FAMU Names Former University of Buffalo Offensive Coordinator

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) today announced the hiring of Alex Wood as its head football coach.

FAMU made the announcement today on its website. Wood will be introduced at a 3 p.m. news conference.

Wood has more than 30 years of coaching experience at the high school, collegiate and professional levels. He served as running backs coach at the University of Miami from 1989-93 helping the team win a pair of national championships, including a perfect 12-0 season in 1991. Wood served as head coach at James Madison University (JMU) from 1995-1998 and led them to an 8-4 record and the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs in his first season.

Wood also served as a coach and coordinator for four years in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals, and Minnesota Vikings.

Prior to accepting the top job at FAMU, Wood served as the offensive coordinator at the University of Buffalo (UB) since 2011. He is often given credit for UB’s prolific offense. In 2014, the team finished fourth in total offense and third in scoring offense out of 13 teams in the Mid-American Conference. He was tapped to serve as interim head coach in October replacing head coach Jeff Quinn. READ FULL

Howard Scientists Set to Explore Atmospheric Rivers Above the Pacific Ocean

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WASHINGTON (December 12, 2014) – After a decade of field campaigns in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Africa, Howard University scientists and students from the NOAA Center for Atmospheric Sciences (NCAS) are preparing for a new scientific vista.  This winter, a six-member team will join the NOAA/NESDIS/STAR and US Department of Energy (DOE) Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program on a month-long campaign aboard the NOAA vessel Ronald H. Brown – the ARM Cloud Aerosol Precipitation Experiment (ACAPEX) as part of the much larger multi-institutional CalWater2 campaign involving aircraft, satellite and coastal-based measurements.

“This opportunity is a new chapter for our science team as it is a different geographical region, a different phenomenon, and a new scientific collaboration”, says Vernon Morris, Ph.D., “I am looking forward to the new challenges and opportunities.”

Chris Fairell, Ph.D., NOAA/ESRL, will serve as the Principal Investigator for the CalWater2/ACAPEX cruise.  The NCAS scientific team consists of Morris (HU), along with Co-Principal Investigators (Co-PIs) Everette Joseph, Ph.D. (SUNY) and Nicholas Nalli, Ph.D. (NOAA/NESDIS), and participants Jonathan Smith, Ph.D. (NRC), Kafayat Olayinka (HU), and Stephen Demetry a recent graduate of Millersville University.  AEROSE is the acronym for the Aerosols and Ocean Science Expeditions.  The AEROSE campaigns to date are comprised of ten (10) separate trans-Atlantic project legs; these have provided a comprehensive set of in situ measurements to characterize the impacts and microphysical evolution of continental aerosol outflows, including both dust and smoke, across the Atlantic Ocean.

NCAS has sought to address key scientific questions that help the Nation understand how atmospheric particles influence ocean health, climate, and weather in the Western Hemisphere.  These experiments also provide vital ground truth observations for the multi-million dollar satellite systems that NASA and NOAA rely on for weather and climate information. The CalWater2/ACAPEX winter campaign is focused on achieving a better understanding of precipitation in the western United States.  This is especially important given the recent bout of weather extremes and drought in the western US. Two elements of significant importance in predicting precipitation variability in the western US are atmospheric rivers and aerosols. Atmospheric rivers (ARs) are narrow bands of enhanced moisture associated with extratropical cyclones over the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Because of the large lower-tropospheric water vapor content, strong winds, and stability, some ARs can produce heavy precipitation during landfall on the west coast of the US.

The NCAS team will be primarily responsible for launching instruments on balloons, called radiosondes and ozonesondes.  These instruments will aid in the understanding of the relationship between the evolution and structure of ARs, lower atmospheric ozone distributions, long-range transport of aerosols in the eastern North Pacific, and their potential interactions with ARs. The NCAS team also plans to execute a small proof-of-concept study to investigate a novel technique for bioaerosol sampling in the remote marine environment.  This effort supports ongoing research in aerobiology, and is aimed at extending our understanding of the rich diversity and global distribution of airborne microbes and their chemical environments.

To learn more about AEROSE, visit http://ncas.howard.edu/research-programs/aerose/
To learn more about ACAPEX, visit http://www.arm.gov/campaigns/amf2015apex

ABOUT NCAS 

The mission of NCAS is to increase the number of highly qualified, well-trained graduates from underrepresented communities in NOAA-related sciences, with particular emphasis on the atmospheric sciences, for career opportunities with NOAA, NOAA contractors, other Federal agencies, and academia.

