N.C. A&T Men win HBCU Challenge

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aggiesThe anticipation for the 2013 MEAC Cross Country Championships continues to build. Saturday didn’t help ease the Aggies’ eagerness to get there. The North Carolina A&T men’s cross country team won its division of the Great American Cross Country Festival held at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. The men won the HBCU Division I division by placing five runners among the top six finishers.

Junior Saeed Jones led the men with a second place finish in 26:18.40. He was followed by third-place Darren White (26:34.8), fourth-place Christian Harrison (26:36.8), fifth-place Franky Mills (26:43.9) and sixth-place Dyronne Marbry (27:10.3).

“I am extremely proud of the men, they competed very well today, Duane Ross, the Aggies director of track and field programs. “This really gives our men a confident boost with a couple weeks left before MEAC. The guys are learning how to run together and compete. I’m very proud of them and proud of (cross country coach Perry Cabean).” read more…

Compared to UVA, some see bias in NSU board approach

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nsu1 copySome black members of other university governing boards are objecting to what they see as Gov. Bob McDonnell’s uneven approach in his handling of Norfolk State University compared with the University of Virginia leadership crisis.

“We think everything ought to be treated equally,” said Bill Thomas, a member of the Christopher Newport University Board of Visitors.

Thomas said McDonnell should have followed “the same template” at NSU that he set at UVa last year when he sent all the members of the board an ultimatum warning that they resolve the crisis or he would demand their resignations en masse.

At historically black NSU, the governor has sought the resignations of some individual members in a bid to eliminate two factions on the board after it fired President Tony Atwater in August. read more…

 

Zola Budd at HBCU Challenge 5K

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zb copyZola Budd‘s still got it.

The two-time Olympian famous for colliding with Mary Decker at the 1984 Olympics turned up at the HBCU Challenge 5K in Cary, N.C., on Saturday.

Budd raced women half her age and beat all 106 college runners by 50 seconds. She clocked 17 minutes, 47 seconds. Here’s a video clip of Budd around the halfway mark.

She did not run barefoot, as she did at the 1984 Olympics. Budd once held the world record on the track in the 5,000 meters of 14:48.07.

“I haven’t been running under 18 minutes for quite a while,” Budd said in a video interview. “I’m pleased.” read more…

 

VSU joins HBCU/Brazil scholarship program

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vsu copyVirginia State University (VSU) is one of 15 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) included in a new scholarship program that supports Brazilian students who wish to attend American HBCUs. Dr. Meldon Hollis, Associate Director for the White House Initiative on HBCUs, and representatives of the Brazil-HBCU Alliance, were on hand in Brasilia for the announcement, culminating a two-week visit to Brazil by HBCU representatives.   Dr. Maxine Sample, Director of International Education at VSU, was among the group of international education program directors and administrators who participated.

Along with the scholarship partnership, the visit introduced HBCUs to Brazilian institutions and community groups and promoted increased partnerships between Brazilian and HBCU-Brazil Alliance member institutions.  The visit was coordinated by the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, in conjunction with the White House Initiative on HBCUs and the American Consulates in São Paulo and Brasilia.  Meetings with educators, administrators, government officials, students and community leaders focused on providing greater access of Afro-Brazilians to educational opportunities and maximizing the participation of Brazilian and HBCU students and faculty in exchanges, joint research and other collaborations. read more…

NSU Interim President settles in; Job of fixing fiscal woes underway

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nsu copyFor the third time in his long career as a state public servant, Eddie N. Moore, Jr., is stepping into the role of “Mr. Fix-it,” tasked to plug fiscal holes  and put the wind back in the academic sails of an HBCU (Historically Black College or University) in danger of sinking.

He accepted that role for 17 years at  Virginia State University and briefly at the former St. Paul’s College. Today, for the next  three years or more, he  has been hired at  Norfolk State University to steady the  state’s largest HBCU from succumbing to some storms which recently have battered the 78-year-old institution.

