Moody’s cuts credit rating for Cheyney and other PA colleges

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Moody’s Investors Service has cut the credit rating on $1.5 billion borrowed by West Chester University, Cheyney University, and the 12 other Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education colleges to Aa3, from Aa2.

The state-owned colleges face “weakening state support” under Gov. Corbett, along with “declining enrollment” – the number of full-time students dropped below 107,000 this fall, from 112,000 a year ago – and “weak” applications from feeder high schools, especially in depressed parts of Western Pennsylvania. Moody’s also cited “political limitations on the system’s ability to raise tuition and fees, and challenges in reducing expenditures” under negotiated labor contracts. read more…

FAMU’s Joe Taylor will retire after 40 years of coaching

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Expressing a sense of fulfillment after 40 years of coaching that included the last five seasons at FAMU, Joe Taylor stunningly announced Saturday morning he is retiring from college football.

Taylor said he and his wife, Beverly, discussed it for several months before he decided to retire after the Rattlers play their final game, Nov. 17 in the Florida Classic.

Taylor told his players of the decision here during a meeting before they boarded the team bus for Aggies Stadium, where the Rattlers were set to face North Carolina A&T in a pivotal MEAC game. read more…

First Lady visits Hampton U

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First lady Michelle Obama asked Hampton University students Friday to change their plans for the weekend and volunteer for President Barack Obama’s reelection campaign’s effort to get voters to the polls Tuesday.

“Hampton students, whatever you are planning to do for the weekend that doesn’t involve getting the vote out – postpone that,” the first lady told a raucous crowd of more than 2,200. “A weekend out of your lives could make a difference about your future.” read more…

Bulldog men picked to finish last in MEAC basketball poll

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It will be a full decade next year since the South Carolina State men’s basketball team last appeared in the NCAA tournament.

The rest of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference apparently believes this dry spell will continue. Coming off the worst season in school history, the Bulldogs were picked to finish last by the conference’s head coaches and sports information directors.

S.C. State received only 62 voting points, well behind 1st place and defending regular-season champion Savannah State (616) which received 24 of 26 first-place votes. Second-place Delaware State and fourth place MEAC tournament champion Norfolk State received the other first-place votes. read more…

Hawkins Selected to MEAC Preseason All-First Team

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The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference released the 2012-13 preseason rankings and honors early Tuesday afternoon and the Delaware State University women’s basketball team is predicted to finish 11th in the league while redshirt sophomore Tierra Hawkins (Clinton, Md.) was selected to the MEAC Preseason All-First Team.
The Hornets received a total of 160 points in the preseason poll, as voted on by the conference’s head women’s basketball coaches and sports information directors. read more…

18 Famous Historically Black College and University Alumni

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Many of pop culture’s biggest names have their own remarkable origin story. A lucky break, a serendipitous career move, or the life experience and knowledge gained at university.

It should come as no surprise, then, that quite a number of today’s black leaders — actors, singers, authors and political figures — all share a common bond: as fellow HBCU alumni.

From Florida A&M to Howard, Spelman to Morehouse, here are 15 of some of the most famous contemporary faces to come out of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. read more…

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Former Howard U dean, Austin Lane passes

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Austin D. Lane, 79, who retired from Howard University in 1986 as dean for special student services, died Oct. 27 at a nursing home in Oxford, N.C.

He had complications from diabetes and dementia, said a nephew, Robert B. Lane Jr.

Austin David Lane was a native of Raleigh, N.C., and a 1958 business administration graduate of North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro. He was a 1961 graduate of Howard University law school and received a master’s degree in law from Georgetown University in 1963. read more…

Miss Mykie: From Howard University to ‘106 & Park’

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It’s always hard for fans when the hosts of “106 & Park” change. Though AJ and Free, the original hosts, left the show in 2005, a Google search of the words “Bring AJ and Free back” will prove that some fans still have not let go. Big Tigger and Julissa filled in for a while, but in 2006 Rocsi Diaz and Terrence Jenkins settled in, and carried BET’s music video countdown for six years.

