Howard community welcomes new Interim President Wayne A.I. Frederick

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Howard President Sidney A. Ribeau’s surprising retirement announcement is still being felt in the HBCU community.

The news that Ribeau will officially step down from presidency at the end of the year caused some HBCU leaders to scratch their heads: Morehouse College President John Silvanus Wilson tweeted Ribeau was ‘a force for good’ and questioned the state of the modern historically black college or university.

A Howard loyalist plugged into the university said he supports Ribeau’s decision to retire and new interim president, Wayne A.I. Frederick. “We are fortunate to have a very strong team of executives that are available to manage the school,” Frank Savage said.

“They have my total, unqualified support. I absolutely believe in them. We will back this team 100 percent.”

Based on his resume, Dr. Frederick, 42, seems like a sure fit for the job at the nation’s most renowned historically black university. Plus, the new man at the helm knows his way around the yard.

Frederick has a bachelor’s in zoology, a doctor of medicine and a master’s in business administration—all from Howard—and has been called “Super Doctor” by the Washington Post, was listed on Ebony Magazine’s Power 100 in 2010 and is respected as “a well-rounded scholar, with a passion for the arts and service.”

When asked by the Post his reaction when the board chose him to lead the university Frederick said, “It was extremely humbling. My ties to this university go back 25 years.”

“I felt extremely privileged because I know the enormity of the task, but at the same time I know the greatness of the mission.”

In other news, you can bet on a visit to Homecoming from rapper Diddy now. Looks like Frederick and the record producer were close friends back in the day.

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3 reasons to find a great church in college

Posted by Robert Hoggard
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Finding a good church that relates to you in college is quite the task for anyone. The college years are a time for students to engage in new ideas and start making life decisions for themselves. But the demands of school, work and life itself can turn Sundays into extra slots to relax instead of a day for service.

The church can be a source of strength, family and finance and it still holds important value today.

So if a church has these 3 components, it is a sure fit for you:

1. Some of the best inspiration comes from inside the church

Merriam-Webster defines the word “inspiration” as: a divine influence or action on a person believed to qualify him or her to receive and communicate sacred revelation.

The church is the catalyst that propels me to success. I lost count of the many times I have received inspiration when I really needed it. But I do appreciate the times when I feel like giving up during midterms or on an exam because, thanks to the church, the help and confidence I need is always near.

2. The right church takes care of its students

The church will make sure that you are stable. (My Pastor has never forgotten my birthday and he always sends gifts for Christmas.)

One of the greatest things about the church I attend in college is that service is tailored exclusively for college students, organized by college students–which is why I think it is very effective. This service runs for a little more than an hour and afterwards they feed all of the college students, which encompasses anywhere between 500-700 students.

Compassion is intentional. You will feel it when you find a great church that is led by a great Pastor. And while being away from home is never easy, the right church can make it somewhat easier to cope with.

3. The right church offers scholarships for students

Must I say more about scholarships? Everyone needs scholarships to pay for school. Obama once told college students: “College is a luxury.”

Churches can turn a costly experience into a money saver. Churches will push you to a better college experience. It is your choice to choose a church that will love you and show compassion throughout your entire stay.

Here is something I took note of from the message during last week’s service at my campus church: The preacher talked about what it meant to transform from a wounded person to a person with scars. Rev. Justin Lester said: “Don’t allow your pain to rule you. God allows hurt in your life to show you how strong you really are,” and “Show your scars.”

He is right. And it tells that some inspiration can be found in a great church.

Tuskegee University’s president resigns

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bildeTUSKEGEE, Ala. – Dr. Gilbert L. Rochon, the university’s president, has announced his resignation from the university effective immediately.

During the fall meeting of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Rochon announced his resignation and the Board of Trustees accepted. The Board of Trustees appointed Dr. Matthew Jenkins as the acting president of the university.