At the top of his “to do list” is to correct the  fiscal issues facing NSU. It failed to report on time the 2011 and 2012 state audits of its finances. Recently, the State Auditor of Accounts reported that the delayed NSU 2011 Audit which was turned in last month was sound.

Moore said his staff is compiling all of the financial statements to allow state officials to conduct the audits for 2012 and 2013 by January 2014. read more…

Has President Obama neglected HBCUs?

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obizei copyBrandon Brice, at the Washington Times, asks whether President Barack Obama could do more to help historically black colleges and universities. The federal government prepares to enact a new set of loan-eligibility requirements, which could greatly reduce enrollments.

Imagine if black colleges didn’t exist. What if the ability of black students to attend or complete four year institutions and pay for college suddenly just stopped?

That could soon be a reality for thousands of African-American undergraduates who attend historically Black colleges and universities, or HBCUs. The law is about to create a sudden change in eligibility requirements for parents and students who apply for federal PLUS loans from the U.S. Department of Education. read more…

 

 

NFL prospects among HBCU playmakers

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rfinch copyNFL scouts have been watching a lot of top Division I-A quarterbacks such as Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater, Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel and Clemson Tajh Boyd. However, there are some pretty good NFL prospects in black college football as well.

The MEAC has a host of quality players capable of playing on Sundays. These players should get invited to the NFL combine as well as to some of the postseason college football all-star games.

If you are not familiar with the some of the great players who have come out of the MEAC over the years, the list includes Indianapolis Colts S Antoine Bethea (Howard), Dallas Cowboys LB Justin Durant (Hampton) and New Orleans Saints S Rafael Bush (South Carolina State).

The NFL draft is several months away, but these players could be selected based on their play so far. If not, they could find their way onto NFL rosters as undrafted free agents. read more…

HBCUs talk affordability and completion at annual summit

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arne copyThough faced with criticism and limited resources, the nation’s historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) remain ready to equip themselves with new practices for the future.

This year’s HBCU Conference, which took place last week in Washington, D.C., focused on new paradigms for educating students in the 21st-century while simultaneously building off of the history that enriches HBCUs. read more…

Judge Rules Maryland’s treatment of HBCU’s violates constitution

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mdhbcu copyNearly one year after closing arguments were submitted in the lawsuit brought against the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), a decision has been handed down by United States District Court Judge Catherine C. Blake.

In a 60-page opinion released Oct. 7, Blake found the state of Maryland in violation of the U.S. Constitution for operating a system of higher education still rooted in segregation.

The Coalition for Excellence and Equity in Higher Education initially filed their case against MHEC in October of 2006.

The suit claimed that programs of study first offered by historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) were being duplicated at traditionally white institutions (TWIs), thus, diminishing their ability to attract and fully matriculate students- especially when coupled with a history of underfunding for Black schools. read more…

Howard U. loyalists back new leadership after abrupt retirement of President Sidney Ribeau

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Frank Savage, a plugged-in alumnus of Howard University, offered two reactions to the sudden leadership transition at his alma mater this week.

The former chairman of the university’s Board of Trustees, a graduate of the class of 1962, had some brief words of gratitude for the retiring president, Sidney A. Ribeau, who announced his exit Tuesday evening after five years at the helm.

“I respect his decision,” Savage said Wednesday. “And we wish him well. We appreciate his many contributions to Howard University.”

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One word to describe Howard Homecoming 2013: Epic

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I don’t mean to brag or anything but Howard University’s Homecoming is the best of all time, bar none—and I don’t even attend Howard.

Word on the yard is Howard Homecoming 2013 will be “larger than life.”

Last year the school made headlines when Grammy winning artist Drake made an unannounced visit. This year nothing will be the same: Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Big Sean, Erykah Badu, Brandy & Trey Songz are among the lineup for Howard Homecoming in three weeks.

Click here for the list of events and the celebs headlining them

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Did Howard University hire Judy Smith?

