal artist Devin White, rapper Trendsetter, and R&B Sensation @PearisJ, followed by exhibition performances from Hillside High School’s “Next Level Ent.,” Richard Wright High School’s “P.R.I.M.U.S. Models,” and Thomas Johnson Middle School’s “Hall of Fame Models.”
By the time the competition started the energy in the building was at an all-time high. Although this year was the movie edition, it seemed the unwritten theme for the night was black.
VSU’s Urban Couture kicked off the start of the competition with their Matrix theme. A vital part of their performance was their all black leather jumpsuits and their Matrix movements. Overall their opening performances had high energy.
Up next was Towson’s Trend Models with their Burlesque themed performance. It was only right that they included lots of dancing and used chairs in their choreography.
BSU’s Vision M.A.D. Fashion went 3rd with the sexy theme of 50 Shades of Grey. Their performance included almost a dozen secretaries, along with a handsome male lead chosen to play Christian Grey.
Bloomsberg’s Vice Versa Models finished out the show with an ATL themed performance. The only know troupe with no actual designer, they managed to stand out a little bit with their girl’s choice of pink jerseys to go along with the black letterman jackets the guys wore. They too had people playing important roles from the movies such as New New, the Twins, and of course, Rashad and all his friends.
Every team basically won and took home at least one award before the night was over with. The first three awards given were for what the teams did before they ripped the runway. Vice Versa Models won the Sponsorship Award, while Trend Models were awarded the Dark & Lovely award.
Trend Models came in the 3rd in the overall competition. Next in 2nd place were Vice Versa Models.
1st place went to VSU’s Urban Couture!
Overall the HBCU Fashion Battle was great. If you missed this year, make sure you don’t miss out next year!
“Taking the Pentagon to the People” is part of the DoD’s 2015 initiative to discuss critical White House initiatives as well as its continued support of a Presidential Executive Order that advances the development of the Nation’s full potential and to advance equal opportunity in higher education.”
The primary focus is on the participation by historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and minority-serving institutions (MSIs) in federally sponsored programs. Particular emphasis is being placed on enhancing institutional infrastructure and facilitating planning, development, and the use of new technologies to ensure the goal of long-term viability of these institutions as major resources for the DoD. The intent is to develop a comprehensive assessment of the areas of greatest opportunity in pipeline development, science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and technical assistance needs for these institutions.
DoD officials and representatives along with prime and small business contractors will make information available to administrators from HBCUs and MSIs regarding research, development, STEM, human capital and workforce development activities within the DoD. Subsequently, the DoD will develop a comprehensive suite of recommendations to enhance existing partnerships including infrastructure enhancement, sustainability, grants and contracting, STEM education, human capital and workforce development, and civilian career opportunities.
Conference times and locations are as follows. Wednesday, April 15, the conference will be held 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Thursday, April 16, in the Professional Schools Building (PSB) Atrium, rooms 131-135 and 151 at 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Register at the following link: http://2015takingthepentagontothepeople.com
“Gospel music has evolved over time, but its heart stays true,” the President said. “It still has an unmatched power to strike the deepest chord in all of us.”
President Obama opened the East Wing celebration by thanking the evening’s special guests, which included T Bone Burnett, Aretha Franklin, and master of ceremonies Robin Roberts. The night included performances by Pastor Shirley Caesar, Darlene Love, Rhiannon Giddens, Rance Allen, Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, Tamela Mann, Lyle Lovett, and the Morgan State University Choir.
In his remarks, the President noted the unique and influential history of gospel music, explaining that many of America’s favorite genres — including jazz, Motown, blues, and country — can be traced back to gospel music.
As for the origins of gospel itself, he said, we don’t know everything. However, we do know that it is well-rooted in the spirituals sung by slaves. While they were often prohibited from reading, writing, or even speaking, slaves were able to sing.
“Songs were where their dreams took flight, where they expressed faith and love, as well as pain and fear and unimaginable loss,” the President said.
In the decades after the Civil War, freed slaves traveled north and brought their beautiful hymns and songs with them. By the 1960s, gospel music became a staple of the Civil Rights Movement — blending the sounds of the church with the sounds of jazz and blues. Hymns like “Take My Hand, Precious Lord” and “We Shall Overcome” became the songs of the movement, which the President said gave hope that we might rise above our failures and disappointments.
