Methodology: Historically Black Colleges and Universities Rankings

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Heres the list… https://hbcubuzz.com/hbcu-rankings/

For the sixth consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report has produced a ranking of the undergraduate education at historically black colleges and universities (HBCU). These colleges were compared only with one another for these rankings.

How did we choose the schools to be part of the survey? In order to be on the list, a school currently must be listed as part of the U.S. Department of Education’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities registry.

The Higher Education Act of 1965 defines an HBCU as “any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association determined by the Secretary [of Education] to be a reliable authority as to the quality of training offered or is, according to such an agency or association, making reasonable progress toward accreditation.”

To qualify for the U.S. News ranking, an HBCU also must be an undergraduate baccalaureate-granting institution that enrolls primarily first-year, first-time students and must have been a school that was currently part of the 2013 Best Colleges rankings. In almost all cases, if an HBCU was listed as Unranked in the 2013 Best Colleges rankings, it was also listed as being Unranked in the HBCU rankings (see more details below). In total, there were 80 HBCUs eligible to be ranked, and 8 of those were Unranked.

The data that were used in the HCBU rankings—except the peer survey results, which used a separate HBCU peer assessment survey—were the same as those published and used in the 2013 edition of the Best Colleges rankings.

The U.S. News rankings system rests on two pillars: It relies on quantitative measures that education experts have proposed as reliable indicators of academic quality, and it’s based on our nonpartisan view of what matters in education. The indicators we use to capture academic quality fall into six categories: assessment by administrators at peer institutions, retention of students, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, and alumni giving.

The indicators include input measures that reflect a school’s student body, its faculty, and its financial resources, along with outcome measures—such as graduation rates and freshman retention rates—that signal how well the institution does its job of educating students.

The HBCU rankings are based on the same statistical methodology and weights used in the Best Colleges 2013 rankings for the schools in the Regional Universities and Regional Colleges ranking categories. Following are detailed descriptions of the statistical indicators and the weights that were used to measure academic quality among the HBCUs that were ranked:

Peer assessment (weighting: 25 percent): The U.S. News ranking formula gives greatest weight to the opinions of those in a position to judge a school’s undergraduate academic excellence. The peer assessment survey allows the top HBCU academics we consult to account for intangibles such as faculty dedication to teaching. Each individual is asked to rate peer schools’ academic programs on a scale from 1 (marginal) to 5 (distinguished). Those who don’t know enough about a school to evaluate it fairly are asked to mark “don’t know.”

In spring and summer of 2012, U.S. News conducted an exclusive peer survey among only the president, provost, and admission dean at each HBCU. Each HBCU received three surveys. The recipients were asked to rate all HBCUs for their undergraduate academic quality, considering each school’s scholarship record, curriculum, and quality of faculty and graduates at schools with which they were familiar. read more…

Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute marks 2 years in operation

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Two years ago, in September 2010, the Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute treated its first patient for prostate cancer. After years of planning and seed money from local, state and federal sources, HUPTI, a $225 million project — the brainchild of Hampton University President William Harvey — emerged as the largest freestanding facility of its kind in the world and only the eighth such treatment center in the United States.

Harvey predicted the institute would treat more than 2,000 cancer patients a year, generate close to $50 million in annual revenue, and contribute millions in taxes and spinoff spending annually to the local economy, while “saving lives and easing human misery.” He particularly emphasized HUPTI’s importance for the treatment of prostate cancer in Virginia’s African-American community, which has one of the highest rates – 233 per 100,000 — in the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Now starting its third year as a treatment facility, HUPTI has encountered some roadblocks — from studies questioning whether proton beam therapy is the best treatment for prostate cancer to delays in the delivery of its specialized equipment.

Undeterred, Harvey said, “We haven’t changed the plan — the actuals have changed. … I think our center’s doing pretty well.”

Proton therapy use

Prostate cancer is the most widely diagnosed cancer in U.S. men, affecting more than 240,000 in 2011, according to the American Cancer Society. When HUPTI opened, proton therapy was touted as the best treatment for its highly targeted radiation beam that spares surrounding healthy tissue and minimizes associated side effects, such as rectal bleeding. Now, its supremacy has been disputed by some, including a 2012 University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill study, and there are no definitive or conclusive clinical studies to counter it.