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jsmith copyYou may remember Judy Smith the Crisis Management Expert that inspired hit television show “Scandal”. Is Smith’s next client the mecca of excellence? Just days after Howard University President, Sidney Ribeau, announces his resignation rumors surface within the Bison community that Smith is in fact on the job, working to resolve the real reason behind Ribeau’s resignation.

Howard University has been diligent in communicating President Ribeau’s resignation, but it fails to mention what everyone is dying to know – why? One thing is for sure, if Judy Smith – one of the nation’s leading Crisis Management Experts – is on the job, there is something major that is worth concealing.

rumor (n.) – a story or statement in general circulation without confirmation or certainty as to facts; gossip; hearsay

BREAKING: U.S. Capitol Building on lockdown

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_cap copyThe United States Capitol was placed on lockdown Thursday afternoon following reports of shots fired in the vicinity of the chamber. At least one Capitol Police officer was injured.

The FBI was responding to the scene, and a helicopter landed in front of the Capitol. A message from the Capitol Police ordered anyone in a House office to “shelter in place.”

“Close, lock and stay away from external doors and windows,” the message said.

The House recessed, and the Senate went into a quorum call — dispensing momentarily with its official business — shortly thereafter.

Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill tweeted: Shots fired outside the Capitol. We are in temporary lockdown. read more…

Langston increases enrollment 45 percent

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Langston University reported a 45 percent increase in first time freshmen enrollment in 2013 over 2012.

Langston President Dr. Kent J. Smith, Jr. said hard work and recruiting college ready students are some key tools that helped the university achieve one of the largest classes in its 116 year history.

“Students from across the country are recognizing the tremendous educational value and quality available at Langston University,” said Smith. “As Oklahoma’s only Historically Black College and University (HBCU), and the western most HBCU in the country, Langston University has an incredible opportunity to serve the public good through our unique urban and rural land-grant educational mission.”

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Tuskegee community honors life of Bobby J. Smith, Jr.

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bales for press webIn a memorial sprinkled with tears and laughter, fellow students and friends reminded the Tuskegee community to “smile for B.J.” Hundreds gathered in the University Chapel today to pay tribute to the memory and life of student Bobby J. Smith, Jr., who was affectionately known as B.J. to friends and family.

Smith, 21, was fatally wounded Sept. 28 when a shooting occurred at a block party in the City of Tuskegee. The native of Mabelton, Ga., played for the university’s tennis team and was the father of an infant son.

During the memorial, Kyle Spencer, Student Government Association president, said Smith was a friend who could always see the positives in a situation, loved to make people laugh, and was ambitious about his future.

“B.J. was a guy who dreamed big,” Spencer said of the senior finance major. “He always talked to me about making it to Wall Street and how he and I were going to fly to Fashion Week in Milan.”

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BREAKING: Howard President Sidney A. Ribeau retires

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Former-Bowling-Green-State-University-President-Sidney

Reports of Howard University President Sidney A. Ribeau’s retirement caused several reactions on Twitter yesterday as the sudden news shocked faculty, staff and students and supporters of the nation’s most recognized HBCU.

Ribeau announced his departure Howard after just five years in office: “This is the time, this is the season, for me to retire from the presidency,” Ribeau told The Washington Post.

In an open letter Ribeau thanked the Howard community for the many accomplishments achieved during his tenure from collaboration. “Serving as the president of Howard University was the opportunity of a lifetime,” said Ribeau.

“In nearly 150 years, only 16 people have had this privilege. It is one I will always treasure. Again, I would like to thank the entire community for supporting me, for extending a collegial spirit and for helping us to expand and renew the Capstone.”

A drop for the university in a major national ranking, a downgrade in its credit rating and declining enrollment may have led Ribeau to make his decision to retire. In addition, a letter by vice chairwoman of Howard University board of trustees Renee Higginbotham-Brooks stating that the school “is in genuine trouble” did not help his position.

Despite all of this, Ribeau and the school reported that Howard hailed the second-largest freshman class in 15 years.

This story is still developing

Tommy Meade Jr. is the Editor of HBCU Buzz. Follow him on Twitter @tommymeadejr

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