Read more here.
Convened by Jane E. Smith, Ed.D., executive director of the Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement at Spelman, the conference will showcase a host of influential women and their perspective on the theme, “New School Leaders of the Digital Era.”
“Technology is embedded in everything we do,” said Smith. “This year’s conference will offer bold, new-age strategies on how to successfully navigate and harness the influence of various digital platforms and concepts that impact our reality. It will also focus on how women of color are a critical part of this digital movement. The digital world transcends demographics and is a driving force in our society, which makes the topic and timing of this conference ideal.”
Game Changers Award Recipients
Spelman will celebrate the impact and influence of exceptional women leaders in the digital era with the conference’s annual Game Changers Awards. A Game Changers honoree is a 21st century leader who is powerful, forward thinking and embraces her drive for excellence. Recognized for their exemplary leadership and commitment to creating positive change, the following women (and others) will be presented with the 2015 Game Changers Award:
Kimberly Bryant, founder of Black Girls Code, established the organization in 2011 in hopes of rectifying the underrepresented female and African-American demographic (25 percent and three percent respectively) within the technology industry. Offering programs such as computer programming, coding, as well as website/robot/mobile application-building courses, she hopes to provide African-American youth with the skills to occupy some of the 1.4 million computing job openings expected to be available in the U.S. in 2020.
Jacqui Chew, founder/CEO of iFusion Marketing, is also a believer that innovation is the engine to growth and economic development. As the visionary of iFusion Marketing, she puts that belief to work by helping high-growth and Internet-enabled businesses build products that customers want to buy.
Kathryn Finney, founder of digitalundivided, is credited as one of the first African-American fashion bloggers and a motivator for encouraging women of color to not only be leading consumers of technology, but to tackle the entrepreneurial side of a very lucrative industry. Finney also developed FOCUS100, an annual event that aims to train 100 Black women founders and co-founders from tech-based start-ups on how to raise funding.
Nicole Sanchez, founder and CEO of Vaya Consulting, spearheads a firm that works with companies to increase diversity in the workforce. She has worked in both the public and private sectors on issues of engaging marginalized communities in education access, technology and civic participation.
Lauren Wesley Wilson, president of ColorComm Inc., is on a mission to see more women of color holding senior positions in the communications field. Wilson credits her ability to build relationships to managing communications for a United States congresswoman and creating a forum that allows women to share experiences and learn from each other in order to enhance their professional careers.
Legacy of Leadership Award
The most successful leaders think strategically. They are counted among those who are leading the advancement of women of color in the digital age. They’re influential, critical-thinkers with a drive for excellence in their professional and personal lives; and they embrace the importance of empowerment and service. They are defined by Spelman College as having a legacy of leadership. This year, Spelman will recognize one of their own—a faculty member—among several others with the Legacy of Leadership Award.
Ayoka Chenzira, Ph.D, Spelman College division chair for arts and humanities and founder and director of the Spelman Digital Moving Image Salon, is an award-winning film and video artist and one of the first African Americans to teach film production in higher education. A pioneer in Black independent cinema, Chenzira is also one of the first African-American women to write, produce and direct a 35mm feature film, “Alma’s Rainbow,” one of Billboard Magazine’s top 40 home video rentals. In 2003, she was recognized as the first African-American professor to receive a Distinguished Educator Award from Apple for her work with storytelling and digital technology.
Digital Media Speakers
Groundbreaking female speakers who are driving the charge in the information age will also be showcased at the conference. On day two, a panel of media leaders will examine the make or break reality of communicating in a 24/7 global news cycle and the new rules needed for responsible reporting in the digital era. A few of the confirmed media panelists include:
Shelly Jones Jennings, vice president and director of digital for Earl G. Graves Ltd./Black Enterprise. As a strategic digital communications advisor, Jennings works to create dynamic digital packages and user experiences across the Black Enterprise platform. This includes launching the first African-American magazine iPad app, BE App’d.
Mary Hudetz, editor of Native Peoples magazine. Hudetz oversees the first and largest, paid-circulation, consumer magazine geared toward the arts and culture of indigenous peoples of the Americas. Hudetz is a former editor on The Associated Press’ West Regional Desk in Phoenix.
Doris Truong, home page editor at The Washington Post. Truong previously worked on the newsroom’s multi-platform editing desk. Being a longtime supporter of media diversity, Truong co-chaired the Post’s newsroom Diversity Committee.