 

Best Gift Ever: DSU Student Gives Kidney to Uncle

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dt.common.streams.StreamServer.clsDOVER — A senior at Delaware State University took holiday giving to a whole new level over the winter break.
Sadat Burton, a criminal justice major, donated his left kidney to his uncle on Dec. 19.

“He’s had (kidney disease) since he was 14 and received a transplant in 1998 from my mom, and at a family gathering about a year ago he said he would be needing a new one soon,” Mr. Burton said.

Mr. Burton’s uncle, Eric Greene of Wilmington, was given a kidney at age 30 by his sister — Mr. Burton’s mother, Vanessa Greene — who was 34 at the time.

Kidney disease is a condition that reduces the functionality of the kidneys over an extended period of time and often results in total renal failure.

There are no long-term treatment options that have been shown to slow the progression of the disease — aside from a transplant.

“If no one in my family would have been able to donate a kidney, I would have had to go on a transplant list and stayed on dialysis until I was able to get a new one,” Mr. Greene said.

Bowie State Student, Kevin Hayes Files $3 Million Hazing Lawsuit Against Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity

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635554528507290170-IMG-8484BOWIE, Md. (WUSA9) — A Bowie State University student has filed a $3 million lawsuit against a fraternity, claiming he was beaten and hazed while pledging.

Student Kevin Hayes sued the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Monday in Prince George’s County Circuit Court for battery/hazing, false imprisonment and gross negligence.

The lawsuit claims APA Fraternity members Mike Ross, Keenan Goins and others punched, hit, slapped, body slammed and paddled Hayes during the fall of 2013. Goins was a graduate student and Ross was not a student at the time, according to the lawsuit.

A photo shared with WUSA9 shows bruising on Hayes’s buttocks. We are not showing the photo in its entirety, but here is part of the bruising.

635554563004299829-buttocksbruisingHayes was required to attend five to eight hour “sets” during which he would learn chapter and fraternity information. According to the lawsuit, he was physically punished if the information was not done correctly. The punishments included were Jewel Shockers (Side Slaps), Back Racks (Back Slaps), Fat Joes (Chest Slaps), as well as taking “wood” (Paddling), the lawsuit claims.

Pledges were not allowed to wear specific colors and were ordered not to “snitch” about the hazing, according to the lawsuit.

After the hazing period was over, the lawsuit claims that fraternity members threatened Hayes and his mother, saying they would come by her house and see her. READ FULL

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Top 22 HBCU Stories of 2014

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Charles Dickens writes in his novel A Tale of Two Cities, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief,” he said.

Dickens continues, “it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.”

With this in mind,  let’s look at the best of times and the worst of times in 2014!

The Good

1. Virgin Islands Now has the Highest Alumni Giving Rate Among HBCUs

According to reports The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) now has the highest alumni contribution rate of any historically black college and university (HBCU) in the nation after achieving an alumni giving rate of 52.49 percent for fiscal year 2014.

2. Basketball Legend Cheryl Miller’s Perfect Place at Langston University

Cheryl Miller, former WNBA superstar, is now coaching at historically black Langston University.

3. Pamela Wilson, Virginia State’s first Female President

Virginia State named Pamela Wilson as interim president. She is the first female to be the president of VSU.

 4. NIH Awards Morgan State $23.3M Biomedical Grant

Morgan State University was awarded a $23.3 million competitive grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that will go towards developing new approaches to engage researchers, with an eye to attracting more minority students to biomedical fields.

5. Xavier University’s $19.6 Million Dollar Grant Will Help Diversify the Future’s Biomedical Workforce

Xavier received a $19.6 million dollar grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support the biomedical programs.

6. N.C. A&T State University is Now The Nation’s Largest HBCU

At 10,734, A&T is currently the largest HBCU in the country.

7. Areisa Peters, Student of Oakwood University: “There’s More Than One Type of Beauty.”

Areisa Peters, a student at historically black Oakwood University, launched a project called “Project Chocolate” which questions the stereotypes facing young Black women and rewrites the narrative of Black women.