Leonard Arzt, executive director of the National Association for Proton Therapy, dismisses the UNC “observational study” as flawed on several counts and is anticipating that a multi-year federally funded Massachusetts study will yield a clearer picture. read more…

Bethune-Cookman agrees to 2-year football deal to play against FIU

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Bethune-Cookman’s football game at Miami on Saturday concludes a two-year contract with the Hurricanes. But it doesn’t conclude the Wildcats’ plans to play in South Florida.

B-CU has signed a two-year deal to play games at Florida International in Miami next season (Sept. 14) and in 2014 (Sept. 6), the athletic directors of both schools confirmed.

B-CU is now scheduled to play back-to-back road games next season against Football Bowl Subdivision teams at FIU followed by UCF in Orlando. Both teams are moving up to more elite conferences next season — UCF to the Big East, a BCS automatic-qualifying conference, and FIU to Conference USA.

“We want to step up in terms of playing bigger programs like that,” B-CU athletic director Lynn Thompson said. “But we want to be very strategic about it. We want to make sure we have a legitimate chance to be competitive.”

Miami defeated B-CU 45-14 last season, but the Wildcats scored first and trailed by just one touchdown at 21-14 with less than two minutes left in the third quarter.

Thompson said Miami agreed to pay B-CU about $400,000 for each of the two games at Sun Life Stadium and said the FIU contract “is in the same range.”

“Any time we can play a Florida school, it’s a no-brainer,” FIU athletic director Pete Garcia said. “They have a lot of fans down here. They’ll draw fans.”

The B-CU game will give FIU seven home games in 2014 and at least six home games in 2013 with one left to schedule, Garcia said.

The Wildcats have scheduled 12 games for next season and will be allowed to do the same in 2014, Thompson said. read more…

Episode 2: Who Run The World: HBCU Women of Power

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Beyonce couldn’t have said it better, girls run the world! And for this show we chose to highlight women in the HBCU community that are truly power players. Our show discussed African American female athletes past and present, the issue of black women’s hair, useful tips and advice on getting involved on and off campus for students, Ebony magazines HBCU Campus Queens 2012, entertainment, sports and politics re-caps.

We were honored to have Francena McCorory: 2012 Olympian, gold medal winner, and Hampton University Alumni, Dr. Melayne Maclin: Celebrity hair and skin expert, and Mea Ashley: Miss Jackson State and a 2012 Ebony HBCU Campus Queen winner, as guests!

Alabama A&M gets high ranking

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Alabama A&M University received a strong rating from a magazine whose rankings tout themselves are being more practical and useful to society than more conventional rankings.

Washington Monthly rated Alabama A&M at No. 24 nationally among Master’s Universities.

According to the magazine, the rankings build upon the premise, “What are colleges doing for the country?”

“After all, higher education matters to more than just the people who attend,” the magazine writes. “We all benefit when university researchers produce groundbreaking research in science, medicine, and technology.

“We’re all affected by the productivity of our knowledge workers and the integrity of our college-educated leaders. And we all pay for it through hundreds of billions of dollars in public subsidies to higher education, costs that are rapidly increasing in response to tuition increases that never seem to end.”

A key element in a school’s evaluation is in social mobility, which the magazine defines as giving “colleges credit for enrolling many low-income students and helping them earn degrees.”

According to Alabama A&M, the school is the highest-ranked among Historically Black Colleges and Universities for social mobility. read more…

Episode 1: The HBCU Buzz Show: A Different World: Back To School Edition

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The first HBCU Buzz Show was dedicated to welcoming back all HBCU students, and especially the new class of 2016 to the HBCU Family. During the show we focused on tips and advice for being responsible and handling finances in college, highlighted the upcoming AT&T Nations’ Football Classic as well as all the HBCU Classics for the Labor Day weekend, fall fashion trends for 2012, entertainment news, and the excitement around the upcoming Homecomings.
Our guests for the show, President of Morehouse College, Dr. Franklin and Head Coach of the Howard University Football team Gary Harrell, provided both informative and entertaining interviews for our listeners!

 

Howard student received so many speeding tickets she had to skip college

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It’s no secret that hidden speed cameras are detested — and have even been attacked — by drivers in and around the nation’s capital.

In a recent discussion on the Metropolitan Police Department’s 5th District online message board, some of those drivers contributed to a recent discussion targeting Chief Cathy Lanier, titled “Love Letters from Chief Lanier (Not So Nice).”