Advance registration for the conference will end April 22. For more details and to register, visitwww.spelmanwomenofcolorconf.com. Join the discussion for this year’s event and theme across all social media platforms by using the hashtag #SpelmanWOCC.
About Spelman Women of Color Conference
Started in 2004, the Spelman College Leadership and Women of Color Conference provides professional and personal development opportunities for emerging and established women leaders. The annual conference brings together many of the world’s most successful leaders to share skills and knowledge to help women succeed in leadership roles. Intergenerational participants range in experience from C-level executives to college students who attend information-packed workshops, participate in valuable networking opportunities, and interact with a wide range of diverse speakers to gain knowledge about what it takes to create and sustain quality leadership. Previous speakers include Carol’s Daughter Founder Lisa Price, journalist Roland S. Martin, actress Nicole Ari Parker, corporate executive Kimberly Davis, media expert Arianna Huffington and White House director Kiran Ahuja.
The 2015 conference will be held May 13-14, 2015, at the Georgia International Convention Center in Atlanta. The two-day event will explore “New School Leaders in the Digital Era” and feature notable leaders in the technology and digital industries.
During the conference, prominent female leaders across all facets of technology and digital industries will share their experiences and knowledge of success in leadership roles. Attendees and experts will delve into this year’s theme, which will examine how to develop and sustain effective leadership strategies via change, innovation and influence. Experts will also address the importance and effects of technology, why leaders must be digitally-fluent and how to excel in today’s high-speed, globally-connected environment.
Media Contact:
Audrey Arthur
(404) 270-5892
aarthur3@spelman.edu
Twitter: @SpelmanMedia
“In the past, I doubt we’ve had some grant like this,” Yang said. Yang said the grant has enabled him to bring scholars with more expertise on climate change to NCCU. Professors from Duke, UNC-Chapel Hill and N.C. State have come to campus to discuss climate change. “They actually know climate change. They have a lot of expertise,” Yang said. On March 23, Yang organized a guest lecture on climate change with Charles E. Konrad, a UNC- CH professor and director of the Southeast Regional Climate Center. In addition to inviting guest speakers, Yang said he modifies the content of his courses and incorporates aspects of climate change in his teachings.
“This is a way we try to introduce something new to the student,” he said. In addition to in-class lectures and exercises, Yang also takes students on field trips. He took his students to the Durham landfill and to a hog farm in Raleigh to measure greenhouse gases with instruments purchase throughout the grant. “I believe in learning by doing,” Yang said. “Inside of class we talk about it but we want the students to go out and take measurements.” Yang said the grant also allowed NCCU to build its own weather station, located on East Lawson Street, where students can record measurements. “This is not just a weather station you can use at home,” he said. “It is used for scientific research.” Yang said the program includes a summer internship for education majors.
Each year, one or two students are chosen to develop lesson plans that include climate change education. “We’re trying to talk more about climate change,” Yang said. Harris, who also incorporated climate change into his courses, said he hopes the courses get students and professors more educated on climate change. “What we consider successful is to have the average person be able to understand climate change,” he said. “We want people in this world to be environmentally conscious.” Williams, who teaches an online weather and climatology class, said he taught exercises in climate change and taught his students on carbon footprints.
He said his students seemed “very enthusiastic” about learning about climate change and enjoyed traveling on the field trips to take measurements. “The whole idea is to get students into some kind of science,” he said. “Hopefully this will entice them to do that.” Williams said the grant has been a rewarding experience, and that education about climate change is a step in the right direction. “It is a great idea, and I enjoyed doing it,” he said. “It’s a great idea for the country, for the nation, and for the world.”
This post originally appeared on The Campus Echo.
Wheeler, a junior history major from Atlanta, is excited about the upcoming experience this summer.
“I’m just so relieved about being accepted after putting in so much time with my application,” said Wheeler.
During the program, Wheeler and other students will receive first-hand exposure to graduate work and faculty life by being paired with a faculty mentor whose work is closely related to their academic interests and goals. Opportunities for students to choose from include Biological Sciences, Humanities, Engineering, Mathematics, Physical Sciences, or Social Sciences. This program encourages students to explore research opportunities at Iowa that can lead to doctoral degrees.
