NCAA: 5 Years Probation for Cheyney

maxresdefaultCheyney University was placed on five years probation by the NCAA on Thursday for multiple infractions regarding the university’s lack of control over its certification processes, according to a decision rendered  the by the Division II Committee on Infractions.

Beginning in 2007 through 20011, Cheyney, the nation’s oldest African-American University, was found to have allowed 109 student-athletes to practice, compete, receive travel expenses and athletically related financial aid before receiving their amateur certification from the NCAA.

The committee also concluded that a former university compliance director failed to monitor when she did not follow proper procedures in the certification of student-athlete’s eligibility.

The probationary period is effective immediately and runs through August 20, 2019.  Other penalties include relinquished NCAA voting privileges until Aug. 20, 2019; a self-imposed postseason ban for all sports during the 2013-14 academic year; and the vacating of all wins in which ineligible student-athletes competed during the 2007-08 through 2010-11 academic years.

According to the NCAA, a member of the men’s basketball team was permitted to play while not fully enrolled in the minimum required credit hours and was not making appropriate progress toward finishing his degree work.
Read more at Philly

Bowie State’s Walk-On Becomes NFL Prospect

AR-140829716 When redshirt senior Khari Lee enrolled as a freshman at Bowie State University, he was considered a football project: A raw and talented player that had yet to tap into his full potential.

Now, entering what could be his final year of organized football, the Western Tech High School graduate is considered the best tight ends in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (he was named first team All-CIAA in 2013 and a 2014 preseason pick) and one of the top players in all of Division II college football.

“[Bowie State coach Damon Wilson] gave me a chance,” said Lee, who added that he started playing the sport at age 7 as a running back for the Pikesville Wildcats. “All my success — I actually got cut from my high school team freshman year — all the praise goes to my coaches that stayed on top of me and pushed me to realize my potential.”

Lee, who caught 34 passes for 352 yards and a touchdown last fall, has improved each year in the Bulldogs offense. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds, Lee, a finance major that is interested a career in real estate or financial advising, said he wasn’t heavily recruited out of Baltimore County and chose to walk-on at Bowie State due to affordable tuition.

“Khari is the reason you coach college football,” said Wilson READ FULL AT Gazzette 

5 Tips to Tame Your Temper at Financial Aid Offices #HBCUFreshmanBible

One, two, three, four, five, six people… I’m counting six people currently ahead of me in line for financial aid questions, concerns and issues that needs to be addressed for the new academic year. And I’m annoyed.

No. I’m pissed, actually.

(Insert any “wtf” gif that relates to my, and several other students attending historically black colleges and universities, situation.)

I’m pissed because my particular question, concern and issue should have been handled weeks ago. You see, this is one of many reasons why I love to hate the financial aid process at HBCUs.

At black colleges, it seems to me, the financial aid folks will respond back to your urgent needs and wants only when the “agents” are good and ready to.

But no matter how bad you want to slap everyone working the office that day—it’s important to deal with financial aid representatives in a positive way.

Here’s 5 tips to tame your temper when visiting financial aid offices at a black college:

1. Think twice before you speak

Trust me. The best way to go about dealing with the agents at the financial aid office is to think before you speak. The last thing you want is to say something that you would regret at a later date. Financial aid reps may be petty at times. But don’t you stoop so low.

2. Be polite

Be kind. Be thoughtful. Be a little extra if you must. A smile and a good approach will take you far during your matriculation at a black college.

3. Document EVERYTHING

OMG. I can’t tell you enough how important it is to document the whole shebang when interacting with financial aid agents. From the time you enter up to the time you graduate, documentation will be your savior at an HBCU.

Write down names and numbers. Save letter statements and emails. And use such as empirical evidence when an agent act as if he or she don’t know what’s going on. Okay?

4. Resolve the issue

Resolve the issue at hand rather than to focus on who or what made you mad. Your temper can make things a lot worse. Woosah, homie.

5. Plan ahead

Take a timeout from your studies and social life on the yard before handling your business at the financial aid office. Proper planning is key. Know what you’re seeking, and state your questions and concerns directly without offending the good ol’ folks at financial aid.

Ready for college but not sure what to expect, or even bring? Before you say goodbye to your parents and friends, check out this ultimate guide to surviving your first year in college, and in particular at the country’s 107 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). We created the #HBCUFreshmanBible to help build a bridge for students to make a successful transition from high school to black colleges, you can read more here.