The conversation took the expected turns, including a vocal bunch of naysayers who said that avoiding speeding is the best way to avoid speeding tickets. Others complained about the high cost of speed-camera fines, which are currently being assessed by members of the District of Columbia Council.

Then Bianca Lamar joined in:

I am a student at Howard U and I have had to use tuition money to pay off tickets and avoid getting a boot 2-3 times. I am not enrolled in the Fall 2012 semester because of this.

Lamar tells The Huffington Post she was supposed to return to Howard University this fall, after taking time off for personal health issues. She’d spent the summer bartending at a restaurant in Alexandria, Va., and had saved just enough to pay for her tuition (about $3,500 per semester), rent (about $1,000 per month for off-campus housing in Northeast D.C.) and living expenses.

“I had saved up all summer,” she says.

Her tickets — which she says are mostly for going about ten miles per hour over the speed limit in different places in the District — arrived in the mail before the beginning of the fall term.

“They totalled around $300. And then I got a boot for it. That added on another hundred,” she says. “I ended up spending about $500 to get my car out of the boot. And I had to dig into my school money to pay for that.” read more…

VIDEO – FAMU says it’s not responsible for drum major’s hazing death

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Florida A&M University says it is not responsible for the death of a drum major last year, and that he broke the law and school policies when he willingly took part in the hazing that left him dead.

In court papers filed Monday night, the school asked a judge to drop a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the parents of 26-year-old Robert Champion.

“Mr. Champion should have refused to participate in the planned hazing event and reported it to law enforcement or University administrators,” the court documents say. “Under these circumstances, Florida’s taxpayers should not be held financially liable to Mr. Champion’s Estate for the ultimate result of his own imprudent, avoidable and tragic decision and death.”

The student’s family lambasted the school Tuesday for denying responsibility.

“The Champion family is shocked at the defense FAMU has chosen in the brutal hazing death of Robert Champion,” family attorney Christopher Chestnut said. “We simply cannot ignore the audacity of an institution that blames students for their own deaths, yet for decades ignored the hazing epidemic occurring within its own walls.”

In a message to CNN, school attorney Richard E. Mitchell said FAMU is not “blaming the victim,” but is saying “that his voluntary participation in felony hazing, as a 26 year old grown man and band leader, bars his estate’s alleged claim for taxpayer dollars as a matter of law.”

FAMU is publicly funded.

Champion died in November 2011 following his beating on a bus in Orlando, Florida, after a football game at which the school’s famed marching band performed.

The ritual, called “Crossing Bus C,” was an initiation in which pledges try to run down a bus’s center aisle while being assaulted by senior members, according to some university band members.

Fourteen people since have been charged in the case. They include 11 facing one count apiece of third-degree felony hazing resulting in death and two counts each of first-degree misdemeanor hazing. Three others each face a single count of first-degree misdemeanor hazing.

In July, Champion’s parents filed a lawsuit against the school’s board of trustees, the company that owns the bus in which the abuse occurred, and the driver of the bus.

The school, in its response filed Monday night, said Champion watched or at least heard two other students — one female, one male — undergoing hazing on the bus before he did, and there is “no allegation or evidence” that he attempted to stop the process before being hazed himself.

“Instead, Mr. Champion allowed himself to be subjected to an act of hazing known as a ‘hot seat,’ during which he allowed his adult body to be deprived of oxygen, punched, kicked and hit with objects,” the court documents say.

Champion’s injuries “arose from his participation in unlawful acts of hazing,” so the school cannot be held legally liable, it argued.

FAMU noted that many of Champion’s “co-conspirators are now under criminal prosecution for felony hazing, yet Plaintiff has not asserted any civil claims against any of Mr. Champion’s identified hazers.”

The family’s lawsuit said FAMU “has a long history of knowledge of and tolerance for hazing within the” band, including incidents that led to hospitalizations over the years.

FAMU students will have to sign anti-hazing pledge to take classes

In November, shortly before the incident involving Champion, the school’s Dean Henry Kirby “proposed imposing an immediate long-term suspension of the FAMU Band to combat the egregious hazing,” but the school did not implement the proposal after opposition from the band director, the lawsuit alleges.

It also argues that band members “were under the control of FAMU at all times” during the weekend when Champion died.

The bus was operated “pursuant to a valid Florida contract” between the bus company, Fabulous Coach, and FAMU, the lawsuit says.