After the network announced in May that they would be leaving, BET upped the replacement host ante, launching “The Search”, a nationwide contest to be the next host of the music video countdown show. read more…

FAMU professor awarded U.S. patent to indentify bacteria stains

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Marlon S. Thomas, bioengineer and professor in Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, has been awarded United States Patent No. 8,252,522 for his research development in species detection methods and systems.

Bacterial infections continue to be one of the major health risks in this country and timing in successfully diagnosing life-threatening ailments contributes to the high cost of health care and patient mortality.

Thomas, after six years of research, has invented a new method to quickly identify bacteria stains by using chemical dyes and fluorescent assays. read more…

HBCU Power Rankings

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This is the first I’ve seen/read of this, but Boxtorow has just released its latest HBCU Power Rankings. It’s the third week of such rankings, so I guess it’s better late than never.

Jackson State isn’t on the list, but several of the Tigers’ opponents are. Alabama A&M comes in at No. 7, Alabama State at No. 5 and Arkansas-Pine Bluff is ranked third.

Tennessee State is ranked No. 1. read more…

Farrakhan leaves Bowie State students with a message

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The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan delivered an inspirational message of empowerment and responsibility to a capacity crowd of mostly students inside the Martin Luther King Jr. Communication Arts Center on the campus of Bowie State University October 26.

“I am the change that I’ve been looking for,” Minister Farrakhan told the crowd and those viewing live nationwide via Internet web-cast. “Don’t look for somebody else to make change for you. You have got to say I am the change that I’ve been looking for,” he added. read more…

Inside the Early Vote: African Americans

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As we continue our daily updates on the state of the ground game, we want to turn attention to the African American vote. The African American community is solidly and overwhelmingly behind President Obama, because they know he is fighting for all of us, not just some of us.

Our campaign has been committed to organizing in the African American community for years, with our Barbershop and Beauty Salon program, congregation captains, and HBCU summits (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). Over the last four years we have built deep roots and recruited and trained members of the community to own and run the campaign in their neighborhoods. As a result, African American volunteers are a strong foundation of our team-based grassroots program. read more…

Finalists for TSU Presidency

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There are four finalists for the job as Tennessee State University president, in which all four conducted an interview with HBCU Buzz.

Dr. Bennie Harris, one of the finalist, received a Bachelor’s from Mississippi State in Industrial Engineering, an MBA from Washington State and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from University of Alabama. Dr. Harris released a statement with HBCU Buzz, stating, “I am excited to speak on a unique and solid mission. I look forward to possibly serving and having a conversation with faculty and students.”

Dr. Glenda Glover is the only TSU grad among the finalist. She plans to ensure that TSU remains competitive, TSU forms business partnerships for fundraising and TSU increases in enrollment, and believes that the areas that she has studied and worked in make her great for the position.

“I want to give back to the University that gave so much to me,” Dr. Glover said an interview.

Dr. Glover received a Bachelor’s in Mathematics from Tennessee State University, an MBA from Clark Atlanta, a law degree and Ph. D. in Business Economics and Policy degree, both from Georgetown University.

Working with enrollment management to transform TSU from an 8K student population to 12K, Dr. Candace Campbell-Jackson believes healthy enrollment is key. In an interview with HBCU Buzz, Dr. Campell-Jackson said if she is selected, she will spend 3-4 months with campus stake-holders to fully understand all the goals.

“Communities need 21st century HBCU’s that address 21st century problems and graduate 21st century students,” Dr. Campbell-Jackson said.

Dr. Campbell-Jackson has won a Humanitarian Award in the past; she received a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Howard University and a law degree from University of Akron School of law.

Greg Duckett, vice chairman of the Tennessee Board of Regents and search committee chair, released a press statement saying, “The search committee is pleased to recommend an excellent group of candidates for consideration. We look forward to learning more about each of them and giving them an opportunity to meet with TSU family and friends.”