Stay Consistent

michael-brown-missouri-teenager

USA Today reports:

10 a.m. Saturday – Michael Brown, 18, was unarmed, St. Louis County Police Chief Joe Belmar says in a news conference. Belmar says Brown physically assaulted the officer, and during a struggle between the two, Brown reached for the officer’s gun. One shot was fired in the car followed by other gunshots outside of the car.

In light of this tragedy, generations of people of all races have come together to stand up for the rights of black people. In the 21st century: Protests, rallies, and social media have connected thousands of passionate people, but there are some familiar trends in our protests and social media tactics should not be repeated this time around.

Be a consistent advocate.

It’s easy to “repost”, “retweet”, or “reblog”, but do you really know what you are posting? Does it just look acceptable because that’s what everyone else is doing? Did you do your research? Social media can be compared to a game of telephone, stories can become unclear and the real message is lost; we must commit to our message and be strategic in the way we transfer information amongst each other and to the world, so that our true agenda is being heard and our message stays consistent. Make sure that when the message finally gets to you, you are aware of the topic without and biases and can stand firm on your beliefs. Know what you stand for and always do your own research before following the crowd.

Be consistent in your message and beliefs.

Our thoughts, fights, and hashtags never seem to last very long. What will it be next? A revealing outfit worn by a celebrity or the latest reality shows drama? Once the constant media coverage of one topic is through, we jump to the next big trend in Hollywood. Yes, it is okay to discuss other topics happening in our society, but don’t stray too far away the important issues that plague our communities. Let’s stay consistent in our message for change in America, a change that offers all people regardless of skin color or class the equality and justice they were granted as American citizens under the constitution. Let’s look beyond what is “trending” or “popular” and show the world that we take our fight seriously.

 Be consistent in your image.

#IfIWereGunnedDown has become one of the popular trending hash tags on social media. This hash tag was created to show how the media portrays African Americans when violence and death are reported. Although there is importance in this new photo trend, there is a need for black people to change the way we present ourselves on social media entirely.

The sad truth is that we do not have the luxury of being educated, well off, and frivolous on social media without it being used against us one day.

In the words of Carson Byrd, “ I applaud those wanting to take a stand to media role in skewing the perception of African Americans BUT please understand the complexity and root of the issue. If we as people consciously know that the media is not on our side, why give them fuel to use. If we are fully aware that the media will use the negative images then we must only portray ourselves in a positive manner. We cannot expect the media to depict us in an educated manner if we continually give them material that presents us in an uneducated light.”

In America the media is one of the largest outlets of socialization, knowing this we as black people must portray positive images of ourselves on media outlets to combat and hopefully one day overpower the negative images circulating America’s everyday news, television and social media outlets. If we know that there is even the slightest possibility of a photograph being used as blackmail or as a negative stereotype in the eyes of today’s society, we should not post it. Being self-aware black people should be conscious of the images they put out into cyber space for dominant culture to misconstrue and use to misrepresent our people and us. We should stay consistent in putting out positive images into the world and giving the media less ammunition to paint biased pictures of us in the media.

NSU Interim President Calls Next Six Months “Critical”

Eddie Moore

 

Norfolk State University is getting its act together, but the next six months are “critical to our survival and success,” said Eddie Moore Jr., NSU’s interim president.

Major progress has been made on the backlog of unfinished financial reports that landed NSU in hot water with its regional accrediting agency last year, but multiple problems persist and money is tight.

Moore gave that update during his state of the university speech, delivered Monday on the Norfolk campus. Applause erupted when he announced that NSU will submit the required financial reports by mid-October – the deadline set by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

SACS placed the university on “warning” status because of a checklist of shortcomings, including two years worth of incomplete financial reports.

Moore, hired in September after NSU’s most recent president was fired, said he “longs for the day” when properly executed financial statements aren’t news or cause for applause.

“After all,” he told his audience, “it’s the minimum expected from a university of this caliber.”

Moore said a switch in financial management systems caused the foul-up. The transition was so rocky, he said, administrators lost track of how much money they had available to spend. Last year, they even instituted an across-the-board hiring freeze, unaware the coffers held $2 million more than the new system showed. Read Full 

SSU Receives $1.4 Million NSF Grant to Prepare STEM Teachers

Savannah_State_UniversitySAVANNAH–Savannah State University (SSU) is the recipient of a $1.4 million grant from the National Science Foundation Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. The five year grant, which begins Sept. 1, will prepare STEM – science, technology, engineering and math – teachers for high-need middle and high school classrooms.