8. Howard University Hospital Receives 11M Grant to Research Ebola and HIV

Howard received nearly $11 million in federal grants to research a new Ebola drug and HIV resistance related to sickle cell disease.

9. Trammell S. Crow’s $4.4M gift is biggest in history of Dallas’ Paul Quinn College

Paul Quinn received the largest donation in school history — $4.4 million from Dallas philanthropist Trammell S. Crow.

10. Hampton Award 3.5 Million in First in the World Partnership from US Department of Education

The Hampton University had a great 2014. Among its many accomplishments, arguably its best was a $3.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

635542271325733486-BILL-COSBY-SPELMAN

The Bad

1. Spelman Indefinitely Suspends Cosby Endowed Professorship

Spelman College, which has had strong ties to Bill Cosby for decades, distanced itself a bit from the beleaguered star when the college indefinitely suspended his endowed professorship.

2. Howard University’s Running Back Fatally Shot

A Howard University Running Back was fatally shot in a robbery attempt over winter break.

3. Why Sorority Sisters Make You Want to Quit Life

The NPHC condemns the VH1 show “Sorority Sisters,” saying the show is “harmful, negative and stereotypical imagery of African-Americans in their quest for ratings”

4. NCAA: Arkansas Pine Bluff Allowed 124 Ineligible Players to Compete, Face Five Years of Probation

A NCAA Division I Committee Infractions panel banned UAPB from postseason play tied with a five year probation penalty for allowing at least 124 ineligible players to compete.

5. A TSU Student Shot Three Times Was Thought to Be a Halloween Prank

A Tennessee State student was shot three times while heading back to campus from a local Wendy’s.

6. Toni Morrison’s Papers will go to Princeton? Not Howard

Toni Morrison decided to give her papers to Princeton instead of her Alma Mater Howard.

7. TSU Student Shot and Killed During Robbery, Two Weeks Before Graduation

A Texas Southern student was shot and robbed two weeks before graduation.

8. Norfolk State to Raise Tuition

Norfolk State raises tuition for both in-state and out-of-state undergraduates to $7,552 and $29,320—an increase of $326 for in-state and $250 for out-of-state students.

For some in-state students, the cost of living on campus will now be just over $16,000, with the rate for room and board raised to an additional $250—$576 more than this year.

9. How the Obama Administration Failed to Support HBCUs

The Obama Administration and his Department of Education appropriated more than $171 million in federal funding to increase S.T.E.M. professional development at colleges and universities nationwide for the sake of equity for low-income and minority students. But just three historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) were given this same grant.

10. Charles Grant, Bowie State Coach Caught on Video Body-Slamming Student

University police is investigating Charles Grant. He can be heard shouting and cursing at the student before throwing him to the ground then into the bleachers as people are heard laughing in the background.

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The Ugly

1. Lincoln University President Resigns After Sex Assault Remarks

After Langston University President makes derogatory remarks towards women, he resigns.

2. 654 Students at Kentucky State Sent Home for Unpaid Tuition, Room and Board Bills

Approximately 25 percent of the student population at Kentucky State University were forced out of their studies because of nonpayment on tuition and room and board bills.

Tennessee State University Alum Receives Director’s Commendation Award

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Ron-Cobbs_JSC_Center_Director_Commendation-1024x768NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – A Tennessee State University alumnus and NASA engineer has been recognized for outstanding contribution to the agency.

Ron Cobbs, a 1989 TSU graduate with a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering and avionics chief engineer assigned to the International Space Station operations, recently received the NASA Johnson Space Center Director’s Commendation Award.

The award, the highest honor given by the NASA-JSC administrator, recognizes the center’s civil servants with “significant” contribution toward the mission and operations of the JSC.

Last year, Cobbs’ input was helpful in identifying the cause of a space suit malfunction during a spacewalk in July. Although Cobbs was not part of the official Extravehicular Mobility Unit (space suit) investigating team, he was asked to “look into” the situation because the problem “appeared to be electrical.”

“I discovered that the problem was a systems problem relative to operational use of the serial port on the laptop side of the suit,” said Cobbs, after investigating the problem. As a result of his findings and recommendation, the procedures for the astronauts were rewritten and retested, subsequently leading to identifying the problem.

Saying that he is “deeply honored” to receive the Administrator’s Award fro NASA-JSC, Cobbs, who has been with NASA for nearly 30 years, credits his parents and his TSU preparation for his career success.