Dr. Campbell made her visit to the yard of TSU, and Dr. Bennie Harris plans his visit Tuesday, October 30th. The other candidates will follow as the week progresses.

More information on the finalist and their visit can be found at the school’s website.

Also, check out finalist Dr. Ainsley Carry’s exclusive interview with HBCU Buzz: Dr. Ainsley Carry, candidate for TSU president.

Posted by Robert Hoggard Posted on 231 articles

Exclusive: HBCU Buzz interviews Dr. Ainsley Carry, candidate for TSU president

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Four finalists for Tennessee State University president were screened and selected by the Tennessee Board of Regents committee from eighty-six applicants around the country, according to a media release. Interim Tennessee State University president, Portia Shields’ contract expires at the end of the semester, but can be renewed.

The finalists for the job are Dr. Ainsley Carry, vice president for Student Affairs at Auburn University; Dr. Bennie Harris, vice president for Development and Alumni Relations at Lipscomb University; Dr. Glenda Glover, dean of the College of Business at Jackson State University and; Dr. Candace Campbell, vice president and chief of staff at The University of Akron.

HBCU Buzz Staff Writer Robert Hoggard had the opportunity to interview Dr. Carry about his tactics and policies, and what he sees and envision as president of one of the most historic colleges in the nation.

Dr. Ainsley Carry

Q What are your plans for Tennessee State University?

A If I am selected, my plans are to ‘hit the ground listening’. TSU is a special place full of history and traditions. I want to respect that heritage of this great institution and learn about the culture, threats, and opportunities to move forward together. I think it is vitally important that my administration fosters a shared governance culture that seeks input from key constituents such as faculty, staff, students, parents, alum, and Tennessee Board of Regents. Once everyone has chimed in, we need to be clear and committed about our plans to move forward.

Q What interested you to apply for the TSU job?

A TSU has a diverse student body: 70% African-American, 22% Caucasian, and 8% Asian, Latino and international. TSU offers a comprehensive academic curriculum and the Academic Master Plan is a bold and visionary concept.

“I look forward to the opportunity to compete for the position. TSU is a good school with tremendous potential to be great. I would be honored to serve as President,” Dr. Carry said.

In the course of his line of business, Dr. Carry has earned a Bachelor’s in Economics, a Master’s in Counseling Education and a Doctorate in Higher Education; all from University of Florida. He also has an MBA from Auburn University.

Although he has not attended an HBCU in the past, neither as a student nor as an administrator, he believes he is still well prepared for the job as TSU president.

“What I know well is how to adjust to different institutional cultures and how to be successful in new cultures. It all begins with listening and sharing decision making,” said Dr. Carry.

The candidates will visit TSU October 29th- November 1st to meet with faculty, administrators, students and community members. There also will be receptions and campus forums, which will be streamed online, live.

A schedule for each finalist is currently posted on www.tnstate.edu.

Posted by Robert Hoggard Posted on 231 articles

Coppin State University President Steps Down

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From The Examiner:

After relentless efforts towards increasing retention rates, expanding technological innovation and building a new online business degree program, President Reginald S. Avery announced his decision to step down from his role as President of Coppin State University.  On Wednesday, Avery remarked in his resignation speech, “It has been my privilege and honor to have served as President of Coppin and to have worked with a talented and dedicated team of individuals who care deeply about the university and our students. I am proud of what we have achieved together.”

Dr. Avery began his presidency at Coppin in January 2008 with the hopes to reform one of the lowest achieving public colleges in Maryland. With graduation rates wedged below 20 percent, Avery promised faculty and students that he would initiate necessary change to rebuild a strong, competitive institution of higher education.  Avery commented in a speech addressing his faculty, “We’re going to do what we can to make sure we are addressing the needs of our students- retaining them, and also that they are graduating in a timely manner.”

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