“This initiative will enhance Savannah State’s ability to produce a well-qualified pool of teachers in the STEM subject areas, which will help alleviate workforce shortages in this area of national need,” said C. Reynold Verret, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at SSU.  “Through the Noyce grant activity and by preparing key educators, SSU will address the need to cultivate the pipeline of future STEM professionals who will drive our economy.”

In partnership with Savannah Technical College and the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, SSU faculty members from both the School of Teacher Education and the College of Sciences and Technology will recruit, mentor, educate and certify students to increase the number of high-quality, technology education-certified STEM teachers.

During the five-year grant period, the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program is expected to prepare at least 28 undergraduate math and engineering majors and 10 STEM professionals to become certified in grades 6-12. The Noyce scholars – SSU juniors and seniors and STEM professionals – will each be eligible for a $10,000 scholarship per year.  To cultivate an interest in the teaching profession, 20 students from Savannah Technical College and SSU will be tapped each year for the Summer Educational Internship Program and will be eligible for $1,000 stipends.   Local school systems will provide the teacher candidates with clinical experiences, professional mentors and a detailed induction process, which will include ongoing monitoring to ensure a successful classroom transition and subsequent retention.  

“Channeling talented students into the STEM fields is critically important for the economic vitality of the state,” explained Keenya G. Mosley, Ph.D., principal investigator for the grant and assistant professor in SSU’s School of Teacher Education. “One way to accomplish this task is to produce teacher candidates who will remain in the STEM classrooms. Our project has a proactive recruitment plan, comprehensive training program and a rigorous mentoring plan that will yield positive results.”

According to Savannah-Chatham County Public School System statistics supplied for the grant application, the district lost 12 percent of its STEM faculty per year between 2005 and 2012. Recently, a U.S. presidential goal was announced calling for the preparation of 100,000 new STEM teachers during the next decade. Nationally, STEM occupations are projected to grow by 17 percent from 2008 to 2018 compared to 9.8 percent growth for non-STEM occupations. STEM skills are key to many high-demand career options including those found in computer and information technology, science, healthcare and business.

Established in 1890, Savannah State University is the oldest public historically black college or university in Georgia and the oldest institution of higher learning in the city of Savannah. The university’s 4,800 students select degree majors from 27 undergraduate and five graduate programs in the three colleges – Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Business Administration and Sciences and Technology – and the School of Teacher Education.

Open Letter: Shaken by Black Teen Gunned Down by Police

Lesley McSpadden, left, is comforted by her husband, Louis Head, after her 18-year-old son, Michael Brown was shot and killed by police in the middle of the ...

I am taken aback. The death of Michael Brown, a 17-year-old African-American male said to be heading to college on Monday, indubitably brings a certain sense of loss. Not too long ago I too was leaving home for the first time to attend college and to perhaps become a notable distinction in my family.

I feel quite shaken, because, perhaps this young black boy could have been me if only I had been at the wrong place at the wrong time. How could this happen?

Brown was said to be unarmed when he was killed.

He was shot multiple times in his head and chest when Ferguson police officer opened fire, there was instant and fair outrage by family members and friends at the scene, and riot-control officers and attack dogs were sent to help avoid further exclamation.

I remember my move-in day process the university held for incoming freshmen and transfer students at Central State, the black college of my choice coming out of high school. It was around this time four years ago.

I can only imagine how the family of Brown must feel right now…

Michael Brown can never get the chance to tell momma he made it, and the incredible feeling it must feel to walk across a stage as a graduate of the class of 2018.

I wish I could help to end their grief over their lost child, Michael Brown, who now is remembered as a son, a cousin, a friend, a Black teenager—at the wrong place at the wrong time…

But also I feel a loss of hope. One has to question if this country is prisoners of violence and death.

So much the better for us, if continued to be lead down such a slippery slope made by continual treading.

Spelman College President Dr. Beverly Tatum Talks with WABE “Passing the Baton”

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In 2002, Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum was appointed president of Atlanta’s Spelman College. The institution, located in the Atlanta University Center, is one of two all-female historically black colleges in the country. The college was founded as Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary by Sophia B. Packard and Harriet E. Giles. Dr. Tatum is Spelman’s ninth president and recently announced she is retiring .Listen Now at WABE 

Prairie View Alum Colonel Mitchell is First Black to Command STL U.S. Army Corps

 

Referenced from  St. Louis American

Colonel Anthony P. Mitchell, who recently took command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Louis District, is the first African American to lead the regional district of the Corps, but the position does not feel like a milestone to him.