“My parents always taught me to work hard and always do the right thing,” said Cobbs, who also holds a master’s degree in Space Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology. “They thought me to believe in myself, have faith and shoot for the moon.”

Shooting for the moon is what Cobbs has been doing since. As avionics chief engineer, his role is to ensure that engineers in the NASA Directorate adhere to the “right processes.” He also supports project managers during the design, development, test and evaluation of projects that require electronics and/or software for operational use.

“I also support Failure Investigation Teams whenever their failures or anomalies on the Space Station need to be resolved. I also sit on several Space Station program boards to provide concurrence representing engineering on all proposed forward plans and action that will be implemented,” Cobbs noted.

“Ronald Cobbs is a true example of an electrical engineering graduate with passion for life-long learning and professional growth,” Dr. Satinderpaul Singh Devgan, professor and head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, said of his former student, when information came out about Cobbs’ spacesuit malfunction intervention.

Cobbs joined NASA at the Johnson Space Center immediately after graduating TSU. He has moved through the ranks from design engineer, systems engineer to now ISS avionics chief engineer.

“I think Ron Cobbs’ achievement at NASA is a great story,” added Dr. S. Keith Hargrove, dean of the College of Engineering.

Janelle Lane’s Big Night Not Enough For Coppin State In Loss To VCU

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coppinwbb-750x400Miami breezes past Lady Rattlers, 83-47 Sunday

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The Miami Hurricanes used a 21-0 run midway through the first half to pull away to a breezy 83-47 win over the visiting FAMU Lady Rattler Basketball team in the opening round of the Miami Post Christmas Invitational at the Knight Center Sunday afternoon.

FAMU (3-7) will face the loser of Sunday’s LSU-UNC Greensboro game at 1:00 p.m. on Monday.

Senior Taneka Rubin led FAMU with 14 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals in 29 minutes.  Her first triple gave the Lady Rattlers an early 9-7 lead at the 15:18 mark.

Olivia Antilla was the only other FAMU player to score in double figures, with 11 points. Freshman Brooksie McGraw led FAMU with seven rebounds, while junior Khaderja Young had seven points and four rebounds.

Lane paces Coppin State in loss to VCU

BALTIMORE – Coppin State closed its non-conference schedule with a 63-52 setback to Virginia Commonwealth Sunday afternoon in the Physical Education Complex.

The Eagles (1-10) were led by junior guard Janelle Lane with 17 points. This is her 13th career game and sixth time this season scoring double figures.

Amber Griffin finished with eight points and a game-best five assists. Jordan Swails also added eight points while Keena Samuels notched six points.

Omaah Tayong grabbed 10 rebounds a second time this season. She has four career games with 10 or more rebounds.

Spartans fall short in loss to Holy Cross

STONY BROOK, N.Y. – Lisa Mifsud scored 16 points, including the go-ahead jumper with 57 seconds left, as Holy Cross escaped with a 63-62 win over Norfolk State on the first day of the Seawolves Holiday Classic hosted by Stony Brook on Sunday afternoon at the Island Federal Credit Union Arena.

The Crusaders (4-8) trailed most of the second half until Mifsud’s basket with less than a minute remaining. The Spartans (2-8) had several chances to tie or retake the lead, but a turnover, two missed three throws and a missed field goal thwarted NSU’s chances.

Rae Corbo, the MEAC’s leading scorer, scored a game-high 25 points for the Spartans.

Corbo finished 8-of-20 from the floor, 2-of-8 from 3-point range and 7-of-7 from the free-throw line. She was the only Spartan in double figures, but Jazamine Gray matched her career high with nine points. Aivah Parham and Nia Roberts chipped in with eight each for the Spartans, who shot 33.8 percent from the floor (22-of-65). Parham had a team-high nine rebounds and Kayla Roberts added seven.

Mifsud was 6-of-14 from the floor for HC, while Raquel Scott added 12 points and nine rebounds. The Crusaders shot 40.7 percent as a team (24-of-59).

The Spartans complete their tournament schedule with a 2:30 p.m. game Monday against host Stony Brook.

MEAC Media Relations

Are HBCUs Boosting Minority Representation in the Sciences?