The count accusing FAMU of wrongful death says the FAMU Board of Trustees owed Champion “a duty of care” and knew, or should have known, that the band engaged in conduct that violated laws and school policies.

The board either “negligently failed to have any policies or procedures governing, monitoring, or disciplining FAMU Band members for facilitation, participation or encouragement of hazing activities” or failed to adequately implement such policies.

FAMU president resigns in wake of hazing death

While an amount of money was not specified, the lawsuit sought damages for wrongful death as well as for the pain and suffering of the dead man’s parents, Robert and Pamela Champion.

FAMU trustees and school officials have taken numerous steps to strengthen rules against hazing since Champion’s death, including setting up an independent panel of experts to investigate hazing allegations. Referenced from CNN

Author and Norfolk State alum captures the HBCU experience in his new book “Homecoming Weekend”

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As an Essence Magazine #1 bestselling author and national award-winning journalist, 1983 Norfolk State University graduate Curtis Bunn has effortlessly developed the ability to build genuine stories that expose real-life thinking and desires of men – as shown in his 2001 bestselling debut novel Baggage Check.

Now, he’s back with a humorous and engrossing journey to a two-day university homecoming at a historically black college/university (HBCU) in HOMECOMING WEEKEND (Strebor; September 4, 2012) where reminiscing partying, sex, identity-seeking, romance, laughter, and even tears are about to ensue.

There is nothing quite like the fall tradition of the annual homecoming weekend on an HBCU campus. A massive family reunion of sorts, the annual experience is a universally sentimental event where alumni can come relive their glory days at games and step shows, check up on old crushes and friends, and check out everybody’s new looks and lists of accomplishments. In HOMECOMING WEEKEND, five friends return to Curtis Bunn’s real-life alma mater, Norfolk State University in Norfolk, VA with specific goals: reconnecting with old love interests, bragging about successes, making business contacts, and finding sexual partners. Read More 

Possible Tuberculosis case probed at Elizabeth City State University

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Local health and university officials are responding to an apparent case of pulmonary tuberculosis at Elizabeth City State University but are being mum about the details.

An ECSU employee apparently has been diagnosed with the highly infectious disease, which, according to the Centers for Disease Control, is caused by bacteria, spread through the air and attacks the lungs. If not treated properly, tuberculosis can be fatal, the CDC website states.

Kesha Williams, a spokeswoman for ECSU, referred Monday to a statement released by Albemarle Regional Health Services that states the health agency and the university have concluded an investigation into a “possible TB case.”

Jerry Parks, director of ARHS, said his agency has a plan to deal with communicable diseases but he offered few details about the reported TB case at ECSU.

“Rest assured ARHS is well versed in addressing communicable disease investigation and works (in this area) on a routine basis,” he said in an e-mail response to questions.

Parks referred further questions to Jill Jordan, ARHS’ public information officer, who said that because of privacy issues the agency could not release any information about specific cases of disease.

Like Parks, Jordan stressed that ARHS officials fully investigate cases of reported communicable disease and then take measures to ensure “proper diagnosis, treatment and prevention … to those exposed, or potentially exposed.” The agency also works with state officials and local medical providers to ensure “proper control measures (are taken) to reduce the spread of communicable disease,” she said.

Jordan referred other questions to ECSU.

Cases of tuberculosis in Pasquotank County are rare. State data shows that between 2006 and 2010, there was only one reported case every year — except in 2009, when there were no reported cases.

The incidence of the disease nationally is also falling. The CDC estimates the number of TB cases in the U.S. fell from 25,107 in 1993 to 11,182 in 2010 and 10,521 last year. Read More

Joint council of land-grant universities and USDA meet at Tuskegee

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Tuskegee University hosted the USDA/1890 Task Force meeting, Sunday and Monday, at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center at Tuskegee University. The task force is a partnership between the United States Department of Agriculture and 1890 land-grant universities; Tuskegee is one of 18 such institutions established by the second Morrill Act of 1890. Gilbert L. Rochon, Tuskegee University president is the co-chair of the task force and chair of the Council of 1890 Universities.

According to Walter A. Hill, dean of the College of Agriculture, Environment and Nutrition Science, programs associated with the task force have previously provided grants and scholarship funding for the university and its students, respectively. He said today’s meeting focused on the 2012 Farm Bill, strengthening ongoing collaborations and addressing new challenges and opportunities.