“A large part of my 23 years in the military has been leading,” Mitchell told The American. “I’ve just been blessed with another opportunity to command a district.”Mitchell previously commanded the Nashville District of the Corps, 2009-11, but that is only one of several prior leadership positions. He also has commanded Bravo Company of the 168th Engineer Battalion at Fort Lewis, Washington and the Iraq Area Office in the Middle East District of the Corps in Baghdad.

“You won’t find too many officers like myself with such a versatile portfolio,” Mitchell said. “I might be the first African American to take command here, but I am here because of my experience.”

Mitchell came to St. Louis direct from a leadership position on the U.S. military’s largest stage, at the Pentagon. He was director of the Operational Energy and Contingency Basing Task Force and principal advisor to Assistant Secretary of Army Katherine Hammack on matters related to operational energy.

“We were looking at more sustainable ways to train and move the force of the Army in a manner that is more conservationist in how we use energy,” Mitchell said.

“The way we move fuel up and down the battlefield has contributed to a number of lives lost, so going forward we need to be able to move the force in a more efficient manner. I spent the last year working on that, shaping that policy.”

Now he is operating far from battlefield logistics, commanding roughly 700 employees in a 28,000-square-mile district that is almost equally divided between Missouri and Illinois. The principal enemy – and ally – here is the Mississippi River.

“We protect people from water, protect water from people and make water useful,” Mitchell summarized the district’s mission.

The St. Louis District of the Corps protects people from water by maintaining 87 levees (totaling 750 miles in length) constructed to protect 575,000 acres of economic and agricultural interests in the region.

The district protects water from people by doing environmental restoration, environmental river engineering, regulatory oversight and cleaning up hazardous and toxic waste material connected to Department of Energy activities in the 1940s-1960s. “We’re responsible for environmental stewardship,” Mitchell said.

The district makes water useful by maintaining a Congress-mandated nine-foot navigation channel on 300 miles of the middle Mississippi River, 80 miles of the lower Illinois River and 36 miles of the Kaskaskia River. This is accomplished through maintenance of a lock and dam system, among other types of river engineering.

“That river is very important to our region and nation,” Mitchell said. “We facilitate several hundred billion dollars of commerce up and down the river. It’s important to keep that navigation channel open so we can move that traffic.”

Mitchell himself navigates the river on most workdays, since his office is in the Robert A. Young Federal Building in downtown St. Louis and he moved his family to O’Fallon, Illinois. His wife, Trena, is a military veteran of 18 years, and they wanted to live near a military base, in this case Scott Air Force Base, for proximity to services provided to military families. They also liked the area schools available to their sons Malik, 16, and Tyriq, 14, who will attend O’Fallon High School.

An older son, Anthony Jr., 21, already has begun his military service as a specialist stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

In a sense, Mitchell owes his military career to his own father, the late Albert Mitchell Jr. “My father ran our household like a military boot camp,” Mitchell said, “so I figured joining the Army was something I was going to do down the line.”

He was recruited into Army ROTC while studying biology at Prairie View A&M University, an HBCU outside of Houston, Texas. He competed for and won a two-year scholarship. “I enjoyed what I was doing and what I was learning,” he said. “I thought I could be of value to the service.”

He came to Missouri for the first time for his basic officer training at Fort Leonard Wood, which he followed with a battery of higher education in both engineering and military studies, including a master’s degree in engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and a master’s in strategic security affairs from the National Defense University. READ FULL 

FAMU’s Law School Hit with Discrimination, Unequal Pay Lawsuit by Female Professor

Jennifer Smith FAMU Law Referenced from TBO

Since it was reconstituted in 2000, Florida A&M University’s law school has struggled with image problems, including perceptions of academic quality and low bar exam-passage rates.

But the College of Law – based in downtown Orlando – bounced back in the last few years, finally receiving full accreditation from the American Bar Association, for example.

Now, a law professor is suing the school, alleging a variety of wrongs, such as discrimination, retaliation and salary inequalities.

Jennifer Smith, an associate professor hired in 2004, lodged her complaint in Leon County circuit court last Thursday. The suit was filed in Tallahassee because FAMU is headquartered here, the complaint says.