“Iowa is far and I don’t really know too much about it, but life is all about new experiences and taking advantages of every opportunity,” Wheeler stated. Wheeler has been a President’s List student since his freshman year and is also a part of GSU’s SWAC Championship track team. He says that the program is a great opportunity that other students should apply for.
The Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator for the program, Diana Sproles, is actually a graduate of Grambling State University. According to Sproles, many minority students don’t participate in the program and don’t even know about it. Wheeler is the only student from Grambling State that will be participating in the program this summer. Because Sproles has hand in the selection process for the program, she encourages many students from Grambling State to apply in the years to come.
For more information about the program students can visit University of Iowa’s website and search for the SROPS Scholars Program.
This post originally appeared on The Gramblinite.
Project Y-Axis (PYA) is a gateway for young professionals and graduate students to engage in critical conversations and share their perspective on race, politics, culture, and activism in an open forum. PYA is the social media arm for an interface that will be built into www.maroontiger.com. The interface will be a blog site that will allow young Black people to submit their work, and on-site publishing will be rolling. PYA’s primary goals are:
Community News Sharing: MTSMG will use the platform to encourage and engage subscribers to foster a community-oriented site for Millennials by Milliennials.
Intellectually Driven: MTSMG is recruiting young professionals and/or college professionals who have an interest in writing about the totality of their experiences.
Showcase thought leading Millennials: This project will serve as a venue for young Black voices to ascend the axis and shift the conversation based on their response to past and present that plague, or progress, the dreams of young, Black Millennials.
Project Y-Axis has set an agenda in an innovative way, untethered from the constraints of other student-fueled media spaces. “We’ll drive a lively, real-time conversation enriched by the country’s best Black writers and thinkers on the subjects that animate politics and power,” said Darren Martin, editor-in-chief of The Maroon Tiger. “We’ve always tackled national issues in a conscious way while staying committed to informing to inspire civic, social and personal responsibility and renewal in the Black community.”
“If we have learned one thing in the past three years about what students want to read about, it is this: it is having their stories told – in their voices, unapologetically,” said Jared Loggins, managing editor of The Maroon Tiger. “We believe what Project Y-Axis will bring to our audiences is even more essential in today’s every-changing news environment.”
MTSMG has acquired the Twitter handle @Morehouse1867 that has transitioned into @ProjectYAxis in order to target the millennial professional who are 1-7 years removed from undergrad under the handle @ProjectYAxis. This acquisition is an extension of that mission created for individuals who may not want to hear certain campus based news because they are now alums or professionals in their career. PYA aims to reach is the audience who leaves us in undergrad, but are in this ‘holding space’ of undergrad adolescence and full adulthood.
Project Y-Axis is coordinated by two award-winning students on MTSMG: Danyelle R. Carter leads the team as project coordinator, and Kailyn Brooks serves as assistant project coordinator; both joined MTSMG in 2014, which won numerous accolades, including Best HBCU Newspaper, HBCU Media Advocacy; 1st Place, General Excellence, 1st Place, Best Campus Community Service–Features and 3rd Place, Layout and Design at the Georgia College Press Association’s Press Institute during their tenure. Carter and Brooks both serve as associate to MTSMG’s public relations and marketing team. Carter also serves as the President of Black Public Relations Student Society at Spelman College. Together they will steer a team to launch the inaugural marketing campaign to introduce Project Y-Axis to Morehouse College and national landscape.
Readers can sign up now to receive an email roundup of the best of the week political topic from the newspaper. In addition, subscribers will receive robust political and policy coverage — news, analysis, commentary, narrative, polling, data analytics, and more.
This post originally appeared on The Maroon Tiger.
But Miller said he still isn’t quite sure what’s going on. As of Tuesday afternoon, he said, no one in the university administration had directly informed him of his termination or told him what his severance package will be.
At age 64, this graduate from the Howard class of 1972 said he is owed some answers. He said it is mind-boggling that he would be uninformed about basic personnel issues roughly five days after University President Wayne A.I. Frederick announced to the campus community that financial concerns had led to the elimination of 84 staff positions.
Howard officials have not elaborated on the financial issues that forced the layoffs. But records show that the university’s operating expenses in the last fiscal year — $848.7 million — exceeded operating revenue by more than $44 million. The university, based in Northwest Washington, had 10,265 students as of last fall. In each of the previous two years, the university has also announced staff cutbacks.