“It’s crucial now, given the fiscal constraints that exist, that we diversify our portfolio and attempt to drill down on the wide array of agencies within USDA,” Rochon said. “At the same time, move toward a more horizontal integration of 1890 universities with other federal agencies.” Read More 

Texas Southern Earns Top Ranking as “Degree Producer” Among African American & Hispanic Students

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In two recent separately released reports, one by the Texas Higher Education Journal and one by Diverse Issues In Higher Education, Texas Southern University was recognized as a leading producer of bachelor’s and graduate degrees among African-American and Hispanic students.

The Texas Higher Education Journal reported that in Texas, TSU ranked first with 87 percent e African-American graduation rated followed by Prairie View with 82 percent, University of Houston-Downtown, 24 percent, Texas A&M University-Central Texas, 23 percent and Lamar University, 23 percent.

In the Diverse Issues in Higher Education survey, Texas Southern ranked fourth out of 100 (4th out of 100) in African-American conferred doctoral degrees. In 2010-2011, TSU had 125 African-American graduates which was 46 percent of the total graduating class. Howard University ranked first with 316 African-American graduates or 73 percent of its total graduates.

“Our mission at Texas Southern University is to become a premier university of urban programming,” saidDr. John Rudley, Texas Southern President. “Our rankings in these two recent studies indicate that we are on the right path of achieving this mission. With continued determination and perseverance we will improve our rankings by increasing our retention and graduation rates.”

TSU also ranked 23rd out of 94 with 46 Hispanics earning doctoral degrees which was 17 percent of the total graduating class. In bachelor degrees conferred, TSU ranked 31st in the top 100 of produced African-American bachelor’s degree – all disciplines combined. TSU had 669 African-American graduates which were 87 percent of the graduating class. University of Phoenix ranked first with 3,124 African-American graduates which was 14 percent of its total graduating class.

Dr. Rasoul Saneifard, Texas Southern Chair, Faculty Senate/Assembly, stated, “It is exciting news to know that Texas Southern has been highly ranked as a top producer of undergraduate and graduate degrees for African-American and Hispanic students. Congratulations are due to each and every faculty member for their dedication and diligence in teaching, advising, and graduating our students.”

In total, minority professional doctoral degrees conferred, TSU ranked 16th with 225 total graduates, 83 percent being minorities.

TSU New Director of Student Activities Well Versed in Multicultural Affairs, Greek Life

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The University has hired a new Director of Student Activities. He is Dr. Jame’l R. Hodges, who comes to TSU with a wide range of experience in various areas of student affairs.

With a diverse expertise and experience in Greek Life, admissions, service learning and leadership, Dr. Hodges says he is excited about serving at TSU.

“My expectations are to learn, educate, and work toward making a difference in the lives of our students,” says Hodges. “I am passionate about working with our student clubs and organizations in enhancing the collaboration between student affairs and academic affairs.”

Before coming to TSU, he worked with the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities as staff associate in the Office for Access and the Advancement of Public Black Universities in Washington, D.C.

Prior to that, Dr. Hodges was director of Multicultural Affairs in the Office of Student Affairs at Lehigh University, and the coordinator of Residential Education and Leadership, and coordinator of Greek Life and Education  at California State Polytechnic University. He also served as Greek Life advisor and Student Affairs counselor at the University of Georgia.

Hodges holds an Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Southern California; a master’s degree also in Higher Education Administration from Florida State University; and a bachelor’s degree in English and Mass Communication from Virginia State University. Read More 

Ala’Torya Cranford, Paine College To Serve On UNCF National Alumni Council Board of Directors

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Ala’Torya Cranford, ’09 was chosen to serve as a member of the 2012-2013 United Negro College Fund (UNCF) National Alumni Council Board of Directors. She holds the title of Assistant Southeast Regional Representative. As the Assistant Southeast Regional Representative, she will be responsible for working with 30 of the 38 UNCF member institutions. Cranford will also attend the annual NAC conferences and assist with increasing National Alumni Association involvement.

Cranford currently serves as Assistant Director of Alumni Relations at Paine College. She is responsible for overseeing a comprehensive alumni program including electronic communications, an on-line community, events (both on campus and regional), and programs to bring alumni together with current students as well as preparing students to develop into supportive and involved alumni through the Paine College Pre-Alumni Council.