The critical task for the Board of Trustees was to insure outstanding leadership and management of the university during the interim period. Dr. Jenkins, a native of the state of Alabama, graduated from Tuskegee University in 1959, receiving the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree with honors. After graduation, he was employed by US Department of Agriculture in Boston. MA; subsequently he served in the US Air Force, at the rank of captain, stationed in Greenland. In this position, Dr. Jenkins discovered rabies and later led a team dedicated to the control and eventual eradication of rabies in Greenland.

In 1960, he moved to California; was employed by the State of California Department of Veterinary Medicine and, shortly thereafter, entered private practice in Compton, CA. His veterinary practice grew to a medical and office staff of 18 professionals; he developed a new anesthetic combination that was published in “Modem Veterinary Practice” in 1972 and currently is in use in many countries. In 1970, Dr. Jenkins and his wife (Mrs. Roberta Jones Jenkins, a fellow Tuskegee University graduate) founded Saroe Imports and later established SDD Enterprises, a highly successful real estate investment and property management firm with businesses in eight states. In 1979, Dr. Jenkins retired from veterinary medicine practice to devote full time to SSD Enterprises as CEO and President; he currently serves as Chairman of the firm. Since its founding in 1984, Dr. Jenkins has served as the Chairman of the Matthew and Roberta Jenkins Family Foundation, an entity that has donated in excess of 12 million dollars to deserving students and academic institutions, including significant contributions to Tuskegee University. READ FULL

Rasdavid Lagarde – finally Arrested for the murder of Howard University Student Omar Sykes since July 4th

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omar-sykes-howard-shooting-mpd-7513_296A Northeast Washington man has been arrested in connection with the July shooting death of a popular member of the Howard University community, authorities say Rasdavid Lagarde, a 26-year-old D.C. man, was taken into custody Tuesday morning and charged with first degree murder in connection with the shooting death of Omar Sykes, a 22-year-old Howard senior.
Sykes, a junior student of marketing and a member of the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity, was murdered on July 4 in the 700 block of Fairmount Street NW, just off the Howard campus.

Both Sykes and another student were the target of an armed robbery near Howard, MPD officials say. One of the suspects pulled out a gun and shot Sykes in the chest.

He later died at a nearby hospital. The other student was beaten by the suspects, suffering non life-threatening injuries.

Fraternity brothers and neighbors remembered Sykes after his death as a person with an encouraging nature and uplifting spirit.

“You just have to shake your head at the senselessness of it,” Howard student Jason Booker said at a community meeting held shortly after the shooting.

Read FULL

‘I am Morris Brown College’—A plea to save an HBCU

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Almost 131 years ago, Steward Wylie, a member of Atlanta’s Big Bethel AME Church, made a courageous plea to his church members that if they could furnish a room at Clark College, they could build a school of their own.

Armed with faith and belief in his mission, Morris Brown College, one of Georgia’s most treasured institutions, opened its doors. It is this type of fortitude and dedication to higher education upon which the college was founded. It stands to reason why its alumni and supporters are fiercely committed to stopping the financial hemorrhaging of its beloved institution. read more…

Lady Bulldogs Cross Country places 7th overall at HBCU Challenge

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faith copyThe Bowie State University women’s cross country team competed in the Historically Black College and Universities Challenge as part of the Great American Cross Country Festival on Saturday afternoon. The Lady Bulldogs finished in seventh place out of eleven teams in the Non-Division I scoring portion of the event. FULL RESULTS

St. Augustine’s finished first among Non-Division I scorers as four of their top five runners finished in the top ten. Winston-Salem and Virginia State finished in second and third place as a team respectively, with Lincoln (PA) finishing in fourth and Chowan fifth.

Bowie State senior Brittany Williams (Baltimore, Md.) finished first for the Lady Bulldogs, crossing the finish line in 13th place in the 78 runner field with a time of 20:48.7. Sophomore Faith Sykes (Richmond, Va.) earned a 38th place finish after completing the course in 23:45.5. Freshman Leia Conrad (Washington, D.C.) was the third Lady Bulldogs runner to cross the line at the 24:45.9 mark, good for a 50th place finish. read more…

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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