Though he believes he was one of those cut, Miller chuckles that he still has the keys to his office.
“Nobody has even requested the keys back,” Miller said. “What is my severance? What are my benefits? Hello?”
Read more here.
President Wayne A.I. Frederick sent a letter to the Howard University community which confirmed the Howard University community’s suspicions. The letter states that the cuts were “necessary to ensure long-term financial stability for the University.”
The letter states that a total of 84 positions were eliminated. These eliminations come shortly after the university announced to freeze tuition for the 2015-2016 school year and hired Carolyn J. Bostick as the Vice President of Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness in February.
Bostick’s position includes includes “optimizing and streamlining organizational effectiveness to reinforce our movement toward a more strategic HR function at the University” according to a university press release.
But this year marks the third year in a row that employee cuts were made by the university. In Spring 2014, the university cut 200 employees.
However, President Frederick seems hopeful for the university’s future.
“As we collectively work through challenges and assess opportunities to continuously build on our 148-year legacy, rest assured that the difficult decisions that we’re making today ensure that we can deliver on our promise to provide the premium quality academic experience and opportunities that our students expect and deserve… for many years to come,” Frederick wrote in his letter to the university community.
Read more at TheHiltopOnline.com.
The orange team (offense) competed against the green team (defense). The defense scored its points by turnovers, sacks, and three-and-outs.
Redshirt junior quarterback Carson Royal led the offense, throwing a pair of touchdowns for 215 yards to redshirt juniors Montavious Williams and Jairockeis Jones. Williams put the first points on the board catching a 70-yard bomb right behind the defense to go up 7-0.
Redshirt sophomore Victor Love also caught a 10-yard touchdown in the red zone from junior quarterback Devonte Austin. Love made the initial catch around the 3-yard line, but from the help of his teammates, he gained a large enough push to penetrate the end zone for the second score.
Running back Ronald Ricci also sneaked in a 2-yard run to give the offense 21 points.
There were an abundance of plays made between the offense and defense. Junior wide receiver Tra’Von Holmes proved that he could catch the ball and make positive yards on consistent bases with 5 for 78 yards receiving. Redshirt junior defensive back Braxton Brown had the hit of the game, sending a message to the running back.
The orange team’s last points took place just outside the red zone. Royal danced around from the defense before throwing a 28-yard dart to Jones between two defenders.
The offense remained on top, defeating the defense 28-22.
Head Coach Alex Wood said that it was a good day, and that the team was able to create game-like situations and circumstances.
“We were able to get in about 120 plays, which were good. We got some special teams work,” Wood said. “We got some special situational work, which is always important to put ourselves in difficult and advantageous situations to see how well we will respond offensively and defensively. That was the objective today.”
Wood said that the team is not complete yet, but they do not have to be because they still have time to prepare.
Redshirt senior Kashawn Butler and sophomore running back Gerald Hearns also shared their insight of the spring game.
“Today’s game was good. Me and my brothers went out there and set a platform to where we know where we want to be in the season,” Butler said. “We’re ready to compete and ready to get back to work. We’re ready to learn from our mistakes and move on from there.”
“It was a great opportunity to be able to come out and perfect the plays that our coaches put us through,” Hearns said. “We’re looking forward to staying focused, executing over the summer, and making great things happen this season.”
Heavy rain as a forecast can often kill the excitement for players and fans in a football game. Coach Wood explained how he thought the level of excitement was good despite the rain.
“There was good enthusiasm,” Wood explained. “It wasn’t at a fever pitch today, but I think that we’ll get there once the game happens.”
The Rattlers head into the offseason in preparation for the season opener Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015. The
Rattlers will face off against the University of South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL.
This post originally appeared on The Famuan.
Online voting began February 27, 2015 and will end April 20, 2015. During this period, HBCU supporters can cast one vote per day per device for their favorite HBCU project. Supporters can also secure votes for their school by using the designated hashtag found here for each school via their social media channels. Each use of a school’s Retool Your School designated hashtag counts as one social media vote. Following the online voting, a panel of distinguished judges will also evaluate each school’s project proposals within the qualifying clusters. Judges will consider the depth of each proposal and the school’s ability to execute the project within the respective budgets of $50,000, $25,000, or $10,000, as applicable.
Read more here.