“I’ve worked with Pre- Alumni students during the NAC/UNCF leadership conferences for the past two years. It’s a privilege to be trusted to be a part of the UNCF/NAC Board. God is blessing me and I plan to do my best as I represent my alma mater,” Cranford said.

The National Alumni Council is an affiliate of the United Negro College Fund, Inc. founded in 1946, to foster, influence and safeguard the existence and strength of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).

About UNCF
UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. UNCF provides operating funds for 38 member historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), scholarships and internships for students at about 900 institutions and faculty and administrative professional training.

For more than 67 years, UNCF has raised more than $3.3 billion to help more than 400,000 students attend college and graduate from college. UNCF has distributed more funds to help minorities attend school than any entity outside of the U.S. government. Read More

Leaders without a Title: What Can Be Learned From Morris Brown College

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Losing its accreditation and federal funding in 2002 and suffering from mismanagement of the school’s finances, Morris Brown College (Georgia) is at the place where the road stops—a domino effect that has the well-known institution on the brink of foreclosure.

Founded by the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1881, the private, Liberal Arts College is more than $30 million in debt. Reporting, The Huffington Post told how supporters and alumni of the school joined together on campus for a prayer vigil, hoping to see the day when the highly acclaimed college strengthens and is revitalized.

Yet Morris Brown, an institution who has historically served underserved persons, is not alone in the battle of mismanagement and allegations.

Wilberforce University (Ohio), Fisk University (Tennessee), Knoxville College (Tennessee), and several other historically black colleges and universities similarly face years of financial trouble, large debt problems, allegations woes and ailments, and declining enrollment. Giving such information and realities, blemishes and faults of HBCUs today demonstrate how these institutions are in dire need of transformation.

Considering truths, students, alumni, supporters and alike alarmed about the matter quickly request, “What can be done to fix the problem?” Frankly, the way out is cleverly hidden within ourselves.

Many individuals are doing little to prevent road blocks abrupt as Morris Brown’s from arising at their HBCU. What is more, if the institution’s troubles have the pleasure of not being visible, persons are doing less to help serve and aid their HBCU.

I recall, standing in line at Taco Bell days ago, students complaining about Central State University, comparing it to Wright State University, a much larger school about fifth teen minutes away. One student advocated how Wright State is better than his own university, further proving the belief on the yard that Central State is mediocre, for Wright State has a better food market (among other praises by the student).

Though the student’s testimonial perhaps is right—Wright State’s food market is overwhelming when compared to ours—his proposition does nothing but hinder the opportunities that tolerantly rest beneath his very grounds.

Seeing the situation of Morris Brown and other famed Black colleges, I note that HBCUs are not only in dire need of renovation, they are equally in desperate need of leaders, young men and women who would look adversity in the eye knowing that prosperity and riches lie ahead.

Lost in thought on how to fix our HBCUs’ problems, we should remember to look no farther than our own backyard in place of answers, for the simple reason that change begin with us.

Tips from a Christian Athlete – Kesi Hess

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Kesi Hess is the Vice-President of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is involved in My Sister’s Keeper Inc. She also pays On Tennessee State University’s basketball team as a senior. She has been known as an electrifying scorer that is a deadly three point shooter. She is from Columbus, OH and majors in accounting.

When I interviewed her, she talked about the importance of hanging with people who have a lot of ambition because it pays off. Many people enter college and hang with people that strangle their drive and it has negative dividends. Which plays into the theme from 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NASB), “Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”

She discussed her favorite scripture, Galatians 6:9 (NASB), “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” This scripture depicts the Christian walk in a nut-shell. It can become easy to lose compassion for doing the right things but, this tells us that if we continue to do the right things we will see the benefits. It may seem like benefits in our life take forever to occur but this scripture gives hope in a hopeless world.

Kesi is a very busy college student, since she is a student athlete, so we talked about how to properly manage one’s time in college. She quickly said, “I just do it, Robert.” She makes sure that she completes her work early, so she leaves no room for procrastination. Procrastination is a disease that cripples the vitality and vigor of many college students around the world.

I asked Ms. Hess what her favorite book was and she said the bible. She irrevocably stands as great Christian Athlete leader on her campus and will be someone who makes a difference in our unmoral and unethical world. Last night, President Barrack Obama spoke elegantly in his speech, he said, “We don’t turn back. We leave no one behind. We pull each other up!” Kesi lives up to the centrality of Obama’s statement in his speech.