Smith accuses the university of eight violations of federal and state law on equal pay and gender discrimination, her suit says. She seeks unspecified damages, a promotion to full professor, attorney fees and other relief.

Her complaint says the law school “consistently hired men at considerably higher rates than women,” with male associate professors “paid considerably more” than females.

Smith says she was granted tenure in 2010, but has been repeatedly turned down for promotion to full professor ever since, starting that same year. READ FULL

VSU hires Westbrook as Sports Information & Marketing Director

gjenzug219c5126rThe Virginia State University Athletic Department announced the hiring of John Westbrook on Tuesday, August 5. Westbrook serves as Sports Information and Marketing Director.

Westbrook is involved with all aspects of the communications and media relations initiatives for the school’s 16 sports. He is responsible for developing and implementing season-long communication plans in concert with Virginia State’s overall strategic branding efforts.

“Virginia State University is fortunate to have Mr. Westbrook added to our athletic department staff,” Athletic Director Peggy Davis said. “His knowledge, skills and abilities within the Sports Information field and Marketing will be an asset to VSU and our many student-athletes.”

Westbrook came to Virginia State after serving as Assistant Manager of Media Relations at Jackson State University since 2013. He served as the primary media relations contact for volleyball, women’s basketball, softball, and men’s and women’s tennis and assisted with soccer and football. He also contributed to the editorial direction of Jackson State’s social and new media platforms.

Westbrook served as Sports Information Staff Assistant at Alabama State University from 2011-13 and assisted with the administration and operations for a number of the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s Championships.

Westbrook is a member of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) and a member of Joshua Lodge #774 Masonic Temple.

Westbrook is a Houston, Miss., native and a 2010 graduate of Jackson State, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business marketing and served as student assistant for sports information.

Tuskegee Students Start Petition to Bring Home Colleagues from Monrovia, Liberia

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Bring home the Tuskegee University missionaries from Monrovia, Liberia

Tuskegee Students
Petition by
Tuskegee Students
Florissant, MO

This petition has been written from the concerns of the Tuskegee Students. As of August 5th, British Airways has officially cancelled all flights flying to and from Liberia until August 31st. There are 6 Tuskegee University students stranded in Monrovia, Liberia that need to be brought home. Amongst them are graduating seniors and scholars. The extremely deadly Ebola outbreak is presently occurring in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia. This set back has hindered their studies towards their missionary work, which is the primary purpose of their trip. Forcing these students to stay any longer than necessary is putting them all at risk and is unconstitutional. Help pass this petition so that they may safely return home to their families. PLAN OF ACTION: All Tuskegee students be sure to tweet the US Embassy, British Airways, and TU Alumni with power(Tom Joyner, etc.) to notify them of the current situation and this petition. Please hashtag #SkegeeInLiberia.

Find the Petition at SIGN PETITION

Savannah State Sued by Women Over Rapes on Campus

scales empty courtroom

 

Two students are suing Savannah State University, arguing lax security at the school enabled an assailant to rape them on campus last fall.

The Savannah Morning News reports (http://bit.ly/1m9Te38 ) attorneys filed separate lawsuits on behalf of the two women Friday in Chatham County State Court. Both women reported to police they were robbed and raped at gunpoint in their campus housing last Dec. 5. A suspect, 38-year-old Torrey Scott, has been charged with rape and is awaiting trial.

The lawsuits say the women’s attacker was captured on surveillance video climbing a fence and loitering in a parking lot outside the victims’ apartment for more than 15 minutes before he went inside.

University spokeswoman Loretta Heyward declined to comment. The women are seeking at least $4 million in damages apiece. Referenced from Online Athens

KSU Interim President Gives up $90,000 to Boost Paychecks of Lowest-Paid Workers

o-KENTUCKY-STATE-UNIVERSITY-facebookReported at University Herald

The Kentucky State University Board of Regents approved Raymond Burse’s request to hand him a pay-cut.

The interim president has decided to allocate the difference amount to increase the salary of 24 “minimum wage” employees. Burse said that some of the employees were just earning as little as $7.25 an hour, the federal minimum wage, wbko reports.

As a result, Burse will receive $259,744 annually instead of $349,869, while the employee’s wages will be raised to $10.25 an hour.

Burse said the move is to ensure that university workers are made aware that school’s board and president “care about them and want to do the very best by them.”