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lead(The Atlantic Education) — Caleph Wilson, an immunologist at the University of Pennsylvania medical school, always loved science, but even as a teenager he didn’t have his heart set on being a doctor. None of his family members had college degrees, and Wilson enjoyed working with his hands; he had an after-school job on a construction site building cabinets out of wood. Wilson was a good student and generally stayed out of trouble, although he says that in middle school, “There were a couple of instances where I was really excited about taking a test, but because I was a young black male student, my teacher took that the wrong way and I ended up in in-school suspension.”

After graduating from high school in Mississippi, Wilson enrolled in Alcorn State University, a historically black institution in Lorman. After a semester of excelling in biology courses—combined with his desire to “do something that my hometown peers were not doing”—Wilson declared a pre-med major. Though his family was very supportive, he said, some people weren’t so enthusiastic about his career choice. When he visited home during a college break, Wilson told his former football coach that he had declared a pre-med concentration. The coach looked confused, according to Wilson, and asked if he was still building cabinets. “It’s if he was saying, ‘You should probably keep that skill because I don’t think you’ll make it [as a doctor],’” Wilson said. “That’s how I interpreted it.” Many of Wilson’s teachers perhaps doubted that he—and his black peers—could take on such challenging and competitive disciplines.

Science, technology, engineering, and math—or STEM—fields notoriously lack racial diversity; Hispanics, African Americans and Native Americans make up 26 percent of the country’s workforce but only 10 percent of STEM positions. To change this disparity, many organizations and individuals have endeavored to engage students in STEM at all stages of their academic lives. College is often the culmination of these efforts, the point at which students decide if they want to pursue careers in the sciences. To succeed, they need both technical skills and “soft skills” like communication and professionalism. Historically Black Colleges and Universities are providing exactly that: With finite resources, they prepare thousands of minority students for careers in STEM every year, trying to minimize the obstacles that these students will almost certainly face because of their background.

“My philosophy has always been that training underrepresented minorities is not for just them alone—anything you do to help them is of value to anyone else,” said Andrew G. Campbell, a medical science professor at Brown University. “We have a workforce [in STEM] that’s not diverse.” By investing in minority students, Campbell said, the school is investing in a stronger overall workforce.

African American students face numerous challenges even in the path leading up to college. Some black students skip out on STEM careers altogether, discouraged by  negative stereotypes and self-doubt, according to a 2011 article in BET. Socioeconomic factors can also undermine black students’ exposure to STEM, often because they attend schools lacking computers, which could expose them to new career paths and spark interest in the fields. READ FULL

 

Howard University’s Running Back, Terrence Tusan Fatally Shot

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10383963_903839782960397_801629459631756301_nAccording to The Root, a Howard University running back, who returned to his Texas home while on holiday break, was shot and killed along with an 18-year-old man after the two men, along with an accomplice, reportedly attempted to rob an apartment.

The Denton Record Chronicle reports, Terrence Neal Tusan, 22, Jakobi Dmon Gipson and another man allegedly forced their way into a Denton, Texas apartment on Sunday and while police did not say how the shooting began, it is believed that the homeowners opened fire on the young men who all reportedly were wearing masks.

Gipson’s body was found inside the apartment according to the Denton Record Chronicle and Tusan’s body was found outside near the apartment.

On December 23rd, Howard University released a statement stating, “Today, the Howard University family mourns the loss of student athlete Terrence Tusan, a senior from Arlington, Texas, who was majoring in Leisure Studies. Terrence played as a running back on the Howard University Football team for three seasons. We extend our deepest sympathies to the Tusan family at this difficult time.”

Tusan’s mother said, “He was very happy with his grades,” she told the Record-Chronicle. “We were going to do some more Christmas shopping.”

Clarence Nevels, a former coach, family friend and mentor to the Howard Bison running back, told the Record-Chronicle that Tusan was a “good kid.”

“He had good grades and was just down at AT&T Stadium for Thanksgiving Day Madness Youth Football speaking to students about believing in themselves,” Nevels said. He told the newspaper that the young man he has known for some 15 years, didn’t have a criminal history and wasn’t associated with drugs.

Why Sorority Sisters Makes You Want to Quit Life

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VH1 has fans and sponsors talking about its new reality television show, and it’s not in a good way.

Known for its 3 different installments of Love & Hip Hop, the producers might have taken it too far on Monday, December 15 with the airing of its new show “Sorority Sisters.”