“This is not a publicity stunt,” Burse said. “You don’t give up $90,000 for publicity. I did this for the people,” Lexington Herald-Leader reports. “I was in a position where I could do that.” READ FULL

 

 

2014 TOP FIVE HBCU DJS

DJ Bruce Bruce – Univ Arkansas at Pine Bluff 

djbrucebruceBruce Jones, also known as DJ Bruce Bruce, is a native of Pine Bluff, AR. He has always had a drive & passion for music. At a young age, he knew that he wanted to do music but in his own way. Bruce began his music career in middle school, where learned to play the alto saxophone.  As Bruce progressed through the marching band, he also learned to play the mellophone and the basics of music theory. At the age of 14, Bruce started dj’n his very own parties, as well as many other local events. A family member of his who basically taught him the ropes and allowed him to work as his assistant introduced him to dj’n. As Bruce progressed through his DJ career, he created his own entertainment company known as Krystal Klear Entertainment. While upholding his own company, Bruce has dominated numerous cities, colleges, & events in central Arkansas. He is widely known as one of the best, the youngest, and the most creative DJs in the state of Arkansas. Bruce has maintained a full-time education alongside taking over the music business.

At the age of 24, Bruce graduated from The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff resulting in a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science. As well as being a DJ, Bruce is also a graphic designer. He partakes in photography and videography also.  DJ Bruce Bruce can be thought of as a “One Stop Shop”.  He has overcome all odds, raised above adversity, and still came out on top year after years. Bruce Jones is more than just a DJ. He is a leader, a scholar, and a businessman with a plan.

 

DJ Camouflage – Hampton University

mCBPLD_1-1DJ Camouflage is a 20 year old native of Louisville, Kentucky and a current student at Hampton University. DJing since the age of 15, Camo is currently one of the hottest up and coming college DJs in the country. Having hosted numerous mixshows on Louisville’s WWPW 104.3 The Beat -as well as mixes syndicated on countless other radio stations across the country- at a very young age he has already began to flourish in this industry. Camo is undoubtedly the biggest Student DJ at Hampton University and DJs many major events on campus.

In Kentucky, he is well known as a seasoned party rocker with a reputation of crowd surfing and making audiences go insane. It is a notorious notion that when partying with DJ Camouflage, Every Night Is EPIC. He has opened for various major artists such as Migos, Lil Durk, Young Dolph, Travis Porter, Dorrough, Asher Roth, International Popstar Havanna Brown, and more. During his career, Camo has performed in several cities including Washigton D.C. , Chicago, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Richmond, Virginia Beach and more. He has toured opening with electro-pop group Timeflies. DJ Camouflage continues to build his brand through Livemixtapes.com, & it’s affiliate Clubtapes.com with his mixtape series Campus Takeover, Dubtape, and Every Night Is EPIC. They have collectively received hundreds of thousands of downloads and their reviews definitely speak for themselves. Not only is this DJ considered Camouflage because of his flawless blends, but because his versatile music background of Hip-Hop, Top 40, House, and EDM genres allow him to rock any crowd. You can catch DJ Camouflage spinning anywhere from the hottest clubs in Virginia Beach, to the biggest raves and concerts in Kentucky, or at college campuses across the country. For more on DJ Camouflage, Follow him on Twitter @djcamouflage, Instagram @djcamouflage502, & online at www.djcamouflage.net.

DJ LR – Howard University 

yEBtCtqb-1DJ LR, battle/club/mixtape disc jockey who graduated from Howard University in 2014. As a instrumentalist throughout her life, LR picked up a set of turntables in 2010 as a freshman. She is known for playing exactly what you want to hear, for the past couple of years she has DJ’d at most of the major events at Howard University such as Howard Homecoming, Bison Ball, Cafe Nights and Drink Olympics and she was also on the club scenes as well. As a former manager and DJ at WHBC 96.3HD3, she has much experience on and off air. Being featured on mixtapes such as Twerk Tape 4, and having her own mixtapes such as the kickback series and Throwbacks and Airforces, her music catalog is very impressive. She has been cal to DJ shows for Tyrese, Trina, Migos, Ra the MC, and many more. She is not only a female DJ but she is a female DJ that the fellas and the community respect.