“Sorority Sisters” is centered on the lives of sorors from the four Divine 9 sororities of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Zeta Phi Beta, and Sigma Gamma Rho. In the series the ladies deal with the pressure of maintaining their image in the community as well as relationships and holding down the bonds and legacies of their sororities. 

The new reality show that is supposed to be about service, scholarship and sisterhood did not hit off well with viewers on its season premiere. Many people took to twitter to express their opinions about the show:

“I had to stop watching #SororitySisters. Made me want to quite life.”

​​​​​​​–Goldie Taylor via Twitter

​​​​​​​(@goldietaylor)

“@therealrc #SororitySisters is beyond a hot mess. Instead of being caddy grown women why not showcase community service. Now classy @VH1!”

​​​​​​​–LaQuasha Gaddis via Twitter

​​​​​​​(@MsSweetCali)

The viewers weren’t the only people reacting to the new reality series. Companies and sponsors are noticing the negative backlash and are pulling their ads from the show as well. 

Carmex and Hallmark were among the first companies to announce their decision on Twitter. 

“Our commercials appeared as a part of a larger buy on VH1. We aren’t planning to air commercials in future episodes.”

​​​​​​​​–@Hallmark via Twitter

“Carmex does not endorse or represent any particular content on television. After our investigation into the new program, however, we are in process of pulling our add dollars from VH1.”

​​​​​​​​–@Carmex via Twitter

Following amongst others, Honda, Crayola, and State Farm also pulled their ads from the show.

A petition on MoveOn.org has also been started to help remove the show and currently has over 75,000 signatures. Already reaching the second phase, it now needs 100,000 to get to the next phase:

“Stop the spread of ignorance and stereotyping of our beloved Black Greek letter organizations,” the petition reads. It goes on to say, “Our founders amongst EVERY organization worked extremely hard to allow us to unite and flourish not only on college campuses, but as people well beyond our college days…”

The National Pan-Hellenic Council of Presidents has recently released a statement condemning the TV show as well. 

“As leaders of the four historically African American sororities, we are united in our belief that Sorority Sisters, which aired Monday, December 15, 2014 on VH1, poses a shameful affront to our proud legacies of service, scholarship, and sisterhood,” it stated in the letter. 

The letter went on to discuss the disappointment in the producers of VH1 to promote “harmful, negative and stereotypical imagery of African in their quest for ratings,” and encouraged VH1 to consider the consequences of such “irresponsible programming.”

Despite the negative backlash VH1 is still not planning on cancelling the show. Washington Post reported an emailed statement on behalf of VH1 that the premier was seen by 1.3 million people and was the number one non-sports cable program in that time period. 

The show’s second episode is scheduled to air on today. 

Why Are Student Loans So High?

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One of the biggest problems looming after graduation is paying off loans. 

Even President Barack Obama admitted that he, too had student loans and just paid them off a few years before being elected president. 

Huffington Post recently posted a blog saying half of black college students graduate with over $25,000 in student loan debt. It makes you wonder how we actually acquire so much debt after graduation. 

Studies blames household incomes and the price of a college education. But maybe the answer to the problem is a bit more simpler. 

When taking out student loans it’s not about how much we want for college, it‘s about how much we actually need, and there’s a huge difference. 

Some students may not realize that just because banks and lenders offer you a certain amount of money does not mean you actually have to take everything out that’s offered. I know it sounds silly but by sacrificing and only obtaining the bare minimum would actually save you in the long run. 

Those anticipated refund checks that us college students love so much are also contributing to why student loan debts are so high. 

As much as we love spending our refund checks on various luxuries, it’s a better idea to actually invest it back into your tuition. If you use your refund check to actually help pay for some of the expenses it’ll prevent you from taking out as much money the next year. For example, if you’re tuition is $15 thousand a year and you receive $1000 in refunds every semester you would have obtained $8000 by the time you graduate.

That’s $8000 you that you wouldn’t have take out or pay back. 

Of course sometimes you need to take out a loan that’s more than your tuition, and maybe your refund check has to go to something useful but there is another simple way to keep student loan debts from being so high: Pay them back! 

When you ignore your student loans not only are you affecting your credit but you’re also affecting the interest rates of the students who come after you. 

The reasons why interest rates and tuition keep raising are because people fail to pay their student loans. 

Alright, I guess it’s not so simple. 

Posted by LaTavia McQueen Posted on 34 articles

NPHC Statement Against Sorority Sisters

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26a60666e4f74b2f8da52cdce6059054The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) is a collaborative organization of nine historically African American, international Greek lettered fraternities and sororities.

Often referred to as ‘The Divine 9,’ the NPHC consists of Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, and Zeta Phi Beta, Alpha Phi Alpha, Phi Beta Sigma, Sigma Gamma Rho, and Iota Phi Theta.sorority sisters

NPHC issued an official statement denouncing VH1’s latest reality show, Sorority Sisters.

NPHC-press-release-against-Sorority-Sisters-599x1024

Trayvon Martin’s Brother Jahvaris Fulton Graduates from College

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trayvon3-e1418944671769 Amid the senseless tragedy that was the Trayvon Martin killing at the hands of George Zimmerman in Sanford, Fla., a bright beam of goodness steaks across the horizon and pierces through the darkness hovering over the family.

Trayvon Martin’s older brother graduated from Florida International University with a bachelor’s of science degree in information technology.

Jahvaris Fulton, Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton’s sole surviving offspring, had been interning for Florida Congresswoman Fredrica Wilson. She is the founder of the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project counts Fulton as a member of the organization that works with at-risk youth in Miami-Dade County, Fla., to encourage them to stay in school.

Jahvaris Fulton is an aspiring lawyer, according to his mother. Jahvaris Fulton, however, has yet to reveal his future plans. Referenced from newpittsburghcourier.com

 

Texas Southern Shocks No. 25 Michigan State In Overtime

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image8EAST LANSING, Mich. — Chris Thomas scored 22 points, and unheralded Texas Southern beat 25th-ranked Michigan State, outlasting the Spartans 71-64 in overtime Saturday.

The Tigers (2-8) were coming off a 40-point loss to Gonzaga, but coach Mike Davis’ team was poised throughout against Michigan State, becoming the third team this week from the Southwestern Athletic Conference to generate an upset. Arkansas Pine Buff defeated Houston Wednesday and Jackson State topped Tulane Thursday night.

The Spartans came into the game shooting 44 percent from 3-point range, but they went 4 of 21 against TSU.

After Michigan State fought back to tie the game late in regulation, Texas Southern went up by four after making a short jumper with 2:32 left in overtime. It held on to its lead by making free throws down the stretch, and the Spartans never got to within a basket as they continued their game-long offensive struggles.

The No. 25 Spartans (8-4) were favored to win by more than 20 points and had easily dispatched nearly all of its mid-major competition to date.

But starting with a 1-for-7 shooting effort to start the game, Michigan State struggled from the field throughout, and the Tigers (2-8) hung in the game.

The Tigers didn’t lead the entire game until forward Jason Carter hit a three pointer with 1:26 left in regulation to give his team a one-point lead.

Texas Southern had trailed by eight or fewer points the entire game up to that point, and had at one point tied it early in the second frame.

The Tigers never trailed by more than eight throughout the game as they hung with the No. 25 Spartans, who had easily won their last three games against mid-major competition.

Prior to tonight’s victory, Texas Southern was 0-8 on the road and dropped each match by double digits.

SWAC.org

2014 Top 10 HBCU Accomplishments by Huffingtonpost’s Marybeth

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on
B5WTrLACYAA8_Xz(Huffintonpost.com)  – This post is co-authored by Nelson Bowman III, Executive Director at Prairie View A&M University.

It’s that time of year again – time to look back at the accomplishments of HBCUs. We present those that we think will have the most lasting impact on Black colleges, the students that they serve, as well as the surrounding communities.