DJ Freeez – Bowie State University 

HQ5A5078-510x765A Somerset, New Jersey native, I’m 22 and I attend Bowie State University! I host my own radio show on the campus that covers media and entertainment, but my real passion is within DJing since I was 16 years old! I have an ecliptic selection that will never leave a venue dry. I’ve built my skill around execution, music selection, and crowd control/interaction. When I came to college I had a goal to raise the school spirit, and bring the campus energy level through the roof! With that in mind, I’ve been told by administration that I’ve become the most impactful DJ in the history of my school; I’ve also been recognized as a student leader in past years. I’ve performed at the top clubs in DC, while still performing events on my campus, and nearby campuses including University of Maryland, Howard University, Morgan State University, John Hopkins University, and George Washington University. New Jersey campuses include Rutgers University, Kean University, William Paterson University, and Montclair University. I love music, and I love colleges! Please take the time out to tune into my Soundcloud and hopefully you become a supporter. Keep good music alive *fist*

DJ D-Izzy – Norfolk State University

IMG_2855-L“What’s Good World! I go by the name of DJ D-Izzy #ThePremierPartyRocker.  I’m 23 years old, from “C-Port” Savannah, Georgia and I’ve been spinning records since I was 11 years old.  I study Mass Communications/Music Media at THE NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY!!

Since becoming a DJ, I’ve had the opportunity to work with some of the biggest entertainers and artist such as Juicy J, Bow Wow, Fabolous, August Alsina, Pusha T, Karlie Redd and Erica Dixon from LHHATL, Trinidad James, Migos, Dipset, Teyana Taylor, Shy Glizzy, K Camp, and Author Rob Hill Sr. NFL/NBA star players like Kam Chancellor, Randy Moss, Mike Scott, Laroy Reynolds, Kyle O’Quinn and Kent Bazemore I’ve also collaborated with.  In 2013, I was invited and appeared multiple times on BET’s 106 and Park in New York as the guest DJ. I also have had the opportunity to DJ for various HBCU’s including Albany State, Hampton University, South Carolina State, Savannah State, Fort Valley State, and Virginia State to name a few. Some cities that I have DJ’d in include Atlanta, Las Vegas, New York City, Richmond, VA, Charlotte, NC, Orangeburg, SC, Charleston, West Virginia, and Panama City, FL just to name a few.

Outside of being a DJ, it is important to me that I’m involved in the community.  I am a member of “The League of Extraordinary Men” which is an organization that encourages brotherhood through community service projects and I’m also a member of NBS (National Broadcast Society).  

[polldaddy poll=8226357]

Alumni of Oldest Historically Black Private University in US Fight to Help Ohio School Survive

FILE - In this Sept. 9, 2010 file photo, students at Wilberforce University walk across campus in Wilberforce, Ohio. The historically black school founded in 1856 could lose accreditation. Alumni of the country's oldest historically black private university are committing money and other support to help the southwestern Ohio school fight to survive amid possible accreditation loss, financial deficits and low enrollment. Photo: Lisa Powell, AP / The Dayton Daily News

CINCINNATI (AP) — Alumni of the country’s oldest historically black private university are committing money and other support to help their alma mater’s fight for survival amid the risk of accreditation loss and financial deficits and low enrollment.

The alumni association of southwestern Ohio’s Wilberforce University, founded in 1856, says graduates have committed to raise $2 million in cash donations, including $400,000 pledged at last weekend’s alumni conference. The university has already received $200,000 of that, alumni and university officials said Wednesday. The university also says it has a strategy for upcoming changes, including realigning Wilberforce’s board, modifying facilities and academics, revising financial procedures and finding a president to move the school forward.

Talbert Grooms, president of Wilberforce’s alumni association, said in a statement that alumni believe change is a “critical part of staying relevant.”

Last month, the Higher Learning Commission issued a “show-cause” order, which stressed serious financial issues, lack of leadership and a deteriorating campus among other problems at the school. It requires Wilberforce to show why the commission shouldn’t withdraw its accreditation.

That loss would be a major blow. It could result in lack of eligibility for federal financial aid for the estimated 80 to 90 percent of Wilberforce students receiving such assistance and cause problems with transferring credits. Wilberforce must respond by Dec. 15 and schedule a commission team visit to the campus by Feb. 9.

Interim President Wilma Mishoe has said Wilberforce is committed to complying with the commission’s accreditation standards.

But Richard Deering, president of the Wilberforce Faculty Association, says deteriorating dormitories, declining enrollment and accelerating debt over several years are huge obstacles.

“It’s not a matter of being pessimistic or optimistic,” said Deering, who has taught at Wilberforce since 1968. “It’s the facts on the ground, that Wilberforce — for whatever reason — lost its way.”

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