  1.  NIH Awards Morgan State University $23.3 Million Bio-Medical Grant – The Baltimore-based University received a large grant focused on attracting more minority students to the bio-medical fields.
  2.  Claflin University Set HBCU Alumni Giving Record. The Orangeburg, South Carolina-based HBCU is continually achieving records in its fundraising area. This time the institution has reached a remarkable record in the area of alumni giving – 52.2 % of the institution’s alumni are giving back.
  3. Paul Quinn College Received $4 Million Gift; the Largest in the School’s History – The college intends to build a living learning center to accommodate its growing student population.
  4. North Carolina A&T was named the Nation’s Largest HBCU – In the past, Florida A&M University held the distinction but this year, North Carolina A&T and its growing academic programs take the lead.
  5. Hampton University received $3.5 million First in the World Grant – Hampton University was the only HBCU to be awarded a First in the World Grant, a federal grant program focused on increasing opportunity, lowering colleges costs, and reaching higher attainment levels.
  6. 6. Johnson C. Smith became the First HBCU to Admit a Latino Fraternity – Lambda Theta Phi, a Latino Fraternity now has a home at a Black College. With the growing Latino population at HBCUs and other institutions across the nation, we’ll probably see this happening more and more often.
  7. Alumna Ada Anderson gave $3 Million to Huston-Tillotson; the Largest Gift in the School’s History – The gift will create the Sandra Joy Anderson Health and Wellness Center.
  8. Howard University Alumni launched the “I Love Howard” Campaign – A group of young alumni, armed with knowledge, started a campaign to raise $20,000 for Howard’s endowment.
  9. Tennessee State University developed a Potential Breast Cancer Vaccine – Scientists at Tennessee State University are working hard to develop a breast cancer vaccine and the preliminary trials are appear save and favorable.
  10. FAMU Law Students achieved Higher Rate on Bar Exam than State Average – Students at FAMU earned a 73.6 percent pass rate while the state average was 71.8

Please add more accomplishments via http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marybeth-gasman/2014-top-10-accomplishmen_b_6321160.html

Undrafted: Alcorn State Alum Terrance Lewis Hopes to Play in the NFL

Posted by Robert Hoggard
Posted on

IMG_1849Football is such a grueling sport. It is physical, it is tough, and it is just the right sport for former Braves wide receiver/kick returner and Alcorn State alum Terrance Lewis, who says football has always been serious for him.

Recently, Lewis had the opportunity to talk with the Buzz about being hungry, pursuing dreams, and football, of course. Here is what he had to say:

Buzz: It is clear that you are “hungry.” What drives you to go so hard?

Terrance: I look up to guys like Deion Sanders and Javon Kearse who both are alums of my high school (North Fort Myers High) in Fort Myers,Florida. Just to make it out of our environment it’s truly a blessing and one day I hope to use football to impact someone else’s life, the way Deion and Javon’s success impacted my life. I love the game of football–it’s something that I enjoy doing. I believe in my ability and so do the people around me, it’s just a matter of time that a opportunity will come.

Buzz: What is your plan to finally make your dreams a reality?

Terrance: My plans are to keep working and grinding to get better in the area’s I lack. I’ve been working real close with my trainer Deon Hodges, at D1 Training facility in Jackson,Mississippi. Deon believes in my ability and is striving to get me better. There is always room for improvement no matter how good you are! I’m a very hard worker and never been the type to give up on anything I believe in! 


Buzz: How has the NFL Network show “Undrafted” helpe you get closer to this goal?

Terrance: It’s kept me hungry and grounded, to see all the people contact me through social media that actually believe in me and my grind, that just motivated me to keep pursuing my dreams. I’ve also met a lot of people who interest in helping me purse my dream in play pro football. 

Buzz: I was watching your film and you make a lot of defenders miss, man! With the speed, agility, and other skills you have why do you think you were overlooked? Do you think you were underestimated because of playing at an HBCU? 

Terrance: I wouldn’t necessarily say I was overlooked because I went to HBCU, there are a lot of guys who have made it to the NFL that attended small schools. I do think it plays a factor when your consider to be a undersized receiver like myself. Teams always question the level of competition when you do come from a smaller school. The thing that motivates me is seeing players in the NFL the same stature as me, make plays. Most of which went to bigger schools. Desean Jackson, Steve Smith, Ty Hilton and Tavon Austin just to name a few. I know my ability and I feel like I’m fully capable of creating the same damage as the guys that I’ve mentioned.

Buzz: What is the future like for you? 

Terrance: The only concern I have is not ever getting the chance to display my talent again. I was invited to Rookie mini camp with the Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL) in 2013 and I played in two preseason games with the Edmonton Eskimos (CFL).  I can honestly say that I’m two times better the player I was then. I  just want a opportunity to prove to the people that don’t think it’s possible for me to make it. Whether it’s a NFL camp or CFL camp, I’m ready. I have a great team behind me in my family and friends. I think they want to see me make it more then I do. So that’s a extra push for me to stay focused and to keep my head up!